Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

Yes, once again I’m using a sensational headline to get attention. I just got back to town last night after Spring Break in Florida (I got to go to a Twins’ Spring Training Game…more on that later) and so I’m behind schedule on a few things. Most importantly…the April Downtown Forum.

This Tuesday, April 1st at 8:00 a.m, in the Riverview Conference Room at the Archer House (212 Division Street), the Northfield “America in Bloom” Committee, a subcommittee of the Northfield Garden Club, will discuss the community’s participation in the 2008 American in Bloom (AIB) program. The Garden Club has entered Northfield in this annual competition and is working to get the entire community involved in this exciting opportunity for national recognition.

America in Bloom is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire community-wide beautification projects, thus improving the quality of life in towns and cities across the nation. Judges visit each participating community and rate the town on eight criteria, including the quality of floral and landscaped areas, turf and ground covers, overall tidiness and urban forestry. The group also makes note of heritage preservation, community involvement, and environmental awareness, as well as a favorite topic of the NDDC: on-going maintenance.

In addition to highlighting the existing efforts of local residents and business owners, as well as those of the city’s dedicated Garden Club, Northfield’s America In Bloom committee hopes to share information with the whole community and instill pride and energy in ongoing city-wide beautification efforts. New public and private projects are in the works to make Northfield more beautiful than ever in 2008!

The public is invited to attend the forum, which will include a presentation followed by a question and answer session. Topics will range from issues regarding civic engagement to the best types of flower boxes for historic buildings. And, as always, coffee and cookies will be served.

The Third Annual Taste of Northfield is moving forward. Here are Leanne Stremcha (NDDC Board), Anastasia Balfany (NDDC Board), Joe Grundhoefer (NDDC Board), Mary Rossing (NDDC Board) and Julie Bixby (NDDC Community Advisor) meeting this morning at J. Grundy’s Rueb-N-Stein.

The Taste is scheduled for Thursday, June 19th. In addition to food booths by local restaurants, there are a number of events planned for this year including a Community Band Performance, Live and Silent Auctions, a Raid by the James Gang, a Beer Garden and Wine Tasting, and a Street Dance.

This event has quickly grown into a favorite of the community. If you’d like to get involved, just let us know. We’d love to have you join us.

The NDDC’s E R Team traveled to St. Paul this morning to discuss the economic threat posed by ever-rising property taxes. The meeting was set up by State Representative David Bly. Seated around the table are NDDC Vice President Joe Grundhoefer, Legislation Consultant Laura Sayles, Property Tax Analyst Karen Baker, and NDDC Secretary Keith Covey.

The tax legislation professionals asked for details about Northfield’s experience, particularly the built environment and economic situation. NDDC representatives emphasized the challenge of addressing the high costs of maintaining older buildings while experiencing double-digit increases in property tax expenses. They also pointed out the troubling difference between the public sector’s focus on comparable sales and the private sector’s combination of sales comps and cash flow for property valuation.

The professionals sent us back to Northfield with a list of questions for which we are to provide written answers. Our answers will help clarify the policy needs and thereby shape the draft legislation for Representative Bly’s review.

We’ve got a follow-up meeting scheduled for two weeks from today.

After a hundred and fifty years, Northfield’s downtown finally has a mascot! She’s black and white and furry all over with a red and gold NDDC brand on her backside. This cute and lovable cow will make guest appearances in the Northfield area over the next months to promote downtown businesses and encourage visitors to check out the great restaurants and shops that Northfield has to offer. She will represent the downtown to St. Olaf and Carleton alumni, parents and students, visitors to many sporting events, and perhaps even be in a few parades.

But this “cow-cierge” needs a name. We are asking the citizens of Northfield to help give her a clever name. The contest will run through April 1st with the winning entry receiving a swell prize package. Entries can be brought in to Present Perfect at 419 Division Street or emailed to info@nddc.org

The inaugural appearance of the (as of now un-named) cow was at the St. Patrick’s Parade today (Saturday, March 15th) where she was greeting people, handing out “name the cow” ballots, and tossing Milky Way candy bars. So get creative and help us name the Downtown Cow.

As you may have already realized, there’s a lot going on this weekend. In fact, I thought that it merited a follow-up post.

Tonight (March 14) it begins with The Cup-o-Joe Show, four hours of music by emerging artists, including James Wilson, Timmy Heil, Joe Dobrow, John Baldwin, Joe Strachan and Dylan McKinstry, at The Key. Be sure to check out this impressive wealth of local musical talent. It’s a fund-raiser for the Skateboard Coalition.

Then there’s Cabin Fever Mini-Golf at the Northfield Public (Downtown Historic Carnegie) Library, with tee-offs at 6 and 8 pm. Here’s an opportunity to get rowdy in the library, so don’t miss your chance. It’s a benefit for the Library Teen Board.

At 6:30 pm, it’s the Northfield Arts Guild’s annual Auction for the Arts at the Guild’s Theater. Esteemed auctioneer Ed Kuhlman will lead a veritable Roman orgy of Italian wines, Mediterranean foods, and warm climed song and dance…oh yeah, and fantastic art by local artists. Proceeds support the Arts Guild.

Finally, the Sizzling Eggheads will reprise their tribute to Jimi Hendrix, bringing the Cabooze experience to Northfield, 7 to 11 pm at the Upstairs Rueb, 503 Division Street South. Peter Diggins will be channeling Jimi through his masterful fingers.

Saturday starts off with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, with a parade down Division Street to the Grand Event Center, beginning at 1 pm, followed by fun and festivities from 2 to 3:30 pm. I’ve been assured that it’s also acceptable to celebrate St. Urho and St. Joseph.

Northfield born band Down Lo releases its sophomore album “In Our World” with an all ages 5 to 7 pm show and a 21 and older show from 9:30 pm to 1 am at the Upstairs Rueb. This group never disappoints.

Next it’s the Northfield Historical Society Annual Meeting and Membership Ball, 7 pm in the Great Hall of Carleton College. The evening features Minnesota’s jazz favorite Christine Rosholt. This event is guaranteed to put a touch of class into your weekend.

The sixth annual Forcefield Cabaret is at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater at 7 pm. Find yourself surprised and/or impressed by the local talent that takes the stage for an evening of outrageous good times.

Finally, if you haven’t gotten enough of celebrating saints already today, there’s the St. Urho’s Day Fest from 7 to 11 pm at the Eagles Club. There will be dance instruction from 7 to 8 pm followed by music and dancing with Multe and Finn Hall. Check out the great dance floor at the Eagles Club, 304 Water Street.

Bet you’re hungry by now. Fortunately there’s the Skatepark Coalition’s “All You Can Eat” Omelet Breakfast, Sunday, March 16, 8 am to 12:30 pm at the Eagles Club. Folks are still licking their lips and rubbing their bellies remembering the last time they attended this event.

Consider yourself refueled for the spring concert of the St. Olaf Orchestra, 3:30 pm at Boe Memorial Chapel and a Guest Recital by Soprano Kelly Kaduce, 7 pm in Urness Recital Hall.