This morning there was a frosty chill in the air. We have once again started the fireplace and rumors are flying all over the state of people giving in to turning on furnaces for a little added heat. As a child it was days like today that we would bake cookies and Mom would have the oven working from sunup to sundown. Now I understand that it was simply to pull the chill out of the air. Though the mornings are starting with frosty tips on the grass... it's still warming up nicely for daytime activities. This weekend will surely be busy in Minnesota with MEA in full session. Kids are out of school and families are taking last opportunities for those "fun things" that may otherwise not have been. From pumpkin patches to trips up north calendars of events are running the gamut. For us thi... 10/21/2011

When we were small the trees would call me. Their beckoning was so audible. The crooks in there trunks were perfect for climbing or maybe even sprawled perfectly for fort building. We spent hours climbing, trying to climb and hiding in branches of trees everywhere.Once in awhile I still run into a tree that calls my name. Sometimes I can't resist... it just looks like it needs to be crawled upon.This tree is no exception. Perfect for a youngster to hang in... or maybe sit for a spell with legs dangling. A spot for dreaming perhaps? Really, who could resist?We have loads of trees in our yard now, but none compare to this kind of perfection. In Elk River there are ample trees and yards available that offer this kind of fun! If you don't currently own any climbing trees, but would like to... 10/19/2011

The leaves are pretty much done falling in our neck of the woods (I hope) so the rakes will soon be out. It's a leafy job, but someone's gotta do it! Perhaps that is why the weather cools this time of year? So the hard stuff isn't so hot to work on? Anyways, if you are listing your home or have it listed... there are a few maintenance options that cold really make a difference on the look of your house (and overall care). With a little effort one could certainly draw attention to their listing above the rest this time of year! And, most of the jobs are more putsy than anything. Here we go: 1. Keep that stoop clean. Leaves love gathering in the corners and piling up when you aren't looking - especially overnight. Simply keeping the doorway free of crunchy leaves can make a big differenc... 10/19/2011

Yesterday, I discussed that there was an issue being discussed within the Council and the Mayor's Office about the Energy City The mayor, John Dietz, who was sworn in on January 3 of this year, proposed a combination of cuts and revenue from other sources that would save the Energy City program,  The trade-off is that the annual Energy Expo will not exist as a stand-alone event. Energy City’s proposed budget for 2012 is $56,800, but the program has been threatened by budget cuts.Dietz explained his latest proposal during a council work session Monday, Oct. 3. The details of the mayor’s proposal included $36,000 in staff time. Dietz said approximately $5,000 of that is for Project Conserve and most of the remaining $31,000 is for the Energy Expo  He would fund the $5,000 for Project Cons... 10/07/2011

As I mentioned in a previous post, the City decided to forgo putting the "Energy City" logo on the water tower when it was recently repainted.  That "saved" the City $10,000 or so dollars.  (I put saved in quotations because it wasn't on the tower to begin with.) However, now the Energy City program itself is in financial trouble.  For those of you unaware of what this means, I will give you some background.  And, tomorrow, I will go more in depth as to what the cuts are, how the program might be save and who the mayor is asking for support from to save the program. Energy City was a designation that the City developed and was designated as in 1996.  The City has been proactive in promoting this designation in a number of ways including sponsorship of an annual Energy Expo and launching... 10/06/2011

Elk River has a new Powered by Nature blog.The blog is at www.poweredbynature.blog.com/Powered by Nature is the tagline that emerged from the city’s recent community branding exercise. We missed the water tower debacle with thousands demanded for painting the same logo on it.  But, this is a much better solution, in my humble opinion, and it doesn't cost a dime besides the residents' tax dollars being spent to spare a city employee to contribute to the blog.  Does that make sense?  If it were me, and no one asked me, I would check out some local talent that knows how to blog and ask them to volunteer their time to do this.  But, what do I know,  I am just a Broker and a blogger.  Don't ask me to do it.  I have plenty on my plate as it is....but someone who has Facebook pages already for... 10/01/2011

Taiko, ancient Japanese dance   I have to admit that I know nothing about this art form, but it will certainly be something different for our area as the Elk River Arts Alliance Performance Series starts the 2011-12 season Saturday, Oct. 8, at Zabee Theatre, 7 p.m. Taiko is an ancient Japanese art, loud, strenuous and pulsating with adrenaline. The Mu Daiko group is celebrating its 15th year of performing. They are featuring a guest artist, Hanayui, from Japan, for the Minnesota tour. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for members and seniors, and $10 for students. Call 763-441-4725 or visit www.elkriverart.org. It sounds as if it could be a very exciting evening! 09/26/2011

I know.  You love the slogan.  Who wouldn't?  It has only been used time and time again to "power up" other ad campaigns.  But, the "Powered By Nature" slogan won't appear wont' be on the water tower by the YMCA.   The City Council considered adding the new "Powered by Nature" logo to this water tower by the YMCA. The water tower was being repainted this month and the council considered adding the theme before the crew left. The cost of $14,400 to paint one 8- by 22-foot “Powered by Nature” logo on the tower and $12,400 for the second one sounded a little steep to the council. Plus, city officials wanted some thought to go into how “Powered by Nature” should be placed in conjunction with the city’s elk logo so it will be displayed consistently throughout the city.  The water tower has t... 09/23/2011

Tonight in Elk River (September 23, 2011) School Street will be closed off at 4pm in preparation for the annual homecoming parade. Will you be there? This is a festive event in our community rallying together our football teams and local sports programs. It's a great time to see the spirit of the community as well as celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of our youngsters.Hopefully it's the beginning to a noisy night at the football park as fans and friends noisily cheer on the teams playing.This year Elk River is playing Monticello (a very nearby neighboring community) and it will be loads of fun!The parade starts at 5pm and there is plenty of parking all along School Street between the churches and schools and apartment buildings. If you can - it's worth the effort. Last year t... 09/23/2011

Homecoming in Elk River Minnesota is this Friday night, September 23, 2011.  Homecoming candidates are as follows: The girls are: Kelly Edwards, Nicole Hanson, Ana Ibanez, Andra Salfrank and Liza Whittet The boys are: Zach Brown, Matt Madsen, Max Riebel, Moses Saygbe and Kevin Weeks. A king and queen will be crowned at the pep fest and coronation at 7:45 a.m. on Friday, September 23rd. The homecoming parad is at 5 pm. and the undefeated Elks will host the Monticello Magic at 7 pm. This should be a good game...so come have a hot dog, enjoy the parade and the festivities.  See you there! 09/21/2011

Today we had the privilege of meeting Rich. Rich is a truly remarkable man who is merely passing through. It seems that Elk River has had it's fair amount of 'traveler's' this season. All with messages worth hearing. Anyways, if you had the opportunity of meeting Rich you'd be quite inspired by his story. It was filled with hope and strength.You see, Rich has no mobility in his legs. He suffered an injury falling off his roof many years ago. He recently had a 'big' birthday and decided to make a journey most of us would be truly exhausted by.Starting in Itasca at the headwaters of the Mississippi, Rich is following the river to the very end. Eight weeks riding his modified bike to spread a message of hope. Along with his dog and his wife he is traveling between 30 and 50 miles a day us... 09/16/2011

This years Toastmasters fall contest kicks off for Area 63 on Thursday Sept. 22 in Elk River at the Minnesota School of Business. (6:30pm-8:30pm) The Fall Speech Contestants will be competing in either the Humorous Speech Contest or the Tall Tales Speech Contest so its sure to be an event filled with laughter and good times!   The winners of the contest advance to the Prairie Division contest on Saturday Oct. 1st in Marshall, MN.   Area 63 is comprised of the following clubs: Elk River Area Toastmasters - Meets 12noon Thursday at the Elk River Seniors Center Smooth Talkers (Elk River) - Meets Thursdays at 7pm at the Minnesota School of Business Albertville Toastmasters - Meets Wednesdays at 7am at Albertville City Hall Rogers Toastmasters - Meets Thursdays at 7am at I-94 Chamber Meeting... 09/14/2011

Driving through town on any given evening brings discussion to our car. Our five year old is eager to engage in all sorts of sports. And, why? The answer is really pretty simple.'Tis the season. Ever ball park we pass is filled to capacity with players and viewers of games that look fun to be part of.Baseball and soccer and football and basketball and even tennis. Elk River is filled with fields for adults and young ones to play on.The question we ask is how to narrow the field. Which do we let him try first? The community offers many choices through the schools, through the parks and recreation, and through leagues. From the rurally placed Athletic Field to the high school ball fields the options are endless...A mother with eager young babes who need an open field to play and explore ... 09/13/2011

Today in Elk River was 'appreciate your local fireman' day. It was beautiful weather (maybe a bit warm for the men in suits) for families and folks to peruse the safety measures that our emergency folks take everyday to keep us safe and in tact.Helicopters, horses, fire trucks, and police cars lined the parking lot and sported hundreds of children playing in, on and around them. We got to the event as the first helicopter landed and were well in time to visit, chat and learn from several trained emergency workers. The boys loved giving a treat to the horses that help in search and rescue operations. They enjoyed climbing on the gigantic firetruck that houses hundreds of feet of hose. They loved watching the fire fighters cut and disassemble an entire car with the jaws of life. But, mos... 09/10/2011

Always in September the Elk River Fire Station opens it's doors to the community for viewing and then later a dance. This year is no exception. In our house the excitement is beginning to build as the boys are getting ready to spend an afternoon wondering around the fire station looking at the trucks (and climbing on a few) and maybe even seeing the helicopter come in for a landing. We appreciate the work of our hard working fire department and this year maybe a bit more than normal. With the event falling on the weekend of the 10th anniversary to 9/11... we will remember the many that were fallen that day. It is because we have emergency workers that so many lives are saved every year and every day. The many fires that they put out affect all of us at some point or another. If you hav... 09/08/2011

Well, it was quite a summer.....so cold in the beginning and then the incredible heat and humidity for a couple of weeks.  But, I am not complaining....no hurricanes, no drought, no wildfires, no tornadoes.  We did have some straight line wind damages to our home and many of our neighbors.  And, we live amongst the trees, lots and lots of trees which can help or hurt depending on where they are and how easy they come down. But, that aside, what an eventful time we had as a family....and my wife and I actually got a Road Trip in on the bike for a couple of days, a great trip to California, and lots of lake time at friends and my dad's place. So, looking back it was pretty good despite "working" with the banks on all the short sales.  Sometimes you just need to get away to get some perspe... 09/05/2011

There is a park in Elk River that bears this mark. Right on the ground and about three feet wide. Big enough to step on, walk on, play on... but light enough to miss if you aren't paying attention.The writing is in the ground... literally... and I have often pondered whether it was intentionally set when the park was put in place or added later. Who thought to send a smile to every passerby crossing the parking lot to these gorgeous trails? Was it intentional or was it merely a youngster marking as they passed by?It appears to be written in tar, but one cannot be certain. And it brings on the wonderment of the back story.If you have a chance to visit any of the many Elk River parks, Woodlands Park and Trails especially, hopefully you won't miss this sight! It's cheery mark is bound to ... 09/04/2011

The beauty of traditions is that they can be made at any time and set in any location. You don't have to have a house or even set of rules to start a tradition and they can be carried on through the remainder of time... or just for a time. Many people have a tradition of birthday cakes and candles  to celebrate that precious day every year. We did that a few times, but it just didn't go over well so we created something new and different for our boys. Every time one of them has a birthday.... we buy them each a balloon. Mylars are a special treat in our home, but one that is revered much like a birthday cake.Twice a year we load up the boys and take them to our 'hot spots' and let them choose. Most of the time the balloons they choose have nothing to do with birthdays.... and they alwa... 09/03/2011

Tis' the season for bright colored flowers and droopy sunflowers to bloom! I have always wanted to grow an entire field of the beautiful yellow flowers and this year got closer than ever. We built a sunflower house for the boys in our garden and boy has it grown! They have a 'thinking chair' in their little/big house that brings the cozy hominess to life. With great pleasure I can say that we have more than enough sunflowers to keep the house standing so weekly we've been cutting a few and enjoying their splendor indoors as well as out. It's a big job for some small boys, but the smiles and laughter it brings is well worth the effort!This is quite seasonal and possibly only good for 2011, but if you want a good dose of sunflower splendor there are a couple of sure places to find it in t... 09/02/2011

Whether a master gardener, novice or none all-together summertime is the best time to find freshness everywhere. Fruits growing on vines and trees and veggies filling the gardens.... or maybe you just prefer to watch the neighbors plant and harvest while you visit the farmer's market. Whatever the case... fresh fruits and veggies are available and the best part is that they haven't traveled hundreds of miles to hit the kitchen table!I've never been successful at potato growing even though my closest farmer's delve out potatoes like they are going out of style. So this year we changed gears and threw a bunch of dirt in a bucket and planted closer to the house with hopes of greater success... and found it!Growing potatoes in a big bucket was easy peezy...  Maybe we didn't get as many pot... 09/01/2011