August 2010 SCCA NEWS

Seward’s Business Community [Link]

Energy Efficiency Workshop with Xcel Energy 2010

Thursday, September 2nd – 1:00pm at the Communications Board of Directors
Workers of America Union Hall (3521 East Lake Street)
Lake Street Council is jointly-sponsoring an event to help promote no-cost Chair:
to low-cost solutions to save business owners and commercial property Jim Welna
owners dollars. The event will include both experts in energy efficiency au- Welna II Hardware
dits and solutions and guests like you who have already made some changes
that are saving them money. You can expect to walk away from the event Vice Chair:
Rick Siewert
with a keener knowledge of the specific opportunities, costs, and benefits.
Siewert Cabinet

WordPress Websites for Small Businesses and Treasurer:

Max Duckler
Neighborhood Organizations
CaptionMax
Thursday, September 9th, 4:00pm – 5:30pm at Seward Towers East
Learn how to develop a free website for your small business or community Suzanne Weinstein
organization using WordPress. Secrets of the City’s Matt Bartel explains how Coastal Seafoods
to set up a site, how to navigate the settings so that the site represents your
business, and tips on how to generate traffic. Please bring a picture of your Jennifer Larson
business or an image or logo representing your business on a flash drive. Communications Design
Suggested dontation: $15
Tracy Singleton
To RSVP, please contact Megan: 612.435.0279 / megan@[Link] Birchwood Cafe

July Meeting Notes Hans Steege

West of the Rail Business Association’s Innaugural Summer Social Dero Bike Rack
Location: Corner of 28th Ave. and 42nd St.
Joe Buck
by Dave Madsen
Buck Bros. Construction

Despite the foreboding threat of some menacing clouds, the West of the Rail Business Associa-
tion (WRBA) and its associates met for their Inaugural Summer Social event on July 22. The Monthly Meetings are
event was held in Randy Kolb’s vacant lot on the southeast corner of 28th Avenue and 42nd held on the 3rd Wednesday of
Street (4205 28th Avenue South). Those in attendance were treated to some delicious Kille- each month from 11:45 - 1pm.
brew Root Beer floats (the keg was purchased from Zipp’s Liquor on 2618 Franklin Avenue)
Upcoming Dates
and a chain of hot dogs from of Everett’s Foods and Meats (1833 East 38th Street).
No August meeting
About 20 people showed up for the event and all seemed to have a great time as business own-
ers and WRBA associates stayed well beyond the proposed time allotment. After the attendees September 15th
congregated in the space and spent an ample amount of time noshing and networking, Shirley
October 20th
Yeoman of the Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association (SENA) drew the attendees’ busi-
ness cards in a raffle for two $50 certificates; one for the Citizen Cafe (2403 East 42nd Street)
and the other for Acanthus Floral Art (3932 Cedar Avenue South).

SCCA Mission: to provide a forum for Seward area businesses to plan, discuss, advocate and network for mutual benefit.
Page 2 Member Updates
Fun City Dogs gives your best friend a playmate
New Member Profile: Fun City Dogs, 2204 Snelling Avenue South
by Dave Madsen
For many, the morning ritual of leaving for work consists
of packing a lunch, overdosing on caffeine, and locking each
and every door. However, when many employed pet own-
ers return from the workplace, they may come home to a
partially-demolished apartment and a very guilty dog.

Who’s to blame for the cause of such destructive behavior?

It has been proven that when dogs are locked in a small
environment for extended periods of time, they may expe-
rience poor muscle tone, obesity, heart ailments, and bone
disorders. In addition to the physical ailments caused by a
lack of exercise, our canine companions are often subject
to emotional disorders as a result of not enough social in-
teraction.
Fun City Dogs’ door is always open

According to RyAnne and Jason Quirk, owners of Fun City come in, they are treated to the excitement of play-time
Dogs, many of these problems can be solved by enrolling a in the facility as well as the approximate 3,000 square feet
dog in a daycare system. outside. Around 11:00am, the dogs settle down for about a
half an hour and the rest of the day is filled with physical ac-
“When you come home, you’re tired from being at work all tivity and socialization. Jason said, “By the time the parents
day and your dog is fully excited and ready to start its day pick [the dogs] up, they’re ready to go home and sleep.”
because it’s been sleeping all day.” Jason said. “So, you have
a conflict of interest; you have to spend a few hours toning Fun City was formed to ensure that both dogs and humans
down your dog. Whereas if you bring your dog in here, we have a better living environment. Another principle of Fun
do that for you.” City Dogs is to provide this service at the lowest cost pos-
sible. “Your dog is a being,” he said. “Your dog has feelings
Before Fun City Dogs, Jason developed a successful com- and your dog is your friend no matter what. We’re just try-
mercial cleaning business in 2002. Six years later, RyAnne ing to get the word out: Treat your dog well.”
joined Jason and they worked together to maintain Ex-
treme Clean Team, LLC. With experience in dog breeding, Above play-time for the dogs and an easy-going home en-
training, and rescuing, both RyAnne and Jason felt a need vironment for the parents, safety is the top priority for Ry-
for a daycare service in the area to help prevent the poor Anne and Jason. Fun City Dogs has never experienced a
treatment of animals. So, earlier this year, the Quirks rented dog fight, but Jason said that both he and RyAnne are ready
a warehouse in the Seward neighborhood, renovated it, and to step in to separate an altercation. The facility has three
Fun City Dogs was born. separate pens as well as the indoor and outdoor spaces
which ensure that, if worse comes to worst, the dogs can
Fun City Dogs provides canines with about 11,200 square be held until the owners pick them up.
foot free-roam boarding facility, meaning the space is not
kenneled and dogs have the opportunity to interact with When it comes to dog fights, Jason said, “There is no stand-
one another in both indoor and outdoor areas. RyAnne and ing back and hoping for the [Link] fight will be intervened
Jason also provide overnight care for dogs. and your dog will be saved.” According to RyAnne, these
behaviors can be prevented and she said animal behavior is
“It’s like a living-room atmosphere where the dogs can closely monitored at Fun City.
sleep in their beds or one of ours. The overnight care isn’t
kenneled and it’s supervised as well, so your dog isn’t locked To receive more information about how to enroll your
in jail while you go vacation,” RyAnne said. dog in Fun City, call RyAnne or Jason at (612) 722-DOGS
(3647). Jason said that if he or RyAnne are not at the facil-
The average day for a dog enrolled in Fun City consists of ity, they would be willing to meet a dog outside of normal
a flurry of movement and interaction. As soon as the dogs business hours (6:00am-7:00pm).
 SCCA NEWS Page 3

Jeremy Iggers: Foodie, Journalist, Philosopher $169,800 / 2br.

Feature: Twin Cities Media Alliance, 2600 East Franklin Avenue Longfellow Restoration
Between his Sophomore and Junior year at Carleton College, the young Jeremy Iggers was
hitch-hiking his way around the world when he decided to combine his two passions: writing This 2-bedroom, 1.5 bath
and food. Since then, Iggers has received a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Minnesota, home is located only a few
worked for the Star Tribune for over 20 years, written several books, and won two national blocks from the Riverview
awards for overseas reporting. More recently, Iggers became the executive director of the Twin Theater, Riverview Café and
Cities Media Alliance (TCMA), a non-profit organization that is responsible for the Twin Cities Mother Earth Gardens, and
Daily Planet, an online publication that allows citizen journalists to empower their communities 7 blocks from the Mississippi
through the media. River Road. This Minneapolis
stucco bungalow is being re-
Prior to his career as a journalist for the Star Tribune, Iggers worked as a writer for the De-
stored to its classic charm.
troit Free Press. During his time for the publication, Iggers was struck by the disconnect in the
understandings of ethics in the newsroom.
This value and level of crafts-
“It was as if the power dynamics of the newsroom shaped what you could talk about as an ethi- manship is well above the
cal issue and what you couldn’t talk about as an ethical issue,” Iggers said. norm for this price. If you
are interested in viewing the
According to Iggers, there were some moments in his career when he felt a growing discomfort home, please contact De-
with journalistic ethics. As time went on and the public became more aware of a publication’s velopment Project Manager
friction between staying loyal to its readers and making a profit, Iggers decided to pursue the Eddie Landenberger at
issue and publish his doctoral thesis Redesign Reroutes the Rain (612) 978-3257 or
titled, Good News, Bad News: Journalism eddie@[Link].
When rain hits the city, are you aware of how your
Ethics And The Public Interest.
personal or business property is constructed to
handle the runoff--moreover, are you aware of the For more information,
In his work, Iggers argues that most
environmental implications this runoff has on Min- including the full list of
of what composes journalistic ethics
neapolis? improvements, visit:
are principles ruled by an institutional-
ized system of business. With the rise [Link]
Recently, Seward Redesign, a non-profit community org/hnp/reb/[Link]
of fiscal competition in the journalistic
developer in Seward, reconstructed their parking lot
world, the profession of the journal-
space to include channels to multiple rain gardens.
ist has been undermined by a mar-
This renovation ensures a more environmentally-
ket-driven atmosphere. According to
friendly property not only for the surrounding busi-
Write an SCCA
Iggers, the future of responsible and
nesses, but also for the entire City as well. Newsletter Article!
balanced journalism must consider
the public interest and the civic re-
A rain garden is an intentional depression in the Is there a business in
sponsibilities of the press to foster a
earth that is constructed near surfaces that are Seward that has always
democratic system.
unable to absorb rain water. These plots absorb the intrigued you? Interested in
storm water and nourish the garden’s soil; this pro- getting to know what goes
Though many readers maintain an
cess also limits unnecessary run-off from rain.
intense loyalty to certain print-based on inside other
publishers, Iggers said that sites like
The project to reconstruct the lot and install the
neighborhood businesses?
the Twin Cities Daily Planet are mak-
garden started when Redesign applied for a grant to
ing quality journalism on a hyper-lo- If so, you would make a
receive part of the $250,000 the Mississippi Water-
cal scale a reality. Likewise, the TCMA perfect author for an SCCA
shed Management Organization assigns each year.
plans to offer free classes introduc-
Since then, Redesign has worked with MWMO and newsletter article!
ing citizen journalism and how small
their Stewardship Fund Program to redevelop the
business owners can develop a Word-
once unsustainable parking lot. No writing skills necessary,
Press-based website to increase pub-
lic interest. just an interest in your
Instead of the storm water flowing into street drains fellow business owners
and causing erosion, water pollution, and potential
Other works by Iggers include The Joy
flooding, these gardens will give life to native Min-
of Cheesecake and The garden of eating:
nesota plants surrounding Redesign’s parking lot. The
contact Megan: 435-0279
food, sex, and the hunger for meaning. megan@[Link]
native plants do not need any unnatural fertilizer and
continued on page 4
Page 4 SCCA NEWS
CPED updates land use maps, aims to implement Redesign’s rain gardens
sustainability into Minneapolis (continued from page 3)
The Department of Community changing market conditions, busi- they require almost no effort to take care of due
Planning & Economic Development ness practices and development to their tolerance of the climate and soil condi-
(CPED) recently updated the land patterns.” tions.
use and zoning maps on the City’s
Neighborhood Profiles web site. According to Sporlein, topic- and Another benefit of Redesign’s gardens are the
The maps are now revised to re- area-specific plans have been im- decreased effects it will have on the nearby Missis-
flect Minneapolis’ comprehensive plemented into the general policy sippi River and Minneapolis’s hydrologic cycle. The
plan to promote neighborhood of the city’s comprehensive plan. truth is, the water that flows into the storm drains
development into a more sustain- When these specific plans are ad- of our city streets is never filtered before it enters
able system. In accordance with The opted by the City, a rezoning study the Mississippi River. Redesign is aiming to cut
Minneapolis Plan for a Sustainable is applied to the area so that the down on the river’s pollution by making sure that
Growth, these four maps will pro- City can consider changes for fu- unnatural waste is not flowing into their surround-
vide residents with a base map, an ture land use plans. ing storm drains.
existing land use map, a future land
use map, as well as a zoning map While CPED is optimistic about Funding for this project was provided in part by
which is updated monthly. the potential of their comprehen- the Mississippi Watershed Management Organiza-
sive plan, “it may become neces- tion’s (MWMO) Stewardship Fund Program. If you
The goal for these maps, accord- sary from time to time to amend own or are associated with a non-profit organiza-
ing to a press release from Barbara the document, particularly when tion like Redesign, you may be eligible to partner
Sporlein, Director of Planning for new information becomes available with the MWMO and apply for a grant ranging
CPED, is to “develop and maintain regarding conditions and opportu- from $2,000 to $50,000. Letters of interest are
a land use pattern that strengthens nities within the city.” Sporlein ex- due by Wednesday, Sept. 22 by 3:00 pm. For infor-
the vitality, quality and urban char- plained that CPED does not antici- mation about the application process, visit www.
acter of its downtown core, com- pate making dramatic changes, but if [Link]/[Link].
mercial corridors, industrial areas, neighborhoods express such a need,
and neighborhoods while protect- the city may “amend the compre- Green Institue saves money and
ing natural systems and develop- hensive plan, in compliance with the environment
ing a sustainable pattern for future Metropolitan Council’s prescribed If you own a food service business, you may be
growth.” process.” interested to know that your restaurant, grocery
store or convenience store is likely to use about
Sporlein’s press release made it Neighborhoods who decide to five times more energy than other small businesses.
clear that the future land use map take advantage of this plan can be As a way to promote a more sustainable business
will provide the city and its resi- expected to receive assistance on environment and to lower the costs of utilities for
dents a comprehensive understand- planning processes and renewing small businesses with commercial cooking and re-
ing of the property options available plans and proposals to coincide frigeration equipment, The Green Institute is offer-
for Minneapolis’ diverse community with Minneapolis policy. The neigh- ing an opportunity to work one-on-one with your
of businesses, families, and individu- borhoods of Minneapolis are being business.
als who make up various income regarded as “stakeholders” in the
groups. development of the comprehensive For a first year fee of $200, The Food Service En-
plan, and as such, they will be pro- ergy Efficiency Leadership Program will partner
“The future land use map also pro- vided with “tools to assist designers, with work with your business to achieve a 10-15%
vides guidance for the regulatory developers, builders and community energy savings goal through low cost measures. The
structure that implements [The stakeholders to understand and Green Institute’s initiative includes site assessments,
Minneapolis Plan for a Sustainable prepare plans and proposals that energy costs reviews, information on realistic up-
Growth], including the City’s zoning are consistent with the city’s poli- grades, access to rebates and incentives, customized
ordinance,” Sporlein explained. cies and regulations.” plans to save energy and accrue ROI, and education
and trainings to owners and employees on energy
In 1999, Minneapolis’ City Coun- If you have questions about the efficient operations and maintenance.
cil decided to revise the zoning Comprehensive Plan and how it
code; since that time, the code has affects your community, contact If you’re interested in participating in the Food Ser-
been modified to better suit public your sector planner ([Link] vice Energy Efficiency Leadership Program, contact
agency requirements. Also, the revi- [Link]/cped/docs/ Agatha Vaaler at (612) 278-7142) or via email (avaal-
sions permit the code to “adapt to panning_sector_map.pdf) er@[Link]) for more information.
 SCCA NEWS Page 5

Bethany Lutheran Church welcomes all

West Bank
Bethany Lutheran Church, 2511 East Franklin Avenue
by Dave Madsen
stimulating, the church decision
to paint a rainbow on their pil-
Farmers
lars was not purely for aesthetic
reasons. In 1974, an organization
Markets
of congregations primarily com-
prised from the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church in America (ELCA)
Tuesdays
formed Lutherans Concerned/ Brian Coyle Center
North America which aims to ac- (420 15th Ave. S.) -
cept people of all sexual orienta-
tions and gender identities into 11:00am - 1:00pm
the Lutheran Church. A program,
Augsburg College
titled Reconciling in Christ (RIC),
has since spread to Bethany Lu- (2211 Riverside Ave. S.) -
theran and the congregation now
Bethany Lutheran’s welcoming exterior takes an inclusive stance towards 2:00pm - 5:00pm
A jog down Franklin Avenue in the Seward those barred from other churches. Seward Towers East
neighborhood yields an array of colors. Near
the corner of 29th Avenue, the Seward Co- “As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, we (2910 E. Franklin Ave.) -
op illuminates the busy intersection with have a public statement that the congregation 2:00pm - 5:00pm
an electric green; further down the street, voted on that we openly affirm and welcome all
a neon orange dances across the newly in- people regardless of their gender identification,
stalled lighting of Zipp’s Liquors; on 24th and sexual orientation, age, or socio-economic class,”
Franklin, the crisp blue of the Franklin Freeze Lind-Ayres said. “And the RIC’s statement really
Fridays
cools down traffic on a sweltering summer’s is geared toward the LGBT community which Seward Towers West
day. And, in the past month, residents may has been discriminated against in the church.” (2515 9th St. S.) -
have noticed another splash of color on
Franklin Avenue. According to Pastor Justin Bethany Lutheran is currently in, what Pastor 9:00am - 12:00pm
Lind-Ayres, Bethany Lutheran Church’s new Lind-Ayres calls, “a re-visioning process.” When
rainbow paint job on their exterior pillars he took the call to pastoralship in 2009, Lind-
not only falls in line with the vibrancy of Ayres was assigned to examine the priorities
Seward, but it also reflects the church’s mis- of the church and what it means to be an “in-
sion to welcome. clusive, multi-cultural congregation involved in
social justice.” Include your
“I thought our original pillars—which were business in the
black and probably still made up of the origi- At the end of this year, Bethany Lutheran will Member Update
nal paint used in the 60s—made us look like have completed its year-long re-visioning pro- Section!
a prison,” Lind-Ayres said. cess by designating six realistic goals which the
congregation can then complete in the future.
After a member of the congregation advocat- Despite the congregation’s relatively small size
If your business has news to
ed for the new paint-job, Pastor Lind-Ayres of about 34 people, Lind-Ayres reports that share, we want to hear about
decided to take the suggestion to Bethany “new vitality” is present in the worshipper’s de- it. Let us know if you’ve won
Lutheran’s council and, in late June of this termination to bring the RIC program to other an award, are offering a new
year, the pillars of the church were repainted communities. product or service, moved
to display a bright spectrum of color.
your space, etc. and we’ll
In addition to strengthening the congregation’s
Bethany purchased the beautiful paint from social justice-based mission, Bethany Lutheran share it here.
Welna II Hardware and about 20 Nebraska also opens its doors for “what we see as com-
high school students came to the cities to munity building,” Pastor Lind-Ayres said. “I think contact Megan: 435-0279
assist with the project. that with our new, bold colors outside, we hope megan@[Link]
to communicate to people who walk, jog, or bike
Though the rainbow is certainly visually by that this place has a message of welcome.”
Page 6 SCCA NEWS

Thank you to SCCA members who have contributed in 2010!

2nd Moon Café * A Craft Windows * Air Engineering and Supply * Allweather Roof * ArtiCulture * At Last Gourmet Foods, Inc

Augsburg College * Beaupre Aerial Equipment * Bethany Lutheran Church * Birchwood Café * Blue Nile

Brownsmith Restoration * Bruce Johansen - Writer & Editor * Buck Brothers Construction * Cake Eater Bakery

Canyons Structural, Inc. * CaptionMax * CCI Properties Charles Levin Architects * Close Associates Architects * Coastal Seafoods

Crew 2: The Home Services Specialists * Cushman Motor Company * Dave’s Riverside Shell * Decisive Moment * Dero Bike Racks

DeVries Bar Grinding * DigiGraphic Photos Inc * Dr Gary Miller Chiropractic Center * Employment Action Center

Franklin Accounting Income Tax * Franklin Housing Cooperative * Garlock French Roofing * Glaciers Café * Hayat Beauty Salon

Hi Line Unique Flooring * Hiawatha Metalcraft Inc * Himalayan Restaurant * History Crafters * Imagin Studios

Infinite Real Estate Group J.C. Miller & Sons Cement Contractors * Jefferson Lines * Jennifer Larson Communications Design

Jim’s Barber Shop * Kaal Home Health Care * Koyi Too Sushi * Madden Accounting & Tax * Midwest Lock and Safe * Mill City Builders

Minneapolis Maintenance * Minnesota Resource Center * Misco: Minneapolis Speaker Company * Movement Arts Center

Nguyen Architects * Pizza Luce IV * Posl Photography * River Realty * Seward Church * Seward Community Co-Op * Seward Inc

Seward Market & Halal Meat * Seward Neighborhood Group * Seward Towers East * Seward Towers West

Shabelle Grocery and Meat Market * Shega Bakery * Sheldon Mains * Sierra Club North Star Chapter

Siewert Cabinet and Fixture Manufacturing * Speak To Solve * SwirlyGig Industries * The New French Bakery

Tracy’s Saloon * True Thai * Twin Cities Media Alliance * Twin City Filter Service Inc * United Noodle

Verde Strategies * Volunteers of America Education Center * Welna II Hardware * Whiskey Junction * Wood from the Hood

Woodland Stove and Fireplace * World Endeavors * Worry Free Enterprises * WW Johnson Meat Co * Zipp’s Liquors

Minneapolis, MN 55406
2619 E Franklin Avenue
Seward Civic & Commerce Association