As the #1 Home Seller in Eden Prairie for 25 consecutive years and Minnesota's top real estate team at Coldwell Banker Realty since 2015, our expertise is unparalleled We achieved over $2 5 Billion in sales and over 8,300 satisfied homeowners with 450 served in 2024 alone Yet, our true pride is going above the norm helping our clients turn their dreams into reality Whether you are thinking of selling or buying here in the Twin Cities, our elite team of 30+real estate professionals and support staff are dedicated to making your next move extraordinary from first contact to close and beyond. Th or at ne s o
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A business banking team you can count on.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a financial institutionsuch as convenience, technology, and products. Perhaps you want a bank that gives back to the community it serves. More than anything, your bank should have familiar, friendly people you know you can count on any time of the day. At First Western Bank, we are all these things and more. You can bank on us.
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Tony Seipp VP Commercial Banker | NMLS: 888672
February 14 th | Friday
Our warm greenhouse is open for you to stop in and select a green or blooming plant to brighten your loved ones day. Creating a terrarium or succulent bowl is a sweet way to spend some time together. May your love live on and grow stronger this Valentine’s Day!
“I love mankind … it’s people I can’t stand!”
– Linus van Pelt
Dear Eden Prairie Lifestyle reader,
I hope I beat everyone else to wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day! And in case you’re still wondering, the answer is yes: I do love you very much.
Platonically.
More specifically, I love you for reading a magazine so near and dear to my heart, and I hope to express it by taking you on the hottest of dates. Let’s visit Eden Prairie and neighboring suburbs so we can check out their hottest attractions! We’ll buy potted plants in Chaska. We’ll order tuxedos and get our taxes done in Shakopee. We’ll then head back home for Pilates, bundt cake, music bingo, the historical society museum, and a ride in an autonomous minivan. All you have to do is continue reading. I promise to have you home by eight.
This is the “Local Love” issue of Eden Prairie Lifestyle, by the way. We figured we’d be cute and print it the same month as Valentine’s Day. Just one of many reasons why you might call ours a “hip” publication.
What’s special about the Local Love issue? Nothing. That’s not to say the following pages aren’t rammed full of insight, inspiration, and the most intriguing advertisements you’ll ever see. It’s just that we spend every issue gushing over Eden Prairie and all its very good businesses, because we – get this – love them very much.
I’d like to extend my biggest and loudest thanks to Pet Evolution and Helping Paws for providing our loveliest cover to date. Isn’t that just the kind of face you’d like to feed biscuits to? Surely one of the goodest of dogs, right next to your own if you have one. And hey! If your hypothetical dog happens to be stinky, or not as beautifully coiffed as they could be, then Pet Evolution will give them the same VIP * treatment as any Helping Paws golden or Lab.
As always, I would like to thank all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s sponsors, without whose generous support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’ homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in appearing on our magazine’s pages!
Best regards,
JOHN LEE, PUBLISHER
* “Very Important Pooch ”
February 2025
PUBLISHER
John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lauren Beaubaire, Bill Scheller
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Emily John, Pete Rose
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy Celebrates Third Anniversary
It’s amazing how far Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy has come and in how little time! They now have six speech pathologists, two occupational therapists, and ten therapy spaces. That means more room to play, more session availability, and endless opportunities for learning and growth! Reach out today to learn why their clinic provides a safe, compassionate, and caring environment where your child can grow, learn, and build confidence. urbanspeechmn.com
Eden Prairie Center Welcomes Exciting New Tenants
Mall lovers, prepare to love the mall more than ever before! Visit today for The Makers Den, a one-stop shop offering 3D print products, services and design classes; Gyu Mai Japanese BBQ and Ichiddo Ramen for worldclass Japanese fare; and Miniso, which specializes in cosmetics, stationary, toys and kitchenware. Look forward to the arrival of The Game Show Studio and the U.S. Army Career Center this spring, and Phenix Salon Suites this summer! edenprairiecenter.com
Helping Paws Cuts the Ribbon
Helping Paws: officially a member of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce! Helping Paws is a leading nonprofit organization that breeds, trains, and places assistance dogs with people who have physical disabilities and veterans and first responders with PTSD. Founded in 1988, Helping Paws is accredited by Assistance Dogs International and meets the standards of the Charities Review Council. Reach out today to learn how you can volunteer, foster or donate! helpingpaws.org
Pet Evolution Gives Helping Paws a Helping Hand
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Every dog is priceless. A Helping Paws golden or Labrador retriever just so happens to be worth that much plus $35,000.
Now that’s what I call “big dog money.”
A Helping Paws dog is worth every penny, too, for they are fiercely intelligent and perfectly gentle, aglow with equal parts enthusiasm and sweetness, and trained to be as helpful as caninely possible to a person with a disability, or a veteran or first responder with PTSD. The Eden Prairie nonprofit has given away hundreds of these life-changing wunder-pooches since 1988.
And it’s all thanks to what I like to call “big dog kindness.”
“We owe everything we do to our volunteers, fosters, donors, and corporate sponsors,” said Alyssa Golob, Helping Paws executive director. “Their benefaction can take many shapes and forms, including the assistance we need caring for assistance dogs.
“That’s why we’re so grateful to Pet Evolution of Eden Prairie, which gives us unlimited access to their DIY dog baths and seven free grooming sessions each month. They keep our clients’ beloved companions healthy and happy, and free up our funds for countless other canine needs.”
“We’ve been with Helping Paws a very long time, going back to when they were still in Hopkins,” said Alex Apsey, director of operations for Pet Evolution Eden Prairie. “We originally offered Helping Paws food, but were delighted to learn our grooming and bathing services would be of greater value to them.
“This probably comes as no surprise, but Helping Paws dogs are a joy to be around. They’re so patient and polite on the grooming table, where they communicate their needs calmly … dignifiedly, in fact. Sometimes they make me forget I’m not working at a five-star spa!
“Grooming is essential to promoting healthy skin and hair growth. And while every dog breed is beautiful in its own special way, it would just be a crime if those golden coats were anything less than silky smooth.”
“A Helping Paws dog really should be so gorgeous,” added Alyssa. “Each one represents an incredible amount of hard work, and deserves to look the part. And if you ask any of our clients, they’ll tell you they prefer living with an expertly groomed dog, too.”
Discover how you can support Helping Paws’ mission at helpingpaws.org
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PIECES OF EDEN FOR SALE
The Mustard Seed
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE ROSE
“
We’re talking about plants beautiful enough to cure the worst case of cabin fever!
The Garden of Eden hasn’t been seen since the events of Gen. 3:23, yet our love for the place lingers on. Being surrounded by leafy things brings us back to a time without worries; when we smelled the roses without stopping. It’s almost as though our billions of ancestors were rewarded for seeking out fertile environments, and gradually developed a heritable preference for greenery in response. A novel idea!
Our inborn fondness for plants presents a real challenge during February, when the cold turns everything green to dust, and the dark mutes every other color, and football season ends (not plant-related, but dreary all the same). If only there were some nearby pocket of Eden to escape to – perhaps even one you could take home plants from. A grocery store for the soul, of sorts.
Wait! It turns out such a place does exist, and is coincidentally one of our beloved advertisers. I am speaking, of course, of The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center, which keeps its greenhouse open all winter long so you can buy plants
AND WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST ANY PLANTS
We’re talking about plants beautiful enough to cure the worst case of cabin fever. The Mustard Seed’s greenhouse is densely packed with over 50 different species of plants, several of which have multiple varieties. Consider the peace lilies: semi-evergreens unfurling swirling, speckled, and marbled spathes, with single snowy petals shaped like candle flames. Neat!
You’ll feel tempted to take home a snake plant from this Eden. Give in, because the flowering plant’s sword-shaped leaves absorb toxins from the air. If your New Year’s resolution is to cut down on benzene, then you can place all your faith in the snake plant.
Not botanically inclined? Put the ZZ plant at the start of your alphabetized shopping list. It thrives on neglect, and can easily make do with
biweekly waterings. IS THAT STILL TOO MANY WATERINGS? Then you can sit back and relax while you all but ignore any of The Mustard Seed’s fine cacti. Go find your prick of the litter!
If you really want to satisfy your arboreal instincts, then you’ll love welcoming home a Norfolk Island pine. It won’t just fill up your living room with coniferous verdure. It is also known to emit essential oils that boost immunity, reduce stress, and potentially enhance the effects of reading magazine articles.
In the mood for something … macabre? Go to The Mustard Seed to purchase a Venus flytrap, which will punish loathsome insects for the inexcusable offense of being near you. The greenhouse also occasionally stocks pitcher plants: watery graves with an O'Keeffeian je ne sais quoi.
AND WE’RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PLANTS, EITHER
We’re also talking about fun plant paraphernalia
If you want to add color in ways houseplants conventionally can’t, then you’ll find it becomes easy-peasy with the right pottery. The Mustard Seed is your connection to a rainbow of pots!
If you dislike WHIMSY, then look away as you pass the WHIMSICAL animal planters. Can you imagine what your neighbors might think if they spied through your window and saw a bombastic bromeliad erupting out of a frog-, turtle- or pig-shaped pot? Why, they might just think you have class
Purchase a charming planter at The Mustard Seed – or bring in any other object capable of containing leafed life – and you can walk out with a little world of your own creation. The greenhouse’s staff is standing by to help you fill, plant, and decorate your own terrarium, which is great fun with a friend or family member. (My cat has so far maintained a diplomatic relationship with “Davetopia,” the fresh terrarium sitting on my desk, though I suspect she is plotting something sinister and will one day insist Davetopia attacked first.)
Put the ZZ plant at the start of your alphabetized shopping list.
Are you already imagining possibilities for your landscape? Good! Hope springs eternal at The Mustard Seed, where it’s never too early for an in-store landscaping consultation. Share photos, drawings, measurements, and other sources of inspiration with the experts, and set events in motion that will lead to the creation of your own personal Xanadu.
Go and surround yourself with life at 10,000 Great Plains Boulevard in Chaska, or visit themustardseedinc.com to learn more about The Mustard Seed’s special offers and events. If your home is fortunate enough to occupy any part of Eden Prairie’s shoreline, then Hagen Lawn and Landscape, The Mustard Seed’s parent company, shares all it offers at hagenll.com
pastry
PERFECTION
Our pastry selections aren’t just stunning, they’re scrumptious! That’s because our experienced bakers and pastry professionals make them with classic pastry creams, real fruit and premium chocolate – by hand – every day. Check the Pastry or Cake Case for scratch-made mini pies, cream puffs, éclairs, tarts and many more tantalizing treats in a variety of sizes. Pick up a little something special for yourself, or ask for an assortment to wow guests at your next gathering. That’s the joy of good pastry!
Selection and availability may vary by market.
ARTICLE BY DAVID
JH & ASSOCIATES
John Q. Magazinereader minds his business. He does his job well. He takes care of his family. He carries himself with dignity and grace, and makes a positive impact wherever he goes. He might even be somewhat like you .
Unfortunately for Magazinereader, he lives in a perplexing reality: where the government knows how much taxes he owes, and how little he can get away with paying, and won’t tell him. Unless he successfully navigates intentionally Byzantine tax code, Magazinereader is up the proverbial creek with only a teaspoon.
Picture this. Magazinereader’s little house in Eden Prairie is surrounded by the infamous “Dirty Tax Boys” gang. Just as all hope seems lost, a solitary figure appears on the horizon. Could it be? Yes, it is! It’s Sherriff JH & Associates, here to give the Dirty Tax Boys a taste of skilled accountancy
Jme Hogenson
Bang: Expert Accounting Services
Bang: Stress-Free Payroll Services
Bang: Surefire Income Tax Services
And the day is saved thanks to Sheriff JH & Associates! “Can I ever repay you, kind stranger?” Magazinereader asks the brave lawman (who, just to be clear, represents an accounting firm). “Yessir,” replies Sheriff JH & Associates. “And my rates are … quite reasonable.” He tips his hat, and rides off into the sunset back to his office in Shakopee.
“I’ve spent the entirety of my career in corporate accounting, with a focus on manufacturing and some personal tax assistance on the side,” said Jme Hogenson, who founded JH &
Associates one year ago this February. “I purchased an Erbert & Gerbert's franchise around three years ago, just before my son was born, which I previously operated alongside my wife. It seemed after a point that she wanted me to get out of her hair, so I decided to turn my original passion into my next business venture.
“I discovered Thomas S Nesvig & Associates, a well-established accounting firm in Shakopee, through Murphy Business of Minnesota. Tom built an excellent business over the past 20 years or so. He was eager to show me the ropes, and still regularly returns to the office to ensure a seamless transition of ownership.
“At present, about 600 of JH & Associates’ clients are individuals. Around one-tenth as many are LLCs, S corps and partnerships, with a few trusts thrown in for good measure. I’m looking forward to serving many more clients like them for all their payroll, bookkeeping and tax prep needs, and expect to hire new team members soon so I can
UNFORTUNATELY FOR JOHN
Q. MAGAZINEREADER, HE LIVES IN A PERPLEXING
REALITY: WHERE THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS HOW MUCH TAXES HE OWES, AND HOW LITTLE HE CAN GET AWAY WITH PAYING, AND
WON’T TELL HIM.
dedicate all my attention to our clients’ most complex challenges.
“I’ve always loved numbers, plain and simple. Accounting lets my mind do what it’s wired best for. The manufacturing sector certainly did test my abilities, but now that I’m focused on the service side of accounting, I’m discovering its biggest reward: giving people total peace of mind that they’re spending as little on taxes as possible.
“I’ve never been so frustrated with the government until I started preparing others’ taxes. So many issues stem from miscommunication, and the IRS has nothing to gain by making things clearer. Giving individuals and small businesses the tools they need to keep more of their money? That brings me the greatest satisfaction; like I’m beating the IRS at its own game.”
If you live or do business in the southwest metro, then all of Jme’s expertise is at your service. Reach out to JH & Associates today for accounting and income tax solutions, as well as full bookkeeping and payroll services for your business!
• jh.tax
• info@jhtax
• (952) 445-5020
Laura, Leonardo and Jme Hogenson
Whether you’re reimagining a bedroom or ready to update the entire exterior, your home is our priority. Side to side, top to bottom, inside out, and outside in, CertaPro Painters ® is committed to painting every side of life in our community. Schedule your FREE estimate today!
PUT STRESS TO REST. With over three decades of professional experience, enrolled agent Vickie Nordquist is standing by to set your mind at ease this coming tax season. Personal taxes, corporate taxes and bookkeeping are all tricky –until you hire Vickie!
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vickie@nordquisttax.com 11985 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
BILL’S TOGGERY
Billy Wermerskirchen, Proprietor
NEARLY ONE CENTURY OF REFINED STYLE
Billy Wermerskirchen has a good idea of what’s in any gentleman’s closet – and what’s probably not.
“Men often don’t have dress clothes in their closets,” says Billy, third-generation owner of Bill’s Toggery, the Shakopee shop founded 93 years ago by his grandfather William Wermerskirchen, Sr. “If they do, what they’re likely to own is either dated, or no longer fits. Or it just isn’t there at all.” As a result, Billy reports, “I’ve never sold so much dress clothing – suits from quality brands such as Jack Victor and Hart Schaffner Marx.”
ARTICLE BY BILL SCHELLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY JOHN
If this sounds unusual in an era marked by informality, the Shakopee clothier reminds gents that there’s a knack to looking good even when neckties aren’t in the picture. “Most men don’t know how to dress down, and still be dressy,” he says. “They need service, which is hard to come by. It’s what we’re here to provide.”
Bill’s Toggery isn’t just a place for office workers to learn a studied informality as they dress for success. “Sportswear,” says Billy, “is still a big part of our business.”
The shop’s inventory includes shirts, sport jackets, sweaters, pullovers, and more from upscale brands like Johnnie-O and 7Diamonds. For dress shirts, look for carefully crafted offerings from David Donahue. Bugatchi fashions shirts “in an eight-way stretch mercerized cotton in contemporary styles.” Jeans, too, are an important part of the picture. Bill’s Toggery carries the 34 Heritage line – “they’re made of a superior denim fabric, with better fabrication and fit,” Billy explains.
"...THERE’S A KNACK TO LOOKING GOOD EVEN WHEN NECKTIES AREN’T IN THE PICTURE."
Trek no farther for footwear: “We carry Johnston & Murphy, Florsheim, and the higher-end Martin Dingman,” says Billy. “Our shoe collection is nicely complimentary to our clothing lines.”
At the other end of the sartorial spectrum from sport coats and jeans is the Toggery’s custom department, located in a corner of the expansive premises that used to be a bank – not just any small-town bank, but, Billy points out, the place where Charles Lindbergh secured the loan that
paid for his very first airplane (Lindbergh’s father was on the bank’s board of directors, which may have helped). The big safe, in fact, is now the custom shop’s dressing room. Clients have come out of that room looking sharp in suits and jackets ranging from 36 short to 60 extra long.
What to expect in the world of custom suitings? “We have a full-time tailor on staff,” explains Billy. “We’ll alter an offthe-rack suit – whether purchased here or somewhere else – to achieve a perfect fit.
Or a client can opt for full custom, selecting his fabric and style.” A custom-made suit – what the British call “bespoke” –takes about six weeks from first fitting to completion. “It can be done in three or four weeks,” Billy advises, “but we don’t like to take less time than that.” Among prime customers for custom wear are men who want to get married wearing something special. Groomsmen? Billy notes a contemporary trend for them to wear suits, even when the groom is wearing a tuxedo, and the custom shop is ready to serve them, too.
Styles come and go, ties may lose their place even in the boardroom, but tuxedos seem to go on forever. “We’ve never sold so many tuxedos as we have lately,” says Billy, “and we rent formal wear, too. But even if you only have the occasion to wear a tux once a year, it’s worth owning one.”
With a tux from Bill’s Toggery, it just might be worth looking for those occasions – maybe more than once a year – and turning up well turned out.
billstoggery.com
SELF-DRIVING
SouthWest Transit
THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF AUTONOMY
It’s easy to lose sight of how far we’ve come: horse-drawn carriages to autonomous vehicles (AVs) in only the thinnest of slivers of human history. Think about that. Even the writers of The Jetsons assumed George would have to drive his own car.
Eden Prairie isn’t late to the future. Our town’s own SouthWest Transit unveiled autonomous driving technology here last year, and plans to roll out five self-driving Toyota minivans this very month.
“Letting the wheel move by itself feels disconcerting at first,” said Erik Hansen, CEO of SouthWest Transit. “But after a minute, you learn to relax and go along with the ride.”
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Erik’s confidence is well founded. SouthWest Transit is providing autonomous shuttle services in collaboration with May Mobility: one of the world’s foremost authorities on advanced decision-making algorithms, which imbues vehicles with AI that assesses road conditions five times per second.
“‘Intelligent’ and ‘well educated’ are two different things, of course,” explained Erik. “That’s why we spent the past several months putting ‘machine learning’ to good use. By launch date, our AVs will already have spent thousands of hours acclimating themselves to Eden Prairie’s roadways. They ‘know’ every route, street and landmark, and can react appropriately to a vast range of different scenarios.
“Our initial goal for AVs is to provide faster, safer, and more convenient first- and last-mile service, covering only very short distances around Eden Prairie. It hopefully won’t be very long until AVs constitute our entire fleet of SW Prime on-demand rideshare vehicles. That would make life a great deal easier for seniors, people with disabilities, and the rest of the southwest metro’s transit-dependent population.
CONTINUED >
SELF-DRIVING
“That’s what excites me most about AVs. You don’t go into this line of work without wanting to make your community a better place to live in. Food, shelter and clothing are all important, but I believe transportation to be equally essential to happiness. By automating it, we will increase its availability and dramatically reduce its cost.
“We will also avert a staffing crisis. Over half of transit bus drivers are currently over the age of 55. There is no hope of replacing them once they all retire. In addition to ensuring we can continue service, AVs are creating exciting new jobs. May Mobility will employ a team right here in SouthWest Transit’s office, where they will closely monitor this federally funded $4.7-million three-year pilot program.
“I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our grand unveiling last November. It was the crowning moment of a milestone initiative, and an honor to treat so many to their first AV rides. Here’s to many more to come!” swtransit.org
SELF-DRIVING
Erik Hansen, CEO
EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
“Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?” – Thornton Wilder, Our Town
It’s 1858. I am prone, crawling through tall grass, edging closer to whooping and reports of smoothbore muskets. A band of Ojibwe up to 200 strong has come to exact revenge against the Dakota people, and announced their arrival by slaying a man while he was fishing. The Battle of Shakopee is the latest chapter in an eons-old blood feud. It is also the last. Governor Henry Sibley will order the Dakota away next month.
It’s 1942 . I’m at Miller’s General Store, where the first gasoline was sold in Eden Prairie, and where the first telephone rang. Widow Kate Miller is holding a funeral for her dear old friend Monroe “Mun” Barker, who had been a drummer boy for the Confederacy, and a slave, and who boarded the first livestock car that would take him to Minnesota, and who found work as a hired man through the Millers’ many connections. Traveling salesmen visiting for dinner occasionally refused to sit at the same table as Mun. Kate sternly motioned each to the door.
It’s 1943. I’m watching a canary yellow N2S-1 Stearman touch down on a thin strip of runway dug into Martin “Pappy” Grill’s asparagus field. It’s being piloted by a young man named George H.W. Bush, who will fly 58 combat missions during the war. The land will become Flying Cloud Airport, and include a museum displaying that same yellow biplane.
It’s 1953. I’m standing at the shore of Bryant Lake, where the Consolidated School is holding its annual class picnic. A few of the students point to the water and laugh, as Bob Moran, the school’s all-star athlete, signals for help as though he could possibly need it. This ends in tragedy. Eden Prairie High School will begin according the Robert Moran Award to its finest athletes next year.
It’s 1958 . I’m at Lions Tap, which overlooks the tall grass I crept through just 100 years earlier. Sears and Irene Lyons, the restaurant’s new owners, have a tough act to follow, as Leonard and Helena Schaefer, its former proprietors, previously introduced the wildly popular cellophane-wrapped “Steward Sandwiches.” The Lyons will succeed by installing a novel sort of “electric frying pan” that can cook up to four burgers at once, and by serving draft Grain Belt and Hamm’s. More than one tractor is parked outside.
It’s 2025 . I’m at the Eden Prairie Historical Society Museum, which is open 11am to 1pm each Monday at Eden Prairie City Center. I’m borne back into the past – not one quite so colorful as that of Rome, London, or Paris, but one which feels inestimably more personal. I’m fishing alongside the hapless Dakota. I’m grieving for Mun. I’m waving up to Poppy from Pappy’s asparagus field. I’m waving back at poor Bob from the beach. I’m drinking Hamm’s alongside men who will drive home at 3 miles per hour.
And who knows? If I write good enough magazine articles, I might just join them permanently someday.
“It’s a joy to gather and protect our town’s history, and a privilege to share it with anyone interested,” said Kathie Case, president of the Eden Prairie Historical Society. “While there is no set admission fee to our museum, your generous donation helps us preserve the buildings, photos and stories that connect our town to what’s past.” edenprairiehistory.org
nothing bundt love
A sweet expansion is here. Kim Cassens, franchise owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Eden Prairie, recently opened her fifth location in Prior Lake-Savage, enabling more dessert lovers to indulge in the delicious cakes that Nothing Bundt Cakes bakes up.
“I’ve always wanted to open more than just one store,” says Kim. “It’s just been really exciting to grow and be a part of helping even more people celebrate all of life’s occasions, bringing happiness and joy, and being part of the community and giving back.”
While bundts are undeniably the star attraction, Kim’s stores also feature a small boutique shop at the front with a great selection of gift items and clothing from local businesses.
“People come in with their minds on cakes and don’t know we also have a great little boutique in our storefront,” shares Kim. “I love collaborating with amazing local businesswomen and vendors for our boutique. I want to support other women business owners.”
The Business Women’s Circle (BWC) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) were pivotal for Kim when she first decided to open Nothing Bundt Cakes. “Organizations like the BWC are geared to help women business owners. They will pair you up with someone from a different industry, who is either going through the same experiences you are or who can provide guidance and help answer all those questions that you didn’t know who to ask,” explains Kim.
ARTICLE BY LAUREN BEAUBAIRE
Supporting women business owners is just one way Kim gives back to the community. “We do give away a lot of cake,” laughs Kim. Between food donations and collections, give-back days in the store where a percentage of sales goes to a great cause, and her work with breast cancer as chair for the Be Pink Committee and board chair for Park Nicollet Foundation, participating in her community and giving back are integral for Kim.
Nothing Bundt Cakes Owner Kim Cassens Is Spreading Joy One Sweet Treat at a Time
Kim Cassens, Owner
“You can give monetarily, you can give your time, and you can give a product. To be able to help the community that you live and work in is incredibly gratifying. I love the people aspect of it and doing what I can to make even a slight bit of difference for someone,” says Kim.
Starting from one store, opening Nothing Bundt Cakes in Minnetonka nearly ten years ago, Kim will now have the opportunity to give back and impact so many more communities around the cities.
The expansion is a new chapter, and for others who also want to take the next step in their personal or professional lives, Kim advises, “Trust yourself. Bet on yourself, and while it can be scary sometimes, investing in yourself, in others, in relationships, and surrounding yourself with the right people will get you a long way.”
With Kim’s new expansion, no matter where you are in the Twin Cities, you can enjoy delicious bundts and celebrate every occasion, including Valentine’s Day! Stop by, order online, or download the new Nothing Bundt Cakes app to place your Valentine’s Day order and receive points and special offers.
nothingbundtcakes.com
LONNA MOSOW'S CENTER FOR MIND BODY FITNESS
You want to move freely and painlessly throughout all your decades. And as delightful as all doctors are, you’d rather spend as little time around them as possible. More precisely, you want to become a “super-ager.”
Helping Shape Peoples’ Lives
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE ROSE
Lonna Mosow will help. Upon meeting her at her Center for Mind Body Fitness – or during her first visit to your home – you will know Lonna practices what she preaches. After speaking with her, you will realize you have met not an expert, but a master, whose lifelong career in fitness instruction has honed rare skill, warmth, and insight.
Lonna Mosow
AS SEEN ON TV
“My background is in classical ballet,” said Lonna. “I studied it for many years, with the intention of becoming a performer. And then, little by little, practicality set in, so I decided to pursue an education in health, wellness and fitness.
“I went on to create the training program for one of the Twin Cities’ largest health clubs, and traveled across the country to serve its facilities. If you watched Channel 11 during the ‘70s and ‘80s, then you might remember my exercise show. It was a fairly novel concept for its time, which regularly welcomed guests to speak about nutrition, chiropractic, and other health and wellness topics. It was then the Minneapolis Star Tribune dubbed me ‘The Mother of Twin Cities Fitness.’
“Becoming something of a household name certainly helped my career as a personal trainer. I began doing so many house calls that it only made sense to open a studio. I cut the ribbon on the Twin Cities’ first workout studio in Edina in 1976, and soon after opened up two additional studios in
Minneapolis and Minnetonka. I relocated to Eden Prairie during the late ‘80s. I find it to be an ideal location to serve the southwest metro communities.
THE GUARDIAN OF PILATES
“What is the Pilates Method? A discipline primarily done on special equipment that simultaneously stretches and strengthens the body to bring it into perfect balance, front to back and right to left. Joseph Pilates, a German circus acrobat and wrestler, began developing his method to help rehabilitate injured soldiers during his time at the internment camp on the Isle of Man. His work embodies the purest spirit of personal training, and set the foundation for everything we do at the Center for Mind Body Fitness.
“I strive to be a guardian of the Pilates Method. Its integrity and authenticity are deserving of preservation, because it is so much more than some trendy exercise. With modifications tailored to their needs, we can help most anyone bring their body into a better place through the method.
THE FOREFRONT OF FITNESS
“Although Pilates is a complete system, I have adopted other disciplines over the years, including the GYROTONIC® method in 1998. It is performed on specialized equipment, and emphasizes multidimensional movements over traditional linear exercise. GYROTONIC® allows the body to move beyond its typical range of motion, and engages muscles in ways traditional exercise doesn’t – both reasons why it’s popular among elite athletes and the aging population.
“I didn’t become one of America’s earliest proponents of Pilates and GYROTONIC® for novelty’s sake. I have always looked ahead to the forefront of fitness, and embraced a variety of techniques that are applicable to everybody and every body. This offers me the opportunity to serve a diverse range of clientele such as professional athletes, baby boomers, men and women, beginners, and dedicated workout zealots. This also includes those with medical issues, such as arthritis, joint replacements, back issues, and the challenges of an aging body.
“When I meet with a new client, it’s important that I learn about their level of activity and medical history. The more I know about them, the better I can serve them. An even bigger question to ask is why they’ve come to see me and what they would like to achieve. My job is to know how to get them there. Once I’ve gained that understanding, we’re ready to begin a lifelong journey toward a healthier mind, body and spirit.”
AGE STRONG
As her Center for Mind Body Fitness enters its 35th year, Lonna will expand her focus to include customized fitness programs. These are ideal for people who are traveling, living with physical limitations, or prefer to exercise at home or at the office.
“The older you get, the more important movement becomes,” said Lonna. “You may not want to do ballet, but I’m sure you would like to be able to get up off the floor. Your goal might not be to finish a marathon, but you might like to take a long walk or climb stairs. I’m here to give people the strength, balance and confidence they need to take control of their lives!”
Lonna Mosow's Center for Mind Body Fitness is located at 6409 City W Parkway in Eden Prairie. Call (952) 941-9448 to book your initial consultation with Lonna, or visit lonnamosow.com to learn more.
TRUST LONNA TO IMPROVE YOUR
• Balance
• Grip Strength
• Bone Strength
• Foot & Ankle Function
• Neck Range of Motion
• Memory
• And More!
QUALITY CARE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Flying Cloud Animal Hospital has assembled a devoted care team that has been part of the community for 45 years, providing quality care to our clients and their furry friends The new location provides more resources, more parking and more appointment availability. We offer routine wellness visits, vaccines, sick visits, urgent care visits, dental prophylaxis, surgical procedures and more. We have a board certified cardiologist and board certified surgeons that travel to our facility to assist our clients and patients with advanced diagnostic tools and procedures.
Bingo. It’s the ultimate thrill. There are numbered orbs. There are fluorescent daubers. There is even G57. Many wonderful people have a wonderful time playing this wonderful game. If you’re one of them, then I insist you put this magazine down (gently, for it is a good magazine) and proceed forthwith to the nearest bingo hall.
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
…okay. All clear. Now that the bingo enthusiasts are away from their magazines, I can finally open up and be honest about bingo. It’s just not that much fun. Know why? Because it requires you to listen to boring letters and numbers instead of the songs you know and love . That’s why I’m happy to announce the following:
Kids aged 12+
are
allowed at Taylor Swift Music Bingo —
wow!
T.J. HOOLIGAN’S HAS PERFECTED BINGO
It’s not just bingo. It’s Music Bingo, where each square on your card corresponds to a hit jam.
Here’s what you do. First, go to T.J. Hooligan’s Eden Prairie location’s Facebook page. Next, scope out all the sweet events the locally owned and recently opened restaurant has lined up. Make a mental note to check out Taco Tuesday and Fish Fry Friday on future dates. Finally, direct message (or “DM”) T.J. Hooligan’s to reserve your spot at your preferred Music Bingo.
There is regular Music Bingo, wherein 30-second clips from popular music are played one after the other. Line up “It Was a Good Day,” “Y.M.C.A.,” “Thunderstruck,” “Werewolves of London,” and the theme song from Gilligan’s Island, and lo and behold – you’re a winner. You can also choose Baby Boomer Music Bingo if you only want to listen to good music, Taylor Swift Music Bingo if you’re into that kind of thing, or Country Music Bingo if you have never before in your life so much as considered the possibility of messing with Texas. Have unrealistic amounts of fun listening to hit jams. Lord your mastery of song recognition over fellow patrons
Win prizes, including useful things like gift cards, apparel, and booze. And lest you ever forget, T.J. Hooligan’s also serves:
THE GOODS
T.J. Hooligan’s enormous menu is replete with things Minnesotans like to eat, and features recipes the original Prior Lake location spent over 40 years judiciously curating.
Stop by for apps like boom boom shrimp, boneless wings, bone-in wings and onion rings. Get your daily dose of soup, salad, sandwich, wrap, pizza, pasta, or burger (Eden Prairie diners have a pronounced fondness for the French dip, proprietor Mike Newlin reveals – possibly because they have exquisite taste). And if you’re just visiting T.J. Hooligan’s for the sake of self-improvement, then you’ll find all the beer, wine and cocktails you need to feel truly better about yourself.
Visit tjhooligans.com to order online, book a private event, or learn enough to become one of the world’s leading authorities on T.J. Hooligan’s. Call (651) 421-9443 to make a reservation for Valentine’s Day, which will feature special dinners for romantic people. It’s where Campiello used to be: 6411 City West Parkway!
WONDERCURE
Just What the Doctor Ordered
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Gerry Dahl (Bass), Susan Geitzenauer (Vocals), Bob Lindahl (Drums), Mike Lupo (Keyboard), Sam Lindahl (Rhythm Guitar), and David Lindahl (Lead Guitar/Vocals)
Imagine a city managed exclusively by rock stars. There would be Joe Walsh, director of liquor operations; Ozzy Ozborne, director of wildlife management; Sting, chief of the fire department; and Ted “Motor City Madman” Nugent, director of ironic job title assignation.
Such a city would surely rock. It might just rock a little too hard to support refined society, however, which is why I say it’s for the best that our own city’s staff contains a solitary rock star: David Lindahl, economic development manager, and lead guitar/vocals for Wondercure. I began our conversation by asking David the stupidest question possible.
“Actually, no, not at all,” answered David. “There’s zero overlap between municipal economic development and rock and roll. I guess it’s just possible for a man to have two unrelated callings in life.
“Rock and roll was my first calling, believe it or not. The Beatles. The Stones. The Byrds. Dylan, Cream, and the entire British Invasion. If you grew up during the ‘60s, then you remember when everything on the radio was great.
“I wanted to be Eric Clapton so bad that it drove me to learn the guitar in 7th grade. I was still pretty awful at it when I started playing with John ‘Zog’ Herzog in 9th. Zog was always the heart of the band – a great bass player and even greater friend, whose audiologist sadly made him retire from rocking last year.
“In the late ‘80s we started a band called ‘272’ with our school pal David Keiski on ivories and my brother Bob on skins. After replacing David with Mike Lupo, we morphed into the ‘Prairie Dogs.’
That was our name for our pals from Eden Prairie. It turned out not to be a good name for a rock band. People often expected the Prairie Dogs to play country music, which we didn’t, which led to a lot of crowd disappointment (and sometimes relief).”
David and his bandmates renamed themselves to ‘Wondercure,’ the title of one of their original songs, around 2007. By that time they’d already realized their original songs are … just too good to achieve
mainstream appeal. And that’s okay! It happens to the best musicians, whom you’ve naturally never heard of.
“While we do still write and record new songs, Wondercure is first and foremost a cover band,” David continued. “If it was recorded during the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s or ‘90s, then you might find it on our set list. In a single night we may play ‘Son of a Preacher Man,’ ‘I’m a Loser,’ ‘Ride Captain Ride,’ ‘Sister Golden Hair,’ ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World,’ ‘You’re So Vain,’ ‘So Into You,’ ‘Doctor, My Eyes,’ ‘Georgia,’ and ‘Melissa.’
“We’re egalitarian about it. Sometime before each gig – about once a month – each band member picks a new song for everyone else to learn. So long as the band can play it and it fits our ‘yacht rock’ vibe, we roll with it.
“Being a cover band isn’t as simple as aping famous songs. You’ve got to put love into it; make it your own, without losing the spark that made it a hit in the first place. If we make a big impression, then it’s definitely thanks to our awesome keyboardist, who can play arrangements that make us sound like twice as much band as we actually are, and also my brother’s talent for emulating famous singers. Donald Fagen, Elton John, and multiple Beatles – you’d swear they’re all in the same room once Bob’s warmed up.
“Rocking after 60? It’s easy! Just make sure you have comfortable shoes and some kind of soft pad to stand on. Also, save yourself a heart attack by performing with your favorite people. I’m fortunate to share the stage with many long-time friends, as well as family like my own son Sam.
“Who knows? Maybe someday Sam will play covers with his own kid … and maybe that kid will go on to become the next Clapton. Could happen!”
Check out Wondercure on Facebook, and email wondercuretheband@gmail.com if you would care to rock.
“YOU’VE GOT TO PUT LOVE INTO IT; MAKE IT YOUR OWN, WITHOUT LOSING THE SPARK THAT MADE IT A HIT IN THE FIRST PLACE.”
THE SCOTTSDALE LURE OF
The endless skies of blue are interrupted only by cacti rising majestically from the ground, arms reaching skyward, and palm trees, which are often adorned by lights that twinkle when the sun sets. There are vistas of open desert, rising mountains, and even the lush green of the locale’s many golf courses. And, of course, there are the vibrant shopping, dining, art, and event scenes, too.
Scottsdale is a city located in Metro Phoenix in Arizona, which as a whole is nicknamed “The Valley of the Sun” for its more than 330 days of sun each year—one of the reasons the area is a draw for visitors. With few rainy days, it’s easy to plan your daily activities without worry. Yes, though, the summer gets hot. But the rest of the year? Perfection.
Scottsdale is a mix of a resort destination, city, and suburbs, with more open desert the further north you venture. To the south is Downtown Scottsdale—also known as Old Town Scottsdale—which is a mix of old Southwestern charm
BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN
(including the legendary cowboy saloon, Rusty Spur Saloon); modern eateries from famed chefs; lots of shopping at small boutiques and specialty shops; the Arts District , which is filled with art galleries; and even tasting rooms from Arizona wineries located along the famed Scottsdale Wine Trail
Nearby is Scottsdale Fashion Square , one of the nation’s premier shopping destinations. While you’ll find many usual retailers there, there are also more than 40 luxury brands, including Christian Louboutin, Bottega Veneta, and Louis Vuitton.
Heading north are open-air shopping destinations Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons , which sit across the street from each other. Take the afternoon or evening to stroll through, exploring the shops, restaurants, and activity destinations such as the indoor mini-golf destination Puttshack . What else is there to see and do? Plenty.
FROM RELAXATION TO SHOPPING TO GOLF TO SIGHTSEEING, THIS DESTINATION HAS IT ALL
PLAY
Like golf? There are more than 200 golf courses in the Scottsdale area. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, there is a course for you. One of the most popular in the area is the TPC Scottsdale as it is the locale of the WM Phoenix Open, the most-attended golf tournament in the world.
For most of the year, Scottsdale boasts warm temperatures, making spending a day splashing in a pool a perfect choice. Many local resorts have pool areas that feature fun extras such as water slides, lazy rivers, and even a cooled sand beach. And even if you’re not an on-site guest, you can often purchase a day pass to be on-site through ResortPass.com.
Of course, there’s also plenty of outdoor recreation in Scottsdale. Pinnacle Peak in North Scottsdale is a popular mountain to hike (as is the iconic Camelback Mountain, which is located in nearby Phoenix), and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is a park and trail system spread over 11 miles. Kids love McCormickStillman Railroad Park , which boasts a small-scale train that circles the park and plenty of play areas.
A destination filled with numerous attractions is A rizona Boardwalk , a center that includes Butterfly Wonderland , OdySea Aquarium , Ripley’s Believe It or Not! , Museum of Illusions , and more.
CULTURE
The beauty of Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert led famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), to build Taliesin West , his winter home and desert laboratory, in a mountainside in East Scottsdale. Today, there are daily tours of the UNESCO World Heritage site, and events are offered often.
However, Wright’s architecture isn’t the only art in the area. Beyond the Arts District in Downtown Scottsdale, there is public art all around the city, from sculptures to murals, so definitely keep your eyes open!
There are also museums such as Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West , a Smithsonian Affiliate, which showcases items from the Greater Western region, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art , affectionately known as SMoCA.
On Thursday evenings, there’s a free public ArtWalk in the Arts District, where galleries stay open later. Wander the streets and galleries, often against a backdrop of live music and even artist appearances.
NEARBY
While there’s so much to do, see, and experience in Scottsdale proper, there’s also much to see nearby. Make sure to experience the Musical Instrument Museum (affectionately known as the MIM), which is the world’s only global instrument museum. Desert Botanical Garden features an array of desert plants, and Phoenix Art Museum has an impressive collection of art. And, of course, the Phoenix Zoo is a perfect place for both kids and adults alike.
FEBRUARY 1ST
Spring Flower Show at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska | 9:00 AM
Embark on a botanical journey at the Arboretum's Spring Flower Show, where you’ll marvel at more than a dozen displays by talented staff and community partners. This year's installations will transport you to enchanted spring gardens – where the magic of nature comes to life! Feb 1st-28th, 9am-4pm; Mar 1st-16th, 9am-6pm. arb.umn.edu
FEBRUARY 12TH
Love Letters at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
501 West 78th St, Chanhassen | 1:00 PM
Beloved local broadcast legends Nancy Nelson and Don Shelby are pairing up again in a poignant theatre collaboration to present A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated work, which ran successfully in New York City and throughout the country. This timeless piece is directed by CDT resident artistic director Michael Brindisi. Many shows; ending March 2nd. chanhassendt.com
FEBRUARY 13TH
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Women’s Committee Purse BINGO FUNdraiser
8335 Crystal View Rd, Eden Prairie | 6:15 PM
Play bingo! Enjoy brews! Vie for designer purses by Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, Ted Baker and more! Meet members of the Women's Committee, and support initiatives to host women-focused programming, training, resources and scholarships. $25 for 10 games. Cash only. Must be 18+ or older to play. epchamber.org
What is the Yetzer Experience?
It’s our free in-store and in-home design services. It’s our vast selection of inventory, and knowing you can take home anything on our showroom floor the same day you fall in love with it. It’s the freedom to customize the perfect piece of furniture by great Amish brands like Canadel, Fusion, Oakwood or Smith Brothers. If you can dream it, we can create it! And above all else, the Yetzer Experience is high-quality (yet highly affordable) American-made solid wood furniture – not flimsy particle board shipped from overseas like some big box stores sell. You don’t stay in business for over 80 years by selling junk! Come discover the Yetzer Experience at our stores in Waconia or Forest Lake today! – Thomas Wiest, Owner
