Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com
March 20, 2014 • Volume 129 • Number 3
NEWS Shining a light on solar energy A workshop organized by Farmington-based Dakota Electric will focus on providing information about Solar Energy. Page 3A
Bekka Peterson
OPINION
Bekka battles back
Health issues in focus The ECM Editorial Board will focus its efforts on issues facing the health of Minnesotans in 2014. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
The Rosemount Area Arts Council’s Art Blast from June 23 to 28 will feature the Bluegrass Americana Festival with a performance by Sawtooth (upper left) and a square dance (upper right), visual arts events like the Red Pine Elementary School exhibit (lower left) and music like that heard at Christmas at the Steeple Center (lower right). (Photos by Tad Johnson except for Red Pine art exhibit)
‘Footloose’ returns The Play’s The Thing Productions is bringing the classic 80s rock musical to the stage of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Page 19A
SPORTS
Before the Rosemount Area Arts Council was founded in 2008, there were probably many creative folks who were working in the shadows. They would paint their wouldbe masterpieces, splice together their documentaries or strum their guitars in basement, garages or wherever they could find a spot. Since the inception of the council, the group has given these
artists a stage to show the rest of the community their talent. Film festivals, author events, art shows and even a community theater workshop has grown from the seeds the council has planted with one event in its first year and grew to 51 last year, attracting 5,690 people and featuring about 800 artists. Now those with an interest in the arts can have a “blast� this summer in Rosemount. The council is organizing the first ArtBlast from June 23-28 with a variety of mu-
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
sic, performance and visual arts events along with classes. “Basically, we wanted it to be an explosion of art,� said Jim Kotz, a council member. “The idea is for someone who lives in Rosemount, they can go anywhere that week and say, ‘What’s going on with all of this arts stuff ?’� Of course, the council is working hard to publicize ArtBlast, so every resident knows in advance all the events and can participate See ART, 14A
See BEKKA, 17A
Rosemount Area Arts Council plans weeklong celebration of the arts SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
by Jennifer Chick Saturday’s benefit is a chance for family and friends to celebrate with Farmington resident Bekka Peterson, who was seriously injured in a hitand-run accident last November, while also rallying around Bekka as she faces the many challenges ahead. Bekka’s Bright Night Medical Fund Benefit will be 4-8 p.m. Saturday at Carbone’s Pizzeria, 10 N. Eighth St., Farmington. The event will feature a spaghetti dinner, silent auction and music. “Bekka has been such an inspiration for every-
ArtBlast to launch this summer by Tad Johnson
Fundraiser set for family of Farmington woman injured in crash
Wills, Packard to run in House District 57B Candidates were endorsed Saturday by party members by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Blazing Cats advance to ďŹ nal The Blazing Cats lost 9-7 in the CI Division championship game at Bloomington Jefferson High School. Page 12A
The race in House District 57B is set. Rep. Anna Wills, RApple Valley, was endorsed by acclamation Saturday at the District 57 GOP Convention, while registered nurse Denise Packard, of Rosemount, earned unanimous endorsement from DFLers. Wills, a legislative assistant in the 2012 session for state Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, was
ONLINE
Denise Packard
Anna Wills
elected to her first term at age 28 in 2012 defeating Jeff Wilfahrt, a retired 3M engineer, with 53 percent of the vote in a district that includes Rosemount, Coates and a north portion of Apple Valley.
“I’m so grateful to have the enthusiastic support of the delegates, and I’m looking forward to earning the continued support of the voters for the Nov. 4 election,� Wills said in a press release. Packard, 57, a self-described “soccer grandma,� is a case manager and serves as quality lead at Medica Health Plans in Minnetonka. She said in a press release that she views the See RACE, 14A
by Jennifer Chick SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . 6A
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 15A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 Delivery 952-846-2070
See VAGTS, 14A
Heritage Figure Skating Club to have its annual show
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Public Notices . . . . . . 14A
A longtime Farmington resident was endorsed by House District 58B DFLers at their convention Saturday, March 8, at Farmington High School. Marla Vagts will face five-term incumbent Rep. Pat Garofalo, RFarmington, in the fall 2014 elec- Marla Vagts tion. Vagts, a contract supervisor for North American Communications Resource Inc., became in-
Broadway blades to shine
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Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 12A
Marla Vagts earns House District 58B endorsement
Fancy footwork is part of the package as Heritage Figure Skating Club members practice for their show this weekend in Lakeville. (Photo by Jennifer Chick)
Dozens of skaters will be showing off months of hard work in Lakeville this weekend. Members of Heritage Figure Skating Club, as well as skaters from Farmington’s and Lakeville’s Learn to Skate programs, have been practicing since last fall to perfect their steps, spins and jumps for Blades on Broadway, the club’s third annual show. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Hasse Arena, 8525 215th St. W., Lakeville. Ticket sales begin at 6 p.m. at the arena. Tickets are $8 for adults and
$5 for students under 18 and seniors over 55. This year’s program will be about two hours long with an intermission. It features many well-known Broadway songs and skaters at all levels. “We work really hard to make it as professional as possible,� said Janelle Wall, co-president of Heritage Figure Skating Club. Club kids have been practicing routines since last September. They have worksheets and track points that qualify them for special spots in the show, including step-out solos and duets, trios and quartets. The show will feature 55 girls. Fifteen parents will be skating in the program as well. Guest skaters will also
be performing. “I’m really excited because I love show season,� said Maddy Sliva, 12, of Farmington. “It’s pretty hectic. We have practice every night, but I love it.� Heritage Figure Skating Club was organized in 2009 after people in the area saw a need for a skating club to help youth who wanted to skate competitively. They wanted to give area skaters access to more ice and more time on the ice without as much commitment as the larger metro clubs. “A lot of the clubs in the metro area is a lot all at once so we wanted See BLADES, 2A
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