The Twin Cities is blessed with some great places to eat and I thought it would be fun to showcase a few breakfast places.

South Minneapolis: Remember the old Sweet Lorraine’s on 38th Street (at 24th Ave) off Hennepin? It was a classic diner and wasn’t particularly known for great eats - more of a place to fill up and go. Well, now the chef who made The Sample Room a name in northeast, Minneapolis has swepted out Lorraine with the Citizen Cafe. It serves lunch and dinner, but I’ve only been there for breakfast. The decor is hip and before your meal arrives they bring you a few samples of their sweet breads to enjoy with their tasty coffee.

I expected to pay big for the nice atmosphere and little treats, but am pleased to say it was very reasonably priced. So next your visit to South Minneapolis, perhaps browsing for homes in this neighborhood, get a bite at the Citizen.

St.Paul: Hidden in an office building on University is the sweet restaurant, The Egg & I. It’s not fancy, but the food is consistently good and it’s one of the only places I know where you can get buckwheat pancakes and a Spinach Eggs Benedict dish. Here’s the MLS hits for this area.

If you’re looking for something a little more quirky, hip and interesting in St. Paul than go for the Day by Day Cafe. It employs folks who are on the recovery path from addiction and I’ve always had delightful service there. Things that are pretty amazing there are the caramel rolls, the huevos rancheros and any omelet. Summer time is particularly fun because the backyard patio is beautiful. Here’s the MLS hits around Day by Day which includes some really sweet St. Paul neighborhoods.

It’s October and its evident that the quality of daylight has shifted. The landscape isn’t bleached out in the summer sun any longer and the colors have taken on those deep and saturated hues of autumn.  I really groove on fall.

So what’s a girl to do?  In the Twin Cities there’s a bevy of choices, but here a few to highlight.

Jeanne Kretchmer will be doing her “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Ghosts but were Afraid to Ask” event at the John H. Stevens House in Minnehaha Park TONIGHT.  You know that little white house in the Park by Hiawatha Ave? Reservations, along with $7, are required.  Here’s the number: 612.722.2220

If you miss it you can catch Rick Hagen, founder of Paranormal Investigations at the same location on Sunday, October 26 at 2pm.  Admission to the seminar is $10 to benefit the Stevens House. Reservations are required: 612 827-0138

Ok- so not into paranormal?

There’s still time to hit the Farmer’s Markets. I did talk about the Midtown Farmer’s Market early last spring, so now I’ll head to St. Paul and talk up their market which is chock full o’ fall bounty - like butternut squash and other makings for soup. In fact, like their Minneapolis sister, the market goes all winter long on Saturdays.

While there you can visit local entrepreneur, Lori Karis, who has taken her 20-years making organic baby food as a nanny to the public as Sweet Cheeks Baby Food. I’m a big fan of the small business so you go Lori!

And if I’m gonna mention Sweet Cheeks, I also need to talk about Aunt Else’s Aebleskiver at the Mill City Farmer’s Market.

This is the last weekend to grab some of these Danish hot apple treats so don’t miss out. Here’s a picture of my friend Chad cranking some out. I’m not sure why I know all these creative peeps - just lucky I guess.

I  can’t think of something I treasure much more than the urban dog parks.  It’s very cool to hit the gate, unleash the dog and watch him run & romp like he’s meant to. And for reasons I can’t explain (but Ceasar Milan can) there seems to be hardly any negative interactions among the 4-pawed visitors.

Of course, there’s always the “who’s top dog” contest, which seems to be settled inside 5 minutes. For us it usually ends with our Rottweiler mix being face-humped. It’s more humiliating for us owners than him.

Minneapolis has five of these off-leash locations - including Columbia Park, Franklin Terrance, Lake of the Isles, Minnehaha Park and Loring Park. For my money, the Minnehaha Park one off of Hiawatha is about the most beautiful parks in the city - dog park or not. It’s a walk in the woods by the Mississippi that can make you forget that you live in an urban jungle.

If you’re a Minneapolis resident it’s $35 to set your dog up and $60 for non-residents. Second dogs get in a bit cheaper. You can start the licence process here.

Of course, it’s not just Minneapolis dogs having all the fun, St. Louis Park has its own dog park, too.

Visit www.dogfriendly.com for a list of dog friendly parks and hotels in the Twin Cities area and spots around the country.

It’s hard to imagine a more idyllic location than Linden Hills. Located in southwest Minneapolis, the neighborhood runs around our urban lakes from Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet encompassing some of the most lively areas in the Twin Cities.

The area was developed in the late 1800’s back when it was still a vacation spot. Slowly the area enticed Minneapolis downtowners to live where they loved to visit and was a village of simple cottages. Most of the original cottages have been replaced by large bungalows and Tudors.

The present day business district is every bit as sweet as the old-tymey cottages. The vibrant streets are lined with delightful gift stores like the Bibelot Shop, but also offers stables like Clancey’s Meat and Fish and groceries from Linden Hills Co-op. The kiddie set all know the children’s bookstore, Wild Rumpus, famous for their fun story hours, whimsical architect and live animals to love.

Steeped in history, there is a 116-page book on the subject of Linden Hills history that goes back when stripped bathing wear was in style called “Down by the Lake: a Historical portrait of Linden Hills and the Lake Harriet District.”  The Linden Hills History Study Group can hook you up with a book as well as a walking tour and more.

Residents can walk to urban lakes Harriet and Calhoun for sailing classes, a quick trip on the trolley and to enjoy the city’s Rose and Peace Gardens. Concerts are performed several evening a week at the Lake Harriet band shell during the warmer months.

Combine that with charming housing stock and acclaimed schools and no wonder why this is a coveted address. It’s a neighborhood that Mr. Rogers would be proud of. You can shop for homes in this Minneapolis area here.

 On September 11, 2008 our industry lost one of its giants.  Bill Saunders, Co-Founder of Re/Max Results  passed away after a 10+ year battle with colon cancer.  He is survived by his wife, Vicki, his son, Marshall and thousands of people whose lives he has touched over the years.  I am blessed to say that my life was one that he had a profound impact on.

I attended Bill’s memorial service this week on Wednesday and I felt compelled to write about this man not because he and I were particularly close, but because of the enormous respect that I have for him. 

Many people got up to speak of their experiences with Bill, how he helped them in some way, or just the way he made them feel like they were the most important person in the room.  He certainly had the effect on me.  5 year ago, when I got into the Real Estate business, I interviewed with Bill at his firm – Re/Max Results.  I immediately knew that was where I wanted to work and joined that day.  Bill instilled such confidence in me (and all the agents who worked at his firm).  I knew that I was in the right place to begin my career.

Over my 4 years at Re/Max Results, I had various interactions with Bill.  The one that I want to share is my last one.  I had made a bad Real Estate investment in a condo project downtown Minneapolis and I was telling Bill all about it in an informal discussion.  He asked me what my plans were and I had shared with him that I was going to a meeting the next day with the developer to find out what was going on, and to find out if there was an opportunity to work with him to turn the project around.

Bill immediately said, “Tom, I will clear my schedule and go with you.”  When I asked him, why – he said, “well, clearly you could use some help with this one and I am interested in learning more about this…” (referring to the particular project which had made quite a bit of news).

So, the next day he picked me up at the office in Edina and drove me to the meeting.  On our way in, he told me that he would do most of the talking.  I smiled and felt so much better that he was there.  So, we had the meeting.  Of course it didn’t get me anywhere as I am still involved with it.  Afterwards, he looked at me…with kind of a sorrowful grin and informed me that I was indeed screwed.  We had a good laugh and then he said, “Tom, you will get past this one.  We all make mistakes.  I bet you’ll never buy another condo. J”

This may not seem like a great story but what you have to understand is this; (and it truly illustrates this man’s legacy) – Bill Saunders and his business partner owned and operated one of the most successful Re/Max franchises in the US and certainly the most successful one in the State of Minnesota.  He had (at the time) around 500 agents working there.  To say the least, Bill was a very busy individual.  The fact that he took the time to help someone that he didn’t know particularly well shows the measure of his character.  And boy, did he have character. 

On Wednesday – at his memorial service – there had to be around 1000 people in attendance, the majority of which were Realtors ™.  The service lasted for over two hours, people listened intently to those who were speaking and none of them were on their phones, or texting on their Blackberry devices, etc.  Think about that for a minute…this man was so respected that he was able to keep 750+ real estate agents off their phones for over two hours…that is no small feet. 

All of the stories people shared at the service were great, but the thing that stuck with me the most was this; one of his friends of thirty years said that Bill once told him about the three most important things in life:

1. To love
2. To be loved
3. To have people speak kindly of you…and one more thing…
4. PRADA – (you had to know Bill to get this one)

Clearly, Bill exemplified these treasures.  What an example he has given us as to how to conduct our lives.  So – thanks Bill.  Thanks for the lessons and good advice.  Thanks for your help.  Thanks for your friendship.  I will certainly strive to live my life in the same manner in which you have lived yours. 

Bill Saunders Obituary

Walking just west of downtown St. Paul is one of my favorite Twin Cities locations  -  Cathedral Hill (technically named Ramsey Hill). It can make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a 19th century novel. Brownstone row houses and ivy-covered Victorian homes share the skyline with the majestic Cathedral of St. Paul. Simply put, it’s gorgeous.

Having once sheltered the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis, you can half hope residents to emerge from their historic flats wearing newsboy hats - from when they were in style the first time. But don’t mistake bookish with sleepy; this literary Mecca is a happening place given its crush of shops, restaurants and a large food co-op, the Mississippi Market.

You can walk from Nina’s coffeeshop (impress the locals by saying “Ni-naya”) in the historic Blair Arcade and down the stairs to Garrison Keillor’s bookstore, Common Good Books. (Whenever I have a story I’m having trouble writing, I end up a Nina’s just to change things up a bit.)

Cross the street and feel you’ve arrived on a different continent when you enter the restaurant, Moscow on the Hill, where there’s a full menu page devoted entirely to vodka and the best borscht I ever had (hey, don’t knock beet soup until you’ve tried it).

Then watch the curling stones collide at the Saint Paul Curling Club with a post ice-time beer at WA Frost’s – all within three memorable blocks.

But it wasn’t always this nice. The intersection of Selby/Dale used to have a rough reputation. But the turn-around of the formerly aristocratic community started in the 70’s and 80’s. People with little money and a strong back worked very hard to make homes better.  These were urban pioneers who bought property for $10, $15 thousand dollars and put in sweat equity.

President of the Selby Business Association and owner of Great Harvest Bread Company, Bonnie Alton said the area really got a firm footing on its most infamous intersection in the mid-nineties. “Mississippi Market Co-op anchored Selby and Dale when they constructed their building and brought in their store.”  The association now hosts an annual Selby Celebration: a Patio and Dance Party.  “Very courageous, far sighted people made this possible.  I really couldn’t see this event happening [10 years ago].”

St. Paul is lucky it did happen. You can start your search for your own little piece of history with Webdigs right here.

We are on the verge of renting our home again. To scan for “bad apples” I put our two applicants through a Minnesota criminal search site at www.mncriminals.com.  It’s free and the sign-in process is painless - they only wanted me to create a user name and password.  And good news, neither of my folks are felons. Bad apple free.

Both of these parties are in some state of foreclosure and hoping for short sales on their homes. Divorce is a factor in one and the other was a risk gone bad - by a real estate agent. That Realtors are getting caught up in this tide of failed loans should not shock me, but it does bum me out.

Both parties say they’re eventually interested in short sales of the house, which honestly seems like a complicated way to sell a home. We’re not going down that road anytime soon and if/when I do, I know Tom here at Weddigs will advise me.

Good Apples

It’s Friday during harvest season and I hope you make the most of it. If you have little ones and want to indulge them in a commercial pumpkin festival than travel a half hour south to Belle Plaine to Emma Krubee’s for mazes, pumpkins, pony rides and one ornery camel. I’m sure his thought bubble is, “Now exactly how did I get here? I was in the desert and I saw that tempting salt lick …and then it all goes blank.”

If you want something more mellow than the carnival atmosphere of Emma’s, I reccommend the delightful Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest in Jordan. Here the apple picking is the star of the show - though there is live music and a nice restaurant, too.

Even if you’re not a harvest party type of folk, it is a time a year that you can be a little extra proud to be a Minnesotan  - the clever people who invented the Honey Crisp Apple.  Get out there and enjoy.

I geekily love the State Fair - even though my friend Jon Weber from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR) claims that just a short blast of “fair air” can make him queasy.

I’m not sure why I love it so much. It sure isn’t about the Midway or even the abundant greasy food (though I do enjoy a good elephant’s ear). I think it’s the thought of through the long summer people are working on their seed art, their jar of pickles, their quilts and photography and everyone coming together to show what they’ve got. I’m always floored at the talent that’s out there.

This photo by Chuck Arnold was in the Fine Arts building and ran in the Star Tribune

I also like going through the buildings that showcase housing innovations like the Eco Building with their low flush toilets and wind turbines. I usually get a bag of mini-donuts for the kids for when mom makes them suffer through a 15-minute conversation with the Hardi-plank guy.

But there was a new (to me) display this year for Habitat for Humanity. Of course you’ve heard about the non-profit that builds simple homes for people all over the world. They had a display sponsored with their corporate partner, Thrivent Financial, with games and fun kid activities on the outside and a pretty serious display on the inside explaining poverty conditions that happen right here in the United States. It was well done and good for my children to see that not all of life is the State Fair and playing at the beach.

The short vidoes they showed were pretty inspirational and showed how families, groups and individuals can go “to a build” anywhere in the country and all over the world. Perhaps when the kids are older…

The Thrivent people also took our family picture wearing hard hats and wielding blow-up hammers. When that is available on their website, I’ll be sure to link it over.

I

To see a Star Tribune story with some positive real estate news really got my attention the other morning. It made me realize HOW LONG it had been since we had some good news in the industry.

The story was based on the research of the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR) which stated that July had a modest spike in signed purchase agreements - a 6.2% increase over last year. Add to that the general decrease in home inventory (8.2 fewer listings than this time last year) and it could mean that change is underfoot in the marketplace.

Of course, this is one baby step along a long road of recovery, but hey - it’s Friday and I’m going to roll with the good news. Humor me, o-kay?

While I was reading the press release from MAAR, I caught their tag line at the bottom stating that they’ve been around since 1887. Honestly, I thought it was a typo, but a quick search showed that hey, they really have been selling dirt since the beginning of dirt.

I put most history in perspective to its relationship with Laura Ingalls having recently read the entire series to my children - she was 20 years old that year and had just given birth to her daughter Rose outside of DeSmet, S.D.

The first real estate office in Minneapolis, 1957. Simon
Synder and William McFarlane are believed to have
formed the city’s first real estate company in 1855.
(Photo: Minnesota Historical Society)

And if we’re going to talk Laura Ingalls, I have to mention that our Twin City Treasure, The Guthrie, will have it’s opening night for Little House on the Prairie production. It stars Melissa Gilbert, television’s original half-pint, as Ma and the play is slated to take a 40-city tour after working out the kinks here in Minneapolis.

Apparently Twin City audiences are considered sophisticated and a good place to hone a show - how flattering is that? Some tickets are still available to what will surely be a buzzed about production.

As the famous Uptown Art Fair (which attracts a crazy number of people - around 350,000) was this past weekend, I thought it would be a good time to profile the area.

Now Uptown is more a state of mind than an actual location on a map and everyone has a slightly different idea of where Uptown begins and ends. So I’ll share my interpretation of the boundaries and then you’ll send angry comments telling me how very wrong I am - at least, this is how it typically is when talking about the hipper than hip spot that is Uptown.

Uptown begins somewhere southwest of downtown at roughly the Franklin/Hennepin intersection. There the turn-of -the-century apartment buildings brush up against boutiques and trendy restaurants that announce you’re here. This is technically the Lowry Hill and Lowry Hill East neighborhoods of Minneapolis and possess a  neighborhood in the city vibe.  It’s a busy place, particularly because it includes what is arguably the most successful co-op in the nation, The Wedge.

If you jog just west of there, you’ll find yourself in the Kenwood ‘hood with it’s grand homes near or on Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake. Think lovely older homes with large lots among the many green spaces, parks and trails that is Kenwood. These homes are mostly arts and crafts or the more palatial Mediterranean or colonial styles.

At the intersection of Hennepin and Lake is what I believe is the real meat and potatoes of the area - technically the East Isles neighborhood. Here you’ll find the avant garde theaters such as The Uptown showing current movies as well as art films and the Suburban World that offers vintage cartoon breakfast during the winter and fall months.

This spot also has food galore, including the “we’re too hip to even put a sign out” Chino Latino and Lucia’s - well known for its organic menu. Not far from there is St. Sabrina’s for all your unmet tattooing/ piercing needs (I’ll own up to a belly button ring adventure there a decade or so ago).

But the place that I think IS Uptown is The Bryant Lake Bowl. It is an establishment where you can see live theatre, bowl a few strings and eat excellent food from burgers to tofu. That, my friends, is Uptown in a nutshell.

Of course, I can’t leave out the lakes, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet, as they’re the true stars of the show. Hundreds of people walk, run and rollerblade on the trails daily. There’s also a fantastic bandshell with loads of free concerts and a dock for fishing (I’ve taken my kids there and those fish are bad ass urban fish that steal your worms) and boats for rental. You can even sign-up for reasonably priced sailing lessons on the Minneapolis Park & Rec website. (I know, how cool is that?)

The architecture is eclectic like Uptown itself, but I can say that it’s mostly 20th century - some homes nearer the lake are actually “cottages” that people would go to to escape city life back in the day when the trolley get you out there. There is a pride of ownership in the area which may border on gentrified making it a historically safe investment.

In recent years houses have been snapped up pretty fast in this area - an for a pretty penny; however there are many brick apartment houses and clapboard duplexes if you’re willing to rent your little piece of Uptown until the right home comes on the market. You can start your search here.