Get close to monarchs during Lake Nokomis festival

Enjoy cross-cultural food, dance and games on Sept. 10

Send a monarch butterfly on its amazing journey from Minnesota to the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico during the Monarch Festival at Lake Nokomis on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2010.

“It doesn’t really matter who you are or where you come from, people find the monarch fascinating,” said Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) Executive Director Rita Ulrich.

The purpose of the Monarch Festival, according to Lis Young-Isebrand of the Monarch Lab at the University of Minnesota, “is to bring our diverse community of people together to celebrate and learn about monarchs.” 

She pointed out: “Adult monarchs weigh less than a paper clip (about half a gram), yet they are able to fly over 2,000 miles to Mexico in the fall and back to Texas in the early spring. And, they are beautiful! The monarch is simply amazing.”

In its third year, the Monarch Festival combines cross-cultural food, music, dance, habitat-awareness and dance. Events begin at 10 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m. on Sept. 10. Monarchs will be tagged and released throughout the day. The steamroller operated by ArtOrg will return; last year’s collage is on display in the Nokomis Recreation Center.

The Kid’s Butterfly Fun Run walk/race starts at 11 a.m. Participants are encouraged to wear butterfly wings, antennas or caterpillar costumes; prizes will be awarded for the best outfits.  Register online for $10 before the race at www.monarchfestival.org, or pay $15 the day of the race.

“It’s a lot of fun,” stated Mary Lynn Pulscher of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation.

Pulscher encourages those in the neighborhood to bike or walk to the festival. A section of Lake Nokomis Parkway near 50th next to the Naturescape will be closed during the event. Over 5,000 people are expected.

More at www.monarchfestival.org

The festival is organized by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association and Community Celebration of Place. Learn more at the bilingual web site: www.monarchfestival.org.

The 2011 stage line-up features performances by Mariachi Mi Tierra, the Javier Trejo Trio (Mexican/Americana), Larry Long (American folk), the Tropical Zone Orchestra (salsa), KetzalCoatlicue (Aztec dance), Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca (traditional dance), Larrie Yazzie (Native American Fancy Dance) and Batak (fusion jazz).

Pedro Fonseca of the Tropical Zone Orchestra is excited to again bring Latin rhythms to the festival. “Our show promotes the mutual sharing between people beyond boundaries,” Fonseca observed. “If the ecosystems and small creatures work in harmony, we should be able to do so.”

Strengthening the U.S./Mexican relationship

In addition to introducing attendees to Monarchs, the annual festival works to strengthen the relationship between Mexico and the United States. In the last decade, the number of Latinos residents in the Nokomis neighborhood has doubled, and this festival is a response to that, noted Ulrich. Signs at the festival will be in both Spanish and English, and organizers are looking for bilingual volunteers to staff games. To volunteer, call 612-724-5652.

The migration of the monarch is being threatened by loss of habitat in both the United States and Mexico, pointed out Ulrich. “It takes people growing milkweed and the various other native plants that support monarchs along the route,” she observed.

The upper midwest is an important region to the monarch because the milkweed that grows easily in the region sustains the summer breeding population, according to Young-Isebrand. But the monarch is only in the area for four months of every year. Young-Isebrand views the festival as a way to encourage attendees to consider other parts of the world that monarchs depend upon and to connect with other communities to preserve monarchs.

“In addition, the efforts we take to preserve monarchs are ultimately healthy for us, too -- not using pesticides, for example,” said Young-Isebrand. “I think people know this inherently and take action to save monarchs ultimately to improve habitat for all organisms, including humans.

Help preserve the monarch butterfly

Helping preserve monarchs for future generations is easy, according to Lis Young-Isebrand of the Monarch Lab.

“Monarch larvae will only eat milkweed, so if you want to help monarchs plant milkweed -- any species!” Young-Isebrand stated.

Other native plants provide necessary shelter and food (nectar) for the monarch. “Cultivated plants are often bred to have showy flowers and may not provide any nectar.  Plant native plants, along with the showy cultivated plants, and you will attract and help butterflies of many species,” said Young-Isebrand.

Refrain from treating gardens with insecticides because, as they are insects, the butterflies will also be killed.

Milkweed and other native plants will be for sale during the Monarch Festival. Or, make a milkweed mudball to take home.

Gardens along Lake Nokomis support Monarch butterflies

NENA practices what it preaches. In 1998, the Naturescape was established on the northeast side of Lake Nokomis. A steep hillside was transformed into a perennial garden that provides habitat for songbirds, butterflies and other insects.

The Naturescape was the direct result of community residents telling the neighborhood association they valued the environment during the creation of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) plan, noted Ulrich.

When you walk down to the Naturescape, you will see monarchs, stated Ulrich.

In 2001, a variety of aquatic, wet prairie and upload native vegetation was planted along the shoreline of Lake Nokomis. In September 2004, a native shrub garden was installed alongside the hillside prairie garden. Volunteer gardeners meet each Tuesday evening through the summer to maintain the Naturescape. To find out more, call the NENA office at 612-724-5256.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Migrating monarchs (adult monarchs in Minnesota at the end of August) will live for up to nine months while the summer monarchs (monarchs in Minnesota in early May through early August) will live for only six weeks. 

• Larvae (caterpillars) will only eat milkweed.

• Adult butterflies must have ample supply of native flowers to nectar from to make their 2,000-mile migration. 

• Pesticides kill butterflies along with the other unwanted insects (which then can kill birds, etc.). 

• Much about the monarch butterfly remains a mystery, even to the experts. “It is known that monarch use the sun and the earth’s magnetic field to migrate, but this doesn’t explain how they are able to migrate from a huge region (basically the entire eastern U.S.) to small areas in the mountains of Mexico,” pointed out Young-Isebrand. Help answer some questions by tagging monarchs and making a report whenever a tag is found. “This information allows scientists, and others, to track the migration route and success of monarch butterflies,” said Young-Isebrand. Learn more at www.monarchwatch.org.

- Information from Lis Young-Isebrand of the Monarch Lab

See original story printed at http://www.longfellownokomismessenger.com/mainstory.html

Falls 4 All working with Minneapolis to build a universal access playground

Peggy Halvorson believes that all kids -- handicapped or not -- should be able to play together at the playground.

After learning about universal access playgrounds, she decided to do what she could to bring one to Minneapolis. Towards that end she created Falls 4 All, a division of People for Parks.

“The more I’ve read about the benefits of these playgrounds, the more convinced I am that it just has to happen,” stated Halvorson, an Edina resident. “It’s not just a handicapped playground. It’s about everyone playing together. We learn to accept each other when we play together.”

The Minneapolis Park Board (MPRB) has agreed to install a universal access playground at the Wabun Picnic Area of Minnehaha Falls Park, adjacent to the Veteran’s Administration facility along the Mississippi bluffs. Recently, four accessible picnic shelters, a restroom building, and a zero-entry wading pool were constructed at Wabun to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The parking lots were also updated, a disc golf course and volleyball court added and a bike/pedestrian trail built.

“As the MPRB upgrades playgrounds, it designs them to meet all current accessibility requirements established by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The funding raised by Falls 4 All will be used to increase the level of accessibility for children and adults,” said MPRB Superintendent Jayne Miller.

Because of Carly and kids like her

Why is Halvorson putting so much time and effort into a playground like this?

Halvorson is inspired by people like her childhood friend, Geri Mauck of Rosemount and her 15-year-old daughter, Carly.

It isn’t easy for Carly Mauck to spend the afternoon at a playground. While more and more are built to ADA specifications, her wheelchair still limits her.

It is too hard for her mom to carry the 15-year-old to the top of a slide. She certainly can’t push Carly’s wheelchair through gravel, sand or mulch. That leaves little for Carly to play on except for the ADA-approved bucket swing.

Carly loves swinging.

“The smile on her face says everything,” said her mother, Geri. “That kind of sensory input is fun for her.”

Overall, there aren’t many recreational opportunities for Carly, observed Mauck. “It would be nice to have a park in the area where she could go.

“For us it is gratifying to see her do something all the other kids can do. She’s free. She’s not strapped in. She’s out of a wheelchair.

“There’s so few things she can do independently.”

How does a universal access playground differ?

While ADA standards call for paths and ramps wheelchairs can traverse, universal access playgrounds go further.

They are designed so that children with disabilities can access at least 70% of the activities at the playground. This is done by making sure all ramps are wide enough for wheelchairs. Because of the additional on and off ramp access points, children with disabilities have the freedom of access without having to be transfered out of wheelchairs to use equipment. The surfacing is soft enough to cushion a fall. The various play elements all connect so that children with disabilities have more choices of where and how to play. Children with disabilities don’t have to only look up at these playgrounds, but can look out and down by going on the elevated components accessible via larger ramps and platforms.

Recognizing that transfers are the most difficult piece of any excursion, the designers of universal access playgrounds work to avoid them. For example at Jonathan’s Dream park in Conneticut there isn’t a sand box; instead there is a sand table that children in wheelchairs can wheel over to. Instead of a toy car with one or two steering wheels, there is a team limousine with eight wheels and room at the front for a driver in a wheelchair. Instead of the traditional bank of swings, there is a wooden boat swing large enough for two wheelchairs and six other people.

A playground for everyone

According to the 2000 Census, 9.2 percent of American families raising children in 2000 were raising at least one child aged five to 17 with a disability. Overall, there are over 54 million Americans -- or one in five -- with disabilities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“All Minneapolis children deserve a safe, supportive place to play, and the proposed Wabun playground helps to ensure more children will have that opportunity,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.

“The Park Board has committed $300,000 to the Wabun project and we’d like to raise an additional $700,000 to make this a true universal access playground,” said Halvorson. “The additional funds can provide items such as ramped wheelchair access to the highest platforms, specialized wheelchair-accessible playground surfacing, dual slides that allow a caregiver to slide with their child, and harnessed swings that hold children securely.”

According to Halvorson, the main challenge for Falls 4 All is funding. Thus far, the group has raised $70,000 of the $500,000 they need.

Several benefits are being planned, including Touch A Truck on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Minnehaha Park and a Food/Wine Gala for Friday, Nov. 4 at Sea Salt.

If enough money is raised, the playground will be built next year.

Public meetings will be scheduled for the playground renovation as part of the schematic design process.

Visit www.peopleforparks.net or www.falls4all.com for more information. Contact Peggy Halvorson at halvop2000@yahoo.com or 952-988-0085.

A universal access playground can provide:

• Opportunities for all children to benefit from social interaction and play: Children can learn cooperation, consideration and respect for differences and acceptable behavior while playing with children with disabilities. Children with disabilities can develop self-esteem and confidence and learn new skills as they are encouraged to explore and challenge themselves.

• Wheelchair-accessible surfacing soft enough to cushion a fall: This is relevant for both children and caregivers, including grandparents. This surfacing is one of the most effective ways to increase access, but can increase the surfacing expense by more than 20 times.

• Multiple entry and exit points to increase access to play equipment, with more on and off ramp access: These ramps give children with disabilities the freedom of access while affording them the dignity of not having to be transferred out of wheelchairs to access equipment.

• Additional routes/connections within the play structure using ramps to allow children with disabilities to flow through the playground equipment, giving them increased choices of where and how to play.

• Additional specialized equipment designed to provide more physical support.

• A playground structure with elevated components accessible via larger ramps and platforms, allowing children with disabilities the freedom to look out and down rather than looking up.

• An enhanced experience for children without disabilities because they gain use of interesting and unique equipment: These children enjoy the same kinds of activities as children with disabilities, just from a slightly different perspective.

Me Too

by Geri Mauck

You want to run and chase butterflies and birds.

Me too.

You want to climb the tallest trees and touch the clouds

Me too.

You want to jump rope and play tag.

Me too.

You want to splash in the puddles after a spring rain.

Me too.

You want to catch a snowflake on your tongue.

Me too.

You want to talk, and yell, and sing.

Me too.

But sometimes I can’t do these things because my mind or body is different than yours.

But I can still be you friend.

God loves...

Me too.

http://www.longfellownokomismessenger.com/sidestory1.html

Enjoy camaraderie at Southside Kettlebells group fitness classes

Bring your “can-do” attitude to Southside Kettlebells on 42nd Street and enjoy a free class, encourages owner and kettlebell instructor Hiromi Yokoi.

“There is no typical class! Every class is different; we hardly have the same routine twice. What's common is a bunch of satisfied, sweaty people at the end of the class,” said Yokoi.

All classes at Southside are group events. “People get to know each other quickly and there is a sense of camaraderie among the clients. There are a lot of interactions among the participants as well as with the instructors. Yet unlike contact sports like marshal arts or highly choreographed exercise like aerobics, there is individuality in the workout,” said Yokoi. “In other words, it doesn't matter if you missed a few steps, or take a break while others keep going. You simply get back into the group when you are ready.”

There are two instructors at most classes to ensure safety and provide enough coaching. Beginners and experts work out together. “By seeing the clients who have been with us (the advanced) is a great motivator for the beginners, and being able to reflect on yourself by looking at the beginners — how far you've come — is a great feeling for advanced,” said Yokoi.

What is a kettlebell? A kettlebell looks like a cannonball with a handle. Its shape allows both weight and cardio training simultaneously.

BENEFITS OF KETTLEBELL TRAINING

• Develops all purpose strength

• Amps resilience

• Maximizes staying power

• Blends strength with flexibility

• Hacks the fat off without dieting and aerobics

• Forges a fighter’s physique

“Kettlebell works on your strength and cardio all at once,” explained Yokoi. “If you lift weight, you would normally do a separate set or time for cardio activities or vise versa.”

All the movements in kettlebells are designed to be natural to the human body. For example, there is no arching of the back to lift kettlebells over your head as you might do in traditional weight lifting. “This is a great benefit for people with past injury and/or physical limitations,” observed Yokoi.

At Southside Kettlebells, instructors employ the "High Intensity Interval Training" method. “Basically you do a cardio activity as fast as you can do for a very short period of time (like 20 seconds up to a minute or so), rest for 10 seconds or so, and repeat this cycle for four to five minutes,” explained Yokoi. “This promotes the strengthening of the muscles around your heart which leads to stronger heart. By swinging the bells (instead of lifting), the weight of the bell pulls your muscles and joints, elongating your ligaments - this is helpful for people with tendinitis. As matter of fact, many of our clients are referred by their physicians and chiropractors.”

Southside Kettlebells has been located at 3107 E. 42nd Street since July 2008. The space matched the unique requirements owners had. “The space had to be wide open and square or rectangle. The floor could not be too polished (fearing bells might damage the polished floor). We didn't want the floor carpeted. The ceiling had to be high enough for the movements that require bells to be hoisted above head,” explained Yokoi. “This location fits our specification perfectly and the owner is the nicest landlord we have ever met! Also in our early days we knew we wanted to be small, local fitness place. Since this is a very nice residential community, we thought it was a good fit for us.” They’ve been proven right.

CLASS RATES

• First Class: FREE

• Unlimited access to all classes: $100/month

• Punch Card for 8 Classes: $100/month

• Single class: $15/class

Classes are offered 7 days a week. Morning classes are offered Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Kickboxing classes are held on Sunday mornings. Southside offers progressive discounts on the monthly membership; a client gets a discount of $10 when completing 30 classes, another $20 discount after additional 30 classes. Family and student discounts are also available. Instructors are certified RKCs by Pavel and Russian Kettlebell Federation.

“We welcome anybody - we don't care if you are athletic type, or this is the first attempt to do exercise in a long time,” said Yokoi. “We also don't care how young or old you are.”

Southside Kettlebells

3107 E. 42nd Street

Minneapolis, MN 55407

(612) 281-1166

http://southsidekettlebells.com/

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/07/30/neighborhood-notes-enjoy-camaraderie-southside-kettlebells-group-fitness-classes

Corn feed July 29, other upcoming events in Standish and Ericsson

Come for the corn and stay for the movie on Friday night, July 29. The cornfeed at Sibley Park (1900 40th St. E., 55407) begins at 6:30 p.m. “Harry and the Hendersons” will be shown on a 20 x 25-foot screen beginning at 8:45 p.m.

There will also be face painting, a moonwalk, and other games. Enjoy listening to live Blues and Rock and Roll music.

Concessions will be sold by SIBAC; proceeds benefit Sibley Youth Sports.

“Bring your blankets, chairs and bug spray and enjoy what is calling for perfect weather! “ urges Brian Hall.

ABOUT ‘HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS’

On their way home to Seattle from a camping trip, the Hendersons accidentally run over a strange and unknown creature. Realizing it might be the legendary Bigfoot creature, they strap it to the roof of their station wagon and take it home because they felt bad. Once there, the revived creature goes wild, rampaging throughout the house. Eventually, the family realizes that the creature is actually very gentle. Given the name "Harry", the creature's curiosity leads him to escape, running through the city as sightings of him strike fear into the populace (and greed into the heart of one French Canadian bounty hunter). Trying to hide Harry from the Seattle authorities and the hunter who wants his hide, the Hendersons with a help of an elderly once disillusioned and embittered ex-scientist and Bigfoot-believer Dr. Wrightwood come to realize that the best thing for Harry is to return him to his home in the wilderness.

“Harry and the Hendersons” is a 1987 American comedy film directed and produced by William Dear, and starring John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, Lainie Kazan and Don Ameche.

Other upcoming events in Standish and Ericsson neighborhoods:

AUGUST

• Monday, Aug. 1 to Thursday, Aug. 4 - Swinging on a Star Camp, children ages three to five, Lake Hiawatha Park, call 370-4930

• Monday, Aug. 1 to Thursday, Aug. 4 - Remote Control Camp, children ages 6-12, Lake Hiawatha Park, call 370-4930

• Wednesday, Aug. 3 - Lake Hiawatha Festival, Lake Hiawatha Park, 27th Ave. S. and E. 44th St., 5-8 p.m. More at http://www.lhrc.freeservers.com/festival.htm

• Monday, Aug. 8 - SENA Board meeting, 1830 E. 42nd St., 7 p.m.

• Monday, Aug. 8 to Thursday, Aug. 11 - Disney Junior Days Camp, children ages three to five, Lake Hiawatha Park, call 370-4930

• Monday, Aug. 8 to Thursday, Aug. 11 - Space Camp, children ages 6-12, Lake Hiawatha Park, call 370-4930

• Wednesday, Aug. 10 - “To Sleep or Not to Sleep,” Nokomis Healthy Seniors Health Program, speaker Abigail Holley, M.D., Nokomis Square Cooperative, 10 a.m.

• Monday, Aug. 15 to Thursday, Aug. 18 - Kindergarten Boot Camp, children ages three to five, Lake Hiawatha Park, call 370-4930

• Monday, Aug. 15 to Thursday, Aug. 18 - Super Hero Training Camp, children ages 6-12, Lake Hiawatha Park, call 370-4930

• Monday, Aug. 22 to Thursday, Aug. 25 - Photography Camp, children ages 6-12, Lake Hiawatha Park, call 370-4930

• Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 27-28 - LoLa Art Crawl, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the greater Longfellow neighborhood. Features painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, weaving, jewelry, textiles, video and more. This unique art crawl is open to artists of all skill levels. There will be demonstrations at some sites. More at www.lolaartcrawl.com or pick up a map at a supporting business after Aug. 10.

• Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 27-28 — Nokomis Healthy Seniors will be selling brats, soda, chips and hot dogs at Bergan’s SuperValu, 4715 Cedar Ave. S., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

• Monday, Sept. 12 - SENA Board meeting, 1830 E. 42nd St., 7 p.m.

• Friday to Sunday, Sept. 16-18 - 28th annual Autumn Daze Festival, St. Helena Catholic Church, 3204 E. 42nd St. Food, rides, live and silent auctions, games of chance, games of skill, used items for sale, quilt bingo, music and other family-friendly events. Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Hours: Friday 6-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OCTOBER

Monday, Oct. 3 - SENA annual meeting, Lake Hiawatha Park Recreation Center, 27th Ave. S. and E. 44th St.

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/07/28/neighborhood-notes-corn-feed-july-29-other-upcoming-events-standish-and-ericsson

Lake Hiawatha Festival: an inexpensive family event

The whole family will enjoy the 16th Lake Hiawatha Neighborhood Festival coming up on Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. near the park building (27th Avenue S. and E. 44th Street).

“It is a great family event that is not very expensive,” said organizer Joyce Boettcher. ”It is a great way to enjoy being with your family and friends, and enjoy the weather before the kids go back to school.”

At 5:00 p.m. the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will hold a dedication and ribbon cutting for the updated wading pool and the tennis courts.

Expect:

• Pony rides for kids 10 years old and younger, $5, 6 to 8 p.m.

• Canoe rides on Lake Hiawatha, free, 5-8 p.m.

• The 5-in-1 moon walk, softball field, 75¢

• Inflatable water slide, 75¢

• Mini-golf, $2, provided by Party Putt LLC from 5:00-8:30 p.m.

• Caricatures, $2, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

• Face paint and hair spraying, $2

• Pet wash

• Talent contest. To register, email lhfest@yahoo.com.

• Health fair

• Teen Job Opportunity Fair

• Family fitness challenge. Trophies will be awarded to the top three winners in the challenge. To register, email lhfest@yahoo.com.

“For the young kids the pony rides are the biggest attraction,” observed Boetther. ”For adults it would probably be the canoe rides on Lake Hiawatha.”

Food will be for sale.

Showcase your business at a table by emailing lhfest@yahoo.com; put Business Display in the subject line.

“We are always looking for new activities and enjoy giving local businesses a change to provide information on their company to the attendees,” Boettcher said.

She is the one volunteer who has been involved in each of the 16 years of the festival. “The best part of the festival for me is selling the tickets. I get to interact with so many people from the surrounding neighborhood,” Boettcher noted. ”I like seeing all the happy faces of people attending the festival. It makes all the planning and work worth while.”

For more information, browse http://www.lhrc.freeservers.com/festival.htm.

This event is sponsored and supported by the Lake Hiawatha Recreation Council, Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/07/27/neighborhood-notes-lake-hiawatha-festival-inexpensive-family-event

Growing it fresh at Southside Star Community Garden

Standish-Ericsson resident Laura Hansen can’t wait until later this summer to serve up her heirloom tomato bruchetta with yellow tomatoes, basil and garlic grown from her plot at the Southside Star Community Garden off 32nd Avenue just north of 42nd Street.

“Anything fresh from the garden is awesome,” said Hansen. “In fact it's a bit of a smorgasbord later in the season when weeding. One pea for me; pluck four weeds.”

Hansen enjoys “doing something to make the neighborhood more livable, friendly and green. I think the people in the neighborhood are very proud to have a community garden.”

Virginia Bach agrees. She has been involved in the Southside Garden since the beginning. “I thought this was a great opportunity to get to know my neighbors better, develop a gardening hobby that I could do into my old age and pass on to the next generation, eat better organic food, and build a safe and beautiful community space,” she explained.

This year she planted beans, beets, spinach, acorn squash, Hubbard squash, zucchini squash, baby watermelons, pea pods, bushel cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, and raspberries.

“I like walking through the garden, watching the birds flit around, and enjoy the peace and beauty. Everyone does their own thing and it's fun to walk through the garden and look at everyone's spin on their garden. It becomes a personal expression,” said Bach. “We have an amateur vintner who has planted a couple of grape vines. Another person has planted some tropical palms (which they move inside in the winter).”

She added, “It is a beautiful and safe place that draws the community together.”

As a project that was started by neighbors for neighbors, Southside Star was carved out of a plot of land that was originally cleared for the Hiawatha Avenue improvements 30-plus years ago. The land passed to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) as part of the Hiawatha Light Rail Project. “We lease the land from MnDOT,” explained Bach, who is a member of the garden steering committee.

The idea of a community garden first sprouted online. “Mike McMahon, who lives a block from the garden, put the idea on the StanEric E-Democracy listserv, where it was discussed initially,” stated Bach. From that initial discussion a small group of seven to 10 neighborhood people met regularly for one and a half years to plan and implement the idea. “Community gardens are springing up all over the metro area as a way to increase the availability of fresh garden vegetables, fruits and flowers especially in 'food desert' areas of the urban centers,” Bach observed.

The first crops were planted at the garden in 2010. In 2011, 31 participants are growing vegetables, fruit and flowers on 37 plots. Each pays $50 a year, and performs 10 hour of community service such as mowing, weeding, moving mulch, digging weeds out of the sidewalk, working on the shelter and filling water barrels. Prior to work days, a scheduled walk-through is done to create a task list for the work-day leader. People also do community work on their own time and drop a note with their hours into the mailbox in the shed.

“Almost every time I'm in my plot one of the neighbors walks by and stops to talk or waves,” said Bach. “One 80-year-old man (Ronald Waltz) walks a few blocks to the garden almost every day. He gives us advice about gardening and his garden, and comes by with his rototiller to help people till their soil. At least three members of the garden live across the street or in the next block. Many people chat with the neighbors sitting out in front of their houses and share produce with them.”

Anything extra from the garden is donated to the food shelves at Sabathani and Calvary Lutheran.

There is a waiting list for garden plots. Contact Hansen at for more information.

Looking for a fresh idea for the kitchen? Bach shared this recipe which fellow Southside Star member Dana Tuss shared with the group last year:

PINEAPPLE ZUCCHINI BREAD

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup oil

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups shredded zucchini

1 15 oz. can crushed pineapple (drained)

Cream eggs, sugar, vanilla and oil. Add zucchini. Mix together dry ingredients and add into creamed mixture. Stir in pineapple. Bake in two loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick in center comes out clean.

Freezes well.

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/06/30/neighborhood-notes-growing-it-fresh-southside-star-community-garden