THINE OWN SELF
DESIGNER REINVENTS THE RULEBOOK
EVERY INJURY. EVERY CONDITION.
Whether it’s a new injury or one that’s been lingering, you can lean on us to get you back to moving and feeling good again. And with over 20 locations, you won’t have to go far to get treated by TRIA.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
AS A LOCAL COMPANY, OUR COMMITMENT TO LOCAL PRODUCTS AND PRODUCERS IS IN OUR DNA.
• We have established long-term relationships with Minnesota growers to bring you the freshest, bestquality produce in every season.
• Whenever we can, we choose Minnesota Grown in order to bring you foods that are fresher by miles.
• Since 1983, we’ve partnered with hundreds of local producers to give their products a chance.
• Many of the Twin Cities’ best food success stories started in Kowalski’s Markets.
SEPTEMBER 2024
“Do we need to be beholden to the traditional structure?” —Victoria Sass, Prospect Refuge Studio (page 14)
Photo: Spacecrafting
Eye of the Beholder, page 26
All that pomp and circumstance doesn’t happen by itself.
4 Antrim Terrace – Edina
teardowns for contemporary remodels.
Kowalski’s debuts its latest store with trusted standards and enticing newcomers.
Indulge in the epitome of luxury living at this exquisite estate nestled within a peaceful culde-sac. Boasting 5 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and a rare main floor master suite, this home offers unparalleled comfort and convenience. Arrive in style with a grand entrance and ample parking in the expansive 4-car garage. Entertain with ease in the spacious walk-out lower level, complete with a sunroom and six fireplaces scattered throughout the home. Embrace nature’s tranquility on the wooded lot, providing ultimate privacy and serenity. Experience the height of sophistication in this secluded haven, where every detail is crafted for refined living and timeless elegance.
from the EDITOR
Welcome to the September issue, where we explore the concept of home in many of its aspects. As the seasons shift and we cozy up indoors, we explore the essence of what makes a house a home
In this issue, we are excited to delve into the heart of modern living. We examine the latest social media trend of color drenching and its more common cousin, color blocking (page 18). We also have an interesting concept to introduce: What if the rooms in your house didn’t have to be traditional? What if the dining room didn’t have to be the dining room? What would you do if you could throw the rulebook out the window and allocate the rooms in your home in a way that truly works for you (page 14)? We aim to inspire and empower you to create spaces that reflect your unique personality and lifestyle.
One of the highlights of this issue is an in-depth feature on a home designed with love and intention for a child with invisible and visible disabilities. We shed light on how thoughtful design and innovation can truly transform lives, making spaces that are not just beautiful, but are also accessible and inclusive (page 30).
As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of home design and living, we hope we spark creativity and provide you with practical insights to enhance your living spaces. Wishing you warmth and inspiration this autumn.
feroza@localmedia.co
On the Cover
See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town! Edina Magazine @edinamag @edinamag
Photo: Chris Emeott
Feroza Mehta
The Public House, Photo by Nicole Franzen, page 14
OVO RESTORATIVE LENS EXCHANGE (RLE) is a great option for patients in their 40’s and 50’s who want to see near, far and everything in between without glasses or contacts. Ditch the reading glasses forever! RLE is a permanent solution for your vision. It can correct myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. The procedure is painless and takes about 30 minutes. Most patients can drive and work the next day. Best of all, you will never develop cataracts later in life.
DEZ YOUNG KS95
“OVO changed my life. Thanks to Dr. Lobanoff and RLE, I’ve ditched my reading glasses for good! Life is too short not to see it!”
STEVE GORMAN
KQRS & FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BLACK CROWES
“I have the near and distance vision of my youth forever thanks to RLE from OVO.”
LATROY HAWKINS
FORMER MINNESOTA TWIN
“My goal was to see far, intermediate and close. I did my homework and OVO is the best in the business.”
Fulton Neighborhood!
5233 Drew Ave South Minneapolis
Better than new construction!
Introducing this breathtaking home just steps away from 50th & France in the sought-after Fulton neighborhood. No detail was overlooked when it comes to superior finishes including coffered ceilings, inset cabinetry, a custom bi-fold accordion door, and high-end appliances. Unwind by the marble fireplace in the spacious living area or retreat to the primary suite with an extra large, walk-in closet and luxurious bathroom. Enjoy indooroutdoor living at its finest, with a 375 sqft screened-in porch. Outside, professional landscaping with café string lights creates a private oasis, adding to the allure of this exceptional property.
Please contact us for more information.
612.703.5130
VOL. 20 NO. 2 edinamag.com
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR
Feroza Mehta
MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
DIGITAL EDITOR
Madeline Kopiecki
COPY EDITORS
Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Kelly Cochrane, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle and Rachel Schuehle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alison Perrier Briggs, Sarah Davis, Taylor Ellingson, Daniel Green, Maire Katyal, Megan Maynor, Twila Singh, Kelly Smith, Maureen Millea Smith, Jasmine Brett Stringer and Laura Westlund
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Tia Benson, Findlay Drabant and Grace Knapp
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Alison Perrier Briggs, Edina Community Foundation ; Daphne Edwards, Edina Public Schools ; Greg Hoyt, Rustica Bakery ; Shelly Loberg, Edina Chamber of Commerce ; Rebecca Sorenson, 50th & France Business Association ; and Jasmine Brett Stringer, Carpe Diem with Jasmine
SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR
Sarah Dovolos
ART DIRECTOR
Allison Nolden
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Jamie Klang
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo
LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Emeott
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Brittni Dye
PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Stone
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Mimi Coz
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson, Abbie Kinn and Kathie Smith
PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson To
Join us for the 20th Anniversary of the Edina Fall Into the Arts Festival on Sept. 7th + 8th at Centennial Lakes Park!
EDINA ICON TURNS 90
IT’S THE EDINA THEATRE’S 90th anniversary. After surviving multiple renovations, a tornado, COVID19 and Barbenheimer, this iconic local landmark celebrates nine decades of presenting movies in Edina. It opened on August 31, 1934, with the movie Many Happy Returns, starring George Burns and Gracie Allen.
For the full story, go to edinamag.com.
Laura Westlund is an arts writer and editor in the Twin Cities and an art hound for Minnesota Public Radio.
Photo:
Embrace the Transition
The back-to-school season can bring many different feelings, including stress and anxiety from parents and kids alike. Add these mindfulness tools into your emotional toolbox this month.
Meditation and Mindfulness. It can be used by all family members, regardless of age. Mantras are a great familyoriented mindfulness practice. Work together to come up with a few you can use on the way to school, such as, “Today will be a good day,” or, “I can do hard things.” Start or end your day with a mindfulness technique to help ease anxiety and prepare you and your kids’ minds for the next day.
» Take three deep breaths to release worry and fear.
» Listen to a short, guided meditation before bed.
» Go for a mindfulness walk without devices.
Offer intentional and regular opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations free from distractions. Create space for each family member to express their feelings openly and without judgment. Not only does this offer an opportunity to forge a deeper connection, it will also help alleviate fears your child might be experiencing.
Kelly Smith is the founder of Yoga For You and host of the podcast Mindful in Minutes
TASTE
The Secret to Amazing Tomato Soup
The satisfaction of growing your own produce is second to none. To then be able to cook with those ingredients makes it even more special. By now, the tomatoes will be falling off the vine. Here is a lovely tomato soup that is very healthy and full of nutrients.
The secret to making this recipe taste like it’s been made in Italy is to follow these three important steps:
1. Oven roast the tomatoes.
2. Roast the garlic.
3. Use sundried tomato paste.
Adding basil oil gives it a little five star restaurant appeal. I love to have a few plastic bottles filled with a basil oil, herb oil and tomato coulis. When you dress up your dish, it really makes a difference, especially for those of you wanting to share those creations on social media. I have done a lot of work at some great hotels across the world, and that final plating really sets the dish off. To be honest, it can be a little bit of a lifesaver to a dish that lacks color.
For the recipe, visit edinamag.com
Chef Daniel Green specializes in healthy eating. Find his cookbooks on amazon.com.
Photo: Chris Emeott
Moving Heaven and Earth
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store weaves history, extraordinary language, gripping plot and characters that have depth and humanity into a book that many reviewers felt was the finest novel of 2023.
Written by National Book Award winning author James McBride, the story is set in the Chicken Hill neighborhood of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, during the 1930s. African Americans migrated there to work for the railroads, as day laborers, housekeepers and laundresses. Eastern European Jews emigrated there to escape pogroms, hoping to ply their trades and practice their faith in peace. Italians and Greeks came to escape poverty and strife. Together, they live on Chicken Hill, without sewers or plumbing. Their labor is needed but much resented.
Moshe Ludlow and his wife, Chona, own the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.
Moshe runs a musical theater and dance hall that serves people of all races and religions. Chona manages the store, where the children of Chicken Hill know that they will never leave hungry. Working for the Ludlows are an African American couple, Nate and Addie Timblin. Nate works at the theater, and Addie helps run the store. Neither couple has children.
When the state decides that it wants to commit Addie’s deaf nephew, Dodo, to a home for the mentally “unfit,” Chona hides the boy in the store’s basement. Government agents begin to make surprise visits to Chicken Hill in search of the child, leaving the community on edge. A wondrous read.
Maureen Millea Smith is a retired librarian and a Minnesota Book Award winning novelist.
Putting the “Yay” in Chardonnay
There seems to be two types of wine drinkers, ones who only drink chardonnay and those who wouldn’t touch the buttery stuff with a 10-foot oaky pole.
Chardonnay is the chicken of grapes. It can be prepared in many ways. Just because you do not like buffalo chicken fingers, for example, doesn’t mean you do not enjoy chicken fricassee. There is a very broad taste profile to chardonnay.
To those who aren’t fans of chardonnay:
» Chardonnay can be extremely manipulated. If you don’t like the idea of heavily oaked and buttery versions, such as Rombauer or Butter, you most likely do not like the preparation versus the grape itself. There are many expressions of the varietal that have zero oak or butter taste to it.
» You’ve probably drank chardonnay already, and you don’t even know it. Champagne is often crafted with chardonnay. Veuve Clicquot, for example, is almost half chardonnay. Chablis, White Bourgogne (white Burgundy), Macon and Pouilly-Fuisse are almost always chardonnay.
» Chardonnay is usually low in sugar, alcohol and tannin.
Some helpful hints:
» Oak presence can vary a lot in chardonnay. American Oak Barrel aging delivers the most prominent flavor. French Oak is more delicate. Steel aging will give no oak taste.
» American-style chardonnays can be (but not all are) the most oaky and buttery compared to French styles.
» The butter flavor you may experience in some wine is from a process where winemakers encourage the acid in the wine that is the same found in apples to convert to the same type in milk. This is called “malolactic fermentation.” Save this in your phone, so you can sound really fancy at your next happy hour. Some chardonnays have this, many others do not.
For recommendations, visit edinamag.com.
Alison Perrier Briggs is a level two sommelier and an Edina resident.
Thine Own Self
Designer reinvents the rulebook.
By Feroza Mehta
IN A WORLD where conformity often dictates the blueprint of our homes, there’s a quiet renaissance stirring. It’s a movement where walls aren’t just barriers but opportunities for expression. Where rooms aren’t confined by their
designated purposes but liberated as canvases for individuality. Welcome to the realm of home design where the traditional layout takes a backseat, and the only rule is to make a home truly yours.
Function Before Tradition
“There is a lot of reimagining of the function of rooms,” says Victoria Sass, design director of Prospect Refuge Studio. “Do I need a formal dining room? Do I just want to have kitchen dining space? Do we need to be beholden to the traditional structure? People are really reinventing it and tailoring it toward their lifestyle.”
Sass helped one Edina family transform their home into a place where the
whole neighborhood could gather.
“It’s an open door to the neighborhood. It’s a meeting space,” Sass says of the redesign, which they call the Public House, as it is imbued with the charm of a traditional British tavern. “They’re wanting neighbors to come and go and use their home like a second home. You walk in the door, and you’re greeted with, rather than a formal living room, we just filled it with a big TV [and] a pool table. It was more about entertainment than about sitting and talking.”
Sass says more clients are getting comfortable choosing what works for them. “Maybe the dining room doesn’t go in the traditional place. Maybe, we don’t even have a formal living room.
Photo: Taylor Hall O’Brien
STYLE
This unique tiled wall is a play on mending old tile with new. The darker green tiles are in the shape of Minnesota’s lakes. They’re the creation of Kristen Falkirk, who thought it would be a delightful homage to our Land of 10,000 Lakes.
You can make it what you want. It’s a fun trend to really think about what works for you,” Sass says.
Wall Art
If room swapping is too avant garde, Sass also recommends incorporating art in an unexpected way.
“We’re really encouraging [homeowners] to pick a thing or two and incorporate art into your home, [and]not in a framed, photographed-like way. Can the tile be art? Can the stone be art?”
Sass says, more and more, she is reaching out to artisans and craftspeople to produce one-of-a-kind installations. “It’s really a work of art. It’s nothing we’d fabricate for anyone else," she says.
One recent project was the work of ceramist Kristen Falkirk. Sass asked her to create a tile installation that looked timeworn but with a field of accent color. “It looked like it had been patched back together over time,” Sass says. “[Falkirk] studied Minnesota lake shorelines, and she painted these various shorelines and used them as inspiration as shapes. This isn’t a tile that you get from a catalog. It’s totally, uniquely made for this project.”
Uniquely made to embrace the limitless possibilities that come with crafting a home that reflects our identities. When a home becomes a journey of self-expression, every corner becomes a story, every space a sanctuary and a testament to the boundless creativity that resides within.
Prospect Refuge Studio, 4801 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; 612.789.2507; prospectrefugestudio.com @prospectrefugestudio
Streeter Homes, 18312 Minnetonka Blvd., Wayzata; 952.449.9448; streeterhomes.com @streeterhomes
Kristen Falkirk Tileworks; falkirktileworks.com @kristenfalkirk_tileworks
Nymo Architecture; nymoarchitecture.com
Full Circle Construction Inc., 4040 Harriet Ave. S., Mpls; 612.384.7295 fullcircleconstruction.net @fullcircle.construction
THE MENU
Fresh Flavor
Casual eatery makes its debut in Linden Hills.
By Kelly Cochrane
ELIZABETH “E” KITZENBERG
was looking for a way to make her life a little easier. She moved with her family from Boston to Linden Hills and opened Picnic, an eatery with the same flair that Kitzenberg exudes. “I always wanted to own my own place for as long as I can remember,” she says. “Picnic is a collection of what I wanted to see and what the neighborhood needed—a more casual spot.”
The eatery serves lunch and dinner, is also open late, has a bar and is family friendly. “If you are in here at 5 p.m. and see a baby in a high-top highchair and their family can get in and out with a meal in 45 minutes and walk home, then you get it,” she says.
Picnic is Kitzenberg's first venture into the restaurant world. As a professional fundraiser, she refers to herself as a "visionary and 'mompreneur.'"
“I realized I know how to manage people and budgets. I know how to work through regulations and road blocks. Those are things I know how to do and have been doing for 15 years. I don’t need to know how to cook everything,” she says.
Many of the recipes presented at Picnic start as something Kitzenberg has made at home. Then Picnic’s chef,
Top: Picnic is the ideal neighborhood eatery for a quick meal. Owner “E” Kitzenberg says she opened it to fill the casual eating void in Linden Hills.
Bottom: The bar serves a full range of drinks and cocktails. Try their Pete Retention Plan. For a mocktail, the Golden Hour is a blend of Kitzenberg's lemonade, basil and strawberry jams.
Photos: Chris Emeott
“We inspire levity. We are a gathering place first because people need to get together, and food is the excuse.”
Elizabeth “E” Kitzenberg, Picnic
Andrew Garner, puts his own spin on them, and the menu is created. “I am of the mindset that you hire really smart people and get out of their way,” she says.
Kitzenberg says she believes Picnic is meant to be complementary to the neighborhood. She has added Sunday dinners to the weekly schedule. These events are meant to show off the local culinary talent, whether it be a food truck, a pop-up restaurant or a team member.
“We are happy to share our space and platform with up-and-coming chefs across the Twin Cities,” she says. Each week’s meal will be different from the previous week and offer something special that cannot be found elsewhere. The first official Sunday dinner was made by Kitzenberg’s husband and business partner, Andrew, on Mother’s Day. The Sunday dinners run from 4–9 p.m.
“My favorite part about Picnic is the people: our team and our guests, many of whom could already be described as neighborhood regulars,” she says. “We inspire levity. We are a gathering place first because people need to get together, and food is the excuse.”
Picnic: A Linden Hills Bar, 4307 Upton Ave. S., Mpls.; picniclindenhills.com
Keep Our Neighbors Warm™ is a Bonfe initiative to collect and distribute new or gently used essential winter wear to those in need throughout the Twin Cities.
Our techs are collecting new or clean, gently used coats, snowpants, or boots. Items will be delivered locally to those who need them the most.
ABODE
Beyond the App
An in-depth look at popular social media paint trends that spotlight bold, saturated colors.
By Jennifer Pitterle
HAVE YOU VISITED a friend’s home recently and seen a room that’s monochromatic, maybe painted in a moody hue like dark blue or deep green? Perhaps, there’s a rug in the same color, or the floor and ceiling have been painted all in the same tone to make the space feel cohesive and cozy. This trend is called “color drenching,” and we asked Edina design experts to give us a crash course in how to pull off the aesthetic, whether you’ve been eyeing it on
Photo: Spacecrafting
“It gives an almost infinite feeling.”
popularity for her clients. “It’s kind of timeless and really easy to incorporate in any style of home whether you’re modern, traditional or contemporary,” Chaffee says. Typically, a color-drenched room has all the walls painted the same color, plus the trim and baseboards, and maybe the ceiling and floor, too.
A key guideline for color drenching is to use it in smaller, less “busy” spaces of the home. Chaffee says, “Color drenching gives the room a calm, tranquil feeling. It’s perfect in a den, bathroom or nursery.” In larger spaces—kitchens are a great example— there can be too many lines where the eye goes, from cabinets to countertops to light fixtures. For those larger, busier rooms, stick to using deep, bold colors as accents instead. “Color drenching makes a room feel bigger,” she says. “It gives it almost an infinite feeling.”
Photos: Chris Emeott
Top: Color drenching example by Angela Valentine Chaffee.
Bottom: Angela Valentine Chaffee
Angela Valentine Chaffee, Valentine Design
Sara English, a designer at Edina’s Ispiri, agrees that drenching is best used in smaller spaces. “Powder bathrooms, mudrooms and laundry rooms are perfect spaces to add a dark and moody twist with black, dark green or darker blue shades,” English says. But don’t dismiss light hues for use in color drenching, too—to brighten a space, drench with off-white, beige or pink.
Color Blocking
So what about color drenching’s relative, color blocking? This design trend has been popular for over a decade and typically involves using a bold color on one wall—or part of a wall—to draw the eye. “You can take it a step further and add a second color,” Chaffee says. “Maybe, you make a diagonal line through a whole wall and then paint the bottom triangle a different color.” She recommends choosing a complementary color—that’s one on the opposite side of the color wheel—for the second part.
“Color blocking can require a lot of painter’s tape,” Chaffee says. “You can make circles or triangles and really take it to an extreme. I’d say ‘art’ is a good word for color blocking because that’s kind of what it feels like.”
Despite how chic those bold colors look on social media, moving away from neutrals can still feel tricky for folks.
“Many clients still want to stick with a classic look, but color is becoming more prominent,” English says. Color blocking, starting with a single wall, can be a great way for hesitant homeowners to dip a toe into the colorful pool.
Valentine Design; 612.360.8284; valentinedesign-llc.com Valentine Design LLC @_valentinedesign
Valentine Design Angela Valentine Chaffee
Ispiri,
5009 France Ave. S.; 952.900.3503; ispiri.com
Ispiri Design Build Renovate @ispiri.designbuild Ispiri Design-Build-Renovate
27-29 / 12-6PM
Friday September 27, 4-6pm
Meet
Brittni Dye Production director
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: I absolutely love working with every single one of my coworkers. We work together really well, and we all take pride in everything we create. All the encouragement and support makes for a wonderful work environment.
Q: How do you like to unwind?
A: I love going camping with my family in our 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon camper van. The North Shore of Minnesota or the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are some of our favorite destinations.
Q: What’s currently sparking your interest?
A: I have been expanding my collection of cookbooks, especially ones having to do with baking. Trying out new dessert recipes and sharing with people is something I love to do.
PARTY PUNCH LIST
All that pomp and circumstance doesn’t happen by itself.
Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott
Let’s be honest. Graduation parties have—evolved. For the most part, the celebrations have become larger and more involved than the days when grad parties were primarily made up of the student of honor, the requisite family members, a few neighbors and a handful of teenagers all gathered at the honoree’s home/backyard/garage.
While that can still be the case, and those celebrations are just as wonderful, other families are going in another direction with attendee numbers tipping into the hundreds, and the food fare and décor elements ramping up their games, too.
Since senior year’s second semester is built in with plenty of deadlines, including college and scholarship applications, housing contracts or gap year decisions and milestones (the last spring break, prom and the ending of spring sports— cue the tears), it can be overwhelming. Add in planning a graduation party and emotional chaos might ensue.
As this year’s seniors start the academic year, it makes sense that the party planning swings into gear. The first step is getting organized. To help, we put together a month-to-month plan to break down the to-do list into manageable sections.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September: Have a discussion with your senior student. Is he/she interested in having a party, and what would that look like in terms of home vs. venue, solo vs. with friends or large vs. a quiet gathering? If you want a musthave venue, check on booking now.
October: If this is a combined event, reach out to the other parents/guardians to make sure they are on the same page in terms of budget and planning. Finalize the party date. Be sure to take into consideration potential district/ regional/state appearances for extracurriculars in the spring.
November: For group parties, bring the students and parents together to discuss tasks. Who does what? (Put specific people in charge of beverages, food, games, set-up/clean-up duties, venue rental, etc.) Set up a timeline through the date of the party. Finalize the décor theme. If not done already, it’s not a bad idea to get the venue locked in. When talking with venue representatives, ask about table/chair counts and if linens are included. If not, research other vendors for those items.
December: Take the month off to enjoy the holidays. January will be here sooner than you think.
January: Finalize catering or food truck vendors. Be sure to ask about deposits,
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Aside from the graduate, food is a major attendee at any graduation party. If the thought of making all the food yourself is giving you pause, here’s a starting point for local catering options.
Crave Catering & Events:
Yes. The same Crave. If you like dining at the Edina venue, consider this as an option. 952.562.5620; cravecatering.com
Crêpe and Cake:
We say, oui! for this perfect match for grads who went through Edina’s French immersion program. crepeandcake.com
France 44:
Here’s a local favorite, known for its assortment of charcuterie boards, appetizers and platters. 4351 France Ave. S.; 612.925.3252; france44.com
Lunds & Byerlys:
Consider this party regular that never disappoints when it comes to great food and quality. Locations vary; 952.897.9800; catering.lundsandbyerlys.com
Muddy Tiger:
This Indian snack food restaurant began as a beloved food truck, quickly gaining fame for its Vada Pav—a delicious sandwich made with spiced mashed potatoes. 7015 Amundsen Ave.; 952.600.7009; muddytiger.com
pricing, set-up/clean-up options, staffing, dining ware availability and cancelation policies. If you haven’t done so already, move on booking this month; food vendors and venues fill up with other spring and summer events.
February: If making photo boards, go through albums (digital or otherwise) to identify photographs you want to feature. Gather award certificates, school memorabilia, trophies, sport uniforms, etc. to include for display tables. If using annual school pictures, organize them now. (If a year is missing, contact the school to see if it has a version from the yearbook archives.)
March: Meet with families to finalize décor. If decorating individual display tables, share with one another ideas, so each student feels equally represented. Using sports equipment can be a fun and easy way to decorate a space. (Place skis a few feet apart, string chords between them and hang photos along the chords. Prop up tennis rackets or hockey or lacrosse sticks. Fill large, clear vases or containers with baseballs/softballs,
Pajarito:
Explore some tasty options with the team, and they’ll bring the party to you! Done and done. 3910 W. 50th St.; 612.268.4770; pajaritorestaurant.com
Red’s Savoy:
Like Red’s says, “Just bring the hungry. We’ll handle the rest.” Teenagers and pizza, they just go together. 4960 W. 77th St., 952.831.8100; savoypizza.com
Sweet Science Ice Cream:
We’re firm believers that you’re never too old for an ice cream party. Bring on the flavors; bring on the fun. 3919 Market St.; 612.217.0070; sweetscienceicecream.com
pucks, tennis balls, etc.) Create a fun backdrop that is Instagram-worthy for photo taking. If the student is attending college, order the school’s banner or a pennant to display.
April: Order or create party invitations for family, friends, neighbors and other guests. Drop those in the mail, so it’s one less thing to think about. Make sure students spread the party word via social media or on the school’s party page. Ask a couple of friends or older teens to serve as party helpers, refilling food trays and beverage coolers, bussing tables and the like.
May or June: A few weeks ahead of the big day, check in with all the vendors to confirm final details and timelines. If doing a group party, have final check in with families. Once the party day arrives, enjoy it. Take time to celebrate your student and yourself Let’s face it, K–12 isn’t a road traveled just by the students!
July: Thank you notes never go out of style, and they offer graduates a great opportunity to practice their cursive!
The Lynhall: Decisions. Decisions. Pick among salads, charcuterie platters, artisan cheeses and the fan favorite Funfetti Cakes and other dessert options. 3945 Market St.; 612.870.2640; thelynhall.com
Twin Cities Catering: From elegant hors d’oeuvre and appetizer offerings to quick, fun and easy burrito bar stations, this hits all the marks. 6625 W. 78th St., Bloomington; 763.300.1907; twincitiescateringmn.com
LIFE’S BET TER WHEN YOU’RE PROTECTED UNDER OUR ROOF.
Save up to 23% when you bundle auto and home*
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
New trend has homeowners eschewing teardowns for contemporary remodels.
Written by Feroza Mehta — Photos by Spacecrafting
Driving around Edina, one would find signs in front of ramblers and two-story walk ups, noting a home is for sale and a great candidate for a teardown. However, what if those homes could be saved from the bulldozer? Local designer Kelly Vickers of Zimmer Design says there is beauty in an existing footprint.
“Edina is so full of these types of homes. We all live in ramblers or two-story walk ups,” Vickers says. “There’s so much potential in them if you honor the age of the home. You can contemporize and make it look a little more this generation but pay homage to the genre it was.”
CLASSIC RAMBLER
One such rambler is the home of Abby and Ryan Metzler. Their 1969 home in West Edina was exactly what they were looking for.
“We liked the one level of living and trying to find a place that has three bedrooms on the main level,” Ryan says. He adds not having to tote laundry and
young children up and down a flight of stairs makes life much easier. “It was the house style we both grew up in and are familiar with,” he says.
Even though the home was familiar and convenient to their family, the decor was stuck in decades past. “We like the midcentury modern style,” Abby says. “We were excited to keep the layout. We needed some help in what to do with this big, open space in the living room area, dining room area and entryway.”
They reached out to Vickers, who begins every project by sitting down with her clients and asking what they want in their home. She also inquires about their jobs, hobbies, hopes and dreams. “That’s how I hone people,” she says. “I want to know how they want to live in it. I want it to be personal and comfortable.”
“She’s actually able to take our input and find the pieces and create a look around it that works,” Ryan says.
THE LIVING ROOM
The Metzlers wishlist included more overhead lighting in their living room and a wood paneled ceiling.
“We always liked the midcentury modern style, and a lot of homes had wood on the ceiling,” Abby says. “Ours didn’t, but we thought, ‘Would it make sense to bring that into the house?’ [Vickers] was very on board and was able to come up with a plan to incorporate it.”
Vickers’ plan included a very unique ceiling created out of custom millwork and a bespoke black stain with lighting. “A black ceiling was risky, but they get so much natural light,” Vickers says.
The Metzlers adore it. “We would not have done it on our own without her confirming that it was a reasonable plan.”
Vickers also added built-in shelving in a rich green hue. The end result is a room with texture and meaning.
THE ENTRYWAY
Meaning permeates the home’s entryway. There is also a beautiful art print from a Finnish design house, Marimekko, adorning the original brick fireplace. “My dad’s side is from Finland originally,” Abby says. “I was excited with the idea of using Marimekko design, a Finnish design, in the space … I was happy we could honor that.”
The entryway of the rambler was a unique challenge. Upon opening the door, guests were greeted by a half metal, half drywall staircase that leads to the basement level. Vickers replaced it with a chic, horizontal, matte black metal railing.
“We never even considered knocking those down and replacing them with wrought iron railing,” Ryan says. “That has really changed the feel of the entryway area, and it feels a lot more modern and gives it a cohesive vibe with the rest of the space. It brings some of the dark elements from the ceiling and uses that in the railing and the furniture and brings it together in those ways.”
ACHIEVABLE ELEGANCE
Small tweaks and adjustments elegantly elevated the Metzler home.
“It just fits the house and the space. It all works nicely together,” Abby says. “We really appreciate honoring the 1960s time period and that style. We are very happy that we were able to use the existing space. With a few changes, we were able to make it work for a modern lifestyle. We couldn’t have done it on our own. Kelly is particularly good with ramblers in Edina. She can walk into a space and make it exactly what it needs to be in a way that adds character that wouldn’t be there in a new build.”
Vickers is adamant that to achieve an elevated look, all one needs is a few simple changes. “You don’t have to spend $300,000 to get your house elevated. It is going to take some money … under $100,000 ... but there are ways you can come at it. A few tweaks here, a few additions that can transform your house and can make it feel like it always belonged but also new,” she says. “I want people to say, ‘Hey, let’s rethink how we tackle these houses. We don’t have to tear them all down.’”
Left: A new, extended light fixture and table draw the eye to length of the area and emphasizes the windows. It also provides a great transition from the dining area to the living room.
Above: With new furniture and a wooden plank ceiling, the living room is transformed.
612.470.5660; zimmer.design @zimmrdesign
Left to right: Katie, Anders, Asher, Noah and Aaron Berge
Written by Mollee Francisco — Photos by Chris Emeott
Custom home addresses invisible and visible disabilities.
Our Happy Place
On the surface, Noah and Katie Berge’s Edina home looks like the epitome of custom-built luxury. Their five-bedroom, farmhouse style two-story abode with dark, moody siding is nestled on a wooded lot in the Countryside neighborhood. But a closer look reveals that there is a lot more to the Berge home than meets the eye. Nearly every inch of the home was designed to accommodate the unique needs of their family of five, including teenage triplets, two of whom have disabilities.
“There’s so much meaning behind it,” Katie says. “We’re going to live here until we go into a nursing home.”
Triplets
Twins run in Katie’s family. So, when she found out she was pregnant 14 years ago, she was fairly certain she was having twins. Imagine her surprise when an early ultrasound revealed not one, not two, but three embryos. She was so shocked that she spent the afternoon in a daze, wandering the halls of Best Buy’s corporate headquarters,
showing the ultrasound pictures to all of her coworkers. “They still talk about that to this day,” she says.
The identical triplets, Asher, Anders and Aaron, were born at 28 weeks after complications arose with Anders. But just hours after their birth, Asher suffered a massive brain bleed that clotted and led to swelling of the brain. He would have a shunt put in place to manage the brain swelling. Then, at 9 months old, Asher suffered from infantile spasms and had to go on medication to stop them.
Today, Asher is nonverbal and has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and Crohn’s disease. Asher presents as having autism and exhibits typical behaviors, including transition struggles and sensory issues. Meanwhile, Anders is autistic and has some developmental delays while Aaron is the Berge’s sole neurotypical child.
Time to Move
The Berge family was managing well enough in their previous home until
COVID-19 hit. It was then that Katie realized their existing home wasn’t going to work for them forever. She was carrying Asher down the stairs for his virtual musical therapy session when she fell and fractured her ankle, resulting in a six-month-long recovery. “It was a wake-up call,” she says.
With no space to add on to their existing home on Wooddale Avenue, the couple began to explore their options. They ultimately found a lot owned by TJB Homes and enlisted the luxury home builder’s help to create the custom home of their dreams. The family moved into their new home last September.
TJB Homes has been in operation since 1980 and builds homes all
across the Metro area and into parts of Wisconsin, says owner Tom Budzynski. The business has also been involved with two Extreme Home Makeover projects, including a home daycare in St. Paul and a house in Minnetonka for a family with seven kids.
“This is what we do,” Budzynski says. “We get a lot of people with certain challenging situations … It’s rewarding to create something good in this world.”
The Berges told Budzynski what their needs and wants were and, from there, it was a fairly smooth process. “It was a lot of thinking through form and function,” Katie says. “I had a pretty good idea of what would and wouldn’t work.”
The kitchen features an oversized island and paneled appliances, both decisions with Asher’s needs in mind. The house is designed to be the Berge’s forever home. Wide walkways permeate the residence to provide room for Asher to move around freely. They’re also wide enough for a wheelchair or walker, should Katie and Noah require one as they age.
Unique Needs
Asher’s bathroom has a zero-entry shower that makes it easier for Katie and Noah to help him without getting damp. He also has a spacious main floor bedroom. It’s the ideal quiet space for Asher and is full of his favorite toys. It also has padding on the wall and around the bed to protect Asher and the wall.
Among their highest priorities, the Berge family wanted a first-floor bedroom for Asher. His cerebral palsy affects his mobility, making stairs challenging. Katie and Noah ultimately chose one of TJB’s designs that featured a sport court and replaced it with a bedroom, bathroom and laundry room for Asher. The area is large enough to give Asher the quiet space he needs while not taking away from the rest of the family’s use of the first floor.
Asher’s bathroom has a zero-entry shower, making it easy for Katie and Noah to help him without getting
soaked. “It sounds silly, but it’s one of my favorite features,” she says.
In the spacious kitchen, an oversized island gives the family space to gather for casual meals. “Asher likes things a certain way, so he would dominate the island at our old house,” she says. The kitchen also features paneled appliances, a practical luxury that the Berges added after seeing their previous appliances dented by Asher banging his head to stim or kicking during meltdowns. “The refrigerator at our old house looked like a golf ball,” she says. “They chose materials that could stand up to behavior,” Budzynski says.
Large windows in the kitchen and the dining area let in light and provide a view of the swimming pool in the backyard. The pool was a splurge Katie worked hard to sell Noah on for the boys. All three boys, especially Asher, love the water, but their trips to the municipal pool tended to be fraught with stress from cold temperatures that would irritate Asher’s cerebral palsy, cause overstimulation from all the other people and safety breaks that would trigger meltdowns.
Top: The open dining, kitchen and living area has large windows that makes it easier for Katie to keep an eye on Asher.
Bottom: The basement is the ideal hangout for Aaron. It’s a good spot for quiet time, and it is a great teen hangout to host friends.
A Home for All
While many of the features in the Berge’s new home are designed to make life easier for Asher, Katie and Noah were careful not to overlook their other two sons and their individual needs.
“Katie and Noah take really good care of those kids,” Budzynski says.
Anders’ bedroom on the second floor overlooks the backyard where he can sit at his desk and work on his art while the finished basement features everything a teenager like Aaron would want to host friends, including an air hockey table, plush sectional coach, a large TV and a kitchenette.
For her part, Katie has an office on the first floor at the front of the house that allows her to work from home and keep an eye on Asher. A gym in the basement solved her problem of
Top: The large laundry room on the top floor was one of Katie’s requests.
Bottom: Anders likes to spend time making art in his room. Katie and Noah spent a lot of time making sure each kid has their own space that is set up for how they like to spend time. The result is a home bespoke to each child.
finding help for Asher before being able to go work out while a second oversized laundry room upstairs allows plenty of space to keep up with their family. “Katie went nuts on that laundry room,” Budzynski says with a laugh. While he may have raised an eyebrow on the laundry room, Budzynski has no qualms about the size of the kitchen. “It’s a spacious, huge kitchen with a big pantry.”
This three season porch is Noah’s favorite space in the house. The pool was installed mainly for Asher, who can now have hours of fun and not have to worry about spontaneously having to leave the pool due to hourly safety checks and other issues that can arise at public pools.
His favorite part, however, is the three-season porch, overlooking the pool. Katie is a big fan of that, too. “We’re looking forward to summer to leverage the outdoor space,” she says.
After a year in their new home, Katie says they are starting to feel settled. “It took awhile for Asher to warm up to it,” she says. “He spent the better part of a month in his bedroom, scared to come out, but now, it’s fantastic.”
The family has been able to host Thanksgiving along with several other get togethers. “This house is set up for inclusiveness,” Katie says.
That’s all she wanted. A home for her whole family to enjoy. And that’s what they now have. “This has been a labor of love,” she says.
TJB HOMES
9100 Baltimore St., Blaine; 763.780.2944
TJB Homes @tjbhomesinc
Jamie Joseph Trunk Show
HOME & GARDEN Collection
Your home is more than just a place to live—it’s a canvas for life’s cherished moments. From hosting your first dinner party to watching your family grow, every first experience is a milestone we are proud to help create. Each project we undertake is a unique narrative, created with precision, intention and craftsmanship. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every detail, from the first sketch to the final touch.
MAPETERSONDESIGNBUILD
MA PETERSON DESIGN BUILD, 6161 WOODDALE AVE., EDINA, 952.925.9455
MAPETERSON.COM
WE TURN
YOUR
HOUSE INTO THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS
At J Brothers, we go above and beyond for our clients. Our hands-on, collaborative process assures you J Brothers was the right choice long before the projects completed. Backed by over 40 years of new custom home building and remodeling expertise, we provide a stressfree experience, turning your investment into a home you love. Our crews always show respect for the home, keeping it clean, protected and comfortably livable during construction.
Clients work with one of our in-house interior designers to make product and material selections. We provide professional guidance for maintaining your style and budget. To help visualize how it will look, we also provide 3D renderings of your space. When you trust us to bring it to life, we dedicate ourselves to making your vision a reality. We prioritize your satisfaction every step of the way, from our initial meeting to the final walkthrough.
LANDSCAPE, IRRIGATION AND LAWN
It may be your property, but we treat it like it’s ours. With our personalized approach, the experts who design your outdoor space also install and maintain it. Families all over the Twin Cities depend on Barrett to create beautiful and alluring landscapes that embrace every season.
BARRETT LAWN CARE, 1415 FIFTH ST. S. SUITE E, HOPKINS; 612.866.7522; BARRETTLAWNCARE.COM
CUSTOM CONCRETE POOLS AND FOUNTAINS
Trust our dedicated craftsmen to customize a pool, plunge pool, swim spa or fountain to elevate your outdoor space to an oasis. We build the highest-quality pools in Minnesota and help our customers create stand-out designs with sun shelves, spas, water features, lighting and more. Call us today to design your backyard dream.
SIGNATURE POOLS, 1415 FIFTH ST. S. SUITE D, HOPKINS; 952.474.0702; SIGNATUREPOOLSLTD.COM
SIGNATURE POOLS MN @SIGNATUREPOOLS_MN
Roofing, siding and windows are more than just functional components of your home—they define its aesthetic appeal and protect it from the elements. With Hoffman Weber Construction, you can trust that every aspect of your project will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism. Whether you need a roof replacement that guarantees long-lasting durability, new siding that adds elegance and curb appeal or windows that enhance energy efficiency and beauty, our team is here to bring your vision to life.
Why choose Hoffman Weber Construction?
• Unmatched craftsmanship and attention to detail
• Superior quality materials for lasting results
• Dedicated team of skilled professionals
• Transparent communication and exceptional customer service
• Commitment to community involvement
Now Serving the Brainerd Lakes Area!
Roofing Siding Windows Storm Restoration Award-Winning Designs
THE FINE ART OF CREATING EXCEPTIONAL EXTERIORS
For more than 45 years, builders, remodelers and homeowners have counted on Allstar Construction for all their exterior construction needs. We specialize in:
• New Construction: Single and Multifamily
• Remodel: Exterior Renovations and Additions
• Storm Damage and Insurance Claims Management
It’s our mission to set the industry standard in terms of outstanding value, uncompromising quality, continuous innovation and exceptional client experience. We want to provide you with the right service at the right price at the right time—every time.
ALLSTAR CONSTRUCTION, 6500 CARLSON DRIVE, EDEN PRAIRIE; 952.295.3425; ALLSTARTODAY.COM
YOUR LOCAL HOME EXPERTS
PETE CARLSON Executive Chairman
“What is the highest class of Impact Resistant Shingles?”
1. Class 4 roofing shingles have the highest impact-resistance rating, making them least susceptible to hail damage and tested to withstand a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet multiple times.
2. Most manufacturers offer Class 4 impact-resistant shingles in various styles, including standard architectural, slate look and cedar shake look, to fit your home’s design.
3. These shingles qualify for discounts with most insurance providers due to rising premiums.
4. Although more expensive, Class 4 shingles provide peace of mind by protecting your home from major hail events and reducing roof replacement and high insurance deductibles.
Allstar Construction, 6500 Carlson Drive, Eden Prairie; 952.295.3425; allstartoday.com
Market Place
Kowalski’s debuts its latest store with trusted standards and enticing newcomers.
Written by Meredith Heneghan — Photos by Chris Emeott
George Charles is a self-described Kowalski’s Markets enthusiast. “It’s premium, and to me, it’s creating value,” he says. The Edina resident previously lived in St. Paul, and he’d make the drive to the St. Paul location from Edina every week for groceries—but that was then. Now, his shopping commute is much shorter.
In May, Kowalski’s opened its Edina location, the 11th store in the company’s lineup, in the former Herberger’s location in Southdale Center.
“Everything is beautifully presented ... the flavors always match the season. Kowalski’s, to me, is on point with the moment,” Charles says when referring to the store’s commitment to offering
a wide breadth of seasonal and yearround grocery items.
Kowalski’s opened in 1986 with the goal of bringing value to customers through its family-run grocery stores. Kris Kowalski Christiansen, CEO and daughter of founders Jim and Mary Anne Kowalski, says the shopping experience that people, like Charles,
are having at the stores is intentional. “We are a little bit different because of our model in the grocery aisles,” she says. “In every category, there are three main subcategories. So, in cereal, we’ll have the mainstream, like Cheerios, but we’ll have some fun specialty [brands] and then also some kind of natural, more health-oriented option,” Kowalski Christiansen says, highlighting that customers have three options to invite into their shopping baskets.
Kowalski Christiansen further notes that the Kowalski family’s goal is to provide high-quality, exciting products, including the business’s private label program—a labor of love. “We spend a lot of time getting and meeting the small local producers; and putting together our own Kowalkski’s brand products,” she says. “We do a lot with small, local producers … we’ve been doing it since we opened.”
Charles and his family appreciate that philosophy, and it plays into what keeps them shopping at Kowalski’s. “You can take an average experience of grocery shopping and make it exceptional. Everything you cook will be elevated,” he says.
The offerings at Kowalski’s go beyond just groceries. With each new store, the options increase, and customers gain access to, for example,
Middle: In the produce section you will find the living herb wall. This state-ofthe-art cabinet is temperature and climate controlled to keep herbs, like this basil plant, fresh.
Mary Anne Kowalski and Kris Kowalski Christiansen
Left: Artisan bread loaves abound in the bakery section, which also has a self-warming station.
Right: Kowalski’s Markets also has a dry-aged meat cabinet.
“We spend a lot of time getting and meeting the small local producers; and putting together our own Kowalski’s brand products.”
Kris Kowalski Christiansen, CEO
STAY CONNECTED AND CELEBRATE EDINA @EDINAMAG
showcase local people, places and events.
new hot bar selections, take-and-go meals and other products. Charles and his family are especially partial to the restaurant-quality meals that create easy and quick alternatives to take-out dining.
While the Edina location includes the similar elements as other locations, it also boasts some new featured services and products. Consider visiting the Nékter Juice Bar, a franchise from the West Coast that serves fresh juice and açaí bowls. If you’re ready for a meal, there’s Pizzeria Pezzo, a takeout version of top-rated locations, originally opened by chef Gary Bougie.
Top left: Pizzeria Pezzo is a staple in most Kowalski’s Markets locations.
It’s famous for thin crust and deep dish pizzas.
Top right: Lush green potted trees create a relaxing ambiance in Kowalski’s cafe area.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy a coffee or any of the hot and ready meal options.
Bottom: The new store is an open floor concept with beautifully defined spaces for each grocery section.
For another hearty alternative, try Kowalski’s new burger bar, which features a smashed Akaushi wagyu burger and a Ferndale turkey burger blend. For dessert, head on over to the homemade ice cream counter, Skoops!
Beyond these new meal options, the Edina Kowalski’s also has a living, pick-your-own herb wall and dry-aged meat cabinets, which offer shoppers the chance to purchase specific cuts of beef, aged by Kowalski’s. There’s more, including pho, hibachi and sushi offerings. The bakery has a self-warming station with cinnamon and caramel rolls, maple sticks, glazed twists, cookies and more. Of course, once you get your bakery goodie, a swing by the instore Starbucks for coffee is a must.
For superfans like Charles, a visit to Kowalski’s—whichever location you choose—can be about more than fulfilling a grocery shopping list; it can be about maintaining an appreciation for what is tried and true or building an appreciation for something brand new.
Kowalski’s Markets 324 Southdale Center; kowalskis.com
Kowalski’s Markets @kowalskis_ markets @kowalskismarkets
Our dentists offer the utmost care to moms, dads and kids of all ages.
Schedule an appointment today.
Park Dental offers two Edina locations for your convenience. parkdental.com
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
Annual gear swap event benefiting Edina Give and Go is back.
THE COST OF A CHILD’S activities, be it sports, music, dance and art, can quickly add up. There are the enrollment fees, the sports fees, the uniform, the instrument and the gear. To help alleviate those costs, a community-wide gear swap event was created with the proceeds going to Edina Give and Go. The two-day event is hosted by friends of the charity and starts with a donation day, where families can donate their gently used sports, art and music equipment. Volunteers then sort all items and get them ready for the following day, when the public is invited to shop.
“We fill up the whole big city gym by the Kuhlman Stadium with donated sports gear and half of Edina comes to shop the next day,” says Josie Tober, Edina Give and Go volunteer.
Bring clean and gently used items, such as musical instruments, choir concert outfits, music books, tap
and ballet shoes, ballet leotards, calculators, art books, art kits, basketball shoes, ski equipment, swim caps and goggles, winter jackets, snow pants and boots, Hornet apparel that is not personalized, sports balls, cleats, skates, sticks and pads, shin guards, warm up gear, sports bags, non-expired helmets, bikes and scooters, golf clubs and shoes, rackets and more. —Feroza Mehta
All proceeds support the Edina Give and Go mission. Learn more by visiting edinamag.com.
Edina Give and Go Gear Swap:
Gear Donation Day, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. September 7 Gear Shopping Day, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. September 8 Door 7, Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Road; 952.848.GIVE; edinagiveandgo.org @edinagiveandgo
Photo: Edina Give and Go
Compiled by Tia Benson and Findlay Drabant
LOCAL EVENTS
Fall into the Arts Festival
09/07–09/08
Centennial Lakes Park hosts its annual Arts Festival with food vendors, handmade jewelry, kids’ activities and more. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday. Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S.; 952.833.9580; edinafallintothearts.com
Edina Car Show
09/14
Cruise over to 50th & France for the annual Rotary Club Car Show. This event features collectors, classic and vintage cars, food, games, music and more. All ages. Free for spectators and car owners $10 in advance or $20 at the gate. Noon–4 p.m. 50th & France District, 3902 W. 50th Ave.; 952.491.0001; edinacarshow.com
Vintage Village at 50th & France
09/21–09/22
Turn back the time, and shop second-hand at Vintage Village. Items for sale include clothing and more. All ages. Prices vary. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Nolan Mains Plaza, 3945 Market St.; 952.491.0001; 50thandfrance.com
Homecoming Football Game
09/27
Join the Hornets as the team takes on Prior Lake High School for the annual homecoming game. All ages. Prices vary. 7 p.m. Kuhlman Stadium, 5701 Normandale Road; 952.848.3815; edinaschools.org
Tyler Herwig Live Music
09/29
Grab Olive’s pizza while listening to live music by rising country star Tyler Herwig. All ages. Free. 6:30 p.m. Olive’s Fresh Pizza Bar, 5820 Lincoln Drive; 952.658.8165; olivesfresh.com
The City of Edina applauds Grandview Tire & Auto for being a Green Business!
Grandview Tire & Auto seizes every opportunity to model sustainable practices. For more than a decade, the location on Vernon Avenue has had a solar array. Other infrastructure improvements include a Cool Zone roofing system and Clean Burn oil boilers. The business is committed to using chemicals efficiently and only cleaners and degreasers that are safe for the environment. The City of Edina is committed to reaching its Climate Action goals and is interested in recognizing businesses like Grandview Tire & Auto for doing their part. For more information or to apply to be a Green Business, visit EdinaMN.gov/GreenBusiness.
PROFESSIONAL MOVERS
Halloween Costume Swap 09/29
Visit the City of Edina’s Halloween costume swap. People are encouraged to donate their gently used costumes (even pet costumes!) and hunt around for their next costume. All ages. Free. 4–6 p.m. Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square Suite 101; tsingh@edinamn.gov; edinamn.gov
AREA EVENTS
Minnesota State Fair Through 09/02
Celebrate the Great Minnesota GetTogether with food, carnival rides, music and more. All ages. $16–$18. 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 651.288.4400; mnstatefair.org
Minnesota Renaissance Festival 09/01–09/29
Take yourself back in time and experience the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee. Costumes are optional. All ages. Children $16.50, Adults $24.95. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Renaissance
Photo: City of Edina
Festival Fairgrounds, 12364 Chestnut Blvd., Shakopee; 952.445.7361; renaissancefest.com
American Pottery Festival 09/06
Purchase pottery at this event, and support the Northern Clay Center’s annual fundraiser. All ages. Free. 6–9 p.m. Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls.; 612.339.8007; nccshop.org
LoLa Art Crawl 09/21–09/22
Browse and purchase art from local makers while exploring the Longfellow neighborhood. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Longfellow Neighborhood, Mpls.; longfellowartists@gmail.com; lolaart.org
To have your event considered: email edinamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
Featured artwork: Pottery at the Backyard Pottery Sale
Rooftop Soirée
Photos by Chris Emeott
Serge + Jane celebrated gracing our May cover by hosting an epic rooftop party with a poolside theme. The entire community was welcome to the soirée, called Pool to Party, which featured a pop up shop from May Baby Vintage and had various pool-themed snacks and drinks. Cynthia Hamre, our senior account executive, is seen enjoying the event in the top right image.
To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos, contact information and a brief description of the event to edinamag@localmedia.co.
Honoring Excellence
by Bradley Skaggs and Troop 48
Boy Scouts of America Troops 48 and 123 in Edina welcomed new Eagle Scouts over the spring and summer. This achievement is the highest a scout can attain and requires a scout to earn a series of merit badges, fulfill leadership roles with the troop and complete an Eagle Scout Project, which must benefit the community.
The Goddard School’s safe, flexible and caring environment gives your child the space to take chances, make connections and experience authentic learning so they can become school-ready, career-ready and life-ready.
The Goddard School in Edina 7201 Washington Ave. S. 612.438.2288
goddardschool.com/schools/mn/edina/edina
A local, women-owned small business!
Barre3 is an efficient + effective workout that combines strength, cardio and mindfulness.
Get your first class free!
barre3 Edina 2952 W. 66th St. 612.353.4535
barre3.com/edina
Photos
By the Morning Light
The first day of school is captured by local photographer.
We often feature the photography of Leah Steidl on this page. She is a frequent entrant of our Images of Edina contest. Her natural talent, together with her penchant for carrying what she calls her “big camera” to capture a perfect moment, results in pictures that portray candid and joyous moments. It’s fitting that we end our September issue with her charming back-to-school photo.
“I can feel the first day of school joy. I was drawn instantly to the moment of the parents taking a photo of the kids lined up for the bus,” Steidl says. “I also loved the soft glow of the morning light.” —Feroza Mehta
To view Images of Edina photo contest winners, visit edinamag.com.
Photographer: Leah Steidl
Title: Back to School
Equipment: Canon R6, 24–70mm lens
Category: Activities and Events
life. at your summit.
In those crucial moments following an injury, the immediate attention of a skilled orthopedic professional can make all the difference in getting you back to your goals and ambitions. We are always ready with the right treatments at the right time to get you back to living life at your summit as quickly as possible.
IMMEDIATE CARE AT OUR ORTHOPEDIC URGENT CARE. NOW IN EDEN PRAIRIE.
VENETIAN PRINCESS