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Burnsville | Eagan August 17, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 25

Eagan author entertains with ‘Anteater Boy’

Opinion

by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

for herself and her children. “I appreciate every day,” Mary said. “People take so many things for granted.” After she left her husband and the abusive relationship behind, Mary went back to school to earn a degree in which she can help victims of domestic abuse in some way. “I never thought any of this would be possible,” she said. “I have a new self-confidence, feeling

It is reported that one in four women will be the victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime. Burnsville-based 360 Communities’s domestic abuse services work with more than 2,500 victims annually – that’s nearly seven victims per day. Local residents can help turn back the tide of domestic abuse by reporting incidents of possible domestic abuse. Officials at 360 Communities understand that neighbors or family members are apprehensive about reporting abuse for fear of retribution or a whole host of other reasons. But they say the important message to remember that is domestic

High school isn’t easy for freshman Zak Dale. He’s invisible to most of his classmates, especially the popular students, until one fateful day. The timeless story of adolescent strife is presented by Eagan resident Dean Ammerman in his recently published book, “Anteater Boy.” “My hope is that my readers have some fun,” Ammerman said. “I hope they can feel better about trusting in themselves after reading the book.” The 55-year-old decided to write the novel after searching for an uplifting coming-of-age story. “A lot of them are depressing, so I decided to create one myself,” he said. As Ammerman’s character, Zak, attempts to define himself and attract the attention of a popular girl, he runs into trouble, including one incident that causes the school to close for the afternoon. Along the way, a teacher makes a meaningful impression on the teenager. Ammerman said he didn’t plot the book out ahead of time, and instead

See Abuse, 9A

See Resources, 11A

See Author, 11A

Bullying scarred boy for life Twin Cities woman talks about how the bullying her son endured transformed his life in a devastating way. Page 4A

Help turn back the tide of domestic abuse

thisweekend

A new life blooms Dakota County woman overcomes barriers to leaving her abusive relationship by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

Local man spins mermaid tales Lakeville actor to tell the stories of mythical creatures in Mermaid Cove at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Page 12A

sports

Blaze aim to recreate magic Injuries are hindering the Burnsville girls soccer team, but the players hope 2012 is as magical as last season. Page 16A

When Mary moved into her house a few years ago, she planted some flowers. Each spring they bloom and she rejoices in the day to come free from the yelling, screaming and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her former husband. It’s been nearly a decade since the abuse started and it took Mary several years to finally leave her husband. It’s been several more years to put her life back together

Sun Thisweek

Kautz top vote-getter in Burnsville mayoral primary Burnsville Mayor Elizatoo long and Kautz claiming beth Kautz turned the taa long record of progress for bles Tuesday on Jerry WilBurnsville. lenburg, the top vote-getter Willenburg, a past candiin the mayoral primary four date for City Council and the years ago. District 191 School Board, This time Kautz came raised eyebrows four years out on top, with 1,676 votes Elizabeth ago by outpolling Kautz to Willenburg’s 1,470, ac- Kautz in the primary by 17 votes. cording to unofficial results He was a vocal opponent reported by Dakota County. Bill of building the $20 million BurnsDavid Ansari got 225 votes in the ville Performing Arts Center, which three-way race for two spots on the Kautz had championed and voted ballot. to approve. Kautz and Willenburg will now The veteran mayor, first elected have a November rematch, with WilSee Primary, 22A lenburg asserting she’s been in office

Having a blast in Eagan Pawlenty gets

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty greets Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to the stage during a campaign stop in February at Freightmasters in Eagan.

passed over again

Online

Former governor shrugs off speculation he would be vice presidential pick

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by Tad Johnson

Eagan firefighter Todd Adamson shows 4-year-old Jacob Vogel and 2-yearold Danikate Vogel how to use a fire hose during the Fire Department’s annual ice cream social on Aug. 9 at the Eagan Fire Safety Center.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is doing just fine, his supporters say. On the short list of many national pundits as a possible vice presidential candidate, Pawlenty was passed over again when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney – like Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain four years ago – picked somebody else. Romney, whom Pawlenty has heavily campaigned for, selected budget hawk and Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan. Pawlenty immediately signaled support. “I am excited about a RomneyRyan ticket and look forward to doing all I can to help them win this election,” he said in a statement. Appearing on ABC’s This Week

on Aug. 12, Pawlenty insisted he hadn’t been supporting Romney because he thought he would be vice president. “I’m not disappointed I didn’t get something I didn’t expect,” said Pawlenty, a former Eagan City Council member and state representative. Former Pawlenty chief of staff and commissioner Dan McElroy, president/CEO of Hospitality Minnesota, said Pawlenty indicated weeks ago the Romney campaign should look at other vicepresidential contenders. “He’s a young kid,” said McElroy of Burnsville and former longtime legislator from the area. “He’s enormously talented. … And he’s busy.” Pawlenty has growing ties to See Pawlenty, 3A

August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

LED billboards likely in Burnsville by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

LED billboards with changeable messages may soon be seen along Interstate 35W in the north end of Burnsville. At an Aug. 13 work session, a City Council majority ordered preparation of ordinance changes that would allow LED billboards with messages that change no more frequently than every eight seconds. For every billboard face an owner converts to LED, one “static” billboard face in Burnsville would have to be removed. The new LED billboards would have to be mounted on decorative new

poles, and the signs would have to accommodate public service announcements. The changes were prompted by a request from Clear Channel Outdoors, which has four billboards in Burnsville and is looking to expand its digital billboard network here. The company plans to remove one of its billboards, along County Road 11 near Interstate 35E, and convert one or both of its two billboards along I-35W, according to Matthew Weiland, senior real estate representative for Clear Channel Outdoors. Council Member Mary Sherry and Mayor Eliza-

beth Kautz have been cool to flashing billboards set against views of the Minnesota River valley in the city’s northern entrance. Sherry has been especially vocal, and objected to the eight-second changeability, saying it will distract drivers. “I used to buy billboard space,” she said. “You buy them because you want to distract people. Hello?” Five of the nine billboards in Burnsville are under agreements to eventually be removed. John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

City residential taxes could fall slightly Burnsville eyes 2.7 percent levy hike

by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

City taxes on an averagevalued Burnsville home would fall slightly next year under the city’s latest 2013 tax proposal. The City Council is expected to vote Sept. 4 on a maximum levy increase of about 2.7 percent. Taxes would rise by about $710,950, for a total levy of $27.5 million. The city tax on an average-valued home ($187,000) would fall by about $7, the city estimates. The city tax on $1 million in commercial/industrial property would rise by an estimated $601. Even though total tax collections would go up, taxes on the average-valued home would fall because residential property values have dropped faster than commercial values, shifting more of the overall tax burden to commercial properties. The value of the $187,000 home will have fallen by 7.5 percent from 2012 to 2013, compared with a 1.7 percent drop for $1 million in commercial/industrial property, the city estimates.

City taxes on an averagevalued home dropped by about $100 in 2012, when the city levied 3.7 percent less than it had in 2011. But that one-time decrease reflected the state Legislature’s axing of the Market Value Homestead Credit, which would have required the city to levy $1.2 million more to pay property tax reimbursements. To maintain current services and spending plans, the 2013 levy would have to rise by about $1.2 million, or 4.5 percent. Council members directed city staffers in June to pare the increase. Staffers had already identified potential savings, such as eliminating a deputy city manager position vacated by a retirement and postponing planned annual contributions for parks projects, infrastructure replacement, and preparation for an emerald ash borer infestation. The $1.2 million increase was cut to $703,440. Council members received the changes with little comment at an Aug. 13 work session. Council members did reject a proposal to cut the city contribution to Greater

MSP, a public-private economic development effort. The net savings would be $7,500. Staffers will continue to look for savings as department budgets take shape, City Manager Craig Ebeling said. “I know you think like that anyway,” Council Member Mary Sherry said. “The less impact we can have on our taxpayers, the better.” State law requires cities to certify maximum levies before final adoption of budgets and levies. Levies can be lower than the maximum, but not higher. Burnsville’s council is scheduled to vote on a budget and levy Dec. 4. Budget “open houses” the city has held in recent years have been poorly attended. This year, the city will try a “virtual” open house on its website that will begin Oct. 10. The virtual open house will allow for resident feedback, the city says. John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

the private sector as a corporate board member. If Pawlenty decides to enter public service again, that would be great, McElroy said, noting Pawlenty has already made a huge contribution. “I want whatever Tim wants,” McElroy said. Hennepin County Commissioner and Minnesota Republican National Committee member Jeff Johnson expects Pawlenty to reenter public service. “I don’t think he’s done,” said Johnson, who served in the Legislature during the Pawlenty years. Pundits in Minnesota view the U.S. Senate race in 2014, when Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken faces reelection, as an opportunity for Pawlenty. Pawlenty would be a strong U.S. Senate candidate, Johnson believes, or he could join the Romney administration. Former Republican U.S. Sen. Rod Grams in recent

days has been privately saying he thought Romney would pick Ryan. He wouldn’t have been surprised had Pawlenty gotten the nod, explained Grams, but Ryan brings Washington experience. “Tim has been a good guy – a smart kid,” Grams said. Grams, who believes Romney will beat Democratic President Barack Obama unless something “weird” happens, sees Pawlenty’s immediate future as serving in the Romney administration, perhaps as secretary of agriculture or human services. “His (Pawlenty’s) eyes are on the campaign, and I think that’s where his focus is,” Grams said.

Overlooked again The national punditry long ago pinned the label of charisma-challenged on Pawlenty, and even Pawlenty supporters do not grow lyrical in describing the strengths of the two-term governor. “He’s not a man who’s

larger than life,” said Rep. Jim Abeler. R-Anoka, shortly after Pawlenty declared his short-lived presidential candidacy on a baking rooftop in Des Moines, Iowa, last summer. Pawlenty perhaps would not mind being seen as the Maytag repair man of politician – knowledgeable, competent, right tool in hand, explained Abeler, who served with Pawlenty in the state House of Representatives. Pundits suggested one of the strongest assets Pawlenty could have brought to the Romney ticket was finite stage presence – an assurance that he would not outshine Romney. A Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted Aug. 8-12 showed 14 percent of conservative Republicans held “strongly favorable” views of Pawlenty prior to the Ryan pick. Bill Hillsman, of Northwoods Advertising, a firm that has produced iconic campaign ads for Paul Wellstone and Jesse Ventura,

said Pawlenty’s son-of-atruck-driver, blue-collar image seemed unconvincing – a son of a truck driver would never have meekly stood down from running for the U.S. Senate because the Bush White House placed a call, he argued last summer. “I think the real problem for Pawlenty is there’s not a lot there,” Hillsman said. Critics have found Pawlenty’s explanation of his conservative roots, considering his upbringing in Democrat-leaning South St. Paul and the union ties among his siblings, a little puzzling. In his campaign book, “Courage to Stand,” Pawlenty expresses a certain a mystification. “Why I became a conservative so early on is anyone’s guess, but my steadfast views were on display immediately through the course of those kitchen-table debates with my dad or others,” Pawlenty wrote. In his book, Pawlenty chronicles the harsh impact the closure of the once thriv-

ing stockyards of South St. Paul had on his family and city, the early loss of his mother to cancer, the joys of playing hockey and of family. One tie Pawlenty had to the Romney campaign, other than his active support that has him traveling the country as a Romney surrogate, is the friendship his wife, Mary Pawlenty, has reportedly struck with Romney’s wife, Ann Romney. National media have reported that Mary Pawlenty, a former judge, and Ann Romney are genuinely fond of one another. His wife may have played a role in another perceived strength for Romney. In his book, Tim Pawlenty speaks of his wife, an evangelical Christian, as helping him understand the ongoing, dynamic relevance of Scripture to life. While raised a Catholic, Pawlenty was drawn to Mary Pawlenty’s religious views and church, Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie. His evangelical creden-

tials were seen as politically useful to Romney – a means of pacifying the uneasiness some evangelicals may have felt in voting for a Mormon. Ryan is Catholic. As for carrying his home state for Romney, Pawlenty never broke the 50 percent threshold in his gubernatorial elections – 44 percent in 2002, about 47 percent in 2006 – and political watchers in Minnesota consider it highly improbable he could have delivered the state for Romney. Another story about Pawlenty and the Romney pick is online at www.SunThisweek.com. Tad Johnson can be reached at tad.johnson@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Pawlenty, from 1A

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Opinion

August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Good parents, teachers don’t let children bully others by Larry Werner Sun Thisweek

Recently in this space, I talked about the problem of bullying and shared my experience with bullies who used their power to mistreat my three children, who are now adults. I also mentioned some of the stories that have run in our newspapers about efforts by school districts to devise policies to protect students from bullies. And I invited readers to e-mail me with their experiences. I received only a few emails. But one was so compelling, I met with the writer, who told me about the effects bullies have had on her son, who is now a young husband and father. I agreed to protect the identity of the young man, but I received permission from his mother to tell his story because it illustrates the point I made in the headline on my column: “The pain inflict-

Sun Thisweek Columnist

Larry Werner

ed by bullies can last a lifetime.” Recalling his days in elementary school, when older students made fun of him on the school bus and kicked his lunch tray from his hands in the cafeteria, the woman said her son told her at the time: “Every class needs a nerd. I guess I am that nerd.” She and her husband complained to the teacher, who said: “What happens in the lunchroom and playground are out of my control; that is my break time.” The principal, likewise, said there was nothing he could do, even though that principal was a

friend of hers. On the advice of a therapist, the parents switched their son to another school. It helped some, “bought some time,” as she put it, but by junior high, the boy fell into friendships that revolved around drug use. He spent three years in “deep addiction,” his mother said, and dropped out of high school. After a few DUIs, he got help, has been sober for 10 years and has a loving wife and children. “However, he is a man who is without trust,” the mother said of her adult son. “He is a loving father, husband, son and brother; yet, he won’t let anyone else into his life. He is fearful of authority. He stopped laughing a very long time ago.” She said her son learned from his bullying experience to trust no one and that when you let your guard down, you get hurt.” She recalled a poem she had read in a

women’s magazine from a mother to a child’s teacher. The mother in that poem wrote to the teacher that she had dressed her son in clean clothes, packed his lunch, loaded him up with school supplies and waved goodbye as she put the smiling boy on the school bus. The poem concluded with this question to the teacher: “What will you send home to me?” She concluded her e-mail to me with this statement: “Thank you for this opportunity to express the pain I’ve felt ever since I put my little boy on the bus all those years ago.” Larry Werner is director of news for ECM Publishers. He is a former Lakeville resident and general manager/editor of Sun Thisweek. His e-mail is larry.werner@ecminc.com. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Canterbury Park, Mystic Lake agreement offers new beginning for horse industry by Jeff Hilger

Guest Columnist

Special to Sun Thisweek

When someone doesn’t tell the full story, you need to call them out. Even when it is your local newspaper. ECM Newspapers missed the boat with its early August editorial attacking the recent purse enhancement agreement between Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It is important that people understand the facts behind this agreement, which most of the leaders of Minnesota’s horse groups strongly support. The agreement does three things. Most importantly, it provides $75 million in purse increases over the next 10 years. It will more than double purses at Canterbury Park, bringing this track to top 25 status in the country. Second, it creates a marketing partnership between the two groups, a partnership that is no different than any other sponsorships that other horse tracks have with groups like Pepsi or AT&T. Finally, Canterbury Park will no longer

support a Racino bill. After 15 years and millions of dollars spent to pass Racino at the Minnesota Legislature, is anyone surprised that Canterbury Park is ready to walk away from this endless and expensive battle? Is anyone surprised that the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community wants Canterbury Park to walk away? The idea of using gambling revenues to increase horse purses is not new. Many states supplement purses with slot machines or card rooms like the card club at Running Aces. The difference with this agreement is that it involves revenue from existing casinos, which means no new law or regulation was needed. The Minnesota Racing Commission reviewed the agreement and determined that it would greatly improve Minnesota’s horse industry without affecting the integrity of Minnesota horse racing.

ECM’s main concern is that Running Aces was left behind. But Running Aces and Canterbury Park have never been close allies in the Racino debate, primarily because Canterbury Park has been focused on improving the horse industry while Running Aces has been focused on improving its bottom line. For several years, Running Aces refused to support Racino bills favored by Minnesota’s horse industry because the track’s private owners would not get enough of the take from the slot machines. I have personally been involved in conversations with Running Aces about Racino legislation. From the beginning, they have been honest with me — they are more interested in adding new casino games to Running Aces than improving harness racing. The problem is not leaving Running Aces behind, because they have always been running a different race. In contrast, Canterbury Park has focused on improving the horse industry and jumped at the chance to more than double

racing purses. Under the agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, not a dime of casino revenue goes into the pockets of Canterbury Park’s shareholders. All proceeds from this agreement will go to purses or improved marketing. Frankly, I am not sure that Running Aces would accept this deal if it was offered to them today. Running Aces has a decision to make. If their goal is Racino revenue for the bottom line of track owners, they should keep plowing ahead. After all, maybe 15 years has not been long enough to wait for Racinos. But if our most important goal is to improve Minnesota’s horse industry, Running Aces needs a different approach. One that puts racing purses and investment in breeding first. Jeff Hilger is president of the Equine Development Coalition of Minnesota. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters Republicans don’t deserve the credit To the editor: A recent letter to the editor praised our current Republican senator for balancing the budget and turning a “hefty deficit to a positive balance.” The writer claims to be a CPA. Nevertheless, her claims about taxes and budget balances … well they just don’t add up. All the Republican incumbents in the Eagan area claim to have balanced the budget and not to have raised taxes. Unfortunately, they engaged in shadow accounting because their balanced budget of $500 million doesn’t take into account the $2.2 billion they still owe to the schools, money borrowed from our children. And yet they still want more deregulation of businesses. Compare your home value today with six years ago. On an average $300,000 home in the area, you could have lost up to 30 percent in its value resulting from the Republican deregulation policies. You can’t be better off when your home is worth less, your

property taxes have gone up, and they have not paid back the money borrowed from the schools. You don’t have a $500 million balance when you owe $2.2 billion in loans. You don’t have to be a CPA to know that produces a negative balance of $1.7 billion, not a surplus. Our Republican state senator and his colleagues are good talkers. But we need real accountants/public servants to make our economy work. Let’s make a real change in November and support Jim Carlson, a businessman who talks honestly about the economy and who will work with all members of the Legislature, not just his own side. Betty Mackey Eagan

Statements about Caponi Art Park were untrue To the editor: I agree with a previous letter writer that Eagan does have wonderful parks. One in particular offers visitors a wholly unique experi-

ence – Caponi Art Park and Learning Center. Unfortunately, the letter writer was uninformed about many aspects of the park, which resulted in untrue statements being published. Here are the facts: • Anthony Caponi is professor emeritus from Macalester College and a respected sculptor, author and philosopher; Caponi Art Park is a 20-year-old, unique park operated by a self-sustaining nonprofit organization. • As a previous Caponi Art Park board member, I know that Anthony Caponi never owned the land on which the townhouses are situated; and in fact, the Caponi’s joined others who lobbied for the land to remain open green space. • None of the sculptures on display in the park are students’ work. • As a nonprofit organization, the Caponi Art Park board of directors supports the mission that the park be accessible to everyone by not charging admission fees. The nonprofit is fortunate to have many donors who love and support the park by giving generously.

Letters to the editor policy Sun Thisweek welcomes letters to the editor. Submitted letters must be no more than 350 words. All letters must have the author’s phone number and address for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Letters reflect the opinion of the author only. Sun Thisweek reserves the right to edit all letters. Submission of a letter does not guarantee publication.

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• The “current modest” attendance has soared exponentially from 5,500 people in 2008 to 17,400 people in 2011, an increase of 216 percent. Just this month over 800 people were in the park enjoying the Japanese drum performance on a beautiful evening at the amphitheater. • The park has drawn visitors from other states and internationally to its cultural performances and is an asset worthy of being preserved in perpetuity for the benefit of all. Anthony and Cheryl Caponi work endless hours so that the rest of us can enjoy a beautiful park whether for walking the sculpture gardens, attending the weekly summer children’s programs or the various cultural, musical and theatrical programs. Karilyn Ryan Eagan

Funfest was a success To the editor: On behalf of the Eagan’s July 4th Funfest Committee, I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude to all the sponsors, vendors and volunteers who were involved during this year’s event. With their help, we continue to be Eagan’s largest community event with the best 4th of July fireworks in the region. This year’s event was challenged by weather extremes. July 3 started with the “Healthy Hour, the Kiddie Bike Parade and children’s activities, and were well attended in spite of the heat. The evening’s entertainment, for their fifth consecutive year was the Dweebs. They brought children and adults alike on stage to participate, and families were dancing and having a good time. The festival grounds were full with both the carnival rides and vendors. The 46th annual parade kicked off the July 4 activities with 105 participants. The fifth annual Brain Freeze was well attended by visiting ambassadors. It was the first public introduction

of Eagan’s 2012 ambassador candidates. Two events made a comeback after a several years hiatus, they were Bingo and the Car Show, and both well attended, all things considered. The evening entertainment was The Under Achievers. All eyes focus upwards to the sky at 10 p.m. with the annual fireworks display. After last year’s fireworks show, it would be hard to top, but didn’t disappoint as the display lasted, according to my watch, 29 minutes. This year’s event concluded with the ambassador program July 9. In attendance were dignitaries from the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Six young ladies were crowned as ambassadors of the Eagan’s July 4th Funfest and will represent our event and the city of Eagan with honor and enthusiasm. Larry Hilden Eagan’s July 4th Chairman of the Board of Directors

A puzzle and key

be a community asset we might well find ways to use. The ability of local units of government service to collaborate and share seems like an idea whose time has come. And the challenges of spiraling expenses for health and schools while we make less money stand as stimuli to all our creative juices. In redesigning Minnesota, we can shift our tax policies to reflect the values of equality, we can continue to create new, accessible ways to be healthy, and develop our futures in ways not limited to accumulation of wealth in the hands of the lucky few. The picture is a both puzzle and key. Paul Hoffinger Eagan

Where is the surplus? To the editor: Last week Peggy Benson made several positive comments about Sen. Ted Daley. One was that Daley played a significant role in taking our state from a deficit to a significant surplus. Benson pointed out that she is a CPA and thus has a much stronger background in financial matters than most of us. I’m a retired high school math teacher who’d like to point out one significant detail. The State of Minnesota has borrowed close to $2.5 billion from the schools in our state in the last two legislative sessions. How can Benson think that we now have a surplus?

To the editor: The challenges described on previous editorial pages include our state’s aging (and retiring) workforce, the chance to consolidate some local services between municipalities and school districts, and continuing increases in medical expenses, education costs, and a downward trend in average incomes. These very factors may be opportunities for us to design our state smarter, without making life harder. BRUCE ANDERSON The wealth, if you will, of Burnsville talented, retired people can

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

Alleged school vandals ‘take 10 seek 4 seats on a stroll down memory lane’ District 191 School Board by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

A pair of 21-year-olds who allegedly wanted to “take a stroll down memory lane” by breaking into Nicollet Junior High School in Burnsville now face felony charges. Zachery Ross Rother and Justin Scott McGuire, both of Burnsville, tried to flee police after tripping an alarm at the school at about 1 a.m. on Aug. 9, according to criminal complaints. A police dog was used to apprehend McGuire, who was found hiding in a children’s playhouse across 134th Street from the school. Rother was arrested less than 12 hours later at his place of work. Each faces one count of second-degree burglary of a government, religious, historic or school facility and one count of fleeing an officer without a vehicle. Both are felonies. Officers set up a perimeter

around the building after getting the alarm call. An officer on the north side of the building heard what sounded like a door opening. Shining his flashlight at the door, he saw the two men inside. They shut the door and ran back inside. A few seconds later, according to complaints, an officer in front of the school reported that the duo had run out the front door of the school and across 134th Street. Inside the staff lounge, officers found a microwave tipped onto the floor and mustard all over the refrigerator. They also saw that the steel door on the roof had been damaged. A canine officer was called in to help with the search and arrest. “Paramedics were called due to the canine apprehension and an officer stayed with McGuire at the hospital,” complaints said. McGuire told police he and

“his friend Zach” had met for a couple of drinks and then decided to “take a stroll down memory lane,” complaints said. He said they entered Nicollet through a door on the roof. McGuire admitted to emptying a bottle of mustard all over the refrigerator and dumping out a couple of cans of pop in the staff lounge, complaints said. He admitted to fleeing police, saying it was either “flight or fight” – and he didn’t want to fight the officers. Rother said under police questioning that the door on the roof of the school was locked but easy to push open, complaints said. He said he pushed the microwave off a table. He said the pair entered the school “so that they could say they did it,” complaints said. John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Ten residents are running for four seats on the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 Board of Education. The filing period closed Aug. 14. All four incumbents whose terms are expiring are seeking re-election. DeeDee Currier of Burnsville, Ron Hill of Savage (the current board chair) and Sandra Sweep of Burnsville are running for four-year terms. Incumbent Robert VandenBoom of Eagan is running for the two-year term. The board appointed him last August to replace Gail Morrison,

who moved out of the district. The appointment expires at the end of the year. Other candidates for the four-year terms are Steve Dove of Burnsville, Mark Korman of Burnsville, Seema Pothini of Savage and Mark “MR. TEAK” Traikoff of Burnsville. Other candidates for the two-year term are Joshua Mathews of Savage and Tom McCasey of Burnsville. There is no primary before the Nov. 6 general election. The winners will begin their terms on the sevenmember board in January.

Nonprofit seeks volunteers DARTS is seeking volunteers one day a week to support its transit fare recording duties at its office in West St. Paul. DARTS is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that serves older adults. Volunteers would help with tabulating fares and sorting fare tickets.

Volunteers are needed either Thursday or Friday for a couple hours during business office hours. To volunteer or for more information, contact Barb Tiggemann, (651) 455-1560 or barb.tiggemann@ darts1.org, or visit www.darts1.org.

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Longtime public works employee named city engineer John Gorder has served Eagan for 17 years Gorder’s skills were put to the test again a few years later when he was working on the Cedar Grove redevelopment district. “Working with the existing aging infrastructure and making sure it was a good piece of property for the deal was a challenge,” he said. When he’s not upgrading Eagan’ infrastructure, Gorder mentors area youths and college students. He and Matthys have assisted Black Hawk Middle School students for years with the Future Cities program. “We really encourage that,” Matthys said. “It’s good for students to find out what engineering is all about.” Gorder has also mentored local high school students and overseen college interns. “I enjoy seeing young people who are interested in the profession and being able to steer them toward the profession if possible,” he said. Gorder said his own mentors include Colbert and Matthys, who taught him the ins and outs of Eagan’s Public Works Department and infrastructure.

a job with the city of Eagan as an engineer. By 2000, he While John was promoted to Gorder isn’t a assistant city engihousehold name, neer. his name is on ev Since then, Gorder ery bridge, road and sewer system in the John Gorder has been instrumental in various infracity. Now he will be stepping structure projects throughfrom behind the scenes to out the city. the forefront as Eagan’s city “John has been great for the city,” Matthys said. engineer. Gorder will replace Russ “John’s very well respected Matthys, who was promot- in the region and has good ed to the position of public relationships with the counworks director upon Tom ty, state and his peers at Colbert’s retirement last other cities.” Of all the projects he’s May. “I’m every excited about done in the past 17 years, the increased role,” Gorder Gorder said he is most said. “The city of Eagan proud of the 140 miles of has always been looked at street improvements he’s as a leader, and I’d like to been a part of in Eagan. continue to work as such.” Gorder also served as an The Eagan resident was expert on the city’s roundfascinated by city infra- about projects, and encourstructure from a young aged city officials to conage and was inspired by a sider the “best value” when family friend, who was a accepting bids instead of civil engineer, to pursue the the lowest cost alone. “It allows cities to look same career path. “I was interested in how at the best interest of the things work and how to city, not just the lowest provide basic needs for peo- price,” Matthys said. The greatest challenges ple,” he said. After graduating from in Gorder’s career came in North Dakota State Uni- 2000, when city officials versity with a bachelor’s were faced with a recorddegree in civil engineering, breaking flood. Gorder took a job in 1988 Gorder and others in at a private engineering the department were handed the task of revamping firm. About seven years later, Eagan’s storm water sysGorder yearned to work in tem to remediate flooding the public sector and took throughout the city. by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

Jessica Harper is at jessica. harper@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

Masin wins Giles will run against Workman primary by for County Board seat by Laura Adelmann Workman, a former Burnsville City a landslide Council member, gained 1,578 votes

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Sun Thisweek

by Jessica Harper

Dave Giles will challenge incumbent Liz Workman to represent Burnsville on the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, according to unofficial results on the county website. Giles, a Dakota County highway maintenance worker and former firefighter, beat former teacher Peter Beckel by 93 votes to earn the spot in the general election to run against Workman, who is seeking her second term on the board.

Sun Thisweek

Brenner - Voelker

Christy Ellen Phillips, daughter of Thomas & Mary Kay Phillips of Burnsville, and Michael Lee Pietruszewski, son of Terry & Betty Pietruszewski of Strandquist, announce their engagement. Christy is a 2001 graduate of Burnsville High School and a 2005 graduate of UW-Stout. Michael is a 2000 graduate of Stephen/Argyle High School and a 2005 graduate of Bemidji State University. An August 25th wedding is planned at Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville.

Brittney Carol Brenner, daughter of Steve and Kathy Brenner of Burnsville, and Kirk Allen Voelker, son of the late Robert Voelker and Sharon Voelker of Faribault, MN announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Brittney is a Burnsvillle High School graduate and will be transferring to Brigham Young University in Idaho. An August 25th wedding is planned at the MN St Paul Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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DeWayne & June Scheer 40TH Anniversary DeWayne and June Scheer will be celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary on August 19th. They currently reside in Burnsville. They have been blessed with 3 children: Kristel (Aaron), John and Julie and 2 grandchildren; Danielle and Mali. Happy 40th Anniversary Dad and Mom! We love you and are so proud of you!

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To submit an announcement Forms for birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and obituaries announcements are available at our office and online at www. thisweeklive.com (click on “Announcements” and then “Send Announcement”). Completed forms may be e-mailed to class.thisweek@ ecm-inc.com or mailed to Sun Thisweek, 15322 Galaxie Ave., Suite 219, Apple Valley, MN 55124. If you are submitting a photograph along with your announcement, please only submit photographs for which you have the right to permit Sun Thisweek to use and publish. Deadline for announcements is 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fee of $50 will be charged for the first 5 inches and $10 per inch thereafter. They will run in all editions of Sun Thisweek. Photos may be picked up at the office within 60 days or returned by mail if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

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Apply for fall deer hunt now Hunters who wish to participate in controlled deer hunts at Dakota County Parks must submit an application by Monday, Oct. 10. Applications are available online at www.dakotacounty. us, search “hunting.” Archery hunts are scheduled at various hours and dates in Lebanon Hills Regional Park and in the western section of Spring Lake Park Reserve. Lebanon Hills Regional Park will be closed until noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Nov. 5 through Nov. 21.

Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/ sunthisweek.

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The western portion of Spring Lake Park Reserve will be closed all day on Nov. 3-5, 10-12, and 17-19. A shotgun hunt will be held at Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Nov. 1725. The park will be closed during this time. The rugged terrain at Miesville includes limestone bluffs, steep hills and dense thickets and being familiar with the area will be helpful. For more information, visit www. dakotacounty.us and search “hunting.”

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Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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As expected, Sandra Masin won the District 51A DFL primary against her little-known challenger, Milton Walden. Masin, who has the DFL endorsement, took 88.09 percent (828 votes) on Tuesday night, while Walden Sandra earned 11.91 per- Masin cent (112 votes). For several months, it had appeared Masin would be the only Democrat to move forward in the House District 51A race. But Burnsville resident Milton Walden put his name in the hat in May, prompting a primary Aug. 14. Masin will face Republican Diane Anderson in the November election.

out of 2,993 ballots cast, 52 percent of the vote. Giles had 754 votes, or 25 percent of the ballot; Beckel ended the race with 661 votes in his favor. The general election is Nov. 6.

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August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Friends of PAC group helps spread tickets to community by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

The nonprofit Friends of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center has added a new direction to its philanthropy. After helping equip the center and raising funds to help local performance groups afford the rental fees to play there, FOBPAC has begun buying tickets to help low-income people attend shows. This spring, FOBPAC provided free tickets for a Spencer’s Theatre of Illusion show and “Wizard of Oz – The Ballet” presented by the Twin Cities Ballet. “It’s not a huge number yet,” FOBPAC Chairman Wayne Huelskoetter said of the ticket giveaways. “It’s probably several thousand dollars, but it’s not a huge number.” Huelskoetter, who has chaired FOBPAC since its inception before the PAC opened in January 2009,

said the ticket giveaways were suggested by Mary Ajax, a FOBPAC board member. Ajax, the former longtime CEO of social-services agency 360 Communities, joined the FOBPAC board after being ousted from the CEO post by the board of 360, a Burnsville-based nonprofit. “She really suggested the idea of using our funds to help people who couldn’t afford to come to the PAC,” Huelskoetter said. “The poverty levels in our school district are incredible.” FOBPAC has worked with the YMCA and Dakota County-based Kids ’n Kinship to arrange ticket buys that target children, Huelskoetter said. “We make sure (the tickets) are used and we get feedback,” he said. “This will help us as we go to other foundations and ask for grants to support this.” Future efforts may in-

clude transportation as well as tickets for PAC shows, Huelskoetter said. In addition to FOBPAC’s All Access program, the PAC itself has a charity ticket donation program run through its marketing department, said Brian Luther, the center’s executive director. “It’s important for all the arts to be enjoyed by everyone,” said Luther, an employee of city-hired PAC management firm VenuWorks. FOBPAC also underwrote, along with the nonprofit Burnsville Community Foundation, facility rental for a free PAC concert by the U.S. Navy Band on March 19. “We will do more of that under this All Access program,” Huelskoetter said. “The philosophy behind the All Access program is to provide access to the community, primarily south of the river.”

The group has contributed $5,000 for the PAC’s upcoming 2012-13 performance series (see related story). FOBPAC assembled more than $400,000 in cash and in-kind donations before the center even opened in January 2009. A sound system that was an upgrade from the system originally planned for the $20 million facility was donated by Bosch Communication Systems, which has an office in Burnsville. Corporate donations paid for other upgrades, including enhanced floors and mirrors in rehearsal rooms and an enhanced

floor in the black-box theater, Huelskoetter said. Another FOBPAC donation was $50,000 raised for better theater seats than the construction budget allowed. Nameplates on the seats honored the donors. “We sold a lot more than $50,000,” Huelskoetter said. “Now all those are coming due. People who want to keep their names on the seat for another five years, guess what? And I think they will. We had a lot of support from the community for that.” Next FOBPAC turned its focus to helping local arts groups pay the PAC’s rent for their performances.

Chameleon Theatre Circle and the Dakota Valley Symphony have made the PAC their chief venue with help from FOBPAC, Huelskoetter said. “They are struggling,” he said of the Dakota Valley Symphony, which previously performed at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, “so we’ve given them a donation every year. What this move has done for them, first of all, is they’ve gotten a lot better. And their crowds are significantly bigger than they ever were.” John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

PAC launching second performance series by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

Pleased with their first self-promoted performance series, Burnsville Performing Arts Center officials have booked a second for 2012-13. The five-production series kicks off on Oct. 21 with Five By Design’s “Club Swing” and concludes on March 8 with Street Beat, an urban percussion and dance crew. The series is funded through the PAC’s “angel fund,” a pot of private and city money that allows management company

VenuWorks to book its own shows for the city-owned facility without putting all the risk on taxpayers. The five-show series in 2011-12 generated $82,160 in ticket sales, with 3,185 sold, according to VenuWorks. “Overall it was tremendously successful,” said PAC Executive Director Brian Luther. “We had five shows and when we were finished, we ended up generating revenue on the entire season and contributed just over $7,500 back into the angel fund from the show profits.”

A total of $7,525 was returned to the angel fund, which now stands at about $77,000, Luther said. “That’s enabled us to program what we feel is a tremendous season coming up,” he said. The City Council has pledged matching funds of up to $50,000 through its Economic Development Authority, with the goal of eventually being repaid. Private donors Rixmann Cos., Pepsi, VenuWorks, Bolton and Menk and the Friends of the Burnsville See PAC, 21A

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

Abuse, from 1A complete and am free to make my own choices.” But that wasn’t always the case. After she was the victim of domestic abuse the first time, it took her several years to finally break free of the relationship with her husband because of the many obstacles she saw in the way. When the abuse started, she convinced herself it was a one-time occurrence, but it kept happening every time he was drunk and their children were out of sight. She feared what leaving her husband would do to her children – then elementary to high school aged – how she would support them financially and emotionally, and she feared leaving him might drive him to worse violence. Mary’s story is similar to that of Woynshet Woldemariam, who was shot and killed by her estranged husband outside her Apple Valley apartment building on July 14. They both left their abusive husbands, went back to school and had placed their life on a new track with many possibilities. The recent murder of Woldemariam has led to an increase in calls to 360 Communities domestic violence prevention programs, including several from women of African descent. Woldemariam, known as Winnie to her friends, was an Ethiopian immigrant and naturalized citizen who worked as a nurse. She had broken ties with her husband after the relationship turned violent and had turned her life around, including volunteer work with 360 Communities. Despite the horrific end to her life, the incident is serving as a way to help pull other women out of abusive relationships.

Knocking down barriers The biggest challenge domestic abuse advocates often face is convincing victims that the most important thing is to end the abuse. “We have to break down the barriers,” said Ann Sheridan, director of violence prevention for Burnsvillebased 360 Communities. The domestic abuse victim this newspaper interviewed, Mary (not her real name), said she went to 360’s Lewis House several times after nights when she had been beaten, hit with furniture and threatened with a weapon before she had the fortitude and evidence she needed to file for an order for protection and charges against her husband. Sheridan said victims often think of all the reasons they can’t leave rather than focusing on the positives that can result from exiting an abusive relationship. “I thought all about the 100 reasons I couldn’t leave,” Mary said. “I could never see a way out.” Sheridan said the sooner 360 Communities can be involved through its confidential services, the more it can help prevent future violence. It is estimated that one in every four women will be the victim of domestic abuse, which crosses all racial and socioeconomic categories. “It can happen to anyone, but it doesn’t have to,” she said. “I think people don’t want to believe it. There are a lot of abusive people out there.” The nonprofit is equipped to intervene and support families and victims by obtaining an order for protection, sorting out options for housing and employment, caring for children’s emotional and educational needs, and much more. “There is a lot of reminding them that the abuse is not their fault,” said Sheridan, who said 360 Communities has contact with some 2,500 victims annually. “Once you start seeing those red flags, you should call an advocate,” Sheridan said of 360’s trained volunteers and professionals who have prevented countless

cases where violence would have escalated without intervention. Mary called the people who work at Lewis House “angels” and said she couldn’t have ended her abusive relationship without their help. Some of the warning signs of potential abuse is a husband or boyfriend controlling certain aspects of their wife or girlfriend’s life – who they can call, who they can visit, when they can leave the house, spending decisions, what they wear, etc. “Sometimes it is just a gut feeling,” Sheridan said. “If they get that feeling that they might be abused, they should make that call.” Making that first call for help was “humiliating” for Mary, who said she didn’t think anyone would understand her problem. Sheridan said overcoming fears of how to provide for children under a singleparent household is difficult to overcome. She said there are many options for closing the income gap, including child support, financial aid and scholarships for education and job placement. One of the difficulties some abuse victims face is they are not currently employed or do not have the training needed to enter the workforce. “Once we get more information we can kind of guide them in the right direction,” she said. Sheridan describes the work with immigrant populations on the issue of domestic abuse as requiring special effort. The nonprofit is working on translating many of its brochures into different languages and has interpreter services available. Aside from the language barrier, there are several cultural differences that pose challenges. Those cultural barriers include religious views, seeking help seen as a sign of weakness or overcoming traditional subservient roles. In some instances, a marriage separation or one that ends in divorce is viewed with disdain for religious or cultural reasons. In some of these maledominated societies, women fear reporting their husband to authorities. “They don’t want to get their husband in trouble,” Sheridan said. She said there also is fear of interacting with the criminal justice system because of the language barrier. Some undocumented women fear they will be deported if the police are involved. There is a provision of the federal Violence Against Women Act that allows undocumented women who are the victims of abuse a work permit to remain in the United States. Some minority women who are victims of abuse are trapped since they are unable to communicate in English but their husbands are and are the ones communicating with police.

Repairing the damage Putting one’s life back together after breaking free from an abusive relationship doesn’t happen overnight, Sheridan said. Among the first steps is finding housing. Lew-

is House in Eagan and Hastings offers temporary housing for victims. While people are at Lewis House, advocates work to find them a safe and affordable place to live. They help them coordinate retrieving their belongings or going back to their home if that is the case. Food shelf services can help them if needed. The services of 360 Communities also tends to the emotional side. Support groups meet regularly for both women and children who have been victims of abuse. Children’s Support Group for young people who have been abused is a safe place for them to talk about their experiences. Advocates work closely with children to overcome the damage inflicted by abuse whether that entails just talking to them about how it is not their fault, how they can keep themselves safe or even scheduling time with a trained psychologist. Sheridan said it takes about a year before victims can get their lives back in order. “A lot of it is just knowing they can break through it,” Sheridan said. “It takes a lot of energy out of them.” She said the best part of it is the victims are now living on their own and not dependent on someone else. Mary said the first night she spent away from her home was on the floor of a dwelling that was empty except for the bare mattress upon which she slept with her daughter. “I told her we were going to be OK now that we were gone,” she said. “It was a cool feeling to know that we were gone. … It’s a whole new world for me.”

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Tad Johnson can be reached at tad.johnson@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Rental inspection program takes shape City not sure what it will find by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

Burnsville officials aren’t sure what kind of conditions they’ll find when they begin unit-by-unit apartment inspections next year. Even some of the nicer complexes in town can be revealed to have problem units if the Fire Department is called and gets a peek inside, says Community Development Director Jenni Faulkner. “The biggest challenge for us as a city is we don’t know what we don’t know, and we haven’t been in these units,” Faulkner told the City Council at an Aug. 13 work session. The city is firming up costs and procedures for the inspection program, which begins in January. Residential rental units, including single-family rentals and rented mobile homes, will be inspected once every three years. Burnsville has licensed residential rental properties since 2005 without a fee and inspections program. The City Council decided on inspections after decrepit conditions and hundreds of property and fire code violations were uncovered last year at Country Village Apartments in west Burnsville. Owner Lindahl Partnerships has been working to repair the emptied complex and intends to seek relicensure. Among metro-area cities that license residential rental properties, Burnsville is one of the few that doesn’t charge an annual license fee to pay for inspections, according to Faulkner. The city plans inspections of one-third of units in a multifamily building per year. Single-family units would be inspected once ev-

ery three years. The council is expected to approve the necessary changes in Burnsville’s rental licensing ordinance on Sept. 18. A proposed fee schedule calls for annual fees of $130 per building and $10 per unit for multiunit rental complexes. An earlier proposal had a $20 per-unit fee. Complexes with common spaces would also pay a $150 fee for annual fire inspections of the spaces. An earlier proposal had a $240 fee. Under the proposed fees, annual charges to a fourbuilding, 150-unit apartment complex would total $2,620, according to the city. The extra costs have the potential to push up rental rates in Burnsville, but that’s not certain, said Lisa Peilen, director of municipal affairs for the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, which has kept a close eye on Burnsville’s deliberations. “It’s something that could happen,” Peilen said in an interview. “I have no knowledge that it will. We’re also in a strong rental market. My guess is that most rents are driven by supply and demand.” Multifamily property managers raised concerns about the inspections, including the size of the fees, at an Aug. 8 meeting. But “we actually did get compliments on the benefits of inspection,” Faulkner said. Council members had looked for ways to soften

the fees for property owners with good records, but Faulkner said the city will need the first three years to establish a baseline of conditions that could be used to develop a “tiered” fee structure. For now, the city is proposing a reinspection fee of $160 per unit if city inspectors must make a third visit to check on repairs. Projected revenue from the reinspection fee allowed the city to halve the per-unit fee from $20 to $10. “It’s a reward for wellmanaged properties and really an incentive for others to get there,” Peilen said. Other proposed inspection fees are $80 per building and $10 per unit for multifamily townhomes, $150 for single-family rentals, and $250 plus $40 per unit for mobile-home parks that own homes. An open house on the program for single-family rental licenseholders will be held Aug. 28 at City Hall.

Another problem property? Mayor Elizabeth Kautz singled out Horizon Heights, a subsidized rental complex south of Highway 13 and east of County Road 11. “Because that’s one of the properties that really needs a lot of work,” Kautz said. “I was there for National Night Out (Aug. 7), and it was not a very nice place,” she said, referring to “big holes in the kitchen.” New management at the complex has made progress and responded to resident complaints while improving relations with the city, said Scott McKown, city building official. John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

Author, from 1A let the story lead the way. “It was much like reading it myself,” he said. Ammerman spent about seven years writing the book, and didn’t tell anyone about it until publishing “Anteater Boy” in November under his marketing and communications firm, Kabloona. “When you tell people you are writing a book, they ask you about it and put pressure on it,” he said. “I wanted to put my own pressure on it.” Since the book’s release, Ammerman has sold about 150 copies and has received rave reviews from area media and bloggers. Mary Ann Grossman of the Pioneer Press added the book to her list of “Spring break reading that will make kids laugh and think.” “The scene in which they accidentally break an old jar holding a sheep’s brain, and how they cover their tracks (think marshmallows), is hilarious,” Grossman wrote in her March 4 review. Kirkus Reviews, a magazine that provides reviews of recently published

Resources, from 1A abuse needs to stop. Domestic violence is preventable and early intervention is critical, according to 360. Neighbors or family members of a person who they know or think is being abused can call 360’s confidential line at (952) 9855300 learn how to detect domestic violence and how to respond by providing the appropriate resources that will reduce and eliminate the violence. In addition to allowing abuse to continue, there is a cost associated with ignoring this problem. Lost productivity and earnings due to intimate partner violence accounts for almost $1.8 billion each year, according to the American Institute on Domestic Violence. Intimate partner violence victims lose nearly 8.0 million days of paid work each year; the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs and nearly 5.6 million days of household productivity. More information about 360’s Violence Prevention service and information on presentations is at (651) 244-9823 or online at www.360communities.org. Those who are in an abusive relationship (sexual, physical, mental or emotional) should immediately contact Eagan Lewis House at (651) 452-7288 or Hastings Lewis House at (651) 437-1291. Tad Johnson can be reached at tad.johnson@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

books, also had stated. good things to Kirkus say about “Anthad a few critieater Boy.” Its cisms, too. It Jan. 15 review described the called the novel a book’s transi“fast and engagtions as “a bit ing read.” jarring” and said “Though it’s the book cona tad formulaic, tained “a few unthe story is a resolved issues.” winning one and In addishould resonate Dean Ammerman tion to receivwith students ing positive rewho are tired of wizards views, Ammerman’s book and vampires,” the review was nominated for several

awards. “Anteater Boy” took second place in the Independent Publishers’s young adult fiction category. It was nominated for the 2012 Minnesota Book Award, but didn’t make it as a finalist. “Anteater Boy” is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and Ammerman’s website, anteaterboy.com. Ammerman also sent about 100 copies to local

middle school libraries. Although it won’t be a sequel to “Anteater Boy,” Ammerman said he would like to write another book in the future. Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/ sunthisweek.

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August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Thisweekend Latest role finds Lakeville actor among the mermaids Andy Wilkins featured at Renaissance Festival’s new Mermaid Cove latest in what has been a busy year in theater for Wilkins, a 2003 Lakeville High School graduate who works as a voiceover artist and copy writer for a Bloomington ad agency. This month he’s also serving as director of “The Odd Couple,” which is being presented by community theater group Expressions on the stage of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. And 2012 also saw Wilkins’ silverscreen debut. “House of Ghosts,” a camp-horror film shot in the Twin Cities, had Wilkins playing a spiritmedium leading a seance-like scene, complete with crystal ball. The film from cult director Christopher Mihm premiered in May. More about Mermaid Cove and the Renaissance Festival is at www. renaissancefest.com.

by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

Andy Wilkins has been brushing up on mermaid lore. It’s research for the 27-year-old Lakeville actor’s latest role, which will see him portraying the salty sea captain Jonas Fairweather and recounting oceanic adventures at this year’s Renaissance Festival. The storytelling sea captain is a featured part of Mermaid Cove, the new family-friendly attraction at the annual festival in Shakopee, which this year runs weekends Aug. 18 to Sept. 30. Adorned in a Royal Navy-like costume, Wilkins will tell the tale of how he met the mermaid Ambrosia as guests watch the exotic female sea creature twirl and flip her tail of shimmering scales in a pool of water nearby. The role marks Wilkins’ first time performing at the Renaissance Festival, which he’s been attending reli-

giously since early childhood. “I usually go a couple times a year,” he said. “My parents began Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew. taking me when I was 5 or 6, and I miller@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/ try to go at least once every year.” sunthisweek. Andy Wilkins The Renaissance Festival gig is the

Cancer free, Lakeville musician gives back with benefit concert Third annual Jug Jam set Aug. 19

by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

This past June marked three years since the end of Iris Bouvet’s battle with breast cancer. The Lakeville resident is throwing a party to celebrate the anniversary, and to raise money for a medical fund through the Fairview Foundation that helped Photo submitted cover her treatment costs. Iris Bouvet is receiving a hand from her son, J.P., in staging this year’s Jug Jam breast cancer The third annual Jug Jam fundraiser. J.P., a 2007 Lakeville South High School graduate who earlier this year was crowned breast cancer fundraiser champion in the national Guitar Center Drum Off, will be performing with his band The Super runs from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at Family of Pilots at the event. Christ Lutheran Church in Lakeville. It features food and musical entertainment

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by local bands. “It’s a way to give back, but it’s really a celebration,” said Bouvet, who’s organizing this year’s Jug Jam with friends Sue Linden, Carla Maslonka and Lauren Iannaci. “We want to have a good time.” Bouvet, who endured months of chemotherapy and underwent a double mastectomy, had genetic testing that insurance didn’t cover during her battle with breast cancer. Fortunately, her doctor, Dr. Barbara Bowers of Fairview Southdale, has a medical fund to cover that, and money raised through Jug Jam will be donated to the fund to help other women who find themselves in that situation. It’s no wonder the fundraiser took the form of a concert, considering Bouvet’s background in music. She’s a former music director at Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Burnsville, plays the electric bass, and has lent her music skills to

local theater groups such as Chameleon Theatre Circle and Eagan Summer Community Theatre. Bouvet’s son, J.P., will be performing with his band The Super Pilots at the event. A 2007 Lakeville South High School graduate who earlier this year was crowned champion in the national Guitar Center Drum Off, J.P. is joined in the Super Pilots by guitarist and Apple Valley High School alumnus Mike Linden, along with two of their classmates from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Also on the fundraiser concert’s list of acts are The Anderson Brothers, made up of siblings Ryan and Aaron Anderson, vocal group The Nice Girls, and singer-songwriter Wade Linkert. Admission to the all-ages event is $10 for adults, $5 for students, and includes a “taco in a bag” meal. For more information about Jug Jam, contact Iris Bouvet at ibouvet@mac. com. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Canvas & Vines tickets on sale Tickets are on sale for Canvas & Vines, the annual Burnsville Convention & Visitors Bureau fundraiser set from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. The evening will include wine, craft beer, food, art, music and a silent auction. Admission is $35. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Call (952) 895-4690 for more information and to purchase tickets, or visit www.canvasandvines.com.

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com.

Thursday, Aug. 23 Thursday Rockin’ Readers – Sioux Trail Principal Taber Akin, 11:15 a.m., Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour – Bob the Beachcomber, noon, Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free.

Saturday, Aug. 18 Open house from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lexington Pet Clinic, 4250 Lexington Ave. S., Eagan. Bouncy house, tours of the clinic, animals from Sea Life Aquarium, Koi Club, face painting, Wags and Whiskers, and prizes. Dogs welcome. Free. Information: www.lexingtonpet- Friday, Aug. 24 Outdoor movie, “Casaclinic.com. blanca,” 7:30 p.m. seating, dusk showtime, part of Burnsville’s Sunday, Aug. 19 Open house from 1 to 5 p.m. “Flicks on the Bricks” series at at the Lutz Railroad Garden, Nicollet Commons Park in the 2960 Egan Ave., Eagan. Free. Heart of the City. Trains will not run if raining. InSaturday, Aug. 25 formation: (651) 454-3534. Free Movie Night – “Amaz- Kids & More Back-toing Love: The Story of Ho- School Sale from 8 a.m. to sea,” 6 p.m. at Hope Church, 5 p.m. at Ames Arena, 19900 7477 145th St. W., Apple Valley. Ipava Ave., Lakeville. Clothing No cost, but a free-will offering from infant to adult, toys, books, will be taken. Popcorn provided. home decor, sports equipment, Information: www.hopechurchc- and more. Free parking and admission. Drawing to win a prize ma.org or (952) 431-6500. package worth over $200 Saturday only. Information: http:// Tuesday, Aug. 21 Family Fun Tuesday – Z www.treasurehuntsales.com/. Puppets Rosenschnoz’s “The Pet vaccination clinic from Comical Misadventures of Mr. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Windmill Punch” Puppet Show, 10 to 11 Feed and Pet, 350 Main St., a.m. in the Sculpture Garden at Elko New Market. Discounted Caponi Art Park, Eagan. $4 per fee. No appointment needed. microchipping, person donation is suggested. Vaccinations, Information: (651) 454-9412 or heart-worm testing and more. Additional health care prodwww.caponiartpark.org. Tuesday Evenings in the ucts available. Pets must be on Garden – Harvesting the Herb leashes or in carriers. A portion Garden with Shari Mayer, of the proceeds will be donated 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the garden at to Windmill Animal Rescue. InUMore Park, 1605 160th St. W. formation: (952) 461-2765. (County Road 46), Rosemount. For a fresh garden taste all win- Sunday, Aug. 26 ter long, learn how to gather, Kids & More Back-todry and store herbs. Fee: $10. School Sale from 9 a.m. to Questions or to register by 2 p.m. at Ames Arena, 19900 phone, call University of Minne- Ipava Ave., Lakeville. Discount sota Extension: (651) 480-7700. Day, with many items half price. Information: http://www.treasurehuntsales.com/. Wednesday, Aug. 22 Eagan Market Fest, 4 to 8 10th anniversary celebrap.m., Eagan Festival Grounds. tion for Arbors at Ridges and Farmers market and blues con- Ebenezer Child Care Center, cert featuring Jeff Ray & Hur- 4 to 6:30 p.m., 13810 Commuricane Harold and Cool Dispo- nity Drive, Burnsville. Free food, sition along with free kids’ art, games for all ages, prizes and family games and more. Infor- live Big Band entertainment. Inmation: www.cityofeagan.com/ formation: (952) 898-8419. marketfest or (651) 675-5500.

theater and arts calendar ville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $20 for adults; $17 for students/ seniors; $17 for groups of eight or more. Tickets are available at the Comedy Mark Poolos with special box office, ticketmaster.com or by guest Justin Caesar at 8:30 calling (800) 982-2787. p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, and Saturday, Aug. 18, at MinneHAHA Workshops/classes Comedy Club, 1583 E. First Ave., Allegro Choral Academy is Shakopee (lower level of Dan- currently accepting registrations gerfield’s), (612) 860-9388, www. for its 2012-13 season for stuminnehahacomedyclub.com. dents in second to eighth grade. Classes available in Rosemount Tickets: $13. and Lakeville. Early bird discount if registered before Aug. 24. RegConcerts The 4onthefloor with Char- istration information: http://www. lie Parr, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. allegroca.org/ or nmarschall@al18, Subway Music in the Zoo, legroca.org. Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Intermediate digital phoApple Valley. Cost: $20. Tickets tography workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 18, available at ticketmaster.com. Monroe Crossing, 6:30 p.m. at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. Free, Sunday, Aug. 19, at Caponi Art $5 suggested donation. RegistraPark, 1220 Diffley Road, Eagan. tion required. Information: www. Suggested donation: $5. Rain lo- caponiartpark.org or (651) 454cation: Crossroads Church, 4100 9412. Lexington Way, Eagan. Informa- Adult painting open studio tion: www.caponiartpark.org or from 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Fridays of the month at the (651) 454-9412. Summer Salon chamber Eagan Art House, 3981 Lexington concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. Ave. S. Fee is $5 per session. In25, at Presbyterian Church of formation: (651) 675-5521. the Apostles, 701 E. 130th St., Music Together in the ValBurnsville. Suggested donation: ley offers classes for parents and $20. Information: (952) 890-7877 their infant, toddler and preschool children in Rosemount, Farmingor www.ChurchApostles.org. The Suburbs with Magno- ton, Lakeville and Apple Valley. lias, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. Information: www.musictogether30, Subway Music in the Zoo, classes.com or (651) 439-4219. Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, The Eagan Art House offers Apple Valley. Cost: $34. Tickets classes for all ages. For a complete listing go to www.eaganartavailable at ticketmaster.com. Little Feat with Tom Fuller house.org or call (651) 675-5521. Band, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. Dan Petrov Art Studio in 2, Subway Music in the Zoo, Min- Burnsville offers oil painting nesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple classes for beginners, intermeValley. Cost: $34. Tickets avail- diate and advanced skill level painters, www.danpetrovart.com, able at ticketmaster.com. (763) 843-2734. Teens Express Yourself Exhibits/art shows A botanical art exhibit by The with Paint, 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays Great River Chapter of Botanical at Brushworks School of Art in www.BrushworksSArtists is on display through Sept. Burnsville, 16 at the Lakeville Area Arts Cen- choolofArt.com, (651) 214-4732. ter, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Informa- Drama/theater classes for ages 4 and up at River Ridge Arts tion: (952) 985-4640. Pilgrims and Passages, a Building, Burnsville, (952) 736joint exhibit featuring art by An- 3644. thony Donatelle and Jon Reischl, Special needs theater prois on display through Sept. 8 in gram (autism-DCD), ages 5 and the gallery at Burnsville Perform- older, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. ing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Join other 55-plus adults at Ave. For more information, call the Eagan Art House to create (952) 895-4676 or visit www. beaded jewelry. The Jewelry Club meets on the third Friday burnsvillepac.com. Summer art show by local of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. artist Amie Kieffer from 4 to 8 p.m. Information: (651) 675-5500. Aug. 17-18 at 3245 145th St. W., Savage Art Studios, 4735 Rosemount. The outdoor show W. 123rd St., Suite 200, Savwill include about 60 original piec- age, offers classes/workshops es; many will be for sale. Informa- for all ages. Information: www. savageartstudios.com or (952) tion: AK@AmieKieffer.com. 895-0375. Soy candle making classes Festivals Art and All That Jazz Fes- held weekly in Eagan near 55 tival, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and Yankee Doodle. Call Jamie Aug. 18, Nicollet Commons Park, at (651) 315-4849 for dates and Burnsville. Free admission. In- times. $10 per person. Presented formation: www.burnsvilleartjazz. by Making Scents in Minnesota. Country line dance classes com. Burnsville Fire Muster runs held for intermediates Mondays Sept. 5-9. Information: www. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., Farmburnsvillefiremuster.com/. ington, $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Theater Expressions Community The- Country line dance classes ater will present “The Odd Cou- on Wednesdays at the Lakeville ple” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17-18, and Senior Center, 20732 Holt Ave. 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Lakeville Beginners, 9-10 a.m.; IntermediArea Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke ate, 10 a.m.-noon. $5/class. Call Ave. Tickets are $12 and can be Marilyn (651) 463-7833. ordered at www.lakeville-rapcon- The Lakeville Area Arts Cennect.com or by calling (952) 985- ter offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn.gov, (952) 4640. The Chameleon Theatre 985-4640. Circle’s 13th annual New Play Festival will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the BurnsTo submit items for the Arts Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com.

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Mystery author at bookstore event Blood drives The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. • Aug. 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wings Financial Credit Union, 14985 Glazier Ave., Apple Valley. • Aug. 17, 2 to 8 p.m., Carmike 15 Theatres, 15630 Cedar Ave., Apple Valley. • Aug. 18, 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville. • Aug. 20, 1 to 6 p.m., Rasmussen College, 3500 Federal Drive, Eagan. • Aug. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Minnesota School of Business, 17685 Juniper Path, Lakeville. • Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Unisys, 3199 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan. • Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 10970 185th St. W., Lakeville. • Aug. 24, noon to 5 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 7800 W. County Road 42, Apple Valley. • Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Westview Elementary School, 225 Garden View Drive, Apple Valley. Ongoing Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), a national Christian nondenominational program for mothers with children birthkindergarten, will meet twice a month from September through May at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville. MOPS moms need not be members of the church to join. The group offers participants a way to connect with other moms, form friendships, seek parenting advice, and learn more about Christian life. Registration is being accepted and onsite day care is provided for a small fee on a first-come, firstserved basis. Information/registration: (952) 898-9356 or email MOPS@princeofpeaceonline. org.

Apple Valley author Jeffrey Burton will be signing copies of his latest novel, “The Chessman,” at Once Upon a Crime Mystery Bookstore this weekend. The book-signing event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the bookstore located at 604 W. 26th St. in Minneapolis. “The Chessman,” a crime thriller about a serial killer who’s hunting his own copycat, is Burton’s third book of fiction. In Jeffrey Burton 2005 he published the short story collection “Shadow “Sleuth Slayer” – a crime Play,” and his debut novel, thriller co-written with

his father, Bruce Burton – came out in 2008. Publication of “The Chessman” in May generated buzz nationally, with the novel receiving reviews in the New York Journal of Books, Midwest Book Review and Suspense Magazine. Publishers Weekly listed “The Chessman” among the best new books for the week of May 21. More about the author is at www.JeffreyBBurton. com. —Andrew Miller

theater and arts briefs ‘Steel Kiss’ in Burnsville

tary sandwich and drink (while supplies last) before the show. Dinner will be served in the lobby begin The Chameleon Theatre Circle has partnered with ning at 5:30 p.m. Segue Productions to present “Steel Kiss” Sept. 7-9 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Caponi Art Park and Ave., Burnsville. Perfor- Learning Center in Eagan mances will take place at will host the Society for Anachronism’s 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 7-8 and Creative 2 p.m. on Sept. 9. Tickets annual Medieval Fair from are $13 for adults and $10 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, for students, seniors and Sept. 30. groups. Tickets can be pur- The park’s woods will be chased at the box office or transformed into a mediby calling (952) 895-4680. eval village with authentic pavilions, costumes, music, art, cooking, weaponry and interactive demonstrations. New this year will be a coin-making demonstra The IMAX Theatre at tion and Angora goats and the Minnesota Zoo in Ap- rabbits at one of the pavilple Valley will host Family ions. Night on Monday, Aug. Admission is free, with 20. a $5 per person suggested Guests who purchase donation. The event will one adult admission be held rain or shine, and ($9.75) to the 6:30 p.m. will only be canceled due showing of “Born to Be to severe weather. ParkWild” will receive one free ing will be available in the child’s admission to the park’s main lot at 1220 movie and a complimen- Diffley Road, as well as

Medieval Fair

IMAX family night

the Lexington-Diffley Athletic Field lot. Signs will be posted. More information is available at www.caponiartpark.org/programs/medievalfair.

Chorale has new director Russell Adrian has been appointed as artistic director of the South Metro Chorale effective July 1 He holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of WisconsinMadison. Chorale rehearsals begin Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Middle School in Prior Lake. Those interested in auditioning should call Adrian at (316) 2175525 or email director@ southmetrochorale.org. Auditions are currently being scheduled for Aug. 25. SMC’s first concerts with Adrian are Dec. 8 and 9. For details, visit: www. SouthMetroChorale.org.

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August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

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PUBLIC NOTICE

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CITY OF BURNSVILLE BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA -PROPOSAL FOR SERVICE SNOWPLOWING OF SIDEWALKS\TRAILS City Project Number 12-318

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ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADOPT AGENDA RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS CONSENT AGENDA (Consent items are acted on with one motion unless a request is made for an item to be pulled for discussion) A. APPROVE MINUTES B. PERSONNEL ITEMS C. APPROVE Check Registers D. DIRECT Preparation of Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 3 relative to the City's Telecommunication Network E. APPROVE Change Order No. 4, Contract 11-08 Cedar Grove Boulevard F. APPROVE Final Payment for Contract 12-05, City-Wide Inflow & Infiltration Reduction - Sanitary Sewer Improvements G. APPROVE Final Payment for Contract 12-07, 2012 Citywide Sanitary Sewer Lining Improvements H. RECEIVE Final Assessment Report for Project No. 1016R, Ames Crossing Road Street and Utility Improvements and Schedule Public Hearing for September 19, 2012 I. RECEIVE Final Assessment Report for Project No. 1047 - Johnny Cake Ridge Road (Cliff Rd to Apple Valley border) Street Improvements and Schedule Public Hearing for September 19, 2012 J. RECEIVE Final Assessment Report for Project No.1076 Whispering Woods/ Slater Road Street Improvements and Schedule Public Hearing for September 19, 2012 K. RECEIVE Final Assessment Report for Project No. 1080 Rahn Road Street Improvements and Schedule Public Hearing for September 19, 2012 L. RECEIVE Petition to Vacate Public Service Road Easement, Lot 2, Block 1 Cedar Industrial Park, and Schedule a Public Hearing for September 19, 2012 M. MODIFICATION of Site Plan for 3259 Terminal Drive - Aspen Waste N. APPROVE a Resolution to accept a donation from the Eagan Athletic Association in the amount of $56,904.86 for the construction of a storage building at the Lexington-Diffley Athletic complex and authorize the necessary budget adjustment O. CANCEL the October 9, 2012 Special City Council meeting and SCHEDULE a Special City Council meeting on October 30, 2012 V. PUBLIC HEARINGS VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. LEGISLATIVE / INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UPDATE IX. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY A. CALL TO ORDER B. ADOPT AGENDA C. CONSENT AGENDA 1. APPROVE EDA Minutes D. OLD BUSINESS E. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVE Update of Eagan Business Assistance Policy F. OTHER BUSINESS G. ADJOURN X. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA A. City Attorney B. City Council Comments C. City Administrator D. Director of Public Works E. Director of Community Development XI. VISITORS TO BE HEARD (for those persons not on the agenda) XII. CLOSED SESSION XIII. ADJOURNMENT 3119289 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

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AGENDA EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER BUILDING AUGUST 21, 2012 6:30 P.M.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed proposals will be received by the City Council of the City of Burnsville at 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337, until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 and will be publicly opened at said time and place by two or more designated officers or agents of the City of Burnsville, said proposal for the furnishing of all labor and materials for the maintenance, complete in place of the following approximate quantities: Approximately 120 miles of sidewalk and trail snowplowing for the 2012 -2015 winter seasons, Covering October 10, 2012 through April 30, 2015 The bids must be submitted on Proposal Forms provided in accordance with the Contract Documents, Plans and Specifications as prepared by the City Engineer, which are on file with the City Clerk and may be obtained at the office of the City Engineer. Digital copies of the Contract Documents can be obtained at www.questcdn.com o r www.burnsville.org/bids . The Quest CDN project number is 2190862. Bidders can download the 2012-2015 Winter Seasons Trail & Sidewalk Snow Removal contract Document for $20 by searching for the project on the QuestCDN website's Project Search page or selecting the engineering/Public Works Bid link and then the project on the Burnsville website. Please contact QuestCDN.com at (952) 233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading and working with this digital project information. Bidders can also view the Contract Documents at either website free of charge. No bids will be considered unless sealed and filed with the City Clerk of the City of Burnsville endorsed upon the outside wrapper with a brief statement or summary as to the work for which the bid is made. and accompanied by a cash deposit, certified check, bid bond, or cashier's check payable to the City of Burnsville in the amount of five percent (5%) of the amount of bid, to be forfeited as liquidated damages in the event that the bid is accepted and the bidder shall fail to promptly enter into a written contract and furnish the required bond. The City of Burnsville reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities, and to award the bid in the best interest of the City. No bids ma y be w i th d r a w n for a period of forty-five (45) days. The Council will consider such bids in the Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL Macheal Brooks, City Clerk, City of Burnsville, Minnesota Published in the Burnsville Sun Thisweek - August 10th and 17th Published in the Finance & Commerce August 10th and 17th Published in Quest - August 10th and 17th To receive future bid notices via email or to see the plan holders' list, visit www.burnsville.org/bids 3108912 8/10-8/17/12

NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT HEARING DELINQUENT FALSE ALARM BILLS CITY OF EAGAN DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the Eagan Municipal Center located at 3830 Pilot Knob Road, in said City on September 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. to consider the proposed assessment of delinquent false alarm billings in Eagan. The proposed area to be assessed is described in the assessment roll on file with the City Clerk in her office, which roll is open to public inspection. Written or oral objections will be considered at the public hearing. No appeal may be taken as to the amount of any assessment unless a written objection, signed by the affected property owner, is filed with the City Clerk prior to the hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the meeting. An owner may appeal an assessment to district court pursuant to M.S.A. §429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or Clerk of the City of Eagan within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court of Dakota County within ten (10) days after service upon the Mayor or Clerk. Further information relating to these assessments may be obtained from the Special Assessment Division at Eagan City Hall and any questions should be directed to that Division. Dated: August 6, 2012. /s/ Christina M. Scipioni _______________________ Christina M. Scipioni City Clerk - City of Eagan 3111968 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held on August 27, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible by the Burnsville Planning Commission, 100 Civic Center Parkway, in the Council Chambers on the application of Fenton Sub Parcel C, LLC and Bowles Sub Parcel C, LLC for a Conditional Use Permit for batting cages and an indoor training facility located at 1353 Larc Industrial Boulevard. The application will be scheduled for the next appropriate City Council meeting following the Planning Commission meeting. All persons desiring to speak on this application are encouraged to attend. For more information concerning this request, please contact Planner Chris Slania (952) 895-4451 at the City of Burnsville.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT HEARING DELINQUENT MOWING SERVICE BILLS CITY OF EAGAN DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the Eagan Municipal Center located at 3830 Pilot Knob Road, in said City on September 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. to consider the proposed assessment of delinquent mowing service billings in Eagan. The proposed area to be assessed is described in the assessment roll on file with the City Clerk in her office, which roll is open to public inspection. Written or oral objections will be considered at the public hearing. No appeal may be taken as to the amount of any assessment unless a written objection, signed by the affected property owner, is filed with the City Clerk prior to the hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the meeting. An owner may appeal an assessment to district court pursuant to M.S.A. §429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or Clerk of the City of Eagan within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court of Dakota County within ten (10) days after service upon the Mayor or Clerk. Further information relating to these assessments may be obtained from the Special Assessment Division at Eagan City Hall and any questions should be directed to that Division. Dated: August 6, 2012 /s/ Christina M. Scipioni _______________________ Christina M. Scipioni City Clerk - City of Eagan 3111981 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 a t 6 : 3 0 p m , City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Enhance Dentistry/Michelle Rademacher LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 1625 Lena Ct, Suite 100, Lot 2, Block 1, Centennial Ridge 2nd Addition

Chris Slania On Behalf of the Chair of the Burnsville Planning Commission 3113275 8/17-8/24/12

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held on August 27, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible by the Burnsville Planning Commission, 100 Civic Center Parkway, in the Council Chambers on the application of Aurora Investment LLC for a Planned Unit Development amendment for exterior sign deviations for a Best Buy Mobile store located at 1451 County Road 42. The application will be scheduled for the next appropriate City Council meeting following the Planning Commission meeting. All persons desiring to speak on this application are encouraged to attend. For more information concerning this request, please contact Planner Chris Slania (952) 895-4451 at the City of Burnsville. Chris Slania On Behalf of the Chair of the Burnsville Planning Commission 3113114 8/17-8/24/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED VACATION OF DRAINAGE & UTILITY EASEMENT CITY OF EAGAN DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE City Council of the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, Minnesota 55122, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the meeting will be to hold a public hearing on the vacation of drainage and utility easements lying over, under and across the following described property in the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota: Outlot A, Boulder Lakes, according to the recorded plat thereof. Dated: August 6, 2012. /s/ Christina M. Scipioni Christina M. Scipioni, Eagan City Clerk Dakota County, Minnesota 3113319 8/17-8/24/12

REQUEST(S): Planned Development A Planned Development Amendment to allow a building sign archway and architectural sculpture. File Number:28-PA-05-05-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Sarah Thomas, the Planner at (651) 675-5696 or sthomas@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 3119234 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held on August 27, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible by the Burnsville Planning Commission, 100 Civic Center Parkway, in the Council Chambers on the application of Soccer Blast Properties MN Inc., for a Planned Unit Development amendment for an Interim Use for a fabric dome located at 3601 West 145th Street. The application will be scheduled for the next appropriate City Council meeting following the Planning Commission meeting. All persons desiring to speak on this application are encouraged to attend. For more information concerning this request, please contact Planner Chris Slania (952) 895-4451 at the City of Burnsville. Chris Slania On Behalf of the Chair of the Burnsville Planning Commission 3113293 8/17-8/24/12

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 a t 6 : 3 0 p m , City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Murphy Warehouse/Richard T. Murphy, Jr. LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 905 Yankee Doodle Road, Lot 1, Block 1, Eagandale Center Industrial Park

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REQUEST(S): Conditional Use Permit A Conditional Use Permit to allow a revised site plan for outdoor storage of trucks and trailers. File Number: 11-CU-06-07-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Pam Dudziak, the Planner at (651) 675-5691 or pdudziak@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 3119246 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 a t 6 : 3 0 p m , City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Simply Self Storage/SS MNRI, LLC, d/b/a LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 4025 Frontage Road S, Lot 1, block 1, S & W Industrial Acres

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 a t 6 : 3 0 p m , City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Holiday Stationstores, Inc. / Car Wash/Dave Edquist LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 4595 Nicols Rd, Lot 1, Block 1, Mari Acres 2nd Addition

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REQUEST(S): Conditional Use Permit A Conditional Use Permit to allow outdoor 18 rental storage spaces for passenger vehicles, trailers and boats. File Number:19-CU-05-07-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Sarah Thomas, the Planner at (651) 675-5696 or sthomas@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 3119183 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT HEARING DELINQUENT UTILITY BILLS CITY OF EAGAN DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the Eagan Municipal Center located at 3830 Pilot Knob Road, in said City on September 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. to consider the proposed assessment of delinquent utility billings in Eagan. The proposed area to be assessed is described in the assessment roll on file with the City Clerk in her office, which roll is open to public inspection. Written or oral objections will be considered at the public hearing. No appeal may be taken as to the amount of any assessment unless a written objection, signed by the affected property owner, is filed with the City Clerk prior to the hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the meeting. An owner may appeal an assessment to district court pursuant to M.S.A. §429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or Clerk of the City of Eagan within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court of Dakota County within ten (10) days after service upon the Mayor or Clerk. Further information relating to these assessments may be obtained from the Special Assessment Division at Eagan City Hall and any questions should be directed to that Division. Dated: August 6, 2012 /s/ Christina M. Scipioni ______________________ Christina M. Scipioni City Clerk - City of Eagan 3111957 8/17/12

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REQUEST(S): Planned Development A Planned Development Amendment to build a 60,448 sq ft office/tech building. File Number: 01-PA-07-07-12 Final Planned Development A Final Planned Development of 4.83 acres. File Number: 01-FD-07-07-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Pam Dudziak, the Planner at (651) 675-5691 or pdudziak@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 3119209 8/17/12

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 a t 6 : 3 0 p m , City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Boulder Lakes Business Park 2012/Gregory S. Miller LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Outlot A, Boulder Lakes Business Park

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REQUEST(S): Conditional Use Permit A Conditional Use Permit to allow a freestanding accessory car wash. File Number: 30-CU-07-07-12 Variance A 10' Variance to the required 20' rear yard structure setback for a freestanding car wash building. File Number: 30-VA-07-08-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Pam Dudziak, the Planner at (651) 675-5691 or pdudziak@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 3119253 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 a t 6 : 3 0 p m , City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Eagan Car Club 2nd Addition/David Pemperton LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Section 24, Township 27, Range 23 West, off State Trunk Highway No. 3

REQUEST(S): Preliminary Subdivision A Preliminary Subdivision of approximately 6 acres to create 7 lots and 2 outlots. File Number: 24-PS-03-07-12 Final Subdivision A Final Subdivision of 7 lots and 2 outlots. File Number: 24-FS-04-07-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Mike Ridley, the Planner at (651) 675-5650 or mridley@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 3119215 8/17/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF THE CITY OF EAGAN POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities will be provided upon advance notice of at least 96 hours. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City of Eagan will attempt to provide such aid. Telephone: (651) 675-5000; TDD: (651) 454-8535. 3113409 8/17-8/24/12

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Sports

August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Expectations still high for Blaze girls soccer Injury bug bites Burnsville

minimum qualified for state in the past decade, including Burnsville, which last paid a visit in 2005. “It’s one of the top two conferences in the state along with the Lake,” Toranza said.

by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

Last season the Burnsville girls soccer team finished runner-up at state with one of the youngest lineups in the metro. While the state final shootout loss to Wayzata stung, a lot has happened to the Blaze since November of 2011. For most teams, rosters are usually depleted by graduation. For Burnsville, the roster took a heavy hit thanks to doctors’ orders. The team’s leading scorer Alyssa Blahnik along with third-leading scorer Tiana Khamvongsa are both out for the season with knee injuries. Amanda Pope, another player who likely would have seen playing time, is out for the season again after missing last year with a knee injury. “It’s like an infirmary,” head coach John Soderholm said. “I think we’re just an unfortunate victim of percentages.” Playing in the state final has had a lingering effect on the players. “Having been there, it changes the attitude,” Soderholm said. “Not only are we going to work hard, but they know they can do it.” Abby Soderholm, the team’s second-leading scorer, leads the attack with midfielders Hannah Kierstead and Amanda Hartmann. On defense, Meghann Rudolph and Darby Lofthus, who split time last season in goal, will continue to share duties. “They push each other really hard,” Soderholm said. “That kind of thing could degenerate, but they both work really hard and they’re both great kids.” Senior captains Sarah Poythress and Natalie Muench will help out on defense. “We’ll look for others to step up and fill in when they can,” Soderholm said. “We’re going to focus on process for the first few games, not results.” The girls expect to be right there with the best by late fall. “Expectations are really high,”

Girls tennis

Photo by Andy Rogers

The Burnsville girls soccer team practices earlier this week. The Blaze returns a number of girls from a team that was runner-up in the Class AA state tournament last season. Muench said. “We’ll be good if we continue to work hard. I have been watching that last game (against Wayzata) over and over. A lot of the girls have improved. … We’ll be good this year, watch out.” The Blaze kick off the season at home against Centennial at 5 p.m. Thursday. Last season the girls lost 5-3, in what turned out to be the largest loss of the season.

Boys soccer The anticipation for the season to begin is unmistakable for the Burnsville boys soccer team. “We’re seeing a fast-paced team and the boys came in real good shape,” head coach Bill Toranza said after two days of practice. “We don’t have to spend much time conditioning. Everybody seems to be really fit. The

commitment level is there. It will be interesting to see how it translates.” The Blaze challenged some of the best teams in the metro last season, starting with a 5-13 record and placing fourth in the conference behind Eastview, Bloomington Jefferson and Eagan. “Last year started out strong, but we went into a couple weeks where we played the top teams in the state,” Toranza said. “It was pretty tough back to back. We knew going into the season it was going to be a tough schedule. We came out OK.” The Blaze tied with the eventual South Suburban Conference champion Eastview shutting out its top scorer Mathew Gweh and lost to the eventual state champion Eden Prairie 1-0. The Blaze have 12 returning

Lightning girls’ goal still the Metrodome Soccer team believes it has talent to make up for graduation losses

seniors to add to a long list of promising athletes. In 2011, Burnsville relied on Mauricio Mendoza, who was named all conference, and Luis Garcia and Jesse Beane, named honorable mention. Logan Reimer, Keaon Dousti and Adam Saba also contributed. “We’re a well-balanced team midfield, defense and forward,” Toranza said. One of the biggest practice battles is with four vying for the goalkeeper spot. “We’re starting over with the goalie position, but we’ll see who rises to the occasion,” Toranza said. The Blaze are aiming to finish in the top of the South Suburban Conference. Conference teams from Eagan, Andy Rogers can be reached at Lakeville North, Rosemount, andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com or faceEastview and Apple Valley have at book.com/sunthisweek.

Eagan girls will have a lot of new faces on field Soccer team replacing 14 seniors from last season by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Every high school soccer team starts its season outdoors, but Eastview’s girls believe they have what it takes to finish it indoors. “We’d like to get to the dome this year,” said senior midfielder Kayla Tuthill, one of the Lightning’s captains. She was referring to the Metrodome, where the state tournament semifinals and finals take place. Last year the Lightning was one victory short of going to Minneapolis after losing to Centennial 1-0 in the Class AA quarterfinals in Cottage Grove. It ended a 133-4 season; all three of Eastview’s losses were 1-0. Eastview was one of three South Suburban Conference teams to reach the state tournament. The others, Burnsville and Lakeville North, finished second and fourth. The conference “definitely will still be competitive,” senior midfielder and captain Melisse Chasse said. “But a lot of the teams were older last year and lost a lot of seniors. Most of the teams this year are going to use some young players.” That includes the Lightning, whose graduation losses from last season included its top three scorers and all seven of the players who were All-South Suburban Conference or received honorable mention. But help could be on the way for Eastview. Dakota REV, a soccer club that has a number of players from Eastview High School, had an excellent summer on the girls side, including an Under-16 Premier team that finished second in the top division at the USA Cup.

The Blaze girls tennis team looks strong at the top in both No. 1 singles and doubles. Emily Wollmuth has returned to the No. 1 slot after working hard in the offseason. She shares captain duties with Sarah Davidson, who will play No. 1 doubles with Miki Samz. “She’s a doubles specialist and one of the best out there,” Blaze head coach Ben Stapp said. “She has great hands and she’s very aggressive.” Burnsville has a deep lineup with three other seniors taking serve. Jessica Nagel is one of the team’s best servers. She could play both doubles and singles along with classmate Allee Norgaard and Sydney Zimmer, who “can play anything she sets her mind to,” Stapp said. “She has a ton of fire when she hits the court.” Rounding out the lineup are twins Julia and Jenessa Anderson. “How could I not try them in doubles?” Stapp said. Junior Sam Grey, sophomore Janae Stebbins and eighth-grader Angela Wollmuth, Emily’s sister, round out the best of the underclassmen. “Strengths would be our depth and consistency of players from top to bottom,” Stapp said. “Our goal at Burnsville is always to place character and sportsmanship above all else. Win or lose there is always something to learn about life, ourselves, and each other. “Sometimes growth happens when you are stretched physically and mentally. I plan to stretch and challenge these girls to be their best on and off the court, that’s what makes a complete player and person. That being said, I really like to win, and do not like to lose. We will compete and leave everything out there.”

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Eastview girls soccer players compete in an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday afternoon. The Lightning was one of three South Suburban Conference teams to qualify for the 2011 state tournament. “There’s a lot of talent, and in Dakota County, they start them young,” said senior Anhthu Huynh, the Lightning’s starting goalkeeper. On Tuesday afternoon, Eastview’s girls were in their second day of tryouts. “We’ve seen players coming to practice willing to give 110 percent,” senior Taylor Heppner said. “Practice isn’t always fun, but working hard there is what gets you ready for the season.” Another key returnee is junior forward Kellie McGahn, who scored seven goals last season. Eastview lost only once in nine conference games last season, but four ties against league opponents dropped the Lightning to fourth

place. “But we were able to play with all the other teams,” Chasse said. “We tied (conference champion) Lakeville North and beat Burnsville.” Now the Lightning will attempt to prove it’s the team to beat in the South Suburban. Eastview opens its season at home against Roseville at 5 p.m. Thursday. The nonconference schedule also includes a home game against defending state Class AA champion Wayzata at 1 p.m. Aug. 30. The first conference game is at home against Eagan on Sept. 4. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Senior captain Marissa Ganske led Eagan in scoring last season with 16 points (nine goals, seven assists). Obarski said Ganske might play several positions this year, sometimes moving up to spark the offense and sometimes moving back to help the defense. Senior captain Kaleigh Solheim scored seven goals last season, second on the team to Ganske. Junior Roselyn Anderson had six goals. Sophomore Rachel Wall scored three times after being called up to the varsity in midseason. If there’s a good time to have to replace so many varsity players, this season might be it for Eagan. A number of other South Suburban Conference teams are in the same situation. Burnsville might have been the preseason favorite, but the Blaze has lost its top two returning players to knee injuries. “I heard about what happened to Burnsville, and that’s too bad,” Obarski said. “You never want to see that happen to a team. “The conference lost an excellent group of seniors last year. The number of those kids who are playing in college is amazing, compared to other years.” Many of Eagan’s new players compete at the Classic 1 or Premier levels with club teams, so talent isn’t expected to be an issue, Obarski said. Acclimating to new teammates might take some time, though. And time is not something the Wildcats have in abundance. The Wildcats open the regular season at Rochester Mayo on Aug. 23, then play at home against Rogers on Aug. 25. The four games after that are a gauntlet of ranked opponents – Woodbury, Duluth East, Eastview and Lakeville North. “That’s a brutal stretch of games,” Obarski said.

Eagan girls soccer coach Mark Obarski had to extend tryouts this year. In years past he was able to get those wrapped up in two days, name his teams and get on with the task of preparing for the season. This year he decided he had to stretch tryouts to four days. “Two reasons, really,” Obarski said. “We have so many players who are similar. The skill level is better overall. The differences between players are so much smaller that it takes more time to evaluate them. “The other reason is we graduated 14 players off our varsity last year. We’re looking at a whole new team this year.” Expectations don’t change much for the Wildcats, who were 15-3-1 last season and reached the Section 3AA championship game. Eagan still believes it can be a threat for section title. But it might take a little longer – perhaps several games into the regular season – before the Wildcats are playing well enough to aim high in the postseason. One of the Wildcats’ biggest concerns is in goal. Kristen Knutson, a four-year starting goalkeeper, has graduated and now plays for the University of Minnesota. Erica Cimochowski, a senior captain this season, played limited minutes in goal last year but is one of two, possibly three, players competing for the spot this season. Obarski said he could go with a rotation in goal. Eagan also will have some new players in the central defense and central midfield positions, and Obarski said that might require the team to play more of a defensive style this season. But the Wildcats won’t go into a shell be- Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. cause they have several returning shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or players with scoring ability. facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

Donahue leads a youthful Eagan girls tennis team by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Eagan is looking to get back to the state girls tennis tournament after being denied by Rosemount in the Class 3AA championship match in 2011. But to do it, the Wildcats will need some young players to come through. Coach Scott Nichols said he expects to start a seventhgrader, eighth-grader and ninth-grader in his singles lineup, and only five players have varsity experience. But hardly anybody in the state has more varsity experience than senior Danielle Donahue, the Wildcats’ No. 1 singles player. Donahue, a five-time team MVP, played in the state singles tournament last year, going

1-2. She has 84 career victories, just two short of the school record of 86 held by Jessica Shepard. Donahue and senior Rachel Taylor are veterans of the 2010 Eagan team that won the state Class AA consolation championship. They will be captains this season. Donahue was 16-4 last season, while Taylor was 15-5. Ninth-grader Anusha Arcalgud and eighth-grader Rachel Murray, both 16-4 last season, are expected to be in the singles lineup. The other player with varsity experience is junior Jennifer Fisk, who was 15-5 in doubles. The singles lineup, despite its youth, should be strong because the players

have a lot of U.S. Tennis Association tournament experience, Nichols said. Eagan’s season opener is 3 p.m. Monday against Mahtomedi at the Northview Park courts. The Wildcats’ first South Suburban Conference match is Thursday at Lakeville South, and they’ll play at Rosemount on Aug. 30. The team will defend its championship at the Wildcat Invitational on Sept. 15. The teams that came to Eagan’s tournament last year – Winona, Elk River and Hastings – are coming back this season. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Sign of autumn Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Eastview football coach Kelly Sherwin supervises practice Tuesday, the second day of official fall workouts. The Lightning is preparing for its season opener Aug. 30 at home against Burnsville.

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August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

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August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 17, 2012

Eagan man killed in South Dakota crash by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

An Eagan man died Saturday in a motorcycle crash in South Dakota. Maksim Deminov, 41, was heading east on Highway 14 just east of Blunt shortly after 2 p.m. when his motorcycle came behind a PAC, from 8A Performing Arts Center have contributed enough to generate a $40,000 city match, according to Luther. Two of the shows from the first series – performances by Celtic Crossroads and Spencers Theatre of Illusion – were on Thursday nights during a spring season when the PAC’s main theater is often booked on weekends for dance competitions, Luther said. “Being able to turn a typical dark day into a good, revenue-generating day is very important for us,” he

pickup pulling a farm tractor, according to a report by the Capital Journal of Pierre, S.D. The driver, Quanna Hager, 52, of Blunt slowed to take a left turn and Deminov attempted to pass. The motorcycle then collided with the trailer, according

to the report. The South Dakota State Patrol is investigating the incident.

said. The 2012-13 series includes two shows by Troupe America, which has a history of staging shows at the PAC. A national touring company with a home base at the Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth, Troupe America will present “Away in the Basement – A Church Basement Ladies Christmas” on Nov. 3 and 4, and “Miracle on 34th Street” on Nov. 17. On March 7, the Four Bitchin’ Babes will present a musical and comedy revue called “Mid Life Vices.” “They’re four female musicians that sing about

everything from menopause to martinis,” Luther said. The Fab Four Beatles tribute is booked for Jan. 26, Luther said. The show isn’t part of the series but will be underwritten by angel fund money, he said. The PAC is offering a $5 per ticket discount for purchase of tickets to at least three shows in the series. For more information, call the box office at (952) 8954680.

Jessica Harper is at jessica. harper@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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August 17, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Many Minnesotans to revere

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Area thespians performed at the Dakota Chautauqua tent show at the Dakota County Fair, which ran from Aug. 6 to 12 at the fairgrounds in Farmington. The players offered their “Minnesota Bits of Trivia,” which was portrayed through song, comedy and narrative by a cast of nine actors/singers/musicians. Crowds gathered in Farmington for the fair, which experienced mild weather for most events. More photos from the fair are at SunThisweek.com. Primary, from 1A to the office in 1994, then defeated Willenburg in November. The 54 percent to 46 percent margin was the closest of her career. City Council Member Mary Sherry was the top vote-getter on Tuesday in an eight-way council primary. Sherry, a one-term incumbent, and three others will vie for two open seats in November. Sherry, who got 1,695 votes, will be joined on the ballot by former Council Member Steve Cherney (1,155), Bruce Johnson (750) and Suzanne Nguyen (708). Cherney was elected to the council in 2000 and defeated for re-election in 2004. They were followed by Richard Hoel (582), James Cammarato (304), Pat Madden (293) and Rochell Ansari (281). Two-term incumbent

Dan Gustafson, whose term is expiring, is not seeking reelection. Mayor and council terms are for four years. A total of 3,542 Burnsville residents – about 10 percent of the city’s eligible

voters – voted in the primary. The council will canvass the election results on Friday, Aug. 17, at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway. — John Gessner