La Michoacana has at least 20 flavors and even ice cream for lactose intolerant. I mentioned the new ice cream shop in my last column, and I am hooked. All types of businesses are opening all over our city. Last week I was at ribbon cuttings at NorBella and Stretchly. It is gratifying to note that the owners of Crooked Pint and one from Loons live in our city. The city reviewed and revised its Brew Pub ordinance, and in January, Loon’s Landing Brewery is opening in the Eagle Creek Business Park in Savage. Pau Hana, a Hawaiian Restaurant, is open in the newly remodeled Perkins (be sure to call for a reservation), and Crooked Pint Ale House is opening soon in the Bonfire location. Perkins and Bonfire closed at the beginning of the pandemic. (They were damaged in the tornado but repaired) Hopefully, they continue to pick up litter on our sidewalks and have adopted a storm drain to keep litter out of our storm water. I even see them playing pickleball on our new courts at Community Park. Families are out and about in the parks like never before. There is so much happening in our city that is positive even in the pandemic. Our REDI Task Force starts meeting in October. I also learned this week that a family from Afghanistan moved into our city, and the children are in our schools. Yes, I believe in the future and our youth. It is on my desk at home, and I read it every day.
About six years later, he sent me a little plaque that says, “It isn’t what you say or think that defines us, but what we do,” a quote from Jane Austen. She sent me a note with the message, “Don’t give up when you think that you can’t.” Or then there is Shrey, who came to me in sixth grade with the idea of Service Day. I was in a virtual class at one of our schools where I talked about growing up in Savage and the job of being the first woman mayor.
I met Amelia at Night to Unite, and she talked to me about no littering, no tobacco butts in our city and said we could do it! We are now pen-pals. In my contact with the youth in our city, I find that those who approach me are concerned about our environment. This is a program at O’Connell and McColl parks to encourage dog owners to pick up dog waste. Girl Scout Troop 27285 presented a program called “Do Your Duty” for their Gold Award. When I think of helping one another, it reminds me of a recent project that came to the council from youth in our city. Scott County sounds the sirens, but that was not possible with the short notice of the oncoming tornado. (Free city pick through October 1) We are thankful that there were no injuries, appreciative of our public works staff, and grateful for the assistance from Prior Lake and Scott County, who loaned us trucks and equipment. Seventy loads of brush were picked up on boulevards on Monday and continued with 350 tons by the end of the week. As I drove around surveying the damage, it was shocking to see so many big trees uprooted and some on roofs of homes, but it was heartwarming to see neighbors helping neighbors clean up the debris. Now, this was serious-the Public Works’ roof fascia was ripped off, garage doors were blown out, and big trees uprooted mostly on a swath from Glendale School to Vernon Ave. Then on September 17 at 3 a.m., we thought a straight-line wind came thru, but later it was designated a tornado by the National Weather Service. In 1989 it went thru the bluff line and leveled a big white barn and some trees. In 1980 a big straight line wind came thru downtown and leveled some trees by St John’s Church hall and a few homes. Stories always were told that when a big storm comes from the west towards Savage, it comes to the river and veers north. Summer nearly ended, and then we had a surprise.