City declares “State of Emergency” in Preparation for Spring Flooding

The City of Carver has posted a summary of the current state of flood preparation over at cityofcarver.com.

Briefly, there is a 40% chance that this year’s flood will surpass the record 1965 flood. The 1965 flood crested at 724 feet and our levee is 726.5 feet. For this reason, the city has begun preparations to add 4 to 6 feet to the levee.

Additionally, they have released a flood guide that answers many of the questions and concerns. The guide can be downloaded here.

Want to help?

myfoxtwincities.com reported on the situation yesterday.

Flood Levee Built Up in Carver, Historic Watertown Bridge May Close: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Sandbagging March 16th

Carver is looking for volunteers to fill sand bags this Wednesday. Click here to sign up!

We will be sandbagging March 16th starting at 4:30pm to 8pm. We are looking for volunteers that would be interested in filling sandbag’s bags. Please enter your name and phone number if you will be helping during this event. Volunteers who come out that day are asked to dress in layers, wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty, have footwear that can withstand mud, and to wear gloves. All volunteers will be asked to register at Carver Public Utilities Building (117 Broadway N. Carver MN 55315). Once registered we will be filling sandbag’s at WM Mueller & Sons Inc gravel pit.

Villager Tower #271

Villager Tower

The February/March issue of Villager Tower is now available: Villager Tower #271 February / March 2011.

This issue includes the story of a dog saving a family from fire, the latest news on flooding, a Fleet Farm update, other council news, and many other announcements including a write up of Carver Current. Please read and enjoy.

Additionally, I have been scanning historical issues and have posted the archives from 1984 and 1985 over on the Carver History page.

Ricki Schultz can be contacted at (952) 448-5126 and [email protected].

Steamboat Days 2011 Planning

Title: Steamboat Days 2011 Planning
Location: Carver Villager Hall, Basement
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us in planning the 2011 Steamboat Days! Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM in the Carver Village Hall basement. We would like to see you!
Start Time: 18:30
Date: 2011-03-09

How about a Raingarden?

Raingardens are growing in popularity as an attractive, low-maintenance landscape alternative that helps protect and restore water quality. They are designed and planted to capture rain water so it can penetrate into the soil. This reduces the stormwater runoff that takes pollutants from the air, yards and streets and carries them into lakes, rivers and wetlands.

Metro Blooms is hosting a Raingarden workshop in Waconia on April 7th. The cost is $10.

I went to this last summer in Chaska and it was quite enjoyable. These guys “wrote the book” on raingardens and do a great job with their workshops.

The River is Up but the Logs are Down

February 24, 2011
Carver Log Jam November 2010
November, 2010

The Duck has taken a big chunk out of the log jam as compared to a picture from November. Most of the debris has been broken up and left under the bridge to flow down once the ice melts. There is still quite a bit of brush along the bank of the dyke that could be removed. Additionally, the river has risen noticeably since observed on Saturday.

River level at Jordan

In the event of a flood, the city and fire department are asking people to sign up to volunteer. Carver Current has previously reported on the log jam situation.

Carver Flood Volunteer Sign Up

As the Carver Fire Department prepares for the 2011 Flood Season, we have created the form below for anyone interested in volunteering for sand bagging and/or Levee watch. This form is just for information gathering in the event we will need help. We will send out notification of available shift dates and times should it become necessary.

Click here to sign-up and let us know you are available to help.

Thanks for your help!

Greg Osterdyk
Mayor
City of Carver

Murder on the Minnesota – Carver, Minnesota

Mark Olson with the Chaska Herald and with the help of the Carver County Historical Society and John von Walter has published Murder on the Minnesota: The deathly tale of Rosa Mixa and Andrew Tapper.

On June 3, 1901 in Carver, Minnesota, Andrew Tapper, 34, stabbed his coworker Rosa Mixa, 18, to death. Tapper turned himself in and, following a trial, was sentenced to hang on Feb. 18, 1902 — 109 years ago. This video is the story of the murder and the execution.

Win $25 to Harvey’s

I’ve created Carver Current as a place for people to use to exchange information, ideas, and opinions.

So far we have been quite successful. Traffic to the site is growing, and more people are viewing every story that is published. The problem is that I didn’t create this site to give myself a soap box. I created this site to give you a soapbox.

To that end, I’ve purchased a $25 gift certificate to Harvey’s. Between now and March 31st, anyone who participates in the dialog on Carver Current will be entered into the drawing. I will draw the winner and drop the gift certificate in the mail on April 1st.

There are many ways to participate! Buy, sell, or give away something in the Carver Classifieds. Local businesses may also advertise in the Classifieds. You could leave a comment in a story, or you could visit with us on Facebook!

Additionally, if you have a question, idea, or critique on how this site can better serve you or your organization, please contact us privately or publicly via the forum.

Good luck!

Carver Gazette – 1983

Carver Gazette Logo

The first issue of the Villager Tower, then called the Carver Gazette, was published in November, 1983 by Ricki Schultz. Here is how it began, over 27 years ago:

“Since our local government’s activities are not printed in the local newspaper – this informational sheet is an experiment to circulate happenings in and about our community that are of interest to you as citizens.”

The first two issues of the Carver Gazette are now available in electronic format for the first time.

Although a few issues have been missed over the years, Ricki is still publishing her labor of love every month. The latest issue, historical issues, as well as Jon van Walter’s book can be found on the new Carver History page.

Carver Historic District by John von Walter

John von Walter of the Carver Heritage Preservation Commission and Carver on the Minnesota has been working on a substantial book that documents the history of Carver on a building-by-building basis.

The first five pages of Carver Historic District provide a great introduction to the history of the area, and then the remainder takes a look at the history of each building and site individually. Please take a look at this and send any feedback to John on Facebook.

Carver on the Minnesota is a nonprofit established in 1969 that is dedicated to beautifying, restoring, and improving historic Carver, its nature trails, riverfront, cultural, artistic, and educational amenities, business climate, and environment.