Although you could probably locate one of the HPC-approved “hitching post”-style bike racks with a quick glance down the sidewalks, we thought the map might serve another purpose.  Our hope was that the map would send a signal that downtown Northfield was “bicycle-friendly”.

It seems to have served this purpose well.  Out-of-town visitors to our site have commented that they have never before seen a community with a map of the bike rack locations.

We recently updated the map.  Both the private and public sectors have added bicycle parking capacity to the downtown, most recently the nifty new bike rack at the Quarterback Club.

The map is an always-available resource on the home page of our website, along with the Downtown Directory of businesses, under the section labeled “NDDC.org Essentials”.  Give it a look, and bring your bike downtown.  Downtown Northfield welcomes bicycles.

Although it sounds a bit Nordic Pagan (“a communal sing designed to force the weather gods to release us from their cold winter grip”), I’m sure that Jews, Christians, Muslims, and even Atheists are all invited: the Northfield Historical Society’s Winter Scream, Saturday in Bridge Square.  So come on down(town) and sing (and eat) the winter away!

Friday, January 21st: One Act Plays, 7:30 p.m., High School Auditorium, Kiss Me Weirdly, 8 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater; Jim Lenway, 8 to 11 p.m., Contented Cow; Sweet Jazz, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge; and Driven, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., Grand Event Center.

Saturday, January 22nd: Winter Scream, 12 to 2 p.m., Bridge Square; One Act Plays, 7:30 p.m., Northfield High School; Kiss Me Weirdly, 8 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater; Derek, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge; and King Cool, 8 to 11 p.m., Contented Cow.

Sunday, January 23rd: Faculty Recital: Cello and Piano, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Concert Hall on the Carleton College campus; Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7:30 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow.

It was well worth it, however.  It’s good to see the trees back on 4th Street.  The trees provide a visual, natural link between our historic buildings and our scenic river in our historic, scenic, and authentic downtown.

Thanks to the citizens who advocated for the return of the trees, and thanks to the City Council for being so diligent in assuring their return, and thanks to City Staff for coordinating the return.  I look forward to seeing them leafed out next spring.

Thursday

It’s a retrospective of the work of beloved Northfield potter Charles Halling.

The exhibit features pieces covering his 40 years of work in clay and includes “macrame hanging planters of the late 60′s through the elegant Asian-inspired brushwork and forms of his mature work”.

For more information, see the Arts Guild’s website.

Photo courtesy of Tim Lloyd.

Indeed, Walljasper emphasized the importance of many things that the NDDC has been talking about for almost ten years.

He talked about Fostering Community and Assuring Safety, and we hold Monthly Forums and Block Head Gatherings, regularly focusing on “Quality of Life Issues”. He praised Places to Hang Out and Nurturing Pleasure and Pizazz, and we work for Sidewalk Dining and Downtown Events. He advocated for Taming Traffic and Keeping Things Clean and Green and we’ve argue for safe crossings of Division Street and Dahomey Avenue and an Annual Spring Cleaning Downtown. Finally, he emphasized Boosting Local Economic Vitality and we champion Reduced Commercial Property Taxes and Shopping Locally.

Jay also spoke for benches, bike racks (yes, bike racks), public restrooms, allowing sidewalks sales and sidewalk dining, and overturning regulations that hinder economic vitality. The NDDC’s old Action Squad formally presented many of these ideas to the City Council and Staff back in 2003. Most of these ideas are now being slowly but steadily realized.

It was clear from his remarks that changes for the better take time, often more time than seems necessary. From Jay’s perspective, the most important ingredient for change is Social Capital, the citizens who are dedicated to making their communities great places. He gestured to the group and pointed out that it was obvious that we are rich in that kind of capital in downtown Northfield.

With on-going attention, unflagging determination, lots of hard work, and an occasional enthusiastic celebration, our progress will continue. Thanks to Jay for his fine presentation and thanks to all the “social capital”, the folks who partner with us for the success of the NDDC, Downtown, and Northfield.

Photograph courtesy of Griff Wigley. See more about last night on Locally Grown.

On the north side of 4th Street, just east (up the hill away from the river) of Division Street, is a way-finding sign. It’s part of a planned series of signs in and around downtown to help folks find their way to arts, recreation and cultural opportunities in our community.

This one includes such landmarks as the Historical Society, the historic Grand Auditorium, the historic Carnegie Library, the renowned Northfield Arts Guild, the historic Archer House, the town-spawning Ames Mill, the much enjoyed Riverwalk, and the much used National Guard Armory. Note the icons for public restrooms and public parking too.

Here’s another opportunity to give a big “thank-you” to Joel Walinski and his crew down at City Hall. Thanks Joel, you can count on us to praise them each and all, one by one.

The old ones were in pretty rough shape. Personally, I think that their replacement with these new ones in such an often visited place in town sends out a powerfully positive message about our community.

While I was perhaps being a bit too enthusiastic in my appreciation, putting my eyes within six inches of the railings and caressing the surface with my hands, several teenagers asked me if they were going to be painted. Analytically appraising the current coating, I shared my opinion that it looked thin and flat like primer.

“They should be black, to match the rest”, the group offered. I’ll respectfully pass that input on to Joel Walinski and his talented crew down at the City of Northfield.

Don’t ever underestimate me.

Try to imagine my unbridled joy when I saw City of Northfield crews filling potholes in downtown the other morning. Let me help to stimulate your imagination.

Personally, I believe that unaddressed potholes are the harbingers of the decline and fall of civilization as we know it. Seeing these guys fill the potholes renewed my sense of hope in our community’s future.

Thanks again to Joel Walinski and his team at the City of Northfield.

Well, they’ve done it. Not that anyone who has met with these folks would think that they move slowly. However, it was a real treat as we were walking around Bridge Square this morning, planning placement for elements of the Taste of Northfield, to see the flowers down river.

It’s only the beginning…of all the beautification projects and celebratory events planned for Downtown Northfield this summer. So come on down(town) and share in the visual treats and fun activities. Everyone is not only welcome but appreciated…

…in Downtown Northfield.

The racks have actually been in Northfield since last year but scheduling challenges delayed their installation. Additional bike racks are to arrive this year, which is a really good thing as at least a half dozen building and business owners were requesting them yesterday afternoon. With two colleges, many green-thinking citizens, and the rising price of gas, more bike racks are definitely appreciated.

I’ve worked hard to tame my obsession with bike racks. I just think that they’re necessary for much of our citizenry, greatly contribute to “managing” the bike parking in downtown, and, with the particular type that Northfield selected, aesthetically pleasing.

Many thanks to the City of Northfield’s Public Services Director, Joel Walinski, and his excellent crew. It’s just one of the many things they do to help make downtown a great place to work, live and play.