Norman Butler « Locally Grown Northfield

Photo album: Norman is 59.

By Griff Wigley, on February 22, 2011, 7:19 am

Proprietor Norman Butler got a belated birthday surprise from friends, staff, and patrons last night at the Contented Cow.

See the album of 6 party photos (with more photos of the exterior of the Cow bathed in snow at dusk), the large slideshow (recommended), or this small slideshow:

Aug. 10 Northfield City Council primary election: what do we know about the candidates?

By Griff Wigley, on July 10, 2010, 7:23 am

The primary election for two Northfield City Council seats is one month away: August 10.

At-Large:

Norman Butler
Steve Engler
Rhonda Pownell (incumbent)

Ward 4

Jon Denison (incumbent)
Patrick Ganey
Dale Gehring

I was hoping there’d be some information online about or by the candidates by now but alas, I can’t find any other than the City’s Absentee Voting info page/PDF and the Ward/Precinct Map:

League of Women Voters of Northfield : zilch
KYMN: zero
Northfield News: nada
The candidates: zippo.

WTF! Haven’t the candidates heard about the intertubes? Social media anyone? Hello? This is 2010, not 1999.

I guess we’re going to have either make stuff up about them or flush them out into the e-open.

Update 7/30: Here are photos I took at the League of Women Voters candidates forum on 7/28:

Revolutionary! A Brit brings 4th of July fireworks to downtown Northfield

By Griff Wigley, on July 1, 2010, 8:54 am

I took this photo of Dan Freeman and postal worker Patty Henry in the doorway of Monkey See Monkey Read yesterday afternoon, pointing to the 4th of July poster in the window.

Dan’s been doing fundraising once again for the 4th of July fireworks and this year, he’s got two fireworks shows for us citizens. (See the PDF poster for the complete schedule of events, including a change of times for the Kiddie parade and Kiddie carnival.)

Norman Butler, proprietor of Butler’s Steak & Ale, the Contented Cow, Chapati, and the soon-to-opened Pan Pan, has bellied up to the patriotic bar with a donation that, according to this article in the Nfld News,

was substantial enough to fund an additional fireworks show in Ames Park on the Fourth of July, Freeman said. The additional show, scheduled for 10 p.m., will not replace the regular fireworks display that Freeman has helped organize since 2002. Instead, the Ames Park show — limited in its size and height because of safety regulations — will precede the larger annual show, which launches from Sechler [sic] Park this year, Freeman said.

Ross Currier has a complete rundown of 4th of July weekend events in his NDDC blog post, Fireworks Mark Busy Weekend in Downtown.

Saaaaweeeet! Pan Pan to open in the old Sweet Lou’s Waffles space

By Griff Wigley, on June 1, 2010, 11:30 pm

Another revelation in the June 2010 Northfield Entertainment Guide.

On page 25 is an ad for Pan Pan (Facebook page), the 4th restaurant of Norman Butler’s 1001 Solutions, LLC empire.

Location: 303 Division St, former home of Sweet Lou’s Waffle Bar & Cafe.

Coming soon: the reincarnation of the Ideal Cafe

By Griff Wigley, on September 28, 2009, 7:12 am

Tracy mentioned in her blog post of last week’s Friday Memo that there "… are rumblings that another restaurant will be locating in the space held by Sweet Lou’s Waffle Bar."

Last week, Northfield restaurateur Norman Butler (Contented Cow, Chapati, Butler’s Steak and Ale) signed a lease for the space. He intends to name it The Ideal Cafe and open by year’s end. Cuisine? He’s open to suggestions. Attach your comments here.

See Maggie Lee’s June 21 column, Bargens leave legacy of Ideal Cafe, for a bit of history on the restaurant. The photo of the Ideal Cafe’s sign above is cropped from a photo on the Virtual Tourist web site when the site was the Las Delicias restaurant.

The FieldHouse to become Butler’s Steak and Ale

By Griff Wigley, on August 26, 2009, 10:56 am

Norman Butler, owner of the downtown Northfield eating and drinking establishments, the Contented Cow and Chapati, is taking over the FieldHouse Sports Bar & Grill in the River Park Mall. The restaurant will be named Butler’s Steak & Ale but will remain The FieldHouse for another month while he changes the menu and applies for a new liquor license under the new name. Temporary hours will be Wednesdays through Saturdays, 5pm to midnight and Sunday brunch, 9am to 3 pm.

Update 9/3: The FieldHouse reopens Friday, Sept. 4 at 5pm. Here are some pre-opening photos.

Guest blogger Athena Currier: That pesky Safety Center minority report

By Athena Currier, on July 22, 2009, 4:01 pm

Three months ago, Mayor Mary Rossing formed a Safety Center Task Force to discuss the need for a new Safety Center (police/fire station) in the City of Northfield. The seven members of the task force had equal power. They were given no budget within which to develop their plans. Based on a list of tasks given them, they were to come to a consensus and present a proposal to the City Council. Their official mission statement read: (continued) Continue reading Guest blogger Athena Currier: That pesky Safety Center minority report

Art at City Hall

By Griff Wigley, on June 25, 2009, 9:57 am

I got a tip from Dean Kjerland on this new art installation at Northfield City Hall. The center panel reads:

Art at City Hall 2009
…inspiration; sufficiently enabled

art glass panels: American Opal Glass
commissioned by: Norman Butler
project chair: Dixon Bond
design: Dean Kjerland
special thanks: Joel Walinski

‘Twould be cool if there was more information about this (and other RAQ news) on the dormant Riverwalk Arts Quarter (RAQ) website.

Guess who's moving into the old Cocoa Bean space? Next Level Cafe

By Griff Wigley, on December 6, 2007, 8:06 am

We first speculated back in April about what restaurant might be moving into this former Cocoa Bean space above the Contented Cow.

We now know from building owner Norman Butler’s blog post (#43 in the CCB discussion) last week of his intent to put a restaurant in there and his recent decision to NOT go ahead with that plan.

So plans are being now made for a business to relocate there. Build-out has begun.

Guess who?

Update Dec. 6:

Since nobody’s guessed yet, I thought I’d freshen up this Dec. 3 post with the news that the new tenant is Next Level Cafe, a Burnsville-based technology services company that recently merged with Northfield-based badbrain computers.

badbrain owner Rob Brown and staff will be moving into the space as soon as build-out is completed, probably in January sometime.

On Tuesday this week, I took the photo on the right of Next Level Cafe CEO Richard Anderson and CFO Ali Anderson (spouses) with building owner (and proprietor of the Contented Cow and Chapati) Norman Butler. Click to enlarge.

What’s up with the Northfield Fire Department? (56)
- Griff Wigley: Here’s the so-called ‘gag order’ memo from Public Safety Director Mark Taylor, directed to all Firefighters on April 2, 2011 before they were interviewed by the consultant Michelle Soldo: Read between the lines of...
- kiffi summa: Our mothers consider the ‘bunched panties’ remark too squalid to pass either their sainted lips, or those of their darling daughters… and seriously doubt whether it was said during your father’s time!
- Jane Moline: Griff: you really didn’t know my mother and how do you even know if I wear panties?
- Griff Wigley: Jane/Kiffi, I did some family of origin research and it turns out your mothers actually said “A stitch in time saves nine” and “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” about 3-4 times more often than...
- kiffi summa: Jane: Both our Mom’s were smart, and they knew about the problems with “borrowing trouble” i.e don’t stir up problems that are non existent; there’s enough current problems to deal with, and even some of...
To India and Back: Tickets on sale now for Rotary’s Youth Exchange fundraiser (2)
- Vicki Dilley: How many lives can we even begin to count that have touched by the Youth Exchange program? Northfield has been involved in Youth Exchange since 1969 when we hosted our first student…since then 100′s of High School...
- Tom Durkin: This event supports one of the crown jewels of the Northfield Rotary Club – the Youth Exchange Program. Northfield can be proud that we send out more than fifteen students annually for year abroad study programs. We also host several...
Shannon Hyland-Tassava reading Feb. 15 at Monkey See Monkey Read (1)
- Griff Wigley: Shannon has a blog titled Mama in Wonderland: notes on the chaos and delight of mothering two small girls.
Northfield needs more beaches (5)
- john george: Kathie- I knew I was sticking my neck out on that one!
- Kathie Galotti: Geez John. Don’t get Griff restarted on the geese!
- john george: Yes, more beaches would certainly accomodate more geese. We have to remember to be waterfowl friendly.
- Susan Hvistendahl: I totally agree with you re the need for more beaches in Northfield, having just returned from a week in Puerto Vallarta. Could have had rum punches there but….well, after we visited a local tequila distillery and got to...
- Bright Spencer: Oh, you both look so happy! Thanks for sharing. More pics please!
CRWP photo contest results (10)
- kiffi summa: Griff: whither goest thy right arm if it starts to “whither” (sic) ? sorry; couldn’t resist… stuck at home with a bad knee provides way too much time on computer!
- Bright Spencer: i’ve been looking thru a site, crazyguyonabike.com that has lots of journals and photos from around the world.
- jane fenton: Congrats, Griff! That’s my son Cliff in the orange hat. He’s revamped the recycling bin prototype. You should see it!
- Griff Wigley: Don, I’ll keep ping pong in mind. I’d hate to have my right arm start to whither from a lack of racquetball. In the meantime, I’m trying to excite as many Northfielders as I can about mountain biking. I’ll...
- john george: Griff- Iris will have to work real hard to keep you in focus on everything else. I shutter to think where this could go.
Something cool is coming soon to the old Digs space on Division (5)
- Griff Wigley: Name: The Local Joint Description: A handmade and vintage collective in Northfield, MN. COLLECTING.CREATING.COLLABORAT ING. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLoc alJoint Nfld News: Store to open in former ‘digs’ space
- David Beimers: Hmmm… fans? air conditioners? ice cream?
- Jessica Paxton: I know. But I don’t wanna spill the (cool) beans!
- jane fenton: a kite store?
- Myrna Mibus: I know! At least I’m pretty sure I know. But I’ll wait to see if someone else has a guess before saying more.
Author Ed Conlon helps the Wigleys survive a power outage on Vieques (1)
- Bright Spencer: nice waterscape shot!
Northfield coworking gathering is Tuesday, Jan. 31 (2)
- Megan Tsui: Edward, Sorry you weren’t able to attend. We’ll be posting notes from the meeting on the NEC website and if you send me your email, I’ll make sure you get a copy! If you (or anyone else!) would like to chat about it...
- Edward Smith: I wanted to attend this, but was unable. Does anyone know if there will be a summary posted anywhere?
Are Northfield schools helping to make students climate literate? (1)
- Kathie Galotti: My kid had a pretty decent AP Environmental Science class 2 years ago….he’s not a great math/science student, but this one got him interested in at least knowing enough science to create good policies. I remember...
Even if you exercise, it may not matter if you sit too much (4)
- Paul Zorn: A few years ago one of my daughters spent a year working in Copenhagen, largely in an office setting. All desks in her office could be raised or lowered to permit either standing or sitting positions. I have no idea whether such...
- Griff Wigley: In today’s Strib: Office-dwellers stand up to ‘sitting disease’ Dr. James Levine has reviewed the statistics: One in three Minnesota adults is either diabetic or pre-diabetic, and one in four is obese. And he thinks...
Can hockey, the sport I used to love, be saved? (31)
- Bright Spencer: The All Pro Game last Sunday between the AFC and the NFC was so enjoyable. The stess, the anger, the anxiety all gone…well I didn’t watch all of it, as I rarely do watch an entire game, usually just the beginning and...
- Griff Wigley: Today’s Strib: Hockey safety goal expanded to youth In an unprecedented mid-year change, Minnesota Hockey is toughening the penalties for checking from behind and boarding. The change will affect 40,000 hockey players in the...
- Bright Spencer: I like hockey and all sports very much. I was a star basketball player in my day. I don’t remember anyone suffering any major injuries in all my hs and college days. I feel certain that coach’s know who does what and...
Public humiliation, put downs, harsh treatment: Mayor Rossing & Councilors Vohs, Pownell unhappy with their colleagues (70)
- john george: You are correct. That is why I didn’t allow my children to attack the character of their siblings just to support their position. There do need to be some kind of ground rules in any discussion so as to keep individual...
- kiffi summa: The issue could be considered to be: what is “conflict”, and what are two sides of a discussion… see #33 re: the Mayor’s admonition to Peter Dahlen at the joint Council/ChartComm meeting. I don’t see how...
- john george: Kiffi- This is a good article, and I agree with most of it. Just thinking about my kids in their youth, there was always some conflict between them, but our goal as parents wasn’t to force them into some weiner form but to help...
- kiffi summa: A very interesting article in the Jan.30th New Yorker magazine on the nature of the dynamics of creative discussion; it’s entitled “Groupthink; the brainstorming myth”. Based on studies done by a psych professor at...
- Griff Wigley: Kiffi/Kathie, I didn’t have that reaction. But I’ve put up a new blog post to discuss it and everything else related to the Fire Department so let’s shift the discussion there.
The pros and cons of having Council wards and deciding about it now (15)
- Kathie Galotti: I read Betsey’s blog and, like most of Betsey’s blog entries, found it well-written and making a very good point. Though I agree that geographic districts aren’t the only way to represent different constituencies,...
- john george: Griff- The NN editorial presents the difference between geographic representation and ideological representation. Right now, the wards establish geographic representation. With this approach, depending upon the voter turnout, a person...
- kiffi summa: I hope that people will use the link here on LG to read the current posting by Councilor Buckheit on her blog, re: wards versus all at-large, and take the opportunity to comment. Once again, the NFNews has not given a very well...
- Griff Wigley: Nfld News editorial: Keep the current ward system intact
- Sean Hayford Oleary: In any case, this issue doesn’t seem like it needs to be another opportunity to dis/agree with the current council. Regardless of how focused on the downtown (or not) they are, it’s clear this change would not...
Ice circles revisited and a software/app company discovered (1)
- Brenton Balvin: Those are pretty cool.
Art plus exercise: Gretchen Falck is having a Forza! open house on Nov. 8 (1)
- Griff Wigley: In today’s NY Times: Turning to Kettlebells to Ease Back Pain Kettlebells, cast-iron weights that have been used for centuries to train Russian soldiers and athletes, appear to be a promising therapy for back and neck pain, new...
Help me Rhonda, help me get you outta my heart (1)
- Sandy Vesledahl: UPDATE ON RHONDA: We are very happy to report that Rhonda was adopted over the weekend by a local family. Rhonda’s new mom is a Family Counselor and Rhonda will be going to her office with her and helping with her clients. So...
Aldsworth Building looks ideal as a coworking space. Are there others? (12)
- Megan Tsui: Griff, The NEC is moving forward with the idea of a non-profit Coworking Incubator/Accelerator space. Megan
- Megan Tsui: What do you think? Come to the Community Dialogue and tell us! January 31st from 2 to 4 pm at the Archer House lower level conference room. Share your ideas, thoughts, and dreams about a Coworking Incubator/Accelerator space in...
Downtown Northfield hit with another graffiti outbreak (10)
- kiffi summa: I would hope the City’s Historic Preservation Commission would explore this option, and the appropriateness/allowability for use on properties within the Historic District. Thanks, Jim.
- Jim Haas: I was reading a story by Porter Fox about his visit to Copenhagen. He mentioned in passing that the city is vigilant about removing graffiti using high-pressure washers with ice crystals as a mild abrasive. I did a little rudimentary...
Randy Jennings excoriates the City Council for its economic development practices (42)
- kiffi summa: The LWV observer reports are meant to be a summary of actions taken, not a ‘blow by blow’ transcript. This is the reason that anyone deeply interested should watch the meeting for themself, if they want a full...

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Photo album: Norman is 59.

Aug. 10 Northfield City Council primary election: what do we know about the candidates?

Revolutionary! A Brit brings 4th of July fireworks to downtown Northfield

Saaaaweeeet! Pan Pan to open in the old Sweet Lou’s Waffles space

Coming soon: the reincarnation of the Ideal Cafe

The FieldHouse to become Butler’s Steak and Ale

Guest blogger Athena Currier: That pesky Safety Center minority report

Art at City Hall

Guess who's moving into the old Cocoa Bean space? Next Level Cafe

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