In the news

Recently, we've all been in the news.
Anjali's photo was in the Star Tribune with an article about Christmas church attendance.  She's right in the middle.  That's our girl!  Thanks to those who contacted us to let us know and to those who sent copies.

We were all mentioned this month in an article on our neighborhood newspaper, the Lyndale News. 
It's fun to be famous.

Community Voices

by Aryca Myers
Photo Courtesy of Amy Reisdorf
When talking with Amy about neighborhood issues and LNA in particular, it is hard not to get swept up in the enthusiasm and excitement that she puts forth. “LNA is the nervous system of the neighborhood, you hold the center and put a lot of faith in us, showing us that we can do it!” As I talked with Amy about her involvement with Lyndale, I was so intrigued with her take on the work and LNA’s position within the community.
A resident of Lyndale for 12 years, Amy has been involved in the neighborhood in some capacity for just as long. Coming from a rural town to the city 12 years ago, she was amazed at the sense of community present in Lyndale. She loves it here because, “there is a bit of quirkiness in our neighborhood, and I like that fact that my daughter is happy to just be her. Despite crushing conformity, kids can be who they are, there is room for people to find their own interest, style. There is room for different flowers in the garden, you don’t all have to be yellow tulips!”
Her first activity was a gardening beautification project that her neighbor had written up as a mini-grant. Through some citizen advocacy that worked, Amy was able to see democracy in action and was shown that what she did mattered. She was part of the campaign to upgrade Painter Park.
After being knocked from the top of the list to the bottom in terms of getting improvements, community members fought back and won! Painter Park was put back at the top of the list and improvements were made. Amy recalls that she thought, “Oh my goodness, we can actually get stuff done!” Since then she has been involved as a reviewer for the LPF, done surveys, picked up trash, hosted a Wall Dogs artist, and of course volunteered at Youth Farm Market Project (YFMP), which is her favorite program of the year. “They are able to surf the chaos in a really healthy way, to transform that chaos into an upbeat, safe place while capturing the energy of the neighborhood and channeling it in a positive way.”
Amy, her husband Tim, and children Anjali and Mark are all involved in neighborhood activities and volunteering in their own ways. During the past snowstorm Tim spent about five hours outside helping neighbors get shoveled out and freeing stuck cars. Anjali, a big fan of National Night Out will be hosting the party for their block with some YFMP friends this coming fall while Mark is a big fan of cutting out paper airplanes and taking part in the Leonardo’s art classes while his mother is at neighborhood meetings.
During Litter Outta Lyndale, Amy and the kids came to help pick up trash, and thanks to Martha who brought some delicious cinnamon rolls, their motivation propelled them to clean both sides of two blocks! A considerable feat being that Mark is just four years old. It is stories like this that remind me of how big an impact you can have on someone by doing something kind and generous.
However, it hasn’t always been so rosy, and over the years the Reisdorfs have considered moving out of Lyndale for a “bland but safe” existence in the ‘burbs. “There can be some really crappy things about city living. Some of the irritations can get to you...but there is so much positive going on here, this zest, liveliness, something to stay excited for.” They have decided to stay in Lyndale for now, and talking to Amy about her decision, you can see that she is truly happy with the choice her family made. And we’re just as happy to have her and her family still in the neighborhood!
Aside from her love of reading, yoga, and square dancing with the family (“it’s a hoot!”), Amy has been creating art over the past 30 years chronicling her healing journey with pieces that commemorate people and events that have made an impact in her life. For her 40th birthday she will display her works online in a show titled, “Amy’s Collected Works.” Look for more details in the coming months for her online exhibition.