The city's dilemma on whether to implement a single garbage and recycling collection system is not a new one. And, as someone who doesn't deal with her own trash collection, I have to say I never thought garbage could rile the public so easily. But, alas, garbage is quite the hot topic in Richfield these days. As resident Mike McLean shared on Richfield Patch's Facebook page last week, he first learned about the potential hauler switch in June 2009. Richfield Patch began covering the issue in July 2011 after the council declined to make a decision on the switch until more data and information…

From all of us here at Richfield Patch, we want to wish you Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. In that spirit, I felt personally compelled to take a moment and remember the victims of the Dec. 14 Newtown, CT, tragedy who will not be with their families today. We can remember by simply taking two minutes and watching this beautiful rendition of "Silent Night" by the New York City Children's Chorus. The choir sang the song to open the Dec. 15 episode of "Saturday Night Live" to honor the victims of the shooting. It's simply beautiful. I still find it unimaginable that there are 26 new angels—…

Two years ago today, I sat anxiously at my kitchen table asking myself, "Now what?" Yes. After months of prep, Richfield Patch was born early in the morning on Nov. 17, 2010 and for a moment I had no idea what to do next. The community site was finally alive and the real work had begun. Now, I'll be brief: Thank you to all those who have read, contributed, engaged and recommended Richfield Patch to another. Cheers and here's to many more years working together to inform the community. Thank you for letting Richfield Patch invade your laptops, PCs and smartphones.

As someone who has always had a warm bed, family and friends by my side, and just a general sense of happiness and safety, I literally can't understand what it takes to be a member of the military. The simple comforts I've enjoyed and continue to enjoy are due to the opportunities this lovely country presents. And, of course, the service men and women work hard to ensure it stays that way. While it's evident that there's a long road ahead, I'm comforted knowing I'm not the only one who wants the best for every other American—and I'll go so far as to say, the best for everyone on Earth, even …

It's been said it's far better to have a neighbor who's near, than a brother who's far away, but in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Americans across the nation have proven to be the best neighbors and the strongest of families. This past weekend, AOL and Patch employees took an opportunity to pitch in, packing two tractor trailers worth of food, water and supplies in Dulles, VA, and Baltimore. The donations are headed to Hurricane Sandy ravaged areas in New Jersey and Long Island. Want to join the relief efforts? Click here to donate: https://donate.networkforgood.org/aol "When a catastrophe of …

Election Day is nearly here. Tuesday, Nov. 6 is just around the corner. Are you ready? Once it's past—and I for one cannot wait—we'll no longer have to deal with campaign mailers, television, radio and print ads, campaign workers knocking on our doors or calling our phones, or letters to the editor proclaiming a candidate's awesomeness clogging Richfield Patch. That said, I'm sure there are plenty of letter writers chomping at the bit to get one last letter in before the election. See the Richfield Patch letter to the editor page. The deadline for election-related letters to the editor to be …

After Twin Cities gas prices peaked at more than $4 per gallon a few years ago, there was some relief that followed with prices falling below $3 for a short period of time. Unfortunately, as many may have found when they filled up in the metro area today, prices have made it over the $4 mark once again. (Good thing my credit card no longer has an at-the-pump-limit.) Thankfully, many Richfield area gas stations are still hovering in the $3.80 to $3.90 range, however, how long it will last is quite unpredictable. Some may be changing even as we speak. Currently, the best price in town can be …

All my grandparents have been gone for years, however, I think of them often. Grandma Stella always had orange pop and molasses cookies ready for my sister, Sarah, and I when we'd visit. Oh yes. She'd send us home good and wound up. Grandpa Pat used to sit me on his knee and we'd relax in his recliner. Grandma Lil made the best sage dressing every Thanksgiving. She'd spend hours making sure each piece of celery was properly peeled. Grandpa Bob took us "garage sailing." He could never miss an opportunity to find another ancient Electrolux vacuum cleaner. After the work was done, we'd head to …

Follow Richfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter I made a calculated decision to go against my will-power and hit the Richfield McDonald's drive-thru this morning. A sausage mcmuffin was calling out to me. I decided not to fight it. However, after navigating an onslaught of hungry drivers, I finally reached the window to find I had a surprise waiting for me. "OK. One thing," the young cashier said matter of factly. "Oh no," I said to myself. "They've run out of mcmuffins. This is not good." "Oh. Hey nice t-shirt," he side-tracked. "I love …

Each time I hop a plane to the southern United States, as soon as I set foot into the terminal I'm looking for a Chick-fil-A restaurant. I'm serious. It's become a tradition. The file photo for this article is an original. So, you can imagine my surprise when I read in fellow publication, Maple Grove Patch, that Chick-fil-A planned-unit development was recently recommended by the city's planning commission. Next stop, city council! However, truth be told, two weeks ago I discovered there would be one put into the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. "Oh, now I can eat some delicious waffle fries …

The flags and banners along 66th Street East near Veterans Memorial Park were hung with care this last week in anticipation of the Richfield Hometown 4th of July Celebration. As a Richfield native, I've participated in nearly every aspect of the celebration from singing along to The Rockin' Hollywoods' version of "Pretty Woman" at the annual street dance to oohing and awing over the fireworks display. (However, I don't miss the marching in the parade during my high school cheerleading days. Awful tanlines.) The festivities kicked off with the annual carnival on Saturday and will end with the …

With Richfield's city-wide garage sale looming, I spent the weekend helping my dad prepare to participate. I know you're jealous. Now, for a little background, I think my family maybe held two garage sales in my entire life. So we lack some major experience in this area. (However, my uncle was notorious on 10th Avenue for his epic garage sales back in the day.) And while you would think it would be easy enough to pull off, after 20 hours spent, the next five days will require just as much, if not more, work. And it may kill me. OK. That's a little dramatic. But, really. I need help: Office …

I recently attended a relaunch luncheon for the Women Impowering Richfield Executives (WIRE) group within the Richfield Chamber of Commerce. Our featured speaker was Dr. Janice Kalin, an industrial pyschologist and a self-proclaimed quasi-feminist. While most of the talk centered on the "glass ceiling" women face in the corporate world, she brought up an interesting statistic about how much work around the house a man does on a weekly basis. Roughly 15 years ago, men put in about two hours of household work in a given week. Now, that statistic has risen to four hours. For women? About 32 …

In honor of PTA's Teacher Appreication Week, it seemed only right for me to reflect on my own experiences as someone who directly benefitted from the fantastic teachers—past and present—in the Richfield Public Schools system. The following are just some of my favorite experiences and memories: Reading "Ten in the Bed" to My Kindergarten Teacher While I had made the jump from kindergarten to first-grade at Sheridan Hills Elementary School, when I finally read my first book all the way through I wanted to share it with the person who taught me the alphabet song: Mrs. Altstadt. I skipped recess …

While I may claim to be a quasi expert on what’s happening with Richfield’s many redevelopment projects, I admit that all the jargon that comes along with it often perplexes me. And apparently, I’m not the only one. I recently received an email from resident Barry LeBlanc regarding the Pillsbury Commons housing project. LeBlanc is part of Richfield Commoners United, a neighborhood organization. Formed largely in opposition to the project as it stands, the group also aims to educate residents on what the new development will mean for the city. “The biggest issue we have is that people are not …

After spending all day Saturday on what could've been my death bed, I found that my medicine cabinet was completely unprepared to comfort me. While my mommy would've eased the pain, I found myself dragging my feet at a local Target trying to find something that would provide some relief. (I know I shouldn't have been out, so I apologize if I infected anything.) I'm feeling 100 percent better today, and I'm hoping to be better prepared in the future. What are your suggestions for either store-bought or home remedies that people should have on hand in the event of illness? Take my poll below …

When Richfield Patch launched in November of 2010, you and your workers may remember myself, or other local editors and freelancers wondering into your small business to create a listing of your business for our super-comprehensive directory. Now, more than a year later, Patch Places is thriving. Each month, crazy-large numbers of people from all over the metro area visit our directory, and your business listings, to find out addresses, hours of operation, descriptions, and even contact information for hundreds of Lakeville businesses. Patch users can add events taking place at local spots, …

People are buzzing with the news that Pizza Luce will open a restaurant in the old Bridgeman's spot in Richfield. According to 55423.info, Chief Executive Officer J.J. Haywood said the company plans to soon complete construction, then hire in the spring. Richfield will be the seventh Pizza Luce outlet. "Richfield for us is a great location," Haywood said at a Penn Central of Richfield neighborhood meeting. "We like urban areas, and Richfield as a first-ring suburb fits us very well. We like that urban feel, and we like old buildings." As a Richfield native, I was raised on heavenly Fireside …

People haven't agreed to come to your house Super Bowl Sunday for the company and the thrill of watching the game. They're expecting to be fed, and fed well. Some of my fellow Patch editors and I would like to get together a collection of your favorite party-food recipes and create a sort of cookbook to post for all our readers. Post recipes in the comments section below so all our readers can try them out. If you've taken a picture of your dish that you also would like to post, we'd love to see them. (And a few brownie points if you've got a scrumptious recipe that is healthy, too, but I …

People from coast to coast are talking about the trashing of designer wedding gowns at a now closed Edina boutique, Priscilla of Boston. Priscilla of Boston’s parent company David’s Bridal—which operates a David’s store in Richfield that I worked at for six years—issued a formal apology Thursday: Like many of you, we were disheartened by imagery of a small number of unsold bridal gowns being destroyed following a Priscilla of Boston salon closure in the Midwest. As the parent company of Priscilla of Boston, we fully understand the anger and frustration that many people are feeling about this …