Tag Archives: minnesota

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

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Here’s a quick and handy checklist courtesy of the Minnesota Homeownership Center to make sure your home is running at its best these winter months.

 

INTERIOR

 

  • Check ceilings at exterior edge and window for water damage or ice buildup.
  • Inspect exposed wiring, cables and plugs for damage and wear. Replace at first sign of damage.
  • Test ground fault circuit interrupter outlets in the kitchen, bathroom and basement. Test by pushing the “T” and then reset by pushing “R.”
  • Occasionally flush water down seldom-used showers and sinks.
  • If you go on vacation, have someone check on your home and make sure the heat is working.  If a house gets too cold the pipes could freeze and burst.
  • Replace the furnace filter monthly.

 

EXTERIOR

 

  • Shovel sidewalks and driveway before foot and car traffic make it difficult to remove.
  • Avoid using salt on sidewalks and driveways to melt ice as this corrodes the concrete. Use sand as an alternative.
  • Watch for “ice dams” that build up near the edge of the roof. Ice dams are caused by warm air leaking into the attic and can cause melting snow to enter under the roof shingles and drip into the attic. This can ruin insulation and damage the roof. Caution, removing ice dams can also damage the roof. Reducing heat loss with insulation is the best way to prevent ice dams.

 

Got any others tips for winter home maintenance? Leave them in the comments below.

 

Minnetonka

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Whether it’s exploring the waters of colossal Lake Minnetonka or shopping at one of the 140 retail stores at Ridgedale Center, it’s no wonder why an increasing number of Minnesotans have chosen Minnetonka as their place to call home.
Besides serving as an entry point to the massive Lake Minnetonka, Gray’s Bay, the only part of Lake Minnetonka within the City of Minnetonka, is also the source of the Minnehaha Creek. The site is also a shoreline restoration are where invasive plants have been removed and replaced with boulders, logs and native flora to act as a natural filter to help preserve wildlife and water quality. This entry point is a great destination for those with canoes looking to get away from any motors, acting almost like a metro-area boundary waters for anyone feeling up to a winding and scenic 22 mile trek to Minnehaha Falls.

10210181584_5dd11dc8d6_cThose looking to keep their feet on land will find plenty of beautiful scenery as well. A drive or walk along the coast of Gray’s Bay acts as a tour of some of the most stunning homes in the metro area. With residential property on the lake at such a commodity, buyers are more than willing to shell out some extra money to be in such a prime location on one of Minnesota’s most famous lakes. Not that the homes themselves need any more reason to be on the pricier end. With many of the lake homes valued at over three million dollars, the opportunity to find luxury real estate is there for those diligent enough to snag one of these gorgeous homes.

10210391665_0b24865964_cA local favorite, the Gold Nugget Tavern and Grille, offers an interesting blend of a down-home bar and fine dining. The food is all made from scratch and presented with as much care as you’d see at an expensive fine restaurant. The history of the Gold Nugget is also very telling of how valued it is in the community. It was only reopened after some convincing by the neighborhood after the owner died. After a change in location and an upgrade to what the waitress says was considered “a dive,” the Gold Nugget continues to live on, offer great food and serve as the only bar in the Glen Lake neighborhood.
A great resource for residents is the Minnetonka Script, a newsletter that offers a wide variety of programs and services for those over the age of 55. From a wine making class to practicing Tai Chi to extended trips to Chicago and New York for the holidays, there’s no shortage for those looking to learn something new or plan a fun outing with friends.

10210402883_c784e4b779_cMinnetonka’s 49 community parks and 81 miles of sidewalks and trails also offer plenty of running room for residents. Among the most unique of these parks in Bennett Family Park which offers eight baseball diamonds of varying sizes and holds league games for baseball players of all ages.
With the majority of Minnetonka’s land being used for residential housing, there is certainly no shortage of homes to choose from. Whether you’re in the market for a starter home with close proximity to parks and trails or a fortress of luxury on the lake, Minnetonka’s spectrum could be considered for just about any type of buyer.

Neighborhood Resources


Minnetonka Schools

Faith Communities

 Hopkins School District  Adath Jesherun Congregation
 Minnetonka School District  All Saints Lutheran Church
 Wayzata School District  Bet Shalom Congregation
 International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA)  Bethlehem Lutheran Church
 Immaculate Heart of Mary  Cross of Glory Baptist Church
  Minnetonka Christian Academy  Fairview Evangelical Lutheran Church
 Sleepy Tigers Chinese Learning Center  Faith Presbyterian Church
 Good Shepherd Presbyterian
 Immaculate Heart of Mary
 Jehovah’s Witnesses
 Lutheran Community of Grace
 The Mills Church
 Minnetonka Lutheran Church
 Minnetonka Seventh Day Adventist Church
 Minnetonka United Methodist Church
 Oak Knoll Lutheran Church
 Old Apostolic Lutheran Church
 Redeemer Bible Church
 Ridgewood Church
 Sharei Chesed Congregation
 Slavic Baptist Church of Transfiguration
 St. David’s Episcopal Parish
 St. Luke Presbyterian Church
 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
 West Oaks Community Church

Public Parks

Local Restaurants

 Big Willow  Bacio
 Civic Center  Pairings Food & Wine Market
 Lone Lake  Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille
 Meadow  Spasso
 Purgatory  Redstone American Grill
 Crane Preserve  Christos Greek Restaurant
 Hilloway  The Marsh
 Jidana  Ham’s Sandwich Shop
 Kinsel  Living Waters Market & Cafe
 Lake Charlotte
 Lake Rose
 Victoria-Evergreen

 

Maple Grove, Minnesota

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Located on the northwest corner of the metro area, Maple Grove plays several key roles in the region – acting as a retail hotspot, a hub for medical clinics and a major employer (Boston Scientific alone employs over 2,500 people) for many Minnesotans in the metro area. It’s no wonder why Maple Grove has become one of the fastest growing suburbs in the metro area.

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The Maple Grove Community Center, connected to Life Time Fitness and next door to the Maple Grove Library, offers plenty of activities to keep every member of the family busy. With over 835,000 annual visitors, the center is home to Grove Aquatic Center, providing swimmers of all ages with lap lanes, a rope swing, a 130-foot waterslide, a smaller slide for the little ones and an outdoor pool with a lazy river for relaxing in the summer sun. For children 12 and under, the Maple Maze offers a jungle of tubes to crawl and play to their heart’s content. Outside, the center features a newly added cement skate park that is free and open to the public.

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The Town Green Amphitheater, also on the grounds of the community center, features a beautifully constructed bandshell and has seating for 300. The amphitheater provides the perfect place for summertime music, dance and theater performances.

Parents will also find ways to participate at the center. The Maple Grove Farmers Market runs from June through October outdoors and provides fresh, vendor grown food as well as activities and entertainment for all ages. During the winter months, the market relocates to warmer weather indoors with a handful of dates in November and December.

10057111316_b419ef2e96_c Maple Grove also offers a great selection of public parks and trails. Elm Creek Park Reserve is the largest park in Maple Grove and features access to Rush Creek and Medicine Lake Regional Trails for lakeside hiking and biking and a man-made, filtered and chlorinated swimming pond. The park also has an 18-hole disc golf course that is turned into a tubing hill and terrain park, complete with a rental facility and concessions, for snowboarders and skiers in the winter.

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Looking to do some shopping in Maple Grove? You’ll find no shortage of opportunities at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes and The Fountains at Arbor Lakes. With over 260 stores and services, Maple Grove offers some of the best shopping in the area with higher-end retail stores that you’d be hard pressed to find outside of the Mall of America or downtown Minneapolis.

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An abundance of restaurants can also be found alongside the many shopping areas in Maple Grove. Ranging from barbeque to sushi, the long list of places to grab a bite is sure to keep residents and visitors full for the foreseeable future. While there’s no shortage of chain restaurants to choose from, those seeking out a local establishment unique to the area will be rewarded upon discovering the home-style breakfasts at The Original Pancake House, the savory steaks at Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse, the delicious flatbreads at 3 Squares Restaurant or a burger and a beer while watching a band at Maple Tavern.

Maple Grove also serves as a major medical hub. Fairview Clinic, North Memorial, Maple Grove Hospital, Allina Medical Clinic and Park Nicollet Clinic all operate within Maple Grove to provide medical services to the community and surrounding cities.

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Attributing to the continuing fast growth of the area, the Maple Grove Transit system offers quick and easy commuter express rides to and from Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota as well as a local dial-a-ride service.

Residents of Maple Grove can also take pride in ranking at #22 on Money Magazine’s 2012 list of the 100 best small cities in America. Townhomes, condos, residential and commercial properties are booming in development and it’s no surprise why. With Minneapolis just a quick 20-minute drive or bus ride away, the option of a trip to the big city is always there, but with a vast selection of retail, dining, a top-notch medical network and a strong community base, it’s a wonder why anyone would ever want to leave.

Neighborhood Resources


Maple Grove Schools


Faith Communities

 Birchview Elementary School  Advent Lutheran Church
 Gleason Lake Elementary School  Christ’s Community Church
 Greenwood Elementary School  Church of the Open Door
 Kimberly Lane Elementary  Cross Winds United Methodist Church
 Oakwood Elementary School  The Edge Christian Fellowship
 Plymouth Creek Elementary  Elm Creek Community Church
 Sunset Hill Elementary  Grace Free Lutheran Church
 Central Middle School  Grove Christian Center
 East Middle School Harvest Bible Chapel West Minneapolis
 West Middle School  The Hindu Temple of Minnesota
 Wayzata High School  Jehovah’s Witnesses
 Basswood Elementary  Lord of Life Lutheran Church
 Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts   Maple Grove Covenant Church
 Cedar Island  Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church
 Crest View  Maple Grove Lutheran Church – ELCA
 Edinbrook  Maple Ridge Church
 Elm Creek  New Life Community
 Fair Oaks  Northwood Community Church
 Fernbrook  Passion Church
 Garden City  Pathways Church of Maple Grove
 Oak View  Pilgrims United Church of Christ
 Palmer Lake  Redeemer Lutheran Church – WELS
 Park Brook  St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church
 Rice Lake  Shepherd of the Grove Lutheran Church
 Rush Creek  Victory Baptist Church
 Weaver Lake
 Woodland
 Zanewood Community School
 Brooklyn Junior
 North View Junior International Baccalaureate World School
 Osseo Junior
 SUCCESS Middle Level ALC
 Maple Grove Senior
 Osseo Senior
 Park Center International Baccalaureate World School
 Osseo Area Learning Center

Public Parks


Local Restaurants

 For a complete list of Maple Grove parks, follow this link: http://maplegrovemn.gov/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-trails Solos Pizza Cafe
Mongo’s Grill
Granite City
Dave & Busters
Benihana
Rodizio Grill
Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
Malone’s Bar & Grill
Houlihan’s
Buca Di Beppo
Sawatdee Bar & Restaurant
Claddagh Irish Pub
3 Squares
Famous Dave’s
Broadway Bar & Pizza
El Rodeo
Angeno’s Pizza & Pasta
Whirly Ball
Hong Kong
Kyoto Sushi & Hibachi
JC’s Bar & Grill
Frankie’s Chicago Style Pizza
Chin Yung
The Lookout Bar & Grill
Evergreen Gill & Spirits
Maple Tavern
China Dragon
Chanticlear Pizza
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches

Reduce Your Heating Bill This Winter

The quicker the cold finds its way into the Midwest, the harder homeowners will be trying to keep it out. With heating costs on the rise, homeowners should be on the lookout for tips on how to keep the cold out and the heat in this winter. Click the links below for how-to guides on the best ways to save you hundreds of dollars in heating costs per year.

 

Seal all air leaks

A huge chunk of your heating bill may be from small leaks around windows and doors.

 

Clean or Change Your Furnace Filter Often in the Winter Months

This is a quick and relatively inexpensive way make sure your furnace is operating at its fullest potential. Some suggest changing the filter every 30 days in the coldest months.

 

Lower Your Water-Heater’s Maximum Temperature

Do some research and turn a dial, that’s it.

 

Pay Attention to When You Open Your Blinds

Timing when you open and close your blinds on sunny days can help you trap in warmth.

 

Seal Off The Fireplace

While sitting next to a roaring fire on a cold winter night may sound ideal, it actually ends up making your house colder and your furnace work harder.

 

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Pre-set your thermostat to reflect your schedule of when you’re out of the house or asleep.

 

Get a Home Energy Audit

Get professional advice on how to save money this winter.

 

So now that your home is nice and toasty and operating at its most energy efficient, there’s just one more thing to consider. What are you doing to do with all that extra money?

 

Shoreview, Minnesota

9935610605_40fb85a4e0_cUpon crossing into its borders, it doesn’t take long to notice that Shoreview likes to take things a little bit more leisurely than its neighboring cities.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities, Shoreview’s welcoming atmosphere offers relaxation for residents and visitors. The city’s seven lakes provide spacious, scenic getaways to fish, boat and swim in peaceful settings. The 85 miles of uncongested park trails and sidewalks, nine city parks and three county parks also provide plenty of room for dog walking, jogging or an afternoon picnic. 9935652664_8699ddef31_c  Residents of Shoreview have also been known to rave about The Shoreview Community Center. Inside its doors waits a state-of-the-art facility where visitors can swim in a tropics-themed water park, run on the indoor track, get a workout in at the fitness center or have lunch at The Wave Café. The center also features an outdoor pavilion, meeting rooms and banquet center for hosting events like weddings or class reunions. Shoreview Parks and Recreation hosts a wide arrange of programs for all ages to keep healthy, active and engaged.  Plenty of activity can be found outdoors at the Community Center as well; from soccer, baseball and sand volleyball to skateboarding in the aptly-named, “Sweet Roll Park.” Those looking to play hockey or ice-skate will also stay busy in any season thanks to the Shoreview Ice Arena. 9935654074_6abcd4f599_cEvery Tuesday afternoon, residents of Shoreview flock to the community center to buy and sell produce at the local farmer’s market, a sustainable alternative to large grocery chain stores. At the farmer’s market, members of the community have the opportunity to mingle with their neighbors and try something new and healthy in a lively marketplace. Recently, the popularity and success of the farmer’s market prompted the community center to continue operations through the winter months, moving the market indoors and providing year-round local produce for shoppers. With sustainability on the mind of so many residents, it came as no surprise when The City of Shoreview was awarded the Blue Star Award for excellence in Community Storm Water Management. The award was given for the city’s efforts to protect the water quality of local lakes, streams and wetlands by conducting rigorous assessments of storm water management practices. Sh2 As far as dining goes, the German-themed Meister’s Bar and Grill has become a local staple over the years. The smoked-bacon topped Burgermeister comes highly recommended and would be a great pairing with one the many German beers on tap. The bar also hosts open-mic nights for hopeful comedians or those feeling inspired to share a funny story. Sh1

With a high rate of homeownership (around 84 percent) and the median home value at $249,000, it isn’t hard to see how invested the residents of Shoreview are in its city and each other. Another notable observation is the strong sense of pride found in many of Shoreview’s residents. One of these proud residents is Rotary Club member and retired school district worker, Richard Rademacher.  A devoted member of the community since 1956, Rademacher proudly spoke about an upcoming Rotary Club event to raise money to award a college scholarship to the Mounds View High School student with the best improved GPA from junior to senior year. Rademacher, a longtime resident of Shoreview, has lived in one of only three original houses on his now-full block since 1967. When asked what was so appealing about Shoreview, Rademacher cited the city’s close sense of community and the respectable people in his neighborhood. Rademacher, like many of Shoreview’s residents, has decided that Shoreview is the ideal destination for those looking for a quieter, family-orientated place to call home. With the open option of a 20 minute drive to downtown Minneapolis, Shoreview conveniently provides the perfect hiding place for those looking to find a quieter, peaceful, tight-knit community, offering an open invitation for those looking to reside within its borders.

Neighborhood Resources

Shoreview Schools

Faith Communities

 Roseville School District 623  St. Odilia Catholic
 Mounds View School District 621  Peace United Methodist
 Oakhill Montessori School  Incarnation Lutheran
 Emmet D. Williams Elementary School  Living Waters Lutheran
 Island Lake Elementary School  River of Life
 Turtle Lake Elementary School  Hope Christian
 St. Odilia School  Presbyterian Church of the Way
 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran
 Ambassador Baptist
 Emmanuel Covenant
 New Life Evangelical Lutheran
 Rice Creek Covenant

Public Parks

Local Restaurants

 Bobby Theisen Park  Kozlak’s
 Bucher Park  Red Ginger’s China Bistro
 Lake Judy Park  Fresh Picked Pizza
 McCullough Park  Meister’s Bar and Grill
 Ponds Park
 Rice Creek Fields
 Shamrock Park
 Shoreview Commons
 Sitzer Park
 Wilson Park