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VOLUME 34
City briefs
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CIRCLE PINES, MN
DECEMBER 2015
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9
News
www.northoaksnews.com
NORTH OAKS NEWS 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
North Oaks NUMBER 13
NRC offers squirrel tips Wondering what to do about squirrels on your property? The Natural Resources Commission offers some advice on page 10.
Protect your identity Identity theft can happen to anyone. Learn how to protect yourself from credit damage on page 5.
Vennewitz Jr. wins PGA award Ray Vennewitz Jr. has been named the Minnesota section PGA Private Facility Promoter of the Year. Read about this honor on page 6.
Carberry artwork featured Pamela Carberry is one of two featured artists at Flow Art Space in December. The installation debuts with a reception from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4. Read more about this opportunity and see some prints featured on this page.
Start the North Oaks News If your neighbors aren’t receiving the North Oaks News, ask them to call the circulation voicemall at Press Publications, 651-4071234, to start and stop the paper, or to put your newspaper on hold for the winter. Newspapers cannot be forwarded. North Oaks news is available online if you are away from home at www.presspubs.com/ north_oaks
December Meetings • Agendas available online •
CITY OF NORTH OAKS 100 Village Center Drive Suite 230 651-792-7750 www.cityofnorthoaks.com
City Council meeting: 7 p.m. Monday, November 30
Natural Resources Commission meeting: No meeting scheduled
Planning Commission meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 2
NORTH OAKS HOME OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION (NOHOA) 100 Village Center Drive Suite 240 651-792-7765 www.nohoa.org
NOHOA Board meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, December 3
Architectural Supervisory Committee meeting: Meet in the NOHOA office 7 p.m. Mondays, December 14 and 28 All other meetings held in the Community Meeting Room 100 Village Center Drive, Suite 150
— Photo by Roger Bailey
Members of the Eagle Ridge Neighborhood Watch to the Chevallier’s home in September.
Partying for 19 years and still going strong By Katy Ross The Eagle Ridge area of North Oaks held its 19th annual neighborhood watch party this past September. The event was hosted by
Hugh Juergens and Heather Chevallier and took place at Heather’s home. The party is always well attended. This year 65 neighbors participated. This annual event was
conceived by Bob Scholz and one of his neighbors in 1995. It was just after the Safety and Security Committee and Operation Clear View were formed. An article in the North Oaks News had
been published about how the neighborhood watch program worked, and Bob and his neighbor thought it was a good time to see if they could
See Watch – Page 5
Flow Art Space features abstract prints Flow Art Space will host a reception Dec. 4 in honor of the abstract prints on display by North Oaks resident Pamela Carberry and Mark D. Klotz. The reception, from 6 to 9 p.m., runs concurrent with Lowertown First Friday, a series of open studio and gallery events throughout the neighborhood. Carberry and Klotz will be available to answer questions about their work. Printmaker Carberry explains, “My prints explore the relationship of color on color and the shifting horizon lines as I move about in the natural environment. By contrasting static elements with fluid marks and defining the very basic division of space on the page, the world is portrayed in severely simplified images without many details.” She continues, “The subject matter ultimately evolves to become my sense of the water, the air, the stillness, and the moment spent in these found places. The resulting prints are a pause or a moment spent in my sense of
— Submitted photos
Pictured from left to right are Quiet Dusk, Pleasant Lake Sunrise, and Night Marsh prints. place and in turn the prints become an interval or a space for the viewer to respond to a sustained moment in perceived time.” Carberry has shown her work throughout the Twin Cities — including Highpoint Center for Printmaking and the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition — and nationally, including the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Printer’s Gallery in Ithaca, New York. Her work has also been displayed internationally at several galleries in Mexico City. Self-taught photographer Mark D. Klotz describes his series,
titled “From the Ornamental Grasses Collection”: “Elegant curvilinear plants resilient to the elements and the winds, wild long blades that could be photographed as if they are brushstrokes for a painter. “My intent has been to capture painterly images throughout this project. The viewer might not always be cognizant that the images are photographs.” His images are meticulously composed in rural Minnesota and represented using lush, archival pigment prints. Flow Art Space is located in
the Northern Warehouse in Lowertown at 308 Prince St., Suite 226, St Paul. Entry to the gallery is free. Metered street parking is free in the evenings and paid parking lots surround the building and are an easy one-block walk. A passenger elevator is available. This exhibition is on view Dec. 3-19. Hours are 12-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Appointments are available during other times by calling 612-564-3569. The gallery is closed between exhibitions.
North Oaks News ~December 2015 ~ Page 11
CITY NOTES City notes are derived from the City Council meeting held Nov. 12.
Sheriff invites public to coffee Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrum attended the City Council meeting to discuss a new program with the sheriff ’s department called Coffee with a Cop. Residents can come and meet with police officers and ask them any questions they may have or address concerns. These events are held at area coffee shops. The first two were well attended and a third Coffee with a Cop is scheduled for Dec. 1, between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Starbucks in Shoreview off of Hwy 694 across from Target. Sheriff Bostrum also talked about a meeting at Mounds View High School that took place last month where the topic of drug usage in our schools and around the state was discussed. Experts in the field of drug dependency were
on hand to speak on the subject as well as a former student who is a recovering drug user. Sadly, heroin usage is on the rise. How is that possible? Teens start by stealing leftover prescription medications out of the medicine cabinet at home or relatives’ homes. Once those are gone, heroin is cheap to get and it’s deadly. Sheriff Bostrum is urging residents to drop off their unused prescription medicines at the Ramsey County Sheriff ’s office. So far this year, 6,000 pounds of unused medications have been collected.
Stop signs installed New stop signs have been posted on Evergreen Lane, Willow Road and Larkspur Lane. A “No Thru Traffic” sign has also been posted on Willow Road and Pleasant Lake Road. This means you can no longer make a left-hand turn onto Pleasant Lake Road from Willow Road. These were recently posted because so many cars are speeding in excess of 30 mph. REMINDER: The speed limit throughout North Oaks is 30 mph. Watch your
speed and be aware of pedestrians. Stop signs in North Oaks are not merely a suggestion. Be safe and stop.
North Oaks adds new cable provider A public hearing on whether to accept Century Link as a cable provider in North Oaks was held during this council meeting; no one commented. Therefore, Century Link Cable TV will be another option North Oaks residents will have when choosing a cable company. Comcast has been a monopoly in the community for 30 years. The city will now have the ability to have a competitive cable service. This gives residents an opportunity to choose their cable provider. The minimum service for Century Link to stay in North Oaks is 15 percent of households within two years. Century Link announced they were coming to the Twin Cities this year. North Oaks will be the sixth city to offer this service. Pat Hagerty spoke on behalf of Century
Link and said the company is very happy to be able to bring their service to our community. Century Link will offer the same services that Comcast does.
site. Photos can be sent to noaks@cityofnorthoaks. com.
Websites, logo and photos represent North Oaks
Greg Schmit will resign as the city’s building inspector effective Jan. 1. Kevin White will replace him. Kevin has worked with Greg as a subcontractor for the last 11 years and already does the bulk of the field inspections in North Oaks. Greg will work with Kevin for at least a year to assist with the transition, provide coverage in his absence, and would also be available to assist the city in updating various provisions of the city code.
The City Council has approved a new city logo. You will start seeing a slow transition to the new logo in the months to come. The City Council has also approved a new city website. For the last 13 years, the city has had the same website and it simply needs to be redone. Technology is always changing and the website needs to change too. The hope is to have that up and running at the beginning of 2016. There are so many outstanding photographers in our community that have really captured the beauty of North Oaks. If you’d be willing to share these photos with the rest of the community, please send them to City Hall and we will try and add them to the new web-
Building inspector change
Holiday office hours set The City Hall office will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas. On Dec. 31, the office will close at noon and on Jan. 1 the office will be closed for New Year’s Day.
Premium snow blowing services in North Oaks starting at $95 per month on all snow falls over 1". Why go with snow blowing over snow plowing? • Tractors with snow blowers barely slow down during a large snow fall which allows us to stay on schedule when our customers need us most • Truck and snow plow set ups slow down by up to 300% during large storms • No scratches on your driveway • No snow piles • No lawn damage • No chance of a snow plow competing with the quality of service that the tractor and snowblower provide • Due to the excellent response from our October ad, spots on our route are limited. Call for your free estimate today to ensure availability.
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Multiple visits during large snow storms!
Page 12 ~ North Oaks News ~December 2015
Cyber – From page 5 Identity theft 3. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has excellent free resources online to protection and response (https://www.identitytheft.gov/) and (http://www. consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft). Securely dispose of paper sensitive documents (shred). 4. Get your free credit report. There are three main credit bureaus so you can spread requests out every six months to one of the companies (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports) . 5. Credit freeze or credit hold. You can implement a credit freeze with the major credit bureaus preventing new cards from being issued. Beware, this may cause some delays when you want to open another credit card quickly with a telephone call — usually at the merchant counter where you have to give your PIN and/or password. One of the three credit bureau links is provided below for your information (http://www. experian.com/consumer/security_freeze.html). 6. Reporting identity theft. There are two main agencies to report online: the FBI Internet Crime complaint Center File
Compliant Tab (http://www.ic3. gov/default.aspx) and the FTC’s Complaint Assistant (www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/). These complaints go into a large database, so response is not often timely but useful to help “connect the dots.” Last but most important, report it to our Ramsey County Sheriff ’s Department’s non-emergency number at 651-767-0640 or our community services officer. Stay connected with the city of North Oaks and NOHOA for news, alerts and proactive community activities.
Computer security 7. Use anti-virus and host (PC or Mac) firewall software. The free varieties like those offered from Microsoft work as well as the paid versions in most circumstances, but have fewer features. Please use what you like and are comfortable with using, but use one. Keep the tools updated (http://windows. microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ security-privacy-accounts-help) and (www.apple.com/support/security/). 8. Update your operating system (e.g. Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile devices) and applications (e.g. Office, Adobe, Java) against malware and unauthorized ac-
cess. (See http://larsonsecurity. com/securitytips/ for more information on the major vendors.)
Fake tax return fraud 9. Unfortunately in the identity fraud lifecycle, after ID theft and/ or credit card fraud happens, often we see fake tax returns being submitted in the victim’s name the following February. This type of fraud also is a result of criminal organizations targeting our Fortune 500 and other large employers in the area. Frequently you as the victim, won’t know until your actual return is denied because one has already been filed fraudulently with the IRS. In addition, for those residents working for a nonprofit or who happen to be a highly compensated officer in a public company, your name and wages (or a large portion thereof) are published through Form 990 or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-related filings, respectively. Some help is in the IRS’ Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft (www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft).
Wireless access and use of passwords/PINS 10. When using a home wireless
network, ensure you encrypt the connection with the WPA-2 setting that encrypts the wireless traffic from your PC/mobile device to the wireless access point (WAP). For those who enjoy reading security documents, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a Guide to Securing Wireless Networks (along with more than 100 other guides you may find useful (http:// csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-48-rev1/SP800-48r1.pdf). In addition to using a strong password (at least 8 characters with a combination of capital letters and numbers), when logging into Google Gmail or Facebook, use their Secure Socket Layer (SSL, aka TLS) settings. These provide the https:// and the locked browser icon on your browser to prevent eavesdropping on your data connections (more and more sites are doing this by default). In addition, many sites and service offer twostep authentication where you get a six-digit PIN sent to your mobile device/email each time you login or you use a PIN code generator like that on Facebook or the free Google Authenicator app for iPhone and Android devices which displays a PIN that changes every
30 seconds. I highly recommend using two-step authentication if you always have your mobile device with you. Computer security and protection against identity theft is a journey and process. We will all have fallen victim to some sort of data breach of our login ID’s and passwords or the loss of our customer records for e-commerce or medical records in our lifetime. Data breach notifications from businesses and financial institutions are becoming very common. If you receive one of these letters you most likely can sign up for free credit monitoring. Stay safe online and in our neighborhoods. Scott Larson is a North Oaks resident, former FBI cyber crime chief and CEO of Larson Security. He specializes in digital forensics, cyber security and incident response. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota teaching computer security and cloud security. He currently serves as an adviser to the Georgetown Law Center’s Cybersecurity Law Institute and the University of Minnesota’s Information Technology Infrastructure Advisory Board.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS North Oaks Social Club Our BIGGEST event of the year is the adults-only Progressive Dinner to be held on Saturday, Dec. 5. We begin the night with appetizers at a member’s home and from there go to dinner at different host homes. Lastly, we all gather together again at a dessert house hosted by another member of Social Club. This is extremely well attended and many people are involved in the planning, so please consider volunteering to help out or open up your home for appetizers, dinner or dessert. The next Food & Friends event will be Jan. 21 at the home of Debbie Breen and will be catered. In February the third annual Women’s Retreat will take place; the date is TBD. Also, in February there will be bowling night at the Mermaid. This is for all members of Social Club and is a lot of fun! Members, watch your Evites for all invitations. NOSC is open to all residents of North Oaks. It is separate from the social membership at the North Oaks Golf Club. The Social Club holds women’s events every month; Food & Friends — a catered meal at a local home; men’s events a couple of times per year; and co-ed events several times per year, including Road Rally, Holiday Progressive Dinner, bowling party, spring party and newcomer’s social. We also sponsor several family events, including the back-to-school picnic, Halloween party and sledding par-
ty. There is a $60 annual membership fee, which covers planning/ logistical costs. Most events have a fee associated with them, ranging from $5 per person at family events, to $20-25 per person at most other events. There is always food and beverage provided. The next NOSC meetings are Dec. 1 and Jan. 5. Members meetings are great way to get involved in planning NOSC events. The Social Club is open to all residents. Attend an event or two to learn more before joining. Details can be found at www.cityofnorthoaks.com under Community Organizations. Event details are sent to members via Evite and are also updated on Facebook. If you are interested in joining or want to know more, contact Debbie Breen at jdbreen123@msn. com or 651-340-3626.
Villagers December Announcements Book Club: When & Where: 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the home of Margaret Thorn, 4172 Thornhill Lane, Vadnais Heights. Details: Our book this month is “The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee” by Marja Mills. Ellen Kratz will provide the research. The January book will be “First Love” by Ivan Turgenev. Contact: Margaret at 651-4844120 to confirm your attendance.
Bridge: When & Where: 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at the North Oaks Golf Club Card Room.
Details: Join friends for a lively morning of Bridge. Contact: To play call Jane Conlin at 651-484-4448 by Friday, Dec. 4.
Christmas Party: When & Where: Saturday, Dec. 12, starting at 6 p.m. at the home of Carol Beatty & Jim Huhn, 3 Birch Lane. Details: Enjoy a festive evening of holiday fun with friends! Delicious food, wine and beer included for $15/ person, or $30/ couple. Contact: Send your checks, payable to “Villagers,” by Dec. 8 to Dorothy Hoem, 41 Nord Circle, to reserve your spot!
Recipe Exchange: When & Where: 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14 at the home of Bonnie Frels, 8 Black Lake Road. Details: Holiday appetizers and dessert is the theme for December! Contact: Call Bonnie at 651-4838763 to reserve your spot and receive your food assignment.
About Town: When & Where: noon, Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul. Details: This free Courtroom Concert is entitled “A Baroque Christmas.” There will be a soprano, violin, harp, lute and harpsichord performing. We will have lunch at a nearby restaurant following the concert. Carpooling will be available from the North Oaks Golf Club at 11 a.m. Contact: Sue McDougall at 651-484-8053 to confirm your at-
— Submitted Photo
More than forty newcomers from all areas of North Oaks gathered for the NOSC Fall Newcomers social on Friday, Nov. 6. Pictured (from left): Jenny Landon, Jim Breen, Brian and Majken Schwartz. tendance and whether you will be carpooling.
League of Women Voters: January 2016 meetings The public is invited to attend the League of Women Voters White Bear Lake Area monthly meetings. There are no December public meetings, but you are encouraged to get out of the house in January to listen, learn & participate in one of our regular meetings. The topic is Funding Public Education. The Mahtomedi meeting is 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7 at Mahtomedi City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi. The North Oaks meeting is 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Incarnation Lutheran Church, 4880 Hodgson Road, North Oaks; the White Bear group meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14 in White Bear Lake City Hall’s upstairs conference room,
4701 Hwy. 61 N, White Bear Lake. The St. Croix Valley meeting is 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 at Boutwell’s Landing (Main Bldg., Steamboat Lounge), 5600 Norwich Parkway, Oak Park Heights. Please call Joan at 651-4930686 for further information or directions.
North Oaks Network The next North Oaks Network meeting is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 and will be held at Waverly Gardens. Our speaker and guide will be Susie Fisher, community relations director at Waverly Gardens. She will talk about Waverly Gardens, give us a tour and promised even a “peek” at some living units. Please look for details in the email broadcasts closer to the meeting.
Page 14 ~ North Oaks News ~December 2015
NOHOA HAPPENINGS Help preserve natural resources NOHOA is seeking members who value and feel passionately about its natural environment and resources. A special committee is being established to maximize NOHOA’s mission of preserving and enhancing the woodlands, prairies, wetlands and shorelines that have been entrusted to it. The committee will be forming in 2016 and members interested in serving on this committee should contact the NOHOA office at 651-792-7765 or nohoa@ comcast.net to request an application. The commitment would be less than 4-8 hours per month and the first meeting is expected to take place in February or March.
Security committee needs volunteers NOHOA currently supports a Safety and Security Committee whose primary responsibility involves management of the Vehicle Identification Program (VIP) to protect the privacy of North Oaks. This com-
mittee has been in existence for many years and is looking for new members. The committee meets four times per year (May, July, September and November on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.) It also conducts two vehicle identifications surveys per year in the summer (two hours each) for a total time commitment of 8-10 hours per year. If you are interested in joining with others on this committee who work to educate vehicle and bicycle riders about the restrictions of North Oaks roads due to private ownership, please contact the NOHOA office at 651792-7765 or nohoa@comcast. net for an application. The next meeting of the SSC will be in May 2016.
Warning: Thin ice! As the weather turns colder and the ice forms on North Oaks Lakes, members are reminded that walking on the ice is dangerous. Between uneven thicknesses and the pump aeration by the St. Paul Water System, any ice that forms should be considered dangerous and members should keep away!
Rink monitors Applications are now being taken for rink monitors at the West Rec Center for the 2015/2016 ice skating season. Monitors must be at least 17 years old and skating is not a requirement. Hours are flexible and shifts available include weeknight evenings, weekends and winter holidays. Anyone interested should go to the website or call the NOHOA Office at 651-7927765 for an application. College students home on break are also welcome to apply.
Skating rinks Skating at the West Recreation Area rinks will be available as soon as the ice is ready. Building hours will be posted.
Recreational skating West Recreation Area Rink 2 is designated for open skating (no hockey) on Monday through Friday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.
Rink 1 only. Go to www.nohoa. org to download the hockey rink reservation form or call the North Oaks Home Owners’ Association office at 651-7927765.
Cross country ski trails Trails along Long Marsh, the conservation area and around Pleasant Lake will be groomed for cross-country skiing along with other trails as time, equipment and weather permit. Other trails are available in addition to the groomed trails. Contact the NOHOA office to obtain a map. The trail grooming policy can be found on the NOHOA website.
Annual dues The statements for the 2016 annual dues and assessments will be mailed in late December. The dues and assessments are payable in January. If you do not receive a statement by the beginning of January, please call the NOHOA office 651-792-7765 to obtain one.
Canoes and kayaks
Hockey rink time Hockey practices will be held on West Recreation Area
As indicated in last month’s North Oaks News and in recent email blasts, canoes and kay-
aks not on the racks should have been removed from Pleasant Lake Beach by October 31. Any remaining canoes and kayaks left at the beach have been removed. A $75 fee has been assessed to retrieve your boat.
Holiday office hours The NOHOA office will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday and will close at noon on Thursday, Dec. 31, and Friday, Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday. Have a joyous and safe holiday season!
Thank you Garden Club! The North Oaks Home Owners’ Association thanks the members of the North Oaks Garden Club for their generous support of NOHOA through the many donations they make to the community, including benches on which weary trail walkers can rest, landscaping around the buildings at the beach and the new West Rec Center, the boughs on the street sign posts which were hung recently, and much more!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, come to St. Paul for some holiday cheer!
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North Oaks News ~December 2015 ~ Page 15
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Page 16 ~ North Oaks News ~December 2015
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North Oaks News ~December 2015 ~ Page 3
Chris Farrell to speak on ‘unretirement’
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Chris Farrell will be discussing his most recent book, “Unretirement: How Baby Boomers are Changing the Way We Think about Work, Community, and the Good Life,” on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the North Oaks Golf Club. He will sign books following his talk. Chris has spent much of his professional life writing about economics and helping people use their money wisely. He is currently the senior economics contributor at Marketplace, America Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio business and personal finance programs. He is an economics commentator for Minnesota Public Radio. He also contributes to Bloomberg Business Week and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
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— Submitted Photo
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Page 4 ~ North Oaks News ~December 2015
OPINION
For Good By Kristine Parker
MORE TO SEE
Editor, North Oaks News So much of me Is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me Like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end I know you have rewritten mine By being my friend. I have always loved these lines from the song “For Good” from the musical “Wicked”. In this song, Elphaba (a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz”) and Glinda realize they need to part ways after developing a close friendship. The song is poignant, and it seems particularly fitting with my life situation just now. This past year has been full of changes for me. I have struggled with my youngest son’s diagnosis with a genetic disorder, been a stay-at-home mom and then transitioned back into the working world. Before the year is out, I will face one more change: my family is moving out of North Oaks, back to having our own place in Shoreview. This transition is bittersweet. We have really enjoyed being so close to my husband’s parents, but it will also be nice not to feel like we are encroaching upon or inconveniencing them while sharing a common space. I’ll miss my runs around Pleasant Lake, with the beautiful views and friendly faces as I lumber along the trail. The smiles and nods (not to mention the cute dogs and kids!) helped me to maintain my motivation as I trained for my fall marathon. Fortu-
KRISTINE PARKER nately, the new place is close to a trail, but it will afford different views than the ones to which I’ve become accustomed. Another thing I will miss is the proximity of some friends I had made, moms from North Oaks Preschool when my middle son attended there last year. I still run into them from time to time, even though my schedule has gotten crazy since the start of school this year. It always makes me smile. I appreciate the runs and play dates we have shared, and I hope we can continue to get together sometimes even though I will not live quite as close anymore. Finally, I will miss working on this lovely newspaper. I have to give up my post as editor of the North Oaks News. Please join me in welcoming Dick Leonard as your new editor beginning with the January 2016 issue. I am confident that I am leaving the paper in good hands. Thank you for this opportunity to serve the community. I appreciate all of the feedback and comments I received from residents during my time here, and I wish you all the best this holiday season and in the New Year. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
North Oaks
News
Winter reminders and reflections First and most importantly, Happy Holidays to all! I hope that you are all having a wonderful, safe season with family and/or friends. As we head into the winter season, I have been asked to remind folks that it is a good time to complete yard/ property cleanup, especially where your property abuts the roads. Three things to keep in mind are: 1) Operation Clear View – keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed 5 feet back and 12 feet up from the road surface. Visibility safety at corners and stop signs is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer. 2) Road easement needs – we need to have a place to safely pile snow off of the roads and keep from damaging your plants. Keep your plantings back from the road
FROM THE MAYOR
MIKE EGELSTON, MAYOR and keep the easement clear of weeds and brush so that the plows have fewer impediments when plowing. 3) Storm damage remains – the summer tornado left significant damage across our community, and unfortunately many downed trees and brush piles remain visible on many properties. Cleanup is your responsibility, especially along the roadways and visible areas. Please try to have dead trees and brush
LETTER
TO THE
More and more thanks! Ann Christiansen on behalf of The members of North Oaks Guild II, the Rummage Sale Guild Each year the Children’s Hospital Association’s North Oaks Guild II receives support from numerous area businesses in preparing for the annual September Rummage Sale. Funds from the yearly sale support programs and services at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics in St. Paul. It is challenging to find ways to thank and acknowledge the many businesses that sustain our efforts. The December 2015 North Oaks News includes an insert listing businesses and individuals that provided support for the sale. We have discovered a significant omission and want to give a special thank you to our very long-term supporter Scott Coyle and Ace Midwest Moving and Storage of Coon Rapids. For
piles hauled away prior to the snow flying. Letters have been going out to residents where brush and tree piles remain. I will be in contact with Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman regarding road work on Centerville Road and County Road J; both are in need of significant repairs. I will try to keep you updated as I get information. Finally, as I sit here looking out at the sunset over the lake, I feel so very fortunate to live in North Oaks. I embrace the tranquility that our home brings to my life, and the beauty that I see as I look across the lake. I even happily embrace the coming winter and the chance to enjoy our community in the great ways that winter brings with it. I hope that the same is true for all of you.
EDITOR
many years they have been major supporters of the Rummage Sale by providing trucks, both in the spring and fall, to allow us to pick up furniture donations throughout North Oaks. In addition, they have provided excellent staff to help us with “the heavy lifting!” We regret they are not listed with the many other wonderful community supporters that make our annual sale such a success. With the help of many businesses and individual supporters, the 2015 North Oaks Guild II Rummage Sale was a resounding success, with proceeds exceeding $157,000. Thanks to supporters like Ace Midwest Moving and Storage and those listed in the December insert, we are able to keep our expenses very low. North Oaks Guild II’s cumulative contributions to Children’s Hospital Association exceed $1.5 million. For more information about North Oaks Guild II please visit our website at www.northoaksrummagesale.org.
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North Oaks News Letter to the Editor Guidelines Letters to the editor are limited to 350 words. Statements that cannot be confirmed by the newspaper may be removed, or the writer may be asked to submit proof of their accuracy. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and grammar. Up to two signatures may accompany each letter to the editor, and each must include the telephone number and address of the writer. All letters will be verified. The North Oaks News will not publish letters to the editor that have been copied from another source and/or mailed out in bulk. It is the intent of North Oaks News staff to publish only letters originating from writers living in North Oaks. An identification line may be added to some letters to help readers identify the writer by title or occupation.The North Oaks News reserves the right not to publish any letter.
North Oaks News ~December 2015 ~ Page 5
Time to give back? By Carol Beatty
CAROL’S QUEST
Contributor The early November weather has been so spectacular that I keep pinching myself when looking at the calendar. Obviously, winter is looming, and above-normal temperatures with blue skies will end. Did you also notice the succession of stunning sunrises and clear starry, starry nights? Wow! What did we do to deserve this? The answer, of course, is absolutely nothing. Many things both good and bad come to us whether we “deserve” it or not. Obviously, we all have so much in our lives that we didn’t necessarily earn. I love thinking about the many good things that happen here in North Oaks and the surrounding community. Contributions of time, energy, and money are made because many of us are currently fortunate but understand that others may be suffering from ill health, an ill-timed accident, family crisis, loss of income, lack of opportunity, or other circumstances that they do not “deserve.” I am aware of only some of the many special and generous endeavors that are provided by residents of North Oaks, but those make me proud to be part of this community! As a member of the North Oaks Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) Guild II, I may be a little biased, but the hard work of this group and the generosity of North Oaks residents is amazing. The hard work behind the annual rummage sale enables residents to easily clean out clutter, provides bargains for shoppers, donates leftovers to deserving charities, and funds programs at Children’s Hospital that may not otherwise be funded. What a benefit for North Oaks to have our name associated with this special cause! The members of North Oaks CHA Guild I also spend many
CAROL BEATTY hours on their Holiday Home Tour for the same wonderful cause. The logistics of both of these events are mind-boggling! Isn’t it important and thought-provoking to sometimes get our hands a bit dirty and really work for a cause rather than just write checks? I’m not at all discounting the importance of monetary contributions, but I find that a time and work commitment can provide more empathy for the cause. Thinking of time and work commitments — kudos to those hard workers who contribute many hours to make North Oaks a well-run, safe, beautiful and environmentally sustainable community for all residents. Thanks to those who serve on city, homeowners, and other community boards and committees — you make our community happen for all of us. Walk around Pleasant Lake and note the shoreline restoration areas. A group of people recently dug holes and planted willow and dogwood branches along the channel to Deep Lake just north of the Pleasant Lake walking bridge. Even if every branch doesn’t survive, it’s a wonderful, inexpensive step toward preserving the shoreline. These people have gained additional ownership in the community. These are the stories that make for a desirable and livable community. If you know of more, do send an article (with photos, if possible) to the editor of the North Oaks News. Sharing can be contagious!
— Photo by Roger Bailey
Maria Juergens and Carolen Bailey staff the check-in table at the Eagle Ridge neighborhood watch party in September.
Watch – From page 1 get their neighborhood involved. They put their heads together and got a few other neighbors to help them plan it. The group thought that if they started a neighborhood watch program that maybe other areas in North Oaks might be inspired to start their own groups. The group’s goal was to help make our community safer. This past year, seven other neighborhood watch parties were held on Night to Unite in August. The Eagle Ridge group held theirs in September as they always have, preferring to wait until kids are back in school and people have returned from their cabins. Each year, the Eagle Ridge group pretty much follows a time-tested routine. Hot dogs, brats, buns, and beverages are provided (but partiers bring their own beer and wine), and the neighbors bring side dishes and desserts. Each family donates $10 to help cover the costs for food, paper plates, and utensils. Their Neighborhood Watch Committee for
How to protect yourself against identity theft and other cyber crime By Scott Larson Contributor We have had an increase in reported theft of mail from mailboxes and credit card fraud in our community. As a former FBI special agent, we were trained to prevent and fight crime — including bank robberies and white-collar crime. The prolific bank robber, Willie Sutton, was asked by a reporter (circa 1950s) why he robbed banks. He replied, “because that’s where the money is.” Well, today the money is in
your information, bank accounts, tax returns, online investments and circulating throughout your home wireless network. In the interest of brevity and space, I would like to share some helpful tips to protect yourself and your family:
U.S. mail 1. When traveling, have a neighbor pick up your mail or put a hold on your mail at the Post Office (https://holdmail.usps.com/ holdmail/). Also follow these tips from the USPS: (https://posta-
linspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/fraudschemes/ mailtheft/tipthieves.aspx). 2. Consider updating your mailbox to a locking mailbox. One neighborhood has been hit and thanks to a conscientious neighbor and a call to the North Oaks Company, the neighborhood is in the process of upgrading its mailboxes. Some newer neighborhoods already utilize such mailboxes (e.g., http://lockingmailbox.com/).
See Cyber – Page 12
the year handles printing and delivering flyers, shopping for refreshments, brats, hot dogs, and picnic supplies, printing name tags and handling registration, and cleanup. They have it down to a science. Each year, this group invites guests to come to the event. To keep things interesting, the group changes up the list of invitees a little from year to year. For the last five years, Sheriff Matt Bostrom has attended. This year the city’s Emergency Manager Jim Daly, Community Service Officer Bob Parrott, and Councilwoman Katy Ross attended. Greg LeMay, the crime prevention deputy who is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch Programs in the northeastern suburbs, was also in attendance. Each of the invited guests typically speaks for a short time and updates the group on a variety
of things that are happening in their respective worlds. Questions are welcomed and encouraged. The group also has a Neighborhood Watch Notebook. Neighbors are invited to share information about what they like to do in North Oaks, or provide information on such topics as controlling buckthorn or Lyme disease. Recipes and retirement activities are even shared and the notebooks are updated each year. The Eagle Ridge group’s annual party is a true community builder. Neighbors love the camaraderie that has developed over the years. They have established long and lasting relationships, and enjoy getting together to catch up. Even Bob Scholz still attends! Next year will be the group’s 20th year and Hugh Juergens is already thinking about how to celebrate that milestone!
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Page 6 ~ North Oaks News ~December 2015
PGA professional named 2015 promoter of the year The Minnesota Section PGA would like to congratulate Ray Vennewitz Jr. of North Oaks Golf Club on being named the Private Facility Promoter of the Year. Vennewitz Jr., son of former longtime head PGA professional Ray Vennewitz, was presented the award on Oct. 26 at the Minnesota Section’s fall meeting at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids. This award, given to private facilities, recognizes a PGA Professional for substantial contributions to their home facility. The recipient is chosen based on the facility’s golf programs offered, tournament operations, merchandising, rules, promotion and facility history. Ray has helped make North Oaks Golf Club one of the most attractive and sought-after courses to play at in the state of Minnesota with his staff operations, programs offered and tournament operations. North Oaks hosts casual events for family and social gatherings as well as competitive events for those looking for a challenge. The club hosts men’s and women’s leagues in the spring, summer, and fall. North Oaks also runs a junior league that will help local juniors learn the rules of the game, etiquette, sportsmanship, and fundamentals that are essential to the game of golf. “Winning this award is really more about the facility than anything; we have a wonderful golf course. This year we held the Section Championship, last year we hosted the Assistants’ Championship, and next year we have the Minnesota State Am here. It says a lot about the
— Submitted Photo
From left, Jerry Hinderman, Bob Larson, Carolyn Stitt and Nancy McNee install stakes at the Deep Lake Channel.
Deep Lake Channel Project completed
— Submitted Photo
Ray Vennewitz Jr. of North Oaks Golf Club golf course and staff when our course is used as a championship site,” he said. Ray is a very hard-working PGA Professional who is well respected by his staff. He has and will continue to play an intricate role in the daily operations and programs associated with North Oaks Golf Club. The Minnesota Section
PGA consists of PGA Professionals who are experts in the game and business of golf. Its mission is to promote the enjoyment and involvement of the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals, the golf industry, people who play golf or would like to start playing golf.
Those of you who have been following the shoreline restoration project at the Deep Lake Channel may have noticed the 200 willow and dogwood stakes seemingly standing at attention and guarding the shoreline of the channel where Pleasant Lake and Deep Lake connect on the Pleasant Lake trail. With the guidance of Kristine Jensen, program manager for the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO), seven resident volunteers completed the shoreline restoration project by first harvesting the 200 stakes, then creating holes two feet deep with metal rebar and heavy mallets, and finally inserting the stakes into the holes. It’s estimated about half of the stakes will take root and provide additional
stabilization for the channel. NOHOA would like to thank volunteers Jayne Early, Diane Gorder, Jerry Hinderman, Bob Larson, Judy Ohannesian, Nancy McNee and Carolyn Stitt for all their help with harvesting and planting the stakes. Special recognition goes to Bob Larson, chair of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), for his contribution to the overall project these past few months. Using his truck and trailer, Bob has transported hundreds of gallons of water from his home to the site for use in watering the plants and trees that were installed earlier this fall by VLAWMO. Well done! —Submitted by Diane Gorder, NOHOA Director of Land and Water
December Road Works: Winter is coming Bill McNee NOHOA Board Director Fall is here and winter is just around the corner. As I write this article, it is still early November. The high today will be 46 degrees Fahrenheit. When you read this, it will be early December and who knows what the weather will be? I do know NOHOA is ready for winter. Mel’s has sand, salt and deicing products for the coming winter and their snowplows are ready. What can you do to help us with the roads? Please keep everything at least 5 feet back from the road. Mailboxes can create a problem for snowplowing. The plow driv-
ers do their best to not damage mailboxes. You are responsible for removing the snow around your mailbox. Don’t move your driveway snow across the street or leave it at the end of your driveway. It is against state law to deposit snow next to a street or road. It could lead to a snow ridge on the road. This can be a contributing factor to vehicle accidents or breakage of snow removal equipment. Reducing the amount of snow at the end of your drive will reduce the amount of snow the plow deposits in your driveway after the next storm. It is also against the law to move your snow onto another person’s property without
their consent. If you contract for snow removal, make sure your vendor removes the snow correctly. You are responsible for their actions. Please don’t park any vehicles on the street until after your road has been plowed full width. This includes the vendors who plow your driveway. The snowplows have to get around these vehicles. This leaves areas of snow in the road. There were times last year when entire roads weren’t plowed because of vehicles parked on the road. Narrow roads don’t allow the plow to pass safely by parked vehicles. Help us keep the roads clear of snow. Let’s all have a safe winter.
Q. Is there any way to stop receiving junk mail? My mailbox is overrun! A. While recycling is a better option than throwing out junk mail, reducing unwanted mail is the best option. To keep from being added to new mailing lists, include a privacy statement on anything you put your name and address on, asking “Please do not add me to your mailing list.” Here’s how to get off many current mailing lists: • Catalogs, magazines, and other mail offers: go to DMAchoice.org • Credit card offers: go to OptOutPrescreen.com • Phone books: go to DontTrashThePhoneBook.org • Smartphone users: download an app, like PaperKarma, to snap a picture of the junk mail and press “send” to unsubscribe from the mailing list. For other app options, search app stores for “stop junk mail.”
North Oaks News ~December 2015 ~ Page 7
NOHOA NEWS AND NOTES By Kimberly Murray NOHOA Executive Director
— Submitted Photo
North Oaks Guild II members are pictured as they anticipated the start of their September 2015 Rummage Sale. The two-day sale generated more than $157,000 in income. Proceeds will help support programs at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. The next sale will be Sept. 17 and 18, 2016. There will be a spring donation drop-off with date to be determined. The Guild is grateful for its many volunteers, donations and financial supporters. Please see our “Thank You” insert in the North Oaks News. For more information about North Oaks Guild II go to www. northoaksrummagesale.org
North Oaks Guild II Rummage Sale a success The North Oaks Guild II’s 17th annual rummage sale benefiting the Children’s Hospital Association was a success. Volunteers raised $157,000. The Children’s Hospital Association raises, maintains and distributes funds to the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
Children’s Hospital Association: • Pays for both inpatient and outpatient care of children. • Supports innovative programs whose expenses cannot be met through the normal hospital budget. • Provides seed money for new programs that educate
and provide family support. • Supports programs that reduce the trauma of major illness for children and their families. The North Oaks CHA Guild II sincerely thanks you for your support and hopes you will attend next year’s sale, Sept. 17 and 18, 2016.
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In late December, you are going to receive a bill from NOHOA for your 2016 dues. As you pay, you might be wondering how this money is used and the purpose for your dues. First and foremost, you are paying for road maintenance and snowplowing. Nearly one half of the NOHOA budget pays for roads-related services. All of the roads in North Oaks are private and your property extends to the middle of the road. Each and every member owns part of the North Oaks roads. Private ownership of the roads ensures privacy. It means that other drivers can’t use the NOHOA roads without invitation. Of course, we all know that maintaining that privacy can be a challenge! But it is a challenge that NOHOA accepts and works with the City of North Oaks to protect. The second largest share of your dues goes towards recreational amenities, including the vast trail system. NOHOA provides improvements and maintenance to the ball fields, recreational buildings, ice rinks, basketball courts, playgrounds, tennis courts, beach, boat facilities and all of the restrooms, supplies and parking areas associated with those amenities. Through a contract with Mel’s Services (which also performs the snowplowing and some of the road maintenance), fields get mowed, restrooms are maintained, buildings get painted, trails are mowed in the summer and groomed for skiing in the winter, tennis courts get cleaned and new nets are installed as needed, ice rinks get flooded and frozen, and soccer and baseball fields are lined and marked for games and practices.
NOHOA also takes care of many smaller tasks in between, such as hiring a gardener to maintain the planters at the entrances and in the cul-de-sacs. Trees are removed on NOHOA property when recommended by the city forester, and bridges and railings are repaired and painted. From small items such as replacing light bulbs to big projects such as building a new section of the trail, NOHOA and Mel’s Services are taking care of the community’s roads, recreational and common areas. Finally, your dues pay for NOHOA to respond to complaints regarding violations of the covenants, conditions and restrictions. Every member, upon purchase of their home, is given a copy of these guidelines as part of their deed. Additionally, most of this information is posted on the NOHOA website. NOHOA does not go out looking for violations. However, when there is a complaint, the association is obligated to follow up on the situation and respond as necessary. Violations are often related to the Architectural Supervisory Committee (ASC), which also falls under the association’s umbrella of responsibilities. The ASC Coordinator and NOHOA staff work together closely to respond to members fairly and consistently in an effort to protect home values and to keep the community the haven you want it to be. The tasks and activities listed above are only a smattering of the all the contributions NOHOA provides to help the community run smoothly. There is always more to be done and actions here and there that never get noticed. All in all, when you look at the full picture of what your dues pay for, you get quite a value for your dollar!
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Page 8 ~ North Oaks News ~December 2015
North Oaks Halloween Party is bigger and better than ever By Mara Winke North Oaks neighbors turned out in record numbers to celebrate at the seventh annual North Oaks Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 24. The party relocated from Wilkinson Pavilion to the West Rec Area this year, which was an improvement for kids and caregivers alike. The central location made parking easier and allowed access to the beautiful new West Rec Building and playgrounds. A record turnout of 450 children, parents, grandparents and extended family members enjoyed a variety of activities and entertainment for little trick-or-treaters. After a grey morning, the planning committee was thrilled to watch the clouds depart and the sun appear two hours before the event start time. North Oaks Social Club President Deb Breen said that “with no rain date, we take a gamble each year with the weather, but our luck just seems to be holding!” The North Oaks Halloween Party has become an annual tradition for many young families in our community, but this year included new families from the Charley Lake and Rapp Farm developments. NOHOA Board Member Amy Blahosky, who attended the event with her young children, said, “What a great way to connect with old friends and make new ones!”
Many sponsors helped to make the activities possible. The North Oaks Social Club was the main sponsor of the event, underwriting costs to keep the admission fee low. Mel’s Services contributed hay wagon rides for attendees around the nearby soccer field. North Oaks Living generously sponsored a bounce house and party supplies. NOHOA assisted by contributing décor and maintenance for the park facilities. White Bear Caribou provided coffee and hot chocolate for partygoers, and volunteers from Mounds View High School helped staff the activity stations. The Halloween Party Planning Committee has coordinated the party for the past five years, quadrupling attendance and bringing creative new ideas to make it better each year. They include: Amy Adams, Joelle Cognetta, Julie Heiden, Sarah Medved, Melanie Moriarty, Sara Quinn, Christine Roncari, Cindy Schuveiller, Mara Winke and Sarah Zurbay. Next year, the committee will be turning over the Halloween Party reins so that they can plan a new summertime event for families in North Oaks. Watch the North Oaks News for details coming soon! In the meantime, if you’d like to be included on the Evite for next year’s Halloween Party or volunteer on the planning committee, please contact Deb Breen at jdbreen123@msn.com.
Mel’s Services offers hay rides around the nearby soccer fields.
The Light Saber Battle is a highlight for costumed partygoers.
North Oaks resident knight Corey Johnson enjoys the day with his fair maiden Gina and son Hoyt. Planning Committee member Sarah Zurbay gets ready for the Pumpkin Drop.
North Oaks News ~December 2015 ~ Page 9
Animal inventory of North Oaks Farm circa 1900
How does the Emergency Communications Team help the disabled in a disaster? By Jeremy Rogness Contributor
North Oaks Farm had 1,900 animals in the year 1900! N. E. McKissick, the farm superintendent, describes them in a nine-page letter using the vernacular of the time and adding his own comments. In the bovine department, we have 158 Ayshire cows, 10 bulls, and 43 heifers and calves. The cows produce thirty thousand pounds of butter each year. In horses we have 160 including work horses, brood mares, driving horses and colts. The breed chiefly raised is the Morgan, a name synonymous with quality, speed, energy and all the desirable points that enter into the makeup of a perfect horse. The King of the Morgan family is Stallion Allen whose peer has not as yet been produced, and it might be superfluous to state that Allen is the acknowledged best bred stallion in the world today. In hogs we raise the Berkshire and have at present some 750. While not a thing of beauty, they are in a financial way a joy as they contribute more revenue to the farm than any other species of quadrupeds. In sheep the breed chiefly raised is Shropshire, comprising 300 in all. The sheep
IF THE BARN
COULD TALK... are sheared yearly and the sale of wool, mutton, hides, etc. nets, after the expense of raising same are deducted, a surprising dividend. In poultry we have some 400 fowl who are housed together with turkeys, geese and ducks. We have 27 buffalo fenced off by themselves in a 160 acre patch surround by a six foot wire fence with idea in minds of endeavoring to keep them in as wild a condition as possible. In the next field are 22 elk who thrive fairly well. One peculiar feature of the family is the shedding of their horns or antlers. You may see them at night with antlers complete and the next morning they are without horns and search for the old antlers availeth naught.
Hello everyone in North Oaks, I am the board chair and acting executive director of the Minnesota Emergency Communications Team. As stated in our previous article, we are a Minnesota-based nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status. As an organization, we provide safety oriented emergency services for those with disabilities. Over the next couple of months, we would like to take the opportunity to describe our programs in a little more detail. Our disaster relief program is largely geared for those with special needs. For example, during a disaster, people with disabilities have the everyday needs that everyone else has: i.e.
food, water, and shelter. However, there is an additional list of needs that is just as important. Electricity is needed for charging power mobility devices, sleeping aids such as CPAPs, BiPAPs or ventilators. Special transportation is also on the list. For those with autism, structure and routine is important. As a result, Internet access may be necessary. Without Internet access, the aforementioned routine cannot be maintained. Characteristically, people with autism have a hard time adjusting to change. To touch back on the respiratory support, it takes an average of $3,000 to $5,000 to cover the cost of a mobile intensive care unit to move a person on a ventilator one mile. Then after that, the only place you
can put them on a short-term basis is in a hospital in ICU. In closing, the retired ambulance that we use is now a mobile command center. This vehicle is a mobile office that can provide communications, power generation and limited refrigeration for medications, if necessary. Although our service is not meant to be a long-term solution, it will provide short-term solutions that are more cost-effective than relocating everybody right away and if relocation is necessary, it will buy time so that we can keep people out of hospitals and make that space available for those who critically need it. For more information consult our website: www.MinComTeam. org
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