Living In Carver County Minnesota

Greg Anderson
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

An insider's guide to the people and places that make Carver County Minnesota a fantastic place to live and work and raise a family. We visit with dedicated people who through their jobs, volunteer actives or their businesses, make an important difference in our local communities. The cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, Waconia, Cologne, Norwwood Young America, Mayer, Watertown, New Germany and Hamburg as well as in the townships area are places we will be featuring and we'll be talking to behind the scenes people who are stepping up, doing their best every day to make things better.

  1. APR 16

    David Sherman Disability Consulting Solutions. Before the Crisis Hits — What Families Need to Know About Disability and Aging

    Most families don't know David Sherman exists — until they're already in crisis. As the owner of Disability Consulting Solutions, David has spent over 30 years working alongside families navigating disability, chronic illness, cognitive decline, and the decisions that come with aging. His work sits in the gaps — the space between what county case managers can provide and what families actually need.I first connected with David through a client situation involving diminished capacity and a home heading into foreclosure — a referral that came through previous guest Michael Boylan on a Halloween night that I won't forget.In this episode, David breaks down what disability consulting actually is and what that first phone call looks like, what goes into a Personalized Support Plan, how disability and chronic illness trigger financial crises that put housing at risk, when aging in place stops being a safe option and how families navigate that conversation, what conservatorship and guardianship actually mean and when they become necessary, the early warning signs adult children should watch for, and what waiting too long actually costs a family in options — not just dollars.RESOURCES:Disability Consulting Solutions: www.disabilityconsultingsolutions.comCONNECT WITH GREG:Substack: HelloIamGregAnderson.substack.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregoryrandersonRE/MAX Advisors West — Carver County Real Estate

    1h 8m
  2. From Cologne to Chaska. World-Class Dermatology in Carver County | Dr. Kamruz Darabi

    MAR 28

    From Cologne to Chaska. World-Class Dermatology in Carver County | Dr. Kamruz Darabi

    Dr. Kamruz Darabi didn't take the obvious path. Trained in Germany, New York, and Ohio, fluent in four languages, he could have practiced anywhere. He chose Chaska — and then chose to go out on his own. In this conversation, Greg Anderson talks with the founder of Darabi Dermatology about what that journey actually looked like, and what Carver County residents should know about their skin health. In this episode: Why Carver County caught the attention of a physician with a genuinely global backgroundThe overwhelming reality of going from employed doctor to business owner — and what no one teaches you in medical schoolTriple board certification in dermatology, Mohs surgery, and dermatopathology — what it actually means for patientsWhy you probably don't need to drive to Minneapolis for serious skin careThe skin cancer statistics every person over 60 should hearSPF numbers decoded, moisturizer, saunas, and cold plunges — straight answers from a dermatologistHow AI is already changing the patient experience at Darabi DermatologyWhy private practice access is a bigger deal than most patients realizeDr. Darabi has been named Best Dermatologist in Carver County by Sun Patriot readers four consecutive years and Top Doctor by Minnesota Monthly. His practice, Darabi Dermatology, serves patients in Chaska and surrounding Carver County communities. Living In Carver County — connecting friends, building community.

    36 min
  3. Highway 5 Chanhassen to Victoria: Inside Carver County's Biggest Road Project with Lyndon Robjent

    MAR 23

    Highway 5 Chanhassen to Victoria: Inside Carver County's Biggest Road Project with Lyndon Robjent

    If you drive Highway 5 between Chanhassen and Victoria — or you own property anywhere near that corridor — this is the episode to listen to before construction season shifts into full gear. Carver County is in the middle of a $116 million Highway 5 overhaul. A 3.5-mile stretch from Highway 41 in Chanhassen to downtown Victoria is going from a two-lane rural road that was already carrying over 20,000 vehicles a day to a divided four-lane highway. Greg Anderson, Carver County REALTOR® since 1985, sat down with Public Works Director and County Highway Engineer Lyndon Colebrook-Robjent to unpack what's happening, when, and why it matters — both for your daily commute and for the long-term value of real estate in Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, Waconia, and the surrounding communities. They cover what's already underway on the ground, which roads close in 2026 and what the detour picture looks like, the full Highway 5 closure coming in 2027, the engineering challenge of building a four-lane road through the Lake Minnewashta wetlands, why the trees had to come down in February before any road work started (it involves an endangered bat), the roundabout strategy and why Carver County keeps building them, and the connection between this level of infrastructure investment and where Carver County real estate is headed. Lyndon also makes a point that transportation investment and land use go hand in hand. When you build the infrastructure right, the communities around it get stronger. Victoria is proving that right now. Public open house: Wednesday, March 25th, 5–7 p.m., University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska. If you live near this corridor, go. More at HelloIamGregAnderson.com ———

    43 min

  4. MAR 13

    Molly Koivumaki- Executive Director of Beyond New Beginnings-Beyond New Beginnings: How Carver County Rallied Around Its Young Moms

    What does it actually take to keep a community's most vulnerable families from falling through the cracks? In this episode, Greg sits down with Molly Koivumaki, the first Executive Director of Beyond New Beginnings — a supportive housing program in Chaska that provides safe, stable homes for young moms and their children as they work toward independence. Molly brings nearly 25 years of Chaska roots, a background in municipal government and affordable housing, and a front-row seat to one of Carver County's best grassroots stories. It started with a Rotary meeting in 2019, when local businessman Russ St. John heard a presentation by New Beginnings High School teacher Sue Schmidt about the housing struggles facing young moms after graduation — and decided to do something about it. A few years later, that conversation has become a thriving program serving families in a beautifully rehabbed historic building in downtown Chaska, with a brand new fourplex on the way thanks to developer Dave Pokorney and Community Asset Group. Greg and Molly talk about what it actually looks like when a young mom walks through the door at BNB, why this program earns support across every political line, and what the community's response has revealed about the character of Carver County. Spoiler: it's not what Molly expected — and her answer might surprise you too. If you caught Greg's earlier episode with Sue Schmidt about the New Beginnings High School program, this is the next chapter. And if you haven't, this one stands completely on its own. Beyond New Beginnings is community-funded, volunteer-supported, and always looking for people who want to get involved — whether that's teaching a class, bringing a Monday night meal, or making a financial contribution. Learn more at beyondnewbeginnings.org

    31 min
  5. Chaska City Manager Matt Podhradsky talks about the City Safety Center

    MAR 6

    Chaska City Manager Matt Podhradsky talks about the City Safety Center

    Chaska City Manager Matt Podhradsky returns to the podcast to talk about the city's brand-new $48million Public Safety Center, set to open in just weeks. Greg got a privatetour of the facility and sits down with Matt to unpack the full story — fromwhy the old buildings couldn't keep up, to the historic Chaska elements builtinto the design, to the decontamination zones protecting firefighters fromcancer-causing carcinogens. Matt explains how Chaska is transitioning its 165-year-old volunteer fire departmentto a modern duty crew model, why the police station built for 11 peoplecouldn't serve 32 officers fielding 13,000 calls a year, and what the buildingimprovement program means for the city's future — including a new municipalservices building and a downtown library. They also talk about the real cost to homeowners ($8/month for the averagehousehold), how data drove the decision to build new rather than remodel, andwhat Matt hopes residents feel the first time they walk through the doors. This is Living IN Carver County — connecting friends, building community. Host: Greg Anderson | RE/MAX Advisors West Newsletter: HelloIamGregAnderson.substack.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregoryranderson

    38 min
  6. Ernise Beckel: How Caring Transitions Helps Carver County Families Navigate Senior Downsizing

    FEB 27

    Ernise Beckel: How Caring Transitions Helps Carver County Families Navigate Senior Downsizing

    What do you do when your parents have 40 years of stuff in a 4,000 square foot house and they need to move to a 1,200 square foot assisted living apartment? Most families are paralyzed by this question—and Ernise Beckel has spent her career solving it.Ernise is a registered nurse with 20 years of experience who kept walking into seniors' homes and seeing the same problem: people discharged from hospitals into houses filled with clutter, creating fall hazards and overwhelming situations that nobody was addressing. Now she co-owns Caring Transitions of Eden Prairie with her mom, serving families throughout Carver County and the southwest metro.In this conversation, we get into the actual mechanics of how this works:THE PROCESS• Free consultation: 30-60 minutes, includes walkthrough and density assessment• They measure the new space and tell you exactly what will fit• SOD method: Sort, Organize, Donate, Dispose• They photograph everything and recreate familiar arrangements in the new home WHERE THE STUFF GOES• CT Bids online auction platform reaches 300,000+ registered shoppers nationwide• About 75% of household items can be sold• Revenue split: 65% to homeowner, 35% to Caring Transitions• Items ship nationwide—not limited to local buyers like estate sales TIMELINE & PRICING• Full liquidation (selling everything): 3-4 weeks• Cleanout only (donate/dispose): approximately 1 week• Cost: $3-5 per square foot depending on density• Recommended lead time: call at least one month before you need completion WHY IT'S DIFFERENT FROM ESTATE SALES• No strangers walking through your house• No cars parked on curbs (HOA friendly)• Online bidding reaches national market• They handle ALL remaining items—nothing left behind• Items are shipped to buyers, not picked up on-site THE EMOTIONAL SIDEErnise talks about why she insists on meeting mom (not just the adult children), how to handle situations when the senior doesn't want to move, and why patience is essential. Her nursing background shapes everything about how she approaches these transitions. PRACTICAL ADVICEFor families avoiding the conversation: bring it up when multiple family members are present (holidays can work), focus on benefits like being closer to family or having built-in social connections, and give them time to process—this usually takes months, not days. SERVICE AREA: Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Waconia, Victoria, and surrounding Carver County communities CONNECT WITH CARING TRANSITIONS: Website: caringtransitions.com ABOUT THE HOST: Greg Anderson has been selling real estate in Carver County since 1985 with over 3,000 homes sold. Living IN Carver County is his podcast connecting friends and building community through conversations with local business owners, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and community members. Substack: HelloIamGregAnderson.substack.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregoryranderson

    46 min
  7. From Social Worker to Sourdough Entrepreneur in Cologne, Minnesota | Elaine Dube

    FEB 19

    From Social Worker to Sourdough Entrepreneur in Cologne, Minnesota | Elaine Dube

    From social worker to sourdough entrepreneur—Elaine Dube turned a friend's encouragement and a 106-year-old sourdough starter into Hello Simple; a business teaching hands-on sourdough classes across Minnesota. Elaine moved to Cologne, Minnesota in December 2023 and started by simply posting in the local Facebook group asking if anyone wanted to learn sourdough. Twenty-five people said yes. Now she's teaching sold-out classes at wineries, breweries, and venues from the Arboretum to Sapsucker Farms in Mora.In this episode, we talk about the realities of building a business while raising two young daughters, how western Carver County has been "wildly supportive" of small business owners, and why keeping things simple is at the heart of everything she does.WHAT WE COVERThe winding path from Upper Peninsula Michigan through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Nebraska, and finally to Cologne, Minnesota. How her sourdough starter has been passed down for 106 years and why that matters for beginners. What you actually need to start a food-based business in Minnesota, including the cottage food producer license, forming an LLC, and getting insurance coverage. The trial-and-error of pricing creative services when there's no established market. Building community connections as a newcomer through Oakwood Community Church, local schools, and Logan Pass coffee house. Why she's chosen Facebook and Instagram over TikTok and YouTube to stay focused on real human connection. Structuring a business around young kids and leaning on your village of support. What happens at a Sourdough 101 class and what participants take home. Her dream of a brick-and-mortar location with a teaching kitchen and boutique.Elaine's advice for anyone thinking about turning a hobby into a business: start small, take the chance, and follow where the business wants to go rather than forcing it in a direction.ABOUT COLOGNE, MINNESOTACologne is part of western Carver County along the Highway 212 corridor, about 35 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Elaine describes it as a mix of old and new—the original Cologne, established neighborhoods south of 212, and newer developments to the north where young families are putting down roots. It's a small town with a strong sense of community that's proven to be welcoming to newcomers and supportive of local entrepreneurs. ABOUT THIS PODCASTLiving IN Carver County is hosted by Greg Anderson, a Carver County real estate professional with RE/MAX Advisors West who has sold over 3,000 homes since 1985. This podcast features conversations with the people who make Carver County the best place to live, work, and raise a family—from Chaska and Chanhassen to Victoria, Waconia, Cologne, Carver, Mayer, and Norwood Young America. CONNECTHello Simple (Elaine's business): hellosimple.comHost: Greg Anderson, RE/MAX Advisors WestSubstack: HelloIamGregAnderson.substack.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregoryranderson Living In Carver County—Connecting friends, building community.

    40 min
  8. Melodie Bridgeman – Inside the Carver County CDA: Down Payment Assistance, Land Trusts & the Wild Chaska Yards Story

    FEB 12

    Melodie Bridgeman – Inside the Carver County CDA: Down Payment Assistance, Land Trusts & the Wild Chaska Yards Story

    Melodie Bridgeman from the Carver County Community Development Agency pulls back the curtain on programs most residents don't know exist. We dig into the CDA's down payment assistance offering up to $50,000 in forgivable loans for first-time buyers, break down how Community Land Trusts let families purchase $400,000 homes at $250,000 price points, and Melodie tells the full story behind Chaska Yards—a decade-long project involving a yellow brick house moved at half a mile per hour, an accidental fire caused by a gecko heat lamp, and archaeologists excavating 1,900 artifacts from a historic outhouse pit. We also cover Section 8 and rental assistance (and clear up some misconceptions), resources for homeowners facing financial hardship, and Next Stage—the free entrepreneurial support program that helped 50 Carver County businesses secure nearly $3 million in financing last year. Whether you're a first-time buyer wondering how to afford Carver County, a landlord curious about voucher programs, or someone with a business idea you've been sitting on, this episode has something for you. CarverCDA.org | NextStageMN.org

    54 min
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An insider's guide to the people and places that make Carver County Minnesota a fantastic place to live and work and raise a family. We visit with dedicated people who through their jobs, volunteer actives or their businesses, make an important difference in our local communities. The cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, Waconia, Cologne, Norwwood Young America, Mayer, Watertown, New Germany and Hamburg as well as in the townships area are places we will be featuring and we'll be talking to behind the scenes people who are stepping up, doing their best every day to make things better.

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