The Roundabout

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Editor’s Note: We’re hoping you love our work so much that you’re inspired to donate to our cause of creating a fact-based, nonpartisan news source for Woodbury. Why do we need your donation? To help us pay for reporters and editors to help you better understand your city as well as the software that drives this newsletter platform and our website. We also are committed to providing our content for free to everyone with the hope that enough of you will step forward to contribute the funding we need to thrive. If you’re able, please be as generous as you can!

Also, please share and encourage people to join our email list.

Woodbury Weather via National Weather Service

^{Newsletter Editors: Pat Mack and Manali Shah | Copy Editor: Beth-Ann Bloom}

^{[email protected] | www.woodburynewsnet.org}

On-Demand Ride Service Launches In Woodbury Next Month

_{By Manali Shah}

Metro micro is coming to part of Woodbury on Monday, Jan. 6. Metro Transit’s on-demand service will provide door-to-door rides on ADA-accessible minibuses. The program is open to all residents and provides an option for people who aren’t near a bus stop or want to go where buses don’t stop.

“Woodbury and Roseville have been chosen for this pilot program,” Janelle Schmitz, Woodbury’s community development director, said.

Metro micro will begin just a few months before the METRO Gold Line bus rapid transit service kicks off in March. The minibus service will include free transfers to the rapid bus line, which will connect from Woodbury to St. Paul, mainly along I-94.

Five Metro micro minibuses will service 13 square miles or one-third of the city of Woodbury. Small parts of Lake Elmo and Oakdale, near the Gold Line, will also be part of the route. Metro micro will run seven days a week from early morning into the evening.

Fares will cost $3.25 one way at most. Because it is a shared ride, with each minibus offering a capacity of 12, other passengers may be picked up or dropped off along the way, and travel may not be direct to your destination.

Arranging a ride on Metro micro will be similar to using other rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft. The rider can download the app and input pick-up and drop-off locations. The app will calculate the most efficient route and provide real-time arrival information and cost. The app can also alert users when they are outside the covered service area.

Click here to read the rest of the story including fare information and tips for using Metro micro.

Party City Closing All Stores Including Woodbury Location

_{By Pat Mack}

Party City, which bills itself as the largest party goods retailer in North America, is closing all of its stores, including its location in Woodbury. The store at 1505 Queens Dr #117 in Woodbury Village is holding a storewide sale.

In a message posted on its website, Party City states it’s been in operation for four decades. “Like many retailers, we’ve been operating in an immensely challenging environment with inflationary pressures on both costs and consumer spending, and while we did everything we could to navigate these headwinds, our very best efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome these challenges,” the statement reads. “It has been a true pleasure to be a part of your most special moments over the years.”

In addition to Woodbury, the other Minnesota locations include Apple Valley, Bloomington, Chanhassen, Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Roseville, St. Cloud, and St. Louis Park. The stores are expected to close at the end of February.

Earlier this year, Party City stores in Eagan and Mankato shut down as part of earlier efforts to stave off bankruptcy, according to Bring Me The News.

La Vie Boutique Closing Next Month

La Vie Boutique at 8306 Tamarack Village in Woodbury plans to close in mid-January. Court records show a lawsuit has been filed to evict the store for alleged non-payment of $44,711.30 in rent since October, according to Bring Me The News.

In a post on Facebook, Owners Dan and Karen Runze thanked their customers from 43 years of retailing. La Vie Boutique was originally called Collectors Gallery when it opened in 1981 as a 500-square-foot gift shop at Maplewood Mall.

“Over the years Collectors Gallery grew to be one of the most prominent collectibles retailers in the country,” they stated. “We were blessed to host artisans from around the world. For the past 20 years, as our customers' tastes changed, we evolved into La Vie Boutique. La Vie Boutique brought a wider range of gifts and fashion with the same dedication to quality that was our hallmark.”

“For 43 years we have had the amazing privilege of getting to serve thousands of delightful customers. And as we helped you celebrate the beautiful blessings in life, a great many of you became dear friends to both of us. In the process we helped celebrate the wonderful chapters in each other’s lives. And as friends do, we also shared with each other the grief and struggles when life is not so kind,” they added.

Council Member Andrea Date’s Term Ending

_{By Pat Mack}

Woodbury city council member Andrea Date’s term will end on Tuesday. She will have served eight years on the council after being elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. She chose not to run again this fall.

At Date’s final council meeting Dec. 11, Mayor Anne Burt read a resolution to honor her “great contributions to the community.” Date has served as Woodbury’s representative on the Gold Line Management Committee, Board of Water and Soil Resources, 2040 Comprehensive Planning Task Force, and Board of the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission.

“To the residents of Woodbury, thank you sincerely for trusting me to represent you,” Date said. “It’s been a great honor and privilege.”

Date said long-range planning is one of the keys to Woodbury’s success and said she hopes that culture continues. She added that seeking public input always makes city projects stronger in the end. She also has been a strong advocate for sustainability and environmental stewardship. Her commitment was reflected in the gifts the council presented her: a small solar panel to charge her phone and a tray of succulents.

She thanked her colleagues on the council as well as city staff, and she thanked her two children and her husband, Max, calling him her rock through “this crazy adventure.” 

After her remarks, Date received a standing ovation from the council and crowd at the meeting. She said she plans to remain active in the community as a volunteer and will continue to be on the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission. In November, Kim Wilson was re-elected to the council, and Donna Stafford was elected to fill Date’s seat.

First Day Hikes Set For Minnesota State Parks

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is holding First Day Hikes on Wednesday, Jan. 1. It’s a chance for people to welcome the new year with an outdoor hike. First Day Hikes will be held at Blue Mounds, Fort Snelling, Jay Cooke, Lake Bemidji, Maplewood, Minneopa, Nerstrand-Big Woods, Sibley, Whitewater, and Wild River state parks. There is no participation fee, but some of the hikes require advance registration. Many of the hikes will be held on snowshoes if there is snow. Participants can bring their own snowshoes or borrow a set at no charge. While there is no participation fee for the First Day Hikes, a vehicle permit ($7 per day or $35 for a year) is required to enter Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.

Events Of Note

Make a New Year's Pinata, Dec. 30, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury. We'll supply pinata forms to decorate with tissue paper and other materials. You fill the pinata with your own candy, confetti or other surprises. This program is for children ages 5-12, but all are welcome. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver at all times. Stop by anytime between 1 p.m and 4 p.m. No registration required.

A Christmas Carol, through Dec. 30, Open Window Theatre, 5300 S Robert Trail #400, Inver Grove Heights.

Noon Year's Eve Dance Party, Dec. 31., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury. Celebrate the new year without the late bedtime! Count down to noon at this dance party. This program is designed for children ages 2-6, but all are welcome. No registration is required for this event.

Winter Camp, Dec. 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Animal Humane Society, 9785 Hudson Rd, Woodbury. Camps are for grades 3-6. Each camp features animal-related educational activities, including games, crafts, and animal interactions. Tickets required.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations, City of Woodbury, on Dec. 31. New Year’s Eve matinee for children at 2:30 p.m. and the New Year’s Eve family celebration beginning at 6 p.m..

New Year’s Eve Winter Camp, Dec. 31, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lake Elmo Park Reserve. A winter adventure for kids ages 7-10 years old. Outdoor adventures including snowshoeing and/ or kick sleds, fire building, animal tracking as well as indoor crafts and games, hot chocolate, and s’mores. Space is limited.

Seussical: The Musical, Jan. 31 through Feb. 8, Open Door Community Theatre. Family friendly performances at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Dr, Woodbury. Save 20% off with code: GRINCH through the month of December.

Click here for more events.

Holiday Gift: Word Scramble!

‘Tis the season for holiday gifts, so we present the following puzzle. Unscramble the following words that have a connection to Woodbury!

1. AETLIR

2. UBORDOWY

3. CARKTAMA

4. IBELGREBEN

5. ONUROATUBD

Click here for helpful hints, plus two bonus words, and the answers!

Update on Woodbury News Net:

We are a non-profit organization creating a credible news source for Woodbury. Find out more about our team and our policies on our website. Please continue to share this newsletter with friends and encourage them to join our email list. It’s free and always will be!

Please donate as generously as you can!
We are committed to offering our news and information for free! But we need help to cover expenses and reach sustainability. Please donate as generously as you can to help us build this fact-based source of news! 

Volunteer!
Wanna help us build this news source? We welcome volunteers! We need help raising money, spreading the word, and other tasks. [email protected]

Let us know what’s happening!
Send us your news items! We can’t promise we’ll use them all but we’d love to consider them! [email protected].