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Education Today Area school districts are exploring the use of iPad technology in varying degrees this school year.

thisweekend

August 3, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 23

District 196 officials look to address changing populations, enrollment numbers by Jessica Harper

�� Tomorrow’s �� Dreams �� Begin �� Today!

Burnsville | Eagan

Once pressured to address overcrowding, officials at the Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan School District now face a new phenomenon — shrinking elementary school populations – as Dakota County’s residents grow older. For decades, new housing developments in Eagan and Burnsville attracted young families, but those areas are now becoming populated with empty nesters, as new

developments spring up in the eastern portion of the district, said Superintendent Jane Berenz during a July 30 School Board retreat. “It’s a natural progression of neighborhoods,” Berenz said. “Much of Eagan and Apple Valley are built out and people who moved there 20 to 30 years ago are staying.” This has become most apparent at Thomas Lake and Northview elementary schools in Eagan, which are both seeing significant drops

in enrollment. At Thomas Lake, enrollment has fallen from 457 students in 2007 to 372 in 2012. Enrollment at Northview has dropped from 566 in 2007 394 in May 2012. Although several school populations are shrinking, District 196 continues to see others inch closer to capacity. The expanding sections of the district fall within the Red Pine, Rosemount, Shannon Park, and Glacier Hills elementary boundaries.

Red Pine is growing at the fastest rate but still has room for additional students, Berenz said. It isn’t the only one to grow. The district’s two magnet schools, Cedar Park and Glacier Hills elementary schools have grown in popularity and in population. District officials are developing a plan to address both shrinking and growing elementary populations while remaining mindful of the district’s increasingly diverse student body.

In the past school officials often looked at changing boundaries as a solution, but this concept becomes tricky as the district’s demographics change. District 196 has become more diverse in the past decade with minorities making up 30.4 percent of its student population, which is a significant jump from 2001 with 13.67 percent. “If we move kids around, we have to think whether it See District 196, 7A

‘Wrong’ feels so right After a decade-long hiatus, Savage singersongwriter Mindy Miller returns to country music with her third studio album, “Wrong.” Page 10A

sports

This is a rendering of an improved Burnsville Skate Park, which is set to undergo a $92,000 upgrade. Private fundraising is planned for future enhancements.

Skate park attracts new generation of boosters Upgrades planned Sun Thisweek

Baseball wins keep coming The Eastview area’s baseball success has continued this summer. Page 14A

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Eagan teen named equestrian champion

Meyer receives high honors at national horseback riding competition

by John Gessner A 1990s fundraising drive to build a skateboard park in Burnsville was led by local businessman and parent Dick Manley and cheered on by Mayor Elizabeth Kautz. Now a new “older generation” is helping the city upgrade the park, which opened in 1998 and is showing its age. These guys aren’t your father’s civic boosters. They’re skaters themselves, who came of age when their ilk were often considered parking-lot pests. They’ve witnessed a boom in municipal skate parks and didn’t put down their boards after starting careers and families.

Photo by Jessica Harper

Eagan resident Audrey Meyer and her pony, Hesa Special Impulse, earned several high honors at the Pony of Americas National Congress in St. Louis, Mo. Meyer was named the champion in the International Hunter Under Saddle 2-3 year old Futurity division and the reserve champion in the International Western Pleasure 2-3 year old Futurity division.

by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

Photo by Rick Orndorf

The aging Burnsville Skate Park is getting a $92,000 upgrade. Boosters hope to raise $100,000 to $150,000 in the next few years for further enhancements. The committee of four adult volunteers has helped steer a yearlong process to improve the Burnsville Skate Park, located in Civic Center Park. “The skate population is

aging and having some influence on the communities in general,” said committee member Olaf Gilbertson, a 39-year-old certified public See Skate Park, 6A

While the U.S. Olympic equestrian team struggles to take home the gold this year, one local teen has managed to receive high honors for her horseback riding skills. Audrey Meyer of Eagan received several top awards July 16 at the Pony of the Americas National Congress in St. Louis, Mo. The competition features a large-sized pony breed called the Pony of the Americas, which compete in a variety of events and styles. Meyer — with her 3-year-old pony, Hesa Spe-

cial Impulse — was named the champion in the International Hunter Under Saddle 2-3 year old Futurity division and reserve championship in the International Western Pleasure 2-3 year old Futurity division. “I like working with the horses,” Meyer said. “And it feels so rewarding when I accomplish a championship after working so long at it.” The 16-year-old learned to ride at age 8 and was inspired by her mother, Karen, to enter competitions. “She kind of picked up where I left off,” said KarSee Meyer, 3A

Few minorities serve in public office Percentage elected is far less than the percent of metro minority population by T.W. Budig Sun Thisweek

Even though the sevencounty metro area is comprised of nearly 25 percent non-Caucasians, minorities do not serve in city, county and school board offices in numbers anywhere near the robustness of the population. Out of the current roster of 200 lawmakers at

the State Capitol, minorities number in the single digits. If the racial/ethnic make-up of the state were proportionally represented, the number should be more than 20. Nationally, the Legislature ranks in the top 10 in terms of fewest number of minorities, according to National Conference of State Legislatures data. In other areas of government, elected leaders who are minorities are few. Out of 42 occupied county board seats (one is vacant) in the metro, two commissioners, Toni Carter and Rafael Ortega, serv-

ing on the Ramsey County Board, were identified as minorities. According to the 2010 Census, about a third of the people in Ramsey County are minorities, making it the most diverse county in the metro. Hennepin County follows closely behind, and there were 17.7 percent non-whites in Dakota County, according to the 2010 Census. The inner-ring suburban cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights and See minorities, 19A

Reasons for disproportion suggested by T.W. Budig Sun Thisweek

Although minorities serve in elective Twin Cities metro area offices in St. Louis Park, Centerville, Forest Lake, Maplewood, Mendota Heights – on school boards, such as Bloomington, Hopkins, Robbinsdale – they remain a small minority. “I wish I had an answer for that,” said city of Maplewood Council Member James Llanas, a Hispanic, when asked why more minorities aren’t

found in public office. Reasons have been suggested. Llanas indicated in some cultures the idea of pushing family members into the spotlight, the price of politics, is repellent. “It’s important that we have more representation,” said Hector Garcia, executive director of the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People. The number of Chicano/Latino people in MinSee Reason, 3A

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

From Market Fest to free market Entrepreneurs find event is perfect testing ground for their ideas by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

Eagan Market Fest is known for its wide array of produce and live music, but it’s also a hotbed for budding entrepreneurs. For Terry Danielson, owner of Simmer Down Tea, the market presents a testing ground for his new blends.

“It’s a great opportunity to see if a new tea blend is a winner or not,” the Eagan resident said. His bubble and iced teas have become a staple for many market-goers who seek it out every Wednesday. The Taiwanese drink is much like a tea slush mixed with chewy tapioca pearls. Simmer Down Tea offers an American version, which substitutes the tapioca for Gummy Bears. In the last few weeks, Danielson has expanded the bubble teas to include popping bubbles, which are tapioca pearls filled with a fruit syrup. Not all his teas have been

a hit in Market Fest taste tests. One lemon blend in particular was a flop causing Danielson to scrap the recipe. Danielson founded the business two years ago after traveling to Taiwan for business. While there, Danielson, a senior project manager for Seagate, met a tea house owner who taught him the art of blending and brewing teas. From there, Simmer Down Tea was born. Danielson converted a former television repair shop in Eagan into a commercial kitchen. See Market Fest, 5A

Photo by Jessica Harper

Simmer Down Tea’s iced and bubble teas have become a popular item at Eagan’s Market Fest. Now, owner Terry Danielson is looking to open a retail store within Eagan to sell his teas and tea accessories.

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

Reason, from 1A nesota is growing rapidly, he said. Still, about 40 percent of newly arriving Chicano/Latinos are immigrants, Garcia explained. They’re not necessarily used to American politics. They may come from countries where political activity is dangerous. “So it’s hard initially for them to engage,” Garcia said. Minnesota DFL State Party Outreach Director Mona Langston expressed similar sentiments. “It’s a very intimidating process,” she said of running for elective office. Langston, who often speaks with minority groups by teaming with local community groups, describes a gradual process of first learning the needs of a given community, say, Somalis in Eden Prairie, before detailing party politics. “We have to earn their

trust,” she said. Rafael Ortega, elected in 1994 as the Ramsey County Board’s first minority member, the first Hispanic, the issue of minorities and elective office is complex. Hispanic families, for instance, tend to be younger families – not the best age to be drawn into politics, he noted. Unlike in Minneapolis and St. Paul where concentrations of minorities tend to hone a political edge, in the suburbs they are often dispersed. The “comfort level” with diversity in the suburbs remains uneven, Ortega indicated. “I think it makes it more difficult to get elected,” he said. Myron Orfield, executive director of the University of Minnesota Institute on Race and Poverty, said minorities are under represented in part because white people tend to vote more frequently.

Whites are more likely to be U.S. citizens, he noted. And whites have longer histories and stronger connections to the political process, Orfield explained. “In general, it (minorities in office) lags behind the population change,” he said. And there may be selfimposed limitations. University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Dara Strolovitch, author and expert on the causes and consequences of political inequalities, said minority people tend to judge themselves harshly in terms of political potential. “Women and people of color are less likely to think they’d make good candidates,” she said. And they tend to be asked less often to run, she explained. T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Meyer, from 1A en, who previously competed in and judged horse tournaments and shows. Meyer quickly developed a knack for the sport and began racking up ribbons. In 2011, she was named state champion in the Hunt Seat division and state reserve champion in the Western division of the Minnesota High School Equestrian Association competition. Meyer has represented Eagan High School in the association since she was a

freshman. When it comes to styles, Meyer competes primarily in western and hunt saddle, which is an English form of riding. Determining which style to compete in often depends on her pony’s strengths, Meyer said. She competes with two ponies, Hesa and a slightly older pony named Ruffs Tuff Tiger, each of whom excels in different styles. Each pony’s name derives from its lineage. In addition to earning awards at competitions, Meyer has taken home sev-

eral ribbons from the State Fair and county fairs. Next week, Meyer will show Tiger at the Dakota County Fair. Though she doesn’t see herself competing in the Olympics any time soon or pursuing horseback riding as a career, Meyer said she plans to continue her hobby after graduating high school. “I like that is that it’s relaxing and keeps me grounded,” she said. Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Opinion

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Mayor’s column raises more questions than it answers by Mark Skweres Special to Sun Thisweek

In his July 20 guest column, Mayor Mike Maguire admonishes those exercising their right to oppose the proposed Parkview Golf Course land use change as “unproductive and misguided.” He gives the false impression of supporting golf at Parkview by saying our efforts should instead be directed to “seek credible buyers” that could “convince the owners and developer that there’s a viable business case for golf.” He conveniently ignores the fact that Parkview investors/owners stated they have some type of contract with the developer, Hunter/Emerson represented by Kurt Manley, giving him control over this decision. If that is true, how could the developer be “convinced” to sell the property at fair golf course market value when approval of the amendment would artificially inflate the property’s price and gain them millions of dollars profit? Do we have all the facts about this transaction? Is this contract contingent upon the city changing the zoning? These and other questions must be answered before anyone can “convince” the owners to entertain offers to keep Parkview open, green and an asset to all in the region.

Why ‘vote no” is essential to a plan Land values are driven by allowable use and surrounding property conditions. That is why cities are required by state law to have consistent Comprehensive Guide Plans: to provide a stable and predictable environment as a basis for real estate values. No one should be allowed to manipulate land values for personal gain. On that principle alone, the City Coun-

Guest Columnist

Duty and responsibility The mayor states twice that it is the Save Parkview supporters who should “take the land use change off the table,” implying that we have some special powers to compel the investors/owners to change their minds. If the Metropolitan Council rubber stamps this change based upon the Eagan council’s unanimous vote, then the only people who are “at the table” are the owner/applicants and the City Council. It is the council’s duty and responsibility to base their decision upon the “general health, safety and welfare of the city” and not upon the financial gain of a sole property owner.

cil should reject this proposal. As Private Recreational land, the Parkview site is currently valued by Dakota County at $3.2 million. Allowing the land to be platted into 175 or more residential lots would drive the total land value to over four times that amount. Even adjusted for land development costs, the price differential for that plot of land is staggering. Any informed buyers must know its allowed usage prior to making any offer. And that is why all plans for purchasing the land are on hold until the City Council makes its final decision. Here’s a plan: Stop the development; put the course up for open sale and let golf Unwarranted fear of lawsuit minded investors make offers based on the The mayor states as a reason for his vote fair market price for the property. was his “belief that a ‘no’ vote was a potentially losing proposition in the courts.” Potential buyers exist – as a It’s odd the mayor cites only the portion of the landmark “Wensmann Realty Inc. v. golf course Let’s be clear: People within the City of Eagan” ruling, which clarifies what Parkview Coalition have been in contact “could constitute a regulatory taking,” but with prospective buyers willing to pur- leaves out two very important facts: chase the site as a golf course. One buyer 1) The court affirmed the city’s right to approached the Parkview owners prior to deny a comprehensive plan amendment the June 19 City Council ruling and was based solely on the reasons given, and rebuked with that same threat of “interfer- 2) the “taking” would not apply if “the city’s decision leaves any reasonable, ecoence of contract” the mayor mentions. Since the City Council meeting, recent nomically viable use of the property.” inquiries directed to Mr. Manley were met The mayor himself pointed out how with a clear message that they would only owners have multiple potential uses withentertain offers in the “residential develop- in the existing zoning. Many law experts agree, including Daniel S. Schleck (who ment” price range. As long as the council continues to move successfully defended Mendota Heights toward approving a residential land use no in a similar case in 2006) who stated there “credible buyers” will likely convince Mr. is no case for a lawsuit here. So why is the Manley to give up the land for millions mayor so afraid of a potential lawsuit? less than he is assured to gain from such a When government officials start changing the Comprehensive Guide Plan based change.

merely on the unspoken and unlikely threat of a legal challenge it is time for new leadership. Otherwise, it sends a message to all who might benefit financially from a policy change: Eagan officials will bend to your wishes if you imply you will sue them. The Metropolitan Council should be very concerned about this precedent and the effect on the region.

Next steps – get some answers The mayor says the City Council will decide this based upon “the facts we have in front of us.” But there are many open questions that the council and the public need to know. • What is the true nature of the “contract” with Mr. Manley? Is he purchasing the land, or just acting as an agent to artificially inflate the property’s value? • Who is financing the proposed residential development? If Hunter/Emerson is not purchasing the property then who are the “credible buyers” purchasing the land? • What is the current asking price for the Parkview Golf Course? Interested buyers need to know. We recommend the mayor use his considerable influence to compel the owners to show a sign of good faith and answer these questions. Armed with that information, and a “no” vote from the City Council, we’re confident we can convince the owners to sell to those willing to keep Parkview open, green and a valuable asset for all in this region. Mark Skweres wrote this on behalf of the Parkview Coalition. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Canterbury agreement deserved stronger vetting A 10-year agreement between Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community reached in early June is neatly billed as a “cooperative marketing agreement.” To be fair, the agreement does involve marketing, as the race track operation and Mystic Lake Casino owners will work hand in hand to promote each other. But the agreement does far more than target marketing. In essence, the $75 million from the casino and a separate $8.5 million for joint marketing efforts have bought Canterbury’s silence when it comes to racino. Racino is the long-running proposal at the state Legislature that would introduce slot machines at the two state-regulated horse tracks — Canterbury and Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus, just outside Forest Lake. The tracks have lobbied for years to allow racino, but with little progress as anti-gambling forces and the Indian gaming lobby have pushed back hard. The deal reached on June 4 with little or no advance public knowledge also swept through the Minnesota Racing Commission two weeks later. Behind a 5-3 vote by the commission, the agreement was approved. Was more scrutiny on the state’s part warranted in light of a multimillion-dollar contract? Did the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community deal involve the same vetting that would be needed in any other merger of a state-regulated entity? A merger involving any public utility would take months of vetting and hearings, far more than the two weeks that the racing commission took. John Derus, who serves on the Running Aces board, has asked a pertinent ques-

ECM Editorial tion: “Is Canterbury still Canterbury or a quasi Indian gaming casino?” The agreement has made the racino hill even steeper to climb. Under the pact, Canterbury Park will no longer push for racino and will lobby against any legislative proposals for racino. The relationship between the two race tracks has been weak at best, and the deal with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community shattered what was left of track partnership. Imagine Running Aces and Canterbury Park as a tag team in wrestling taking on the powerful Indian gaming tag team. Racino is the championship belt. As the match reaches a key point, Running Aces takes a sucker punch from its partner and crumbles as Canterbury swings the match to the champs. The victors and Canterbury Park walk off slapping each other on the back as Running Aces sits stunned in the ring, wondering what just happened. Call it a smart business move or a sucker punch, but the result remains — Running Aces was dealt a bad hand. There is no question Canterbury will benefit. Purses have gone up, the horse industry will benefit and there will be more people headed to the track. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community can rest assured that its strongest opponent in the racino debate is now silent. Running Aces will be left to soldier on alone with the slim hope that racino won’t be pulled from life support at the Capitol. Derus pledges that Running Aces will continue to seek slot machines, a move that would double the size of the facility and add jobs at the 500-employee race track

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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and card club. If Running Aces has one hope it lies in the fact the state still has a budget hole to fill and no means to fill it beyond taxes. Even with Canterbury gone from the racino picture, Derus says Running Aces could generate $50 million a year in state tax revenue and boost property taxes from its expanded facility. It’s not chump change. It’s a revenue pool the state may need to consider. There is also the possibility that Running Aces could form a partnership of its own with one of the northern tribal gaming concerns. But with the track having its best year to date, there is no clear signal

that will be a course followed. It is the opinion here that the Canterbury/Mystic Lake agreement came to be without the detailed study and review necessary for any merger involving a stateregulated industry. What we are left with is a state-regulated race track that is now tied at the hip with a non-taxpaying monopoly that has no obligation nor reason to show its books to the state. It is an agreement that is rife with the potential for conflict of interest. An editorial from the ECM Editorial Board. Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune are part of ECM Publishers Inc.

Letters Foundation 191 deserves thanks To the editor: Foundation 191 just announced the recipients of 10 grants for projects in 191 schools. The funds from these grants help provide opportunities at all grade levels throughout the district. I received one of the grants for the 2011-12 school year. The money granted helped to fund a program promoting positive student behavior at Nicollet Junior High. Having this program has helped create a more positive learning environment at our school evidenced by allowing staff and students to have a common language about expectations in all settings at Nicollet and allowing us to recognize students that exhibit exemplary positive behavior. Foundation 191 has pro-

who deserve to be returned to public service – Mary Sherry and Liz Workman. Sherry has clearly demonstrated that she has been a strong and open-minded member of the Burnsville City Council. She has fostered teamwork within the council. Workman, as a new member of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, has played an active role in the business of managing Dakota County. In addition, she has helped Dakota County to be financially secure while dealing with social and humanitarian issues. Both Sherry and Workman are active members of the Burnsville community. Junior They deserve to continue to be positive examples of elected public officials.

vided individual grants for three years and before that sponsored programs like the Sound of Math project for elementary schools, a literacy project in poetry and narrative writing at the junior highs, a writing project at Burnsville High School that resulted in the publication “From Many Voices,” and an early childhood education program. Thank you to Foundation 191 for providing funds that “enhance, enrich and expand educational opportunities within the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district” as stated in their goals. Please support their continued good work. MONIQUE ROY Teacher, Nicollet High School

Deserving candidates

To the editor: There are two people

LEN and MIMI NACHMAN Burnsville

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

Market Fest, from 2A that will change within the small variety of strudel. next five years. Today, Ruhland’s Strudel The tiny kitchen becomes If he is successful in open- Haus offers 39 varieties of his laboratory and sanctuary ing a retail location, Daniel- fruit and savory strudel. son said he plans to continue Three years ago, the comfrom corporate life. Securing the kitchen and to sell his teas at Eagan’s pany expanded into retail afacquiring necessary licenses Market Fest and community ter customers began asking were among the most chal- festivals. how to purchase his strudel lenging aspects of launching “I love Eagan Market outside of the farmers marFest and the chance to meet kets. Ruhland’s strudels are the business, he said. Danielson has been fasci- people outside of the corpo- sold at six delis including Big nated by herbs since he was rate setting,” he said. Steer Meats and Golden’s in college and saw tea as an Deli in St. Paul and at the viable investment. Teas pop- Strudel success company’s website www.theularity has skyrocketed na- Simmer Down Tea is not strudelhaus.com. tionally. Tea sales in the U.S. the only business to expand “I’m not really focused are expected to grow to near- beyond Market Fest. on the mass market because ly $8 billion by 2014 from its Ruhland’s Strudel House of the logistics of managing current $6.5 billion, accord- also has found success at so much product,” Ruhland ing to the Tea Association of farmers markets. said. the USA. In 2002, Tom Ruhland Now the business is Each year, Danielson’s left his career as a religion branching out again — this teas have become a favorite teacher to start the business time to fundraisers and overnot only at Eagan’s Market from his Eagan home. night delivery. Ruhland’s Fest but also the Dakota “It started out of passion Strudel Haus offers a variCounty Fair and other com- for food,” he said. “Now I ety of strudel to be sold as a munity festivals. love that it brings something part of school and nonprofit The company’s products new every day.” fundraising efforts. are not limited to prepared At the time, Ruhland’s Ruhland is also working drinks. It also sells loose leaf goal was to secure a stand to create an overnight delivand blooming teas, and tea at the Minnesota State Fair. ery service within Minnesoaccessories at national tea But when that became un- ta. expos and on the company’s successful, Ruhland turned website www.simmerdown- his attention to community Jessica Harper is at jessica. tea.com, which is undergo- festivals and the Dakota harper@ecm-inc.com or faceing a redevelopment. County Fair where he sold a book.com/sunthisweek. Danielson said the quality of his tea sets it apart from others in the market. “A lot of teas are brokered instead of direct,” Danielson said. “I use five distributors who are based in Asia.” What began as a hobby quickly became a growing business. Danielson is in the midst of securing space in Eagan for a retail store, which he hopes to open within a year. Danielson envisions a tea house setting in which customers can purchase tins of tea leaves or brewed tea and pastries much like a coffee shop. This tea house would also feature a blending station where people can cre�� ate their own blends and a �� tea bar where customers can �� sample different varieties of tea. Danielson hopes to one day become a vendor for �� area restaurants. �� It’s a venture that Danielson said he would like to �� turn into a full-time job, but �� with the business still in its infancy, it has yet to turn a profit. Danielson predicts

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Skate Park, from 1A accountant. The City Council is expected to approve a $92,000 improvement project at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 6. The project includes replacing the concrete skating surface, which has grown pitted and drawn complaints from the mostly youthful skaters. The committee has agreed to help raise about $6,500 for the project (the city budgeted $86,000). A taller order is raising $100,000 to $150,000 over the next few years to add more features and intrigue to the park. The city hasn’t committed to a timeline or budget and is counting on the fundraisers, according to Dean Mulso, Burnsville’s recreation facilities manager. Working to improve the park is a way to give back, said Gilbertson, who rarely skates at the park, preferring the challenge of higher bowls and ramps than Burnsville offers. There were no public skate parks when he was growing up, he said. “As kids, we were looked at as outlaws,” said Gilbertson, who recently moved to Jordan after living for 10 years in Burnsville. “That’s changing. With the development of the X Games and all those public parks now, I don’t think skateboarding is really vilified the way it was when I was growing up. There’s a guy I skate with every Wednesday that’s 50 years old. The master’s divisions in the skate contests are certainly growing.” Public meetings were held last summer to solicit ideas for park improvements. The committee that emerged from the meetings consisted of adult volunteers Gilbertson, Alex DeMarco, Luther Leonard and Shawn Soleen, who owns the Zombie Boardshop on Buck Hill Road in Burnsville. “It involves a lot of networking and fundraising and navigating city bureau-

cracy,” Gilbertson said. “There’s a big leg up in having some years under your belt.” Leonard grew up skating at the Turf Skatepark near Milwaukee, legendary for its sculpted concrete pools. A movement to save the filledin and paved-over park emerged after the property was acquired for a freeway ramp and some of its original features were unearthed. “That’s where my mom started taking us in ’87 or something, and I just never gave it up,” said Leonard, 37. “I’m actually sitting here with a broken collarbone, which is my first actual broken bone from skating in 25 years.” Today the Burnsville resident is a partner in the family business, LCH Paper Tube and Core Co., which recently moved its Minnesota location from Mendota Heights to Burnsville. Leonard skates every Wednesday at various locations with a crew whose members range from their late 20s to their 40s. “I own a business and live in the city, so it’s in my best interest and the kids’ best interest to have a good skate park,” said Leonard, whose 3-year-old son likes to ride a skateboard on his knees.

Park needs upgrades

since 2002, and it shows. “As of now, it’s pretty crappy,” Leonard said. “The mini ramp they have, that’s actually pretty fun and it’s not in bad shape. But the asphalt is just brutal. You can’t even skate on it.” The problems weren’t lost on parks officials, who instigated the project. Along with the new surface, plans call for landscaping and some new equipment, a new entrance with a driveway and drop-off area and removal of a fence around the park. “We’ve got a nice-looking city campus,” Mulso said. “and this is one of the pieces we wanted to spruce up.” Some current park features will be strategically rearranged and some pouredin concrete features will be added, Mulso said. The improved park will still be a good fit for beginning skaters, with some features advanced skaters will enjoy, he said. “It’s going to look like a track you can skate around, and there’s landscaping in the middle,” he said. With City Council approval, construction is expected to begin in early September and take about a month. A total of $3,000 has been raised to fill the budget gap, including a $1,000 donation from the Burnsville Noon Rotary. Zombie Boardshop has also worked to raise funds. A public meeting on first phase of improvements will be held Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway. “Phase one is kind of just making it look nice and using a lot of the stuff we had before,” Leonard said. “Phase two is basically adding custom concrete features, the kind of stuff that makes people want to come from other cities to skate it.”

The Burnsville Skate Park, championed by Kautz, opened as a “Tier 2” park with features 4 feet and higher. Users paid admission. But revenues fell and expenditures rose, prompting the city to refashion the park as a “Tier 1” park in the early 2000s, Mulso said. “In turn, it becomes like a local park,” he said. “There’s no additional insurance needed, there’s no staffing, and it’s free.” The park was given more of a “street course” feel, with obstacles as part of the con- John Gessner can be reached crete skating surface. Little at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com has been done to the park or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

District 196, from 1A est increase in minority students over the past decade. will increase racial isolation In 2001, minorities made up or not,” Berenz said. only 15.86 percent of Echo Cedar Park in Apple Val- Park’s population. That perley was District 196’s first centage jumped by 32.41 to school in 2004 to be identi- 48.27 in 2012. fied by the state as racially Oak Ridge experienced a isolated. Glacier Hills in similar swing as the populaEagan soon followed and tion of minority students both were turned into mag- jumped from 23.45 percent net schools as a way to di- in 2001 to 46.23 in 2012. versify the school and create District officials dischoices for parents. cussed several alternatives to Since becoming magnet boundary changes such as schools, both have become creating additional magnets highly sought after by par- and other alternative choicents and outperform many es. of their counterparts in state Some board members standardized math and sci- were cautious of this idea. ence tests. Today the Glacier “We don’t want to create Hills is no longer considered so many choices that people racially isolated and Cedar are overwhelmed,” Board Park is moving closer to that Member Art Coulson said. goal. Board Member Rob More than half of Cedar Duchscher agreed saying Park’s population consists he believes residents want of minority students. Gla- to preserve neighborhood cier Hills remains highly schools. diverse with minorities com- “We need to consider prising of 44.87 percent of what the demographics will its student body. be in five to 10 years from Oak Ridge Elementary now and how those changes in Eagan and Echo Park will address issues in the fuElementary in Burnsville ture,” he said. have experienced the great- Though officials dis-

cussed several options to address the district’s changing population, no plan for any school has been adopted at this time. In addition to creating a plan to prevent racial isolation at district schools, officials are working to address pockets of poverty. Elementary schools within the western most area of the district tend to have the highest rates of students who qualify for free and reduced priced lunches. More than 30 percent of students at Echo Park, Westview, Cedar Park and Oak Ridge received free or reduced lunch prices as of May 2012. Cedar Park and Echo Park continue to have the highest rates with 42.4 and 40.47 percent, respectively. District officials are focusing on elementary school trends in particular because those issues tend to affect the middle and high schools as these students advance. Jessica Harper is at jessica. harper@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Task force nets $300,000 in drugs The Dakota County Drug Task Force and several other law enforcement agencies siezed drugs estimated in value of $300,000 and approximately $10,000 worth of stolen goods on Tuesday as a result of an 11-month-long narcotics investigation in an effort to address growing illegal heroin use in the metro area, including in Dakota County, according to a release from the task force. More than 75 officers of the task force; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension executed 14 search warrants related

to Operation Huckleberry, an investigation that was expanded to include a crackdown on illicit sales and distribution of cocaine, ecstasy and firearms. Among the drugs seized were 1 pound of cocaine, 3/4 pound of heroin, 172 pounds of marijuana, approximately 400 ecstasy tablets, six firearms, and counterfeit currency and production equipment. Three people are facing charges as a result of the operation – two Bloomington residents a 19-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man and a 38-year-old man from Minneapolis. Rikki Lee Gilow and

Eric Michelle Hunter were each charged with 15 counts of distribution of controlled substances and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Hunter was charged with two counts of being a felon in possessioin of a firearm. Jerry Anthony Harvey was charged with one count of distribution of heroin. Additional conspirators are expected to be charged in Dakota County related to their involvement in the criminal organization, according to the release. – Tad Johnson

Woman wins $1.1 million on Gopher 5 Ann Hajduk of Burnsville won a $1.1 million jackpot by playing the Minnesota Lottery’s Gopher 5 game on July 11. Her single-line quick-pick

ticket matched all five winning numbers drawn – 14, 29, 31, 35 and 39 – to win the $1,101,275 jackpot. Hajduk claimed the prize at lottery headquar-

ters in Roseville on July 26. She purchased the winning ticket at Rainbow Foods, 2600 W. 80th St., Bloomington.

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

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Benkufsky Mittelstaedt Ma ry Ellen Benkuf sk y a nd Dave Mittelstaedt, Jr. announce their engagement. Parents are John and Judy Benkufsky of Shoreview and Dave and Debbie Mittelstaedt of Apple Valley. Mary and Dave are both employed at Country Cabinets. The couple will be married September 7, 2012 in Lakeville.

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Krause Narverud Paul Narverud, son of Jay and Jane Narverud of Burnsville, and Becca Krause, daughter of Kirk and Dee Dee Krause and P.J. and Alex Grymala, all of Superior, WI, announce their engagement. Paul graduated from Apple Valley High School in 2003 and UM Duluth in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He is a logistics analyst clerk at Nash Finch in Edina. Becca graduated from Superior High School in 2005 and Lake Superior College in Duluth in 2008 with a physical therapist assistant associate degree. She is a physical therapist assistant at St. Therese of New Hope. A Sept. 22nd wedding is planned at St Francis Xavier Church in Superior. The couple resides in Burnsville.

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Hobot Slettehaugh

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Ron Hobot and Ann Slettehaugh of Eagan, proudly announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Ann is a 1981 graduate of Bloomington Kennedy High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth. She spent several years at WebMD and is currently a QA Analyst for SureScripts in Minneapolis, testing software for doctors to submit prescriptions electronically. Ann has two sons from a prior marriage. Her oldest son is leaving for his fourth deployment in the U.S. Air Force in September and is currently based in Atlanta, GA. Her younger son is attending high school. Ron is a 1980 graduate of Burnsville High School, Northwest Technical Institute with a degree in architecture and regularly attends Kaplan Professional Schools. He is a Broker and REALTOR® for Midwest Brokers, Inc. in Bloomington. For the last 20 years he has been listing, selling and financing homes in the Twin Cities area, as well as more recently listing and selling recreational properties in Pine and Kanabec Counties. Ron has a daughter and son from a prior marriage attending high school. Ron and Ann are childhood best-friends and remain deeply committed to each other and their families. Their first date was at the 1979 Kennedy Eagles homecoming game. Their wedding is planned for August at Mount Calvary Church in Eagan.

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Solinger - Bloss Dean and Patty Solinger of Burnsville, Minnesota are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter Kelly, to Zach Bloss, son of Danny and Becky Bloss of Niles, Michigan. Kelly is a 2008 graduate of Burnsville Senior High School. She graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 with a degree in psychology. Zach is also a 2012 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a degree in accountancy. He is studying to become a CPA. Kelly will attend the University of Michigan to pursue a Master of Arts in elementary education. Zach is employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as an assurance associate in Detroit, MI. The couple is currently residing in a suburb of Detroit. Zach and Kelly will be married in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame in July 2013.

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Ronald D. Perko Age 50 of Lakeville passed away unexpectedly on July 28, 2012. Preceded in death by mother Dolores Perko. He was a wonderful husband and an amazing father. He loved to spend time with his “girls”. He loved the outdoors; camping, hiking and climbing 14ers. He was a great cook and passionate connoisseur of good food. He is greatly loved and will be forever missed by family and friends. Survived by loving wife Sherry; daughters Taylor and Jordan; f a t h e r M i l t o n P e r k o ; s i s t e rs Laura (Jim) McCommis, Diane (Ron) Kenley and Judy (Dave) K u l i k o w s k i ; b r o t h e r s L a r ry (Chris) and Ken (Carol) Perko; Also by many loving relatives and friends. Funeral Service 11AM Friday August 3, 2012 at Hosanna! Church, 9600 163rd St. W. Lakeville, MN. Visitation 5-8pm Thursday, August 2, 2012 at White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock Ave. and also one hour prior to service at church. White Funeral Home Apple Valley 952-432-2001 www.whitefuneralhomes.com

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 selfaddressed, stamped envelope is provided.

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Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

The Burnsville Historical Society’s website includes an entire Burnsville history book from 1976. A book published in 2000 is expected to be posted in September.

Living history Website is new portal for Burnsville history

by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

the next half hour we had secured our domain name, and within the next two days we had a website.” Jerde himself owns a small piece of Burnsville history. He and his wife, Patricia, built the former Minnesota River School of Fine Art, which overlooks the Minnesota River valley and opened in 1994. A planned sale of the building fell through in November 2009, and the couple took it back in January 2010, Jerde said. Now a thriving commercial center with an eclectic tenant mix, the building at 190 River Ridge Circle S. is the new home of the Burnsville Historical Society. “We have a nice, big, almost room-sized closet, and they’re going to take that,” Jerde said. Boxes of historical papers and photos were scheduled to be hauled over this week from the basement of City Hall, Jerde said. The website includes links to other historical cities in the region, including the Dakota and Scott county societies and neighboring Savage’s Dan Patch Historical Society, and links to recent news stories about area history. It includes photo displays of St. John’s cemetery in Burnsville and Pond Mission Park in Bloomington (a Burnsville elementary school is named after settler and missionary Gideon Pond). Announcements of Burnsville Historical Society events are also posted. The group will have a tent at the Art and All That Jazz Festival in Nicollet Commons Park on Aug. 18. A Sept. 20 meeting will serve as a kickoff for the “new and better” Burnsville Historical Society, the group promises. Projects in the works include multimedia documentation of the Burnsville of today. It’s not just about “old history,” Jerde said. “It has to do with recording today’s history and getting today’s stories recorded for now and for the future,” he said.

There were no Google Maps when books on Burnsville’s history were published in 1976 and 2000. Today, thanks to a new Burnsville history website, information on more than a dozen historical sites is available at a glance. You can find the original site of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, built from logs in 1855, three years before Burnsville became a township. Black Dog’s Village, one of six Mdewakanton Dakota villages, can be found on the map near the Cedar Avenue bridge. To the west is the James and Mary Connelly place, a combination dugout and log cabin built in 1868 in the area now known as River Hills. Newer landmarks are also plotted, including Burnhaven Library (which opened in 1974) and Fairview Ridges Hospital (1985). If the map’s thumbnail descriptions aren’t enough, the entire 1976 history book is posted as a PDF. Posting of the 2000 volume is expected in September. The site, www.burnsvillehistory.org, went live in late May, shortly after the Burnsville Historical Society was made a chapter of the Dakota County Historical Society. Despite all the work local historians and writers devoted to the 1976 and 2000 books, this is the first time Burnsville has had an official chapter of the county historical society, said Len Nachman, 81, a resident since 1968 whose wife, Mimi, contributed to the 1976 book. Eager to rekindle interest in and update Burnsville history, Len led a loosely formed group that began meeting in early 2011. The website designer, Jeff Jerde, was recruited into the group this spring by John Dedzej, one of the historians and a member of the city’s Parks and Natural Resources Commission. “I said, ‘I will contribute to a website,’ and they said, ‘Good, we need one,’ ” said John Gessner can be reached Jerde, an accomplished Web at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com designer who majored in or facebook.com/sunthisweek. history at St. Olaf. “Within

Comment on county’s newest park Learn more about Dakota County’s newest park – Whitetail Woods Regional Park – on Monday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitors Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan.

View preliminary options for development of the 456acre park located in Empire Township, and comment on the proposed recreational activities, community gathering spaces and natural resource restoration.

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Thisweekend ‘Wrong’

feels so right

After a decade-long hiatus, Mindy Miller of Savage returns to country music with a new album by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

Mindy Miller’s country music career was picking up momentum when family tragedy struck. In 2000, the singersongwriter from Savage had just completed her second album, “Perfectly,” and was set to embark on a tour of Europe when her mother fell ill with cancer. Wanting to be by her mother’s side as she battled the disease, Miller canceled her tour, and subsequently saw her record deal dissolve. And that appeared to be the end of Miller’s life in show business. Until now. Next week will see the release of her third album, “Wrong.”

After a decade-long break from country music – a period which saw the death of her mother in 2003 – Miller was contacted in 2010 by her former producer, Curt Ryle, signed to the Tate Music Group label and recorded her latest CD in Nashville. Miller, who works fulltime as a budget analyst in Eagan and employs her vocal talents as a member of the worship team at Destiny Christian Center in Burnsville, has high hopes for “Wrong.” Five-second TV ads for the album – featuring the CD’s cover art and a clip of Miller’s music – are scheduled to air on cable channels CMT and GAC later this summer. And her label

Photo submitted

Mindy Miller’s new album “Wrong” was recorded in Nashville and is slated for release next week. When she’s not doing country music, Miller employs her vocal talents as a member of the worship team at Destiny Christian Center in Burnsville. has launch parties planned in both the Twin Cities and Nashville. It doesn’t hurt that the songwriting credits on “Wrong” include some Alist country music stars, including Carrie Underwood, who co-wrote the track “Same Old Song and Dance.”

With all the fanfare surrounding the record’s release – her label has planned a promotional push aimed at getting nationwide radio airplay for three of the songs – this summer marks a high point for Miller, a Kansas native who began singing not long after she learned

to talk. “When I was 3 I’d walk around the house and sing – I’d use my mom’s hairbrush and I’d sing the song ‘Elvira,’ ” said the Kansas native. “You’d think it was the only song I knew.” Though “Wrong” won’t officially be released until next week, several of

Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley. Hear reports from the Minnesotans who have just returned from the CCL National Conference in Washington, D.C. Information: Paul Hoffinger, (651) 882-0671. Movies in the Park, “The Muppets,” at dusk at the Central Park Amphitheater near City Hall, Rosemount. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Weather-related updates: (952) 985-1790, option No. 6.

Family Fun Tuesday – Postcards from South America with Nicolas Carter, 10 to 11 a.m. in the Sculpture Garden at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. $4 per person donation is suggested. Information: (651) 454-9412 or www. caponiartpark.org. Tuesday Evenings in the Garden – The Sustainable Landscape with Janet Erdman, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the garden at UMore Park, 1605 160th St. W. (County Road 46), Rosemount. See the newly created sustainable garden and learn how native plants create a landscape that needs less care and preserves biodiversity. Fee: $10. Questions or to register by phone, call University of Minnesota Extension: (651) 480-7700.

ily games. Information: www. cityofeagan.com/marketfest or (651) 675-5500.

the tracks are available for listening at her Tate Music Group artist page, www.mindymichellemiller. tmgartist.com. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Friday, Aug. 3 Forever Wild Family Friday: Storytelling with Roy Edward Power, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Lebanon Hills Visitor Center – Discovery Room, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan. All ages. Free. Registration required. Course No. 4089. Information: http://www. co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecre-

ation/CountyParks/Calendar. Saturday, Aug. 4 Car wash by the Rosemount High School girls soccer team, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rosemount Goodyear. Tickets sold in advance, or a donation of $5 can be made the day of the car wash. Soccer apparel and equipment for boys and girls in need will be collected. Citizens Climate Lobby meeting from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Galaxie Library, 14955

Tuesday, Aug. 7

Wednesday, Aug. 8 Eagan Market Fest, 4 to 8 p.m., Eagan Festival Grounds. Celtic music night featuring Todd Menton and Lehto & Wright along with free kids’ art and fam-

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Thursday, Aug. 9 Thursday Rockin’ Readers – ISD 191 Community Education Director Tom Umhoefer, 11:15 a.m., Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour – Wonderful World of Woody, noon, Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Minnesota Valley Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon – “Tea for You and Me” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Enjoy restaurant, 15435 Founders Lane, Apple Valley. Speaker Dorothy Ruppert will share “A Better Plan.” Bonnie Kastelein will show how to put on the perfect tea party. Cost is $16. Reservations/cancellations: Lisa at (952) 403-0773.

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Friday, Aug. 10 Outdoor movie, “Gnomeo and Juliet,” 7:30 p.m. seating, dusk showtime, part of Burnsville’s “Flicks on the Bricks” series at Nicollet Commons Park in the Heart of the City. Summer Fresh Friday Film, “Farm to School: Growing our Future,” 6 to 8 p.m. at Valley Natural Foods, 13750 County Road 11, Burnsville. Information: (952) 891-1212, ext. 221. Saturday, Aug. 11 Breakfast with Minnesota Twins players, 9 to 10 a.m. at the Chart House Restaurant in Lakeville. Register to win autographed Twins merchandise, bid in a live auction. Proceeds benefit Cheerful Givers birthday gift bag program. Breakfast/ admission tickets are $30. VIP/ breakfast tickets are $60. Space is limited. Register at http:// cgtwinsbreakfast12.eventbrite. com/. 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. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Caribou Coffee, 3868 150th St., Rosemount. • Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan. • Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Everest Institute, 1000 Blue Gentian Road, Eagan. • Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Apple Valley Medical Center, 14655 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley. • Aug. 8, 1 to 6 p.m., Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Drive, Lakeville. • Aug. 9, 1 to 6 p.m., Mt. Olivet Assembly of God Church, 14201 Cedar Ave. S., Apple Valley. • Aug. 9, Midwest Coca Cola Bottling Company, 2750 Eagandale Blvd., Eagan. • Aug. 9, noon to 5 p.m., Sam’s Club, 3035 Denmark Ave., Eagan. • Aug. 10, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Easter Lutheran Church – By The Lake, 4545 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan. • Aug. 10, noon to 5 p.m., Culver’s, 17800 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville. • Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dakota County Fair, 4008 220th St. W., Farmington. Reunions Burnsville High School Class of 1992 will hold its 20th reunion from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Minneapolis. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door. To register and purchase tickets, visit https://reunionmanager.net/class_members/registration.php?class_id=124786 or contact Kelly Bruce Regan at kelbel070@gmail.com or Bob Hayes at bobhayes37@yahoo. com with questions.

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

They’re off to see the Wizard Children’s theater group presents ‘Wizard of Oz’ at Burnsville PAC

Sun Thisweek

World-class bluegrass band Monroe Crossing will perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at Caponi Art Park in Eagan. The concert rounds out the park’s 2012 Summer Performance Series. The Okee Dokee Brothers will also bring kid-friendly bluegrass to the park for a Family Fun Tuesday event on Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. in the sculpture garden.

Concert canceled

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Eight-year-old Henry McCormick and 14-year-old Tia Thompson, both of Burnsville, are among the 80-actor cast of “The Wizard of Oz” which plays the Burnsville Performing Arts Center next week. Thompson is cast as Dorothy; McCormick is the munchkin coroner. film starring Judy Garland, including “Over the Rainbow,” “Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead,” and “If I Only had a Brain.” “The Wizard” marks the third show The Play’s The Thing has presented in the Burnsville Performing Arts Center’s 1,000-seat mainstage theater. In 2010 the children’s group presented “Annie Jr.” there, and last summer it staged “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”

Tickets for “Wizard” are $14 for adults, $12 for students, and are available at the Burnsville PAC box office and through Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. More information about the show is at www.childrenstheatretptt.com. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

theater and arts calendar To submit items for the Arts Calendar, email: darcy.odden@ ecm-inc.com. Books Mystery authors Marilyn Jax and Jim Proebstle from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Apple Valley Barnes & Noble, 14880 Florence Trail. Comedy Chris Shaw with special guest Raleigh Weld at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, and Saturday, Aug. 4, at MinneHAHA Comedy Club, 1583 E. First Ave., Shakopee (lower level of Dangerfield’s), (612) 8609388, www.minnehahacomedyclub.com. Tickets: $13. Concerts Music in Kelley Park featuring Steve Sullivan & The Factory from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino St., Apple Valley. Free. Food and beverages available for purchase. Ethan Bortnick and The Kidz Bop Kids, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Canceled. Dave Koz with Bebe Winans, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $47. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Tommy Castro and the Painkillers and Marcia Ball, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $36. Tickets available at ticketmaster. com. Mu Daiko Japanese Taiko Drumming, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at Caponi Art Park’s Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater in Eagan. Suggested donation: $5. Rain location: Crossroads Church, Eagan. Information: www.caponiartpark.org. Barenaked Ladies and Blues Traveler with Cracker, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Sold out. Taj Mahal and Blind Boys of Alabama, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $47. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Rufus Wainwright with Adam Cohen, Krystle Warren, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $39. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Summer Salon chamber concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Presbyterian Church of the Apostles, 701 E. 130th St., Burnsville. Suggested donation: $20. Information: (952) 890-7877 or www. ChurchApostles.org. Dance Zenon Dance School’s Hip Hop and Breakdance Camp Aug. 6-10 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center: 9 a.m. to noon, ages 6-10, $190; 12:30 to 4 p.m., ages 10-14, $220. Enroll online at www.zenondance.org/summer-camps-2012 or call (612) 338-1011. Exhibits/Art Shows Botanical art exhibit by The Great River Chapter of Botanical Artists at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Information: (952) 985-4640. Pilgrims and Passages, a joint exhibit featuring art by Anthony Donatelle and Jon Reischl, will be on display Aug. 2 through Sept. 8 in the gallery at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. For more information, call (952) 895-4676 or visit www.burnsvillepac.com. Summer art show by local

theater and arts briefs Monroe Crossing at Caponi Art Park

by Andrew Miller This summer, young actors with The Play’s The Thing Productions are learning how to fly. The Lakeville-based children’s theater group’s summer show, “The Wizard of Oz,” will see several of its cast members fitted with harnesses and zipping through the air. Dorothy defying gravity and the Wicked Witch piloting a broom through the sky are among the host of visual flourishes The Play’s The Thing director/producer Dayna Railton is employing as she brings her summer production, and its cast of 80 young actors, to the main stage of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center from Aug. 10-12. The production is the capstone to The Play’s The Thing’s theater camp for young people ages 4-17 that was held at Eagle Ridge Junior High in Savage this summer. The actors at the camp were divided into two groups – a main camp, and a “munchkin camp” for the 30 or so children ages 4 to 7 who will be performing as munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz.” “We have some very small munchkins,” Railton said. “They’re learning everything the older ones are learning – choreography, stage presence, focus, direction, projection.” The production features music from the classic MGM

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on Wednesdays at the Lakeville Senior Center, 20732 Holt Ave. Beginners, 9-10 a.m.; Intermediate, 10 a.m.-noon. $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. The Lakeville Area Arts Center offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn.gov, (952) 985Festivals The Dakota County Fair runs 4640. Aug. 6-12 at the fairgrounds in Farmington. Information: dakotacountyfair.org. Art and All That Jazz Festival, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville. Free admission. Information: www.burnsvilleartjazz. com.

artist Amie Kieffer from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17-18 at 3245 145th St. W., Rosemount. The outdoor show will include about 60 original pieces; many will be for sale. Information: AK@AmieKieffer.com.

Theater The Peter Pan Project will present “Robin Hood” outdoors at Lakeville North High School at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 3-4 and 7 p.m. Aug. 5. The show is appropriate for all ages. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs. Expressions Community Theater will present “The Odd Couple” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10-11 and 17-18, and 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and 19 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $12 and can be ordered at www. lakeville-rapconnect.com or by calling (952) 985-4640. Workshops/classes Intermediate digital photography workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 18, at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. Free, $5 suggested donation. Registration required. Information: www.caponiartpark.org or (651) 454-9412. Adult painting open studio from 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Fridays of the month at the Eagan Art House, 3981 Lexington Ave. S. Fee is $5 per session. Information: (651) 675-5521. Music Together in the Valley offers classes for parents and their infant, toddler and preschool children in Rosemount, Farmington, Lakeville and Apple Valley. Information: www.musictogetherclasses.com or (651) 439-4219. The Eagan Art House offers classes for all ages. For a complete listing go to www.eaganarthouse.org or call (651) 675-5521. Dan Petrov Art Studio in Burnsville offers oil painting classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced skill level painters, www.danpetrovart.com, (763) 843-2734. Teens Express Yourself with Paint, 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at Brushworks School of Art in Burnsville, www.BrushworksSchoolofArt.com, (651) 214-4732. Drama/theater classes for ages 4 and up at River Ridge Arts Building, Burnsville, (952) 7363644. Special needs theater program (autism-DCD), ages 5 and older, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. Join other 55-plus adults at the Eagan Art House to create beaded jewelry. The Jewelry Club meets on the third Friday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Information: (651) 675-5500. Savage Art Studios, 4735 W. 123rd St., Suite 200, Savage, offers classes/workshops for all ages. Information: www.savageartstudios.com or (952) 8950375. Soy candle making classes held weekly in Eagan near 55 and Yankee Doodle. Call Jamie at (651) 315-4849 for dates and times. $10 per person. Presented by Making Scents in Minnesota. Country line dance classes held for intermediates Mondays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., Farmington, $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Country line dance classes

A concert by Ethan Bortnick and the Kidz Bop Kids, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 3, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, has been canceled. Promoters said the show was canceled “due to unforeseen circumstances” and that ticket refunds will be available at points of purchase. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster must be refunded through Ticketmaster, (800) 9822787. For more information, call (952) 895-4680.

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

�� PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADOPT AGENDA RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS A. RECOGNITION of July 4th Funfest B. RECOGNITION the City of Eagan for being one of the first cities in Minnesota to achieve Step III of the GreenStep Cities Program IV. 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. ADOPT a Resolution accepting donated exercise equipment E. ACCEPT a grant agreement from Invitation Health Institute to enforce underage drinking laws by administering alcohol compliance checks F. SET Public Hearing date for September 4, 2012 to certify delinquent utility bills G. SET Public Hearing date for September 4, 2012 to certify delinquent false alarm bills H. SET Public Hearing date for September 4, 2012 to certify delinquent mowing bills) I. APPROVE Temporary On-Sale Liquor License and waive the license fee for People of Praise MN, Inc.'s 41st Anniversary Celebration on September 15, 2012 J. APPROVE Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for Twin Cities Gay Softball World Series' Softball Tournament on August 16, 17 and 18, 2012 K. APPROVE Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League's Softball Tournament on August 15, 16 and 17, 2012 L. APPROVE Temporary On-Sale Liquor License and waive the license fee for Faithful Shepherd Catholic School's Septemberfest on September 22, 2012 M. APPROVE Sound Amplification Permit and Waiver of fee for an outdoor event at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School Septemberfest Fundraiser at 3355 Columbia Drive N. APPROVE Resolution Appointing Deputy City Clerks as Acting City Clerks for the purpose of receiving lawsuits O. DIRECT Preparation of Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 6.53 relative to Consumer Fireworks Permit Fees P. APPROVE Change Order No. 2 for Contract 12-10, 2012 Storm Sewer Improvements Q. AUTHORIZE a Memo of Understanding with the United States Secret Service for reimbursement of overtime incurred by officers working on financial crime investigations R. AUTHORIZE Request for Reallocation of Dakota County CDA Redevelopment Investment Grant Funds to Cedar Grove Parkway Trail Project S. APPROVE an agreement with Urban Land Institute Minnesota (ULI) to participate in a Regional Indicators Initiative and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the appropriate documents T. APPROVE Final Payment, Contract 10-11, Ames Crossing Road U. RECEIVE Petition to Vacate Drainage & Utility Easement, Outlot A Boulder Lakes, and schedule a Public Hearing for September 4, 2012 V. Release and Termination of Agreements related for Lot 1, Block 1, Eagan Place 4th Addition V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. VARIANCE - Raspberry Lane - A 12' Variance to the 30 ft. setback from the public right-of-way for a third stall garage addition line located at 1308 Raspberry Lane VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS A. PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, VARIANCE - MVTA A Preliminary Subdivision to create two lots upon approximately 16 acres, a Conditional Use Permit to allow for o f f - s i t e p a r k i n g a n d a V a r i a n c e t o t h e minimum 25% green space requirement to permit a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 3 % g r e e n space for proposed Lot 1 located at 3600 Blackhawk Road VIII. LEGISLATIVE / INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UPDATE IX. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY A. CALL TO ORDER B. ADOPT AGENDA C. CONSENT AGENDA 1. APPROVE EDA Minutes 2. RATIFY Resolution and Findings of Fact regarding the Purchase Agreement between the EDA and Paragon Outlets Eagan LLC for Property Located in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment District 3. AUTHORIZE Preparation of Minnesota Investment Fund Application for Stream Global Services for Improvements at 3245 Northwoods Circle D. OLD BUSINESS E. NEW BUSINESS 1. AUTHORIZE 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 3102406 8/3/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Primary Election City of Eagan, Minnesota NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Eagan will conduct the State Primary Election in Eagan, Minnesota, on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. The polling places for said election shall be as follows: Precinct

Polling Place

Pilot Knob Elementary School 1436 Lone Oak Road

Eagan Community Center 1501 Central Parkway

Eagan Fire Safety Center 1001 Station Trail

Cedar Elementary School 2140 Diffley Road

Oak Hills Church 1570 Yankee Doodle Road

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church 3930 Rahn Road

Eagan Civic Arena 3870 Pilot Knob Road

Deerwood Elementary School 1480 Deerwood Drive

Woodland Elementary School 945 Wescott Road

Northview Elementary School 965 Diffley Road

Metcalf Junior High School 2250 Diffley Road

Rahn Elementary School 4424 Sandstone Drive

Christ Lutheran Church 1930 Diffley Road

Thomas Lake Elementary School 4350 Thomas Lake Road

Oak Ridge Elementary School 4350 Johnny Cake Ridge Road

Easter Lutheran Church 4200 Pilot Knob Road

Chapel Hill Church 4888 Pilot Knob Road

Pinewood Elementary School 4300 Dodd Road

Red Pine Elementary School 530 Red Pine Lane

St. Thomas Becket Church 4455 South Robert Trail

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF BURNSVILLE PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on August 21, 2012 or as soon thereafter as possible, by the Burnsville City Council at the Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway, on the application of High Five Club, LLC for an On-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Liquor License at 14103 Irving Ave. So. All persons desiring to be heard on this item will be heard at this time. Tina Zink City of Burnsville 3101701 8/3/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

(Official Publication) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2013 BUDGET FOR THE LOWER MINNESOTA RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT Notice is given that at a regular meeting of the Board of Managers of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District scheduled for 7:00 PM on August 15, 2012, at the District's meeting place at the Chaska City Hall, Valley Room, One City Hall Plaza, Chaska, Minnesota, the Managers of the District will consider the adoption of the District's preliminary 2013 budget. A summary of the proposed budget to be considered is as follows: A $569,583 budget which would require a total tax levy of $ 525,000 in 2013 to be collected from taxes due and payable in 2013, of which $250,000 will be levied pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 103D.905, Subd. 3, to be used for administrative purposes, including permit review, permit inspection, cooperative projects, engineering, legal services, and costs and other expenses of the District's operations and $275,000 will be levied pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 103B.241, Subd.1 to pay for projects identified in the District's approved and adopted plan necessary to implement the purposes of Section 103B.201. Dated:July 25, 2012 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS s/ Len Kremer, Secretary Lower Minnesota River Watershed District 3097081 8/3-8/10/12

PUBLIC NOTICE LAC LAVON BEACH BEACH AREA RENOVATION CITY PROJECT NO. 10-408 FOR THE CITY OF BURNSVILLE DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the City of Burnsville at the office of the City Clerk until 11:00 a.m. CST, Wednesday August 15, 2012 at the Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337, and will be publicly opened and read aloud at said time and place by representatives of the City. Bids arriving after the designated time will be returned unopened. Said proposals are for the furnishing of all materials and labor associated with the Lac Lavon Beach Area Renovation. Improvements will include the following approximate quantities: removal of timber retaining wall sections (390 LF), removal of concrete pavement (28 SY); installation of a 6-inch concrete drive (3,500 SF) and a 4-inch concrete walkway (3,300 SF); installation of limestone seating blocks (30 EA); installation of rainwater garden soils (120 CY) and installation of shrubs and perennials (690 EA); and native seeding (0.5 AC). The bids must be submitted on the Proposal Forms provided in accordance with the Contract Documents, Plans, and Specifications as prepared by SEH 3535 Vadnais Center Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55110, which are on file with the City Clerk of Burnsville and may be viewed at www.sehinc.com . Questions should be directed to Danyelle Pierquet, SEH at 952.912.2608. Complete digital Proposal Forms, Plans and Specifications for use by Contractors submitting a bid are available at www.questcdn.com . You may download the digital plan documents for a nonrefundable fee of $30.00 by inputting QuestCDN Project No.2177062 on the website's Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information. Paper copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from Docunet Corp. located at 2435 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 (763.475.9600) for a fee of $100. Bids shall be accompanied by a cashier's check, bidder's bond, or certified check payable to the City of Burnsville, for not less than five (5) percent of the amount of such bid, which shall be forfeited to the City of Burnsville, in the event that the bidder fails to enter into a contract. Bidder's bond must include certified copy of the power of attorney. For bonding purposes, the bid shall be the total of Base Bid items and Alternative Bid items for completed construction, as indicated on the Bid form. No bids will be considered unless sealed and filed with the City of Burnsville, together with the bid security, in an opaque envelope which shall be plainly marked with the project title and the name and address of the Bidder. If a bid is to be mailed to the City of Burnsville, the bid envelope should be sealed in a regular mailing envelope. Bid security of the three lowest Bidders will be retained until the contract has been awarded and executed, but not longer than sixty (60) days from the date of opening bids. The City of Burnsville reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities or irregularities. No Bidder may withdraw their bid for a period of sixty (60) days after the bid opening. DATED: July 17, 2012 BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL s/s Macheal Brooks | City Clerk City of Burnsville, Minnesota PUBLISHED IN THE: Sun Thisweek: August 3, 2012 and August 10, 2012 Finance & Commerce: July 27, 2012 3094181 8/3-8/10/12

Dated: July 24, 2012 3093708

CITY OF BURNSVILLE STATE PRIMARY ELECTION PUBLIC TEST The Burnsville City Clerk will hold a public accuracy test on the City's Optical Scan Voting System at the City Clerk's office at 100 Civic Center Parkway at 10:00 am on Friday, August 10, 2012. This test is in preparation for the State Primary Election to be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012. Macheal Brooks, City Clerk City of Burnsville, Minnesota 3099923 8/3/12

Christina M. Scipioni City Clerk 7/27-8/3/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF BURNSVILLE PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on August 21, 2012 or as soon thereafter as possible, by the Burnsville City Council at the Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway, on the application of The Rack Inc., d/b/a The Rack Sports Bar & Grill, for an On-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Liquor License at 13050 Aldrich Ave. So. All persons desiring to be heard on this item will be heard at this time. Tina Zink City of Burnsville 3101675 8/3/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

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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. 3094035 7/27-8/3/12

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF BURNSVILLE BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Burnsville will be seeking Request for Proposals (RFP) from interested firms for Playground Equipment for Cliff Fen Park. Interested firms should contact Garrett Beck, Recreation Supervisor at 952-895-4516 to request a RFP form. Proposals should be sent to the City of Burnsville, 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337 by 4:30 p.m. on the 24th day of August, 2012. Proposals submitted after this time and date will not be considered. Proposals will be considered according to criteria established by City officials. Copies of the evaluation criteria may be obtained from the Recreation Supervisor or by visiting http://www.burnsville.org selecting Document Center - Bids and RFP's. The evaluation will be used to select a proposal or multiple proposals for final selection. Successful proposal(s) will be brought to the Burnsville Parks and Natural Resources Commission for final review and to formulate a recommendation for City Council. The City of Burnsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, activities or services. To obtain this information in alternative forms such as Braille, large print, audio tape of qualified readers, please contact the City of Burnsville at 952-895-4400, TDD 952-895-4567. 3097098

City of Burnsville, Minnesota 8/3-8/10/12

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Sports

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Eastview baseball magic carries over to summer Thunder plays in state Legion tourney this weekend

by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

A magical spring for Eastview baseball is overlapping into the summer. The high school team won its first state championship in June, and Eastview Thunder squads have continued the streak of success. The Thunder’s Senior Babe Ruth team won a state championship, and its American Legion team – consisting of many of the same players who won the high school title in the spring – will go to its state tournament later this week in Chaska. Eastview won its third consecutive Third District American Legion championship on Saturday, beating Burnsville 9-5 at Alimagnet Park and earning an automatic berth in the state tournament. The district will send three teams to state, with Burnsville and Lakeville North grabbing the other spots. “We have a very good team all-around, said Eastview’s Derek Schiebel, whose two-run homer in the eighth inning helped his team pull away in the championship game. “There are no negative attitudes, ever. We knew we could

come back these last couple of games, and we did.” The Thunder came from behind to win its final two Third District tournament games. On Friday, the team trailed St. Paul Park by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, but run-scoring singles by Cameron Hall and Matt Galloway gave Eastview a 5-4 victory. In Saturday’s championship game between the No. 1 (Burnsville) and No. 2 (Eastview) teams in the state American Legion poll, Burnsville led 4-1 after 6 1/2 innings. But the Thunder scored four times each in the seventh and eighth innings. Eastview chipped away with a variety of “small ball” plays, including a suicide squeeze with the Thunder down by three runs. Not every coach would attempt that play in that situation, but as Eastview coach Bob Klefsaas put it, “If we’re the home team and we’re three behind, I’m getting a run.” It allowed the Thunder to keep the pressure on Burnsville and eventually take the lead. Eastview will play Hopkins, the No. 4 seed from the 10th Dis-

Big swing

trict, in the first round of the state tournament at 1 p.m. Friday at Chanhassen High School. The state champion and runner-up will advance to regional play next week. Eastview has been to the regional level of American Legion baseball once before, in 2008 when it won the state championship. Burnsville will play Eden Prairie in a first-round game at 1 p.m. Friday at Lions Park in Victoria. Eden Prairie, the 2011 national American Legion champion, finished second in this year’s 10th District tourney. Patrick Strey, the Thunder’s starting pitcher in the Third District championship game, said afterward he didn’t have anything approaching his best stuff. That’s problematic when facing a lineup as potent as Burnsville’s. “You can’t pitch around anybody because the next guy’s going DI (to a Division I college baseball program) and the guy after him is going to play in college somewhere,” Strey said. “You just have to try to go after them.” He lasted eight-plus innings. In the ninth, reliever Jacob Bechstein retired two of Burnsville’s most

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Eagan’s Brett Lindsey swings at a pitch during a game against Lakeville South in the Third District American Legion baseball tournament at Alimagnet Park in Burnsville. The Patriots lost to Lakeville South 3-1 and went 2-2 in the tournament. Eagan did not earn one of the district’s three spots in the state American Legion tournament that begins Friday.

Fundraisers scheduled for injured LSHS student Borowicz suffered fractured vertebra, spinal cord damage diving into pool by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

A football team, a school and a community are mobilizing behind a Lakeville South High School student who is undergoing rehabilitation after injuring his neck in a diving accident less than three weeks ago. Dillon Borowicz, who will be a senior at LSHS in the fall, was injured when he dove into a pool at his home July 15. On his CaringBridge.org site, his family wrote that he fractured the front and back of his C5 vertebra, causing bruising and swelling of his spinal cord and resulting in paralysis. He has since regained some movement in his arms and upper body, is breathing on his own and is able to sit up for periods of time. On Monday, he was transferred from Hennepin County Medical Center to the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. He is wearing a halo brace but is not expected to need surgery to stabilize his spinal column, said Natalie Breitung, who is coordinating fundraising efforts for the Borowicz family. Lakeville South football coach Larry Thompson, who has visited Borowicz in the hospital several times, said it’s his understanding that Borowicz’s injury is similar to one suffered by Benilde-

St. Margaret’s boys hockey the Lakeville South football player Jack Jablonski in De- sideline at some point this cember 2011. Jablonski had fall. Lakeville South players fractured vertebrae and a also will wear his number (74) somewhere on damaged spinal cord their helmets or jerafter being checked seys. into the boards dur Meanwhile, several ing a game. Doctors events have been arinitially expressed ranged to raise mondoubt that Jablonski ey for the Borowicz would walk again, family. A fund also but the St. Paul Piohas been established neer Press reported Dillon at the Anchor Bank last week he is walk- Borowicz ing on a treadmill with assis- branch in Lakeville. tance from therapists as part Breitung, a longtime family friend of the Borowiczs, of his rehabilitation. The day before his in- said the goal is to have a fund jury, Borowicz took part in ready for whatever expenses a football camp at the Uni- turn up during Dillon’s rehaversity of Wisconsin-Stout. bilitation. For instance, “we Thompson said Borowicz don’t know yet if the family was a candidate to start on will need a van,” she said. motorcycle/vehicle the Lakeville South defen- A ride has been scheduled for sive line this fall. “He was at the Linemen’s Aug. 18, starting and endChallenge at Wisconsin- ing at the Red Fox Tavern in Stout, flipping tires, pushing Lakeville, where Borowicz the sled,” Thompson said. worked. Fundraisers also “I don’t know if he missed will be held Sept. 19 at Bufa day of our off-season pro- falo Wild Wings in Lakeville gram, and when he was there and Oct. 14 at the Red Fox he always had a smile on his Tavern. A Mass on Boroface. That’s what makes this wicz’s behalf also will take so hard.” place Aug. 31 at All Saints On one of his visits, Catholic Church in LakevThompson said Borowicz ille. wanted to show him how The football team is sellmuch progress he had made ing T-shirts to raise money by raising one arm, then the for the family, and Thompother, then both at the same son said the program is time before slumping back planning to donate some of the proceeds from its aninto his seat, exhausted. “I told him, ‘Dillon, nual summer youth football you’re a fighter and a bat- camp. tler.’ And he said, ‘I love More information about you, coach.’ It was just the fundraising events is heart-wrenching, but at the available at dillonborowicz. same time, really uplifting.” com. Borowicz also is a lacrosse player at Lakeville Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. South. Thompson said he shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or hopes Borowicz can be on facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Eastview catcher Kevin Wobschall tags out Burnsville runner Tyler Hanson at the plate in the Third District American Legion baseball championship game Saturday at Alimagnet Park. Eastview won 9-5. Both teams will play in the state American Legion tournament starting Friday in Chaska. dangerous hitters, Tyler Hanson and Matt Stemper, when each represented the potential tying run. Players such as Schiebel and Bechstein won’t even complete their high school eligibility until 2014, so this summer might not be the end of Eastview’s era. “Eastview baseball has had very good coaches throughout its program, and that helps,” Klefsaas said. “We stress playing defense. It wins games. We stress putting the

ball in play. People sometimes give us a hard time about playing small ball, but we want to make the other team play defense. That’s really what baseball’s all about.” If the last couple of months have proven anything, it’s that Eastview’s way works. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Notebook: Prep volleyball preview this weekend in Burnsville by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

A sneak peek at some of the best teams and individuals in Minnesota high school volleyball can be had Saturday at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville. The Midwest Volleyball Warehouse/Breakdown Elite Captains Preseason Tournament starts at 9 a.m. The event, in its third year, attempts to bring together as many of the state’s top teams as possible. Thirty-two teams are in this year’s tournament, including Lakeville North and Lakeville South. Pool play starts at 9 a.m., with playoff rounds beginning at 3 p.m. Championship-round matches in three divisions begin at 6 p.m. The tournament features several players from the national champion Northern Lights Junior Volleyball 17-1 club team, which plays out of Midwest Volleyball Warehouse. That team won the 17-andunder open division at the USA Volleyball Junior National tournament. Players on the Northern Lights team included Lakeville North outside hitter Alyssa Goehner and Eden Prairie players Sarah

Wilhite and Jamie Cairncross. All three played in the state high school Class AAA championship match last November, when Eden Prairie outlasted North in a five-set match that included the longest fifth set (22-20) in state tournament history. Also on the Northern Lights team was setter Erica Handley, an All-State at Win-E-Mac last season who is expected to play for Lakeville North this fall. The Lakeville South team is led by sisters Jazzmyn and Jade Tingelhoff, who played for a 2011 Cougars team that lost to Lakeville North in five sets in the Section 3AAA final. Teams in the tournament essentially will be coached by their captains. The tournament falls outside the Minnesota State High School League summer waiver period, which means high school coaches cannot participate. The first day of coach-supervised practices is Aug. 13. Teams not invited to the Elite tournament will have a chance to play in Midwest Volleyball Warehouse Captains Preseason Tournament on Sunday. Pool play begins at 9 a.m., with playoff rounds starting at 3 p.m.

MYSA state tournament

The Minnesota Youth Soccer Association summer state tournament wrapped up last week in Lakeville and Stillwater. State competition for the Under-11 through U13 boys and girls divisions took place at North Park in Lakeville. The July 27 Sun Thisweek edition detailed state championships won by the U13 Classic 1 Dakota REV girls, the U13 Classic 2 Burnsville Fire boys and the U13 Classic 2 Lakeville girls. Dakota REV also won a state title in the girls U12 Classic 3 division. Dakota Rev earned its third state championship of the summer in the girls U14 Classic 1 tourney when it defeated St. Croix 3-2 in the championship game July 25. Teams from that club also placed second in the girls U11 Classic 2, girls U15 Classic 3, boys U11 Classic 3 and boys U17 Classic 2 divisions. The Eagan Wave girls U15 Classic 1 team placed second in its division. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike.shaughnessy@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Back where he came from

Photo submitted

Eastview High School alumnus Matt Garin (49), now playing football for the University of Minnesota, speaks to participants at Eastview’s annual youth football camp last week. Four other Gophers players – Moses Alipate, Cameron Botticelli, Ben Perry and Cameron Wilson – came to the camp to talk about how the discipline, commitment and teamwork they developed in football also helped them in the classroom.

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

A new twist on Italian Rosemount restaurant is third for Awada family in Dakota County by Joseph Palmersheim Sun Thisweek

A new pasta restaurant in Rosemount is the third installment in what has become a culinary family affair in Dakota County. Giuseppe’s Pasta Alforno opened near County Road 42 and Chippendale Avenue in Rosemount this past April, and so far, according to part owner Alex Awada, the reception has been “more than we’ve asked for, like five times.” Alex, an Eagan resident, owns the restaurant with his brothers, Rafic, of Burnsville, and Adnan, also of Eagan. Alex owns part of Giuseppe’s Restaurant on County Road 42 and County Road 11 in Burnsville, and moved over to the Rosemount location to work with his brothers. The three came to the United States from Lebanon more than a decade ago, and were aided in their latest endeavor by another brother, Stephano, who has owned Stephano’s Bistro in Burnsville for the past 22 years. “(Stephano is) the godfather for everything,” Alex said. “He taught us to cook, how to make sauce, every-

thing. We’ve learned from him that an owner has to be in the kitchen. It takes a director two years to finish a movie, and it takes us all day, from grocery shopping to prepping to cooking, to make a meal. You are our judge for two hours.” While Giuseppe’s serves Italian-style food, Alex says that the menu is similar to what he and his brothers grew up eating in Lebanon, adding that many cultures make the same foods but give them different names. “It is more like food than concept,” he said. “Every morning, we’d eat cheese pizza for breakfast with tea or coffee. Plus, we’d have all kinds of pasta for lunch. It would have different names, but the same ingredients (as other ethnic foods).” Popular dishes at the restaurant include: • Spaghetti Bolognese, which has a homemade bolognese sauce, and is oven baked with meatballs, • Chicken Parmesan, also oven baked with a homemade marinara sauce, and • Sausage di Sicilia, a ziti pasta in a meat Merlot sauce and baked with five cheeses. Giuseppe’s also bakes its own bread and serves it with a homemade dipping sauce containing 29 different spices. When asked what he hopes to see happen with

the restaurant that he and his two younger brothers willed out of an empty former Subway location, he says that he is trying to give his children (each of the brothers has two boys) a good life. The brothers’ dream has even worked its way to the next generation, according to Alex. “I have two boys, Abraham and Joseph (Giuseppe), who I named the restaurant after,” he said. “Abraham is nine now, but when he was 7 years old, he woke me up one night at four in the morning. I thought something had happened. I asked him if he was OK, and he said he was, and then asked, ‘Where is my restaurant? My brother has one and I do not have one named after me.’ He woke me up at four in the morning to tell me he wanted his own restaurant. I told him to go back to sleep and we’d talk about it in the morning.” Maybe someday? “No, no,” Alex replied, waving his hand. “I want him to get a good education.” Giuseppe’s Pasta Alforno is located at 15090 Chippendale Ave. in Rosemount, and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 4-9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (651) 423-4455. Joseph Palmersheim is a freelance writer.

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan August 3, 2012

“which is historic, and hopefully will serve as a Richfield, with minority role for young, aspiring populations over 35 per- men and women of color cent, the city councils have to seek public office.” no minorities serving on On the rise them. Minorities have run for In a 2001 survey of city office in his city, according and county governments in to Brooklyn Center Mayor the metro area, Minnesota Tim Willson. Public Radio found the “The voters chose not to late Eden Prairie Mayor vote them in, and voted for Dr. Jean L. Harris, a trailsomeone else,” he said. blazing African American Burnsville Mayor Eliza- woman so respected as to beth Kautz, who is of Sa- have an award named after moan descent, strongly re- her, was one of 10 minorijects that numbers like the ties holding office out of city’s minority population 840 elected officials. of 22.5 percent (2010 Cen- While that number has sus) are even relevant with increased in the past 11 minorities and public of- years, University of Minfice. nesota Political Science Picking over the num- Professor Dara Strolovitch bers is viewing a decision- said data suggests having making process that’s minorities in elective office highly personal through a serves as an invitation to political lens, she argued. “It has more to do with the people,” she said of individuals seeking elective office. It’s a question of fortitude, experience, willingness to serve, said Kautz, former president of The United States Conference of Mayors. “I never thought it was a big issue,” said Forest Lake Council Member Mike Freer, an African American. “(But) I don’t see race.” Freer feels no additional burden on him as a public official because of his race. Forest Lake is 93 percent white. Voters approve or disapprove of his actions, explained Freer, to the same degree they do of white city council members. “I love what I’m doing,” Freer said of serving on the council. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton said there are qualities that are not a function of race at all, that are paramount to being an effective public servant. “That’s intelligence, integrity, empathy,” he said. “I think it’s important to note a man of color is the president of the United States,” Dayton said,

other minority people, who may otherwise feel alienated from the process. “In a democracy, legitimacy is important,” she said. Beyond this, studies suggest numbers are important in terms of steering agendas, explained Strolovitch. In a well known analysis concerning women in politics, Drude Dahlerup, Stockholm University professor of political science, indicated the “critical mass” at which a large minority can make a difference, though still a minority, is around 30 percent. Though some view the number of minorities in elective office as lagging, change may be on the horizon. Ortega, looking back at his entry into politics, sees

cultural education taking place. Education and time are pacesetters, Ortega indicated. “Everybody goes into the soup,” he said of the blending of cultures. Diversity, to his collegeage daughter’s generation, is normal, Ortega explained. “I think people who are older, whose life has been spent in non-minority enclaves are going to have more difficulty adjusting than children who from their first day in school are with a variety of classmates,” Dayton said. But there’s no magic to adjusting attitudes toward race. “You’re always going to have that. That’s an eternal problem,” Ortega said.

He views the number of voters who simply will not vote for minorities as small. Ten years ago, minorities represented more than 10 percent of the population in just six cities in the metro. Today, they represent more than 10 percent of the population in 73 cities. “It will happen,” Myron Orfield, executive director of the University of Minnesota Institute on Race and Poverty, said of more minorities holding elective office. But will there ever be direct proportionality? “It’s unlikely,” Strolovitch said. T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Burnsville - Eagan

Late nights, colorful marketing Toppers enters south suburban pizza market

by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

It’s nearly 3 a.m. Do you know where your pizza is coming from? Choices are the all-night store or Toppers, a delivery chain that built its name serving pizza-jonesing college kids in Wisconsin and now has a franchise location in Burnsville. The Burnsville franchisees hope the lateness of the hour (Toppers is open until 3 a.m. daily) and the company’s signature menu items, enthusiastic service and crazy-kitsch marketing will make a splash in the crowded suburban market. “The other component is we have a lot of fanatics, and people are following and watching where these stores are opening,” said Victoria West, general manager of the Burnsville store and a partner in the franchise with her sister and brother-in-law, Katie and Lonnie Provencher of Lakeville. The Burnsville store opened July 28 at 1000 County Road 42 E. in the Wood Park Plaza mall. Burnsville is one of seven Toppers locations in Minnesota, with an eighth set to open in Rochester. The Burnsville franchisees plan to four more suburban stores north and east of Burnsville, said West, 29. “Katie, Lonnie and myself all have skin in the game,” said West, an Augsburg College economics and business administration graduate who worked at Target corporate headquarters for six years be-

Photo by John Gessner

Victoria West is general manager and a franchise partner in the new Burnsville location of the Toppers pizzadelivery chain. The Burnsville store opened July 28.

old chain built much of its brand loyalty with Wisconsin college crowds, according to West. Its marketing approach is full of colorful sloganeering, which turns a bit racy at times. “It’s a little bit cheeky. Some people call it irreverent,” West said. “It genuinely grew into that,” she said. “The 18- to 34-year-old market genuinely loves this brand and this pizza. Wherever there are stores in campus areas, they love the late-night pizza.” Toppers claims a pioneering role among delivery chains in the cheesy-bread market with its Topperstix (which include offshoots such as Baconstix and Tacostix). Pizzas are made with 100 percent Wisconsin cheese on hand-tossed, crispy or signature Tall Boy crust. Wings, several hot sandwiches and Q’za (a “quesadilla cousin from south of the border,” the menu says) are also available. The Burnsville store will deliver within an eight-minute drive area that includes Burnsville, western Apple Valley and part of northern Lakeville, West said. “It’s really a dense area,” she said. “There are a lot of households, businesses, schools, churches, hotels.” Online ordering is available. Information is available at (952) 431-3388 and www.toppers.com.

fore joining Toppers. “We also do have some financers that are relatively silent. We also have some financing through Coulee Bank in St. Paul.” West and her sister, originally from Litchfield, once worked together at a freight logistics company. They wanted to work together again and sought out franchising opportunities, mostly in pizza, West said. Toppers plans to saturate the Midwest and expand from its current 42 locations to 150 by the end of 2015 and 500 nationwide by the end of 2020. “Everything about Toppers was so genuine in terms of the brand and the messaging,” West said. “We went to a grand opening in Green Bay last fall and decided we wanted to be a part of it.” John Gessner can be reached Based in Whitewater, at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com Wis., the nearly 20-year- or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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