Spring Activities in the Twin Cities Metro Area
Spring is a wonderful time of year in the Twin Cities, with plenty of activities and events to enjoy. From outdoor festivals to beautiful parks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the top spring activities in the Twin Cities. Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a beautiful 1,200-acre botanical garden located just west of Minneapolis. In the spring, the Arboretum comes to life with blooming flowers, trees, and shrubs. Visitors can explore the gardens, hike the trails, and attend special events like the Spring Flower Show. Attend the Minnesota Twins Home Opener Nothing says spring in the Twin Cities like the Minnesota Twins home opener at Target Field. The atmosphere is electric as fans come out to cheer on the home team and enjoy the beautiful ballpark. Even if you’re not a big baseball fan, the experience is well worth it. Explore the Chain of Lakes The Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In the spring, visitors can take a walk or bike ride around the lakes, rent a canoe or kayak, or simply enjoy a picnic in the park. Be sure to check out Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles. Visit the St. Paul Farmer’s Market The St. Paul Farmer’s Market is one of the largest and most popular farmer’s markets in the country. In the spring, visitors can enjoy fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts from local vendors. The market is open on weekends, so plan to arrive early to avoid the crowds. Attend the MayDay Parade The MayDay Parade is a beloved tradition in Minneapolis, featuring giant puppets, live music, and colorful costumes. The parade takes place on the first Sunday in May and draws thousands of spectators each year. After the parade, head to Powderhorn Park for a festival featuring food, music, and community activities. Take a Bike Ride on the Greenway The Midtown Greenway is a 5.5-mile bike trail that runs through Minneapolis, connecting the Chain of Lakes to the Mississippi River. In the spring, the trail is a beautiful way to explore the city and enjoy the fresh air. Stop at one of the many cafes or breweries along the way for a break. Visit the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul is a popular destination year-round, but it’s especially beautiful in the spring. Visitors can see blooming flowers, plants, and trees in the conservatory, as well as a wide variety of animals at the zoo. Be sure to check out the Japanese Garden and the Como Park Carousel. These are just a few of the many spring activities in the Twin Cities. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always something new to discover in this vibrant and beautiful region.
Spring Cleaning Tips
Spring is the perfect time to clean and refresh your home. You can make your home feel new again with a little effort and organization. This blog will provide some spring-cleaning tips to help you get started. Start with a plan: Before you begin, list all the areas in your home that need cleaning. Prioritize the areas that require the most attention then break it down and create a schedule that works for you. This will help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Declutter: Take time to review your belongings and remove anything you no longer need or use. This will not only free up space but will also make it easier to clean your home. Donate or sell items that are still in good condition and throw away anything that is broken or unusable. The Prop Shop in Eden Prairie is a great local donation center supporting families in need. Focus on one room at a time: It’s easy to get sidetracked when cleaning, so focus on one room at a time. This will help you stay organized and ensure you get all the areas needing cleaning. Dust from top to bottom: When dusting, start at the highest point in the room and work your way down. This will prevent dust from settling on surfaces that you’ve already cleaned. Remember the windows: Clean windows can make a massive difference in the overall appearance of your home. Use a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to clean the inside and outside of your windows now that it is warming up. Deep clean the carpets: Over time, carpets can accumulate dirt and dust that regular vacuuming can’t remove. Consider renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional to deep clean your carpets. Clean your appliances: Your appliances, such as your oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher, can collect dirt and grime over time. Use a cleaning solution specifically designed for your appliances to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Freshen up your bedding: Wash your bedding, including your pillows and comforter, to remove any dirt and dust that may have accumulated. Consider investing in new bedding to give your bedroom a fresh look. Organize your closet: Spring is a great time to go through your closet and get rid of clothes that you no longer wear and store away your heavy winter clothes. Use organizing tools like shelves and hangers to keep your closet tidy. Take care of outdoor areas: Remember to clean and organize your outdoor spaces, such as your patio or deck. Sweep away any debris and consider adding some plants or outdoor furniture to make your space more inviting. Spring cleaning can be a daunting task, but by following these tips, you can make the process more manageable. Remember to take breaks when needed and reward yourself once you’ve completed your cleaning tasks. You can make your home feel fresh and new for the spring season with a little effort.
Winter Activities in the Twin Cities
Even though the temperatures can be frigid during the winter months, it is still important to get outside and get some fresh air. There are many activities that the Twin Cities have to offer. Let’s go over a few of them! Ice Castles Located in Long Lake Regional Park are the Ice Castles of Minnesota. They feature more than 20 million pounds of ice. This unique experience includes an ice maze, tunnels, lights, and slides. It is the perfect activity for all ages and is only 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Open from the middle of January to the end of February. Ice Skating Minneapolis parks that have a rink offer loaner skates for free! Whether you are a pro skater or have never skated before, it is a fun way to get outside and be active in the winter. If you choose wisely, the rink might have concessions and a warming house. Minnehaha Regional Park This park has 9.9 miles of trails, historical buildings, a dog park, and Minnehaha Falls. Plenty of different activities for everyone to enjoy! Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot waterfall that freezes in the winter, becomes a beautiful background for family photos. Igloo Dining A fun idea for dinner with a partner, family, or friends is to try igloo dining. There are a few options in the Twin Cities for this unique experience. Duke’s on 7 offers an igloo experience where you get a private igloo with a heater and blankets. Saint Paul Winter Carnival Thursday, January 26th, is the start of the winter carnival. Watch carvers begin to make beautiful ice sculptures while enjoying beverages. There will also be live music. At 6 pm, they will “Light The Park” and give away glow sticks! Skiing Downhill and cross-country skiing are a favorite for many during the winter in Minnesota. Como Park Ski Center offers 15 acres for downhill skiing and 5K of groomed cross-country trails. They also have lessons for all ages and ski and snowboard rentals. There are endless options for activities this winter in the Twin Cities. Get outside and try something new this year! We hope you enjoy this winter season.
Snow Removal Reminders
The snow has begun to fall. We would like to remind everyone about factors that may come into play during a snow event. Trigger Depth Most HOA contracts will state an accumulation total that must be met before snow removal services commence. For most places, the trigger depth is between 1-2 inches of snow. Accumulations Your contract’s definition of “trigger depth” is extremely important. Depending on the wording, trigger depth can be met when all the snow on the ground is at or above a certain amount. In other cases, trigger depth might only apply to “single-event” storms; this method disregards how much snow is already on the ground and only measures how much new snow has fallen. If the amount of new snow is less than the trigger depth, snow removal will not occur. It is important to know the difference between these plans and which one you have; if there are five consecutive snowstorms where less than 1 inch falls, and you have a single-event contract, snow removal services will not be triggered. Most contracts are written, “by event.” Timing The second most important clause of your contract is when the snow removal service must be completed. In most cases, “final cleanup” is required between 6 – 12 hours after the snow has stopped falling. Sometimes, the timeline can change based on how much snow has accumulated. The more snow that falls, the more time is allowed for cleanup. Open-ups Open-ups are another clause in the snow removal contract implemented after the snowfall exceeds a particular total. For example, the snow removal company will perform an open-up if 4 inches of snow has fallen and there is still a forecasted 4 inches. They will perform a single pass through the roadways with a plow so that vehicles can enter and exit the complex. A critical section of the open-ups clause to look over is whether open-ups include driveways or just the main roadways. The typical language will state that an open-up will occur before ___ AM and/or after ___PM. It is always good to be prepared for significant snowfalls. We hope you have a safe winter!
Sharper Gives Back
Sharper Management is happy to have recently provided a gift to Ruff Start Rescue with the proceeds from the 6th Annual Sharper Scramble Golf Tournament, which was held earlier this summer. Each year Sharper chooses a cause or organization that will be the benefactor of this annual event. Ruff Start is a wonderful organization that is “dedicated to saving the lives of animals in need….and improving animal welfare in communities through adoption, education, and providing resources for people and pets.” Check them out at https://ruffstartrescue.org/ “Giving back to our community is one of our core values at Sharper Management,” said Dan Cunningham, owner and CEO. “Ruff Start was awesome to work with. We have always wanted to find a way to support our furry four-legged friends at this golf event. It was fun to have them out on the course – and it means a lot to us to be able to support them with this donation.”
Conflict Resolution & When to Involve the Board
When living in a condo or townhome where you’re sharing walls with neighbors, conflicts can arise. This isn’t uncommon, and not every problem needs to be taken up with the HOA board or community manager. Here are some ways you can handle conflict resolution: Talk to your neighbor If you don’t bring the issue up to your neighbor, they might never know that they’re doing something that bothers you. Noise levels are a common complaint, so just let them know that they need to reduce the volume. Be respectful and don’t let the problem fester, or the discussion could become heated when it doesn’t need to be. When you start the conversation with an accusation, the other person feels like they’re being attacked, which can lead to further conflict. Bring in a mediator A non-biased third party can be a helpful way to find a middle ground and come to a solution. They’re able to hear out both peoples’ sides and bring an outsider’s perspective to the problem, which is sometimes all you need to resolve the issue. Check the HOA bylaws Another thing you can do before going to the board with your complaint is to check if there’s anything in the bylaws about it. Noise complaints are valid, along with an issue like someone not picking up after their dog or leaving a mess in common areas. If they’re violating a bylaw and they don’t stop after you’ve talked to them, you can bring it to the board or community manager’s attention. Of course, if you witness any destruction of HOA property, let your board know rather than confronting the individual. But for personal matters and disagreements, try to work it out amongst yourselves before involving management.
October is Fire Safety Month
Each October, fire departments around the U.S. take time to educate families and communities about fire safety. This year, the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) campaign is “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape.” In addition to having an escape plan in case of a fire, there are several things to be aware of when it comes to fire safety and prevention. Test smoke alarms Pressing the test button on your smoke detectors once a month is a quick and easy way to keep you and your family safe. When the batteries are dying, you’ll hear a chirping sound. However, alarm sensors wear out after about ten years, so batteries aren’t the only thing you need to be aware of. Don’t leave candles burning When you’re leaving the room or going to sleep, blow out candles. Anything burning shouldn’t be left unattended, and you should keep candles at least a foot away from anything that can burn. Be attentive when cooking Never leave a hot stovetop unattended, as accidents can happen quickly. Keep any flammable items, like towels or wooden spoons, away from the stovetop when not in use. According to First Alert, unattended cooking is the #1 cause of house fires. Don’t run the dryer when you’re gone A clogged lint filter and vent pipe can cause a dryer fire to start, so don’t throw clothes into the dryer and leave the house. To prevent a fire, clean the lint filter before and after each load, and clean the vent pipe at least once a year. If you do laundry often, then clean it two or three times a year. Teach kids about fire safety While you may know how to prevent fires, your kids don’t unless you tell them. Teach them to never play with matches, the oven, or stove, and talk to them about fire escape plans. Accidents happen, like knocking over a candle, which is also why you shouldn’t leave a candle burning when you’re not in the room. Make sure you know where your fire extinguishers are and how to use them. In condos and townhomes, know where the nearest exits are, and remember to never take the elevator in the event of a fire.
Fall Cleaning: A Helpful Guide
While your home may be kept relatively clean, it’s a good idea to do a thorough, deep clean at the start of each season. You’ll be spending more time inside now that the temperatures are dropping, so you want to have a clean home for you and your family. A deep clean can be a little daunting, so we created a simple room-by-room guide to help you along. Bathrooms You should be cleaning the toilet, shower, and floors regularly, but it’s unlikely that you often wipe down the cabinets and trim. It’s also a good time to wash shower curtains and replace the curtain liners if they’re getting old. Kitchen Deep cleaning in the kitchen includes wiping down cabinets, dusting tops of cabinets and the fridge, cleaning underneath appliances, and tossing out expired or unwanted items in the pantry. If you haven’t lately, deep clean the appliances as well. Bedrooms While sheets should be washed every one to two weeks, comforters and mattress covers aren’t washed as often. Be sure to dust all bedroom furniture like dressers and nightstands, as these gather dust quickly and we don’t always notice. If you have a bedroom ceiling fan, dust that as well. Living Room The décor in living rooms can gather dust easily, so bring out the duster to clean year-round décor. You should also wash blankets and pillow covers and sanitize remote controls, which can easily be forgotten. Clean any fireplaces—for condos and townhomes they’re most likely gas or electric, so check with your association about yearly fireplace inspections. Around the House Throughout the home, make sure to dust blinds, vacuum air vents, wipe down baseboards, sanitize door handles, and clean the windows. You’ll be surprised at how dirty these areas can get while not even realizing it during your regular cleaning. Once you’ve gotten your fall cleaning taken care of, it’s time to bring out the seasonal decorations! We hope you enjoy this autumn season.
Welcoming New Residents to the Association
As a new owner buying into an association, you will receive a “Welcome Packet” from Sharper on behalf of the association. This Welcome Packet includes instructions on logging into the webportal, a listing of key contacts such as the Community Manager and Accounting representatives, options and directions on paying dues, etc. As fellow residents, however, you can also do your part helping new owners become accustomed to the neighborhood. Here are a few things you can do to welcome new residents to the association and area: Stop by and introduce yourself. Moving to a new city or neighborhood can be stressful, so your neighbors will be grateful to meet someone from the community. You can exchange contact information if they ever need anything, and you can talk more about the association and its rules. Bring over baked goods. If you’re not the talkative type, just delivering some baked goods or a handwritten note can go a long way. It’s a kind gesture that lets the new residents know that they’re in a nice neighborhood, and they’ll surely enjoy the treats after the move-in process. Make a list of things to do around town. Create a helpful list of some popular spots around town like restaurants, parks, movie theaters, shopping centers, etc. While they can search online for some things to do, it helps to have a recommendation from someone in the neighborhood! Invite them over/hangout in a common area. It’s a kind gesture to invite your new neighbors over for a drink or a meal, ask them to go swim at the pool, or spend some time outside. They’ll be grateful to make connections and friendships. If there are any events happening in the area, it’s nice to invite them as well. Think about what you wanted when you moved in. When you moved in, did you want to make connections and friendships? Could you have used a guide to local happenings? Did you have questions about the association? Essentially, think about what you would have appreciated when you moved in. As always, keep noise to a minimum to create an inviting space for new residents. Sharper Management is a locally owned, mid-sized property management company located in Eden Prairie, MN. We offer a full-suite of premier services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area.
Keeping Your Home Safe While on Vacation
Summer is coming to a close, and many families are heading out on vacation or weekend getaways to soak up these last few weeks. When going out of town, it’s important to make sure your home is secure, as burglaries peak during the summer months. Here are some things you can do to keep your home safe while away: Set timers on your lights. Keeping a light on for a few days drives up the energy bill, so use timers to turn on your indoor and outdoor lights. A completely dark home signals to burglars that no one is home. Pause your mail or ask a neighbor to grab it. It’s pretty obvious that you’re not at home when mail starts to pile up on your porch, especially packages. Pause your mail and newspaper deliveries or ask a neighbor to pick them up and hold them for you until you’re back. Bring in any spare keys. If you’ve got a spare key hiding under the doormat, bring it inside or give it to a neighbor for safekeeping. Check that all windows and doors are locked. Double-check that every entrance to your home is locked. You should also lock the door that leads to your garage in case someone does manage to break into it. That way, the inside of your home is still protected. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Put away any laptops, gaming consoles, or other expensive items. If someone looks through your window, something valuable will only give them more reason to try and break in. Ask someone to house sit. One of the surest ways to prevent break-ins is to have someone house sit. Burglars are unlikely to try and break in when they know that somebody is home. Arrange lawn care (if not handled by HOA). If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, make sure someone will be mowing your lawn. Overgrown grass is another sign that no one has been home for a while. We hope you can relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that your home is protected!