Oneka Chiropractic - Local Business Profile & Special Offer

Normally, when I post a "Local Business Profile", it's not an overly personal thing for me.  Usually I'm just trying to support local businesses, letting my neighbors know about a good contractor, etc.  This message, however, is a little different and more personal for me.

About a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease which caused a constant tingling sensation in my hand and arm.  I was x-rayed, MRI'd and specialists told  me I might need surgery, steroid injections, etc... One doctor told me that the disc problem in my neck might not get better... ever.

My Hugo medical doctor insisted that I speak to Dr. Aaron Arvig of Oneka Chiropractic.  I told him there were other Chiropractors that were closer to me (one I could walk to), but he politely insisted again.  I made the appointment and it was the first time I'd ever been seen by a Chiropractor.  Dr. Arvig assessed my situation and developed a plan to get me feeling better with regular adjustments and treatment.  I didn't need surgery, I didn't need a steroid shot.  I needed my back and my neck lined up and he had a plan to get it fixed. After a short time, the constant tingling subsided and the rest of my neck and back started feeling better too.  A few months later, the problem that had plagued me had vanished.

After he "fixed" me, Dr. Arvig asked me to come back from time to time to make sure everything was moving the way it should and to prevent the problems from returning.  I have been back about once a month since then, and the tingling issue never returned.  I also feel better overall when my neck and back's moving the way it should.

Medical stuff aside, Aaron's a really good guy. He lives with his wife and kids in Hugo. He's active with his kids in sports and school here too.

I told Dr. Arvig that I'd like to post something on our neighborhood blog about his practice- a Local Business Profile like I've done for other Hugo businesses.  I didn't tell him I was going to add my story to it. I hope he won't mind.  

He did ask me to share the following info with you, since I asked ...

- Mark V

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We want to thank Hugo residents for allowing us to provide 10 years of great service to our community.  Because we live and practice in this wonderful community of ours we would like to extend an invitation to our friends and neighbors who are experiencing neck or back pain, headaches, sciatica or other aches and pains to make a step towards feeling better in 2014 by coming in for a complimentary examination.  In addition to the examination, if your condition warrants x-ray studies we are offering those for a reduced fee of $20 (normally $110).  We are direct providers for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Health Partners and accept all other insurances.  We also have very affordable cash plans and accept Work Comp (if you've been injured at work) and auto insurances (if you've been injured while using/repairing/operating a motor vehicle).  

To take advantage of this offer, just give us a call at 651-429-6000 and mention this ad.  We will take care the rest.

We hope to meet you soon.  Happy New Year!

Dr. Aaron Arvig and Staff

Oneka Chiropractic
onekachiropractic.com
14145 Forest Blvd. N.
Hugo, MN 55038

651-429-6000

For Fire Safety, Clear Ice and Snow from Hydrants

Clearing hydrants saves firefighters precious time

With some very neighborly help from John L. and some efficient equipment from Birch Lawn Maintenance, this fire hydrant was cleared from the mountain of snow left by the city's plow.

It's important to have a minimum of three feet around the hydrant to give the fire department room to work and to get quick access in case of a fire. If a hydrant is lost or buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they first arrive at a fire.

Digging out the hydrant is not only the neighborly thing to do, but it is crucial in an emergency for the firefighters to be able to quickly hook up their hoses.

Supporting a Victor Gardens Ice Rink

The following comments are my personal opinion and not necessarily those of the rest of VG's Master Board.

At it's Victor Gardens Community Association Board Meeting last evening the members discussed again the desire for families to be able to have a place to ice skate within the neighborhood.  A few differing perspectives on this were offered.  The Board believes in taking positive steps to explore possibilities for creating a community ice sheet / ice rink though.  The unfortunate truth is that many of our parks and trails are not used much in the winter months.  The parks are bustling with activity in the spring, summer and fall.  It's a ghost town, however, once the snow flies.  For many residents, it's quality of life issue over the long season. It would be great to see these parks utilized to a fuller potential during winter.

A few years ago, a small group of interested residents and I met to discuss the possibilities, pros and cons of installing an ice sheet within an existing park in Victor Gardens.  Here's that post. Although I've never played hockey and never learned to skate well, I was interested in what the group's members had to say.  As no body with a differing point of view attended the meeting, I put myself in the position of "devil's advocate" for those residents who might've had reservations or mixed feelings about an ice rink.  The aesthetic appearance of such an ice sheet was extensively discussed, in addition to the impact an ice sheet might have on the park itself.  We had a very good, productive conversation.  I was very impressed with the level of interest in creating such an amenity and equally impressed that everyone agreed that the amenity had to look good, in keeping with Victor Gardens high standards.

Last fall, one of Victor Gardens resident families applied for and received the Single Family ARC's approval to create a back yard ice sheet.  It looks great, and just as the homeowners proposed. Anyone who has seen this picturesque miniature ice rink tucked along Everton Ave. must realize that it's possible to balance the desires of skating enthusiasts with those who are concerned about maintaining a great looking neighborhood.  This particular ice sheet sets the example, in my judgement, of the best of both worlds.

Of course, people have been skating in Victor Gardens since the beginning of the development (and perhaps before).  Although there were installed signs in some areas that cautioned against it, the fact remains that the storm water ponds were an attractive skating place for many families.  The legality of this has been debated, but I'm of the impression that the storm water ponds are under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota (DNR).  As long as the "protected wetlands" are not disturbed, I don't see a problem with residents clearing the snow off storm water ponds for skating.  Someone could correct me if I'm wrong, but the Association's property ends at the shoreline, so the Association's Board wouldn't have the authority to prevent skating on storm water ponds even if it wanted too.

It should also be noted that using these storm water ponds in the winter for skating is one thing.  Using them for summer recreation is entirely different.  Storm water ponds are designed to handle rainwater runoff along with designated wetlands.  Along with that runoff comes chemicals nobody should swim in or eat caught fish from.  Ice skating's a very different story though.

Through it's discussion last night, the Board members discussed the positive, community building aspects of having such a winter sports amenity.  I'd like to see this idea explored further.  Of course there will be some who express concern about what such an amenity might look like, how it's maintained, who will pay for it, etc.  I believe those are all items that can be addressed in a thoughtful proposal and ongoing approach.  We have examples of how good it could look, and we have Victor Gardens residents who are willing to explore the idea further.  I for one am looking forward to what they come up with.

- Mark V

Skating on Victor Square Pond

In recent years, skaters have been clearing off patches of snow on a few of Victor Gardens' storm water ponds.  This year a family cleared snow from the Victor Square Pond.  (This is the pond that contains the aerating pond fountain in the summer.)  Board members expressed concern about wintertime safe access to that pond, considering the pond has slippery retaining wall boulders and the sensitive plantings surrounding it.  It wasn't designed to be a recreational pond.  The question of ownership and maintenance was raised. Victor Square Pond has been for many years a successful public/private partnership.  The City of Hugo owns the park land itself, but the Victor Gardens Community Association (Master Association) supplements the city's normal maintenance budget with additional funding and care.  This pays for extra herbicide and fertilization, shrub and tree maintenance, gazebo painting, holiday lighting, etc.  Additionally, the Master Association spent many thousands of dollars a few years ago repairing electrical equipment and shoring up sinking retaining wall boulders there.  The Board understands the interest in skating close to home, but this particular pond has some "baggage" that, say, the storm water pond by the Neighborhood Activity Center & Pool doesn't have.  The Board asked Jennifer Campbell to discuss this subject further with the City of Hugo.

Snow Removal Info Section Added

A new Snow Removal section has been added to the website's right side menu bar.  If you have concerns or questions, please refer to this page first.  

Snow Removal Info

Master Association Board Meeting Jan 15 - 6pm

Residents are welcome to Victor Gardens Community Association's 1st Quarter 2014 Board of Director's Meeting, Jan. 15, 2014 6:00pm at Victor Gardens Activity Center.  

As always, a portion of the meeting will be set aside for Homeowner Forum.

Also on the agenda:

• Electrification of the Main Entrance median South of Frenchman & Grantaire Green & Dahlia Way.  (for future holiday lights and main entrance lights)
• Discussion of retention ponds and watershed areas
• Pond treatment and fountain contract discussion
• Additional security measure for VG's Activity Center
• ARC updates
• Committee reports
• Budget & financial discussion