Oh, what a year it was! Our humble city experienced 12 months full of anniversaries, awards, achievements and accolades that are worthy of another look. We’ve culled a month-by-month reckoning of highlights—which means that we’ve barely scratched the surface of our collective awesomeness. From education to sports to arts, Edina shines with distinction. Check out our list and bask in a little civic pride. We’ve earned it.
JANUARY
Southdale Center Turns 56
Southdale Center is included in the PBS documentary about the “top 10 buildings that changed the course of America” and was featured in the 2008 Walker Art Center exhibition “Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes.” What’s the big deal about a mall? Simply this: Built in 1956, Southdale Center was the first modern indoor shopping center in the country. Obviously it was a trendsetter; the U.S. Census lists more than 100,000 shopping centers in the country today. Southdale offers a wonderful retreat in the winter months, and its doors open at 9 a.m. just for fitness walkers. The mall also has three department stores, more than 120 specialty shops, a 16-screen movie theater, free Wi-Fi and several top-tier restaurants. Southdale’s birthday present is a major facelift; renovations began in January and ended in November. Look for new walkways and a big fancy food court. See you at the mall!
FEBRUARY
First Annual Art Crawl: Where Arts Meet 50th and France
Instead of hosting a Ladies’ Night Out again, Edina decided to roll with the enthusiasm overflow from the popular June art fair, and lo and behold, the first annual art crawl was born. Stores at 50th and France collaborated with local artists—professionals and students alike—to create window displays and in-store installations. The windows were unveiled for two hours during the event, and the public got to meet the artists, stroll through the exhibitions and vote for their favorite. The winner was Joan Vordenbruggen’s amazing coral reef made from recycled materials, which was fittingly installed at Nani Nalu Beachwear Boutique. That evening, neighborhood restaurants offered special art crawl meals, including Edina Grill’s “amuse-bouche sliders: veggies and steak artfully done,” in honor of their artist partner, Megan Prior. It’s no surprise that this was a raging success. We can now look forward to the second annual art crawl this coming March 16.
MARCH
Pig & Fiddle Comes to Town
50th and France has always been a restaurant lover’s mecca, and even more so since the Pig & Fiddle gastropub joined the scene. After opening in October 2011, we featured the cozy space, eclectic seasonal menu and friendly staff in Edina Magazine’s March issue, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. And rightfully so: The place has been packed since day one. That month we loved the odd-sounding wurstsalat (sausage salad) in sweet mustardy dressing, especially when washed down with a pint of Fulton’s Sweet Child of Vine; Pig & Fiddle always has a Fulton’s of some kind available, so be sure to ask your server. The best seat in the house is at the bar, where you can chat with the affable bartenders while watching them wrangle about 50 different beers on tap. Owners Mark van Wie and Paul Schatz own the Muddy Pig and Happy Gnome pubs of St. Paul acclaim, but have kept an eye out for an Edina location for some time. We’re so happy they found us.
APRIL
Skating on Spring Ice
The Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club’s 47th annual spring ice show, April 27-28, was a bittersweet event for Edina High School graduating senior Kelsey Christensen because this was her last one before heading off to college. Approximately 150 skaters of all ages participated in the event, “to show friends, family and the public what they have learned in the past year in skating in a show performance atmosphere,” according to director/organizer Evelyn Bone. Apparently, they’ve learned a lot. Braemar’s synchronized skating teams brought home gold and silver medals in March at the 2012 United States Figure Skating (USFS) Synchronized Skating National Championships in Worcester, Mass.
MAY
Edina High School Gets Top Ranking in Newsweek magazine
Though this is a regular occurrence, it still warrants some bragging. In May, Newsweek magazine named Edina High School one of the top 1,000 schools in the country, ranking us number 154. School administrators, teachers and principals helped compile the ranking criteria: graduation rates, college enrollment numbers, tests scores and number of advanced classes. Edina students are lucky students.
JUNE
Public Art on 50th and France
The Edina Art Center teamed up with the Edina public art community initiative and scored some sweet sculptures that further beautified our outdoor spaces. In June, 50th and France was graced by three wonderful works of art. The bronze dog named Spaulding, by Heidi Hoy, stands sentry in front of Salut Bar Américain while Robert Junk’s bronze Dancing Child frolics by the fountain. Intertwined, by James Bearden, is a strikingly modern configuration of bright red steel plates welded together. There are also public sculptures at Grandview Square Park and the promenade. The public can vote on their favorite, and the pieces will stay up for one year, so you still have time to catch them before they move along.
JULY
Edina High School Teacher of the Year
Three cheers for Jackie Roehl! Education Minnesota, Minnesota’s teacher’s union, named Edina High School’s 10th-grade English teacher the Minnesota Teacher of the Year in May, and we helped celebrate her in our July edition. Roehl edged out more than 300 teachers for her efforts in the classroom, particularly for her work reducing disparity in achievement among different groups. Roehl worked with a team of teachers at Edina High School to develop “culturally responsive” teaching tactics such as merging the advanced placement and standard English courses, and seating the students in round-table groups instead of in rows. Roehl has observed that mixing students of different backgrounds and skill levels helps overall accomplishment throughout the classroom.
AUGUST
Ice Cream at the Fair
Come August, we are struck with a collective one-track mind–all we can think about is the Minnesota State Fair, and particularly what we are going to eat at the fair. Edina residents have long been eager attendees and participants in the great state get-together, winning prizes for baked goods, produce and crop art. This year, Edina residents Steph and Mike Olson, owners of the Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, introduced the wildly popular cereal-infused ice cream flavor, which they named Cereal Killer. Available in Cocoa Puff or Honey Nut Cheerios varieties, the soft-serve treat is made from soaking the cereal in milk. Fantastic. This is sure to become a legendary cult favorite.
SEPTEMBER
Edina Football Association’s 50th Anniversary
The Edina Football Association (EFA) hit its 50th year in the fall! The association offers school football programs from second through eighth grade, and supports a safe, healthy and fun game. It adheres to a refreshing policy of inclusion—everyone makes the team, no one gets cut and each player gets to play at least half of every game. The EFA threw a fundraiser celebration for its 50th birthday, with a silent auction, a raffle, an obstacle course and, of course, lots of good food for all those ravenous athletes.
OCTOBER
Best Community for Young People
America’s Promise Alliance, a consortium of organizations dedicated to improving the lives of our children, named Edina one of the 100 best communities for young people in late September. General Colin Powell founded the alliance to support youth education, training and job preparedness. Edina is particularly strong in community youth initiatives and boasts a highly ranked school system that consistently wins awards. With a focus on leadership and service, America’s Promise proactively helps young people “grow up to be well-rounded and civic- minded.” The award included a $2,500 grant, which will be used to improve and expand youth outreach programs.
NOVEMBER
Time to Shop: 50th and France New Business Roundup
Every time we visit 50th and France, something new is stirring. This has been a standout year for new business. The day after Thanksgiving, AKA Black Friday, is the perfect excuse to take a spin around our new shops and services. It’s sure to be festive and welcoming. Pop in and say hello! Here’s a quick sampling:
Yogurt Lab. This is the popular local chain’s third location, offering 60 yogurt flavors and 16 toppings that you add yourself. It’s crazy popular with high school students, so you may want to avoid it in the early afternoons.
Prana. This national chain of yoga-centric active wear is full of cute stuff that you can wear on or off the mat.
Lush Cosmetics. You’ll smell this collection of natural bath and body potions from blocks away. One of our favorites is the Tramp body wash with an updated patchouli scent.
Great Neighborhood Homes. This company runs the home-construction gamut, from design and renovation to custom building. One of its specialties is to create homes that fit the mood and scale of the existing neighborhood.
Mindful Health. An intriguing two-stop shopping concept: acupuncture and psychotherapy, separately or in tandem.
Watson Health & Wellness. Watson offers nutritional counseling, workshops and corporate wellness programs. Check out their fun blog, too!
OSKA. This is some seriously elegant and stylish apparel for women.
dpHUE. We’re wild about this cool new concept: Consult with a hair specialist, pick out a color then dye it yourself at home.
Pacifier. You can find everything baby-related here, from clothes to toys to nursery furniture.
DECEMBER
Milestone Anniversary for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
The year 2012 marks the diamond jubilee for a prominent local church: Happy 75th birthday to St. Stephen’s! This Episcopal church is the largest in the state, and serves congregants with four different services each Sunday. On the corner of 50th and Wooddale, the venerable institution has welcomed the entire community since its inception. Their four ministries–worship, music, caring and outreach–include a nursery school, outreach for the homeless, a “loaves and fishes” hot meal program and a vast food shelf. Our favorite of the lot is the “Episcobuilders,” a coalition with seven other west metro congregations that restores homes for those in need. We hope St. Stephen’s sticks around for another 75–and more.
