Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

At a meeting last week between NDDC Board Members and City Administrator Al Roder, one of the “unagenda’d” topics that came up was health insurance. The subject was recently raised by the ArtsPlan06 Task Force and has been previously discussed at NDDC Block Head Gatherings. There is clearly an interest in creating a pool that would make health insurance more accessible to local artists and downtown business owners alike.

We may be able to avoid reinventing the wheel. In Sunday’s Strib, there was mention of the efforts of two groups, Springboard for the Arts and Neighborhood Involvment Progam, collaborating on a new program, Artists Access to Health Care (AAH).

We’ll be following up. For more information these efforts, check out the program link.

Sometime ago, EDA Member Tracy Davis blogged about the Liquor Store. Specifically, she discussed the three options presented to the City Council at their 2/27/06 meeting.

The three options discussed were:
1) Relocate to the Q-Block property on Highway 3,
2) Relocate to the 600 block of Division Street and,
3) Expand the existing liquor store at its current location.

Tracy suggested that the ranking in the report presented to the Council was based solely on the theoretical sales potential of each site. She wondered if there might other measurements for evaluating the city’s investment in this project.

Rumor has it that this topic may be back on the public agenda. As I have suggested before, the Liquor Store is one of the economic anchors of downtown. Perhaps it is time to reopen the discussion along the lines that Tracy has suggested.

…Christmas Trees!

As I was passing Lansing Hardware this morning, I noticed some activity that caught my attention. Lee, the Honorable Mayor, was actually doing some heavier lifting that wielding the gavel. I’d say that these bits of green are destined to become yule tidings in local homes.

I sure do appreciate these local business folks. If it weren’t for them, I’d probably forget the fact that next week is Thanksgiving, and that I’d better start thinking about what I’m gonna get for my various family members (besides socks) for that big day that is now just a few weeks away.

Thanks Lee…

…and if I see any of Santa’s Elves, I’ll send them over to help you with those trees.

It’s the Big Opening! That’s right, Northfield’s newest gallery has it’s initial Big Show tonight.

Grezzo Gallery will kick off their addition to our Art Town with a collection of giftable artwork by a dozen local artisans. Their opening is Saturday, 6-8 p.m., and the show runs through the holidays. Grezzo Gallery is on Bridge Square, in the very center of Downtown and the heart of Northfield.

Check it out; we’re talking SO hot!

…until I checked out Snap Fitness.

Yes, bullies from Dundas used to threaten to kick over my sand castles or snatch away my river bridges. Then I visited Snap Fitnesses, a recent business start-up owned by NDDC Board Member Tristan Cox out on South Highway 3 (indeed, fully one-quarter of NDDC Board Members have business located on South Highway 3; hey, we’re all working for local economic success)…and, yes Carol, he is also my nephew.

At any rate, within minutes of working out at Snap Fitness, my biceps went from buckshot pellets to cannon balls. My blood pressure started to drop, my self confidence started to rise and I’m sure I started getting more respect from…well, at the very least, my old friend Glenn Switzer.

So stop in and say “Hello” to NDDC Board Member Tristan Cox and check out his new exercise equipment. He’ll be happy to show you around.