Issuu

N OV E M B E R 2 02 0

LIFESTYLE LETTER

NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER

John Lee | john.lee@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

A Time for Gratitude HELLO EDEN PRAIRIE LIFESTYLE READERS,

David Scheller | david.scheller@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Whitney Lockhart L AYO UT DESIGNER

Dani Moore

This November, I hope you carve more than just a behemoth roast turkey. I hope you also carve a little time out of your schedule to reflect on all the good things in the world. I am personally thankful for so many fine people and organizations to feature in this issue of Eden Prairie Lifestyle. In this issue we interview Mary Ostazeski Johnson, whose heartwarming watercolors of local homes look like they were taken from the pages of a Little Golden Book. We present David Valdez, whose photography depicts toys just as you would have imagined them as a kid. We are pleased to spotlight the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools, who are devoted to doing good by the children of our fair city. We also have Flagstone, Eden Prairie’s preeminent senior living community, the Eden Prairie Housing Task Force who are committed to creating a city which truly belongs to all, and Maria Taylor of Edward Jones, who stands by to make your financial goals attainable.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

As always, I would like to thank all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s sponsors, without

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

whose generous support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in appearing on

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

our magazine’s pages!

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Best regards,

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

John Lee, Publisher

COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOUNDATION FOR EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOLS 4

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

Proverbs 3:5-6 Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Eden Prairie area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE NOVEMBER 2020

FEATURES 8 Watercolors by Mary Your Home Is a Work of Art

18 Flagstone New Senior Living Community Coming to Eden Prairie in Fall 2021

28 The Eden Prairie Housing Task Force Creating a Community for All to Enjoy

18 28

32 Edward Jones Personalized Financial Planning With Maria Taylor

8 DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Artistâ€™s Palette

Giving Back

24 Inspired By 28 Our Town 32 Financial Buzz

ARTISTâ€™S PALETTE

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

Watercolors by mary

YOUR HOME IS A WORK OF ART

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

THERE IS NO HOME LIKE THE ONE YOU’VE GOT ‘CAUSE THAT HOME BELONGS TO YOU – “BARKING AT THE MOON” BY JENNY LEWIS

“I PAINT IN A STYLE I DEVELOPED MYSELF, NOT ONE I WAS TAUGHT, AND OVER THE YEARS MY PAINTINGS HAVE GOTTEN BRIGHTER AND MORE DETAILED.”

MARY OSTAZESKI JOHNSON PAINTS HOUSES. “The poor woman,” you might be thinking to yourself. “Scaling rickety ladders all day long in the hot Minnesota sun, precariously extending a roller brush just to slap a fresh coat of New London Burgundy on someone else’s house.” But you’ve got it all wrong. The Eden Prairie artist paints houses, immortalizing them as idyllic watercolors which are as one of a kind as their occupants. “Idyllic” is no exaggeration. Whether Mary paints an American Craftsman, Dutch Colonial, Greek Revival or simple ranch-style house, she makes it look like a place which storybook characters would be eager to return to following some grand adventure. There is a certain softness to Mary’s style, an indescribable quantum of love within every brushstroke that causes her subjects to glow like they’re the greatest buildings on earth. And to her clients, they are. Mary thanks her high school art teacher Mel Kumsha for her love of painting. He appreciated her talent and created a special class just for her. “Oil, acrylic, watercolor – paint however you would like to in the studio behind my classroom, Mary, and I will give you school credit,” he said to his eager young pupil. Rather than grade Mary’s work at the end of the semester, he framed it and sold it at auction to raise $2,000 for the school. If we only consider the number of paintings they each sold in their lifetimes, then Mary became a more successful painter than Vincent van Gogh before graduating high school. She has twice as many ears, too. “I was promised a job by the owner of a greeting card company once I finished my year abroad in Yugoslavia,” said Mary. “But when I got back he withdrew his offer. He told me my art was too personal, and that I should do something like offer to paint people’s houses in watercolor. I was angry at him at first, but then I decided to take his advice. I’ve painted about 8,000 homes since then, as well as boats, classic cars, lakeside cabins, hunting shacks, ice fishing huts – anything that could be precious to someone.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

ARTIST’S PALETTE (CONTINUED)

“I paint in a style I developed myself, not one I was taught, and over the years my paintings have gotten brighter and more detailed. I love to capture the grain of a home’s wood, the shading of its stone. Texture means everything in my very specific genre of art. I’ve also become increasingly obsessed with lines – I love lines. And yet I try to preserve the element of the washiness of watercolor as well. “Watercolor is a difficult medium to work in. It has a tendency to get away from you at times, so you have to have a playful personality. If a

single drip doesn’t destroy your painting, you can turn it into a flower pot, a fencepost, the branch of a tree, anything really. A mistake becomes an opportunity if you’re spontaneous. I suppose I wouldn’t have made a good brain surgeon with that mindset. “I’ve had people criticize my work, saying it’s not art – that it’s ‘just drawing,’ or ‘copying what’s already there.’ But my clients really do appreciate my attention to detail in replicating their homes, especially when I only had photos of bits and pieces to work with. And I’m happy to embellish a little, removing satellite dishes and downspouts or adding children making snowmen and pets peering out windows. You probably wouldn’t be surprised by how many people would like their neighbor’s house absent from their painting, or at least concealed by a strategically placed branch.

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

“A SIMPLE PAINTING OF YOUR HOME CAN BRING BACK A FLOOD OF FAMILY MEMORIES OR SHOW OFF YOUR LIFE’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT.”

“I’ve done this for so long that I’m beginning to get second generation clients. Maybe they always admired their parents’ portrait of their house and would like that for their own, or maybe their parents have passed away and they don’t want to fight with their siblings over who gets an heirloom. “I’m capturing a very important piece of people’s lives in my paintings, and yet it’s one that’s too often overlooked. A simple painting of your home can bring back a flood of family memories or show off your life’s greatest achievement. Many of my clients commission paintings to give as gifts to their parents. I’ve received emails from them afterward saying that they had never seen their father cry until he saw the house he built with his own two hands immortalized as a work of art. “You can’t buy that at Walmart.” Mary works exclusively from the photographs provided by her clients. Residents of Eden Prairie are especially fortunate because Mary is happy to duck out to a house in her hometown and photograph it herself for reference. She can do this discreetly if you would like to surprise someone on your Christmas shopping list. Spies have nothing on Mary’s candid photography skills. And realtors take note: A painting beats the socks off a bottle of wine or a doormat. To learn more about Watercolors by Mary and place an order, please visit watercolorsbymary.com.

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

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GIVING BACK

t he foundation for eden pra ir ie schools SUPPORTING AND ENHANCING THE LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE IN EDEN PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

Eden Prairie's exceptional teachers, staff, volunteers and leaders are recognized at the Red and Black Gala 14

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

Dr. Lisa Sisinni, Executive Director of FEPS

IN A CLASSIC EPISODE OF THE SIMPSONS, SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY PUTS ON A PLAY FOR THE MISERLY MR. BURNS IN THE HOPE HE WOULD DONATE MONEY TO THEIR SCHOOL. In their play the kids demonstrate how an illiterate chef might mistake rat poison for salt while making Mr. Burns’s dinner, and how “Doctor Stupid” wouldn’t make the situation any better for him. The Simpsons did make an excellent point in their over the top fashion: Public education is paramount to our community’s well-being, both for our children’s sake and for our own. Fortunately Eden Prairie’s schools don’t have to petition Mr. Burns for donations. They receive much of the support they so dearly deserve courtesy of the pillars of the community who donate to the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS). FEPS’ mission is to support and enhance the legacy of excellence in Eden Prairie’s public schools. They offer grants to support students directly, manage college scholarships, and

Mind, Body, Heart: Supporting the social and emotional needs of students to help them thrive in the classroom

provide funds wherever else they can do the most good for our community’s rising stars. Picture first graders learning about plant life cycles by growing their own vegetable gardens in their classrooms and then sampling the results. That is the kind of experiential learning FEPS stands for.

Eden Prairie students prepare for 21st Century jobs with "Ozobots"

This summer FEPS announced their new executive director, Dr. Lisa Sisinni. Having earned her doctorate in educational leadership at University of St. Thomas and her master’s degree in management and administration at Metropolitan State University, Dr. Sisinni is an ideal fit for the role. In addition to her educational successes, Dr. Sisinni has served various leadership roles for nonprofit organizations over the past three decades, most recently as executive director for the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. “The rise of FEPS is a testament to how caring and charitable the Eden Prairie community really is,” said Dr. Sisinni. “FEPS began in 1999, and in only 20 years has awarded over $1 million to support Eden Prairie students. Few other nonprofit organizations can claim that level of success – success that is accomplished by our generous supporters. “While a public education is free, we believe that an exceptional one is not. That’s why we are so grateful to our donors and volunteers. Their dollars and time allow us to support Eden Prairie students throughout their educational path. We fund programs to ensure students show up to kindergarten prepared and ready to learn, as well as innovative classroom grants to bring learning to life. And when our students walk across that stage at graduation, FEPS is there to administer college scholarships.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

GIVING BACK (CONTINUED)

FEPS is proud to support their earliest learners as they prepare to enter kindergarten

“Every year we offer opportunities for teachers, admin-

district to support their changing, districtwide needs.

istrators and community leaders to apply for grants that

They used this money to start the COVID-19 Relief Fund,

support Eden Prairie students. They request financial

which has made healthy meals available to low-income

support for a great many programs that will have a pos-

families throughout the summer. The fund also helped

itive, lasting impact on the lives of Eden Prairie’s school-

provide telehealth mental health services to children and

children. In 2019 alone we approved grants to encourage

families in need during these difficult times and contin-

21st century learning in math and coding, pair professional

ued to support summer learning opportunities so our

artists with special education students, and focus on our

students would be ready to pick back up in the fall.

earliest learners as they prepare to start kindergarten. We

“Nonprofit organizations like FEPS are incredibly for-

also give support to EPIC Youth Programs, which create

tunate for the outpouring of support we receive from

a fun, safe, and supportive atmosphere where students

local individuals and businesses. Members of the Eden

maintain educational continuity throughout the summer

Prairie community continue to amaze us with their gen-

and return to school on track for success.

erosity and trust.”

“As COVID-19 struck Eden Prairie we knew our typical

It can feel difficult to make a change for good these days.

grant cycles would not meet the needs of our students,

However, directly investing in the future of our children is

so we convened the board to decide how we could best

the greatest way to soften any dispiritedness you might

help the community navigate all the new issues sur-

feel. Please visit foundationforepschools.org to learn

rounding the pandemic. Instead of allocating individual

more about this local nonprofit and help them support and

grants this year, we donated $25 thousand to the school

enhance the legacy of excellence in Eden Prairie Schools.

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

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Opening Late 2021

FLAGSTONE

Eden Prairie’s newest senior living community will offer a host of features designed for your maintenance-free, active lifestyle. Enjoy beautiful views from your balcony plus campus amenities such as a bistro, salon, lap pool, pickleball court, putting green and top floor Skyview Room with deck.

Call today to learn more! Senior Apartments • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Care Center FlagstonePHS.org | 952-942-2155 CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

FLAGSTONE

NEW SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY COMING TO EDEN PRAIRIE IN FALL 2021

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

EDEN PRAIRIE’S NEWEST SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY TO

Eden Prairie offers many other conveniences such as restaurants,

DATE WILL OPEN ITS DOORS IN THE AUTUMN OF NEXT YEAR.

grocery stores, pharmacies and other retailers. Flagstone will have

Flagstone will offer exceptional independent living, assisted living,

sweeping views of scenic Purgatory Creek.

memory care and long-term care to adults 55 and older, as well as serve the Eden Prairie community’s senior living needs.

Flagstone’s 6.84-acre campus will offer amenities to rival any upscale apartment building. Residents can challenge one another

Flagstone is the latest addition to the Presbyterian Homes &

to rousing rounds of pickleball, perfect their short golf games on the

Services (PHS) family of senior living communities in the Twin Cities.

putting green and limber up at the outdoor yoga studio. Picturesque

Founded in 1946, with the first community built in 1955 to address

walking paths will step off from Flagstone’s outdoor terraces, and

the need for quality housing and services for older adults, PHS today

the Skyview room atop the building will include billiards as well as a

provides care to nearly 27,000 people in 49 communities throughout

lookout over urban Eden Prairie.

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Living in Minnesota calls for plenty of indoor entertainment as

Flagstone is now in construction across the way from Castle Ridge,

well. Flagstone will deliver with two dining options, its surround

PHS’ current Eden Prairie senior living community. Castle Ridge

sound movie theater, fully equipped wood working shop, club

residents will move into Flagstone upon the new community’s com-

lounge, hearth room and library. Active residents may also stay

pletion. The old Castle Ridge building will then be torn down, making

in shape at Flagstone’s Wings® Wellness Center, complete with a

way for a grocery store, bank, coffee shop and dining. In addition,

heated lap pool.

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

Residents are welcome to bring their small dog or cat to Flagstone and can keep them looking sharp at the indoor pet washing station as well. Pets and their owners will have a great opportunity to walk around Purgatory Creek on a beautiful day. After a full day enjoying all that Flagstone’s campus has to offer, residents can retire to the privacy of their comfortable apartments. Flagstone lists 34 different floor plans ranging in size from 780 to 1,920 square feet, and many will include sunrooms, balconies and fireplaces. All of Flagstone’s apartments will feature sleek stainless-steel appliances, solid surface countertops, floor-length windows and handsome woodgrain flooring. The living options at Flagstone – from independent senior apartments, to assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care – will allow residents to remain within the community if their health or living needs change. This all-encompassing approach to senior living can only be achieved with the aid of a capable, caring staff. PHS comprises nearly 7,000 employees across all its communities, CONTINUED >

“ALWAYS EAGER TO GO THE EXTRA MILE, AND ALWAYS SEEKING OUT WAYS TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES FEEL MORE INVITING, OUR STAFF’S DEDICATION TO OUR RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE IS APPARENT IN EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO.” CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

FLAGSTONE (CONTINUED)

each thoroughly trained, experienced and passionate about offering their finest to residents. Presbyterian Homes & Services was recently named the #1 employer in Minnesota by Forbes, based on an anonymous survey of Minnesota employees conducted by the publication. “My mother was a resident of one of PHS’ senior living communities,” said Deniz Stanton, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Senior Housing Partners, PHS’ department of real estate development. “The care she received there was truly exceptional. When I was ready to return to work, I sought out a role with PHS specifically because of how well they treated her. Always eager to go the extra mile, and always seeking out ways to make our communities feel more inviting, our staff’s dedication to our residents’ quality of life is apparent in everything that they do.”

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

The good which Presbyterian Homes & Services represents is an enduring reflection of their founding members’ faith and vision. The Christian ministry’s mission is to honor God by enriching the lives and touching the hearts of older adults. True to this mission, PHS welcomes all faiths, or no faith. In effect they espouse Victor Hugo’s great line: “To love another person is to see the face of God.” You may learn more about PHS and its newest senior living community at preshomes.org. You may also make an appointment with Shelsie Nesburg to visit Flagstone’s information office located at 8353 Crystal View Road, Suite 203 (next to Punch Pizza). Otherwise, please email her at snesburg@preshomes.org.com or call (952) 942-2155 for more information.

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

INSPIRED BY

FATHER’S FIGURES “IF YOU DON’T LIKE PICTURES OF TOYS, THEN BOY ARE YOU IN THE WRONG PLACE.”

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID VALDEZ

I FEEL PANGS OF GUILT AS I RECALL THE FATES OF

beautiful photos opened my eyes, and I said ‘Wow – this

ALL MY ACTION FIGURES. Leonardo of the Teenage

really can be an art form.’ I got more serious than before,

Mutant Ninja Turtles, dismembered via M-80. The Riddler

which meant relearning photography concepts like f-stops,

from Batman Forever, beheaded with a 22 LR. Scrooge

apertures, and film speeds. But by 2014 my work had gotten

McDuck, the victim of a carefully angled magnifying glass.

good enough to get a following of its own. Now I have over

I treasured these toys as a child, treated them as violently

17 thousand followers on Instagram, and I’m selling prints

as possible as a teenager, and now miss them. Why is this

online and at art shows and toy swaps.

so often the case?

“My photos tell a story in a single scene. A fan can look

Now David Valdez, there’s a man who knows how to prop-

at a picture of Captain America fighting Hydra agents

erly treat his action figures. The Minneapolis-based photog-

or Optimus Prime beating up Decepticons and know

rapher captures movie, comic book, and video game icons in

exactly what’s going on. A subject like Deadpool, on

bracing action scenes, bringing their personalities to life with

the other hand, who’s all about random humor, will look

impressively little digital trickery.

right at home in any situation. Or sometimes I’ll combine

David calls his project “Father’s Figures.” Its Twitter bio

characters from different franchises and create an all-

sums it up perfectly: “If you don’t like pictures of toys, then

new moment, like the Iron Giant holding Superman in the

boy are you in the wrong place.”

palm of his hand.

“I’m not a huge toy collector,” said David, “but I’ve always

“I try to stick with practical effects as much as possible.

had a few toys from Star Wars and comic books that I like

Laser blasts and lightsabers still have to be added in with a

lining my shelves. One day I decided to revisit my high

computer, but whenever there’s dust kicking up in the fore-

school photography hobby, so I started playing around by

ground or smoke lingering in the air, they’re coming from an

staging some scenes with action figures. I never would have

aerosol can. If there’s an explosion, it’s because I just lit a

guessed it could lead to anything.

firecracker and then shot at a super high film speed. In a way

“I joined Instagram in 2012, and pretty soon I started connecting with other people who photograph toys. Their

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

I’m like a kid blowing up his G.I. Joes, but what I’m doing is just slightly more productive.

CONTINUED >

“MY PHOTOS TELL A STORY IN A SINGLE SCENE.”

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)

“If you ever want to feel like an oddball, go to 8th and Marquette and set up a photo shoot with a Spider-Man action figure. Most people probably thought I was nuts, but generally any engagements I have with people while I’m shooting in public are really positive. Some people get excited and come up to get a better look at what I’m up to. ‘Oh man, you’re going to make that look real, aren’t you?’ “The core of my fandom will always be Star Wars. Whether they’re mystical, fantastical, or even humorous, there are so just many aspects of the Star Wars story to tap into. It’s a huge playpen for a photographer like me. “To the average person, my subjects are just plastic dolls. But to me they’re a chance to explore a fictional universe that I love – and even to add to it, in some small way.” Check out Father’s Figures on Twitter or Instagram, and reach out to David if you’d like to order one of his prints. No home is complete without a photo of Donatello looking out stoically over the prairie, or Link about to shishkebab a giant Skulltula with an arrow. If you don’t know who those characters are it’s because you’re not cool. @fathersfigures

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

OUR TOWN

T H E

E D E N

PRAIRIE H O U S I N G

T A S K

CREATING A COMMUNITY FOR ALL TO ENJOY

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

F O R C E

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE THE NOTION BEHIND THE EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL’S HOUSING TASK FORCE IS SIMPLE: EDEN PRAIRIE IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IN, AND ALL SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY IT. Formed in 2019 to address lifecycle housing, inclusive and affordable housing, and other housing options in our fair city, the Housing Task Force seeks to encourage construction of new low-to-moderate-income housing developments as well as preserve existing attainable housing options. “Housing is the foundation for all community life,” said Joan Howe-Pullis, chair of the Housing Task Force. “We want someone who contributes to our community to be able to afford to live here as well. We want people of diverse economic circumstances to be able to stay in the community long term – to share a sense of belonging. “We began by undertaking a great deal of research into what other cities have done to make their housing affordable, including Bloomington, Edina, Saint Louis Park and Brooklyn Center. We have also interviewed various residents, city staff, developers and business owners to gain a better understanding of how we can best promote diversity to everyone’s benefit. “From this research we have developed three key categories of strategies that advance our goal: production, preservation, and protection. First, we want developers to include some percentage of affordable housing in the production of new projects. Second, we need to work to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing. Third, we want to ensure that certain protections are included in leasing agreements which guarantee access to safe, clean, and well-maintained housing. When the task force makes its recommendations to the city council and mayor, we will be providing a creative and varied toolbox of strategies that will all work together.”

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

OUR TOWN (CONTINUED)

“When I ran for City Council in 2018, I already had a strong respect

“A lot of people confuse affordable housing for Section 8, which

for tenants dealing with their landlords,” said Council Member

is only one small aspect of it. What we’re really talking about is

Mark Freiberg, who served on Eden Prairie’s Heritage Preservation

getting away from the idea that every new home in Eden Prairie

Commission from 2013 to 2016 and the Planning Commission from

has to cost six or seven hundred thousand dollars. In a city with

2016 up until his election. “I have spent 35 years in real estate and

so little available land, that might mean building more than two

mortgage banking. Housing is my background, and housing was

single family houses on a single acre, or increasing the amount of

the cornerstone of my campaign. And I have a habit of not staying

multi-family housing that gets built here.

quiet for very long. Within 30 minutes of being sworn in last year, I said ‘I want a Housing Task Force.’

“Our goal isn’t just to make sure new people can afford to move to Eden Prairie. We’re making our city an appealing place for our

“The nodding heads spoke about approval. I received push-

children to stay in as well. My son grew up in Eden Prairie. He lives

back. But I made sure everyone on the City Council knew the

in downtown St. Paul right now, as he unfortunately doesn’t see his

Housing Task Force was inevitable so long as I was there. What

own hometown as a place he can afford to live in. The Housing Task

they said couldn’t be done became a reality in only three months,

Force is working hard to create an Eden Prairie that will belong just

and now everyone is in agreement that the Task Force is a great

as much as to the next generation as it does to my own.”

idea. No one was willing to talk about this before, but now the

To learn more about Aspire Eden Prairie 2040 and the blueprint it

City Council is solving our community’s housing problems before

lays out to guide Eden Prairie’s growth over the next two decades,

someone else solves them for us.

please visit edenprairie.org.

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

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Whether that’s retirement, paying for a loved

strategy best suited to your goals.

one’s college education, or leaving behind a legacy, it is soundly within your reach.

“There is no cost associated with our initial conversation. It solely serves to lay the ground-

But your finances are unique – as are your

work and see if we want to work together. If I

goals! Shouldn’t your strategy to achieve your

feel someone else is better poised to help you

dreams be custom-tailored to your situation?

after we speak, I will refer you to them.

Maria Taylor of Edward Jones believes so, and

“The advice I offer is centered around your

she is standing by to help you get wherever

goals, not the products I have to offer. Stocks,

you want to be.

bonds, and equity funds are available to any

Born and raised in Minnesota, Maria is the

financial advisor. I will help you conveniently

daughter of a cabinetmaker. She was raised

purchase these products, but determining just

to appreciate that every client has different

how they all fit together within a comprehen-

needs, as no two kitchens or their owners

sive, wealth-building strategy is my true pas-

are alike. Maria proceeded to teach English in

sion. I am interested in long-term solutions, not

Italy for six years, work in the alternative fuel

day trading. I also offer insurance, because it’s

industry, and then live with her grandfather so

not enough to help you build a nest egg. I want

he could enjoy his final days on his beloved

to help you protect it as well!

farm. Finally she joined Edward Jones in 2018

“Some of my clients want highly factual

to assist the Eden Prairie community with all

advice. My conversations with them boil down

its financial planning needs.

to detailed explanations of numbers and strat-

“One of my teachers once told me I have a

egy. Others want a more accessible overview

natural ability to adapt to people’s needs,” said

of financial strategy, and I’m just as capable of

Maria. “This was the highest compliment I have

accommodating them.

ever received. I do believe I have a talent for

“I can not stress enough how personalized

understanding what the person sitting before

my service is. This doesn’t just take into account

me wants and then figuring out precisely how to

every one of my clients’ individual needs. It also

create that for them. After having worked with

means that whenever you call you will speak with

such a diverse range of clients over the years, I

myself or my assistant – never a ‘robo-advisor!’”

have honed that talent even further. “I ask a lot of questions when I first meet

To learn more about the great value Maria

with you. This isn’t just to establish a warm

represents to your future, please email her

rapport, although that is very important to me.

I want to get to know you, and to understand

(612) 747-3270.

maria.taylor@edwardjones.com

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | November 2020

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