Some great photos that remind us why the Twin Cities Marathon is considered one of the most beautiful in the country, and why it ends on Summit!
(photo credit Patrick Rhone)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Marathon 2011
Some great photos that remind us why the Twin Cities Marathon is considered one of the most beautiful in the country, and why it ends on Summit!
(photo credit Patrick Rhone)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Cathedral Heritage Foundation Lecture: Architectural features tell stories of medieval life
The Cathedral Heritage Foundation invites the public to a lecture which takes apart features of cathedrals in the Middle Ages to illustrate the impact of Christian philosophy on Western culture. William Cook, Ph.D., Cornell University, will present “Like Dante, Like Thomas Aquinas: The Cathedral as synthesis of western culture,” Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m.
The lecture will begin in Hayden Hall, located on the lower level of the Cathedral, at the corner of Summit Avenue and John Ireland Boulevard. Free parking is available in the parking lot on the south side of the Cathedral as well as ample street parking.
Professor Cook will primarily highlight examples of our European cathedrals which have helped shape western culture. He will also take those in attendance on a walking tour of our more “modern” Cathedral to point out features. “Gazing toward the dome of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, we find mosaics of the four cardinal virtues--prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude. Since these virtues are first grouped together by Plato and we find them in a cathedral, Saint Paul's continues the tradition of synthesis that I will illuminate as I take those present on a 'tour' of some of the salient features of medieval cathedrals,” writes Cook.
For more information, visit www.cathedralsaintpaul.org or call the Welcome Center at 651-228-1766. To view photos of the Cathedral of Saint Paul’s interior and exterior go to http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/album
The lecture will begin in Hayden Hall, located on the lower level of the Cathedral, at the corner of Summit Avenue and John Ireland Boulevard. Free parking is available in the parking lot on the south side of the Cathedral as well as ample street parking.
Professor Cook will primarily highlight examples of our European cathedrals which have helped shape western culture. He will also take those in attendance on a walking tour of our more “modern” Cathedral to point out features. “Gazing toward the dome of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, we find mosaics of the four cardinal virtues--prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude. Since these virtues are first grouped together by Plato and we find them in a cathedral, Saint Paul's continues the tradition of synthesis that I will illuminate as I take those present on a 'tour' of some of the salient features of medieval cathedrals,” writes Cook.
For more information, visit www.cathedralsaintpaul.org or call the Welcome Center at 651-228-1766. To view photos of the Cathedral of Saint Paul’s interior and exterior go to http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/album
Sunday, September 25, 2011
SARPA Fundraiser at 977 Summit
“Sneak Peek” at Newly Renovated 977 Summit —
An Exclusive SARPA Fundraiser
Sunday, October 9 • 2-5pm
The Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association (SARPA) invites you to a “Sneak Peek” of Summit Avenue’s most talked-about recent renovations!
Come explore the transformation of this gracious Summit Avenue Mediterranean villa built in 1924. After years of neglect and deterioration, new owners have undertaken a complete renovation of the interior, exterior, and site. Take a peek behind the scenes at this nearly completed project before the owners move in. The project deftly balances a respect for the historic integrity of the house with updates for modern living and luxe conveniences. The two units stylistically are very different—one is strikingly modern while the other is more traditional. The contrasting designs reflect the multi-generational owners’ tastes and illustrate approaches to living in an old house. In addition to the extensive renovation, which includes three new kitchens and seven new bathrooms, feel free to explore other features such as a new tennis court, swimming pool, and four-car carriage house. The project also boasts state of the art geothermal systems and other energy efficiency measures. It is designed for LEED® Gold Certification.
This exclusive “Sneak Peek” opens the home to SARPA guests just before the owners finally move into the home after over two years of continuous renovations. The project has faced extensive challenges, including a massive rebuild of the base structure and stucco work after early demolition found that the internal gutter system had failed, and that the wood framing had rotted. As many original elements of the home were kept as possible, while others items, such as roof tiles and leaded glass windows, were painstakingly replicated.
The event is a fundraiser for SARPA’s educational outreach — including the winter free lecture series. Tickets are just $10, and available online via http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/197104, through the 24/7 Ticket Hotline at 1-800-838-3006, or cash or check at the door, if any remain. Light refreshments will be served.
Very special thanks to the event sponsors, David Heide Design, and to the two generations of Olson families moving in!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Renewal Time!
It’s time to renew your annual membership! It’s been a great year for the Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association, with a lot of new initiatives that we could not have taken on without the support of people like you.
We’ve continued our ongoing work with historic preservation and land use along Summit, including serving a key role on the West Summit Neighborhood Advisory Committee regarding the steady expansion of the University of St. Thomas. We’ve also advised in land use issues, trying to find the right balance between historic preservation and a changing community.
Most of all, though, we’ve listened to what you want. You told us you wanted:
• Better communication — so we beefed up the blog, added a Facebook page, and re-instated a periodic print newsletter. We’re looking at a listserv, a brochure, and other mechanisms.
• Education — so we started a popular lecture series, which we’ll bring back this winter. We also held a traffic forum, and will continue to work on that issue, We’re also thinking about book groups and publications!
• Gardens — so we’ve continued keeping up the Ayd Mill planters and the Monument gardens, as well as holding our popular Garden Stroll.
• Social Activities — so we held a members’ event, the Annual Meeting, and a garage sale. There are even more events lined up for this next year!
We’ve got even more ideas for next year, but as a volunteer organization that relies on its membership, we can’t do it without you! Please renew your membership today by sending your $30 household dues to:
SARPA
PO Box 40351
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Looking forward to seeing you at SARPA events this fall,
Bethany Gladhill
President
We’ve continued our ongoing work with historic preservation and land use along Summit, including serving a key role on the West Summit Neighborhood Advisory Committee regarding the steady expansion of the University of St. Thomas. We’ve also advised in land use issues, trying to find the right balance between historic preservation and a changing community.
Most of all, though, we’ve listened to what you want. You told us you wanted:
• Better communication — so we beefed up the blog, added a Facebook page, and re-instated a periodic print newsletter. We’re looking at a listserv, a brochure, and other mechanisms.
• Education — so we started a popular lecture series, which we’ll bring back this winter. We also held a traffic forum, and will continue to work on that issue, We’re also thinking about book groups and publications!
• Gardens — so we’ve continued keeping up the Ayd Mill planters and the Monument gardens, as well as holding our popular Garden Stroll.
• Social Activities — so we held a members’ event, the Annual Meeting, and a garage sale. There are even more events lined up for this next year!
We’ve got even more ideas for next year, but as a volunteer organization that relies on its membership, we can’t do it without you! Please renew your membership today by sending your $30 household dues to:
SARPA
PO Box 40351
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Looking forward to seeing you at SARPA events this fall,
Bethany Gladhill
President
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Great Summit Garage Sale
We've been kind of flying under the radar with the Great Summit Garage Sale, but we hope you can participate!
This Saturday, August 20, sell off some stuff you don't need anymore! Garage sale, porch sale, lemonade stand, whatever you like.
We're getting some ads, and it's the same day as the Macalester-Groveland sale, so hopefully there will be a lot of people attending!
This Saturday, August 20, sell off some stuff you don't need anymore! Garage sale, porch sale, lemonade stand, whatever you like.
We're getting some ads, and it's the same day as the Macalester-Groveland sale, so hopefully there will be a lot of people attending!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Dittenhofer House Fire
Here are some pictures of the fire at 705 Summit, courtesy of the St. Paul Fire Department. Looks like restoration work is beginning already!
SARPA's Position on the House of Hope Church Garden
Many local residents have contacted us with regards to the front yard garden at the House of Hope Church — and particularly its fencing. Please note that, since the church chose not to contact SARPA directly regarding their plans, we were not able to be directly involved with the process, which might have saved everyone a lot of headaches. Regardless, here is the SARPA board's official position, as taken in June 2011, which is in favor of the garden but not the fence:
13 July, 2011
Amy Spong
Heritage Preservation Specialist
City of Saint Paul
25 Fourth Street West, Suite 1400
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Dear Amy,
I am writing this letter to clarify SARPA’s position on the new front-yard garden at House of Hope Church, located at 797 Summit Avenue.
House of Hope never formally or informally solicited SARPA’s position on the garden. However, one of our members brought it to our attention following an article on the garden in the Pioneer Press. SARPA never took a formal position on the garden, but in an exchange of emails regarding the plan, board members were generally personally in favor of the garden. Reasons cited were its innovative use, its addition to the diverse gardens of Summit, and most of all, the fact that it was reversible and non-invasive. Some members contacted the church directly to indicate their support, and the garden was part of the year’s Garden Stroll.
Board members, however, were completely unaware of the corral-style fence, which took us by surprise. We feel that no one knew that the fence was part of the plan, and find it extremely historically inappropriate.
At our June board meeting, the SARPA board unanimously passed the following:
That:
• Although we are in favor of the front-yard garden located at House of Hope,
• We are unanimously opposed to the corral-style fence surrounding the garden. We believe it historically inappropriate, and strongly doubt that it would be allowed in any other (private or public) front yard along Summit Avenue.
• We request that the HPC reverse its approval of the fence, and that its is immediately removed.
• We request that any fence put in its place undergoes thorough HPC design review, and that it is historically appropriate. Suggestions include wrought iron (or similar), or appropriate wood pickets, perhaps with plant screenings.
• If, for whatever reason, an approved historic fence is not possible, we request that the garden is either unfenced or relocated.
We appreciate the working relationship that SARPA has with the city’s HPC, and hope that this relationship and communication only improves!
Sincerely,
Bethany Gladhill
SARPA President
13 July, 2011
Amy Spong
Heritage Preservation Specialist
City of Saint Paul
25 Fourth Street West, Suite 1400
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Dear Amy,
I am writing this letter to clarify SARPA’s position on the new front-yard garden at House of Hope Church, located at 797 Summit Avenue.
House of Hope never formally or informally solicited SARPA’s position on the garden. However, one of our members brought it to our attention following an article on the garden in the Pioneer Press. SARPA never took a formal position on the garden, but in an exchange of emails regarding the plan, board members were generally personally in favor of the garden. Reasons cited were its innovative use, its addition to the diverse gardens of Summit, and most of all, the fact that it was reversible and non-invasive. Some members contacted the church directly to indicate their support, and the garden was part of the year’s Garden Stroll.
Board members, however, were completely unaware of the corral-style fence, which took us by surprise. We feel that no one knew that the fence was part of the plan, and find it extremely historically inappropriate.
At our June board meeting, the SARPA board unanimously passed the following:
That:
• Although we are in favor of the front-yard garden located at House of Hope,
• We are unanimously opposed to the corral-style fence surrounding the garden. We believe it historically inappropriate, and strongly doubt that it would be allowed in any other (private or public) front yard along Summit Avenue.
• We request that the HPC reverse its approval of the fence, and that its is immediately removed.
• We request that any fence put in its place undergoes thorough HPC design review, and that it is historically appropriate. Suggestions include wrought iron (or similar), or appropriate wood pickets, perhaps with plant screenings.
• If, for whatever reason, an approved historic fence is not possible, we request that the garden is either unfenced or relocated.
We appreciate the working relationship that SARPA has with the city’s HPC, and hope that this relationship and communication only improves!
Sincerely,
Bethany Gladhill
SARPA President
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