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DECEMBER 18, 2015

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EAA prepares pilots to take flight in 2016 BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

Chapter 54 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) recently announced its private/ sport pilot ground school course at Lake Elmo Airport for 2016. The course begins in February, offering instruction for the intensive knowledge exam required to obtain a sport or private pilot’s license. Taught by a staff of five—a mix of certified flight instructors and knowledgeable EAA volunteers—the course is rigorous. Chapter 54 president Jim Pearsall compared it to a three-credit college course, incorporating complex elements of trigonometry and algebra, as well as a working understanding of physics. EAA education director Leif Erickson will also be one of the class instructors. “Algebra and trigonometry are the basis behind navigation,” Erickson said. “You need it to know how to calculate wind speed, fuel burn, wind correction angle, etc.” The inclusion of a sport pilot emphasis into the program is a relatively new feature. Interest in obtaining a sport license— which has fewer requirements than a private license—has spiked in the past few years. The EAA noticed that older students are often interested in the sport license because it does not require the same type of health exam as the general private pilot’s license. However, the sport pilot license has a few limitations—pilots are allowed to fly only during the day, in a craft with only two seats, and they are limited to smaller engines. Unlike private pilots, they are not allowed to fly over international borders. The sport license is also less expensive than private, making flight instruction more economically accessible. “It’s a cheaper way to get into aviation for people who just want to have some fun flying,”

Pearsall said. Pearsall added that the EAA has recently acquired more light sport aircraft, and that one of them, a Pipistrel ALPHA Trainer, can be rented out. According to Pearsall, it has seen quite a bit of use thus far. “I took the class six years ago, so I used it to get the knowledge to take the written exam,” Pearsall said. The process of obtaining a pilot’s license is arduous— once applicants have completed the comprehensive knowledge exam, LEIF ERICKSON | SUBMITTED they are subjected to Above: Leif Erickson is one of five instrucan oral exam with tors who preps the class for the knowledge a certified flight exam. instructor. This is Right: The Pipistrel ALPHA Trainer is one often accompanied of the planes available to rent for those by the in-air flight who have a earned a sport pilot license. test immediately afterward. Pearsall said that winter is an ideal time for ground take math classes.” school classes, which take place Erickson also said that in the EAA building at Lake more women are becoming Elmo Airport. interested in the course. “There’s less traffic, [fewer] “Flying is gender-neupeople flying in winter, so it’s tral,” he said. “It doesn’t more conducive to training require any special kind because there are less distracof strength. The group of tions,” Pearsall said. Even so, people interested in getting many of the pilots-in-training a pilot’s license is diverse.” He take flight lessons concurrentsaid it is common for couples ly with the knowledge course, to attend the classes together— enabling them to obtain their some of them are both seeking license more quickly. to be licensed, and some spouses While many young students are there just to show support have shown interest in the and interest in the process. class, Erickson clarified that Erickson said that the class is the course is offered for people a little more comprehensive than aged 16 and up. He suggested that classes taught elsewhere. interested students can begin “We’re able to provide a richer their studies by choosing school curriculum than from a comcourses relevant to flying. mercial basis,” Erickson said. “They’d have to speed through “A lot of math is involved, it much quicker because volunand an understanding of physteers help teach the class.” ics is very helpful,” Erickson Pearsall said that the EAA said. “I recommend that kids

JIM PEARSALL | SUBMITTED

embraces a mission of education. “The EAA was initially formed for people who were building their own aircraft, but has expanded to people who are generally interested in aviation,” Pearsall said. Proceeds from its annual pancake breakfast go to Farnsworth Elementary, a magnet school in St. Paul. The EAA also offers academy scholarships and a summer weeklong camp for future pilots in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Pearsall advised that anyone interested in the course should go to Lake Elmo Airport

and contact a flight instructor before signing up. “Go fly around for four or five hours to see if you like it before you make that investment,” he said. “If you’re at all interested, come on out and talk to a flight instructor and take a ride.” Registration is open until the class begins on Feb. 4. Classes take place on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. through May 2, and it costs $100 to enroll. Visit www.eea54.org for more information.

Private License vs. Sport License Private License: Requires 20 hours of flight time instruction Requires 10 hours of solo flight time Requires a medical exam and certificate Can fly at any time of day or night License is recognized by foreign countries; pilots can fly over international borders Can fly aircraft of varying sizes Can fly at unlimited speeds Can transport more than one passenger With additional training, can become qualified to fly in bad weather, fly with two engines and or/fly professionally Costs more than a sport license ($9,900 on average)

Sport License: Requires 15 hours of flight time instruction Requires 5 hours of solo flight time Does not require official medical exam or certificate Can only fly during daylight hours License is recognized only within U.S. borders; pilots cannot fly out of the country Can fly only light sport aircraft (LSA) Can fly at only 138 miles per hour or under Cannot fly aircraft with more than two seats With additional training and medical certificate, can upgrade to private license Costs less than a private license ($4,400 on average)

Century College is a Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. We are an afﬁrmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator. This document can be available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 651.779.3354 or 1.800.228.1978 x 3354.

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I remember WAS FIVE years old when Pearl Harbor was hit by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. It was a major impact on my life as a child as it was on thousands of people across America. The attack prompted the United States to declare war against Japan, marking our entrance into WWII. Very few people alive today have a memory of that infamous day in history. It created a fear among our nation’s citizens. It also created a nation working together with innovation and creativity to keep our country strong. In the months and years that followed until the victory in 1945, we experienced rationing of food, clothing and gasoline. Victory gardens provided personal food. Savings bond were sold to save toward war About the stamps bonds which were used to fund the war. We also learned about recycling Town of metals. Women entered the work Gene Johnson force in large numbers to help build the ships, tanks and ammunition. Our very own Twin Cities arsenal in Arden Hills was a very active site for a number of corporations building ammunitions and other equipment. People worked together and sacrificed. I also remember when President Harry Truman ordered the dropping of the atomic bombs on two Japanese cities on August 6th and 9th of 1945 which brought Japan to surrender August 14-15, 1945. I remember as a young publisher in Atwater, Minn. during the 1950s taking Civil Defense courses that dealt with radioactive fallout and the many Minnesotans who built fallout shelters in their homes for protection from the possibility of an atomic bomb blast. The Korean War in 1950-53 again found families making sacrifices to maintain our rights and freedom. The following years brought more conflict in different wars and conflicts in other parts of the world. American families continue to defend American rights and freedom. Today we are living a very different war. Lives are sacrificed in foreign countries and at home as a result of the attacks by a radical Islam contingency. History is full of incidents where radical religious groups bring terror to others. We all should become watchdogs for unusual activities which are taking place in our neighborhoods, schools, gatherings, or wherever we are. Our nation’s security is at high risk as ISIS and other groups are influencing radicals who are out to take away our freedoms. I REMEMBER GROWING UP with my adopted family in White Bear Lake and celebrating Christmas. I remember from my early years of Sunday School and Bible Studies how Jesus, God’s only Son, came to earth and was sacrificed on the cross so each individual person might have eternal life. I remember asking Jesus to be my personal Savior and putting the rest of my life in His hands and care. The messages of Christmas through concerts, programs, pageants and choirs remind us that God is still in control, but we have a responsibility to pray and take appropriate action to seek and enhance peace, to feed the starving and to bring the gospel message throughout the world. God doesn’t promise to take away all our troubles and sorrows, but if we go to Him for guidance He will direct our lives. In Jeremiah 29:11 He promises that a life lived for Him will be favored, not harmed. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” My family and I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and hope that you fi nd security in the promise from John 3:16 that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” What better security is there than that in a troubled world?

Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.

Holiday safety ordon Graham, a wellknown risk manager, lawyer, retired police captain and speaker coined the adage “Predictable is Preventable®.” This is particularly apropos to safety in general, and holiday safety in particular. For instance, it is predictable that unsafe driving may cause you to be cited, in a injured Movers and crash, or even killed. Is this outcome Shakers preventable? In Russell Blanck many respects yes, but not completely. The holidays seem to make drivers particularly more frenetic. However, if you slow down, leave yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, stop at stop signs and trafﬁc control lights, increase your following distance, don’t drink and drive or drive distracted, and pay attention to weather conditions the odds are extremely high you will remain safe. The problem is those with whom you share the road. You can’t control them, so when possible avoid unnecessary trips, bad road conditions, congested roads or dangerous times of day to drive such as rush hour and bar closing times, and drive

ways of maximizing safety outside of your home during The holidays are a the holiday season. First and lock your vehicles, magical time. With just foremost, remove all property from them, garage them when possible. a little forethought they and Remember to remind your guests to do the same. Make can be very safe as well. sure packages delivered do not sit unattended outside your home. Make arrangements for them to be picked up defensively. promptly by a family member In your home, a lack of or neighbor. Stay off of your caution may yield rather roof – you can’t fall off of it if predictable yet dire you are not on it. Nor should consequences. Accidental fi res are commonplace during children be allowed to play in, on or under the snowbanks by the holidays. It is predictable the road. They may be invisible that leaving cooking items to plow drivers and other unattended, not paying motorists. attention to lit candles and The holidays are a magical making sure they are out time. With just a little before leaving home or going forethought they can be very to bed, using unsafe holiday safe as well. Please remember: decorations and not placing if you see something say fi replace ashes in a metal something. If it doesn’t seem container outside of and a right to you it likely isn’t. No safe distance away from your home are all likely to increase call to the police is a waste of time, and 911 is the best way, your chances of suffering an every time for every possible otherwise preventable home issue – no exceptions, to reach fi re. Similarly, failing to lock your doors, not leaving interior us. Please don’t forget to and exterior lights on or using check in on the elderly and pay attention to those who may be timers if you are to be away for an extended period of time, suffering for whatever reason this holiday season. Enjoy your and not stopping your mail, holidays and stay safe. packages and newspapers are all predictable yet preventable Russell Blanck is a Lieutenant ways of having a burglar target in the Centennial Lakes Police your home. Department. There are also very predictable yet preventable

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Environmental Award The City of Forest Lake was the recently awarded the American Public Works Association Environmental Stewardship Award for the City Center’s Clear Lake Water Quality Improvement Project. This innovative project will remove an estimated 100 pounds of phosphorus from Clear Lake annually.

H.S. Students' Legion Oratorical Contest

Admiring and cursing the starling BY JIM MORTWEDT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It’s a foolish effort, really, writing about the in-flight patterns of the starling. They are so three-dimensional and auditory that you should, after reading this, go to YouTube and search “starling murmurations.” See for yourself the wonder of these birds undulating as one under a cloud. People who get up close to these murmurations are often Woods and Water heard muttering in clearly Notebook impressed tones various curses Jim and worse into Mortwedt their iPhones and other video/ audio recording devices. They are clearly impressed with the collective behavior of the little brown mottled birds, yellow-beaked in the breeding season. It seems to be the way the human species expresses awe these days. No matter to the starling, an inspiring bird, no doubt. I’ve seen fair displays of the birds’ aeronautics in William O’Brien State Park this fall. But nothing like I once saw on a midsummer day driving though the feedlot country of Kansas-Nebraska. There are over 200 million of these creatures in North America, according to some estimates. I saw that number used in the August edition of Scientific American— and you’ll have to allow me this opinion—I think that estimate is ridiculously short. I think I saw that many that day in feedlot country. You know how fans in football stadiums are sometimes equipped with boards that upon a signal they simultaneously hold out at arm’s length to display messages? Well, a starling flock or murmuration can work that way: when they fly away from you even in massive numbers their individual profiles are small and the whole mass of them almost seem to disappear. Conversely, when they fly above you or come breast forward, they can almost blot out the horizon! It’s a spectacle. When they get close, suddenly you’re privy to the wing noise and just as you’re gasping from the sight, the sound deepens the effect. Hitchcock, master of fright, obviously knew about this. At the London premier of his masterpiece “The Birds,” he arranged speakers for the audience to be pummeled by sounds of millions of wings beating as they emerged from the theatre. The old master! Starlings don’t seem to have had a starring role in

the movie, but it is fact that Hitchcock had them as invited guests. Also a fact: actress Tippi Hedren was equipped with six identical green suits for the filming of “The Birds” and you know why. What are you guano do? When starlings assemble in such great numbers, mere statistics warn that at any one time a fair percentage of them are going to be pooping. So you want to exercise some caution. Seriously! Bird poop is toxic; get it in the eye, and it can even become a medical problem. It’s called ocular histoplasmosis; at its worst, you can go legally blind. These little birds (about 75-85 grams) are non-native. They were first released in Central Park 125 years ago. By 1929, one was spotted near Rochester, Minnesota. Ten years later they probably outumbered gophers in the Gopher state. Twenty years later, they’d made it to the West Coast. One bird lover has written that “it wasn’t their fault that they treated an open continent much as we did.” They can eat their weight several times over each day and a farmer’s feed bunk is an open invitation, which is why they are suspect in Minnesota’s avian flu disaster. Last year, the avian flu mess was so serious that officials at the Minnesota State Fair closed it to poultry. Personally, I think that Canada geese have gotten a bad rap. I know that you see many more starlings overflying livestock feeders than you do geese. But it’s also true that while the starlings are omnivores, they prefer insects. They need a little meat. They need the amino acids. Back to Central Park for a moment. They were released there by a well-meaning Shakespeare lover in an attempt to bring to America each of the 600 species of birds mentioned by the Bard in his works. It’s a lesser known Shakespearean tragedy of sorts. The birds create agricultural devastation and will never be eradicated. They are dug in, the little burrowers! Something is dead in you if you fail to marvel at what the starling can do in the sky. But when people also get up close and personal, the starling endears. Starlings are pets for some. Their aerobatics are one thing, their talent for mimicry another. One family kept one in the house for years and it could whistle the William Tell Overture. But the same starling lover had to admit that she often experienced “wet steps” on the family’s living room carpet. Shakespeare’s character Hotspur was going to have a starling taught to repeat the name of a murdered victim of King Henry to drive the old boy bonkers! And Mozart had a pet starling he buried with the line, “A little fool is here, whom I held dear.”

The annual speech contest, offering $1,000 in placement awards, will take place on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 at the Forest Lake American Legion Post. Contestants in ninth through twelfth grade present a nine-minute oration about citizenship and the U.S. Constitution, and then a four-minute short speech on an assigned topic about the Constitution. The top three contestants receive a share of the $1,000 and the local Post winner goes on to district competition. The winner at each level will proceed to state and national contests. For details and entry form (due Jan. 1) see the American Legion website at: www.post225. com. Contact Ron Miller at ron2@ miltech.org or 651-464-5549.

Trees for sale The Stillwater Elks Christmas Tree Sale will be taking place at Lily Lake Tennis Courts on Greeley Ave. in Stillwater from Nov. 27-Dec. 19. The sale will be open Mon-Fri, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., and Sat & Sun 9 a.m.-8 p.m. To contact the Elks, call 651-439-5276.

Breakfast with Santa The Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Famous Dave’s in Forest Lake. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable item for the Family Pathways food shelf. Tickets are required and can be obtained from Famous Dave’s, Olson’s Sewer Service/Olson’s Excavating Service, Frandsen Bank & Trust, Whitaker Buick GMC, ABRA Auto Body & Glass, and Coldwell Banker Burnet while supplies last.

Christmas tree drop-off locations When the holiday season is over, recycle Christmas trees by dropping them off at one of the following locations. Note the hours of operation, fees, and restrictions for each site. Tree stands, plastic bags, tinsel, wire, lights, and all other decorations must be removed before drop-off. Private waste haulers, cities or townships may also accept Christmas trees. Residents should contact these sources directly for more information. Cottage Grove: Rumpca Companies, Inc., 9600 Glendenning Road - open to all residents. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and Jan. 9. Cost is $2 per tree. The $2 fee will be waived if a canned good is brought in for donation to the local food shelf. For more information, call Rumpca Companies at 651-459-1556. Oakdale: City of Oakdale Public Works, 1900 Hadley Ave. N. - open to Oakdale residents only. Open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday Dec. 28 through Jan. 31. Cost is $3 per tree. For

more information, call Oakdale Public Works at 651-730-2740. Woodbury: Composting Concepts, 4600 Cottage Grove Drive - open to all residents. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 9 and Jan. 16. Cost is $6 per tree, $5 per wreath. For more information, call Composting Concepts at 651-769-0531.

Tax form update East Central Regional Library has received notice thatthe Minnesota Department of Revenue will no longer provide state tax forms and instructions to libraries and counties beginning Jan, 1, 2016.The Minnesota Department of Revenue is making this change in order to ensure taxpayers are fi ling with the most up-to-date tax forms and instructions, which are available online or by calling 1-800-652-9094. Beginning in January 2016, East Central Regional Library will receive Forms 1040, 1040 A, and 1040 EZ. ECRL branches will also have on hand reference copies of the 1040 instruction booklet and the 2015 Tax Guide for Individuals, for use in the library. Individuals and employers may order forms from the IRS webpage or by calling 1-800-829-3676, and the IRS will deliver them by mail to you. Many forms and instructions are also available to view and download online. Library staff can assist with locating and printing online tax forms but are not able to give advice regarding the forms that you might need. Beginning in January 2016, you may wish to call your local ECRL branch to see if the Forms 1040, 1040 A, and 1040 EZ have arrived. Affordable Housing Grants The Council awarded $2.2 million in Local Housing Incentives Account funds for new construction, rehabilitation and preservation of existing affordable housing in Blaine, Edina, Forest Lake, Minneapolis, Mound, Saint Paul and other cities. $150,000 has been awarded to Ivy Estates in Forest Lake to facilitate construction of six affordable three-bedroom homes on a site that has sat undeveloped for nearly a decade.

Washington County Park reservations begin March 1 With the introduction of a new online program, Washington County Parks will start taking online, telephone, and in-person campsite and picnic pavilion reservations for 2016 on March 1. The county is installing new recreation management software that will allow for facility scheduling, activity registration, campground booking, and online sales. Key features for the new software will include allowing for park users to view availability of park facilities and campsites online, as well as book campsites online. Also, park staff will be able to electronically track program registrations and payments. Those with questions about the new system may contact Steven Hart, guest services coordinator for Washington County Parks, at 651-430-8243 or steven.hart@ co.washington.mn.us.

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they were both advised they would both be cited, they decided against charges. Both were advised on how to obtain Order for Protections against each other.

The Forest Lake Police Department reported the following incidents: Arrest/Citation • K9 Ranger assisted with a traffic stop in the 1200 block of 11th Ave SW on Dec. 5. The search resulted in the K9 alerting on the smell of marijuana. Citations were issued to the driver. • On Dec. 6, officers received a 911 call from Twelfth Street SW. The caller yelled at the receiver to send someone and then hung up. Officers arrived and no one came to the door. There was a significant record of medical history at the home. Officers eventually made entry to conduct a welfare check. The female in the home was fine, but intoxicated. • On the 600 block of 12th Street SW on Dec. 11, two females both reported an assault on each other over one of them owing the other $10. When

Theft • On the 1900 block of Lake Street S, a suspect attempted to sell computers that where recently stolen from Chisago on Dec. 10. Male was eventually arrested and charged with a gross misdemeanor for possession of stolen property. The Stillwater Police Department reported the following incidents: Arrest/Citation • While on routine patrol on Orleans Street W. and Third Street S. on Dec. 6, an officer observed an individual throw a lit cigarette out of a moving vehicle. The 64-year-old female from Stillwater was subsequently cited for littering.

• Officers responded to a report of an out of control female on the 600 block of Hidden Valley Court on Nov. 30. After further investigation, the 31-year-old female was arrested for having an outstanding warrant. The female was transported to the Washington County Jail for booking. Disturbance • An officer responded to a complaint of a juvenile who had been arguing with a friend on the 1200 block of Owens Street on Nov. 30. The officer advised and cleared the scene. • An officer responded to a report of fi reworks heard in the area of the 300 block of Fourth Street N on Dec. 4. No fi reworks were seen nor heard upon the officer’s arrival. • On Dec. 6, an officer responded to a report of an unwanted male

WASHINGTON COUNTY BRIEFS Board sets salaries for Grey Cloud Island 2016 crossing The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will provide $520,000 for a project on Grey Cloud Island that includes the replacement of the earthen causeway connecting upper Grey Cloud Island with a new crossing on County Road (CR) 75. The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the grant agreement with BWSR Dec. 8. The new crossing will raise the elevation of CR 75 about one foot, thereby decreasing the potential for closure during high water and ensuring the structural stability of the roadway. The project will also improve water quality in Grey Cloud, which is east of the main channel of the Mississippi River.

New salt/sand shed at Public Works’ South Shop The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the construction of a new salt and sand storage shed at the county’s South Shop maintenance building Dec. 8. The county has a facility on Cottage Grove Drive just south Bailey Road in Woodbury, west of Manning Avenue and north of the county’s Environmental Center. Greystone Construction will construct the 65-foot by 65-foot building, for a cost of $98,608. The existing salt storage capacity at the South Shop is 500 tons, enough for only one snowstorm. The new building will have a storage capacity of 1,600 tons.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners set salaries for 2016 for several elected and appointed officials Dec. 8, including salaries for the board members. Commissioners set their salary at $52,713 for 2016, which is what the commissioners’ salaries have been since 2009. The board also set salaries for: Attorney Pete Orput, at $154,960, a 3.5 percent increase over 2015. the First Assistant Attorney, who will receive $139,464, which is 90 percent of the attorney’s salary. the Attorney Executive Assistant, who will receive $59,314. Sheriff Bill Hutton, at $154,960, a 3.5 percent increase over 2015. the Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy, who will receive $139,464, which is 90 percent of the sheriff’s salary. Administrator Molly O’Rourke, at $165,334, a .6 percent increase over 2015. O’Rourke’s salary was raised to the allowable limit on local government salaries in Minnesota.

County accepts state funds to ﬁght invasive species The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted $139,013 on Dec. 8 from the state of Minnesota to aid in the prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species in lakes, rivers, and other water bodies. Two rivers and 20 lakes in Washington County are on the

refusing to leave on the 300 block of Main Street S. Upon arrival, the officer found that the male had left prior to their arrival. Vehicle Incident • An officer responded to a report of a witnessed property damage accident involving two vehicles on the 1700 block of Market Drive on Nov. 30. An officer was able to locate both drivers, who were not looking to make a police report. • An officer responded to a report of a possible intoxicated driver near the 14000 block of 62nd Street N on Dec. 2. The officer was unable to locate the vehicle upon arrival. • An officer responded to a report of a possible intoxicated driver in the area of Manning Avenue N and the southbound exit of Highway 36 on Dec. 4. The officer was unable to locate the vehicle upon arrival.

DECEMBER 18, 2015

• An officer responded to a report of a property damage accident involving two vehicles on the 200 block of Second Street S on Dec. 5. One vehicle sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported. Theft • An officer responded to a theft report on the 500 block of Churchill Street W on Dec. 1. An individual took another’s car key and phone without the complainant’s permission. • An officer responded to a theft report on Olive Street E and Second Avenue S on Dec. 5. An individual found that the front plate of their vehicle was missing. Suspect(s) are currently unknown. • While on routine patrol on the 100 block of Fifth Street N on Dec. 5, an officer was flagged down by an individual who reported an envelope

was delivered to the home, but was open. The individual was unsure if any items were missing. Other • An officer responded to a report of a dog barking inside of a vehicle on the 2000 block of Frontage Road W on Dec. 3. The vehicle had ultimately left prior to officer’s arrival. • Officers responded to a report of unwanted persons on the 600 block of Fifth Street S and a possible burglary in process on Dec. 4. Officers checked the area, but the individuals had left prior to officers’ arrival. • On Dec. 6, police received a request to check the welfare of a male walking in the area near the 1600 block of Market Drive. The officer was unable to locate the individual upon arrival.

LAW ENFORCEMENT BRIEFS state’s Department of Natural Resources Infested Waters List. The county will issue a request for proposals, as it did last year, to recommend how the funds will be used. The County Board will review and approve projects for the coming year. Grantees will be required to report on results. Aquatic invasive species found in Washington County include Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, zebra mussels, invasive carp, and curly leaf pondweed.

Attorney contracts extended The Washington County Board of Commissioners extended contracts Dec. 8 with four attorneys who provide legal representation in child in need of protection or services (CHIPS), termination of parental rights (TPR), and permanency cases. In determining the appropriate compensation going forward, county staff reviewed the data on the number of CHIPS petitions and referrals being made and the number of clients assigned to each attorney. The data has shown a significant increase in the number of referrals, number of petitions fi led, and number of cases assigned to each attorney. In general, the workload has increased by more than 30 percent since 2014. From press release

Forest Lake cuts offi fficer

Three out of four City Council members voted to remove Officer Max Boukal from the Forest Lake Police Department at a Dec. 7 budget hearing. Boukal, whose annual salary and benefits amount to $90,000, has worked for the FLPD for two years, and will remain on the force until the end of December. The city plans to allocate this money for other city needs, such as road seal coating. The meeting was well attended by Forest Lake locals, who rallied to speak out against the proposal to remove Boukal and provide suggestions about how to save the money elsewhere. A Facebook group named “Save FLPD Officer Max” attempted to create support during the process, bringing attendees to the meeting, many of whom spoke against losing the officer. After the decision was made, the group sent a message to City Council, saying “Every single person that spoke during the three hours were NOT in support of this! The Council did NOT speak on behalf of the people of Forest Lake.” Councilman Michael Freer supported keeping Boukal on the force, but was unable to attend the meeting and did not cast a vote. Councilman Richard Weber opposed the decision. He said that he believed it was possible to cut costs from the police department in some way other than staff layoffs, but others pointed out that the police department had had adequate time to propose cuts elsewhere and had not produced a feasible solution. Mayor Stev Stegner, along with council members Ed Eigner and Ben Winnick, voted to spend the funds elsewhere in the city. The vote will keep the city’s general fund budget at $9.14 million, and the levy at $8.96 million. Jackie Bussjaeger, Press Publications

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Minnesotans’ heads are in the clouds as they pay homage to Zach Sobiech

REP. BOB DETTMER | SUBMITTED

Rep. Bob Dettmer adds his thumbprint to the award-winning project

Governor honors LILA achievement On Tuesday, Representative Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) presented Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) with a proclamation from Governor Mark Dayton, declaring Dec. 8, 2015, Lakes International Language Academy Day. Last October, LILA received a National Award for Promising Practice in Character Education for a "Thumbprint Painting Project," which was also being celebrated during the ceremony. "LILA is a fantastic school and an excellent asset for students and parents in our community," said Rep. Dettmer. "It was an honor to present them with a proclamation declaring Dec. 8, 2015, Lakes International Language Academy Day, and I would like to congratulate them for all of their achievements and recognition both at the state and national level."

Stillwater student earns attains Eagle Scout award vice project to earn his Eagle. Balfanz organized the building and installation of bluebird houses in the Autumn Hills Park in Oak Park Heights. He has served as the troop assistant senior patrol leader and is a member of the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow. Balfanz is active as a squad leader of the trap team and co-captain of the FIRST Robotics team at Stillwater Area High School, where he is a senior. He is the son of Ken and Julie Balfanz and the grandson of Gerald and Mildred Balfanz of Stillwater, Dave and Linda Nelson of Cannon Falls, and Kent and Jan Fregien of Red Wing. From press release

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search Fund and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Participants included church groups, school choirs, individuals and families—anyone interested in benefitting children’s cancer research and in honoring Sobiech’s memory. In addition to performing “Clouds,” participants in the chorus also sang several traditional holiday carols and invited the audience to sing along. Since the first “Clouds” Choir event in 2013, more than $13 million has been raised.

Brady Peterson erson

FOR

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aff

Forest Lake boy’s hockey

of the

Week

os thletes ch en by press st

OIX V ALLE

Caitlin has received all conference honorable mention in lacrosse, and participated in the MN Lacrosse State Tournament 2 years in a row. She has earned 3 varsity letters for hockey and 2 for lacrosse. Caitlin has also earned an academic letter, is involved in community service through Key Club, and has a job while maintaining a 3.75 GPA.

651-482-1322

It has been almost two years since Stillwater Are High School teen Zach Sobiech passed away from a rare form of cancer, but his legacy keeps growing bigger. A crowd of more than 5,000 gathered to sing, remember and raise money for children’s cancer research at the Mall of American on Thursday, Dec. 11. This is the third annual “Clouds” Choir for a Cause hosted at the Mall of America. Last year’s event drew more than 7,000 participants, but the smaller crowd this year raised more than $513,300. Sobiech was a singer songwriter who began writing music after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 14. His inspirational song “Clouds,” about his battle with cancer, made the Billboard charts and hit number one on iTunes when his story went viral shortly before his death in 2013. The “Clouds” video has gained more than 12 million views on YouTube since then. Hosted by KS95 for Kids Radiothon, the “Clouds” Choir for a Cause benefits the Children’s Cancer Re-

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Patrick Balfanz, 18, has earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award. In honor of Balfanz’s achievement, Mayor Ted Kozlowski has officially declared Dec. 19, 2015, “Patrick Balfanz Day” in the city of Stillwater. A member of Troop 249, sponsored by American Legion Post 48, Balfanz Patrick P ti k is one of approximately 4 Balfanz percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Ron Walkinshaw. Each candidate must earn 21 merit badges, serve in leadership positions and successfully complete a community ser-

KS95 | KS95.COM

Above: More than 5,000 people gathered at the Mall of America for the KS95 “Clouds” Choir for a Cause, in memory of Stillwater teen Zach Sobiech

B Brady stood tall in the nets for the he Forest Lake boys’ hockey team in one-goal Suburban East b Conference victories over East Ridge and Park. C The Ranger sophomore had 34 saves in a 2-1 T vvictory over park, and 28 in a 3-2 triumph over East Ridge. The sophomore says that he hopes E to earn more academic accomplishments in the future. Brady also enjoys spending his free th time ﬁshing, hunting, and going out on his ti snowmobile. sn

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Thank you all who entered our 70th Anniversary drawing! Pictured here are the first prize winners of a $1,000 Abbott gift certificate Roberta and Bill Kolesar of White Bear Lake with Dave Abbott (left) and Steve Abbott (right). Other winners not pictured include Carole Hitt of Stillwater who won $500 credit at Abbott and Janet Cass of North Oaks winning $250 credit.

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Snowmobile enthusiasts have club members to thank BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR

Every fall for 18 years, John Udstuen has led a group of weather-resistant volunteers who give time and talent to prepare Hugo’s 42 miles of trails for the upcoming snowmobile season. After the snow flies, Udstuen and other Hugo Snowmobile Club members spend long, tedious hours driving a slow-moving groomer to maintain the trails. The Star Trail Association is applying for a $75,000 federal grant to offset the cost of a new-but-used groomer, which runs about $100,000. Udstuen said they won’t know until April if the grant will be awarded, but feels Hugo has a “leg up.” It’s important to many

area businesses to be linked in, Udstuen noted, and when they close, there is concern they’ll lose sled traffic and the dollars it brings. “Snowmobilers buy food, beverages and fuel,” noted club member Dave Kreiner. “It’s a destination sport and businesses want to be near a trail.” Kreiner joined the Hugo club because he wants “to give back for the good trails I ride. Nothing is free and we want to keep the sport alive.” Not that it’s in danger of dying. “It’s growing,” he said. In fact, the White Bear Lake resident, who jokes that he’s on his sixth or seventh mid-life crisis, just bought a new sled with a two-up seat so he can take his wife. He became involved in the club a few years

after moving to Hugo in 1993 because the “guys who ran it weren’t doing anything.” Not all of the club volunteers live in Hugo. Club members drive from Lake Elmo, White Bear Township and White Bear Lake. All have an obvious passion for snowmobiling. “We do it for the community and the love of the sport,” Udstuen said. There are 180 miles of trails in Washington County managed by the Star Trail Association, of which Hugo is a member. Hugo’s club not only maintains the 42 miles in Hugo, but 7 miles in Forest Lake, as well. The city remains a critical hub for snowmobile enthusiasts. Major trails that merge by the Blacksmith Lounge can be ridden

to Canada, Duluth and Wisconsin. As Udstuen likes to remind people, “we are the last outlet north to get out of here.” If you see him on his Ski-Doo Renegade or burning the midnight oil in the groomer, you

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Start Coloring for a chance to Win!

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Phone______________________________ Email____________________________ Thank you for participating in Press Publication’s Holiday Coloring Contest. Please mail or drop off to:

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RECIPE BOOK: Stillwater trio releases 10 years’ worth of confectionery FROM PAGE 1

ROBIN GULLICKSON | SUBMITTED

Above: (From left) Seekel, Gullickson and Neumann sport personalized aprons for their annual cookie-baking spree. Right: This year, the three authors produced around 8,000 cookies and treats for the holiday season. Lower right: Each baker brings pre-made dough, and together they prepare and bake each recipe.

one of Seekel’s favorites: coconut joy. While there are only three authors, Seekel said that others frequently join in on the fun. “This year there was a fourth person— she kind of became our girl Friday, you know, running around and getting stuff for us,” Seekel said. “But we divide [the cookies] up four ways and send them home to share with friends and families.” This year Seekel and friends baked more than 8,000 holiday treats, which are then shared among family members, as well as pastors and members of their church, St. Paul Lutheran. “Just people we’re grateful for each year,” she said. The cookbook first came out in print last year around the holidays, but the three ladies have just begun participating in marketing events like this one. Earlier in December, they appeared at a signing at Valley Booksellers in Stillwater. The Warden’s House event marks their second public appearance. The three authors began with a personal copy of their recipe book they had created and printed from the Shutterfly website, but when friends and family began to express interest, they knew that producing more copies from Shutterfly would quickly become too expensive. They heard about nearby Bayport Printing House soon afterward, and began publishing more copies. They had nearly

sold out by the time they ordered a second printing for the annual book sale. ‘We’re all really excited because we’ve never done this before,” Seekel said. “A lot of people came by Valley Booksellers, and it’s so fun to meet people and make them a part of it.” The three of them were provided aprons with their names on them and supplied samples of their confectionary concoctions to guests at the event. If you missed the annual Holiday Event, you can still get copies of “Holiday Cookie Collection” in Stillwater at Valley Booksellers, Brine’s Market and Deli and Len’s Family Foods, as well as from the three authors themselves.

DECEMBER 18, 2015

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“best wishes” from our area children to their favorite holiday celebrity.

Dear Santa, For Christmas I want a dog, PS4, Halo 5, Destny and a RC car. How is are you doing and rudofe, cupid. From, Riley

Dear Santa, I wish for a giraffe and boots.

Love, Ella, age 3

Dear Santa, I wish for a treasure truck.

Love, Jacob, 4 years Dear Santa, I wish for a boy pony stuffed animal. Love, Lorelei, 4 years Dear Santa, I wish for a big stuffed animal. Love, Fayanna, 4 years Dear Santa, I wish for a princess!

Love, Mara, age 4 Dear Santa, I wish for a dinosaur.

Love, Ivan, age 3 Dear Santa, I wish for a batman cave.

Love, Colton, age 4 Dear Santa, I wish for a Dusty, Mater, and Lightning McQueen. Love, Graham, age 3 Dear Santa, I wish for a batman 4-4X! Love, Keagan, age 3

Dear Santa Clause, This is my Christmas list. I want boots. If you are wondering what kind of bots I want, I want tanish boots with fringe all over it. I also want boots with white fur all over. Then they are all white. I really want those. I also want sandles that go to my knees. They are all strapy. They are so cute. Please give my those please please please. know I can’t have a 5S iphone but we can keep it a secret. Can I also have some really cute boots like dress boots. Not snow boots, my mom will buy me snow boots. I know my mom says I have to many clothes but I really want some cute clothes. I also have some cute but small bra’s but in kid sizes. Please don’t give me any winter boots. Please! My Christmas list! Christmas is the best! From: Emerson Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very good to my family. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: Toy grill Toy car Lego Friends Hotel Judy Moody book Toy cleaning stuff Barbie Dream House Glow in the dark cotton candy Love, Sheyna Dear Santa Clause, How ya doin’? I have been a good girl this year, and I bet I’m on your nice list. I don’t want much this year, but I want… A pogo stick to bounce on Christmas clothes to sing Christmas songs in Footie p.j.’s to be comfy in Slippers to feel a squish on my feet Whoops! I forgot something! And ﬁnally….a sew cool set to sew for me Thanks, and have a jolly, Merry Christmas! Sincerely, Taya, 10 years old

Dear Santa Close, For Christmas I whant a gumdow elsa tsum tsum. A gumdow plupow tsum tsum a computer a fone a choclit pen bsinr animl crosing Happy home basinr and pictr of hathin a amedo for super moreo maker and a tsum tsum mame!!! From Lydia Dear Santa, My name is Eloise and could I please have a My Little Pony--“Pink Pie,” legos, books, board games, race cars. Thank you, Eloise Dear Santa, My name is Isaac and could I please have a paw patroler and Transformers, books and race cars. Thank you, Isaac Dear Santa, I would like a kitty.

Love, Chase Dear Santa, I really want a for real pet turtle plz. From Alliyah G. Dear Santa, My name is Alicia. I’m 6 yrs old. I’m a good girl. I want Rex. Thank you. I love you. XOXO Alicia P.S. We are leaving cookies! Dear Santa, I am Gage. I’ve been good. My Christmas list is Scarlet Avengers Leggos - Spiderman Jammies Nick Fury - Leggos Tent Avenger Rookie Gage Dear Santa, My Christmas list Elmo shirt Cars Jammies Spiderman Lightening Queen Tent

Dear Santa, My Christmas list Truck Tent Ball Puzzle Cars Tent Car One

Kyle Dear Santa, I’ve been very good this year. Since I’m getting older, I don’t want a little kids toy. Here is my list of toys I want: Pet Ginea pig Phone Robotic dog or cat Diary of a wimpy kid: Old school Clothes $ Volley ball PJs Swim suit Kuchen Lego-pink haired girl tour bus Trombone stand Pocket knife for camping Decrative stuff Little fort that ﬁts on top of my bunk bed American girl doll choch Reading lamp Board games My little ponies A tv that plays live tv That’s all the stuff I want. Hopefully it is not to much. Happy holidays. Sincerely, Riley S. Dear Santa, I have been good most of the year. I would like bacon PJs, art suppise, phone, Kindle, Diary of wimpy kid Old school, pocket nife, and a fram for a picture for the whole family. Love, Alexa S. P.S. I love your bushy beard and your red sute. P.S.S. Also a puppy Dear Santa, I hope you are doing well. I think I was good this year. I would like for Christmas a telescope, globe, Star Wars Guess Who game and a pen that writes in chocolate. I would also like a Yummy Nummies shoppe, Shopkins and a Nerf bow blaster. Thank you and Merry Christmas. Love, Sophia L. Dear Santa, Merry Christmas! I would like: Maddie Hatter doll, Shopkins, Nerf bow blaster, Play Skool. Love, Aubrey L.

Caden

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Saturday, December 19

Photos with Santa* 11am - 2pm m Horse Drawn Trolley Rides* 11am - 3pm Visit Santa at Abbott Paint & Carpet 2223 4th Street & Cook Ave., • Downtown White Bear Lake

www.DowntownWhiteBearLake.com

Both *FREEwith non-perishable food donations.

Sponsored by: Abbott Paint & Carpet, White Bear Glass, Sun Color/Medicine Chest & the Shops and Businesses of Downtown White Bear Lake, Main Street Inc.

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Straight from the North Pole to you, we're pleased to share some “best wishes” from our area children to their favorite holiday celebrity.

Dear D ear Santa, S anta , What I want for Christmas is a beekeeping suit. Veda, Age 6 Dear Santa, For Christmas I want barbie pets, iTunes cards, Lego freinds sets and a picture of you and your reindeer. Merry Christmas! Love, Lilah Dear Santa, Thank you for all the presents last year. I was a very good girl this year. Here is my wish list: I want Barbies for Christmas I want clothes for Christmas – purple please. I want a skinny yo too and a pony. Love, Addy Dear Santa, I! Would! Like! for Christmas: Story Time Princess collection Disney Jr. Doc McStuffins Talking Mobile Cart Gabby Interactive doll Sno Glo Elsa doll Merry Christmas, Love, Avery Dear Santa, I hope you have a nice xmas. I want any kind of toys. Don’t forget the homeless kids. From, Mikayla Dear Santa, I have been pretty good this year, if you can’t get some of this stuff it’s o.k. I would like: Any good movies you have heard of, youtuber plushies, erasable pens, ipad, markers, things for my American Girl doll, crafts, iphone, candy! Anything youtuber themed, shopkins, books, good toys that you know of. Lucy, Age 10 Santa, I hope you can stop at my house on Christmas eve. I heard you are the best Santa there is cause how busy you are on Christmas eve handing out all those presents. Board games James and slippers Star Trek movies 1-2-3-4-5 Snowpants Pants, jeans or sweatpants Sincerely, Shannon S.

Dear D ear Santa, Santta, I really liked the clothes you gave me. I also liked the dot-to-dots you gave me too. I’ll change the subject. About the clothes…I still ﬁt them! And I am growing very fast! I liked the chocolate too. On the back there is my list… Tablet Bag of caramels A new diary A goldﬁsh Gel pens Sparkle nail polish Fox stuffed animal Dear Santa, What I would like for Christmas is McSquare Science kit. I would also like a Wubble Bubble ball. I am going to leave you some cookies and milk and some carrots for your reindeer. Could you please leave me a sign that you were here? Thank you. Love, Emmalee, 10 Dear Santa, I would like Lex Luther, Superman and Wonder Woman. Isaac, Age 4 Happy Christmas Santa! I would like a J.J. Jumpin’ pug. Emmy, Age 4 Dear Santa, I would like a big ATT Walker Lego set. Me and my dad will have to build it together. Arthur, Age 4 Dear Santa, I want a Lego train for Christmas. Thanks! Ethan, age 4 Dear Santa, I want a car. I love you.

Tristan, age 4 Dear Santa, I want a choo choo train and a spaceship with a shooter. Luke, age 4

Dear D ear Santa, Santa , For Christmas I want a dog, PS4, Halo 5, Destny and a RC car. How is are you doing and rudofe, cupid. From, Riley

Dear Santa, I want bow and arrow, transformer, and a new puppy. I love you. I’ve been nice! Grant, age 4 Dear Santa, I want a Batman watch and Ironman hands. Finn, age 5 Dear Santa, I want a light saber.

Carter, age 4 Dear Santa, I want transformer.

Micah, age 5

Emerson Dear Santa, I want a robot.

Colin, age 4

Dear Santa, I wish for a boy pony stuffed animal. Love, Lorelei, 4 years

Hannah, age 4

Max E.

Dear Santa, I wish for a big stuffed animal. Love, Fayanna, 4 years

Sarah, age 5

Dear Santa, I want a singing Elsa doll, a singing Anna doll (new version) and the new Frozen movie. Sicily, age 5

Dear Santa, I want Lego Star Wars.

Will, age 5 Dear Santa, I want a toy anteater.

Dear Santa, I want a Frozen watch.

Dear Santa, I want a clock.

Dear Santa, I want a Dora watch.

Tanvi, age 5 Dear Santa, I want a red toy elephant with orange ears. Cameron, age 4 Dear Santa, I want a nerf gun.

Jaxson, age 4

Dear Santa, I want a stuffed seal with a doll on it. Lucy, age 4

Dear Santa, I want a robot cat.

Dear Santa, A giant Elsa doll. She starts with EL sometimes and I want Legos. Ruth, age 4

Dear Santa, I want a robot spider, a toy camper with beds on it and a toy sun. Emily, age 4

Abby, age 4

Dear Santa, I want a black deer.

Dear Santa, I wish for a princess!

Love, Mara, age 4 Dear Santa, I wish for a dinosaur.

Love, Ivan, age 3 Max L.

Dear Santa, I wish for a batman cave. Love, Colton, age 4

Maria, age 4

Dear Santa, I wish for a Dusty, Mater, and Lightning McQueen. Love, Graham, age 3

Dear Santa, I want a toy school bus.

Dear Santa, I want a Lego Chain Reaction Calvin, age 4 Dear Santa, I wish for a light saber and a suitcase. Love, Jack, 4 years Dear Santa, I wish for a treasure truck. Love, Jacob, 4 years

Dear Santa, I wish for a batman 4-4X! Love, Keagan, age 3 Dear Santa, I wish for a giraffe and boots. Love, Ella, age 3

Caden

Dear D ear Santa, S anta , My Christmas list Truck Tent Ball Puzzle Cars Tent Car One

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Reel talk Don’t Miss!

Good

Worth a Look Forget it

“THE BIG SHORT” (R) (3.5) [PERVASIVE LANGUAGE AND SOME SEXUALITY/NUDITY.]

— An eye-opening, complicated, factually based, humor-punctuated satire. Based on Michael Lewis’s bestselling 2010 novel “The Big Short: Inside The Doomsday Machine,” an eccentric financial analyst (Christian Bale) discovers the greedy financial shenanigans of companies such as Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Bear Sterns, and Countrywide that contributed to the housing and credit collapse in 2008 and led to millions of people losing their jobs, pensions and savings. Wall Street traders Jarred Bennett (Ryan Gosling) and Mark Baum (Steve Carell) and other “rolling-the dice” players (Brad Pitt, Finn Wittrock, and Hamish Linklater) took out “insurance policies” to protect themselves against the inevitable economic catastrophe as they jumped on the bandwagon to make millions.

“THE DANISH GIRL” (R) (4) [SOME SEXUALITY AND FULL NUDITY.]

— Oscar-caliber performances dominate this poignant, heartbreaking, compelling, factually based film highlighted by gorgeous cinematography, costumes, sets and scenery. It is based on David Ebershoff ’s novel and Lili Elbe’s 1933 memoir “Man Into Woman” about Danish painter Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) in 1926 Copenhagen, who realizes that he is transgendered and with the help of his devoted landscape artist wife Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander), his childhood art dealer friend (Matthias Schoenaerts), and a German surgeon (Henry Pettigrew), he tries to realize his dream of becoming a woman.

NORMAN QUACKS | SUBMITTED

Expansion has allowed for more spacious seating, as well as a new family room, games and televisions.

Forest Lake restaurant Norman Quacks expands so many kinds, especially around here. We’ve also always had wine and we’ll be able to expand our wine list as well.” The Skamser’s purchased the space next door after years of watching the ebb and tide of the short-lived businesses that have occupied it. “For our 14 years here, it hasn’t really been occupied,” Skamser said. Norman Quacks, meanwhile, has thrived as a local favorite. The restaurant is known for its many happy hour deals, including halfprice appetizers and twofor-one deals every day of the week. Skamser said that there are no special events planned for the holidays, but that the restaurant will continue to offer its regular deals.

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

After nearly 15 years on Broadway Avenue in Forest Lake, restaurant and bar Norman Quacks Chophouse has finally gotten the elbow room it needs. Monique Skamser, who owns and runs the restaurant along with her family, said that this has been something they have been looking forward to doing for a while. “We just expanded to 24 beers, and it used to be we only had 12,” she said. “It allowed us to make space for a bigger cooler, and that’s something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.” As for the varieties of beer, she said, “We keep them moving.There are

“We have always done two happy hours daily, and we hold those steady through the holidays,” Skamser said. The building was closed for three days in November for renovations. Besides increasing the selection of beverages, the expansion also allowed the restaurant to add a family room, game tables and arcade games for kids, new televisions and extra room in the kitchen. It also gives Norman Quacks some additional space for storage. “People seem genuinely happy that there’s more space,” Skamser said. While the restaurant’s 15th anniversary is coming up in February 2016, Skamser said the family is unlikely to hold a celebration.

“We’ve talked about it before and just never got around to it,” she said. “Besides, I feel like sometimes those anniversary celebrations are just a way for places to bring in more business, instead of a real celebration.” Skamser said she is happy to go on just as she is. “I’m feeling very fortunate to be at this place in life with my family, doing what we like,” Skamser said. Norman Quacks is located at 843 W Broadway Avenue in Forest Lake. It can be reached by phone at 651-982-6777, or by visiting the website at www. normanquacks.com.

“THE GOOD DINOSAUR” (PG) (4) [PERIL, ACTION, AND THEMATIC ELEMENTS.]

— A delightful, family-oriented, entertaining, 3D, star-studded (voiceovers by Frances McDormand, Anna Paquin, Sam Elliott, John Ratzenberger, Jeffrey Wright, Steve Zahn, and A. J. Buckley), animated film in which a timid, young Apatosaurus dinosaur (voiceover by Raymond Ochoa) forms a bond with a wolf-howling cave boy as they wander the wilderness trying to find their way home to their respective families.

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“IN THE HEART OF THE SEA” (PG-13) (3) [INTENSE SEQUENCES OF ACTION AND PERIL, BRIEF STARTLING VIOLENCE, AND THEMATIC MATERIAL.]

— Uneven pacing hinders this intense, well-acted, factually based, 3-D Ron Howard film in which the last survivor (Brendan Gleeson) of the whaling ship Essex reluctantly gives an account to novelist Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw) that inspired “Moby Dick.” It depicts the horrific, grueling ordeal of Captain George Pollard (Benjamin Walker), his first mate (Chris Hemsworth) and the crew after they left Nantucket in the winter of 1820 and desperately tried to survive when they found their ship relentlessly attacked by a gigantic, revenge-fueled whale.

WENDY SCHADEWALD The preceding films were reviewed by Wendy Schadewald, who has been a Twin Cities film critic since 1986. To see more of her film reviews, log on to www.shortredheadreelreviews.com.

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DECEMBER 15, 2015

Crossword

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Frank Watson is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station in White Bear Lake. Weather data and observation are from his weather station and trips around the area. Frank can be found on the internet at WeathermanWatson.com.

Weather tidbits Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com SUNRISE / SUNSET

Fri

Dec. 18 7:46 4:33

Sat

Dec. 19 7:47 4:33

Sun

Dec. 20 7:48 4:33

Mon

Dec. 21 7:48 4:34

Tue

Dec. 22 7:48 4:35

Wed

Dec. 23 7:49 4:35

Thu

Dec. 24 7:49 4:36

Sudoku CLUES DOWN CLUES ACROSS 1. Composition for orchestra 1. Red wine and soloists 7. Best nurse-patient aid 2. Bulgarian monetary unit 10. Footwear closure 12. Chinese dynasty 1122-221 3. Settled upon 4. Common frog genus BC 5. Electronic counter13. Persuade to one’s side countermeasures 14. Advocate 6. Golf ball supporter 15. Mandela’s party 16. A woolen cap of Scottish 7. Divided into 3 8. Crazy (Spanish) origin 9. Billiards stick 17. About aviation 18. Shallowest of the Greats 10. More deﬁcient 11. Solomon Islands capital 19. Sheathe 12. Larval crabs 20. Frightened 14. Malta capital 23. Brews 18. Clairvoyance 24. Relates 19. Tomato condiment 27. Atomic #52 21. Alleviation 28. Up the ante 22. French seaport 33. The “Kings’s” initials 25. New Testament 34. Lepton 36. Cornmeal mush (British) 26. Shortened (abbr.) 29. Employee (abbr.) 38. One who analyzes 30. Opposite of leaving syntactically 31. Lip locking 39. Algonquian tribe 32. Foes 40. Systems, doctrines, 35. Many not ands theories 41. Herb __, San Francisco 36. Covered with healing scrapes columnist 42. Informed about the latest 37. Regions 41. Abel’s brother (Bible) trends 42. Greek Queen of the gods 45. Seven 43. Esau’s descendants 46. Morocco’s capital (Bible) 47. What a doctor practices 44. Canarium ovatum 49. Beaks 46. Ribonucleic acid 50. In a way, extends 51. A number or amount not 47. Gas usage measurement 48. An oppositional speciﬁed argument 52. Gambling

WEATHER TIDBIT We’re on a record-breaking pace for warmest December. Colder temperatures in store, but nothing severe. Winter Solstice occurs on Dec. 21 at 10:48pm. Jupiter is the bright planet high in the eastern sky at sunrise. YEAR AGO THIS WEEK First 1” snow of the month on Dec.16. Precipitation event, mostly rain, totals .56” from Dec. 21-23. WEEKLY AVERAGES OCT. 14 TO 20, 2015 High Low %Sun PCP 24° 9° 39% 0.24”

Fun Fact

Tennis was originally played with bare hands.

Olympic Hues

The ﬁve interlocking Olympic rings are black, blue, red, white and yellow because at least one of these colors appears on every national ﬂag.

Top 5 at PressPubs.com: Week of Dec. 6 – 12

Editor’s note: Visit www.presspubs.com to read the full versions of these most-visited stories

1. Vadnais getting sporting goods store. White Bear Press > Briefs 2. City names new manager. White Bear Press > News 3. City manager retires with few regrets. White Bear Press > News 4. Gambling moratorium lifted, hockey group granted permit. White Bear Press > News 5. Construction officially underway for new Cub Foods in White Bear Lake. White Bear Press > News See Press Publications’ website www.presspubs.com for stories from the White Bear Press, The Citizen, Vadnais Heights Press, Shoreview Press, Quad Community Press, The Lowdown-Forest Lake Area and The Lowdown- St. Croix Valley Area.

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BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

It’s the last weekend to catch the holiday pop-up shop at Special Products in Stillwater. This craft sale is a joint effort between Special Products, the St. Croix Trail Blazers Equestrian Team, Stillwater Area High School’s Lift Bridge Industries and Valley Friendship Club. Kim Arps is one of the organizers of the Pop-Up Shop. The Arps family owns and runs Special Products, LLC. The mission of Special Products is to provide work experience and practical job skills KIM ARPS | SUBMITTED to young adults with Kim Arps and Haley Olson pose in front of the pop-up shop, located inside Special Products, LLC developmental disabilin Stillwater.Below: Goods include handmade jewelry, decorations, greeting cards and more. ities. Special Products provides services tions. Arps sees this as such as custom screen an educational expeprints, and employs rience for the particithese young adults as pants, mentioning one silk screen operators, warehouse workers and young woman who was in customer service and thrilled with her role as cashier. retail positions. “She was super proud “I work with Mark Arps, who owns Special to say she ran the register all by herself. She’d Products,” Arps said. never done anything “Their goal is to prolike that before,” Arps vide real work experisaid. “To actually own ence to students and young adults who are in the space, to set it up transition. These are 18- how they wanted to, was a new experience to 20-year-olds, many for them.” of them from Stillwater Items for sale at the Area high schools and some of them still in the pop-up include handmade bags, greeting schools. We’re really cards, ornaments, focused on teaching expand it to something the shelves,” Arps said. etched glass, needleworkers to fi nd their beyond a holiday shop, “[Lift Bridge is] pretty strength and confidence work and art. and to get it into a more well known for their “We’re all about in the work environhigh-traffic stop,” she birdseed, so it’s kind of building opportunities, ment.” said. in demand.” and it’s not every day Each of the organiThe pop-up runs Arps hopes to have an you get to run your own zations was asked to even bigger, more inclu- through Dec. 19. Special retail shop,” Arps said. contribute different Products is active on sive holiday pop-up for Arps said that the crafts and homemade the 2016 holiday season. Facebook, as well as on most popular item at items to the shop, and its regular website at “It would be great to the pop-up so far has the students were www.wemakespecialhave everybody rebeen the birdseed ofthe ones running the products.com. You can turn and to have more fered by participants in shop—setting up and visit either of these sites participants, to maybe the Lift Bridge Indusarranging the items for make it a shop-local des- for more information. tries program. sale, helping customers tination. Maybe even “It’s really flying off and completing transac-

If You Go What: Holiday Pop-Up Shop When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 Where: Special Products, 5610 Memorial Ave. N., Suite 3, Stillwater Phone: 651-342-8242 Can’t make it during these times? Email: Special Products at info@ makespecialproducts.com to schedule an appointment.

DECEMBER 18, 2015

THE LOWDOWN

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AROUND TOWN

1. Stillwater harpist Darcy Bell-Myers and violin student Mike Reader entertain with classic Christmas songs in the parlor of the Warden’s House Museum on Dec. 11. — Jackie Bussjaeger 2 Performers (from left) Mike Reader, Matthew Melander and Maya Parkin perform some traditional and some more unique selections, such as a Ukrainian folk tune, at the Warden’s House Museum. — Jackie Bussjaeger 3. Despite the foggy weather, Stillwater gets into the season spirit with Hometown Holiday carriage rides. — Jackie Bussjaeger 4. Santa makes his way through the crowd during a tree lighting ceremony that followed the Twinkle Parade in downtown Stillwater Dec. 5. — Paul Dols 5. Steve and Raquel McKinney of St. Paul spend a day enjoying downtown Stillwater. — Jackie Bussjaeger 6. John Colburn and his son Max, 6, get into the holiday spirit with some portable lights during the tree lighting ceremony in downtown Stillwater. — Paul Dols 7. Writer Joel Arnold, who won the Midwest Book Award for his young adult historical fiction book “Ox Cart Angel,” visits the Warden’s House museum for the holiday book sale. — Jackie Bussjaeger

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rjestes@cbburnet.com