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FEBRUARY 28, 2017 www.presspubs.com
Centennial hosts hundreds of teens keen on robotics BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Centennial’s gymnasium floor and stands were packed on Saturday, Feb. 18, but it wasn’t a sports event. Instead of athletes, there was another sub-set of the student body that you could call robo-athletes, or robothletes. “Robotics is a sport of the mind,” Robotics Coach Andrew Angell acknowledged, good-naturedly, “and the students involved have such a bright future.” This event was a robotics exhibition with clubs from 30 schools practicing for upcoming competitions. The sponsorships on their T-shirts, such as Medtronic, 3M and Boston Scientific hearkened to those bright futures. “HOPE,” the back of the Centurion T-shirt declared, “IS NOT A STRATEGY.” Centurions is the name of Centennial’s 36-member club this year. Angell has coached them for three years. Asked how they fared, he assessed: “We did pretty well considering we were trying to get the robot
to work until midnight the night before. The fact that it drove around, shot balls, inserted gears, picked up balls, climbed a rope, and had minor programming issues was a big accomplishment,” he said. Centennial hosted the “Week Zero Event,” so named because it capped the final day of the six weeks allowed to build the robot, after which the clubs bag them up, and don’t touch them again until regionals. The object was for the robot to place as many wiffle balls as possible in an upper tub and lower tub (more points for the upper) and to manipulate the robot to insert a round gear onto a spindle. That’s the “game” this year. Last year, Angell said, a Centennial team called “Stronghold” competed in a medieval-themed joust with robots crossing obstacles to capture the tower in the opponent’s castle by throwing balls into high and low goals. The year before, a Centennial team called “Recycle Rush” was stacking tote bins up to six feet atop each other with extra points for placing a recycle bin at the very top, while “human”
BRUCE STRAND | SUBMITTED
Waiting to get their robot on the track (from left) Brian Griffiths, John Gray, Quinn Severson, Kai Peterson and Nate Geschwill.
BRUCE STRAND | SUBMITTED
Working on the robot (from left) Matt Walter, Nate Geschwill and Brian Griffiths.
players threw “trash” into the opponents side of the field for more points. “A cool tidbit: Disney has been involved in the last two years’ game creation,” Angell said. The process starts with a live broadcast from FIRST headquarters — which means, of course, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — in Manchester, New Hampshire, to robotics clubs around the world, revealing what the “game” will be. The clubs tackle the project through a succession of committees. Six kids sketch out designs. The ComputerAided Design (CAD) squad creates a dimensioned 3-D model. A mechanical group construct prototypes of the manipulators. The electricians wire up the motors, encoders, motor controller, roboRio (brain) and targeting camera. The programmers set up the robot for driving, using Java programming software. The fi nal product robot runs off two joysticks for movements and one controller for the manipulators. “They are very hands-on and their interests vary,” said Angell about the club roster. “We have something for everyone of all types of interests. We
get a lot of students in CAD, electrical, mechanical and programming pursue engineering in post-secondary education.” Angell, who teaches Project Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering courses at CHS, is co-coach with John Cloues. Mentors include three Medtronic engineers: Don Johnson (retired), Dan Cafferty and Ken Bechtel. Others are Tim Gates (sales), Dave Warwick (BAE engineer), Wayne Jacobsen (retired machining/engineering) and Rick Scales (retired machinist). Club members include: Matt Ardito, Jacob Beeken, Megan Bell, Stefan Bramscher, Matt Burlowski, Nathan Clarys, Ron Crowder, Stephen Gates, Nate Geschwill, John Gray, Levi Gressman, Zach Gressman, Brian Griffiths, Daksha Gummadi, William Jakober, Kesler Jensrud, Raven Kottke, Danny McDonald, Jamie Murphy, Nicolette Nawrocki, Zach Northy. Nick Olsen, Alec Packett, Kai Petersen, Allyson Sellner, Quinn Severson, Joey Sipprell, Rachel Sternberg, Matt Tiachec, Jonathan Villa, Debbie Wallen, Matt Walter, Tatiana Wilson, Andrew Santos, Brandon Zelinka and Katy Ziebarth.
FEBRUARY 28, 2017
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Eagle Scout recognized by Lino Lakes Council
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SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Lino Lakes Mayor Jeff Reinert reads a letter congratulating Jesse Eugene Rodriguez for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout at the City Council meeting Monday, Feb. 13. Rodriguez is in Boy Scout Troop 232 in Lino Lakes.
Jesse Euguene Rodriguez, son of Rich and Missy Rodriguez, is a senior at the Academy for Sciences & Agriculture (AFSA) High School in Vadnais Heights. He has been in the Boy Scouts since the fifth grade. He officially became an Eagle Scout on Jan. 23 after completing his project, seven rifle racks for the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. The racks will display rifles that are auctioned and raffled off at the annual banquet, and the money raised will go into a scholarship fund for youth to attend gun safety and hunting camps. Rodriguez plans to attend Dunwoody College of Technology next fall for construction management.
Warm weather friend or foe during Trapper's annual ice golf event BY PAT ZEITNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LINO LAKES — The unusually warm weather this February has turned many golf courses into gigantic water hazards, considering the golf courses this time of year are frozen lakes. Trappers Bar & Grill in Lino Lakes hosted its eighth annual Ice Golf Tournament on Rice Lake Saturday, Feb. 18, but had to cancel the “ice” and “Rice Lake” part of the daylong event. Elizabeth (Liz) Jabs, one of the family co-owners of Trappers, was the host of this year’s event. “We had 15 teams signed up and we had to cancel it,” she said. The after-party on the parking lot then became the main event. “2016, we had no snow on the course. 2017, Mother Nature has beat it up to us twice these last two years. We are going to move it up in January,” she said. In a normal year where there is snow and cold and everything is frozen, the Trapper’s “groundskeepers” would ready the course by shoveling snow to make greens and fairways. They then placed a collection of discarded Christmas trees upright on the ice to act as various hazards and markers. Finally, ice augers were used to drill the holes for the nine-hole course. Teams showed up in costume to vie for the best costume prize. Golfers wore layers of clothing and sometimes props, began teeing off about noon and the fun ensued. “We play best ball-style, four on a team. Last year we had two hunters and a gopher and they had some fake teeth. It was pretty cool,” Jabs laughed. “They were trappers.” When the golf tournament is finished, the after-party takes place in the afternoon, outside the “clubhouse.” A small bonfire is built just for fun, and team-to-team relationship-building and mingling takes over. People get to know each other and have a good time. The lack of a proper winter this year spoiled the excursion out on the lake. A stack of Christmas trees lay off to the side. The golf course became a putting green on the pavement. And yet, somehow, a record-breaking warm temperature attracted a rather large gathering anyway.
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PAT ZEITNER | SUBMITTED
Katie Jolly and Amanda Pfarr are dressed for winter … sort of. They helped kick off Trapper's Ice Golf event in the mild sunshine Saturday, Feb. 18.
They had a little get-together after all — summer style. There was a waiting line for teams to play bag toss, and a group of five young men were playing a patio-size game of Jenga. “Eye of the Tiger,” the theme song from Rocky, was heard playing in the background. Jabs has run the bar and grill with her father, Jeff Moore, for about a decade. Moore opened Trappers in 2004. “We’ve really turned it into a family-oriented atmosphere. A lot of these people we see day in and day out, and it’s nice to see them here because they enjoy Trappers and the atmosphere and the people that it brings in,” Jabs said. “I’d really like to say how proud we are of our employees and our establishment and the people that come in day in, day out, and support our local business. It’s been a consistently growing business. It’s nice to see people that we haven’t seen before, and it’s great to know that Lino Lakes is still growing as a community with developments,” Jabs said proudly.
PAT ZEITNER | SUBMITTED
Chris Cleveland attempts the nearly 5-foot-tall Jenga puzzle.
Local golfers can’t wait for next year, hopefully a winter filled with plenty of snow and ice and friendly wind chills for their chance to play Ice Golf on a frozen Rice Lake. No casual water or plunks. Lots of camaraderie over the duffs, mulligans and funnies. Watching the other team score snowman par and evergreen tree shots. Next year, Ice Golf at Trappers will be in January. Hackers will be dunked in a snowbank.
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Beyond our bubbles
I
believe that it’s probably healthy to have our preconceptions challenged on occasion and a presentation by respected artist and documentary photographer Wing Young Huie at the White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) in 2016 revealed personal bias and prejudices that I wasn’t even aware that I had. A native of Duluth, where his father Joe operated the only Chinese restaurant in town at the time, Wing Young Huie’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Locally, he is well known for his projects documenting diverse neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He has also taken an innovative approach to displaying the final prints. Instead of a convenAngle of tional art gallery, the photos have been displayed outside along the streets in the neighborhoods where View they were originally taken. As a Paul Dols primary example, the Lake Street project in Minneapolis featured more than th 700 00 iimages that collectively formed a building and storefront gallery six miles long. During the part of his presentation at the WBCA that focused on who decides “what is normal” and what it means to “be Minnesotan,” I came to the realization that my perception of what that meant was, unfortunately, firmly rooted in the past. I grew up during a time when some of the things that defined Minnesota’s identity in mainstream culture included the cold weather, our Scandinavian heritage, the Vikings, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, A Prairie Home Companion (and later) the local music scene and the Cohen Brother’s movie Fargo. Some of these identifiers might still have some truth, but I’m sure that the Minnesota reality for the new wave of immigrants from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia who were arriving at the time was vastly different. While I was looking at images of local residents participating in Hmong rituals, I found myself still thinking of them as foreign and other, even though they had more than likely been born here (just like me). With the risk of stating the obvious, unless you have Native American ancestry, we were all immigrants at some point and those who have arrived more recently are just as Minnesotan (however that is defined) as the rest of us. As a result of a Minnesota State Arts Board 2017 Arts Learning grant conceptualized and applied for by Executive Director Suzi Hudson and Program Director Danielle Cezanne at the White Bear Center for the Arts, Huie is currently working on a multifaceted, creative project involving White Bear Lake Area High School students at both north and south campuses. In an effort to get a collective portrait of White Bear Lake — with as many unique perspectives as possible — the ongoing residency includes assignments in a variety of disciplines including photography, art, music and mathematics, that are designed to challenge students to get outside of their personal, cultural and technological bubbles. According to the grant summary and what I’ve observed so far in introductory sessions and classes, one of the overall objectives for this unique residency is to encourage students and educators to look beyond the surface and examine individual bias and preconceptions. More specific objectives for the students include becoming more comfortable interacting with people they do not know well, learning the value of the artistic process and experiencing creative interdisciplinary learning. While Huie stresses that the process is equally if not more important than the final product, at the conclusion of the residency the students will also have the opportunity to curate and display their creative work — transforming both high school campuses into galleries. A gallery exhibit featuring selected student work will follow at the White Bear Center for the Arts in May. Regardless of the context, bubbles are a fragile barrier against reality and we’ll all increase the chances of expanding our awareness and acceptance if we can learn how to get beyond them. Paul Dols is photojournalist/website editor for Press Publications.
Caring for outdoor bonsai
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his Christmas I received the gift of a bonsai tree, a rather daunting gift as I had no idea how to care for it. My only experience with bonsai was from watching the movie “The Karate Kid” where Mr. Miyagi uses caring for bonsai to teach life lessons to the kid. When you’re a gardener others believe you to have a natural green thumb; “She can grow Rather Gardener’s anything.” than prove them I decided Grapevine wrong, I needed to learn how to care for Nancy Helms my new charge. The word bonsai, translated, means “a tree planted in a shallow container.” The art of bonsai originated in China and was later refi ned in Japan. There are indoor bonsai and outdoor bonsai. My tree is an outdoor tree so I will be challenged to keep it alive until spring when I can find a sunny south location for it. It is recommended to move the tree outside in the spring when night time temperatures remain above 40 degrees. Likewise, it will need to be brought inside in the fall when night time temperatures fall below 40 degrees. While outdoor bonsai need some protection from Minnesota elements, they are trees and their
“Bonsai gardening is recognized as an international art form. It is said to emote a sense of calm inner peace. Who couldn’t use some inner peace as winter drags on?” natural element is in the open. I was surprised to learn how much care these little trees need. Watering is by far the most important task. Because they are planted in small containers, they require frequent watering. Water when the soil gets slightly dry; the soil should never be allowed to completely dry out. Keep watering until water runs out of the drainage holes as the roots need to be thoroughly soaked. In full sun, they may require daily watering. I can already see that I will be looking for a tree sitter for my new bonsai whenever I travel. During the growing season these miniature trees require fertilizing even more than other container grown plants, due to the limited amount of soil they grow in. Solid or liquid fertilizers high in nitrogen and applied at half strength are fine as long as they are the correct amount for the size of the container.
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Nancy Helms is an Extension Master Gardener in Anoka County.
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Pruning and pinching new shoots during the growing season is essential to keeping the plant small size. Be certain to always leave some new growth to sustain the health of the tree. Some trees require wrapping the branches with wire to achieve an artistic form. Before attempting wiring it should be thoroughly understood and researched. Many factors come into play including the size and type of wire used and the best time of year for different varieties. Bonsai need to be repotted when the roots circle around the root system. Lift your tree out of the pot and check the roots to see if they are still contained in soil; if they are, wait another year before checking again. Bonsai gardening is recognized as an international art form. It is said to emote a sense of calm inner peace. Who couldn’t use some inner peace as winter drags on? Anoka Master Gardeners welcome you to visit our website: http://anokamastergardeners. org/ for information on many gardening topics, including: Home Landscape and Garden Fair, April 8; Plant Sale, May 16-17; Diagnostic Clinics, starting May 17; Landscape for Life classes, May 17-June 21; Walks in the Garden, starting June 14.
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QUAD AREA EVENTS DISCOVERY BOOK CLUB SOCIAL SECURITY: STRATEGIZE TO When: 6-7 p.m. MAXIMIZE Tuesday, Feb. 28 Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines Details: School age children will explore different topics based on the ‘Who Was’ book series This month learn about George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg and the science behind movies. No registration necessary. Contact: 763-717-3294 or anokecountylibrary. org
NATURE PLAY: MARCH MAPLES When: 10-11:15 a.m. Thursday, Mar. 2 Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes Details: Children 2-5 will discover the wonders of snow and ice through activities, crafts and a story. $3/child and adult. Contact: 651-429-8007 or anokacountyparks. com
QUILTER’S DAY IN When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 4 Where: Centennial High School East, room 112, 4881 101st Ln., Circle Pines Details: Bring a lunch and work on quilting projects. $12; register in advance. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/communityeducation
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE When and Where: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 4 at the YMCA in Lino Lakes, 7690 Village Dr.; and 1-7 p.m. Monday, Mar. 6 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1 North Rd., Circle Pines Details: All blood types and platelets needed. Call or go online to register. Contact: 800 RED CROSS or redcrossblood. org
When: 11:30-12:30 a.m. Thursday, Mar. 9 Where: SMW Credit Union, 700 Apollo Dr, Lino Lakes Details: Learn how to maximize Social Security benefits. $10 includes lunch. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/communityeducation
51ST ANNUAL WOODCARVING SHOW When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 11 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 12 Where: Northtown Mall, University Ave. NW & County Rd. 10, Blaine Details: 40 tables of carvings in a variety of styles on display by members of the Metro Chapter of the MN Woodcarvers Association. Exhibition only; no sales. Free admission. Contact: 763-4278822 or minnesotawood carvers.com
BUILDING NATIVE BEE HOUSES When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 11 Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes Details: Learn to make a bee house and attract pollinators. All ages; children must be accompanied by an adult. $5/person. Contact: 651-429-8007; anokacountyparks.com
SHAKE YOUR SHAMROCK When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 11 Where: Kelly’s Korner Bar, 7098 Centerville Rd., Centerville Details: 5K and 8K race along Centerville Lake. $30 through March 1 includes t-shirt and commemorative pint glass. Contact: shakeyour shamrock5k.com
Top 5 at PressPubs.com: Week of February 19 – 25
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1. Retired firefighter buys Bamboo Betty’s. Quad Community Press > News 2. Dance team: Viewettes cap season at state meet again. Shoreview Press > News 3. Literacy coaches boost love of reading. White Bear Press > News 4. HyVee coming to White Bear Lake. White Bear Press > News 5. DNR in more hot water over White Bear Lake issue. 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.
PARENT’S NIGHT OUT When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 11 & 25 Where: Lino Lakes YMCA, 7690 Village Dr. Details: Childcare and activities provided so parents can enjoy an afternoon/evening out. $25 or $20/Y members; or see early bird pricing specials. Registration required. Contact: 651-795-9622 or ymcatwincities.org/ locations/lino_lakes_ ymca
Read Across Anoka County
COOKING WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
WHEN: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 2
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Mar. 13 Where: Centennial High School East, room 112, 4881 101st Ln., Circle Pines Details: Use essential oils to make Shamrock shakes, protein bombs, cupcakes and cookies. $34; registration required. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/communityeducation
WHERE: Centennial Library, 100
EXECUTOR, TRUSTEE, OR GUARDIAN: WHERE DO I START? When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 14 Where: Centennial High School East, room 102, 4881 101st Ln., Circle Pines Details: Class will help participants figure out their role as an executor, power of attorney, or guardian. $28; registration required. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/communityeducation
LUNCH WITH A NATURALIST When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 15 Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes Details: Learn about maple syruping and take a stroll on the trails. Ages $50+; free. Bring a lunch. Contact: 651-429-8007 or anokacountyparks. com
SPRING COLLEGE FAIR When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 15 Where: Centennial High School West Gym, 4757 North Rd., Circle Pines Details: Representatives from over 100 regional colleges, universities, community colleges, technical colleges and specialty schools will visit with parents, students and members of the community. Contact: mn-acac.org or gotocollegefairs.com
CONFIDENT SITTER When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 18 Where: Community Ed Office, 4707 North Rd, Circle Pines-door B2
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of ‘Read Across America Day’ includes ‘Cat in the Hat’-themed party and storytimes.
Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines
CONTACT: anokacountylibrary.org DETAILS: Local celebration
Details: Kids 11+ will learn the skills to be a responsible babysitter, including basic fi rst aid and how to interact with children. $65; registration required. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/communityeducation
MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL When: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 19 Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes Details: Learn about the process of making maple syrup, do maple crafts, participate in a scavenger hunt and taste maple treats. For the whole family. $5/person; registration required. Contact: 651-429-8007 or anokacountyparks. com
LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES When: 5-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Mar. 23 & 30; Apr. 2, 20 & 27; May 4 & 11 Where: St. Joseph of the Lakes, 171 Elm St., Lino Lakes Details: 6-week workshop to help those living with Type II diabetes manage their health. $10 includes book. Contact: 651-270-8655 or valeriebenedix@ gmail.com
14TH ANNUAL HOPE GALA When: Saturday, Mar. 25 Where: Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens, 9500 W. River Rd, Brooklyn Park Details: Fundraiser for Alexandra House, a provider of domestic violence and sexual assault services in Anoka County. Cocktail reception, dinner, silent and live auction, games and prizes. Tickets $140. Contact: alexandra house.org
Ongoing WINTER WALKING When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Mar. 30 Where: Centennial High School West Building, 4757 North Rd., Circle Pines Details: Walk the halls of Centennial High School. No registration required. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/communityeducation
children birth-24 months and a caregiver. Contact: 763-717-3294 or anokacountylibrary. org
TODDLER STORYTIME When: 11-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines Details: Stories, songs and fingerplays for children ages 2-3 and a caregiver. Contact: 763-717-3294 or anokacountylibrary. org
FAMILY STORYTIME OPEN VOLLEYBALL When: 6:30-9:45 p.m. Fridays, through Apr. 21 Where: Centennial Middle School, 399 Elm St., Lino Lakes Details: Semicompetitive, social atmosphere. $5/session, no advance registration required. Contact: 651-982-2400 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us
GYMNASTICS OPEN GYM When: 7:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, through May 25 Where: Centennial High School East, gymnastics room, 4881 101st Ln., Circle Pines Details: Kids in grades 1-6 can practice skills in a supervised setting. $4 at the door. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/communityeducation
500 CARDS When: 7 p.m. Mondays Where: Lino Lakes Senior Center, 1189 Main St. Details: Seniors can play 500. Open to anyone. Contact: 651-982-2440 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us
When: 10:15-10:45 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m. Thursdays Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines Details: Stories, songs and fingerplays for children of all ages and a caregiver. No registration required. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
MINNESOTA TOPS CHAPTER 1126 LINO LAKES When: 8:30-10 a.m. Thursdays Where: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Room 23, 171 Em St., Lino Lakes Details: Lose weight with portion control. Local chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) invites men and women to weekly meetings. Contact: 651-483-6340
MINNESOTA TOPS CHAPTER 1722 LEXINGTON
When: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays Where: Lexington City Hall, community room, 9180 Lexington Ave. N. Details: Lose weight BABY STORYTIME When: 10:15-10:45 a.m. with portion control. Local chapter of TOPS Tuesdays (Take Off Pounds Where: Centennial Sensibly) invites men Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines and women to weekly Details: Stories, songs meetings. Contact: 763-780-8270 and fingerplays for
FEBRUARY 28, 2017
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donation for the Valley Outreach Food Shelf and receive a drink ticket. Contact: elks179.org
4TH ANNUAL RED, WHITE AND BREW MINI GOLF PUB CRAWL When: Noon registration, 1 p.m. shotgun start Saturday, Mar. 4 Where: Forest Lake American Legion, 355 W. Broadway Details: Stops at American Legion, Friar Tucks, Don Julio’s, VFW and Vannelli’s. Costume theme is bands or singers and includes chance to win prizes. Awards party, music and food at 5 p.m. $25/golfer. Contact: post225.com
‘The Tempest’ WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mar.
DETAILS: This Shakespearean
8, Friday, Mar. 10, Thursday, Mar. 16, Saturday, Mar. 18 and Saturday, Mar. 25; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12 and March 26; 10 a.m. student matinee Thursday, Mar. 23
classic whips up a whirlwind of excitement as we whisk you away to a remote island for a tale of trickery, romance, magic, and revenge. Tickets $25/regular; $23/ seniors; $20/students.
WHERE: Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake
CONTACT: 651-429-5674 or lakeshoreplayers.org
NEIGHBORHOODS NEARBY SHOREVIEW LAKESHORE QUILTER’S GUILD MEETING When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 and the 4th Tuesday of every month Where: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3920 Victoria St. N. Details: Guest speaker from The Shriner’s Hospital discussed donations of comfort quilts to people in their care. Group has over 80 members, and all are welcome to join. Contact: lakeshore quilters@gmail.com
EDUCATION IN SOCIETY SPEAKER SERIES When: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 Where: Liberty Classical Academy, 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Founder and
CEO of the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota Annette Meeks will discuss how education policy has evolved from a local issue solved by parents into a war waged by union bosses to control the system. Free and open to the public. Contact: 651-7722777 or libertyclassical academy.org
DIVE-IN MOVIE When: 7 p.m. Friday, Mar. 3 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N. Details: Guests can float with water noodles (not provided) relax on giant sea creatures, or lounge on pool-side chairs and enjoy a popular, familyfriendly movie. Free for members or a daily pass for non-members; no registrationrequired. Contact: 651-490-4750 or shoreview communitycenter.com
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 4 Where: White Bear Lake Area High School South Campus, 3551 McKnight Rd. Details: Training course designed to teach participants the risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, learn about early intervention and how to help a youth in crisis or with a substance abuse challenge. Registration required. Contact: 651-645-2948 or namihelps.org
LADIES NIGHT OUT
BLOCK PARTY
When: 5 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 9 Where: Brick Alley Building, 423 S. Main St., Stillwater Details: Downtown shops offer discounts, drink specials, food samples, fashion tips and decorating ideas, followed by Grand Finale drawing at 8:30 p.m. Contact: mainstreet stillwateriba.com
When: 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 11 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Drop-in Legobuilding event for all ages. No registration necessary. Contact: 651-275-7300 or washcolib.org
When: 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 4 Where: Century College West Campus Theatre, 3300 Century Ave. N., White Bear Lake Details: Concert is free and open to the public. Contact: 651-779-3214 or century.edu
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Mar. 10; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 11 Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave. Details: Performance by Northern Starz Children’s Theatre is based on the Terezin Nazi ghetto, where over 15,000 Jewish children passed through the doors and only about 100 were still alive when the camp was liberated at the end of World War II. $10/adults; $7 students and seniors Contact: northern starz.org
QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION CLASS When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Mar. 6 Where: Gladstone Community Center, 1945 Manton St., Maplewood Details: Learn the 3 steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide – Question, Persuade and Refer. Registration required. Contact: 651-645-2948 or namihelps.org
MINDFULNESS CLASS When: 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Mar. 7-Apr. 5 Where: Northeast Youth & Family Services, 1280 N. Birch Lake Blvd., White Bear Lake Details: Five session class that will help participants reduce anxiety, increase focus and improve relationships. $50; registration required. Details: 651-429-8544 or nyfs.org
‘GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA, GOOD MORNING JULIET’
STILLWATER ELKS When: 7:30 p.m. ANNUAL FROZEN BALLS Thursday, Mar. 9, BOCCE TOURNAMENT Saturday, Mar. 11, When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 4 Where: Stillwater Elks Club, 5880 Omaha Ave. N. Details: Cost per team is $40; or $10 per person. Food, prizes, jello shots and music. Bring a food
for 3D objects. Learn how to preserve digital memories, take a free family portrait, and research family history. Free; see website for exact times and details. Contact: 651-275-7300 or washcolib.org
‘I NEVER SAW ANOTHER BUTTERFLY’
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 5 Where: St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi Details: Performance by a traditional British Brass Band. Contact: lwbb.org
Friday, Mar. 17, Thursday, Mar. 23 and Friday, Mar. 24; 2 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 19 Where: Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake Details: In this modern play, a young
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English professor proposes a radical new theory—Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies were meant to be comedies. Tickets $25/regular; $23/ seniors; $20/students. Contact: 651-429-5674 or lakeshoreplayers.org
CENTURY COLLEGE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
LAKE WOBEGON BRASS BAND CONCERT
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COMEDY SHOW When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 11 Where: Running Ace’s Laugh Your Ace Off Comedy Club, 15201 Zurich St., Forest Lake Details: March show features headliner B.T., Rana May and hosted by Rick Logan. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Contact: 651-925-4600 or runaces.com
ABOUT BOATING SAFETY When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Mar. 17 and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 18; also Mar. 31 & Apr. 1, Apr 14 & 15, and Apr. 28 & 29 Where: St. Croix Marina, 16 First St., Hudson Wis. Details: 8-hour ABS course satisfies the MN and WI operator requirements for boats and personal watercraft. Offered by the Hudson Flotilla of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Contact: 612-418-0982; trevorcroteau@aol.com
BLUEBIRD WORKSHOP When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 18 Where: William O’Brien State Park, Marine on St. Croix Details: Learn about the Eastern bluebird, how to attract them, and how to build a nest box. Call to reserve a nest box it. Contact: 651-433-0500
‘WHAT’S HAPPENING’ CALENDAR GUIDELINES
Anyone in the community may send us news of an upcoming local event. The calendar is reserved for secular community events in or adjacent GREENWING DAY to Press Publication’s PANCAKE BREAKFAST coverage area. Priority When: 9 a.m.-noon is given to free or affordSaturday, Mar. 11 able events that are likeWhere: Heights ly to appeal to a broad Hall, 5880 Omaha Ave. audience. Publication of Stillwater events is subject to ediDetails: Ducks Untorial discretion. Due to limited Greenwing Day space limitations, there celebration includes is no guarantee whether, pancake and sausage when or for how long breakfast, exhibits include taxidermists, the submissions will be published. Submissions are Wildlife Science Center, subject to editing. bees and maple syrup, Please include date, fish-cleaning and lure-tying, marshmallow guns, time, location, cost, brief details, and contact inwood duck and bluebird formation for each event houses, and games with submission. Submission prizes. Open to the public. $5/adult; $2.50/child. deadline is Wednesday prior to the following Contact: 612-867-3767 weeks’ publication. Call 651-407-1226 with quesFAMILY HISTORY DAY tions. When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Online: www. Saturday, Mar. 11 presspubs.com/calendar Where: Hardwood Email: calendar@ Creek Library, 19955 presspubs.com Forest Road N., Forest Mail: Press Lake Publications Details: Bring in a Attn: Calendar photo, document or other 4779 Bloom Ave. memorabilia to scan White Bear Lake, MN on a high resolution 55110 scanner or light box
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Cougar’s school-record win just one of 3 thrills for the day BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
A wrestling zealot in a wrestlingcentric family, Tyler Shilson had a triplethrill day. The Centennial senior nabbed his third section championship, broke his school’s lofty career win record of 189, and saw his sister become only the second-ever female state qualifier. “We work out against each other. We always talk about wrestling. We feed off each other,” said Tyler, referring to Emily, a sophomore, and parents Chad, an assistant coach (financial advisor by trade), and Margaret, who facilitates things and is always on the sidelines with a camera. “We don’t critique each other, though. We leave that to dad.” Shilson, a Wisconsin Badgers recruit who’s placed fourth and second at the last two state tournaments, will take 37-1 record to state after winning the 152-pound title at Section 4AAA in Stillwater on Saturday. “His dad, sister and him, they breathe, eat and sleep wrestling,” coach Steve Peterson said. “What a great family to have in the program.” Shilson’s technical fall (18-3) against
Stillwater’s Peter Hagel was his 190th career win, including 71 at Maple Grove. With that, he passed the record of 189 held by assistant coach Tim Matheson. His career losses are “somewhere in the 20’s,” he said. The celebration for the achievement was very brief. “I thought about it (the record) a lot all week, and this morning, but once I got it, I forgot all about it, because I had to focus on my next match,” Shilson said. Shilson was almost an upset victim in the finals. Matt Muedeking of White Bear Lake was all over him for a quick 6-1 lead and stayed even most of the match before Shilson got the upper hand and won 13-9. Six of his 191 wins have been against Muedeking, but none this difficult. “He got me out of my zone,” Shilson said. “I started to get some points in the second and third period. I got them like I always do: by going low and throwing them down and using my cardio (endurance).” About Emily, who was runner-up at 106 (see separate story), he says, “People are asking me all the time if she is my sister,” and he’s pleased to say that she is indeed. And very pleased that she’ll be accompanying him on his last state trip.
Season comes to a close for Centennial girls gymnastics
Jakob Bergeland Centennial wrestling s chosen by press staf *Athlete f
Athlete
of the
Week*
After an exciting few months with a young team, regular season has ended with a varsity record of three wins and seven losses. The Varsity girls competed in Section 7AA finals on Feb. 18 in Forest Lake finishing sixth with a team score of 130.95. Andrea Gessner finished 11th in the all-around with a score of 34.325; Madison Dorn scored 32.475 finishing 15th and senior Amy Marrah scored 31.1. Gessner took first place on the vault scoring 9.6 which advanced her to compete vault in the state finals. The cougar Junior Varsity girls finished sixth in their Conference on Feb. 11. Maddie Baker finished 13th in the all-around with a score of 30.15 followed closely by teammates Sydney Nelson, Jillian Schotters, Savanah Driskell and Emma Pierson scoring 27.95, 27.6, 27.3 and 26.9 respectively. The Minnesota State High School Gymnastics competition was held on Saturday at the University of Minnesota’s Sports Pavilion. Gessner scored 9.75 on vault taking third place - a great way to end her high school gymnastics career. The team and parents want to thank coaches Tina Pierson, Deanne Thul and Josh Werness for everything they did this season. Submitted
Jakob Bergeland, Centennial senior wrestler, had three firstperiod pins as he cruised to the 138-pound championship in Section 4AAA on Saturday. Bergeland was state champion at 132 pounds in Class 3A last year and will try to add another title Friday and Saturday. The future Minnesota Gopher is 40-2 and ranked No. 2 by The Guillotine. Minnesota’s #1 Volume Toyota Dealer! Per Toyota Motor Sale USA 2017
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Cougar swimmers advance to State
The Centennial swim and dive team placed second at the 7AA Section Championship meet on Saturday. The medley relay team will advance to state after taking first, smashing the previous team record, with a state AA qualifying time of 1:38.90 (Lucas Baufield, Ivan Newham, Alex Poellinger, Skye Matson). In individual events, Alex Poellinger finished second in the 200 IM with a state AA qualifying time of 1:56.36 and a BRIAN POELLINGER | SUBMITTED team record. Poellinger Lucas Baufield (11), Alex Poellinger (12), Skye Matson (11) and also placed first in the Ivan Newham (12) advance to the State Meet. 500 free with a state AA qualifying time of 4:41.83. Ivan Newham will swim the 100 breast at state after finishing second with time of a 1:01.24 and a new team record. In the 200 free, Centennial placed eighth (Lev Deshitsa), eleventh (Andrew Blilie) and sixteenth (Liam Gulaid). In the 200 IM, the Cougars placed second (Poellinger), fourth (Newham), tenth (Reece Gulbrandson) and fourteenth (Jonah Carlson). Centennial landed third (Baufield), fifth (Matson), tenth (Matt Wiege) and thirteenth (Charlie Swanson) in the 50 sprint. In diving, Riley McNamara took third with Alberto Lopez Benito winning eighth place. The swimming continued the 100 fly with a tenth (Wiege) and twelfth (Charlie Sylvester) finish. In the 100 free, the Cougars placed third (Baufield), seventh (Deshitsa) and eleventh (Swanson). Centennial swam well in the 500 free taking first (Poellinger) and tenth (Blilie). In the 200 free relay, Centennial won fourth (Deshitsa, Swanson, Wiege, Matson). Centennial took fourth (Matson) and eleventh (Carlson) in the 100 back. In the 100 breast, Centennial placed second (Newham), seventh (Gulbrandson) and fourteenth (Sylvester). The Cougars compete at the MHSL State Championship at the UM Aquatic Center with prelims on March 3. Submitted by Brian Poellinger
SPORTS BRIEFS Cougar icemen in section finals against Crimson Centennial boys hockey will duel Maple Grove for a state tournament trip on Thursday after cruising through the first two rounds of Section 5AA last week. The Cougars (22-4-1) blitzed Osseo 7-0 and Anoka 6-1, with Lucas McGregor knocking in four goals, Graham Brickner three, Alex Knight and Matthew Jennrich two each and Jack Menne and Ryan Kranz once apiece. Centennial, seeded No. 1, will take on No. 2 Maple Grove (21-6) at Aldrich Arena on Thursday, 7 p.m. The No. 6 ranked Cougars and No. 9 Crimson split two games in conference play.
Six Cougar wrestlers advance to state Six Centennial wrestlers have qualified for the state tournament, including just the second female to reach the big show in the event’s 79year history. Cougars capturing Section 4AAA championships Saturday were senior Aiston DeGeest (28-9) at 132, senior Jakob Bergeland (40-2) at 136, senior Tyler Shilson (37-1) at 145, sophomore John Noll (26-8) at 170 and junior Justin Mohlin (31-10) at 195. Action took place at Stillwater. Emily Shilson, Cougar sophomore, reached the 106-pound finals with two pins. She lost to unbeaten, top-ranked eighth grader Reid Ballantyne 15-2. As runner-up, Shilson (30-7) will wrestle at state Friday morning. The only previous girl state qualifier was Elissa Reinsma of Murray County Central in Class 1A in 2009 and 2011. Bergeland, a defending state champion, had three quick pins, including Stillwater’s Jared Christian in the finals in 1:59.
DeGeest beat White Bear Lake’s Kris Thury 12-0 in the finals, Noll (scraped out a 1-0 decision over Stillwater’s Kevin Thole, and Mohlin earned his third state trip pinning Stillwater’s Connor Weiss in 5:16. Of Mohlin’s 92 career wins, 67 are pins.
Centennial girls (20-6) open sectionals Wednesday Cougar Centennial girls basketball closed Northwest Suburban play beating Armstrong 63-42 and TotinoGrace 61-51, with their usual balance (nine scorers each game, no more than 13) to finish 8-4 in third place. The No. 13 ranked Cougars (20-6) are seeded third in Section 5AAAA and will host Mounds View on Wednesday at 7 p.m Centennial boys basketball (11-13) lost close games to No. 11 ranked (4A) Robbinsdale Armstrong 70-68 and No. 9 (3A) Totino-Grace 74-71, last week. Josh McGreal sank 26 and 28 points. Shane Taleen had 19 against Totino.
Centennial names Triple A duo Olivia Rubel and Jacob Schneider are Centennial’s nominations for the Triple A award, a Minnesota State High School League program recognizing seniors for academic, athletic and arts excellence. Ruben is a four-year letter winner in cross country and track, chosen as captain of both; active in National Honor Society; sings in the choir, earning Superior ratings in solo/ ensemble contests; and serves as peer leader and elementary mentor. Schneider is a three-year soccer letterman and sings in the choir, earning a spot in the Northwest Suburban all-conference choir. Bruce Strand