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coexist in south metro

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April 27, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 9

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Home & Garden

Spring in Minnesota means it is time to turn one’s attention to projects around the house. Inside today’s edition

Opinion Charitable gambling deal Minnesota Legislature should allow electronic pulltabs and bingo to help fund Vikings stadium. Page 4A

sports

Opportunities to see national acts and for local, emerging artists to blossom by Michael Ricci Sun Thisweek

Photos by Rick Orndorf

The Lakeville Area Arts Center (left) and Burnsville Performing Arts Center have coexisted in the south metro for the past three years.

In Brief

Two Dakota County cities prove that there is more Larry Werner, Sun general than one way build, operate Thisweek and define an arts center’s manager and editor, writes today about role in the community. The 11-year-old Lakev- how the arts enrich ille Area Arts Center turned the lives of children. Page 4A a church into a community gathering place for perforone Burnsville mances, special events and classes, while the three-year-old City Council Much of the interaction at the Burnsville Burnsville Performing Arts Center member and The Lakeville Area Arts Center targets much Performing Arts Center is between artist and local of its programming on workshops and classes is banking on national entertain- vocal for local residents to be involved in creating art. patron. residents evment to fill its revenue stream and ery step of the its place in the arts scene. Because of the way the two arts way, while city than the more than $392,000 loss tober 2011 to become the center’s center projects were launched and leaders cooperating with residents that was budgeted for the year. third leader. “We plan to continue supported by municipal govern- was key to Lakeville’s success. “I am very pleased with the di- this in the future.” ments, they have different relation- Following a year of deep defi- rection the BPAC is going finan- While the city contracts with cit, in 2011, the Burnsville center’s cially and with its programming,” Iowa-based VenuWorks to operships with their communities. The embattled $20 million operating losses totaled more than said BPAC executive director BriSee arts, 10A Burnsville project was opposed by $275,000 – about $115,000 less an Luther, who was hired in Oc-

Eagles race to victory in Eagan

Cedar transitway hits another roadblock

Apple Valley won the boys championship at the Wildcat Invitational track meet Tuesday. Page 6A

BRT operations likely to be delayed until spring 2013 thisweekend

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Photo submitted

Members of Apple Valley’s Yellow Ribbon group receive congratulations from Gov. Mark Dayton, far left, at a Yellow Ribbon certification ceremony March 30 in Lakeville.

It’s official: Apple Valley’s a Yellow Ribbon city CD brings vets ‘Home Again’ An album of songs by local musicians about the modern veteran experience is being offered at this year’s Scoops for Troops. Page 12A

online Check out the new Sun Thisweek website at www.SunThisweek.com. Like the Sun Thisweek Facebook page at www. facebook.com/ sunthisweek.

Index Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A-7A Announcements . . . . . . . 8A Public Notices. . . . . . . . 14A Classifieds. . . . . . . 15A-18A

General Information 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

Volunteer group serving military members and veterans plans celebration next month by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

We’re here to help. That’s the message Bruce Folken and others involved in Apple Valley’s Yellow Ribbon program are hoping to send to military service members, veterans and their families living in the city. “This is an ongoing program, and there are a lot of ways we can help veterans and their family members,” said Folken, chairman of Apple Valley’s Yellow Ribbon steering committee. Yard work, landscaping and jobs around the house are among the projects the Apple Valley group is open to undertaking for veterans and active service members, Folken said. Those who’d like a helping hand, or those who want to volunteer, can contact the Yellow Ribbon group through its Facebook page, Facebook.com/applevalleyyellowribbonnetwork. Now that Apple Valley has achieved official Yellow Ribbon status – a designation bestowed at a March 30 ceremony in Lakeville attended by Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Rep.

John Kline – the group can now focus more on service, Folken said. To gain certification as a Yellow Ribbon city, the Apple Valley group’s eight subcommittees were required to complete action plans showing ways different segments of the community can support veterans now and in the future. The open-ended offer to lend a helping hand is possible, Folken said, because of the organization’s unique structure, which he likened to “the hub of a wheel.” It’s a directory of sorts that coordinates efforts by local groups – such as the Rotary Club, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce and churches – that provide resources, services and training opportunities. “Once you have all these connections, you can make a call and within a matter of minutes you have somebody who can help,” Folken said. “That’s what’s pretty cool about it.” Apple Valley’s Yellow Ribbon group has about 40 members and meets monthSee ribbon, 10A

The wait for Dakota County’s long-planned Bus Rapid Transit system is going to get a little longer. Instead of a November debut, the station-tostation shoulder-operating busway likely won’t be operational until spring 2013. And, the system may be even further delayed if Apple Valley and the county do not agree on design elements for stations at 140th and 147th Streets. Apple Valley officials

want raised walkways over Cedar Avenue at those stations as part of the initial project construction, while Dakota County has eliminated them from the plans until ridership grows to justify the expense. During a contentious Regional Rail meeting April 24, county commissioners expressed frustration at the delayed opening and Apple Valley’s demands for skyways. Dakota County Board Chair Nancy Schouweiler said at a recent meeting

with county and city officials that Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland agreed to a plan that builds the stations so the raised walkways could be added later. But, the Apple Valley City Council later opposed the compromise, and instead passed a resolution for walkways to be included as part of transit station construction in the city. Regional Rail Authority Chair Will Branning, See cedar, 8A

Profusion of farce

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Lexy Devitt, left, and Max Courtright are among the student-actors at Apple Valley High School who will be presenting the stage comedy “See How They Run” this weekend in the high school’s theater. Directed by Mary Sue Adey, the show runs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 27-28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29. More about the show is at www.avhstheatre.org.

April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Eastview presents ‘Bravo’

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Twelfth-grader Megan Geary, left, and other performers at Eastview High School rehearse Monday for their production of “Bravo 2012: The Envelope, Please!” Featuring singers, dancers and instrumentalists performing a variety of hits from generations of award winners – the Grammys, Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, Country Music Awards and Video Music Awards – the show runs at 7:30 p.m. April 27-28 and May 3-5, and at 2 p.m. April 29. Ticket information is at www.district196.org/evhs/activities/performingarts/bravo. “Bravo 2012” is directed by Greg Douma and Amy Jo Cherner.

Apple Valley man charged in bizarre home break-in An Apple Valinto the residence, ley man is facing a the homeowner, felony charge after clutching the wooda bizarre and violent en rod, stood ready home break-in earto defend himself. lier this month. But then things got Police say 29-yearweird. old Gabriel F. Serra- Gabriel Serrano’s mind no was drunk when Serrano apparently went he walked to a home blank. According on the 14100 block to the complaint, he of Garland Avenue in Ap- pulled out a chair, sat down, ple Valley around 3 a.m. and stated, “Where am I? April 7 and began kicking What am I doing?” at the back patio door. Police were called to the When the 72-year-old scene and Serrano was armale homeowner removed rested. Responding officers the wooden rod holding the described Serrano as “inback door shut, Serrano toxicated, resistant and unallegedly entered the dwell- cooperative with their coming and punched the hom- mands” and a Taser was eowner in the arm, drawing used to subdue him. blood. Serrano denied doing The homeowner struck anything wrong and told back, causing Serrano to officers he could not undertumble out the door, the stand what was happening, criminal complaint said. the complaint said. When Serrano charged back An Apple Valley police

spokesman said the breakin was “totally random” – Serrano didn’t know the residents of the home, and it’s unknown why he chose to enter that particular house. Serrano lives more than a mile away from the home on Garland Avenue. The homeowner told police that because of the break-in he would never sleep well in his house again. The homeowner’s wife, also 72, reported that she slept through most of the incident. Serrano has been charged with first-degree burglary, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine. His next court appearance is May 8. Serrano remained in custody at the Dakota County Jail as of Monday afternoon. —Andrew Miller

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Sun Thisweek April 27, 2012

News Briefs Memorial Day observance

Participants will form up at the park at 10:45 a.m. Coffee, juice, and doughnuts will served at 10 a.m. to all who participate in the ceremony. All citizens are welcome to participate in the events. Bring lawn chairs. For more information, call Lloyd Cybart at (651) 332-2352.

The American Legion Post 1776 Club will hold a Memorial Day observance at 11 a.m. Monday, May 28, at Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park in Apple Valley. The event will include units from the Legion, Sons of the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Boy Blood drive at Scouts, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol as well as mu- fire department sic by the Scott Highlands The Apple Valley Fire Middle School band. Department will hold a Red

Cross blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Station 1, 15000 Hayes Road. Call (800) 733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

Community bike ride is May 20 The 2012 Ride for the Greenways Community Bike Ride will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on May 20. The ride will begin in the east parking lot of the Min-

nesota Zoo in Apple Valley. This year there will be both a 10-mile family ride on paved trails and a 30mile road ride for more experienced riders. Snacks will be provided before, at the scheduled rest-stop in Rosemount and after the ride. Helmets are required for all riders. Cost before May 13 is $9 per person or $15 per family, and $12 and $20, respectively, after May 13. Register online at http:// valleybikeandski.com. Pro-

lect, plant and tend their own garden during the program. Junior Master Gardeners will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, May 29 through Aug. 28, at the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education Park (UMore), 1605 W. Junior Master 160th St., Rosemount. Call Gardener Camp (651) 480-7700 for more Children in grades four information and to register through six are eligible to your child. Space is limited. enroll in the Dakota Kids Junior Master Gardener See briefs, 14A Camp. Each child will se-

ceeds will benefit the North Creek Greenway Trail. The ride is sponsored by Bike Friendly Apple Valley and the cities of Rosemount and Apple Valley, the Minnesota Zoo, and area businesses.

FRIDAY, M AY 11 , 7PM SATURDAY, M AY 12 , 2PM & 7PM SUNDAY, M AY 13 , 2PM TH

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Opinion

April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek

The arts enrich the lives of children in powerful ways by Larry Werner sun Thisweek

When I was growing up in small-town Michigan, my mother was offered a handme-down accordion after cousin Billy got a new one. She asked me whether I would take accordion lessons, an offer I politely declined, and I’ve regretted that decision until this day. I love the arts but never took lessons in a musical instrument, in singing, in painting or any other artistic pursuit, but I’ve seen the power of art in the lives of my children and others. Whether it was in the beautiful rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend” that my older son sang to his wife at their wedding, or the excellent education my younger son received at an art charter school after he couldn’t find success at mainstream schools, I’ve seen the difference art can make in the lives of kids. And in Dakota County, the opportunities are everywhere for children to succeed as artists, even if they can’t succeed as athletes or scholars. No one knows that better than Helen Peterson, who has spent her career teaching young people to play musical instruments. She is director of the Minnesota Valley Conservatory of Music and Kindermusik of the Valley in Burnsville. While expressing optimism about her thriving private businesses that provide musical instruction to youth, she is distressed by cutbacks in music programs in the public schools. “It opens the brain and calms the body,” Peterson said about music in the basement office of an old mansion that is home to her businesses and other arts organizations. “Music touches every part of the brain.” Later in the day, she would be teaching a music-appreciation class to toddlers and their parents. No, she isn’t teaching babies how to play the piano, but she is letting them feel the rhythms of music while par-

Sun Thisweek Columnist

Larry Werner

ents rock them and massage them. She believes that a child who hears a musical piece when very young will retain some memory of it when he or she hears it later in life. That familiarity, Peterson believes, breeds a comfort with music that helps kids learn reading, writing, math and other life skills. “I think the arts – whether visual art, music arts or dramatic arts – put math, science, the social sciences into context,” she said. She said jazz helps us understand the events of 1920s America. And musical beats, she said, are mathematical. Music students tend to learn other disciplines, such as math, more easily, she said. So she offers Kindermusik movement and music classes to children from newborn to 6 years of age at the building on River Ridge Circle overlooking the Minnesota River. And in her other business, the Minnesota Valley Conservatory of Music, she offers instruction to older children and adults in a dozen instruments. She also teaches in a North Minneapolis outreach program, where she sees the calming effects of art on the at-risk youth who live there. “Children learn that music is something they can use to work through emotions and to control their emotions,” she said. Peterson, who took over the conservatory of music after its founder, Scott Winters, couldn’t keep it going while he was dealing with other business issues at the old mansion he tried to turn into a center for the arts. Because she was operating her Kindermusik franchise down the hall from the con-

Photo by Larry Werner

Helen Peterson, director of the Minnesota Valley Conservatory of Music and Kindermusik of the Valley in Burnsville, knows the value of teaching young people to love music. servatory, she decided to try to keep both businesses going. Both are now profitable, proving to her that there is great demand for music education in Dakota County. Despite that demand, she said, music programs are being cut back as school districts wrestle with funding issues. “It breaks my heart,” she said, “to see how much music is being dropped out of schools.” She mentioned cuts in music programs in Lakeville, where she lived before moving to Savage, and the threat to the arts as the financial pinch forces cuts in other local school districts. Getting back to my two sons, I think about the gift their artistic skills have made

in their lives. For Eric, who is 36, music was an activity that he pursued in addition to athletics. He was captain of the soccer team at Edina High School, but he also sang in the school choir, and he now uses his singing voice at weddings – his and his sister’s in recent years – and in bars equipped with karaoke machines. For Zack, who is 21, art played a more crucial role when he was young. Zack had soccer skills, but his attention deficit disorder made it difficult for him to comply with the directives of coaches and to coordinate his play with teammates. His teachers tried to be patient with him, but large classrooms and homework made it impossible for Zack to succeed in the Lakeville schools. During one of his most difficult times, in fourth grade, he agreed to try out for a play by Giant Step Theatre, which is run by Pete Martin, the longtime, now retired, director of community education in Lakeville. Zack, like so many young people, didn’t fit in on the athletic field. But he found his place at ARTech charter school in Northfield, on the stage of Martin’s Giant Step and in welding classes at Dunwoody Institute, where he learned the skills he needed to become a metal artist. We tend to salute the people who teach our kids to hit a baseball and kick a football, and they are to be thanked for their efforts. But it’s just as important to thank the Helen Petersons and Pete Martins of our community, who teach our children the value of art, which, Peterson says, is more than a sidelight for kids. “It’s a way of knowing,” she said. Larry Werner is editor and general manager of Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune. He can be reached at larry.werner@ecm-inc.com. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Charitable gambling deserves the break Hope for a Vikings stadium deal this legislative session waxed and waned this week, the result of irresolute or ornery legislators who seem to reflect the conflicted views of their constituents. But the rush to assemble a stadium funding package did expose a problem that deserves fixing, with or without a stadium package. Minnesota’s charitable gambling outlets have fought high taxes and dwindling receipts for years. Under a stadium deal forged in the House of Representatives, the charities got much of the relief they sought, and the state got its source of annual stadium debt payments from increased charitable gambling revenues. The deal allows charities to add electronic pulltab operations wherever they operate traditional paper pulltabs. Gamblers would play out of the same “jar,” whether tearing cardboard tabs or touching images on the screen of a portable device kept inside the venue. The deal also allows electronically linked bingo, which would allow play within a single tavern or through a network of digitally connected bars and restaurants.

ECM Editorial

If the games offer an 85 percent payback to players, number-crunchers at the Minnesota Gambling Control Board estimate, they will add $72 million a year to charitable gambling activity in the state. The stadium deal splits that down the middle — $36 million to the state for debt payments, and $36 million to the organizations in the form of tax relief and reform that would cut their tax bills by an average of 29 percent. Among the tax changes is a switch to taxing gross gambling receipts instead of taxing net receipts. It’s not a perfect stadium solution. It may fall $6 million short right off the bat, and if expanded gambling revenue is less than forecasted, backstop measures such as a stadium seat-licensing fee and a ticket tax would kick in. “If I had it to do over again, I wish nobody had ever suggested we be tied to a stadium,” King Wilson, executive director of Allied Charities of Minnesota, told the ECM Editorial Board.

But someone did suggest it — DFL Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, Wilson said — because it seemed a politically viable way in a shrinking menu of options to raise the state’s share of stadium funding. Charitable gaming is fighting years of erosion. During its early boom phase, the industry was hit with an abrupt tax increase that helped balance the state budget but, Allied Charities says, has never been revisited. State gambling taxes on charities jumped from $26.85 million in 1989, the year the tax was raised, to $52.63 million in 1990. Allied Charities also blames the smoking ban, a lowered threshold for drunken driving and the Great Recession for driving down business. Gross receipts for charitable gambling peaked in 2000 at $1.48 billion (before prizes paid to players). By 2009, they had fallen to slightly less than $1 billion. The number of charitable gambling operations has fallen in recent years from 1,800 to 1,200, Wilson said. The erosion is felt in local communities. People have differing views about whether

gambling money should go to public purposes, but in the case of charitable gambling, the benefits are some of the most visible and most taken for granted. Charitable gambling helps pay for fields, for dugouts, for park equipment and police gear. About 30 percent of charitable gambling proceeds in Minnesota go to local governments, according to Allied Charities. Wilson said 95 percent of what his organization in Columbia Heights gives away goes to the school district and the city recreation department. The stadium package and the charitable gambling solution deserve a final look before the 2012 Legislature limps home. If legislators have another go at the stadium in 2013, charitable gambling should remain on the table. The high-drama politics may not be what Wilson wanted, but the exposure may help him gain what his members and their communities deserve. This editorial is a product of the ECM Editorial Board. The Dakota County Tribune and Sun Thisweek are part of ECM Publishers Inc.

Letters National Day of Reason offers alternative To the editor: On Thursday, May 3, while Christians prostrate on the Capitol steps in St. Paul for the National Day of Prayer, the Minnesota Atheists will be celebrating

the National Day of Reason inside the Capitol’s rotunda at noon. The celebration is open to the public and we welcome all who are interested. The National Day of Reason is celebrated by secular organizations throughout the nation on the first Thursday in May as a collective response to the Na-

tional Day of Prayer. This is also a day that we highlight religious-based unconstitutional practices, policies, and referendums such as the anti-GLBT marriage amendment on this November’s statewide ballot. While it may be true that the texts of Abrahimic religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) forbid GLBT

Letters to the editor policy Sun Thisweek welcomes letters to the editor. Submitted letters must be no more than 350 words. All letters must have the author’s phone number and address for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Letters reflect the opinion of the author only. Sun Thisweek reserves the right to edit all letters. Submission of a letter does not guarantee publication.

Photo Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Orndorf Sports Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Rogers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Shaughnessy Sales Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Jetchick Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen Reierson

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sexual relationships, we can take comfort that we do not live in a Christian nation where the Bible dictates our lives in the bedroom. John Adams left little doubt about religion’s role in our government when he and Congress ratified the Treaty of Tripoli in 1797 which clearly indicates that “the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” It’s also important to note that the framers of our Constitution carefully made no mention of God or Jesus in our nation’s most sacred, law giving document. Our godless Constitution was written by men of science and reason who valued the teachings of Spinoza, Locke, and Hume. It is due to their devotion to reason, not Jesus, that the framers wrote “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Most atheists and many people of faith agree that our nation is strengthened when we preserve the Jeffersonian wall between religion and government. Both institutions are cheapened when one overreaches into the other. Whether you’re tired of impressionable children being led by their public

school teacher to pledge their allegiance to a nation “under God” or policy makers making an overt display of prayer, you can respond by actively celebrating reason every day with the Minnesota Atheists. ERIC JAYNE Apple Valley

cal economists bemoan it, school districts are expected to “do more with less,” and parents are concerned. Nothing moves the decision makers. Legislators, some of them educators themselves, need a wake-up call that may not be able to be delivered until November.

JUDY FINGER Editor’s note: Jayne is asso- Apple Valley ciate president of Minnesota Atheists Vote yes on

Stingy legislators To the editor: A letter from parents about the proposed reduction for a school schedule caught my eye. Reduced buying power in a local school district is forcing the district to make suggestions that reduce time in school, a concern for parents. This forced reduction in class time is necessitated by the stinginess of a state Legislature bent on forcing funding to come from the local school district rather than from the state level. This extreme ideological stance punishes our children, and change a hopeful future to one that is, at best, only mediocre. Minnesota used to have a national reputation as a leader in education funding. No longer is that so. Lo-

the marriage amendment To the editor: If not passed, the marriage amendment ballot question threatens my religious beliefs. As a Roman Catholic, I believe marriage is based on the unity of a man and a woman for the purpose of a lifelong, exclusive relationship of loving trust, compassion, and generosity, open to the conception of children. A wise man once told me to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything. I stand for marriage that includes only one man with one woman. No other definition meets my criteria. This fall, vote yes on the marriage amendment. JOHN FOLEY Burnsville

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Ex-boyfriend charged in shooting Felony charges have been filed following a drive-by shooting in Apple Valley earlier this month. Alpha O. Wagar, 21, of Eagan is accused of firing a BB gun at his ex-girlfriend’s bedroom window on the 13600 block of Ferris Avenue the night of April 10. According to the complaint, a relative of Wagar’s ex-girlfriend contacted police April 11 to report the incident, stating that Wagar’s ex-girlfriend had moved into her home in March following a contentious breakup, and that on the night of the shooting Wagar had sent his ex numerous threatening and profanity-laced text messages, which were shown to officers. Apple Valley officers who responded to the home on Ferris Avenue noted four holes in the bedroom window, four divots in the wall where the BBs hit and fragments of glass on the bed and floor. The homeowner’s son was the only person home at the time of the shooting and did not hear anything because his bedroom is in another part of the house, police said. No injuries were reported. Police searched Wagar’s vehicle on April 16 and found a BB gun, a slingshot, a canister of BBs and numerous loose BBs. Taken into custody, Wagar told police he had a long history with his ex-girlfriend, and that he had been trying to get her attention so she would talk to him. He further stated he drives by his ex-girlfriend’s home every evening “to make sure she is OK,” but denied shooting at the bedroom window, the complaint said. Wagar has been charged with three felonies – driveby shooting, possession of a firearm by an ineligible person and terroristic threats – as well as a lesser charge of criminal damage to property. —Andrew Miller

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Sun Thisweek April 27, 2012

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Sports

April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Blaze, Lightning have playoff-caliber game Burnsville victory breaks 1st-place tie in SSC baseball by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

As much as baseball teams try to downplay the importance of any regular-season game over any other, there’s a noticeable difference in intensity when Burnsville and Eastview meet. “We try to emphasize (playing) one game at a time,” Burnsville coach Mick Scholl said, “but games like this are fun because we know we’re going to be in a battle any time we play Eastview.” The teams hadn’t even reached the halfway point of the season when they played Monday at Alimagnet Park, but there was plenty at stake. No. 1-ranked Burnsville remained undefeated (9-0) after rallying for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to win 5-3. Burnsville also moved one game ahead of Eastview in the South Suburban Conference; each team entered Monday’s game 5-0 in league play. “It was like a playoff game, and that’s good for us,” said Blaze shortstop Matt Stemper. “You don’t see a team’s No. 5 starter in the playoffs. It’s going to be the other team’s No. 1 guy, and usually he throws in the high 80s with a nasty curveball.” A two-out, bases-loaded single by Burnsville catcher Kolten Kenly in the bottom of the sixth inning gave Burnsville a 4-3 lead and sent Eastview starting pitcher Evan DeCovich to the dugout. Later in the inning, Blaze senior Dillon Bloomquist doubled to drive in his team’s fifth run. Kenley’s two-run, go-

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Photo by Rick Orndorf Eastview pitcher Evan DeCovich works against Burnsville Burnsville’s Bo Hellquist rounds second base on his way to scoring on Matt Stemper’s in a South Suburban Conference baseball game Monday at double in the second inning of the Blaze’s 5-3 victory over Eastview on Monday. Alimagnet Park. was ranked seventh in Class ahead single landed just in ready leading 3-2, got a top of the fifth. front of a diving Eastview runner to third base with “We had eight hits to- 3A last week. Its only losses outfielder. If the ball had one out. But when Eastview day, so that’s a good sign,” were to the teams ranked carried a couple feet more, put on the squeeze, Burns- Strey said. “We’ve been a first and second – Burnsthe Lightning might have ville pitcher Brian Vander- little offensively challenged ville and Eden Prairie. The Lightning has lost been out of the inning and Woude threw the ball high so far this season.” perhaps on its way to a vic- and tight and the hitter The same could be said five of its last six games couldn’t put down a bunt. for a lot of high school against Burnsville, includtory. “Well, we would have That left courtesy run- teams with the introduc- ing playoff games. It’s a had a chance to win,” ner Joe Schlosser trapped tion of new bats designed trend Eastview would like Eastview coach Tom Strey halfway between third and to rein in the long ball. The to reverse when it plays said. “Burnsville is an ex- home, and Kenly tagged Batted Ball Coefficient of host to the Blaze on May Restitution bats were man- 14. cellent offensive team, but him out in a rundown. it would have been nice to Scholl credited pitching dated for high school ball “Burnsville’s an outhave the opportunity to coach Rob Weber for go- this year after being used at standing team, one of the best high school groups to take a lead into the seventh ing to the mound and talk- the college level in 2011. ing about the possibilities “We’re probably not go through in quite some inning. “We got very good with VanderWoude, Kenly going to see the 400-foot time,” Strey said. “But pitching, and we thought and the infielders. Scholl homers that we sometimes we’ve got to beat them at pitching would be one of also said that once Vander- used to get,” said Stemper, some point.” our strengths. Our defense Woude saw the runner a key figure in Burnsville’s Eastview starts next has been solid all season, break from third base, he run to the 2011 state Class week with a trip to Lakevand it was again in this was able to adjust in mid- 3A championship. “But it ille North on Monday afgame. But we didn’t run delivery and throw a pitch doesn’t really change the ternoon. Burnsville, meanthe bases very well. We that would be difficult to way we hit. We want to see while, travels to Lakeville Photo by Rick Orndorf the ball deep and take it the South. gave them some outs on the bunt. Eastview infielder Austin Hebig After the teams traded other way. We’ve always basepaths.” takes the throw as Burnsville’s Burnsville also foiled an runs in the second and relied on speed and small Mike Shaughnessy is at Matt Stemper slides back into mike.shaughnessy@ecm-inc. second base during the Blaze’s attempted suicide squeeze third innings, Eastview ball.” by Eastview in the sixth took a 3-2 lead on Camer- Eastview, 5-2 overall af- com or facebook.com/sun- 5-3 victory Monday at Alimagnet inning. The Lightning, al- on Hall’s RBI double in the ter the loss to Burnsville, thisweek. Park.

AV boys, LV South girls dominate Wildcat Invitational Farmington’s Lorencz sets 3 girls meet records by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Apple Valley and Lakeville South walked away as convincing winner at the Wildcat Invitational track and field meet Tuesday at Eagan High School. The Apple Valley boys, sparked by a victory in the 4x800-meter relay and second-place finishes in three other relays, came in 63 points ahead of Woodbury. Lakeville North was fourth, Eagan fifth and Farmington seventh in the eightteam meet. Lakeville South outclassed a field of 10 teams in the girls meet, scoring 189 points, 83 more than second-place Eagan. Apple Valley, Farmington, Lakeville North and Rosemount finished third through sixth. The Apple Valley team of Alex Brandel, Nick Hughes, Tyler Roberts and Mitch Hechsel won the 4x800 relay in 8 minutes, 16.50 seconds. The Eagles finished second in all three sprint relays. Hechsel also was a winner in the 400 dash in 50.26 seconds. Quinn Hooks emerged from a logjam of six high jumpers who cleared 6 feet, 2 inches to take first in the event. Apple Valley’s Jalen Stewart and Eagan’s Jackson Prestrud and Matt Anderson also among those clearing 6-2 before a tiebreaker was implemented. Other first-place finishers in the boys competition included Lakeville North’s Kyle McPhee (pole vault, 13-9) and Ben Krynski (shot put, 47-5 and discus, 141-5). Eagan junior Danielle Anderson won the girls

1,600-meter run in 5:08.26, a meet record and the fastest reported time in the state this season. The Wildcats’ Maddie Gourley, an eighth-grader, won the 200 dash in 25.46 and the 400 in 58.19. Eagan’s Anna VanWyk won the 800 in 2:26.78, three hundredths of a second ahead of teammate Kelli Praska. Lakeville South’s Annie Brekken ran the 3,200 in 11:30.07, winning the event by 27 seconds. Farmington athletes were champions in both girls hurdles races, with Nadia Lorencz taking the 100-meter race in 14.97 and Alyssa Parco winning the 300 in 45.29. Lakeville South won three of the relays in the girls meet. Rachel Mickelson, Emily Wick, Morgan Pieri and Kaitlin VanWinkle teamed to win the 4x200 in 1:46.30. Rose Cozad, Rachel Mickelson, Shaina Burns and Kayt Larson took the 4x400 in 4:02.32. Emma Mickelson, Megan Kilbride, Brekken and Larson were first in the 4x800 in 9:31.48. Lakeville North’s Claire Seivert, Kendall Naatjes, Alexa Trakalo and Angie Anyaogu won the 4x100 relay in 49.90. Lakeville South put its field event strength to good use in the Wildcat Invitational as Pieri cleared 5-6 to win the high jump and Jordyn Thornton swept the throwing events. Thornton’s winning throws were 44-5 in the shot put and 133-11 in the discus. Farmington’s Lorencz left the meet with three first-place finishes. In ad-

Stepan has big plans for Rosemount hockey New coach believes Irish’s fortunes can change quickly by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Photo by Rick Orndorf

A crowded pack in the girls 1,600-meter race at Tuesday’s Wildcat Invitational included (from left) Cami Sjoquist of Apple Valley, Chloee Sagmoe of Lakeville North, Megan Lubow of Lakeville South, Taylor Rambo of Rosemount, Alicia Hett of Farmington, Emily Davis of Rosemount and Liz Evenocheck of Rosemount.

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Apple Valley’s Dom McDew-Stauffer (right) runs a leg of the 4x200-meter relay at the Wildcat Invitational in Eagan on Tuesday. Apple Valley won the boys team championship. dition to her 100 hurdles victory, she won the long jump (18-4) and triple jump (37-0 3/4). Lorencz set meet records in all three of her victories. Apple Valley girls swept the top three places in the

pole vault, with Kelsey Harms clearing 11-6 to win the event. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike.shaughnessy@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Rosemount has lost 20 or more boys hockey games each of the last four seasons, but new head coach Brad Stepan said he believes the talent is in place to change that, and quickly. If he didn’t, Stepan said, he wouldn’t have taken the job. He had other options, including spending more time watching his son play in the National Hockey League. Stepan is a longtime youth hockey coach and administrator in Hastings. He also has scouted for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he said he scouted the Rosemount program much like he would an upcoming opponent. A conversation with Lakeville North boys hockey coach and Rosemount native Trent Eigner helped convince him to take the job. “I’ve done my homework. I’ve talked to a lot of people. I know Trent very well, and he had nothing but good things to say about the youth association in Rosemount,” Stepan said Tuesday, the day his hiring was announced. “That was important to me, because I think a big part of this job will be getting involved in the youth program.” Stepan’s son Derek, 21, is with the New York Rangers after playing previously for Hastings High School, Shattuck-St. Mary’s and the University of Wisconsin. His daughter Josie is a senior at Hastings High, where she was a hockey cap-

tain. She will enroll at Wisconsin in the fall. With his son’s NHL career established and his daughter about to leave for college, Stepan said this was a good time for him to take on the challenge of running a high school program. “Two years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to do this,” he said. “Now that my son is two years into his pro career, and seeing how he’s handled himself, I think he’s on his way. My daughter played high school hockey, and I didn’t want to miss any of her stuff.” Rosemount assistant principal and athletic director Mike Manning said the district reviewed 16 candidates for the position and brought in seven for interviews. “Brad wowed the interview team with his enthusiasm, his confidence, and his vision for building our boys hockey program,” Manning said. Stepan replaces Scott Macho, who coached the Irish the last seven seasons and led them to the Section 3AA championship game in 2008. Like his son, Brad Stepan was drafted by the Rangers. But he didn’t crack the NHL after being selected 91st overall in 1985. His coaching career includes stops as an assistant at Hastings and Henry Sibley high schools. “As far as high school hockey goes, I get it,” Stepan said. “We’re going to have high expectations for the players, but it also has See new coach, 7A

Sun Thisweek April 27, 2012

Detlefsen, Eastview take lead on the links Lightning wins SSC season opener by 21 strokes by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

The first South Suburban Conference girls golf tournament of the season was last week, and it didn’t take long for a dominant team and individual to emerge. Eastview won the team competition by 21 strokes at the April 18 tournament at Dwan Golf Course in Bloomington. The medalist was Eastview senior Sara Detlefsen, who shot a 2-over-par 70 and was 10 strokes ahead of secondplace Erica Power of Apple Valley. The Lightning’s top four scores, which made up the team total of 326, all were 87 or lower. Junior Madi Roe shot 84, senior Maddy Paulsen had an 85 and sophomore Kari Opatz turned in an 87. Senior Lydia Jorgenson and junior Whitney Hanson also played for the Eastview varsity. “We played well in every respect,” Eastview coach Bob Boldus said. “The girls did an awesome job.” Last weekend, Eastview went to the Hayfield Invitational at Oaks Country Club and won by a similarly wide margin. The Lightning shot 341 in the April 21 tourney and finished 28 strokes ahead of runner-up Rosemount. Detlefsen again led the Lightning with a 75 (3 over) and again was 10 strokes ahead of second place. Paulsen and Rosemount’s Molly Flynn both shot 85, with Flynn winning the second-place award in a scorecard playoff. Opatz shot 88, and Roe and Jorgenson both shot 93. new coach, from 6A to be fun for them. “One thing that’s going to be a challenge for our staff is making sure we keep kids here. We need to make the program attractive to the athletes, and we need to have the top-end guys stay here.” Stepan said he intends to build depth in the varsity and junior varsity programs. “I want 35 kids in the program,” he said. “I want to be able to play four lines. I’m not somebody who’s going to play two lines, three defensemen and the same goalie in every game.” He was scheduled to meet with his new players and representatives of the hockey association Wednesday. Even before those meetings, Stepan said he thought the Irish could turn things around quickly. “Several of the teams in the youth association had good seasons,” he said. “The Squirt program had a good year and the Pee Wee and Bantam programs are strong.” Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

With Detlefsen at the front of the lineup, Eastview is a threat to return to the state tournament after finishing sixth in Class 3A in 2010. Detlefsen, who has signed with Florida Gulf Coast University, tied for third at the 2009 state tournament and tied for second in 2010. She did not attempt to qualify for the 2011 state tournament because it conflicted with a national junior event she planned to play in Rochester. “Sara is an outstanding player, and she’s pulling along the rest of the team,” Boldus said. “The rest of our girls want to play well enough to support her, and that’s given us a good team, not just a couple of good players.” If there has been an across-the-board improvment, it’s been within 50 yards of the green, Boldus said. The players have become more proficient at saving strokes around the greens. Their male counterparts might prefer to spend more time on the range hitting the driver, but “girls aren’t necessarily out there to hit the long ball all the time,” Boldus said. “The girls, if they get a little tired, might come to me and ask if they can go chip and putt. I’m like, ‘sure.’ ” Paulsen, Roe and Opatz spent a lot of time playing last summer, although not necessarily in tournaments, Boldus said. The idea this

spring is to give the players as much competitive experience as possible before the Section 3AAA tournament in late May and early June. At the same time, “we don’t want to look toward the end of the season yet,” Boldus said. “We can learn something every time we play.”

Eagles hopeful Although Eastview has had an impressive start, other South Suburban teams maintain hope of catching the Lightning in the conference standings. Power’s 80 at Dwan was a pleasant surprise for Apple Valley coach John Christiansen. Power went into the tourney as the Eagles’ No. 2 player. “Erica had 28 putts in 18 holes. Her short game was exceptional that day,” Christiansen said. Power and Lauren Kerr, the Eagles’ No. 1 player, are sophomores. Kerr qualified for the state tournament last year and finished 74th. “Lauren played a lot of junior tournaments last summer, seven or eight of them,” Christiansen said. “Erica spent a lot of time at Crystal Lake (golf course). So they’ve both put in some time on their games.” While Power was solid around the greens in the first SSC tournament, Kerr has picked up some distance. “What I’ve noticed with Lauren is on a lot of holes

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it’s driver off the tee and 8- or 9-iron (on approach shots), where in years past – not necessarily last year – she might have hit hybrids,” said Christiansen. Kerr shot 86 in the SSC opener and senior Maren Kleopfer had an 88. Junior Marie Breckner shot 95. Ninth-grader Rachel Harty and senior Megan Lentz also played in the first SSC tourney. Several of the players have gotten help with their games from Matt Bilek, who coaches the Apple Valley boys team and also is head professional at Valleywood Golf Course. With more girls working harder on their games, expectations are going up. Apple Valley finished fourth in the conference opener, and the coach said the players believed they should have been second. They were two strokes out of second place. “This is the first year since I’ve been coach that we’ve had some expectations for finishing in the top

half of the conference and than her Prior Lake counbeing competitive,” Chris- terpart. tiansen said.

Braun back to lead Wildcats Although she didn’t have her best day in the conference opener, shooting an 89, Eagan junior Shelby Braun is expected to be one of the Wildcats’ top players. Braun was the only Eagan player to qualify for the 2011 state tournament and tied for 49th place. Mallory Drenttel, also a junior, shot 84 at Dwan and finished fifth. Kara Bloom, a senior, shot 86 to finish eighth. Senior Ellie Rohlf shot 88. Juniors Erin Klukas and Jenny Westlund also played for the Wildcats. Klukas’ score didn’t count toward the team total yet helped Eagan clinch second place. The Wildcats tied Prior Lake at 347, and tie was broken by using the fifth player’s score from each team. Klukas’ score was three strokes better

Flynn returns for Irish

Flynn, a junior, tied for 32nd place in the 2011 state Class 3A tournament, and she will help lead the Irish again this season. She started her season with an 87 at the SSC opener. Monica McDonald, a ninth-grader, shot 88. Sophomores Ashlee Humble and Molly Reber shot 94 and 98 to complete Rosemount’s 367 team score (sixth place) at the Dwan tourney. Senior Katie Peare and junior Robin Tousignant also played for the Irish. Rosemount shot 369 at the Hayfield Invitational on April 21 to finish second to Eastview. Flynn shot 85 and won a scorecard playoff to finish second individually. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Transitway planning marches on Layover facility construction, Robert Street planning advanced by Laura Adelmann

Transit Authority and will include a restroom and vending machines for drivers. Final authorization also was granted to dedicate another $316,100 in Regional Rail levy funds for the purchase of seven sleek BRT buses designed for quick boarding and exiting, planned to provide quarterhour stops at five stations on Cedar Avenue. Those BRT vehicles are planned to run on bus-only shoulder lanes, while express bus service will continue to shuttle passengers to Minneapolis, St. Paul or the Mall of America for easy connections to other transportation systems including the Hiawatha Light Rail. Timing and technology is key to the transitway operations, as routes must

Sun Thisweek

Despite concern regarding possible delays with the opening of Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit, the project also progressed April 24 with authorization for several planned and budgeted funding designations. Dakota County commissioners, acting as the Regional Rail Authority, authorized spending up to $1.5 million of transitway project funds, as budgeted, to design and construct the planned Apple Valley Transit Station vehicle layover facility. It is to be built on vacant land adjacent to the existing transit station and will have space for storing and staging up to 10 BRT vehicles. The layover facility will be owned and maintained by the Minnesota Valley

coordinate seamlessly with the regional transit system, Dakota County Transportation Director Mark Krebsbach said. Forwarding that mission, commissioners authorized the planned addition of $200,000 for technology that will give buses signal priority at intersections. Commissioners also approved an agreement for an expansion of a 2008 feasibility study that will examine transitway alternatives on Robert Street, running

from downtown St. Paul to UMore Park in Rosemount. Dakota County is leading that transitway project in partnership with Ramsey County and names numerous other state and federal entities as stakeholders, as well as 10 surrounding cities that include Eagan and Rosemount. The study is expected to be completed by next year.

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us hostage?” asked County Commissioner Paul Krause. “It’s not holding you hostage,” Branning said. “You either comply with their resolution or you ask for amendments (to the city’s resolution).” “That’s an ultimatum in my mind, which is the same thing as holding someone hostage,” Shouweiler said. “If that’s the case, we have no choice than to say well, we don’t get a building permit, we don’t open a line.” In an interview with Sun Thisweek, Hamann-Roland said the BRT runs through the heart of Apple Valleyand that the system should be built so people feel safe using it. She said the city is willing to risk slowing the BRT project to ensure that development of the walkway does not cause multiple disruptions to businesses and residents. “We want to do it right,” she said. “We want to efficiently build Bus Rapid Transit so people ride it, and we want to build it so transit-oriented development occurs.” County Transportation Director Mark Krebsbach said he will continue discussions with the city to resolve the issues.

whose district includes Apple Valley, said without the walkways, the Apple Valley City Council may not approve a building permit for the stations’ construction. “So they’re going to hold

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Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Driving distractions Cedar Avenue’s transition from a road to a transitway has greatly affected Apple Valley businesses and commuters, and the inconvenience is expected to continue. This summer, the Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to begin a $7.5 million road-resurfacing project on Cedar Avenue (Trunk Highway 77) between 138th Street in Apple Valley and the Minnesota River bridge in Bloomington. According to the state, the work is set to begin Aug. 6 and finish Oct. 11. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Georgia D. (Wiedenman) Terwilliger A woman of strength and beauty, ended her life journey on April 13, 2012, surrounded by family and loved ones. Born Feb. 22, 1925, in Iroquois, So. Dak., the youngest of five children of Henry and Ethel Wiedenman, Georgia married the love of her life, Raymond W. Terwilliger, on Sept. 19, 1944, in San Diego, Calif. Following the end of WWII, Georgia and Ray farmed for several years in South Dakota, and resettled in Minnesota in 1953. Georgia attended South Dakota State University, Brookings, and earned an associate’s degree from Normandale Community College. She served as executive assistant to the superintendent of Ind. School District 191 for 28 years. Her dedication, impeccable work ethic, and professional demeanor set the standard through the tenure of five different superintendents. The Georgia D. Terwilliger Media Center at Hidden Valley Elementary School was established in her honor in 1989. After her retirement, Georgia spent her remaining years doing what gave her most joy, spending time with family and friends. Georgia’s graciousness, patience, gentle spirit, accepting nature, and generous and loving heart endeared her to all who had the good fortune of knowing her. She will be remembered for her smiles, her courage, her sense of wonder, and her calm and caring presence. She has been a gift to her family, her friends, and to the world, and she will be sorely missed. Preceded in death by parents, Henry and Ethel, and siblings Boyd (Elaine) Wiedenman, Phoebe (Nick) Jones, Maxine (Gene) Annis, and Reva (Duane) Garry. Survived by loving husband of nearly 68 years, Raymond Terwilliger; children, Charlene (Cal) Hoe, Pamela (Sonny Haas) Terwilliger, and Scott (Peg) Terwilliger. She was immensely proud of her 10 grandchildren: Kala (Kapua) Hoe, Liko (Hoku) Hoe, Kawai Hoe, Brian Martodam, Craig (Sara) Martodam, Shana (Jeff) Schmidt, Alisa (Jim Carter) Martodam, Kelly (Matt) Davis, Kristofer (Ashley Bendt) Terwilliger, and Nikolas Terwilliger; and her great-grandchildren: Kahiwa, Maile Emma, Keenan, Marla, Bailey, Blake, Brayden, and Austin. A celebration of Georgia’s life will be Friday, June 29, 2012, 2-7 p.m., at Cleary Lake Regional Park Pavilion, Prior Lake. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association, or to a cause close to your heart.

Edward Wallin 8/11/1957-3/18/2012 THANK YOU

Thanks to the support of family, friends, and community members, Eddie was able to receive the final arrangements and resting place he so richly deserved. Thank you again for your generosity and kindness. Ed was truly a shining star in the Lakeville Community.

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Coltrain Moench Tom and Sheri Moench of Lakeville announce the engagement of their son Jeff, to Samantha Coltrain, daughter of Rick and Cheri Coltrain of Balwin, Wis. Samantha is a 2007 graduate of Baldwin High School. She is currently employed at Club Monaco at MOA. Jeff is a 2002 graduate of Lakeville High School. He is currently employed at Walsh Construction of St. Paul. A September wedding is planned.

To submit an announcement Forms for birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and obituaries announcements are available at our office and online at www.thisweeklive.com (click on “Announcements” and then “Send Announcement”). Completed forms may be e-mailed to class. thisweek@ecm-inc.com or mailed to Sun Thisweek, 15322 Galaxie Ave., Suite 219, Apple Valley, MN 55124. If you are submitting a photograph along with your announcement, please only submit photographs for which you have the right to permit Sun Thisweek to use and publish. Deadline for announcements is 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fee of $50 will be charged for the first 5 inches and $10 per inch thereafter. They will run in all editions of Sun Thisweek. Photos may be picked up at the office within 60 days or returned by mail if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

Sun Thisweek April 27, 2012

Local tattoo shop hopes to ‘rock’ breast cancer walk by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

Whether it’s style, rebellion, symbolism or culture, everyone has a unique reason for getting a tattoo. But one Eagan tattoo shop owner hopes area residents will get inked for a good cause – fighting breast cancer. Rockin Tattoos will give tattoos of pink ribbons and other cancer symbols from noon to 6 p.m. May 5 in an effort to raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk. Artists will also accept requests for other ribbon colors, which symbolize various types of cancer. In addition to permanent tattoos, which cost between $40 and $300, attendees can purchase temporary tattoos for $2 at the event called Tats for Tatas. While waiting for their tattoos, attendees will be able to munch on pizza donated by Carbone’s. All proceeds will be donated to a local 3-Day team called Team Breast Foot Forward. Owner Joe Christensen said

he was inspired by his sister’s battle with cancer to become involved in raising money for cancer research. “After seeing how so many people helped my sister, I wanted to give back,” Christensen said. At age 36, Christensen’s sister, Tina Marsh, was diagnosed in 2007 with breast cancer, which had already metastasized to the lymph nodes. “I was devastated,” she said. “All I could think about was my three boys.” At ages 1, 6 and 7, Marsh’s sons were too young to understand the seriousness of her illness. Christensen, too, was stunned by the news. “It didn’t seem real at first,” he said. “You never think it will happen to someone close to you.” Over the next two years, Marsh endured chemotherapy, a single mastectomy and several reconstructive surgeries. Through it all, Marsh said she was able to stay strong

with the support of family and friends. During her battle, Christensen donned the image of a pink ribbon and horseshoe, along with Tina’s name on his leg, in dedication of her courage and luck. Marsh’s cancer has been in remission for several years now, and today she dedicates her time to raising awareness. Previously, Christensen has helped raise money for the Angel Foundation. So, naturally he agreed without hesitation to raise money for his sister’s cancer walk team. Pink Courage will be at the event as well to sell its iconic pink goods. The nonprofit plans to donate 20 percent of its proceeds to the team. Rockin Tattoos is located at 3390 Coachman Road, Suite 210, in Eagan. For more information, call (651) 340-0257 or visit rockintattoos.net. Photo by Jessica Harper Jessica Harper is at jessica. harper@ecm-inc.com or face- Rockin Tattoos owner Joe Christensen plans to host an event at his shop May 5 called Tats for Tatas to raise money for a Susan G. Komen 3-Day team. His sister, book.com/sunthisweek. Tina Marsh, is a member of the team and a breast cancer survivor.

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April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Forces join to battle homelessness Campaign launch is May 14 at Mary, Mother by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

Jean MacFarland of Burnsville has been helping people in need find homes for 35 years. MacFarland and her late husband, Tom, were foster parents for Dakota County. In the early 1990s Jean was director of the Lewis House women’s and family shelter. Today MacFarland chairs the board of the 125-congregation Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing. For all the attention focused on homelessness over the years – including in relaarts, from 1A ate the facility, Friends of the BPAC, a volunteer and fundraising organization, supports the center. The organization raised more than $400,000 in cash and in-kind donations from citizens, foundations and businesses during the center’s construction. Funds were used to enhance the arts center with better seats, a state-of-theart audio system, floors and mirrors for rehearsal rooms, floors in the Black Box Theater, as well as other amenities. “They were very instrumental during the construction phase,” Luther said. “They continue to raise funds to support the BPAC.” When the Lakeville center started, fundraising was critical to its launch. In its first 10 years, the Friends of the Lakeville Area Arts Center has raised about $830,000. Fundraising has included a “Buy-A-Chair” campaign, which brought in $122,000, and a “BuyA-Brick” effort for donors names to be etched into bricks at the center.

tively prosperous Dakota County, once thought immune to it – MacFarland says there’s never been a better time to attack the problem. Her optimism stems from campaigns unfolding statewide under the Heading Home Minnesota banner. Locally, the Heading Home Dakota campaign will be launched at a public forum on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville. “What really excites me about Heading Home Dakota is that this is a communitywide effort, a col Other donations have included Avalon Real Estate Group, developer of the Timbercrest shopping center, donating a $30,000 grand piano. The Lakeville Rotary donated the $37,000 electronic sign at the front of the building. Community members also gave their time and talents toward the remodeling.

Complementary? As the two most visible performance venues in Dakota County, the two arts centers have competed for artists and patrons. A few months ago, both venues had performances by Elvis impersonators in the same week, and they often have like performances on the same weekend nights. The recently-formed Dakota County Regional Arts Collaborative grew, in part, out of some of this overlap. The collaborative has identified more than 100 Dakota County arts organizations and artists, which means they are all seeking places and audiences. One of the collaborative’s major efforts is to increase communication

laborative, bringing people together to work on (hopelessness),” MacFarland said. “I wouldn’t say that I’ve seen any of that. Organizations may partner together on a project, but this is all sectors in the community really working together on it.” Heading Home Minnesota is a public-private partnership working to end homelessness. It includes individual campaigns in eight counties and in six regions blanketing Minnesota. among arts organizations and to assemble a common calendar of events. In some respects, the assets of the Burnsville and Lakeville center dictate their place in the arts scene. The Burnsville center has attracted scores of performers of varying styles, including internationally-known pop musicians Richard Marx and Melissa Manchester, comedians Louie Anderson, Bill Engvall and Sinbad, and local acts such as the Dakota Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and Chameleon Theatre Circle. “We have a tremendous amount of artist performances,” Luther said. Kandice Nelson, the center’s marketing director, pointed out that the facility in not just for arts groups. “We are also host to the Miss Minnesota USA and Miss Minnesota Teen USA pageants,” Nelson said. “Our facility is also used by countless organizations like Burnsville Rotary, Burnsville Chamber of Commerce, and the Burnsville Convention and Visitors Bureau, for their fundraising events.”

Nationally, more than 250 plans have been developed – the result of a Bush administration push to bring community resources to bear, said Eric Grumdahl, housing manager for Dakota County Social Services. The ultimate goal: End homelessness in 10 years, Grumdahl said. “It’s an ambitious goal,” he said. “It will require a lot of work.” Dakota County government – including the county’s housing and redevelopment agency — are on board. Some 60 parties to

the effort include local government agencies, churches and faith-based groups and long-standing housing advocates such as MICAH and the Coalition for Affordable Transitional Housing, a group of congregations that provides six units of transitional housing in Dakota County. How widespread is homelessness in the county? “We don’t have significant numbers sleeping on the streets and such,” MacFarland said. But there’s more to it. The county’s annual “point-in-time” count, mea-

sured this year on Jan. 25, showed 1,013 Dakota County residents to be homeless. That’s a 20 percent increase from the 2011 count of 841, although the county added two categories to the 2012 count: people living in an apartment or home with the utilities shut off (66) and people in a treatment facility or hospital (32). The increase is 9 percent if those categories are excluded. A number of people moving out of troubled Country Village Apartments in Burnsville, whose rental license has since been

During the spring, dance competitions take up a lot of weekends as well as dance school recitals. BPAC’s mission is dedicated to fostering the growth, development, and appreciation of the performing arts through the presentation of the broadest possible range of cultural, artistic, and entertainment activities and events. It also strives to provide a home for major performing art groups in the community, while serving as a community center for the visual arts, business, and educational meetings. The facility features a main stage with a capacity to seat more than 1,000 and a Black Box Theatre that seats 150. According to Luther, the center features as many as eight exhibits each year in the art gallery, which is open to the public free of charge. The facility offers a rehearsal room, meeting rooms, and green rooms, as well as its VIP suites and its upper lobby. The Lakeville center has served as city’s main cultural resource for more than a

decade. tion. Opened in 2001, the “I really enjoy helping center in former All Saints people find their own voice, Catholic Church has been their own style,” she said. remodeled into a modern Stone said she was contheater. tacted by the center about The center provides op- teaching classes about a portunities for community year ago. Since, she has demembers to not only see veloped quite a fondness for national performing acts the local arts center. but also allows individuals “It is wonderful place. to experience on-stage per- Everyone is very friendly,” forming by way of a variety the professional artist and of community groups. teacher said. “It’s been a Residents of all ages and good connection for me.” different art backgrounds On average, Stone has are able to learn art media five to 10 people in any one such as pottery, painting, of her classes, with attendand drawing, as well as ees coming from all walks of lampworking, silver craft- life – a variety of men and ing, and more. women, young and old, and “It’s a chance for the parents and single people. community to be part of Officials estimate that the arts instead of the au- the center has had more dience,” said Tom Barnard, than 300,000 visitors in the center’s director. He its first 10 years at events wcited classes ranging in such as the annual Taste of subject matter from work- Lakeville, seminars, dance ing with beads to making recitals and weddings. teapots and string puppets “We have something live along with oil, acrylic, and on our stage almost every watercolor painting and weekend of the year, except pottery classes for parents for holidays,” said Barnard, and their children. who is a city employee. . “Here, community mem- According to Barnard, bers can participate in as the theater is not so big that well as observe,” he said of it needs to reach its capacity the center’s options for com- of 300 to operate profitably, munity involvement, which but the center does sell out sets the LAAC apart from for most of national acts. larger venues that rely solely According to Barnard, on the national touring acts the center is capable of and do not offer the number hosting gatherings or any �� of hands-on activities for event that requires a large �� community members. open space. In order to cre St. Paul resident Holly ate such a space, the��staff �� Stone teaches classes at the retracts auditorium �� seating. � � � �� LAAC and is a profession- “It � �� be converted to ��can �� al painter of more than �10�� a dinner theater,” he said, � �� and adding years who teaches �oil that this can be used �� acrylic painting to adults at for business events, wed�� the �� center in three-week ses- dings, birthdays, anniver�� sions. saries, and other like-styled �� “I’ve been teaching about functions.�� 10 years in the Twin Cities “It’s really multi-funcarea,” she said, including tional in terms of its use,” locations as the Edina Arts Barnard said. Center, the Bloomington and Minnetonka centers Tad Johnson and Aaron Vefor the arts, and in St. Paul hling contributed to this rethrough community educa- port.

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The event is open to the public and will include remarks by Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland, light refreshments, and information about the Yellow Ribbon group’s activities.

ly. The group has no budget, but is now seeking nonprofit status so it can accept donations, Folken said. A party to celebrate Apple Valley’s Yellow Ribbon certification is scheduled for Andrew Miller can be reached 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com 29, at the Hayes Commu- or facebook.com/sunthisweek. nity and Senior Center.

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Golf Guide

Sun Thisweek April 27, 2012

Breakfast with the Boss

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Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division soldiers invited their “bosses” from 17 Minnesota companies to “Breakfast with the Boss” on Tuesday at the Rosemount Armory. The event was part of the state’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, which is chaired by Paul Monteen. “(The committee) works to develop and promote a culture in which all Minnesota employers support and value the military service of their employees,” Monteen said. Speakers at the event included state Sen. Ted Daley, R-Eagan, Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste, Traveler’s Business Unit President Ronda Wescott and 34th Infantry Division Commander Army Maj. Gen. David J. Elicerio.

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Thisweekend Songs of soldiers, survivors and struggling vets Artists featured on ‘Home Again’ CD to perform at Scoops for Troops event April 29 by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

From conception to completion, “Home Again: Songs of the 21st Century Veteran Experience” took just six weeks to complete. Bill Woodson, who recruited the eight artists featured on the album, says it wasn’t hard finding Twin Cities musicians eager to

create a track for the CD about the modern veteran experience. “They all accepted the challenge – everyone just kind of fell in love with the idea,” said Woodson of Apple Valley, an architect by profession who sidelines as a musician and wrote the song “Strength of Will” for inclusion on the CD.

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Woodson created the album in his role as music director of Scoops for Troops, the annual event in Eagan that benefits the families of fallen soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year’s event on Sunday, April 29, kicks off with a fun/run walk at noon, followed by an ice cream social Bill Woodson from 1 to 5 p.m. at Ring Mountain Creamery, 1965 Cliff Lake music artist, all Road, at which “Home the songwriters on Again” will be available for the CD are from purchase (with a suggested the Twin Cities donation of $10), and five area, among them of the artists featured on James Loney, Edie Rae, Steve Wolff the album will perform. The music on “Home and the five-piece Again,” Woodson said, band Inukshuk Pass, whose speaks of the experience of vocalist, Patti Ryan, conmilitary members and those tributed the painting that connected with them from was used as the cover art on unexplored points of view “Home Again.” – the female vet, the war And three of the artists widow, the father of a fallen on “Home Again” – Lynne, soldier, the vet struggling to Matthew Griswold and Josh fit in upon returning home Revak – are veterans. Lynne served with the Army’s from war. Aside from Rockie 82nd Airborne Division, Lynne, the popular North while Griswold is an Iraq Carolina-based country veteran and Revak saw time

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy.odden@ecm-inc.com.

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Wednesday, May 2 Drive One 4UR School fundraiser from 3 to 8 p.m. in the west parking lot at Eastview High School. Take a free 10-minute test drive in a new Apple Valley Ford vehicle and Ford will donate $20 to the Eastview Senior Party. Must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license. One person per household can participate. Qualified drivers will get a free hot dog combo meal and be entered into a raffle to win a 2013 Ford Explorer. Contact Diana Hogan at the5hogans@ comcast.net to schedule an appointment. Walk-ups also welcome.

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Thursday, May 3 Lakeville National Day of Prayer from noon to 1 p.m. at Lakeville City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Ave.

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Saturday, May 5 Kids and More Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ames Arena, 19900 Ipava Ave., Lakeville. Children’s clothing, toys, home decor, sports equipment, men’s and women’s clothing and more. Free parking and admission. Information: www. TreasureHuntSales.com. Spring Fling family fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Primrose School of Lakeville North, 9711 163rd St. W., Lakeville. Families attending can enjoy food, bouncers, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, crafts, silent auction,

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and carnival games. Proceeds will support local charities. Information: www.primroselakeville.com or (952) 4358885. Sunday, May 6 Kids and More Sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ames Arena, 19900 Ipava Ave., Lakeville. Children’s clothing, toys, home decor, sports equipment, men’s and women’s clothing and more. Free parking and admission. Information: www.TreasureHuntSales. com. Blood drives The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. • May 1, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church, 16725 Highview Ave., Lakeville. • May 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., South Suburban Evangelical Free Church, 12600 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley. • May 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lakeville Fire Department, 20190 Holyoke, Lakeville. • Monday, May 7, 1 to 7 p.m., Apple Valley Fire Department – Station 1, 15000 Hayes Road, Apple Valley. Memorial Blood Centers blood drive: • Friday, May 4, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Fantastic Sams, 270 E. Travelers Trail, Burnsville, (952) 890-7267.

in Afghanistan. Though Lynne isn’t on the roster of artists set to perform at Scoops for Troops, he is, in fact, scheduled to be at the event – as a “celebrity scooper,” joining local luminaries such as Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire and WCCO meteorologist Lauren Casey in dishing up ice cream to guests. More about “Home

Again” and Scoops for Troops, proceeds from which will benefit the nonprofit Tribute to the Troops, can be found at www.scoopsfortroops.net. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

theater and arts briefs Archaeological mysteries Professor Steven Derfler will present “Archaeological Mysteries of the 1st Century” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at the Robert Trail Library, 14395 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount. The event is part of the Minnesota Mosiac series with Dakota County libraries; the theme this spring is “Know the Art of the Book.” Geared to adults, the event is free and open to the public. More information is at www.co.dakota.mn.us under the “Library” link.

World War II re-enactment The third annual World War II Weekend will be May 19-20 at Dakota City Heritage Village, 4008 220th St., on the fairgrounds in Farmington. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. A variety of history organizations will set up encampments and portray American, British, Canadian, Russian and German soldiers.

Admission will be $5 with a nonperishable food item for the local food shelves or $7 without a food item. Children 5 and younger will be admitted free. For more information, visit, www.dakotacity.org.

Arctic author at IMAX Florian Schulz, author and photographer of the book “To the Arctic,” will be at the Great Clips IMAX Theatre at the Minnesota Zoo at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, for an evening of Arctic stories and images. Doors open at 6 p.m. Books available for purchase. Free. RSVP by April 30 at http://awlmplsevent. eventbrite.com/.

Children’s art festival The annual Children’s Art Festival exhibit is on display through June 2 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. The exhibit features more than 120 pieces of artwork by students from ISD 191 elementary schools. The exhibit is free and open to the public during gallery hours. Call (952) 895-4685 for more information.

‘The Three Bonnies’ DAdance will present “The Three Bonnies” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 8, at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $26 for adults, $19 for seniors and $16 for students and can be purchased at the box office or via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster. com.

‘Ole & Lena’ renew vows “Ole & Lena’s 50th Anniversary and Vow Renewal” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, at Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $15. Reservations can be made by calling (952) 985-4640.

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theater and arts calendar To submit items for the Arts Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com.

Camps The Allegro Choral Academy is now accepting registrations for its “Pitch Perfect” Summer Singing Camp June 18-21 at St. John’s in Lakeville for children ages 6 to 11. Find information and registration materials at www.allegroca.org or (952) 8468585, artisticdirector@allegroca. org. Comedy Sal Demilio with special guest Andy Beningo at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28, at MinneHAHA Comedy Club, 1583 E. First Ave., Shakopee (lower level of Dangerfield’s), (612) 860-9388, www.minnehahacomedyclub. com. Tickets: $13. The Second City Laugh Out Loud Tour will provide entertainment during Comedy for Caring, the Burnsville Rotary’s annual community fundraising event, to be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. S. Tickets are $36 orchestra and balcony; $75 VIP meet and greet. Tickets are available at the box office, ticketmaster.com or (800) 982-2787. Concerts Three local handbell ensembles will present “Bell Fantasia” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Bells of the Lakes, the St. Olaf Handbell Choir and the Northern Lights Ringers will perform. Tickets range from $15 to $25 and can be purchased at the box office, at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 982-2787. South Metro Chorale will present “All Creation Sings” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4625 W. 125th St., Savage, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 20165 Heath Ave., Lakeville. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets by phone at (612) 386-4636 or email tickets@southmetrochorale.org. Information: www.southmetrochorale.org. Orkestar Bez Ime will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., or by calling (952) 985-4640. Violin concert by Chad

Hoopes, Minnesota Public Radio’s Artist in Residence, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets range from $24 to $29 and are available at the arts center and online at www.lakevillemn.gov. Lorie Line’s “Live In The Sunshine” performance, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $39 and are available at the arts center or by calling (952) 985-4640.

Dance Twin Cities Ballet will perform “Wizard of Oz The Ballet” May 11-13 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. S. Tickets range from $12 to $26 and are available at the box office, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. Group discounts are also available. Visit www.TwinCitiesBallet. org or call (952) 452-3163 for more information. Poetry In celebration of National Poetry Month, Caponi Art Park and Learning Center is hosting a poetry performance workshop, “Frankenstein: Bring Your Words to Life,” on Monday, April 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan. Call (651) 4549412 to register. Poet Bill McCarthy will speak at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at the LeDuc Historic Estate, 1629 Vermillion St., Hastings. Free. Information: www.dakotahistory.org or (651) 437-7055. Theater The Chameleon Theatre Circle will present “True Love” at 7:30 p.m. April 27-28 and at 2 p.m. April 29 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. General admission tickets are $20 ($17 for seniors, students, audio description and ASL patrons) in person at the box office, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or www.ticketmaster. com. Burnsville High School Theatre Guild will present “Willy Wonka” at 7:30 p.m. April 2628 at Mraz Center, Burnsville High School, 600 E. Highway 13, Burnsville. Tickets are $8 for students, $9 for seniors, and $10 for adults. Tickets can be reserved online at www.MrazCenterTickets.com or purchased at the door. Lakeville North High School will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 7:30 p.m. April 26-28 and 2 p.m. April 28 in the school auditorium. For ticket information, contact the box of-

fice at (952) 232-3777 or theatreLNHS@gmail.com. Lakeville South High School will present “The Wizard of Oz” at 7 p.m. April 26-28 and at 2 p.m. April 28 in the school auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors. Ticket sales begin April 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LSHS Commons, 21135 Jacquard Ave. Information: (952) 232-3322. Farmington High School Drama will present “Fiddler on the Roof” at 7 p.m. April 26-28 at the Boeckman Middle School auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased in advance in the first floor office at Farmington High School. Tickets will also be available at the door on performance dates beginning at 6:15 p.m. All seating is general admission and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. “Ole & Lena’s 50th Wedding Anniversary and Vow Renewal” performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $15. Call (952) 985-4640 for information. The Christian Life School Drama Club will present “Fairy

Tale Salad” Friday, May 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 12, at 2 and 7 p.m. at Christian Life School, 6300 212th St. W., Farmington. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the door or at the school office. More information at www.christianlifeschool.org or (651) 463-4545. Workshops/classes Music Together in the Valley offers classes for parents and their infant, toddler and preschool children in Rosemount, Farmington, Lakeville and Apple Valley. Information: www.musictogetherclasses.com or (651) 439-4219. The Eagan Art House offers classes for all ages. For a complete listing go to www.eaganarthouse.org or call (651) 6755521. Dan Petrov Art Studio in Burnsville offers oil painting classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced skill level painters, www.danpetrovart.com, (763) 843-2734. Teens Express Yourself with Paint, 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at Brushworks School of Art in Burnsville, www.BrushworksSchoolofArt.com, (651) 214-4732.

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Drama/theater classes for ages 4 and up at River Ridge Arts Building, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. Special needs theater program (autism-DCD), ages 5 and older, Burnsville, (952) 7363644. Join other 55-plus adults at the Eagan Art House to create beaded jewelry. The Jewelry Club meets on the third Friday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Fee is $3 and includes all supplies. Bring any old jewelry you would like to re-make. 3981 Lexington Ave. S., (651) 675-5500. Savage Art Studios, 4735 W. 123rd St., Suite 200, Savage, offers classes/workshops for all ages. Information: www. savageartstudios.com or (952) 895-0375. Soy candle making classes held weekly in Eagan near 55 and Yankee Doodle. Call Jamie

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at (651) 315-4849 for dates and times. $10 per person. Presented by Making Scents in Minnesota. Country line dance classes held for intermediates Mondays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., Farmington, $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Beginner country line dance classes on Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Lakeville VFW, 8790 Upper 208th St. $5/ class. Call Marilyn (651) 4637833. Country line dance classes on Wednesdays at the Lakeville Senior Center, 20732 Holt Ave. Beginners, 9-10 a.m.; Intermediate, 10 a.m.-noon. $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. The Lakeville Area Arts Center offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn.gov, (952) 985-4640.

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Rosemount cleanup A citywide clean-up day will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 19, at the Dakota County Technical College, 1300 145th St. E., in the west parking lot. The lineup will begin at the University of Minnesota research facility and extend north along Akron Avenue. Enter off of Highway 3 or Blaine Avenue onto 160th Avenue. The city will be working with Certified Recycling LLC for collection and disposal of electronic equipment and appliances. Anyone dropping off these items will pay Certified Recycling directly. Participants should be prepared to pay Certified Recycling and the city of Rosemount separately. Only cash and checks will be accepted. For a list of items accepted and the disposal fee for each item, see the city’s website at www. ci.rosemount.mn.us. Contact the city’s solid waste coordinator at (651) 322-6005 with any questions.

Parks & rec programs Rosemount Parks and Recreation offers the following programs. To register or for more information, visit www.ci.rosemount.mn.us or call (651) 322-6000.

• Kid’s Corner: Kid’s Corner keeps kids, ages 6-12, busy with constructive activities that focus on games, fitness, nature, friendship and fun. This program runs Monday through Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. June 13 to July 18 at select community parks. Preregister for this program online or fill out a mandatory emergency card at the park to participate in the program. • Pre-School Sports – Summer programs available for T-ball, Soccer and Sports of All Sorts. The cost of each program is $42, which includes a T-shirt and trophy. For a full listing of class offerings and program details, go to www. ci.rosemount.mn.us/parks. • Community Tennis Block Party, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, at the Rosemount High School tennis courts. The party is hosted by Rosemount High School Tennis, RAAA InHouse and Traveling Tennis, and Rosemount Parks and Recreation. Representatives from each organization will be on hand to answer questions regarding their tennis programs and the opportunities available for tennis in Rosemount. Players from RAAA and Rosemount High School will be on hand for drills and fun tennis activities for kids. No experience is necessary. Free. Weather-related information line: (651)

322-6020, No. 6. • Buggy for Bugs, ages 3-1/2 to 6, 1 to 2:15 p.m. Thursdays, May 10-24, at Rosemount Community Center. Science Explorers will learn about insects and bugs and explore how they are different from each other. Cost: $34.

Finance and fashion Edward Jones financial advisor Stacey Bartelson will host an information seminar on finance and fashion at noon and 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at 3420 150th St. W., Suite 103, Rosemount. Rory Cowling of MFS Investment Management will speak on “How Men and Women Differ About Money.” Mary Viereck, owner of Home Accents, Etc., will share spring fashion ideas. RSVP for a session by May 1 at (651) 3222905.

Recycle child car seats The Recycling Association of Minnesota will collect child car seats for recycling from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, at AAA, 600 W. Travelers Trail, Burnsville. A $10 per seat fee will be charged. For more information, visit http://recycleminnesota. org/.

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CITY OF APPLE VALLEY NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Apple Valley has contracted with MDI Auctions, a vendor of K-BID Online Auction, to conduct a public sale of unclaimed personal property and surplus City property. Items will be posted on K-BID’s website at www.K-BID.com beginning April 27, 2012. Bidding will close on May 8, 2012. All items will be sold as is, to the highest bidder. Items will be available for inspection on May 7, 2012, and available for pick up on May 10 and 11, 2012, from the Central Maintenance Facility, 6442 140th Street W., in Apple Valley, located approximately one-half mile east of Galaxie Avenue on the south side of 140th Street W. Pursuant to City Code, Section 35.02, the true owner of unclaimed personal property may reclaim the same, upon satisfactory proof of ownership, from the City Clerk, either prior to the sale or by making application within six (6) months from the date of the sale. Items to be sold include approximately 90 bicycles, in various conditions. A partial list of bicycle models and other unclaimed personal property includes: Dyno Huffy Mongoose Next Roadmaster Specialized Giant Magna Murray Pacific Schwinn Trek 1998 Lincoln Town Car Door Locks Purses and Backpacks Cameras and Cases Electronic Equipment Safe Car Stereo Flashlights Steam Iron Clothes and Shoes Fish Nets Sunglasses Compound Bow & Arrows Jewelry and Watches Tent Decorations and Pictures Lotions and Body Wash Tools and Tool Boxes A partial list of City surplus property also being sold includes: 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Desks and Tables Laptops and Printers 3 Ford Taurus Display Racks and Shelves Neon Lights Arc Welder File Cabinets Office and Desk Supplies Fishing Equipment Patio Umbrellas Automotive Equipment Blackberry Phones and Liquor Related Police Vehicle Accessories Accessories Promotional Items and Equipment Backpack Blower Fluorescent Bulbs Shopping Carts Basketball Hoops Gaming Stations Sporting Equipment Bricks (16 pallets) Glassware Steel Trench Boxes Cameras and Equipment Grills (Gas and Charcoal) Tires and Rims Coolers and Freezers Hedge Trimmer Tools and Misc. Equipment Credit Card Readers IPods TVs and Typewriters Dehumidifiers Kindles Wildlife Prints DATED this 12th day of April, 2012. /s/ Pamela J. Gackstetter Pamela J. Gackstetter, City Clerk 2979376 4/27/12

PUBLIC NOTICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196 Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools Educating our students to reach their full potential ROSEMOUNT MIDDLE SCHOOL UNDERGROUND PIPING REPLACEMENT Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received for the Rosemount Middle School Underground Piping Replacement by Independent School District 196, at the Facilities and Grounds Office located at 14445 Diamond Path West, Rosemount, MN 55068, until 10:00 a.m., May 4, 2012, at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. This project includes: Replace existing underground heating piping. Complete instructions on how to obtain Bidding Documents can be found at: http://www.district196.org/District/LegalNotices/ index.cfm. If you should have any questions regarding this bid you may contact the Facilities Department at (651) 423-7706. Joel Albright, Board Clerk Independent School District 196 2979902 4/20-4/27/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN THE CITY OF APPLE VALLEY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the Municipal Center, 7100 West 147th Street, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a public hearing on proposed amendment to the Apple Valley Comprehensive Plan. The proposed amendment relates to changes to the text in the Land Use chapter of the Comprehensive Plan to allow for developments at densities at less than 3 units per acre within “LD” (Low Residential) designated areas. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that these proceedings are instituted by action of D.R. Horton Inc. - Minnesota and Fischer Sand and Aggregate Co. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. DATED this 20th day of April, 2012. /s/ Pamela J. Gackstetter Pamela J. Gackstetter, City Clerk 2986586 4/27/12

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IN THE CITY OF APPLE VALLEY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the Municipal Center, 7100 West 147th Street, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a public hearing on a proposed conditional use permit for pressurized butane storage tanks in an “I-2” (General Industrial) zoning district. Said hearing relates to property located at 6321 - 150th Street West and legally described as follows: Lot 1, Block 1, Magellan Addition NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that these proceedings are instituted by Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. DATED this 18th day of April, 2012. /s/ Pamela J. Gackstetter Pamela J. Gackstetter, City Clerk 4/27/12 2986560

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Education Students win at state speech tournament District 196 students won eight of the 13 first-place titles and one-fourth of all medals awarded in Class AA competition at this year’s State Speech Tournament held April 21 at Chanhassen High School. Apple Valley and Eagan high schools had three state champions each and Eastview High School had two title winners. Tom Dyke of Eagan was the only repeat state champion in this year’s tournament, winning gold in original oratory for a second straight year. Apple Valley students won eight medals, including state champions Szumei Leow in great speeches, Rachel Robinson in informative speaking and Patricia Reeves in serious interpretation-poetry. Eagan students won nine total medals. In addition

to Dyke in original oratory, state champions are Emerald Egwim in serious interpretation-drama and Justin Wirsbinski in serious interpretation-prose. Eastview students also won nine medals, including state champions Mike Ross in creative expression and Ashesh Rambachan in extemporaneous speaking, both of whom were state runners-up at last year’s tournament.

Teams qualify for DI Globals Four Destination ImagiNation (DI) teams representing District 196 schools Shannon Park Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Dakota Hills Middle and Rosemount Middle had top finishes at the state tournament April 14 and qualified for the Global Finals May 23-26 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Destination ImagiNa-

tion is a worldwide, performance-based competition that develops students’ creative skills through problem-solving, improvisation, teamwork and independent thinking. Teams of students compete by age level in one of five different “challenges” or problem categories. The top two finishers in each age group and category qualify for the Global Finals.

Participants must be age 18 or older with a valid driver’s license. One person per household can participate. Qualified drivers will get a free hot dog combo meal and will be entered into a raffle to win a 2013 Ford Explorer. Contact Diana Hogan at the5hogans@comcast. net to schedule an appointment. Walk-ups also welcome.

Test drive a Ford

College news

Eastview High School and Apple Valley Ford have teamed up for the Drive One 4UR School fundraiser for Eastview’s 2012 Senior Class Party. Ford will donate $20 to the party for each person who takes a free 10-minute test drive in a new Ford vehicle between 3 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, in the west parking lot at Eastview.

Tessa Beckstrom, daughter of John and Lisa Beckstrom of Lakeville, was honored with the Outstanding Community Service Award on April 15 at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She is a sophomore at UMD. Stephanie Olson of Apple Valley was recognized with the Kloubec Scholarship in Character in Leadership III at the Jamestown College (N.D.) Honors Convocation on April 12.

Chess tourney A team from Greenleaf Elementary, Apple Valley, won first place in the Southern Metro Chess Tournament hosted by Lakeville Area Community Education on April 14 at McGuire Middle School in Lakeville. A total of 35 schools participated in the tournament matching 86 players in 240 games of chess. Lakeville’s Cherry View Elementary took second place and Lakeview Elementary placed third.

District 196 Community Ed classes Register for District 196 Community Education classes online at www.district196.org/ce or call (651) 423-7920. Saturday, April 28 • World Flavors: Ethnic Food Shopping, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Depart from

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Target, 2000 Cliff Road, Eagan. Cost: $39. Sunday, April 29 • Advantage PSAT/SAT Prep Course, grades 10-12, 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, April 29May 20, Black Hawk Middle School, 1540 Deerwood Drive, Eagan. Cost: $120. Monday, April 30 • Voiceovers: Record Audio Books, 7 to 9 p.m., Falcon Ridge Middle School, 12900 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley. Cost: $39. Tuesday, May 1 • Marketing Strategies and Ideas, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Falcon Ridge Middle School, 12900 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley. Cost: $29. Thursday, May 3 • Nordic Walking: Woodland Trail, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, Schulze Lake Trailhead, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan. Cost: $19.

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April 27, 2012 Sun Thisweek

homeless, from 10A revoked, contributed to the 20 percent increase, Grumdahl noted. Under the federal definition of homelessness, Dakota County had only 353 homeless people on Jan. 25. The Department of Housing and Urban Development doesn’t count people who are doubling up or in similarly precarious arrangements as homeless. Even under the narrower federal definition, Dakota County’s homeless count was 17 percent higher than the 2011 count of 302. Statewide, the number of people without permanent shelter rose 25 percent from October 2006 to October 2009, according to the Wilder Foundation, which takes a county every three years. On any given night, there may be 13,000 homeless Minnesotans, not counting people doubling up or living temporarily with family or friends, Wilder estimates. Homelessness is a family problem. Dakota County’s 2011 count showed that 46 percent of homeless people sheltered in emergency or transitional housing were children under 18 accompanied by parents. “By measures of our need, Dakota County’s homeless population has grown,” Grumdahl said. “We’re not getting a handle on the situation,” MacFarland said. Meanwhile, the vacancy rate for rental housing in Dakota County is 3.4 percent, the lowest in a decade, Grumdahl said. According to the county’s Community Development Agency, it takes annual income of $49,160 – about $24 an hour – to afford the average threebedroom apartment in Dakota County. “The low availability of affordable, sustainable housing is one of the most substantial challenges in ending homelessness,” Grumdahl said. In an extensive report, Heading Home Dakota sets out goals and two dozen strategies for preventing homelessness, ensuring an adequate supply of housing, boosting outreach to the homeless, improving services and systems for addressing homelessness, and engaging the public in fighting the problem. The work will take money – nearly $42 million over five years, Heading Home Dakota estimates. Nearly 80 percent of that is for brickand-mortar construction, renovation and preservation of affordable housing. The campaign, under the direction of its lead agency, the Affordable Housing Coalition, is eyeing federal and state grants, county and city funds and private funding. “My heart is in housing,” MacFarland said. “It’s so basic to the well-being of children and families and individuals.” John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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