It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Waterford Historic Bridge in Northfield, MN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Northfield, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Riverside Lions Park in Northfield, MN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ole Store Restaurant or visit Historic Ames Mill, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Northfield, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Northfield, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Northfield, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Northfield, Minnesota, rightly touts itself as one of the cutest college towns around. Swing by on a weekend when school is in session for peak fall vibes—pom-poms optional.For many Midwest families, a road trip to Northfield, Minnesota, is a high school rite of passage. Just 45 minutes south of Minneapolis, the town of roughly 20,000 is home to two liberal arts colleges, Carleton and St. Olaf—a campus tour doubleheader. When my 16-year-old and I drove up from Iowa last October, both schools were hosting football games. Th...
Northfield, Minnesota, rightly touts itself as one of the cutest college towns around. Swing by on a weekend when school is in session for peak fall vibes—pom-poms optional.
For many Midwest families, a road trip to Northfield, Minnesota, is a high school rite of passage. Just 45 minutes south of Minneapolis, the town of roughly 20,000 is home to two liberal arts colleges, Carleton and St. Olaf—a campus tour doubleheader. When my 16-year-old and I drove up from Iowa last October, both schools were hosting football games. The streets were thick with parents and alums in spirit wear. We spied signs for apples and pumpkins on the way into town from I-35, and a berry farm and cidery as we left. After lunch, I shopped while she lay on a bench in the sun by the Cannon River, browsing her stack of brochures. A year later, she’s still figuring out where to apply—but Northfield passed my admissions test. Here’s how to spend a day exploring.
Goodbye Blue Monday coffee shop. Credit:
Courtesy of Ashlee Bell/Goodbye Blue Monday
With so many study sessions to power, Northfield doesn’t lack for caffeine. Little Joy Coffee went viral this year when they invited baristas around the world to re-create their raspberry Danish latte. Goodbye Blue Monday tips more cozy and eclectic, with comfy couches, vintage lamps, and bulletin boards full of fliers. Downtown newcomer Bread People sells cardamom buns and doughnuts (plus lunch sandwiches).
Credit:
Courtesy of Riverwalk Market Fair
Division Street shops and restaurants. Credit:
Courtesy of Little Joy Coffee
Northfield’s main drag, Division Street, feels like stepping into Stars Hollow on Gilmore Girls. Colorful, well-designed signage hangs outside every shop or cafe, and vacancies are rare. Browse staff picks at Content bookstore, refresh your kitchen at The Measuring Cup, run your hands over a rainbow of skeins at Northfield Yarn, restock your pen jar at The Sketchy Artist, or buy a new pair of Birks at The Rare Pair (in business for nearly 50 years!). On Saturdays, Riverwalk Market Fair fills a small leafy park sloping down to the Cannon River with vendors selling fine art, fresh produce, and artisan food.
Set down your shopping bags at The Hideaway, a popular (and not at all covert) cafe with a shaded sidewalk patio. I loved that my Brie panini came with a healthful cranberry-kale-pecan salad. For a heartier lunch, head to Desi Diner; the vibe is paper-plate basic, but the house special chicken makhani doesn’t miss.
Northfield’s historical claim to fame marks its sesquicentennial this fall: On September 7, 1876, the James-Younger Gang tried to rob the First National Bank downtown. Today, the same building holds the Northfield History Center, where you can learn all about the heist. Visit September 9–13, 2026, for the Defeat of Jesse James Days festival and watch a reenactment.
Stroll around Carleton College, with its striking English Gothic chapel and idyllic main green (cue the Frisbees). The school’s Cowling Arboretum spans 800 acres of prairie and woodland and stays open until 10 p.m. (It’s a popular spot for professors to hold classes or students to run, study, or ski in winter.) There’s also a small campus Japanese garden, J?ry?-en, where autumn maples glow against an evergreen backdrop.
What’s a college weekend without beer and pizza? For the first, head to Tanzenwald Brewing Company, a full-service restaurant and brewery opened by a Lagunitas Brewing alum, or Imminent Brewing, which has a crowded calendar of live music, food trucks, and other special events. For pizza, visit Loon Liquor; the distillery and pizzeria uses freshly milled local wheat in both its whiskeys and its crusts. (A bottle of their premixed Old-Fashioned makes a perfect Minnesota souvenir: The label has two dandyish loons riding in a canoe.) Alternatively, settle in for steaks, walleye cakes, and loaded sandwiches at Reunion, a Northfield staple.
Homecoming fans at St. Olaf. Credit:
Evan Pak/Courtesy of St. Olaf College
Regents Hall at St. Olaf. Credit:
Courtesy of St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College has a renowned music program (and a hilltop campus with a pinch of Hogwarts). Their nationally broadcast holiday choral show sells out early, but smaller free student or visiting performances happen almost daily throughout the academic year.
Apple-picking at Fireside. Credit:
Courtesy of Fireside Orchard and Gardens
Faribault Mill wool factory. Credit:
Courtesy of Faribault Mill
Many fun detours lie just outside of town. Pick up apples and pies at Fireside Orchard and Gardens, or get your fall gourd fix at Nelson’s Pumpkin Farm. Bring your bike along for the pretty 3-mile trail between Northfield and Dundas and enjoy a sip at Keepsake Cidery. On Wednesday nights (and select Sundays and Fridays), kick back with an al fresco pizza at Red Barn Farm. Head up the highway a few miles to buy a woolen blanket or take a factory tour at the historic Faribault Mill.
AddWorld/USA/Minnesota/NorthfieldAir quality in NorthfieldData attribution1 station from 1 anonymous contributorByron AQI Alert nearbyView alert27US AQI?GoodMain pollutant:PM2.54.9 µg/m³17°10 km/h84 %Hourly forecastNorthfield air quality index (AQI?) forecastNow2717°10km/h 84%Wed01:002516°11...
Add
World/USA/Minnesota/Northfield
Data attribution
1 station from 1 anonymous contributor
Byron AQI Alert nearby
View alert
27
US AQI?
Good
Main pollutant:
PM2.5
4.9 µg/m³
17°
10 km/h
84 %
Northfield air quality index (AQI?) forecast
Now 27 17° 10 km/h 84% Wed | 01:00 25 16° 11 km/h 78% | 02:00 25 16° 10 km/h 85% | 03:00 24 15° 10 km/h 86% | 04:00 22 13° 10 km/h 88% | 05:00 21 12° 9 km/h 91% | 06:00 20 11° 10 km/h 93% | 07:00 25 11° 11 km/h 93% | 08:00 25 11° 12 km/h 90% | 09:00 25 14° 14 km/h 73% | 10:00 24 16° 14 km/h 61% | 11:00 24 18° 16 km/h 53% | 12:00 24 20° 21 km/h 45% | 13:00 16 21° 24 km/h 42% | 14:00 16 21° 23 km/h 39% | 15:00 16 22° 25 km/h 38% | 16:00 16 22° 28 km/h 37% | 17:00 16 21° 26 km/h 39% | 18:00 16 19° 23 km/h 44% | 19:00 17 16° 19 km/h 50% | 20:00 17 14° 17 km/h 55% | 21:00 17 13° 19 km/h 49% | 22:00 16 12° 18 km/h 52% | 23:00 16 11° 15 km/h 60% Thu | 00:00 16 10° 13 km/h 67% | 01:00 16 9° 13 km/h 72% | 02:00 16 8° 11 km/h 79% | 03:00 16 7° 11 km/h 83% | 04:00 11 6° 11 km/h 89% | 05:00 11 6° 10 km/h 89% | 06:00 11 6° 9 km/h 86% | 07:00 9 6° 10 km/h 89% | 08:00 9 6° 10 km/h 88% | 09:00 9 10° 9 km/h 74% | 10:00 11 13° 8 km/h 63% | 11:00 11 15° 10 km/h 52% | 12:00 11 17° 15 km/h 45% | 13:00 7 17° 16 km/h 44% | 14:00 7 18° 17 km/h 43% | 15:00 7 18° 18 km/h 41% | 16:00 6 18° 19 km/h 42% | 17:00 6 18° 16 km/h 43% | 18:00 6 16° 8 km/h 52% | 19:00 6 14° 8 km/h 54% | 20:00 6 13° 6 km/h 44% | 21:00 6 15° 10 km/h 40% | 22:00 9 15° 8 km/h 40% | 23:00 9 15° 10 km/h 39% Fri | 00:00 9 15° 10 km/h 40% | 01:00 6 15° 12 km/h 41% | 02:00 6 15° 10 km/h 42% | 03:00 6 13° 14 km/h 48% | 04:00 6 15° 15 km/h 46% | 05:00 6 14° 17 km/h 50% | 06:00 6 14° 18 km/h 56% | 07:00 7 13° 17 km/h 61% | 08:00 7 13° 16 km/h 68% | 09:00 7 15° 19 km/h 71% | 10:00 12 16° 22 km/h 68% | 11:00 12 19° 25 km/h 60% | 12:00 12 21° 25 km/h 57% | 13:00 13 22° 25 km/h 53% | 14:00 13 23° 23 km/h 51% | 15:00 13 24° 22 km/h 49% | 16:00 16 25° 21 km/h 48% | 17:00 16 25° 17 km/h 50% | 18:00 16 23° 12 km/h 60% | 19:00 18 20° 15 km/h 70% | 20:00 18 20° 19 km/h 69% | 21:00 18 21° 23 km/h 64% | 22:00 31 21° 25 km/h 67% | 23:00 31 21° 25 km/h 66% |
Northfield air quality index (AQI?) forecast
| Today | 21 | 22° 11° | 28 km/h | 56% | |
| Thu | 12 | 18° 6° | 19 km/h | 55% | |
| Fri | 10 | 25° 13° | 25 km/h | 60% |
What is the current air quality in Northfield?
| PM2.5Fine particles (≤ 2.5 µm)4.9µg/m³ |
PM2.5 concentration currently meets the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline.
Health recommendations
Enjoy outdoor activities |
Open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors Get a monitor |
What is the pollen count in Northfield today?
Index
Low
Tree None | 0% |
Grass None | 0% |
Weed Low | 25% |
Source:
wetter.com
Pollen forecast in Northfield
Worldwide AQI? ranking
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The primary election for Northfield City Council Ward 4 should be an easy enough choice for voters, given only one candidate will be eliminated and one candidate said he doesn’t want to be elected a week before voters hit the polls.Dave “Superdave” Juntunen will appear on the ballot in Tuesday’s primary, but says he already has plenty on his plate for now between his three businesses and his daughter. When he sat down with Northfield News for his interview, his first words were “I’ll make t...
The primary election for Northfield City Council Ward 4 should be an easy enough choice for voters, given only one candidate will be eliminated and one candidate said he doesn’t want to be elected a week before voters hit the polls.
Dave “Superdave” Juntunen will appear on the ballot in Tuesday’s primary, but says he already has plenty on his plate for now between his three businesses and his daughter. When he sat down with Northfield News for his interview, his first words were “I’ll make this easy for you: I don’t want to be elected.”
“I ran because I was afraid nobody else was going to run,” he said. “You can’t sit and b---- about a problem if you’re not willing to be a solution for the problem, right? And I was encouraged by my neighbors, ‘You know, you should run,’ but I have enough stuff to do that I don’t need the responsibility. If I’m elected, I will definitely fulfill the responsibility to the best of my ability. I’m not the most qualified candidate.”
Juntunen owns Top Gear Autoworks in Northfield, has a few rental properties in town and owns a sailboat charter business in the Caribbean. His nickname “Superdave” comes from his tendency to build jumps for his bike as a kid, and a neighbor who bestowed the name onto him after suffering an injury from jumping into a dire hydrant.
“For a while, I tried to get rid of the Superdave moniker almost,” he said. “People were like, ‘Well, it helps people find you, and sometimes people need to find people like you.’ It’s just kind of been a nickname since I was a kid.”
He said he recommends supporting James Clinton, but mostly because he hasn’t actually met Peder Jothen yet. In the primary though, two candidates move onto the general election in November, so Jothen and Clinton could both win on Tuesday.
He recalled the answer he gave at a recent candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Northfield and Cannon Falls at St. Olaf.
“(The moderators were) like, ‘What what are you going to do to reach out to your constituents?’” Juntunen recalled. “And James was like, ‘I’m gonna go door to door, and I’m gonna knock on every one of them. I’m gonna send out mailers. I’m gonna have town halls.’ Then they’re like ‘Mr. Juntunen, what are you going to do?’ I’m like ‘I’m hiring James.’”
In a nutshell, Juntunen said property taxes are too high and transparency seems to be lacking. His main issue was that Northfield is “growing too fast.”
“We got ice arenas and solar stuff, and we have all of this infrastructure and roads, bike paths, all these things,” he said. “They’re all great, but I mean, what are we doing to sustain the the community that’s already here? We’re talking about all these things for development, to lure people to essentially build more. We’re running out of room, first of all. I mean, I’d hate to see big buildings here. I don’t think we need to grow. I think we need to stop growing.”
Juntunen grew up an orphan, bought his first car and got into fixing them.
“I got into trouble as a kid, running with the wrong crowd, ended up going to jail,” he said. “Best thing that ever happened to me. I was in St. Cloud back when it was like 18-21 year olds, and not intake and whatever it is now. That’s kind of where my head popped out of my ass, so to speak. Where I realized the world’s not out to get me, and I need to create something with my life.”
He said took advantage of a program where those being released from the prison could get a free two-year scholarship to any state college or university, so he went to automotive technologies school.
“My first job was, I was a shop helper doing all the oil changes,” he said. “As I’m looking around, I’m seeing people with Volkswagens, Audis, BMW, stuff like that. They fix their cars. They don’t duct tape them together. … I decided, if I’m going to spend my life getting dripped on by cars, I want to fix things. I don’t want to duct tape them.”
He jumped from job to job, auto shop to auto shop, learning the mechanics of a new type of cars with each passing shop. He originally came back to Minnesota to work at BMW Motor Works, but eventually built a reputation after working on exotic cars.
His current business in Northfield serves locals’ Volkswagens, Mercedes and BMWs, but he pulls clientele from all over the United States for his work on exotic cars.
“I’m pretty busy without having the added responsibility,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t take it on. I’m a big go-where-the-universe-leads-you kind of a person, so if the universe says, ‘Yep, you’re the new Ward 4 council member,’ I’ll try.”
He said, just like he wants his business to be a “big fish in a small pond,” he thinks Northfield should do the same. He said the city shouldn’t be looking to build up its industrial base, instead leaning into “what we’re good at — history, tourism, lots of things.”
“I don’t want to be mayor. I don’t even want to be city council member. But historically, what I’ve seen is nobody’s interested in running, so the same people keep getting elected and the same decisions keep getting made.”
The Northfield Skate Park is set for a major expansion after the Northfield City Council approved the final design for Phase II and authorized the project to move into the bidding process.City officials say the next phase will significantly expand the existing facility while incorporating public feedback gathered during a recent community open house. Mayor Erica Zweifel said residents who reviewed the plans helped shape several aspects of the final design, particularly measures intended to improve compatibility with nearby homes....
The Northfield Skate Park is set for a major expansion after the Northfield City Council approved the final design for Phase II and authorized the project to move into the bidding process.
City officials say the next phase will significantly expand the existing facility while incorporating public feedback gathered during a recent community open house. Mayor Erica Zweifel said residents who reviewed the plans helped shape several aspects of the final design, particularly measures intended to improve compatibility with nearby homes.
Among the changes are additional landscape screening near adjacent residential properties, along with new seating and shaded viewing areas for spectators and families.
The centerpiece of the expansion is a design that integrates the current Phase I skate bowl into the heart of the new facility. The layout creates a looping network of features around the existing bowl, providing a variety of pathways, lines and skating options. The design is intended to encourage continuous movement throughout the park while offering opportunities for users with different skill levels.
Officials praised skate park designer Mark Leski for developing a concept that balances technical appeal with accessibility. Leski, who has worked on skate parks in other communities, was credited with listening closely to local residents and creating a facility that can serve both beginners and experienced skaters.
City Administrator Ben Martig said one of the strengths of the project is its focus on all ages and abilities. The expanded park will include features that allow newcomers to learn basic skills while still providing challenges for advanced users.
Martig also highlighted the contributions of community members who helped secure funding and advance the project. He specifically recognized local entrepreneur and new Northfield resident Tyler Westman for his role in identifying grant opportunities that helped make the expansion possible. City leaders said the state funding was a critical piece in moving Phase II from concept to reality.
While officials acknowledged that many volunteers and advocates have contributed to the skate park over the years, they described the approval of Phase II as a significant milestone in the facility’s continued development.
Once construction bids are received and awarded, Mayor Zwefel said Northfield residents can look forward to a larger, more versatile skate park designed to serve the community for years to come.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at
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