Data Supplied by the Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc.

Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury has been named as one of the country’s 65 Great Community Hospitals by Becker’s Hospital Review, a publication that covers legal and business news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems.

The hospital opened in 2000 and has 86 beds. Operated by HealthEast, Woodwinds partners with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota to provide primary and specialty services for children and adults. It recently opened a cancer care clinic that offers chemotherapy, genetic counseling and oncology services.

This is not the first accolade for Woodwinds. The hospital at 1925 Woodwinds Drive was named one of Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals, one of the sources Becker’s used to compile its list.

The publication’s editorial team also reviewed data from U.S. News & World Report, HealthGrades and American Nurses Credentialing Center.

~Information from Tim Harlow, Minneapolis Star-Tribune~

We’re starting a new blog feature this month!  We love exploring the communities we serve and we want to share our experiences with you.  Each month one of our team members will share their favorite restaurant, park, shop, or other community spot right here.  We’d also love to feature your favorites…so send them our way!

This month we’re featuring one of Jennifer Snyder’s favorites in Woodbury, Angelina’s Kitchen!  You’ll find this cozy little spot at 2170H Eagle Creek Lane.  Their motto is “Take Out You’ll Feel Great About.”  They specialize in healthy, delicious, and fresh meals.  Italian classics like Baked Ziti are always featured while updated versions of comfort foods are also available day to day and week to week.  The ever changing menu means there is always something tasty to bring home for dinner.  Angelina’s Kitchen also provides a catering menu to bring flavor to your next event.

Angelina’s Kitchen is also expanding!  They are partnering with Beans & Bakery next door to become Angelina’s Cafe.  After some renovations, they’ll be serving a new menu featuring items like salads, paninis, all natural frozen yogurt, home made cupcakes, and much more. 

We hope you’ll check out Angelina’s Kitchen and Angelina’s Cafe.  If you call or stop by, let them know The Snyder Team sent you.  Click here to go to their website or find them on Facebook!

After much debate and discussion, and recognizing that there are no perfect solutions, Stillwater Area Public Schools’ board members approved the Red Option (with one amendment to keep neighborhood 13A at Rutherford Elementary) to adjust boundaries for the coming school year.  The board also voted to allow current fourth and fifth grade students to be “grandfathered” into their current school for the remainder of their elementary school career.  A junior high feeder system was also approved, and will be implemented over two years. Finally, the board approved a Student Enrollment Options policy, which defines the number of Alternate and Open Enrollment students allowed into a school based on building capacity.  All of the changes will be implemented Fall 2011.

Boundaries have been adjusted as follows:
(Please see the map to determine where each neighborhood is located)

• RED OPTION
  Move 8A from Stonebridge to Withrow
  Move 8B from Stonebridge to Withrow
  Move 8C from Stonebridge to Withrow
  Move 9 from Stonebridge to Marine
  Move 14B from Rutherford to Stonebridge
  Move 26A from Andersen to Oak Park
  Move 28C from Lake Elmo to Andersen
  Move 32A from Lake Elmo to Valley Crossing
  Move 32C from Lake Elmo to Afton-Lakeland

• Grandfathering:
  Fourth and fifth grade students will be allowed to stay in their current school for the remainder of their elementary school career. Transportation will be provided to these students per the district’s transportation procedures.

• Junior high feeder system:
  The junior high feeder system will be phased in over two years. Current 7th and 8th grade students will stay in their current school for the remainder of their junior high careers. The phase in begins with next year’s 7^th graders.

• Enrollment Options:
  The new Student Enrollment Options policy defines the number of alternate and open enrollment students allowed into a school based on building capacity.

~Information from Stillwater Area Public Schools~

After months of public conversation, the Stillwater Area school board is set to vote this evening to approve a boundary change plan for the 2011-2012 school year. Tonight’s meeting is open to the public, and will begin at 7:15 pm at Stillwater City Hall. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Valley Access Cable Channel 15. Results of the District 834 school board’s vote will be posted here.   We’ll also post the information here.

To learn more about the proposed boundary changes, click here.

The Woodbury compost site, which is operated privately by Composting Concepts Inc., will be open on two Saturdays for the disposal of holiday trees and wreaths.

• Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

In addition, all other yard waste will be accepted on these dates.

Before you deliver your tree or wreath, remove all foreign matter from the tree, including lights, wire tinsel, ornaments, plastic bags, nails, tree stands, etc. Flocked trees and wreaths are also not recyclable. Any trees or wreaths not meeting these conditions will be rejected, as they represent a safety hazard to both the operator and the chipping machinery. There is a $6 charge per tree and $5 charge per wreath.

The compost site is located at 4600 Cottage Grove Drive, south of Bailey Road. Questions about the compost site should be directed to Composting Concepts at (651) 436-1213.

~Info from the City of Woodbury~

Washington County also saw an increase in year over year median sales prices.  From December 2008 through November 2009 it was $190,000.  December 2009 through November 2010 saw the median sales price increase 2.6% to $195,000.

While every city and neighborhood is different, this shows home values are increasing through Washington County.  This helps homeowners who want to refinance and sellers who are ready sell.  This also shows homeowners with no intention of selling their investment is growing.

Stillwater Area Public Schools are in the process of discussing possible changes to the attendance boundaries.  A Boundary Team has been set up to review the current attendance boundaries and recommend changes to better balance enrollment, improve utilization of school buildings, and provide adequate space in the schools for the next three to four years.

District 834 Boundary Team meetings are open to the public.  The first one took place Monday, October 25^th.  Many parents and school officials participated.  The next meeting is scheduled for November 4^th at 4:00pm.  Many additional meetings are scheduled, including public hearings scheduled to begin in early 2011.

To learn more about the goals of the Boundary Team and to see the complete schedule of meetings, click here.  Comments, questions, or suggestions can also be emailed to the district at comments@stillwater.k12.mn.us.

~Information from Stillwater Area Public Schools~

The Oakdale M & I Bank is giving back to the community.  And they want you to help too! 

Throughout the year, the branch is accepting donations for the North St. Paul Food Shelf and The Toy Shelf, Inc.  They suggest non-perishable food items, toys, games, DVDs, and books.  Both gently used and new toys are accepted.

For more information on the, please contact M & I Bank at 651-770-4420.  Or stop by the Oakdale Branch located at 7860 32^nd St. N.

Washington County is planning to repave a highly-traveled portion of Radio Drive in Woodbury, with construction likely beginning on Monday, Sept. 27, or shortly thereafter.

The project area starts just north of Donegal Drive and extends to just south of Pioneer Drive/Afton Road. The area affects the City Centre retail areas, as well as the Valley Creek Road and other intersections on Radio Drive. The work is anticipated to take four weeks.

The county will hold two open house meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 21, to inform local businesses and residents about the project. The first is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and the second is from 5 to 7 p.m. Both will take place at Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road.

All motorists should anticipate delays and, if at all possible, seek an alternate route.  Questions should be directed to Jacob Gave at (651) 430-4316 or via e-mail to: jacob.gave@co.washington.mn.us.