July 1, 2009 marked the first anniversary of Preston Kelly’s move from suburban Edina to the bustling urban core of Northeast Minneapolis. One year removed from our swanky offices in the glass and concrete office park, we’ve had to learn to work shoulder-to-shoulder in the open space of our century-old brick fire barn. It’s been an interesting year.

We’ve learned a lot together. We’ve learned that bugs, rain, wind and cold are very good at exploiting cracks and holes in a building. But a year is enough time to find and patch most of the openings.

We’ve learned that close quarters and hard surfaces can compromise privacy. So if you insist on talking to your doctor about a private health matter at work, it’s best to avoid phrases like “milky discharge.”

We’ve learned that forgetting to plug your parking meter will cost you $34. Getting nailed by the speed trap on the Hennepin Avenue Bridge sets you back $145. And violating city noise ordinances by having keggers, wrestling, live music and hundreds of guests in your parking lot after curfew might get your President taken into custody. But that was a chance we were willing to take.

We’ve also learned that we live in an incredible neighborhood. It’s dotted with great Irish, Polish, Italian, Mexican, Caribbean, American restaurants and bars offering tons of wonderful options for lunch and happy hour.

The one thing we’re still struggling to learn is who belongs to the underwear in the doorway up the street. It’s been there since winter. Some of us walk by it daily, often without a glance. But today, in honor of PK’s first anniversary in the neighborhood, we’re reaching out. We want to help. But we can’t do it alone. If you recognize this underwear, please let us know. Together, let’s get it off the street and back into hands of its rightful owner.

We think it’s underwear and perhaps a t-shirt. It’s been in the doorway since last December (at least).

The streets are no place for underwear. Please help us get it back into the hands of its owner.