Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
June 29, 2017 • Volume 132 • Number 18
Celebrating the importance of play
NEWS Fire closes business EZ Auto Repair in Farmington had to close its location after a fire damaged the building near the downtown area. Page 2A
OPINION Caring for parents 360 Communities of Burnsville has many programs that helps new parents take care of their child and themselves. Page 4A
Park and Recreation Month brings fun activities in Farmington by Maren Bauer SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
For both young and old, play keeps us active and healthy. Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.� In order to encourage more play, Farmington’s Park and Recreation Department will celebrate
Park and Recreation month in July. Party on the Knoll, Music in the Park, and a Movie in the Park are among the activities slated during the month. The Park and Recreation Department in Farmington has impacted its community members’ lives through connecting seniors at the Rambling River Center, teaching youths healthy ways to
stay active through sports, and fostering friendships and family time at the outdoor pool. “(The Rambling River Center) provides a sense of place for older adults where they feel connected and part of a group rather than being isolated in their home,� said Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad. “The focus (of the sports program) is on beginning to introduce
young people to healthy options they can participate in for the rest of their life. ‌ (The pool) is where friendships are developed and families get to know one another while swimming in the pool.� As the city’s population has increased, parks and recreation participation numbers have, too. In 2015 there were 5,976 participants in all programs and events.
ArtBlast takes off in Rosemount
THISWEEKEND
In 2016 participation increased to 8,344. Most of this increase comes from the community type events the department offers such as Music in the Park and Movies in the Park that are held during the summer and early fall months. The department has focused on offering some of these events in neighborSee PARKS, 5A
Sunday liquor sales to begin on July 2 Farmington Liquor follows suit of surrounding communities by Maren Bauer SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
In March 2017, Gov. Mark Dayton lifted the century-old ban on the prohibition of Sunday liquor sales. Also known as blue laws, the laws that have been cited as enforcing religious standards, exist in many states. Apple Valley and Lakeville municipalowned liquor stores have decided to sell on Sundays and Farmington is also. Blair Peterson, liquor operations manager, looks forward to a new opportunity to serve the citizens of Farmington by opening on Sundays. “We chose to be open on Sundays because with all the surrounding cities having their stores open, we couldn’t afford not to be,� Peterson said. “Besides, it’s a great opportunity.� Peterson believes that being open on Sundays won’t increase overall sales as he expects the change will result in the same revenue for Farmington liquor. He said other states
‘Lion King’ roars at Mraz The Play’s the Thing Productions prepares to stage “The Lion King Junior� at the Mraz Center for the Performing Arts. Page 15A
SPORTS
Photos contributed by Mark Freier
Celebrating the champions The Class 4A champion Farmington softball team will be honored at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at the Farmington High School auditorium. Page 10A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 11A Announcements . . . . 14A Calendars . . . . . . . . . 14A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544
The Rosemount Area Arts Council’s ArtBlast week of June 19-25 included the Community Paint at Fireside Restaurant when participants painted a work of art under the guidance of Laura Baker (right), the Midsummer Wreath Project, and the melodrama “Mine, All Mine� in Central Park (above). The production by the Front Porch Players attracted a crowd of about 100 people as Kathy Swenseth played the protagonist and Jim Kojis was the villain. More photos are inside and online at SunThisweek.com.
See LIQUOR, 5A
Rosemount graduate vies in national event Brittany McLean has ascended to great heights in volleyball by Bill Kauffman SPECIAL TO SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Rosemount High School graduate Brittany McLean, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, is one of 35 players who are part of the U.S. Collegiate National TeamMinneapolis program that is competing June 25 to July 4 in the 38th Annual USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships at the Minneapolis Convention Center. While McLean will get a chance to shine within the USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline as a second tryout for the U.S. Women’s National Team this week, she will get to
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serve as role models for the younger generation competing in the ages 1117 GJNC tournament. McLean said she loves the chance to give back to the younger athletes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is always pretty fun,â&#x20AC;? McLean said of watching the Collegiate National Team program when she was playing at the Junior National Championships as a youth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was in that spot in my 14s (and-under) season. We just got to make sure that we are good role models for everyone. It is a cool feeling for sure. I sure Photo submitted hope that these girls one day are in the spot that we Rosemountâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brittany McLean, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, is one of 35 players participating in the U.S. Collegiate National Team Program in Minneapolis See MCLEAN, 5A alongside the USA Volleyball Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Junior National Championships.
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