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Apple Valley | Rosemount May 11, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 11

Grand jury indictment likely today

Special Section

Backstrom seeks to prosecute right-to-die case related to Apple Valley death by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek ING A D V E RT I S ENT SUPPLEM

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Summer Sensations Inside this special section is a calendar of events in all of the communities Sun Thisweeek covers.

An indictment is expected today (Friday, May 11) from a grand jury convened Wednesday by Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom’s office regarding the 2007 suicide of an Apple Valley woman. Doreen Dunn, then 57, suffered a decade of chronic, debilitating pain until she killed herself using a

hood over her head gation search warand inhaling helium rant detailing evigas, May 30, 2007. dence forwarded to Because Dunn the Dakota County contacted Final Exit Attorney’s Office Network, a national and obtained by nonprofit organiSun Thisweek. zation accused of Jim The warrant states assisting suicides, Backstrom the county is askBackstrom is seeking the grand jury to ing the indictment to pros- consider charges of aiding ecute some of its members, suicide, conspiracy to comaccording to a March 20 mit the crime of aiding suiGeorgia Bureau of Investi- cide and interference with a

dead body. In an April interview with Sun Thisweek, Backstrom confirmed he planned to convene a grand jury and predicted great media interest, but said he is not permitted to discuss specifics of the investigation. After Sun Thisweek broke the story online Monday, Backstrom issued a news release stating the grand jury investigation in-

volved Final Exit Network and he would share further information with the media when it becomes public. Robert Rivas, attorney for Final Exit Network, said the organization provides a person suffering intolerable pain or a terminal illness information to end their suffering, but does not assist them in the physical act of See dunn, 6A

Rosemount police chief to retire

sports

Kalstabakken led department while most reported crimes declined by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

Old teammates face off Rosemount defeats Eagan in girls lacrosse after playing as a combined program for years. Page 12A Rosemount resident Bennett Olson purchased his Minneapolis “HIRE ME” billboard spot last month.

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Billboard lands unemployed man a job Rosemount resident’s clever idea captured worldwide attention by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

World War II comes alive Mock battles, soldier encampments and more come to Dakota City Heritage Village’s annual living-history event. Page 10A

Online Look for an update to the Dakota County grand jury’s decision regarding an Apple Valley suicide case. Action is expected Friday. Check out the Reader News feature, which allows people to submit stories and photos for the website.

Index Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A ThisWeekend. . . . . . 10-11A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13A Classifieds. . . . . . . . 14-17A Public Notices. . . . . . . . 18A Announcements . . . . . . 18A General Information 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

Once he hatched his big idea, it didn’t take unemployed Rosemount resident Bennett Olson long to get noticed. It was 8 seconds to be exact. That’s how long his smiling face, his website address and the words “HIRE ME” appeared on an electronic billboard facing northbound Interstate 35W just south of downtown Minneapolis last month. Within a week of his every minute or so frequency on the day-long billboard buy, Olson had landed a job with Laser Design & GKS Services, a Bloomington-based 3D scanning company, as a sales and marketing associate. Of course, that was after his un-

usual idea landed his face, voice and story on local, national and worldwide newspaper pages and radio and television stations. “I was doing a radio interview with John Williams on WCCO and he was giving me a hard time for all this free publicity I was getting,” Olson said. Call it a sign of the times. Olson says he didn’t expect a media circus to broadcast his need for a job, but it allowed him to parlay his $300 billboard buy into thousands of dollars of air time to tell his story, including a phone interview on CNN. “I didn’t think it would be this big,” said Olson, who was sent words of job-search encouragement from as far away as South Africa and Bulgaria. “It was just something that popped into my head. It was an in-

expensive way to do it. I thought it could be worth the money.” It sure was. Laser Design contacted Olson based on the media stir. During his interview with the company, he said the company’s managers wanted to talk to him about the billboard and all the buzz that followed. Olson’s billboard created a built-in ice-breaker during the interview after which Laser Design was impressed. “It feels good to be settled into something,” he said. “There is a lot for me to learn. … There is a lot to know about this job and this industry.” In his position, Olson says he will be problem solving with engineers See olson, 6A

Rosemount was a much different place in 1998 when Gary Kalstabakken was selected to lead the city’s police department. The city’s population hovered around 13,000 and had 12 officers working the streets when the former Richfield Police Department lieutenant assumed his new role. Now the city boasts over 22,000 r e s i d e n t s Gary and has 22 Kalstabakken officers, the newest of which started just last month. Kalstabakken said on Monday when his retirement announcement was made that it was time to move on to another challenge in his life, which will be managing the information delivery system for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. “This allows me to stay in criminal justice field but working in a different capacity,” said Kalstabakken, whose last day on the job will be May 31. See Chief, 7A

Apple Valley mayor Party time announces bid for County Board seat collaborations such as the Cedar corridor project and Apple Valley Mayor creation of the Dakota Communications Center, Mary HamannH a m a n n - Ro l a n d Roland announced said her decision Tuesday she will seek to run for county election to the Dakocommissioner was ta County Board of motivated by a deCommissioners. sire to continue the The four-term partnership-focused, mayor’s announcecommunity-building ment came just Mary approach Branning hours after longtime Hamannbrought to the board. county Commis- Roland “This county is a sioner Will Branning county of Apple Valley made public forward-thinking his decision to not seek re- that’s very efficient in its use of the public dollar,” Haelection in the fall. Hamann-Roland will be mann-Roland said. “I’d like seeking the District 7 seat on to be part of making it even the County Board, currently better.” held by Branning, which After serving six years serves the cities of Apple on the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board, Valley and Rosemount. Having worked with Branning on city-county See mayor, 8A by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Apple Valley High School students let loose on prom night, which was held at International Market Square in Minneapolis on Saturday, May 5.

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May 11, 2012 Sun Thisweek

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Janice Ladendorf stands with her Spanish mustang, Skan. Ladendorf’s book “A Marvelous Mustang” is a memoir written from Skan’s point of view.

Author is all about horses Janice Ladendorf set to speak May 15 at the Robert Trail Library by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

Janice Ladendorf’s first horse was a Christmas gift from her father when she was 16. She’s had one or two ever since. The 71-year-old author traces her love of all things equine back to the pony ring at Minnehaha Falls. “I grew up near Minnehaha Falls, and in

high school I took a job leading kids on pony rides at the pony ring there,” she said. “It was a really wonderful experience learning how to handle horses – the ponies didn’t end up there because they were good horses.” She later trained in dressage – a competitive equestrian sport she describes as

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“ballet for horses” – while working at a farm in Long Lake, and eventually applied that know-how toward her 1974 manual “Practical Dressage for Amateur Trainers.” She’s written a number of articles about horses and riding for publications such as Art Horse Magazine and the Midwest Sport Horse Journal, but since retiring has turned to writing fiction – with horses, of course, playing a central part in her tales. In 2010 she published “A Marvelous Mustang,” a memoir-type book with a unique narrative voice: It’s written from a horse’s point of view. “Frankly, no one thought it could be done, and that’s why I went ahead and selfpublished,” she said. Ladendorf, a St. Paul resident who’s a member of the Rosemount History Book Club, will be discussing her latest work of fiction, “Heart of a Falcon,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Robert Trail Library in Rosemount. “Heart of a Falcon,” published last year by Whiskey Creek Press, is an historical novel about a girl coming of age in pre-Civil War America who’s experiencing visionary “medicine dreams,” with a number of equine characters featured in the plot. The library event, which is part of the “Meet the Author” series sponsored by the Rosemount Area Arts Council, is free and open to the public. More about the author is at www.jladendorf.com. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek May 11, 2012

Cleanup day is May 19 Education

The Rosemount Spring Cleanup Day will be held Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon at Dakota County Technical College, 1300 145th St. E. (County Road 42) 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 for easier lineup. Rosemount will be working with Certified Recycling LLC for collection and disposal of electronic equipment and appliances. Anyone dropping off these items at the Spring Cleanup Day will pay Certified Recycling directly. Those who wish to dispose of electronics and/or appliances along with other items for which there is a charge should be prepared to pay Certified Recycling and the city separately. For a more complete list of electronic equipment and the disposal fee for each item, go online to www. ci.rosemount.mn.us. Contact the city’s solid waste coordinator at (651) 322-6005 with questions. Only cash and checks are accepted. The following is a small list of items accepted and the associated fees: • Intact automotive batter-

ies - free • Construction and demolition debris - free • Carpet - $2 per roll • Computers/laptops - $10 • Computer Monitors - $20 • Tires - $5 per car tire, $15 per truck/tractor tire • Mattresses, sofas/couches - $10 per item • Appliances - $10 per item ($20 for air conditioners) • TVs - $15-$55 depending on size • Other furniture - $5 per item • Steel - Clean Free: light – bicycles, exercise equipment, etc. $2 per item; heavy – lawnmowers, snow blowers, etc. $5 per item • Solid waste/garbage $5 per item or $10 per pickup truck load. Loose items should be boxed or bagged to make unloading easier and quicker. Not all material can be collected. The city reserves the right to refuse any unacceptable material such as compost and yard waste, motor oil, or household hazardous waste like paints, solvents, and florescent light bulbs. There are other sites within Dakota County that will accept these items. This event is for Rosemount residents only. A driver’s license or other proof of residency will be required.

Marketing students are national champions Rosemount High School students Sara Devitt and Micah Marshall placed first overall in the nation in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making Event at the 2012 DECA International Career Development Conference. Amelia Volkert placed in the top 10 overall in the hospitality series written test for her Hospitality and Professional Selling event. Also competing were Jason Lamoreaux and Dylan Mato in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series, Katelyn Paget in the Hospitality Operations Research Event, Tate Zemanovic in the Marketing Management Series event, John Herron in the Retail Merchandising Series Event, and Natalie Sieve in the Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series event.

Today’s The Day

Stop Smoking

Six District 196 juniors win writing awards

High School; Kaitlin McCoy and Vaibhav Sharma of Eagan High School; Anna Underhill of Eastview High Six juniors in District School, and Carly Kuran of 196 were selected to receive Rosemount High School. Certificates for Superior Writing in the 2012 Na- Rosemount tional Achievement Awards resident wins in Writing sponsored by the National Council of Teach- textbooks ers of English. Isaiah Lufkin of Rose The six recipients from mount was awarded first District 196 are Mitchell semester textbooks for his Dawson and Parker King- participation in the WalFournier of Apple Valley dorf College Scholarship

Day on April 21. Lufkin, who attends Rosemount High School, will major in education at the Iowa college. Scholarship Day rewards students who have excelled academically. After the candidates interview with judges and write an on-site essay, one student is awarded a full-tuition scholarship while five more received $2,000 scholarships. All other participants received their first semester’s textbooks at no cost.

Opinion

May 11, 2012 Sun Thisweek

A view from the bench – judges: activists or oysters? by Edward Lynch Special to Sun Thisweek

The most difficult decisions I make do not involve sending a person to prison. By the time I send someone to prison, the trip is earned. The most difficult decisions I make involve children. Which parent should they live with after the divorce? Should I terminate their parents’ rights for neglecting them and hope a good family adopts them? There are no reporters in the courtroom monitoring the trials in these cases. There are no TV trucks in the parking lot, antennas raised, awaiting my decision. I do the best I can sorting through the disputed facts, applying the sometimes unclear or unsettled law and hope that I get it right. I don’t always get it right and I take a great deal of comfort in knowing that there are appellate courts that can review my decisions and correct them if I get it wrong. I do not seek out these cases and would prefer never to hear another case involving divorcing parents fighting over the custody of their children or another case involving abused and neglected children. I will hear these cases again, however, because that is my job. It is my responsibility to make decisions when other people are unable or unwilling to decide the matter themselves. This is the situation whether it involves parents who can’t agree what is best for their children or whether it is the legislature and governor that can’t agree what is best for the people of Minnesota. I don’t consider myself an activist because I

Guest Columnist

Edward Lynch

make these decisions. Of the 1.6 million cases filed each year in Minnesota Courts, few, if any, touch upon controversial, emotionally charged social and political issues. Cases involving abortion, immigration, voter identification, or gay marriage, to name a few, are rare. Whenever such a case is filed, it is frequently accompanied by intense media coverage and hyperbolic political commentary. When the case is decided, the presiding judge is often labeled an activist by those least happy with the decision. To paraphrase Shakespeare: Activism should be made of sterner stuff. The truth is that judges have no control over the cases brought to them for decision and cannot pre-determine which disputes will arise within the jurisdiction of their court. Once the matter is brought to court, however, the judge has a constitutional and ethical responsibility to decide the controversy. The judge must decide the issue based upon the facts involved and the applicable law and must make the decision within 90 days. The process and procedure that must be followed restrict the ability of any judge to pursue, promote or advance a

particular political or social agenda. The facts in any case are established long before a judge is involved and the legislature, appellate courts and the Minnesota and United States constitutions dictate the law judges must apply. Ultimate issues of guilt, liability and damages are frequently decided by jurors, not judges. Any decision made by a trial court judge is subject to review and modification by appellate courts so any activist tendencies exhibited by a trial court judge would have to be shared by a majority of appellate court judges who hear it before the activism would be effective. While a trial judge cannot choose which cases the judge wants to hear, any party can remove a state trial court judge if they do not want that specific judge to hear their case. Judges face election every six years, are subject to recall petitions and may be removed from office for violations of their ethical responsibilities. This is not an environment that fosters activism. One commentator once remarked that “[t]he position of a judge has been likened to that of an oyster anchored in one place, unable to go out after things, restricted to working on and digesting that which the fortuitous eddies and currents of litigation may bring his way.” Judges hear thousands of matters each year. The sheer volume of cases and the deadlines to decide each case consume most judges’ available time and energy. The attention, distractions and additional work

that accompany high profile cases are seldom welcome. Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin in Ramsey County did not orchestrate the government shutdown so she could spend her nights and weekends scrutinizing arcane statutes to determine whether certain government functions should continue operating until the governor and legislature agreed upon a budget. No judge wants to learn that the next case on the docket is a suit by the “Brokeback Mountain” cowboys to obtain a marriage license. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun was criticized and received death threats the rest of his life after writing the decision in the abortion case of Roe v. Wade. Judges do not consciously seek the type of attention these cases generate. Once cases are brought to court, however, whether they involve children, contracts, criminal behavior or controversial constitutional, political or social issues, judges must decide them. The comparison of judges to oysters is not very flattering, but it is fairly accurate when the factors that guide and limit the role and discretion of judges in making decisions are considered. It is something to keep in mind the next time someone complains about activist judges. Edward Lynch is chief judge of the First Judicial District. He is chambered in Dakota County. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters Requiring ID aims to address voter fraud To the editor: As an election judge, I favor voter ID. During the 2008 elections, busloads of people who were not registered to vote came to the voting places to cast their ballots. Many of these people did not speak English and needed an interpreter. They did not have to show proof that they were U.S. citizens. The only “proof ” they had was a current utility bill. How does a utility bill that only states one lived at an address long enough to get a bill, confirm one is a U.S. citizen? A person vouching for someone who is not registered to vote does not prove the person is a U.S. citizen. I believe we need to make sure people who vote are U.S. citizens. Living in the U.S. for five consecutive years is a requirement before one may apply for citizenship. There are a few exceptions to this rule. One part of the citizenship test requires one to show a command of the English language. At election time, no interpreters should be needed. Everyone who is eligible to vote now will be able to vote with the voter ID amendment. If you do not have a photo ID and cannot afford one, you can get a photo ID for free. A photo ID is required for so many things. Why are Democrats in the state Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton opposed to the voter ID amendment? Do they not care that only U.S. citizens are eligible to

vote in our elections? I am so glad that the voter ID amendment will be on the ballot this November. According to a Star Tribune poll, the majority of Minnesotans support voter ID. It is a bipartisan issue. I believe we need fair elections and need to do something about the voter fraud in this state. Rep. Diane Anderson, REagan, is a strong supporter of the voter ID amendment. Anderson is doing a great job and we need to keep her in the state House of Representatives. LOIS FINAN Burnsville

Voter ID could disenfranchise To the editor: The voter identification amendment would require that all voters show a government issued picture ID before one could cast a vote. What is this new proposed amendment really accomplishing? A news report last year cited that in Minnesota there were 113 out of 2.9 million voters who were convicted of voter fraud. The cause of this fraud? Primarily it was a misunderstanding of when their voting rights had been restored after being released on parole or probation, not impersonation of a voter, which would be all that requiring a voter ID would prevent. In reality this amendment may cause many of society’s disenfranchised to be forced to overcome more barriers in the voting pro-

cess. This amendment could potentially decrease the amount of votes cast from the elderly, homeless, and even those living in poverty. Additionally, the ‘vouching’ system used by many voters in which one person, for example an employee at a homeless shelter, can vouch for the residents and declare they are in fact staying at the shelter and have been for however long, will not be a valid process if this amendment passes. While, yes, having a valid and verifiable way of identifying voters is an important and key piece in a just democracy, we need to make sure that in the process we aren’t creating more barriers for people in society whose voices are already muffled. There are definite pros and cons to this amendment and it is up to the people of Minnesota to now consider where they stand on this very important issue. Lauren Kelly Eagan

Hip, hip, hooray for Mel Larson To the editor: Mel Larson has been part of the Burnsville Athletic Club family for 36 years. He has been the commissioner for 26 of those years. Mel has shared his knowledge of football with thousands of young athletes. While he was commissioner, he found time to coach football and led various speed improvement camps. A few years ago, he added flag football to the program, which is one of BAC’s fastest growing seg-

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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ments. This marks the end of Mel Larson’s reign as not only the leader of the BAC football program but also one of the most significant leaders that the BAC has ever had. As a BAC leader, he was not just involved with football. During many of his volunteer years, he was a grade coordinator and coach for BAC basketball. For the BAC’s 50th anniversary, he made it his mission to track down all past presidents and invite them to attend the anniversary celebration. Most past presidents were able to attend. The next leader of the football program will be Brad Schiller. Brad and his team of board members have some ambitious plans for the next phase of the BAC football program, which includes the extension of the flag football program through 12th grade. Mel Larson has had many honors over the years, including a field named after him. His overall level of achievement is hard to match. Volunteering his time for 36 years with the BAC is a mark that will probably not be broken for the next 100 years. Hip, hip, hooray for Mel Larson.

anyone’s support, I can easily reconcile this discomfort with the knowledge that this cause has no more or less to do with me than anyone else. I understand that we just can’t donate to every cause. Maybe you already give to this or something like it. Maybe you aren’t in a position financially to make a contribution. If that is the case I would only ask two things - be very mindful of all our veterans, wounded or otherwise as you enjoy the many blessings in your life, for many of them have given everything so that we can have so much. Support them through your prayers or in whatever way you choose to express your spiritual being. My other request is that you pass along word of this race to others. In return, I pledge to give Marcia Svenby all I can during my training Burnsville Athletic Club and to my team on behalf of these extraordinary soldiers. I can think of no betRace to honor ter way to express my gratithe real heroes tude toward someone I’ve never met for all of their To the editor: On May 20, I will be par- sacrifices in the name of our ticipating on a team of 20 freedom. Can you? friends and acquaintances in the most physically chal- Lon Anderson lenging event of our lives. Rosemount We will be competing alongside thousands of others The key to this who have committed themselves to endure the same nation’s survival kind of intense pain. When To the editor: I was asked to be a part of Just how confusing can this team, initially, I said one person be? no. I have no desire to put In his letter to the edimy body through this kind tor, Bill Randall wrote: “I of organized brutality. That believe marriage is based on was before I researched love, respect, commitment, what this race is all about. and spiritual connection.” Even after that, it took sev- This is hardly a startling eral weeks of soul searching revelation to any adult. for me to say yes. I’m not Who would ever challenge gonna lie, this race scares these beliefs as essential to the daylights out of me. carrying out the marriage The event is the Tough vows of chastity, fidelity, Mudder (Toughmudder. and the commitments that com) and was organized to spouses make? honor the real heroes, our Yet, somehow Randall wounded military warriors misses the purpose of mar(woundedwarriorproject. riage and the state’s concom). cerns that marriage is for I’m very grateful that I “the common good.” don’t have a loved one who This requirement is met has had to pay this lofty in the current Minnesota price. However, that could statute that prescribes marcertainly change for any of riage is between a man and us. a woman. Nor will these es While it makes me very sential elements change one uncomfortable to ask for iota with the proposed mar-

riage amendment. This helps us all understand that the purpose of marriage is to conceive and raise children. All of the available empirical data clearly demonstrate that a marriage between a man and a woman best fulfills these critical requirements. We must never forget that the future of our state, nation and culture is dependent on its basic building block, the family. Voting “yes” for the marriage amendment will be the key to this nation’s survival. RUBY KUBISTA Eagan

Cause for concern To the editor: This morning at about 8 a.m. a man walked up into the side yard of my home. He was wearing work type clothing, and a tattered lime-green safety vest with no visible logo, and no visible ID tag. There was no work truck or service vehicle in the street or down the street. I asked him what he was doing. He pointed to a faded logo on his vest, and said he was reading meters for Dakota Electric. He wore no visible ID tag, nor did he offer any ID. I ask the mayor and council to pass an ordinance requiring clear and visible photo ID for utility/service workers entering yards in Lakeville. I also ask that the council immediately draft a letter to Dakota Electric requesting their meter readers wear visible photo ID, and clearly marked clothing. If the council is aware of any other utility/service companies who are entering homeowners’ yards regularly without scheduled appointments, I ask they be sent similar letters. This seems a simple solution to help ensure the safety, security, and peace of mind of our citizens. Thank you for your consideration. JOHN NORTHRUP Lakeville

Sun Thisweek May 11, 2012

Business Briefs Renick places in framing competition Glenn Renick, owner of Fastframe Expert Picture Framing in Lakeville, has been awarded second place in the 2012 International Print Framing Competition by the Professional Picture Framers Association. The International Framing Competition is an invitational event with finalists qualifying through a yearlong system of regional and national contests. Final judging was held at the Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Frerich completes certification Dr. Laura Frerich of Acu-Chiropractic Wellness Center P.A. in Eagan recently completed her certification in Graston Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. The Graston technique is an innovative approach to decreasing pain

and improving function of joints throughout the body. This training allows Frerich to more completely evaluate and treat all types of patients, including women, children, and those with auto or worker’s compensation injuries.

Mackin adds ReferencePoint Press to collection

tal valuation of $2,137,500 through April compared to a total valuation of $3,464,500 during the same period in 2011. The city has also issued permits for 68 single-family homes through April with a total valuation of $20,138,000. This compares to 31 single-family home permits through April of 2011 with a total valuation of $9,150,000.

Burnsville-based Mack- Roffe container in Educational Resources purchases has added ReferencePoint Press nonfiction ebooks for facility in grades six to 12 to its collec- Lakeville tion of ebooks. Roffe Container, an extrusion blow molding company, is expanding its Lakeville business building permit Moorhead-based to Lakeville. The comreport for April pany provides containers The city of Lakeville to the dairy, water, juice, issued building permits honey and industrial marwith a total valuation of kets. Roffe purchased the $28,919,608 through April. former Genpak facility on This compares to a total Hamburg Avenue in the valuation of $16,222,485 Airlake Industrial Park and through April of 2011. The plans on moving into the city issued commercial and 46,000-square-foot building industrial permits with a to- early this fall.

County Road 70 Gluten-free repaving project options at pizza to begin in June restaurant

A project to repave County Road 70 is scheduled to begin in June. The project includes milling and paving on 215th Street (County Road 70) from Kensington Boulevard to Cedar Avenue (County Road 23). McNamara Contracting is the general contractor. Road closures can be expected, with posted detours. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

H&H Automotive holds free women’s car care clinic H&H Automotive, 21480 Keokuk Ave., Lakeville, will hold a free women’s car care clinic from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2. Information: Rebecca@hh-automotive. com or Rebecca at (952) 469-1520.

Chuck E. Cheese’s locations in Minnesota, including the Burnsville Center location, have added glutenfree options to their menu. The new food items, which include a gluten-free pizza and chocolate cupcake, will begin testing at all Minnesota Chuck E. Cheese’s locations to gauge demand for future national availability.

NACR sponsors education conference Solutions integration expert NACR, Eagan, will be a sponsor of the 2012 conference of the International Avaya Users Group (IAUG) May 20-24 in Boston, Mass. The conference will provide Avaya users with access to industry leadership, IT experts, peer networking, over 200 content-rich educational sessions, and more than 130 partners exhibiting the latest technologies.

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May 11, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Apple Valley man gets 6 months jail time after child-sex sting An Apple Valley man who tried to solicit an 8-year-old girl for sex has been sentenced to six months in jail. Gary Wills Brown, 59, was arrested last August after a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension sting operation. After an informant alert-

ed police to Brown’s plans to have sex with a girl, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension recorded phone conversations with Brown in which he agreed to pay $300 for sex and additional money to videotape the act. Brown was arrested Aug. 29 when he went to a St. Paul hotel intending to meet

the girl. When he was taken into custody he was carrying candy, lubricant and a video camera. Brown, who pleaded guilty to soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct and was sentenced May 2 in Ramsey County District Court, will be allowed to serve his sentence in a com-

munity service program, work release or electronicmonitored home detention. He also was placed on three years probation, must register as a predatory offender and have no contact with minors. —Andrew Miller

dunn, from 1A

unbearable pain for who knows how many years.” The Georgia warrant indicates Dunn’s body was discovered on the couch by her husband, who was not aware of Dunn’s plans. “She said if her husband learned about it, he would contact the authorities and try to commit her,” Rivas said. According to the warrant, Backstrom’s office has evidence indicating two Final Exit Network members

flew in to Minnesota and returned home on the day of Dunn’s death. The warrant states one of them rented a car and listed Dunn’s address as the destination and returned it with mileage numbers corresponding to that destination. Rivas said he assumes Final Exit members were present when Dunn died, but he could not confirm it. If an indictment is issued, Rivas said Final Exit

Network will immediately file a motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that the statute is unconstitutional under free speech rights. To read Sun Thisweek’s full story and the latest news regarding this story, go to www.sunthisweek.com.

suicide. In a letter faxed to a Final Exit Network volunteer, Dunn described her pain as having spread throughout her body, stating it was “unbearable, excruciating, (and) chronic,” and because of it she was unable to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. Without an “exit,” she wrote, she would be “left in some nursing home in

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

olson, from 1A

High School graduate who grew up in Inver Grove Heights has an associate’s degree in business management from the online-school University of Phoenix and is working toward his bachelor’s degree with a focus on project management. Still, he was at a disadvantage in the job market because of his lack of experience. “It can be pretty competitive,” he said. “There are other people who have been doing this for a number of years and they have more networking contacts who help them get a job.” Olson said he needed something to overcome his disadvantage. “When I told him, my dad said, ‘It definitely is a new idea,’ ” Olson said of the billboard. “He’s never surprised by my ideas. They never know what the next one’s going to be.” Whatever Olson’s next big idea is, it’s going to be difficult to top this one.

on their reverse engineering and inspection needs, educating customers on 3D scanning technology and providing marketing support in the way of social media campaigns, video and Internet initiatives. Olson’s idea has made him one of the lucky ones. He was unemployed for only about a week, but he had been looking for a new job for about a year while he was employed at Treasure Island Resort and Casino. “It definitely gets frustrating at times,” Olson said of his multiple rejections. “You only hear from a few employers after you contact them and you don’t hear from some of them at all. … You want to get the positive feedback to keep you going, but they are swamped with so many applicants.” It is estimated that 6.5 percent, or 193,355, Minnesotans are unemployed, according to March statistics from the Minnesota Department of Employment Tad Johnson can be reached of Economic Development. at tad.johnson@ecm-inc.com The 2008 Rosemount or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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chief, from 1A In his new position, he will analyze the most effective way to make information available across the criminal justice system. Kalstabakken said his job as Rosemount’s chief is the longest he’s ever worked in one position. He began in the field as a patrol officer in Richfield in 1982. He also worked as a school liaison officer, crime prevention specialist, sergeant and lieutenant. “I wanted to be a chief in the metro area and Rosemount gave me the opportunity,” Kalstabakken said. When he first started in Rosemount, among the issues he dealt with was modifying the city’s hunting boundaries as it was becoming more urban. As the city has grown, the issues he has dealt with have changed, but the city has largely avoided the growing pains of large increases in crime as the population has more than doubled during his tenure. For about the last half of the 2000s, the number of reported thefts, burglaries and most serious crimes have declined 20, 32, and 20 percent, respectively, while incidents of vandalism and less serious crimes have been on a slight uptick. “The vast majority of people in Rosemount are law abiding,” Kalstabakken said in a 2006 interview. “People here are concerned with raising their families. This community attracts people who are looking for safety in their neighborhoods.” At that time, 99 percent of Rosemount residents surveyed reported they felt safe in their homes and 86 percent said they felt safe walking in their neighborhoods at night. Those numbers have remained consistent in subsequent surveys despite a handful of high-profile crimes in recent years, including the city’s first known murder – a stabbing – in 2008 and its second homicide – a shooting – in 2010. In these difficult moments, Kalstabakken said, it was important that he was the person out there being the chief spokesman for the city and the department to convey that the department was handling the investigation in a serious manner and that Rosemount was still a safe place. Despite all of the challenges, Kalstabakken said he’s always enjoyed his job. That satisfaction and the fact that crime has been decreasing in some areas may be due to some of the department’s special programs. Kalstabakken said the

department has put its own stamp on the concept of community policing with its many Night to Unite events, its Coffee with a Cop series, Public Safety in the Parks and citizen police academy. These interactions are the ways in which the department has helped the community understand how it does its job and the role people can play in keeping Rosemount safe. “Everyone wants to have that feeling as we go about doing things that we are safe in the places we live,” Kalstabakken said. He said programs in which police officers are interacting with community members help reinforce that perception and are opportunities for the department to provide information on how people can help. Even when the interaction with residents can be difficult, such as during arrests or responses to calls, Kalstabakken said, he has stressed with his officers to treat all people with dignity and respect. “That way when bad things do happen we can do

the enforcement activities we have to all the way down to the homicides,” he said. It’s a philosophy that has served the department well as its clearance percentage – the rate at which an arrest results in a charge – steadily increased in recent years and is well above national averages. He said the department has been allowed to keep up with demand even as the city has had to fund water, sewer and road projects related to growth. “We have become more of a department where we say we can handle things on our own now, but we know how to ask for help,” Kalstabakken said. While he is looking forward to his next role in his working life, Kalstabakken said he will miss the interactions with the people he has worked with for so many years in Rosemount. “It has been interesting and enjoyable,” he said. Tad Johnson can be reached at tad.johnson@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek May 11, 2012

May 11, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Branning will not seek re-election Endorses Hamann-Roland for county board Branning traveled often and made a point of visiting cit After more than four de- ies like Los Angeles and San cades in public office, Da- Diago to learn “what was kota County Commissioner working and what was not” in various cities. Will Branning an He researched how nounced May 8 he bigger cities handled will not see re-elechousing issues, such tion. as how to provide “I need some time low-income housing to get up and go to opportunities. breakfast with my Many times wife,” Branning, 74, Branning and countold Sun Thisweek Will cil members would after announcing his Branning meet late into the decision at the Dakota County Board meeting. night, sometimes extending He has endorsed Apple into the early morning. Valley Mayor Mary Ha- “We’d sometimes have mann-Roland for the county breakfast at 6 in the mornboard seat he held for 14 ing, and then we went home,” Branning said. years. sometimes “She said she wanted Reporters to run, and I said, ‘That’s went with them, he said. great,’” Branning said. “I “If we had to live under said if she runs, I’d support the rules and regulations of today, we wouldn’t have her and I’d endorse her.” Branning said he consid- Apple Valley as we see it ered “for a long time” when today,” Branning said, nothe should retire and after ing the public involvement consulting with family de- required in decision-making today would have slowed or cided, “It’s time.” “I couldn’t blame it on prohibited plans. weather or health,” he add- “Many of the decisions then were just made by the ed. Branning became a coun- five members of the council member in 1969, serving cil,” he said. in Apple Valley, which was Branning served as Apple Valley mayor from 1976then a village. Talks were focused on de- 1977, but lost the 1978 elecvelopment of the Minnesota tion; he was elected to four Zoological Garden and des- more years on the city counignating an area to become cil in 1980, and was appointed mayor where he served the city’s downtown. “It was fun in those early through 1990. days because we could see He did not seek office things happen,” Branning again for two years, when said. “We could make things after “persistant” constituents urged his candidacy, happen.” In his job as a mechani- Branning was elected mayor cal engineer with Univac, in the fall of 1992, a position

he held until resigning to become Dakota County commissioner in 1997. “I’m proud of a lot of things,” Branning said of his accomplishments in office. County Commissioner Paul Krause said he was surprised at Branning’s county board announcement, calling him a good commissioner for Dakota County. “He’s a good person,” Krause said. “He worked hard and fought for what he believed in. I think he did his best for his constituents.” Krause, who has worked alongside Branning on transportation issues, called the Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit project Branning’s legacy. Earlier this year, Branning expressed disappointment that the BRT would not be operational until 2013, although road work will be largely completed this year. Branning has been urging a November 2012 opening for the system. “I think he set a vision along with the rest of the county board,” Krause said. “And we’re going to carry on that as best we can for the best of our people in Dakota County.” Branning said he plans to enjoy time with his family, and may visit his brother who lives 500 miles away. “I need time with my family,” he said. “I need time to see things, recoup and relax.” Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Hamann-Roland listed Apple Valley’s ranking by Money magazine as one of America’s 20 best places to live, and the city’s achievement of a triple-A bond rating, as being among the highlights of her tenure as mayor. Hamann-Roland last won re-election in 2010, and her current mayoral term runs through the end of 2014. On Wednesday, Branning

endorsed Hamann-Roland to fill his seat on the County Board. “She carried a legacy in Apple Valley, and I know she will carry it on in the county,” Branning said. Candidate filing for County Board seats opens May 22.

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

mayor, from 1A Hamann-Roland was elected mayor of Apple Valley in 1998. Known to many of her constituents simply as “Mayor Mary,” she’s also served with county and state organizations during her time in office, including stints as president of both the Minnesota Mayors Association and the League of Minnesota Cities.

Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

More than just a mascot

Photo by Rick Orndorf

The eagle was more than just the school mascot at Apple Valley High School on Thursday, May 3. An eagle from the University of Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Raptor Center was on hand as the American and Minnesota flags were presented by members of the Minnesota National Guard Honor Guard prior to the boys lacrosse game between Apple Valley and Rosemount.

Sun Thisweek May 11, 2012

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May 11, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Thisweekend World War II comes to life Re-enactment event runs May 19-20 in Farmington by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

Infantry combat, minus the bloodshed, is coming to Dakota City Heritage Village in Farmington next weekend. The World War II reenactment event, which runs May 19-20, will see mock European Theater battles staged by livinghistory groups portraying Axis and Allies soldiers. Now in its third year, the event also features soldier encampments, weapons and military vehicle displays – including a Sherman tank and a Russian armored car – and talks by World War II veterans. “It’s going to be really big this year – tons of vehicles, tons of different re-enactment camps, lots of displays, lots of demonstrations,” said event coordinator Jon Boroom, who also participates in the mock battles. “It’ll be pretty cool.” The weekend’s activities run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Mock battles are scheduled in the morning and afternoon each day. New this year will be a military vehicle cruise through downtown Farmington, Boroom said.

“Home front” displays will be provided by several local historical societies. Many of the historical re-enactors scheduled to participate recently logged some silver-screen experience – they appear in the feature film “Memorial Day” starring Jonathan Bennett and James Cromwell, which includes World War II combat scenes. The Farmington Warrior to Citizen and the Lakeville Beyond the Yellow Ribbon groups will be on hand throughout the weekend to provide information about services available to veterans, military personnel and their families. The Farmington VFW will be there promoting its Veterans Memorial Project. Admission to the event at Dakota City, located at 4008 220th St. W. on the fairgrounds in Farmington, is $7, or $5 with the donation of a non-perishable food item for the food shelf. Children under 5 get in free. More information is at www.dakotacity.org. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ File photo by Rick Orndorf ecm-inc.com or facebook. The guns will be real, the ammo will not, during the mock battles featured at the World War II living-history event at com/sunthisweek. Dakota City Heritage Village.

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Women of Note present concert

Eagan Women of Note will present its spring fundraiser concert, “Songs For Her Beloved,” at 7:30 p.m. on May 19 at Eagan High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for seniors and children under 12.

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theater and arts briefs

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Summer Performance Series set Caponi Art Park and Learning Center’s 2012 Summer Performance Series will feature seven family-friendly theater, dance and music ensembles. Artists will perform Sunday evenings throughout the summer in the park’s Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater in Eagan. The program is free, with a $5 per person suggested donation. Summer Performance Series schedule: • June 3, 6:30 p.m., The First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band.

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• June 17, 7 p.m., Minnesota Sinfonia. Rain date: July 15 at 7:30 p.m. • June 24, 6:30 p.m., Cromulent Shakespeare Company’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. • July 8, 6:30 p.m., Dakota Valley Summer Pops Orchestra. Rain date: July 15 at 6:30 p.m. • July 22, 6:30 p.m., O’Shea Irish Dance and Music. Rain date: July 29 at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m., Mu Daiko Japanese Taiko Drumming. Rain location: Crossroads Church, Eagan. • Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m. Monroe Crossing Bluegrass. Rain location: Crossroads Church, Eagan. More information is available at www.caponiartpark.org/programs/summerperformanceseries/.

Scottish Fair is May 19 The 2012 Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games will take place Saturday, May 19, at the Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 220th St. W., Farmington. General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $5 for children ages 6 to 15, and free for children 5 and younger. For more information, visit www.mnscottishfair.org.

Family Night at IMAX Theatre Family Night is Monday, May 21, at the IMAX Theatre at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. Guests who purchase one adult admission ($7.75 zoo members, $9.75 nonmembers) to the 6:30 p.m. showing of “To The Arctic” will receive one free child’s admission to the movie as well as a complimentary custard treat from Culver’s (while supplies last) before the show. Treats will be served at 5:30 p.m.

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

Auditions The Chameleon Theatre Circle will hold auditions for “Speedthe-Plow” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at 430 Gateway Blvd., Burnsville. Auditions are by appointment only. To register, go to http://chameleontheatre.org/auditions. Performances will be Oct. 12-21 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. 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) 846-8585, artisticdirector@ allegroca.org. Comedy Michael Thorne at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, at MinneHAHA Comedy Club, 1583 E. First Ave., Shakopee (lower level of Dangerfield’s), (612) 860-9388, www.minnehahacomedyclub.com. Tickets: $13. Concerts VocalEssence will present its ¡Cantaré! Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. Tickets may be picked up at the box office, 12600 Nicollet Ave., or go to www.vocalessence. org/2012_cantare_concert for details.

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) 4523163 for more information. 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) 9822787 or ticketmaster.com. Exhibits Children’s Art Festival exhibit is on display through June 2 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Free. Information: (952) 895-4685.

Poetry Poets in the Park Teen Poetry Slam with slam master Cynthia French at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13, in the outdoor amphitheater at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. Teens ages 12-19 are invited to perform up to three pieces of original poetry; those interested in competing should arrive at 1:30 p.m. to sign up. Information: www.caponiartpark.org. Theater “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 Cen-

family calendar

Monday, May 14 Career & Jobs Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan. Free to attend. Friday, May 11 Plant sale by the DCTC Land- Lakeville Area Garden Club scape Horticulture Club from 8 a.m. meeting at 7 p.m. at Main Street to 2 p.m. at Dakota County Tech- Manor, 8725 209th St. W., downnical College, 1300 E. 145th St., town Lakeville. Guest speaker SuRosemount. Bedding plants and san Davis Price will present “The vegetables for sale. Information: History of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.” Information: Vircatherine.grant@dctc.edu. ginia, (651) 463-8056. Saturday, May 12 Plant sale by the Lakeville Area Thursday, May 17 Garden Club from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Benefit for the Quinn Walsh at 9975 W. 194th St., Lakeville family from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Studio (across from Kenwood Trail Middle J Loft, 214 Main St. S., Stillwater. School). Perennials, annuals, and Tickets: $20 adults, $10 students. Ticket price includes taco and enhanging baskets will be on sale. Plant sale by the Eagan Gar- chilada bar and one raffle entry. den Club from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beverages will be available for at Holz Farm Park, 4669 Manor purchase. Event includes music, Drive, Eagan. Perennials, annu- raffle, silent auction, face painting als, and hanging baskets will be and balloon animals. Donations acon sale. Proceeds benefit gardens cepted at all Wells Fargo locations; at Trapp Farm Park, Cedar Pond ask for the Quinn Walsh fund. Park, Wescott Library, and Holz Friday, May 18 Farm. Child car seat recycling from Community Wide Garage 9 a.m. to noon at AAA, 600 W. Trav- Sales in Burnsville. More than 75 elers Trail, Burnsville. Fee: $10 per garage sales. Map: www.burnsville. seat. Information: http://recyclemin- org/garagesale. nesota.org/. To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy.odden@ ecm-inc.com.

ter, 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. Girl Singers of the Hit Parade – Great Female Vocalists of the ’50s will perform at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 13, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $19 and are available at the box office, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or Ticketmaster. com.

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) 675-5521. 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. Drama/theater classes for

Sun Thisweek May 11, 2012 ages 4 and up at River Ridge Arts Building, Burnsville, (952) 7363644. Special needs theater program (autism-DCD), ages 5 and older, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. 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) 6755500. 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 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) 4637833. Beginner country line dance classes on Wednesdays, 5:307:30 p.m., at the Lakeville VFW, 8790 Upper 208th St. $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. 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) 9854640.

tel, 7901 34th Ave., Bloomington, Saturday, May 19 Community Wide Garage (952) 854-1000. Admission: $20, Sales in Burnsville. More than 75 children free. Event includes silent garage sales. Map: www.burnsville. auction and wine toss. Donations org/garagesale. can be made at any Wells Fargo Dakota Gardeners peren- location to “John Schoeben Family nial sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fund.” Information: Frank SchoeCommunity of Christ Church, 5990 ben, (612) 353-7789. 134th St. Court, Apple Valley. Plant sale by the Apple Valley Blood drives Garden Club from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m The American Red Cross will at Redwood Park Pavilion, County hold the following blood drives. Call Road 42 and Redwood Drive, Ap- 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733ple Valley. Perennials and annuals 2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to for sale. Information: Chris at (612) make an appointment or for more 709-7137. information. • May 11, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 20 Easter Lutheran Church - By Bird banding from 9 a.m. to The Lake, 4545 Pilot Knob Road, noon at Ritter Farm Park, 19300 Eagan. Ritter Trail, Lakeville. Cost: $2 per • May 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., person for ages 10 and above, free Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott for children under 10. Road, Eagan. Ride for the Greenways com- • May 12, 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 munity bike ride from noon to p.m., Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. 4 p.m. starting at the Minnesota County Road 42, Burnsville. Zoo’s east parking lot, Apple Valley. • May 16, 2 to 7 p.m., Good Choose from 10-mile or 30-mile Shepherd Lutheran Church, 151 E. route. Helmets required. Cost: $9 County Road 42, Burnsville. individual, $15 family before May • May 17, 8 a.m. to noon, Dako13, $12 and $20 afterwards. Reg- ta County Western Service Center, ister at http://valleybikeandski.com. 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley. Get well party and benefit for • May 17, noon to 6 p.m., St. the John Schoeben family from 3:30 Martha & Mary Episcopal Church, to 7:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites Ho- 4180 Lexington Ave. S., Eagan.

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Mother’s Day flute recital

Adam Kuenzel Minnesota Orchestra Principal Flute, Adam Kuenzel, and pianist Judith Gordon will present their “Timeless and Universal” recital at 2 p.m. on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and may be purchased at the arts center, by phone at (952) 9854640, or online at www.lakevillemn.gov.

Ole and Lena celebrate 50 years together

Photo submitted

Ole and Lena will attempt to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and vow renewal at 7:30 p.m. performances May 11 and 12 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling (952) 985-4640.

12A

Sports

May 11, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Former Wild Irish play a wild game Rosemount prevails in girls lacrosse game against one-time teammates

by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Everybody needed a few minutes to catch their breath after Tuesday’s Rosemount-Eagan girls lacrosse game. The first varsity game between girls who used to be teammates left both sides exhausted. Even the public address announcer at Rosemount High School had to be getting hoarse after reading off the scoring for 49 goals. In a game when it became clear the last team with possession would win, Rosemount midfielder Cassie Miller scored off a restart with five seconds remaining to give the Irish a 25-24 victory. It will be memorable to both sides for several reasons. “We haven’t ever had a game that was this highscoring,” Miller said. Also, it was the first game between girls varsity teams from Rosemount and Eagan because previously the schools had been on the same side. They sponsored a co-op team called the Wild Irish before splitting after last season, after the combined team made a surprising run to the Section 3 final. Because a combined Rosemount-Eagan team might have contended for a state tournament spot this year, there was some reluc-

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Bethann Dugstad (left) of Rosemount tries to keep Eagan’s Rosemount’s Shannon Swanson tries to spin away from Eagan’s Sydney Funk (39) during Amy Klein from advancing the ball upfield. the first half of the Irish’s 25-24 girls lacrosse victory Tuesday. tance to split, said Rosemount coach Jeff Smith, who was head coach of the co-op squad the last two seasons. “Some of the kids wanted to stay together,” Smith said. “It was tough for them. One of my favorite things (from coaching the co-op team) was watching how these kids from two different schools came together to create a team. But I think we also had some kids who were ready to break off on their own and have their own identity.” If the co-op remained in place this spring, more than 70 girls likely would have come to tryouts. Eagan varsity coach Kerry Blaine said the two schools are not

expected to have trouble filling teams. “Rosemount has a great youth program and Eagan’s starting one now,” Blaine said. “Right now, we’re getting some girls who haven’t played much lacrosse before, but the interest is there.” Experience might be the biggest problem facing the Irish and Wildcats this season. If the combined team had continued, it would have had a veteran player starting at almost every position. As separate teams, Rosemount and Eagan have filled in spots with players who are learning the sport on the fly. “We have a lot of soccer players,” said Miller, a Rose-

mount senior captain. “We were looking for speed, and we knew we could work on stick skills later.” The former Wild Irish played a wild game Tuesday. Rosemount took a lead in the first half, but Eagan fought back. The Wildcats had a two-goal lead with less than three minutes remaining before the Irish scored three in a row – two by junior Maddie Johnson, one by Meghan Tuccitto – to move in front 24-23. Eagan senior Simone Haugen scored her 11th – yes, 11th – goal of the game to tie it 24-24 with 28 seconds remaining. With the teams scrambling for possession after the ensuing

faceoff, officials called a foul on Eagan and awarded Rosemount the ball. Another foul gave Miller a chance to shoot following a restart and score the game-winner. Rosemount took possession of a traveling trophy created by Blaine, an industrial technology teacher at Apple Valley High School. Blaine’s team didn’t get to take the trophy back to Eagan as the Wildcats dropped to 1-9, but the coach said he saw positive signs for his team. “We’re not happy with losing, but I thought we played well,” he said. “Both sides played well. There’s a lot to be proud of.” Rosemount (7-3) ap-

peared to be as much relieved as happy. Asked if he wouldn’t look forward to seeing Eagan in the section playoffs later this month, Smith said, “There are a lot of South Suburban Conference teams I don’t look forward to seeing again. We’ve had a lot of battles. We’ve had only one game where there was more than a three-goal difference.” Said Miller: “We knew Eagan’s record wasn’t good, but we know what kind of players they have. You can’t underestimate anyone in lacrosse.” Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Lightning baseball How tough will it be for Jackson to stay away? Eagle wrestling coach says he’s ready for a clean break still hoping for shot at the title by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Eastview gets rematch with Blaze on Monday

by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

After Eastview lost to Burnsville on April 23 in a battle for the South Suburban Conference baseball lead, the Lightning’s goal was to make sure its next game against the Blaze would mean something. Eastview moved closer to making that happen with its 10-0 victory over Lakeville South on Monday. That kept the Lightning (10-3 overall, 10-2 SSC) within one game of Burnsville in the conference race. The team had games against Eagan on Wednesday and Prior Lake on Thursday before it could turn its attention to its rematch at home against Burnsville at 4:15 p.m. Monday. Burnsville defeated Eastview 5-3 in the teams’ first meeting at Alimagnet Park. “We have a long way to go before we can focus on Burnsville,” Eastview coach Tom Strey said Tuesday. “But if we can get to that game, we have a chance to get the conference championship, and that’s one of our goals.” Senior pitcher/infielder Evan DeCovich continued his monster season in the Lakeville South game. He out-hit the Cougars by himself, pounding three doubles while South managed just two hits. The Eastview pitcher who shut down Lakeville South? That also was DeCovich, who threw a six-inning, two-hit shutout with no walks and 11 strikeouts. “He pitches our first game of the week, which means he’s usually going up against the other team’s top pitcher,” Strey said. “He’s also a big kid with some nice power. He doesn’t necessarily need

the lively bats to hit the ball out of the park.” DeCovich was 3-2 in his first five starts but had a 1.85 ERA and 40 strikeouts (against just three walks) in 30 1/3 innings. He was hitting .488 with four homers (also Eastview’s team total) and 22 RBI (no other Lightning player had more than nine). Quinn Trusty (3-1), Chris Narum and Patrick Strey each have pitched at least 10 innings for the Lightning, and their performances have been critical in keeping Eastview near the top of the conference standings. Senior Adam Moorse, who was projected to be the team’s No. 1 or No. 2 starter, has not pitched since the season opener after having elbow discomfort. He was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday, which could determine if he will be available at any point the rest of the season. “Quinn Trusty has thrown well for us,” Tom Strey said. “He also had a very good summer last year. Chris Narum has really stepped up; we didn’t expect him to do a lot of pitching. Patrick has been doing a good job for us at the end of games.” After the first Burnsville game, Tom Strey said the Lightning needed to be more productive at the plate. The players have honored that request, averaging eight runs per game in their next six. Eastview raised its team batting average to .322. Narum (.432), Cameron Hall (.359, nine RBI), Austin Hebig (.333) and Patrick Strey (.300) are among the team’s offensive leaders. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike.shaughnessy@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

A few days after announcing his retirement from coaching, Jim Jackson said he was comfortable with the decision. But he acknowledged there probably are some people out there who wonder if he can make it stick. In 1995, Jackson took over as Apple Valley High School’s wrestling coach for program founder Bill Demaray. A year later, Demaray was back with the team as an assistant coach, at Jackson’s request. So, how is Jackson going to say no if the new Apple Valley coach – whoever that is; applications are being accepted until May 25 – asks him to come back? “It’s a different situation,” he said. “When I asked Bill to come back, I think his kids were already grown. I have a 12-year-old daughter. I need to be there for her. During wrestling season, there were four or five nights a week that were

really hectic.” Last week, Demaray told Sun Thisweek Newspapers that he still enjoyed coaching when he stepped aside, but no longer wanted to be a head coach. His one-year absence from the wrestling room had more to do with wanting to give Jackson the opportunity to do things his way. Demaray remains with the program to this day and said he would be interested in staying on. Many high school coaches have admitted to underestimating the demands of being a head coach. Last week, Apple Valley assistant coach Chad Erikson, a four-time state individual champion for the Eagles in the 1990s, said coaching in and of itself was a full-time job for Jackson and Demaray. Erikson’s remarks were relayed to Jackson, who replied, “I would say Chad’s right on. “Here’s the deal – I go to my cabin in the summer, but I’m never really relax-

ing. I’m thinking about the lineup, or how we’re going to raise money. ... It’s all-consuming. That’s how I was. I didn’t think you could do it for three, four or five months – you have to be a head coach year-round.” Jackson’s teams won 14 state championships and more than 600 matches. As Apple Valley wrestling raised its national profile – the Eagles were declared national high school champions by major wrestling websites in 2010 and 2011 – it required more frequent travel. The Eagles frequently went to weekend tournaments in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, even points farther away. With school districts cutting their spending on athletics, the responsibility for financing the trips fell to the team, and its boosters. Jackson said raising money was one of his most stressful and least favorite aspects of coaching. “Raising money is no fun,” he said. “And with the

program we have, you have to raise a lot of money to keep it going.” Over the next few years, Jackson said there’s a chance he will see more tennis than wrestling. His daughter Taylor is a competitive tennis player. Jackson, 54, teaches physical education at Falcon Ridge Middle School. He said he plans to teach eight or nine more years. As for coaching, he insists he’s done after 32 years in the AVHS program. He said he’s not sure if he even will spend much time at the wrestling room or go to Eagles matches. “I think I need to make a complete break,” he said. “I’ll definitely miss the kids and the guys I coached with, but I think it would be hard for me if I hung around. “I owe a lot to coaching, but it’s time to focus on other things.”

Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Eagles come up just short of signature victory Top-ranked Jefferson softball team beats AV 6-2 by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

An upset was brewing for most of Monday afternoon’s softball game between Apple Valley and Bloomington Jefferson. The Eagles needed just four more outs for a potentially program-changing victory. But that’s when No.1ranked Jefferson got its offense in gear. The bases were empty with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, but the Jaguars quickly loaded them with three consecutive singles. Nicole Tobon then lifted a fly ball over the right-field fence for a grand slam that turned Jefferson’s one-run deficit into a three-run lead. The Jaguars went on to win 6-2, and Apple Valley continued to look for the victory that would make the Eagles a team to fear in the upcoming Section 3AAA playoffs. Winning games has not

been a problem for the Eagles, who are 11-6 overall and 6-5 in the South Suburban Conference. But they continue to look for that signature victory, one that tells their own players – and everybody else – that they have a shot against the best teams in the state. Apple Valley is 1-5 against the four teams ahead of the Eagles in the SSC standings and 5-0 against the five teams that trail them. Jefferson defeated Apple Valley 12-2 in the first game between the teams April 11, so in some ways Monday’s game was a step forward. “I’m not really into moral victories,” Apple Valley coach Carla Christiansen said, “but Jefferson plays with an awful lot of confidence, and maybe we had them on their heels for a little while.” More importantly, Christiansen said, the players weren’t satisfied with merely

coming close to beating a strong opponent. “We could tell they weren’t happy with it, and I think that’s a good thing,” the coach said. “We need them to come back and say, ‘We know we can win.’” Senior pitcher Loryn Charbonneau was ill the day of the Jefferson game but had to step into the circle because the Eagles’ backup pitcher was injured. Jefferson had 12 hits but left 11 runners on base as Charbonneau made big pitches when she needed them for the first 5 2/3 innings. The Eagles made four errors and were lamenting a foul popup that dropped and allowed a Jefferson hitter another chance to reach base, which she did. While the play did no immediate damage, Christiansen pointed out that if it had been made, Tobon, a .564 hitter, might not have come to the plate in the sixth

inning with the bases loaded. “If we make one play, they don’t get that at-bat,” the coach said. “Especially in our conference, it’s literally one pitch, one play, that can make the difference.” Apple Valley had just two hits against a Jefferson team that Christiansen said might have the South Suburban’s three best pitchers. “We did take advantage of the opportunities we had,” the coach added. Seniors such as Charbonneau and infielders Hailey Casperson, Kati Erb and Julia Gerlach are key players for an Apple Valley team that also has four ninth-graders and an eighth-grader. As a group, the team is hitting well, Christiansen said. “Our team average is as high as it’s been in a while,” she said. “We have five kids See EAGLES, 13A

Notebook: Local athletes up for Lions awards Winners to be announced May 15 by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Four seniors from South Suburban Conference high schools are finalists for St. Paul Downtown Lions Club athlete of the year awards that will be presented May 15. The presentations will be part of an awards and recognition luncheon at the Prom Center in Oakdale. Finalists for the male athlete of the year award include Drew Bauer of Eagan and Dan Motl of Burnsville. Bauer started at quarterback for the Eagan football team in 2011, helping lead the Wildcats to the section championship game. He also played varsity basketball and qualified for the 2011 state Class 3A boys golf tournament, tying for 36th place. Bauer signed to play football at the University of Minnesota - Duluth. Motl is the center fielder for Burnsville’s baseball team, which won the state Class 3A championship in 2011 and is ranked first in the state this year. He played quarterback for the Blaze’s football team and also saw time at defensive back and on special teams. He will play baseball at the University of Minnesota. Eastview’s Paige Palkovich, a finalist for the female athlete of the year award, was a starting guard for the Lightning basketball team that reached the 2012 state Class 4A tournament. She also is an All-State player in softball, and pitches and plays infield for Eastview. She will attend the University of Minnesota on a softball scholarship this fall. Eagan’s Alanna Stangl has competed at state in hockey, track and field and cross country. She made four state appearances in cross country and three each in hockey and track. Stangl, who also is her school’s Athena Award winner, will attend the University of Minnesota. Other finalists for the male athlete of the year award are

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Eastview’s Paige Palkovich is one of six candidates for the St. Paul Downtown Lions Club female athlete of the year award. R.J. Alowonle of Park, Jerad Gardner of St. Paul Central, Eric Gebeke of White Bear Lake and Dayo Ogundepo of East Ridge. Also in the running for the female athlete of the year award are Erika Allen of Roseville, Erica Dombro of St. Paul Highland Park, Alexis Foley of White Bear Lake and Julia Stedman of North St. Paul. The St. Paul Lions award program started in 1943. Previous winners include Natalie Darwitz, Joe Mauer, Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield.

Ekstein’s record still perfect

Who’s No. 1? Eastview, for now It’s becoming increasingly difficult for a team to dominate in Minnesota High School boys lacrosse. At of Wednesday, only one Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned team was undefeated – White Bear Lake, which was 9-0 and ranked seventh in the state. Eastview had been undefeated until Tuesday night, when the No. 1-ranked Lightning was upset 8-7 by Lakeville North in a South Suburban Conference game. The Lightning was coming off an 11-4 victory over Eagan, which had been ranked first in the state earlier this season and now is No. 4. Eastview junior Ryan McNamara had three goals and three assists in the Eagan game and came into this week with 41 points (24 goals, 17 assists). Eagan managed to keep Jake Heppner, Eastview’s other explosive scorer, from getting a goal or assist, but Heppner scooped up seven ground balls. Eastview is 5-1 in the South Suburban, tied with Eagan for first place.

Eagan High School sophomore Zach Ekstein, who plays No. 2 singles for the boys tennis team, defeated Eden Prairie’s David Zhou 6-1, 6-4 on Monday to improve to 16-0 this season. Last season Ekstein teamed with Brendan Hollidge to win the Section 3AA doubles tournament. Still to be determined is whether Ekstein will play singles or doubles in this year’s section tournament. Hollidge graduated last year, so Ekstein would need a new doubles partner. But playing singles also might be attractive as Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. Eagan coach Scott Nichols shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or called Ekstein possibly the facebook.com/sunthisweek. best No. 2 player in the state.

EAGLES, from 12A batting over .300. We want to improve our situational hitting, but I like that our kids are becoming students of the game.” The loss to Jefferson deflated the Eagles for a while, but “maybe that means we just have to wait until the playoffs,” Christiansen said. The Eagles defeated Red Wing 13-3 in five innings and South St. Paul 10-0 in six innings during their roundrobin tournament Saturday at Apple Valley High School. Anoka also was in the fourteam tournament but asked that its game with Apple Valley be cancelled because it would have put the Tornadoes one over the state maximum of 20 regular-season games.

Eastview

13A One ray of light in an otherwise frustrating season for the Wildcats was their 10-2 victory over Winona Cotter in the consolation semifinals of the Great 8 Invitational tournament Saturday at Johnny Cake Ridge Park. That was Eagan’s first victory after opening the season with 13 consecutive losses. Eagan was 1-14 overall after losing to Prior Lake 12-0 in a South Suburban Conference game Monday afternoon. Infielder Abby Brinkmeier is one of the South Suburban Conference’s top hitters with a .521 average through last week’s play.

Sun Thisweek May 11, 2012

The Lightning improved to 7-4 in the South Suburban Conference and 10-5 overall after defeating Lakeville South 3-1 on Monday afternoon. Paige Palkovich was the winning pitcher, her third victory of the season. Eastview went 1-1 in the rain-shortened Great 8 Invitational on Saturday at Johnny Cake Ridge Park. After a 3-1 loss to Hopkins in the opening round, the Lightning defeated Hermantown 7-3 in the consolation semifinals. The final round of the tournament was rained out. Batting leaders for the Lightning include Melissa Barry (.549), Sophie Runing Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. (.500) and Ari Hipolito (.476). shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek. Eagan

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Rosemount seniors

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The following activities are sponsored by the Rosemount Parks and Recreation Department and the Rosemount Area Seniors. For more information, call the Rosemount Parks and Recreation Department at (651) 322-6000. Monday, May 14 – Bridge, 9 a.m., Do Drop Inn; 500, 1 p.m., DDI. Tuesday, May 15 – Coffee, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rosemount Cub; Crafts, 1 p.m., DDI. Wednesday, May 16 – Water Color Painting, 9 a.m., DDI; Velvet Tones, 10 a.m., Apple Valley Community Center; Bowling, 1 p.m., City Limits in Rosemount. Thursday, May 17 – Cribbage, 1 p.m., DDI. Friday, May 18 – Euchre, 9 a.m., DDI; Bowling, 1 p.m., Apple Place in Apple Valley; 500 Tournament, 7 p.m., Rosemount Community Center. • Yoga Gently: The next session will run from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays, May 16 through June 20, at the Rosemount Community Center. Cost is $60. Bring a yoga mat. Register online at www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/ parks or at the parks and recreation office. • “Pearl of the Lake” Cruise: Thursday, July 12, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Scenic cruise on Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River. Lunch at Chickadee Cottage Café. Cost is $71, which includes bus, cruise, meal, tax and gratuity. Register by June 18 at the parks and recreation office. The Rosemount Area Seniors “Do Drop Inn” is open to senior citizens 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. The room is located in the Rosemount Community Center and allows seniors a place to stop by and socialize during the week.

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Prevent Suicide. Treat Depression.

www.save.org

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED PLAN UPDATE FOR THE BLACK DOG WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, the Black Dog Watershed Management Board will meet at the Burnsville Maintenance Center, 13713 Frontier Lane, Burnsville, Minnesota at 5:00 P.M. on May 16, 2012 or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the meeting will be to hold a public hearing on a proposed updated and amended watershed management plan. All persons who desire to be heard shall be heard at this time and place. DATED this 26th day of April, 2012. BLACK DOG WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION BY: /s/ Roger N. Knutson, Its Attorney 2995521 5/4-5/11/12

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Independent School District 196 will hold three public hearings on the continued Flexible Learning Year calendar for the Transition Plus and Pathway programs. The public hearings will be held on Monday, May 21; Wednesday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 29. The three public hearings will be held from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the Transition Plus/Pathway program in the ATP building located at 5840 149th Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124. The Transition Plus and Pathway programs are for learners, 18 to 21 years old, with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The District is recommending completion of a Flexible Learning Year application for continuation of the school year calendar that runs from August through June. The Transition Plus and Pathway programs have had this calendar in place since they began in 1995 and 2000 respectively. May 2012 3005117 5/11/12

George L. Boss

Dr. Palmer Peterson

Dr. Palmer Peterson passed away on May 6, 2012 at age 95. He and his wife, Lois, resided in Burnsville, MN for 41 years. Palmer was born February 18, 1917 to Peter and Aletta (Lee) Peterson and grew up on a farm in Cashton, Wisconsin. Growing up, he enjoyed working on the farm, playing pond hockey, downhill skiing and fishing in the valleys while listening to the birds sing, especially the song sparrow. He graduated from Cashton High School in May 1935 and attended the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse. Following graduation, he taught high school chemistry, physics, and biology in Monticello and Mankato. In 1940, Palmer enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the Jacksonville Florida Naval Hospital to establish the Naval School of Physical Therapy for technicians and Navy trainees. During this period of duty, Palmer was accepted for medical school and was assigned to the University of Marquette Medical School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1952, he completed his Surgical Fellowship at the University of Minnesota and began his general surgical practice in Bloomington, Minnesota. Palmer was affectionately known to his patients and friends as "Dr. Pete", and treated each patient as if they were his only one. He always had plenty of time for his patients and great compassion for them. Palmer retired in 1997 after 50 years of medical practice. Palmer was passionate about the environment, energy conservation and saving wildlife. He greatly enjoyed his natural backyard and feeding and observing the birds and animals. In 2006, he established a 20 acre nature preserve in perpetuity as a tribute to his parents and grandparents. The land was part of their Wisconsin pioneer farm established in 1866. He was very proud of his 100% Norwegian heritage and family genealogy. To honor this legacy, Palmer initiated the call to descendants for a Benrud family memorial. This memorial became a restored pioneer church that now stands at Norskedalen, a Norwegian heritage and nature center, near Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Palmer is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Alette (Lee) Peterson; siblings, Elnora (age 3), Lillian (Paul) Halverson, Mabel (Theodore) Bolles, Milford (Genevieve) Peterson, and Hilmer (Frances) Peterson. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lois (Kuenzel) Peterson of Burnsville, their daughter, Paula (Casey) O'Keefe and granddaughter, Kayla of Burnsville. He is survived by son, Brent Peterson of Naples, FL; daughter, Sheri Peterson of Fort Myers, FL; and Brad (Sandra) Peterson of Murphys, CA; grandchildren, Robert and Karlee Peterson; Sarah (Scott) LeMaster and Hilary (Seth) Hayden; and great-grandchildren, Skylar, Shane and Scottie LeMaster and Sophia Hayden. Sincere thanks to the professional and dedicated staff at Highview Hills in Lakeville, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center, P.O. Box 235, Coon Valley, WI, 54623; the North Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, S470 Sunrise Road, Cashton, WI, 54619; or the Mount Olivet Retreat and Nature Center. Funeral service Saturday, May 12, 10:30 AM with visitation 1/2 hour prior at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 50th and Knox Avenue South, Minneapolis. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation also Friday 4-7 PM at the: www.Washburn-McReavy.com E d i n a C h a p e l 952-920-3996 West 50th & Hwy 100

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Age 80 of Lakeville, died on May 8, 2012. Survived by his wife Margory, who was blessed to have met him, loved him, and married him. Survived by his blended family: Megan (Jason) Dietz, Kari (Steve) Hardwick, Melissa (Rick) Miles, Rebecca Meehan, Elizabeth (David) Potter, Timothy Kraft, Steven (Toni) Kraft and Alan Meehan; 13 grandchildren; two great grandchildren and other family membe rs and speci al friend s Leo Seikkula and Dennis McNeilis. Visitation was held on Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 10:00 am – 12:00 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 20165 Heath Ave., Lakeville (952-469-4916). Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.

Verona C. Wallace

Verona C. Wallace, age 80, of Hastings, passed away May 4, 2012 at Regina Nursing Home in Hastings. She was born in Waterbury Township, MN on November 15, 1931 to Albert and Margaret (Froehle) Lensing. Verona married Leonard Wallace in Wabasso, MN on June 12, 1954. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; son, Paul; grandson, Justin; parents; brothers, Walter; Linus; Bernard; Albert; Kenneth; and Harold; sisters, Dorothy; and Rosemary. Verona is survived by her children, Mark; Nancy McIlvaine (Wayne Hallberg); Keith (Kathie); Peter (Linda); Amy Novotny; and John (Amy); grandchildren, Matthew; Michael; Jessica; Dylan; Andrew; Christopher; Brady; Daniel; Joseph; Jordan; Zachary; Emily; and Amanda; great granddaughter, Melea; and special friend, Leo Soukup. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Jim Perkl, was held on Tues. (5/8) at 9:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. 15th St., Hastings. A visitation was held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Mon. (5/7) at Wise Family Funeral Home, 400 Spring St., Hastings. Interment was at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Savage. To view the memorial video and sign the online guestbook, visit: www.wisefamilyfh.com.

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Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary Bonnie and Bob Cowles celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on April 15, 2012. They were married in Cannon Falls, MN and reside in Apple Valley. They have been blessed with a son Jason (Angela) and two daughters Katherine (Dimuthu) and Anne (Wade) along with three grandchildren and one on the way!

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 selfaddressed, stamped envelope is provided.

Sun Thisweek May 11, 2012

News Briefs Bike sale to benefit Kids ’n Kinship

Famous Dave’s BBQ restaurant in Apple Valley. For more information, contact Anderson at (952) 322-4729 Rick Anderson of Apple or Ricka@pcgagencies.com. Valley will hold his fourth annual bike sale to benefit Unmarried Kids ’n Kinship from 9 a.m. parents rights to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at his home, 12738 Ethelton The Dakota County Law Library will host a free leWay, Apple Valley. Dozens of refurbished gal information session on bikes will be offered start- the topic of Unmarried ing at $20 per bike with all Parents’ Rights from 6:30 the proceeds going to Kids to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May ’n Kinship. Cash donations 22, at the Galaxie Library, will also be accepted. Any- 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple one who purchases a bike Valley. can register to win one of Walter Burke, staff attortwo $50 gift certificates for ney at Central Minnesota

Legal Services, will be the presenter. The session will cover paternity, child custody, parenting time, and child support. Questions about the class can be directed to Liz Reppe, Law Library manager, at (651) 438-8244.

Yellow Ribbon open house set May 29 The Apple Valley Yellow Ribbon Network will celebrate Apple Valley’s recent proclamation as a Yellow Ribbon City with an open house for the community

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from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, in the Yellowstone Room at the Hayes Community and Senior Center. The celebration will include beverages, food, cake, door prizes, face painting, information tables for veterans and their families and sign up information for volunteers and organizations interested in helping the Apple Valley Yellow Ribbon Network continue to reach out to families in the community. Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland will provide opening remarks. All Apple Valley residents are welcome. For more information regarding the event, contact Bruce Folken at bfolken@ frontiernet.net or Dee Lange at gndlange@frontiernet.net.

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songs, bounces and playtime for children newborn to 24 months and their caregivers.

Robert Trail Library, 14395 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount, has planned the following programs. Call (651) 480-1200 for more information. • Thursday, May 17, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Story Time for All Ages. Stories, singing and activities for a mixed age group, ages 0-6. Also, a spring time craft to make and take home. • Monday, May 21, 7 to 7:45 p.m., Celebrate Spring Story Time. Special stories, activities and a craft to celebrate spring. • Wednesday, May 23, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Story Time for Babies. Stories,

Local teachers’ art on exhibit Artwork by local art teachers Amy Saam and Briana Kane will be included in a Welcome to Summer Show from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 2 at 325 Ramsey St. in St. Paul. Saam and Kane are Apple Valley Parks and Recreation teachers who work for Young Rembrandts, an organization that partners with preschools, elementary schools and community centers to teach drawing.

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Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13th

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at...

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May 11, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Developer hopes to turn Eagan golf course into housing by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

Golfers took full advantage of the warm weather Monday as they hit a few rounds at Parkview Golf Club. But if one developer has its way, Eagan residents will have one fewer places to putt. Eden Prairie-based real estate developer Hunter Emerson has notified city officials and residents it intends to build 173 homes on the nearly 80-acre site. “This is a piece of property that we have been looking at for quite some time,” said Kurt Manley, spokesman for Hunter Emerson. “We were drawn to the location and the Eagan community.” The developer’s plans also call for a clubhouse, community gathering space, neighborhood parks and a bike path that would connect the new development to the Fairway Hills neighborhood and Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Home prices would range from $200,000 to $650,000. Hunter Emerson recently purchased the property from the club’s owner, and hopes the city will change its guide plan to allow such a development. Its proposal to amend the guide plan will go before the planning commission on May 22. If it gets approval from the commission, the amendment will move on to the City Council for consideration. This latest development plan comes as yet another sign to city officials that Eagan’s real estate market is

Photo by Jessica Harper

heard of it in five to 10 years,” he said. In addition to her concerns about losing a local golf course, Browne questions whether new housing will sell in a down housing market, but hopes if the development does sell it will boost property values in nearby neighborhoods. Browne said she also has concerns about traffic and storm water management. Several steps will need to be taken before the developer can break ground. Among other things, the City Council would need to rezone the site as residential and approve detailed plans before the project can move forward.

Parkview Golf Club in Eagan has been purchased by developers who intend to build a 173 home development on the site. starting to recover. golf club is already strug “We’re seeing activity gling, therefore, a smaller that wasn’t seen in a while, one would not make ecoin part, due to the fact that nomic sense. Eagan is closer in (toward If the project moves forthe core cities),” said Jon ward, Parkview will be the Hohenstein, Eagan commu- second Eagan golf club to nity development director. be turned into housing. Car In addition to housing, riage Hills was sold nearly Jessica Harper is at jessica. commercial development 10 years ago to developers harper@ecm-inc.com or facehas begun to pop up across who intended on redevelop- book.com/sunthisweek. the suburban city. ing the property into hous Just in the last few ing, but were stalled by the months, CSM announced recession. Another developplans to turn the 51-acre er has since began construcLockheed Martin property tion. in Eagan into a retail devel- Only one golf course — opment and an East Coast Lost Spur — would remain. developer presented plans However, Hohenstein for an outlet mall in the Ce- notes that there are several dar Grove redevelopment golf courses nearby in Aparea. ple Valley and Burnsville. �� But not everyone takes Though golf course ownan optimistic viewpoint ers have sold to developers when looking at Hunter in the past, it’s far from a Emerson’s redevelopment trend, said Curt Walker, explans. ecutive director of the Mid�� Kathleen Browne, who west Golf Course Owners �� lives near the golf club, said Association. �� she is concerned about los- Historically, selling a golf �� ing yet another golf course course to housing develop- �� in Eagan. ers was a popular move, but �� Browne said she would in with the slumped market �� like to see nine of the 18 in recent years, few club �� holes preserved for golfing. owners turn to that option, �� But Manley pointed out �� that the existing 18-hole Walker said. �� “This is the first I’ve ��

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Golf Guide

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