SUN Thisweek Apple Valley and Rosemount by Sun Thisweek

Apple Valley | Rosemount

www.SunThisweek.com opinion

August 31, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 27

One Book’s power tells the tale Residents encouraged to become One Rosemount through story, events

by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

Challenging work in schools Recent survey says students feel that the curriculum could be more challenging. Page 6A

sports

Home. The word conjures up all kinds of different images. Is it the house you grew up in? The city where you live now? The neighborhood playground? The school? A good book? Kansas author Clare Vanderpool, author of the Newbery award-winning “Moon Over Manifest,” hopes the latter is the start of the conversation. Her historical fiction novel is the selection for this fall’s One Book, One Rosemount program, which starts Sept. 1 and ends Oct.

9 when Vanderpool visits Rosemount for the finale. “It is a huge honor and I am very much looking forward to the event in Rosemount,” Vanderpool wrote in an email. “I think community wide book events are a great thing for adults and kids and the fact that Rosemount picked a book that can appeal to both is wonderful.” Vanderpool’s visit is just the “start” of the activities for the city’s second One Book effort. The first was in the fall of 2010. Eighteen events will center around her book that takes the reader on 12-year-

old Abilene’s journey to find “home.” The events include book club discussions of “Moon Over Manifest,” music, games, research seminars and an essay contest (see box on Page 5A). Free books will be given to those who commit to participating in one of three book clubs – children, teen and adult. There’s a few hundred other books, which were purchased with funds from SKB Environmental, that can be checked out from the Robert Trail Library or school media centers. The concept is that hav-

together in small and profound ways. It’s an effort that was launched by the Rosemount Community Leaders Group, which is composed of civic, church and school leaders, in response to the 2008 stabbing death of 17-year-old Cody Casey, believed to be the city’s first homicide. Jamie Jurgensen, Robert Trail Library manager and member of the Leaders Group, proposed the first Clare Vanderpool One Book event, which centered around “It’s a Long ing people reading one Way to Chicago” by Richbook and talking about it See One Book, 18A will bring the community

Proto Labs adds 100 jobs Fall sports served up The Rosemount girls tennis team opened its fall sports season, along with other area teams, this week. Page 8A

thisweekend

Author pens story of ‘home’ Kansas-based author Clare Vanderpool’s novel will be featured in One Book, One Rosemount effort. Page 15A

Online As the prep fall sports season begins, see the website for more photos and game stories. With most area students starting the 2011-12 school year on Tuesday, look for photos from the first day at SunThisweek. com. Tell us what One Book, One Rosemount event you are most looking forward to in the comments section of the online story.

More hires slated in the coming months, years by Joseph Palmersheim

Announcements . . . . . . . 7A Public Notices. . . . . . . . . 7A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A Classifieds. . . . . . . 10A-13A

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

Photos from Proto Labs

Maple Plain-based Proto Labs opened a new facility in the Rosemount Business Park earlier this year that has over 100 employees.

The Rosemount location of Proto Labs is supporting the business’s Protomold production parts line, while implementing a number of process improvements aimed at even greater efficiencies, according to CEO Brad Cleveland. The site is projected to have over 300 employees, which would make it one of the city’s top employers.

A piece of equipment used to process Dakota County drug evidence was improperly maintained, and even when it showed signs that results could be wrong, a lab worker did nothing about it, an analyst at the St. Paul police department drug lab testified Friday. Roberta DeCrans, the only witness to testify during the evidentiary hearing last week, said there could have been contamination to drug evidence that occurred with the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer at the lab during testing. The GCMS is a highlysensitive instrument that identifies chemicals, in part, by how quickly they travel through a polymer tube. It also identifies them based on mass after a process turns them into particles of positively charged ions. Analysts are able to set the range of ion mass for the instrument to detect. When one of those tests showed an abnormal range, DeCrans said she continued to test samples with the machine. She said she did not document if she alerted maintenance workers about the issue, See crime lab, 17A

School bells to ring Churches enter amendment debate Observers say many are turned off by mixing religion and politics Sun Thisweek

Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A

Sun Thisweek

See proto labs, 16A

by T.W. Budig

Index

by Laura Adelmann

Sun Thisweek

A Minnesota plastics company creates more than parts – since moving to Rosemount, it has created more than 100 jobs. After a grand opening in May, Proto Labs’ new location at the corner of County Road 42 and Highway 3 in Rosemount has added much-needed jobs to the local economy. The company focuses on creating custommade plastic parts using computer numerical control (automation of machining tools) and injection molding technology in facilities around the world. The former Webb Cos. Building in the Rosemount Business Park was chosen as Proto Labs’ latest site in part due to the building suiting the company’s needs while being close to company headquarters in Maple Plain. While more than 100 people are currently working at the 129,000-squarefoot Rosemount plant, the company expects that number to grow to approximately 300 by the end of 2014 to keep up with expected growth rates. Hiring for new positions is ongoing. If that happens, the company will become a top-three employer in Rosemount behind Flint Hills

Crime lab did not test equipment after unusual readings

In a procession brightened with sashes and crosses, more than 100 religious leaders passed beneath the pines outside the State Fairgrounds last week, singing of letting their little lights shine. The spiritual leaders were at the State Fair to rally against the proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the November ballot.

Bishop Ann M. Svennungsen, of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, spoke of seeking pathways in life as welcoming as the radical welcome Jesus Christ offers to all. “The Gospels have always divided good people,” said the Rev. Michael Tegeder of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Minneapolis, who also opposes the amendment. See debate, 10A

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Scott Highlands Middle School staff members (from left) Mary Keating, Paula Kalton, and Jenny Rauner help incoming students and parents on Aug. 28 as they fill out paperwork for the new school year. The Back to School Jamboree was one of many District 196 school open houses scheduled for this week. School officially starts on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Look for more photos of the first day of school at SunThisweek.com.

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

City of Rosemount introduced redesigned website this month The city of Rosemount this month implemented a new design for its website, intended to make information easier to find for current and prospective residents and businesses. The site at http:// ci.rosemount.mn.us was designed by Kansas-based CivicPlus, a government web design and hosting company. The new website features a higher level of community engagement than the previous one, according to a release from the city. Visitors and users will be able to access more informa-

tion regarding city facilities, meeting agendas, and have a place to voice concerns directly to the government. “We are always looking for improved ways to communicate with our residents,” said Mayor Bill Droste. “This new site will increase customer capabilities, improve access to information, and provides an appealing place for residents to learn about their community. I especially want to thank the city employees who worked the past several months on the design and layout of this site.” Residents are able to

alert city staff to issues and concerns they have and address immediate concerns such as potholes or other maintenance issues. The city has been collecting feedback from users to refine the organization of the site. New features will be added in the weeks ahead. City officials say they have put special emphasis on improving information on economic development opportunities in Rosemount. Staff members said they will continue to add resources to help businesses in the community.

Valley Natural Foods showcases AVHS student art

Photo submitted

Art forms created by 73 Apple Valley High School students are on exhibit in the eighth annual Valley Natural Foods Visual Arts Exhibition Invitational at Valley Natural Foods, 13750 County Road 11, Burnsville. Students earning merit awards include Sadie Sheldon, Avery Veldhouse, Paul Nong, Salley Lee, Michael Rieth, Whitney Bellant, Zechariah Nelson, Hannah Segar and Macy Thomas. Other awards granted include: Award of Excellence, Brooklyn Schwiesow; Best of Show, Samra Russell; Peer Choice Award, Paul Nong; Juror’s Award, Salley Lee; and Valley Natural Foods Community Choice Award, Nina Le. Participating students were honored at a recognition reception on Aug. 11. From left: Sadie Ziemke, Carly Mansfeldt, Samra Russell, Hannah Halloran, Salley Lee, AVHS art teacher Chris Porter, Anisa Combs, Kalley Nelson, Bekah Zimmerman and Carys Fisher.The artwork will be on display for public viewing during regular business hours at Valley Natural Foods through the third week in May.

��

�

��

�

��

�

��

�

��

�

��

ALC community remembers Roehl, Alexander Two teens died in Aug. 21 car crash on Buck Hill Road parents, Pauline Hickman and Wayne Lucking. Alexander is survived by his parents, Cheryl and Terence McClenney; siblings, Selena Ely and Gabrielle McClenney; grandparents, Freddie Jeff, Elizabeth McClenney and Gloria Honore; nephew, Daylon Daniels; niece, Haiden Jackson; special brother, Georgio Wright; special friends, Rey, Alfredo, J.T., Julio, Esteban and Malik.

by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

At the tight-knit Area Learning Center in Lakeville, the students and staff members are like family, some of the school’s teachers say. The ALC usually has about 70-100 day students, a mere fraction of the student body at Lakeville’s two high schools. So when two students, Alesha Roehl and Frederick Alexander, were killed in an Aug. 21 car crash on Buck Hill Road where the car they were riding in rolled over onto Interstate 35, the whole ALC felt it. “It’s been very difficult,” said Joan Vievering, Roehl’s language arts teacher at the ALC. “These two students had enormous potential. It’s so hard to see students turning the corner and starting to believe in themselves have it all taken away so quickly. No one expects to lose a student.” Roehl, 17, of Castle Rock Township, was a poet. “She was a very creative writer,” Vievering said. Alexander, 16, of Burnsville, was compassionate and had a great sense of humor, said Lauren Fox, one of his teachers at the ALC. About 100 community members – students and staff from the various Lakeville schools, in addition to graduates and friends – turned out Aug. 22 for a memorial at the ALC, Vievering said. Posters adorned the walls. Memorial attendees could write messages on Post-Its to Roehl and Alexander and affix them to the posters. “We are planning to have that laminated and give each of the posters to each family,” Vievering said. Other memorials have occurred as well, including those at the site of the crash on Buck Hill Road, where fellow students came out to mourn the loss of their friends.

Alesha Roehl one incident very clearly. Last year, a gym teacher tripped and fell to the floor, her face striking the surface. “Her face was damaged pretty badly,” Fox said. Everyone stood there in a state of shock but for Alexander, who rushed to the gym teacher’s aid. “Fred was right there to help her on her feet,” Fox said. “He was so quick to step in and keep her calm.” A couple days later that teacher went to Fox’s classroom to thank him. Fox said the teacher told the whole class that “Fred is my hero.” Alexander also had a mind for strategy. “He loved to play chess,” Fox said. “His goal every day was to beat the computer.”

Frederick Alexander Burnsville, suffered non-lifeAaron Vehling can be reached threatening injuries. Thomas was wearing a at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc.com seatbelt and Chacon was or facebook.com/sunthisweek. not. Roehl and Alexander were also not wearing belts, according to the State Patrol. Roehl is survived by her mother, Jen; father, Wayne; siblings, Grace, Ostin, Aidan, Dacey, Brennan, Breena, Rori and Reagen; grandparents, Barb Walls, Dave and Cindy Roehl; great-grand-

Roehl

Vievering described Roehl as possessing a penchant for insight “beyond her years” about situations and people around her. “She was a wonder at dealing with people,” Vievering said. Roehl was also a “go-getter” and “had a wonderful smile.” Roehl was a positive force in the classroom, Vievering said. Though Roehl is gone, her personable approach to life and her creative writing will live on. “I have her poetry on the wall in my room,” Vievering said, “and it will stay there.” There were three other passengers in the 1992 Toyota Camry, all Lakeville South High School students. The unidentified 17-year-old Alexander driver, along with two teen Regarding Alexander’s age passengers, Jonathan inclination toward compas- L. Thomas, 16, of Lakevsion, Fox said she remembers ille, and Rey Chacon, 17, of

��

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

Kids ’n Kinship celebrates with gala Kids ’n Kinship will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Crystal Lake Golf Club, 6725 Innsbrook Drive, Lakeville. The community is invited. The Anniversary Gala will be an elegant evening featuring a cash bar, silent auction, music and other entertainment, a quilt raffle, wine cork pull, plus a sit-down dinner. Kids ’n Kinship will celebrate its 40 years of success with a program including a video and photo/slide

show. Tickets are available for $40 at www.kinship40th.eventbrite.com. In addition, a live auction is online at www.winningcause.org/all-auctions/ kids-n-kinship-1.html. Kids ’n Kinship is a nonprofit organization that matches children who have a need for an additional supportive relationship with carefully screened adult volunteers. Once a match has been made, volunteers spend one to four hours per week with the child.

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

News Briefs AVHS Career Center needs volunteers Apple Valley High School is looking for new adult volunteers to staff the Career Center this school year. Volunteers will learn about the colleges, universities and technical schools AVHS students attend after graduation. The Career Center also processes scholarships available to students. A two-hour commitment once a week or every other week is requested. For more information, call the AVHS guidance secretary at (952) 431-8218.

Velvet Tones Lights of Honor begin new season Ecumen Seasons at Apple The Velvet Tones, a 70-member choral group made up of adults age 55 and older, will begin rehearsals for its 16th year Wednesday, Sept. 5. New members are welcome. No auditions are conducted. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 10 a.m., September to May, at the Apple Valley Hayes Community and Senior Center, 14603 Hayes Road, Apple Valley. The chorus performs over 30 yearly concerts featuring pop standards, show tunes, holiday and patriotic music for a variety of audiences. Annual membership dues are $20 per person. Members pay for their performance vest and summer shirt. For information about joining Velvet Tones, call (952) 432-1081, email velvettones@ gmail.com or visit www.velvettones.org.

Valley will host a Lights of Honor celebration on Sept. 9 to mark Ecumen’s 150-year history of nonprofit service. Dozens of lights will surround and float over Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, in honor and memory of heroes and loved ones. The celebration is open to the public. Beverages and treats will be available. There will be a brief service of reflection before the lighting ceremony. Lights of Honor lanterns are available for purchase ($50 per lantern) and proceeds will be used to enhance memory care services and support the Academy for Lifelong Learning at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley. For more information or to purchase a Light of Honor, contact Molly Schumal, community relations manager, (952) 698-5300 or mollyschumal@ ecumen.org.

Students in District 196 outscore state, national average on ACT by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

High School seniors in the RosemountApple Valley-Eagan School District once again scored well above the state and national average on the ACT college entrance exam. Students in District 196 on average received a composite score in 2012 of 24.1, which is several points higher than the state average of 22.8, according to test data released Aug. 22. ACT scores range from one to 36. The national average is 21.1. The average ACT score in District 196 is also slightly higher this year than in 2011, when the average was 24. This is the sixth consecutive year that the district average has stayed the same or increased, according to district officials. The state average declined between 2012 and 2011 by 0.1 points, which the national average remained the same. Both have fluctuated slightly over the past six years. Despite the slight drop, the Minnesota average is among the highest in the nation among states where more than half all graduates took the test.

Among those 27 states, Iowa and Wisconsin tied for second at 22.1. In District 196, the ACT average composite score is based on the results of 1,764 students who took the test last year. That represents approximately 76 percent of the graduating class in 2012, compared to approximately 74 percent of graduates in Minnesota who took the test. The ACT is the primary college entrance exam taken by students in the Midwest; those on the East and West coasts are more likely to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Average composite scores for individuals in District 196 high schools in 2012: Apple Valley High School — 23.3 Eagan High School — 24.9 Eastview High School — 24.3 Rosemount High School — 23.8 School of Environmental Studies — 23.6 Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

��

One Book, One Rosemount events planned in coming weeks The following One Book, One Rosemount events center around the reading of “Moon Over Manifest” by Clare Vanderpool. All events are for all ages unless otherwise noted. Tuesday, Sept. 4, 7-8 p.m. – Ross Sutter will present a musical stroll through American history with traditional songs from the 1910s-1930s – the setting of the book. Thursday, Sept. 6, 6-8 p.m. – Making Memory Boxes led by Rosemount artist DeAnne Parks. Registration required by calling the library. Saturday, Sept. 8, 1-4 p.m. – Make a Victory Quilt for Rosemount using patterns and techniques from World War I. Registration required. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6:308 p.m. – Rosemount History Book Club will discuss “Moon Over Manifest.” Wednesday, Sept. 12, 6:30-8 p.m. – Stories of the Orphan Train, Ann Zemke tells the stories of children brought West to be adopted.

Thursday, Sept. 13, 6:308 p.m. – How to Discover Your Family History will cover what information is needed to begin a search and what government and online sources are available. Presented by the Dakota County Genealogical Society. Saturday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m.-noon – Every Family Can Tell a Story with The WonderWeavers, who will spin a well-told story and teach people how to create their own. Registration required. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6:30-8 p.m. – The Great Pandemic of 1918 will relate how the great influenza pandemic caused almost half of the American casualties of World War I and nearly 675,000 U.S. civilian deaths. Presented by Chaplain David Thompson, commander U.S. Navy, retired. For ages 12 and older. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2:304 p.m. – I Read it in the Paper. Participants 12 and older can choose any topic and create a true account

of what happened using articles from early Rosemount newspapers. Presented by local historian John Loch. Monday, Sept. 24, 7-7:45 p.m. – An Old-fashioned Storytime for ages newborn to 6. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7-8 p.m. – “Moon Over Manifest” Discussion Group. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m. – All Aboard will have a display of working trains and memorabilia and relate about the history of trains. Presented by the Twin City Model Railroad Museum. Thursday, Sept. 27, 6:30-8 p.m. – Blind Pigs, Speakeasies and Moonshine will explore the history of moonshining in Rosemount and the era when alcohol manufacturing, transporting and sales were prohibited. Presented by local historian John Loch for ages 12 and older. Monday, Oct. 1, 7-8 p.m. – One Book Kids Book Club for ages 9 to 12. Registration required. Tuesday, Oct. 2, 3-4:30 p.m. – Old Time Games

from the turn of the last century for ages 6 to 12. Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2-4 p.m. – Family History on the Internet will give an introduction to techniques and sources to research family history online. Registration required. Thursday, Oct. 4, 7-8 p.m. – One Book Teen Book Club, registration required.

Essay contest Answer the question: What would you put in your memory box and why? Submit entries in writing to the Robert Trail Library from Sept. 1 to 30. Essays will be judged in three categories: 12 and under, 13 to 17, and adults 18 and older. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third in each category. Winners will be announced at the Steeple Center on Oct. 9. Essay must be one page or less in length. Additional contest guidelines are available at www.dakotacounty. us/library, search One Book, One Rosemount.

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

Education

District 196 Budget Advisory Council to meet The District 196 Budget Advisory Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the District Office in Rosemount, 3455 153rd St. W. The public is welcome to attend. The meeting will include overviews of the district’s 2011-12 financials, the Other Post-Employment Benefits trust fund and the start of the 2012-13 school year. The BAC advises the District 196 School Board on matters related to fi-

nance. The 12-member BAC is made up of nine parents/residents and three district employees, including a teacher, support staff representative and principal representative. The director of finance and operations and three School Board members serve as ex-officio members of the BAC. For more information about the BAC, call the office of the director of finance and operations at 651-423-7713.

Women’s luncheon The Minnesota Valley Christian Women’s Connection’s luncheon featuring a wedding dress fashion show will be 12:30 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at Enjoy restaurant, 15435 Founders Lane, Apple Valley. Heidi Studer will speak on “Defining Moments: History in the Making.” Cost is $16. Call Lisa for reservations at (952) 403-0773.

Opinion

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

Are schools doing enough to challenge all students? by Joe Nathan Sun Thisweek

Three important questions come from “Do Schools Challenge our Children?” a report by the Center for American Progress: • Is school too easy for many students? • Should we believe student surveys? • If the answer to the first two questions is “yes,” now what? CAP describes itself as a “non-partisan research and education institute,” seeking to “find progressive and pragmatic solutions to significant domestic and international problems.” Its report has attracted lots of attention. I agree that some students need more challenge. Researchers found that, for example: • Thirty-three percent of Minnesota fourth-graders, and 37 percent of fourthgraders nationally described their math work as “often, always or almost always too easy.” Nationally, 67 percent said “sometimes” too easy, and 17 percent, “never too easy.” • Twenty-eight percent of Minnesota

Sun Thisweek Columnist

Joe Nathan

eighth-grade students and 29 percent of eighth-graders nationally said math is “often, always or almost always … too easy.” • Nationally, 51 percent of eighth-grade civics students and 57 percent of eighthgrade history students feel that their work is “often or always too easy.” You can read more at www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/07/student_survey_map.html. Should we trust these students’ comments? My experience, and research the report cites, say “yes.” As an elementary, middle, high school and university teacher over 40 years, I found that most students gave me helpful feedback. The questions I asked varied, based on students’ age. But they often were frank about whether I was being clear and fair,

whether they were learning a little or a lot, what they liked best about the class, and what most needed improvement. One of the most intriguing parts of CAP’s report summarizes research showing the value of surveying students. This research does not say student surveys are the only way to evaluate teachers or that all students are truthful. But CAP cites intriguing research by Harvard professor Ronald Ferguson. After surveying more than 300,000 students, he’s found that there are valuable questions to ask. For example, 79 percent of students in classrooms that score in the top quarter say “my teacher explains difficult things clearly.” Only 50 percent of students in classrooms scoring in the bottom 25 percent say their teachers “explain difficult things clearly.” So, one possible response is to help some teachers explain difficult concepts and ideas to some of their students. Another possible response is to examine how technology can help schools do a better job of individualizing learning.

But increasing standards, one of center’s major solutions, won’t do much to solve the problem. Why? Because, as Ed Fuller, a Penn State education professor recently wrote on a “blog” created by Diane Ravitch, students who are not doing well under current standards were much less likely to say school is too easy. Raising standards won’t necessarily help currently less successful students. You can read his (and other) reactions here: http://dianeravitch.net/2012/07/11/ are-u-s-schools-too-easy. It’s not just about how educators are teaching, it’s about how schools are organized to promote and encourage learning. Moreover, we need to do more to promote respect for academic, along with athletic accomplishment. The report wisely urges doing “far more to improve the learning experience for all students.” Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters We have a decision to make To the editor: I live in Rosemount, and we have a State Senate election coming up … and I’m concerned. I’m concerned because the problems Rosemount is dealing with are not a lot different from what the country is dealing with. The mantra is the same … jobs, taxes, the economy, foreclosures. Like it or not poverty has moved from the inner-city to the suburbs, even here in Minnesota. Since the year 2000 the number of suburban poor has skyrocketed 53 percent. Suburbia became home to the greatest concentration of impoverished residents back in 2005, primarily due to the loss of jobs in manufacturing and construction that led to housing foreclosures. Many of those foreclosures were with people who had just recently moved to the suburbs in search of their dream. These problems won’t be addressed by an ideology. They won’t be addressed by a single answer (i.e., fix the educational system, and you’ve fixed it all). The answers will only come from a collection of people open to listen to ideas, no matter where those ideas come from. The proposed solutions will be tough … the key is, will they be tough equally, and will they preserve who we are as a people, in the process. Here’s the “punch line.” I feel that Pat Hall, the endorsed Republican candidate for Senate District 57 (Apple Valley, Coates, Rosemount), is the better man for the job. Hall was born and raised in the Minneapolis projects, put himself through college, had careers in both insurance and banking, is now a professor with a doctorate, and has been a pastor for the last 24 years. I’ve known Hall for quite some time. Here are two things I know about him … he’s one of the most caring and selfless people I’ve ever met … and he won’t be so prone to

spend your and my tax dollars, because of the lessons he’s learned in his own life. He won’t spend until he knows that what he’s spending on is in fact the most cost-effective solution to the problem at hand. Give Pat Hall your vote. DENNIS WALKER Rosemount

Wilfahrt supports education To the editor: Since I started teaching in District 196 over 12 years ago, I have felt the impact of funding reductions and accounting shifts. I am despondent over the recent teacher-trashing legislation that has been proposed. District 196 schools are well known for academic achievement with some of the state’s highest test scores. Minnesota has been one of the highest academic achieving states, because we valued education and willingly funded education assuring our children the opportunity to be a part of a strong work force. Since 2003, Minnesota’s investment in education dropped below the national average. While per pupil spending has increased slightly, our investment in our children’s future no longer seems to be a priority. Minnesota’s rank has dropped from 21st amongst the 50 states to 42nd. I can attest that the funding decreases have affected my ability to teach and have affected my students’ ability to achieve. Class sizes have increased significantly. I squeeze 36 students into my average sized science classroom. I spend my own money on lab materials so that we can have hands-on, inquiry-oriented learning experiences. My prep time has been reduced. I need to grade more papers, communicate with more parents and prepare more lessons in much less time. Students have fewer opportunities to take “non-core” courses because these courses have been cut. Jeff Wilfahrt, a parent

of successful District 196 graduates, understands the importance of giving every child the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. He also understands that the responsibility is all of ours. Blaming the teachers isn’t a solution. And the solution is not slashing funding, increasing class sizes or cutting programs. As he states so eloquently on his website: “The kids in our district need to know we are committed to giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential.” I urge you to research the candidates running for Minnesota House and Senate and think about how they may influence the quality of education for current and future students. Jeff Wilfahrt is committed to making sure that these students reach their full potential by supporting equity and reasonable funding. Janet Rohlf Rosemount

Recommends Wills for House To the editor: I hear people ask, “Where are the young people willing to consider public service as a part of their career path?” A great answer to that question is Anna Wills. The July 6 Sun Thisweek reported that Wills has been a legislative assistant to Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, and has lived the kind of careful, intense effort required by those who serve the Minnesota citizens. Our system is not an easy one, but it works well for those dedicated to see that it benefits us all. I see in Wills, the kind of caring, intelligent, thoughtfulness required in order to be a productive member of the Legislature. I strongly recommend Anna Wills as your House District 57B representative. SALLY KETTLE Apple Valley

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

15322 Galaxie Ave., Suite 219, Apple Valley, MN 55124 952-894-1111 fax: 952-846-2010 www.SunThisweek.com | Office Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday

County attorney should act To the editor: The conduct of Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom regarding the botched evidence handling by the St. Paul Police Department Crime Lab (as reported in Sun Thisweek Aug. 24) is deeply troubling. There is no doubt the Crime Lab has failed to properly handle evidence.

The department admits as much itself. The county attorney, as a representative of the public, should have at least as high a concern, if not higher, for the quality of evidence and evidence handling as defense attorneys. The Dakota County attorney should be more concerned about the quality of evidence he is using to prosecute the citizenry. It troubles me that the county

attorney is attempting to block efforts to get to the truth about just how inaccurate or false the work done by the Crime Lab may be. His job is to represent the interests of the citizens of Dakota County and not to defend the cover-up, shoddy work by the St. Paul Police Department Crime Lab. Dan Fitzsimmons Apple Valley

Do Americans care enough to make a difference? by Dan Powers Special to Sun Thisweek

Somewhere in my lifetime America lost its way. When we see a goal we can’t keep our focus. In the 60s President Kennedy told a nation: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” giving us vision and a task before he was killed. We succeeded where none have matched in 40 years. By the end of the decade our nation with a great effort and commitment landed a man on the moon. Not once, but many times with 12 Americans walking on the moon. Then instead of working hard to keep our gains we quit. As a nation we walked away from greatness. Racism and war clouded our eyes. When we could have united and grown we worked to create boundaries and friction. In the late 70s President Carter asked a nation to pull together so that we could fight OPEC’s hold over our country, with a bold plan to conserve and build alternative energy solutions. For this he was ridiculed. Now more 30 years later we find ourselves worse off than we were in 1979. In the early 80s President Reagan told a nation: “It does require, however, our best effort and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds, and to believe that together with God’s help, we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us. And after all, why shouldn’t we believe that? We are Americans.” With great determination we saw the Iron Curtain fall. But a mere 20 years later we find many of the gains from the fall of the Soviet Union now evaporating. Instead of a Cold War, we now have a war on terrorism. In 2001 when we faced a new challenge and a new enemy, what did President Bush ask of us? As we prepared for war, we were asked to go about our lives as if nothing had changed. With America’s soldiers dying on foreign shores once again we were told to work hard and consume. This would make more sense if by consuming we were giving jobs to local producers. But throughout the last decade most production jobs have left the country. So who did all of this consumption benefit? Where did all of those jobs go to? All of that money and jobs is now overseas in places like China and India. How is this helping the U.S. either in the near future or long term future? We can buy stuff we don’t need, really cheap from all around the

Guest Columnist

Dan Powers

world. I used to think the business leaders understood something that all of the rest of had missed. But I now realize they don’t have all the answers either. Too often employees are treated as just another commodity. We no longer find companies reinvesting in their employees. Instead we offshore our work, aiming for something as simple as cost saving. But are the real costs being accounted for? When all the production jobs are outside the U.S., when most of the service jobs are handled by unskilled or lightly skilled workers, when the only option is self employment as a subcontractor, who will buy the goods? Where is the next generation going to make a living wage? When we export all of our best jobs, who will be able to afford anything but these cheap imports? Maybe that is the secret. We can still afford this stuff only because it is made outside the U.S. But in the final chapter will there be a middle class? Most of those production jobs helped create the middle class. With companies sending all of the jobs overseas the upper management is increasing their compensation to astronomical numbers creating a huge gap between the super rich and the lower middle class. We have turned into a consumption society. Now all that matters is to keep consuming no matter the cost to our society or our souls. Will we ever be able to work ourselves out of the hole created by this type of strategy? Can we get past the bickering, lying, and manipulation? Do you care enough to donate time or money to help out your family, your community, your country or your world? Can we invest in our future? Instead of buying that new trinket, that is made in China or whereever, can we invest locally? Can we consume less? Do we care enough to work together? Dan Powers of Burnsville is a former DFL candidate in the former House District 40A (Burnsville) and in the 2nd Congressional District. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

��

PUBLIC NOTICE

Lee W. Betts

Beverly Ann (Peck-Schramer) Taylor Beverly Taylor, 75, of Burnsville, died peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012 at her home at Emerald Crest surrounded by her loving family, after a three year courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Beverly was born Feb. 27, 1937 in Madison, SD, the daughter of Frank and Adele (Peck) Schramer. She is suvived and dearly missed by her loving family, daughters and son, Shelly Taylor, Lori Taylor, Todd (Cindy) Taylor; Grandchildren, Jeris Taylor, Madeline Taylor, and Emily Taylor; Great Grandchildren, Cameron Taylor and Arianna Taylor Visitation is Saturday, Sept. 1 from 9:30-10:00 a.m. at Lakewood Cemetery Chapel, 3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis. Service will be held from 10-11 a.m.

Henry Qualle Age 78 of Farmington, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2012 . Henry served his country in the US Air Force and was a member of the Rosemount American Legion, He retired after many years from the Coca-Cola bottling company in Eagan. Henry is preceded in death by his loving wife of 30 years, Dorothy and siblings, Clifford (Maryls), Joseph (Beverly,) Lillie (Alvin) Wohfiel, Agnes (Lloyd) Lawson, Gertrude (James) McKinley and Leslie Qualle. Henry is survived by his loving siblings, Cindy (Marland) Husaby, Edward, Russell (Arlene), Walter (Lee) and Virgil (Darlene); step children, Anette (Roger) Peterson, Thomas (Sharon), David (Barbara), Robert (Connie) and Charles (Becky) Nelson and many step grandchildren also many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral service was held 11 AM Thursday, August 30, 2012 at the Sheppard of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, (952 432 6351) visitation was 1 hr prior to service at church. Interment, was at Cannon Falls Cemetery on Thursday, August 30th at 2 PM. White Funeral Home Farmington (952) 463-7374 www.whitefuneralhomes.com

Age 66 of Eagan, passed away on August 24, 2012. Graduate of Little Falls High School and Veteran of the US Army. Preceded in death by parents Frank & Ester; sister Sonja Betts. Survived by wife Beth; children Trevor (Lisa) Betts & Holly (Jason) Dahlmeir; brother Larry (Jeri) Betts; step mother Annie Betts. Gathering of family and friends was held 5-6pm with service at 6pm Thursday, August 30, 2012 at White Funeral Home, 12804 Nicollet Ave. S. Memorials preferred to www.feedthechildren.org/us and www.innercitytennis.com White Funeral Home Burnsville 952-894-5080 www.whitefuneralhomes.com

��

Dahl - Palmer Lindsay Dahl, daughter of Dave and Diane Dahl of Burnsville and Brad Palmer, son of Rick and Lynn Palmer of Sun Prairie Wis announce their engagement. Lindsay is a 2001 graduate of Burnsville High School and a 2005 graduate of UW Madison. She is currently employed as a patient coordinator with Athletico in Chicago, Ill. Brad is a 2000 graduate of Sun Prairie High School and a 2006 graduate of UW Madison. He is currently employed as a project engineer for Menlo Worldwide Inc. The couple is planning a September 22, 2012 wedding at Grandview Lodge in Nisswa, MN.

Robertson Fischer

Mr. and Ms. Robertson are thrilled to announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Rochelle Robertson to Mr. Matthew Fischer, son of Mr. Fischer and Mrs. VanStraten. Rochelle grew up in Apple Valley, MN. Matthew grew up in Green Bay, WI. Both live in San Diego where they met. Rochelle is the Director of Staffing, with VACO. Matthew is the Owner of TMS, a merchant processing company. Their wedding will take place September 29th, at Camrose Hill Flower Farm, in Stillwater MN.

Bouwer - French Mark H. Blaska Age 34 of Princeton formerly of Burnsville passed away unexpectedly on August 23, 2012. Mark was a 1996 graduate of Burnsville High School and graduate of Dunwoody Institute. Mark was a loving devoted father, avid hunter and fisherman who loved playing hockey. He is survived by his children Molli, Kevin and Kyle; mother Karen (Jerry) Morrow and father Gaylon Blaska; sisters Jill (W.J.) Eulberg and Jenny Blaska-Vizenor; step sister Katie Morrow; grandmother Lauraine Blaska; Also by many loving relatives and friends. Funeral Service was held 11AM Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13901 Fairview Dr. Burnsville, MN. Visitation was 5-8pm Wednesday, August 29 at White Funeral Home, 12804 Nicollet Ave. S. and also one hour prior to service at church. Interment, Sunset Memorial Park, Minneapolis, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated for Mark’s children. White Funeral Home Burnsville 952-894-5080 www.whitefuneralhomes.com

��

Rev. Bob and Laurie Bouwer of Dyer, Indiana, and Steven and Sharon French of Lakeville, are proud to announce the engagement of their children, Caitlin Joy Bouwer and Ross Wilson French. Caitlin and Ross are graduates of Bethel University, St. Paul, MN. Caitlin is employed at MSP Communications in Mpls, and Ross is employed at Boom Lab in Mpls. An October 12 wedding is planned at Faith Church in Dyer, Indiana.

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”). Com pleted forms may be e-mailed to class. thisweek@ecm-inc.com or mailed to Sun Thisweek, 15322 Galaxie Ave., Suite 219, Apple Valley, MN 55124. If you are submitting a photograph along with your announcement, please only submit photographs for which you have the right to permit Sun Thisweek to use and publish. Deadline for announcements is 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fee of $50 will be charged for the first 5 inches and $10 per inch thereafter. They will run in all editions of Sun Thisweek. Photos may be picked up at the office within 60 days or returned by mail if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

CITY OF APPLE VALLEY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Project Identification: The City of Apple Valley, Parks and Recreation, will receive sealed bids for: QUARRY POINT PARK STORM DAMAGE REPAIRS CITY OF APPLE VALLEY 15725 PILOT KNOB ROAD APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA 55124 until 10:00 AM, Friday, September 14, 2012, at the Apple Valley Municipal Center, 7100 West 147th Street, Apple Valley, Minnesota, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bidders are invited to attend. Bids received after 10:00 a.m. will be returned unopened. Bid Form: Bids shall be upon form provided by the Owner. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked “Proposal, QUARRY POINT PARK STORM DAMAGE REPAIRS” with the name and address of the bidder and the date and hour of the opening and addressed to: Pamela J. Gackstetter, City Clerk Apple Valley Municipal Center 7100 - 147th Street West Apple Valley, Minnesota The complete form shall be without alterations, additions, or erasures. All bids must be on a lump sum basis. Description of Work: The Quarry Point Park Storm Damage Repairs project generally consists of the repair or replacement of chain link fence and backstop systems at four existing baseball fields. Specific work consists of site demolition and removals, concrete curbing and pavement, fencing, backstops, site restoration and other related work. Basis of Bids: Lump sum Bids will be received for Work included in Contract. Bidders shall submit individual lump sum bids for the project. Bidders shall also submit individual lump sum bids on requested alternates for each project. Procurement of Documents: Bidders may secure up to two sets of the Bidding Documents at the office of Anderson-Johnson Associates, the Landscape Architect, Site Planner and Engineer, upon a deposit of $45.00 per set. Deposit will be refunded for one set if documents are returned in good condition, to Anderson-Johnson Associates, Inc., within 10 days after date of bid opening and Bidder has submitted a Bid to the Owner. A separate check of $20.00 is required if mailing is requested. Documents will be available on or about August 23, 2012, for public inspection at the Owner’s Office and Landscape Architect/Engineer’s office. Bonding Requirements: Successful contractors shall be required to provide a Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Payment Bond in the amount of 100 percent of the Contract Amount. Bid Security: Each bidder must accompany their proposal with a Cashier’s Check, Bid Bond, or Certified Check equal to 5% of the amount of the Proposal payable to The City of Apple Valley as a guarantee of prompt execution of the contract in accordance with the Proposal and Contract Documents and that they will furnish bond acceptable to The City of Apple Valley covering performance of the Contract. Substitution of Materials: Bidders who wish to provide an unspecified product which meets or exceeds the minimum requirements specified, may submit written requests for approval by Anderson-Johnson Associates, Inc. not less than 7 days before Bid Date. Owner’s Right to Reject Bids: Owner reserves the right to reject a Bid which is in any way incomplete or irregular or to waive informalities in a Bid received, and accept a Bid, which in the Owner’s judgement is in the Owner’s best interests. DRAWING INDEX C1 TITLE SHEET C2 FENCING REPAIR/REPLACEMENT PLAN C3 SITE DETAILS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT’S CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that these plans and specifications were prepared by me or under my direct supervision and that I am a duly Licensed Landscape Architect under the laws of the State of Minnesota. /s/ Jay R. Pomeroy Jay R. Pomeroy LLA No. 23543 August 20, 2012 3132179 8/31/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. 935 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY REZONING CERTAIN LAND IN THE CITY OF APPLE VALLEY, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Apple Valley held a public hearing on property described herein on August 1, 2012, as required by City Code Section 155.400(D); and WHEREAS, on August 15, 2012, the Planning Commission recommended the rezoning as hereinafter described. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, that: 1. The boundaries of the zoning districts established by City Code Section 155.006 are hereby amended by rezoning the following described property located in the southeast corner of 150th Street West (CSAH 42) and Embry Path from “M-3C” (Multiple Family Residential/3-6 units per acre) to “R-3” (Single Family Residential/11,000 sq. ft. min. lot area): That part of the West Half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 115, Range 20, Dakota County, Minnesota, which lies north of the south 825.00 feet of said Northwest Quarter of said Section 36 and lies east of “Line A” “Line A” is described as follows: Commencing at the point of intersection of the west line of said West Half of the Northwest Quarter and the north line of said south 825.00 feet of the West Half of the Northwest Quarter; thence North 89 degrees 57 minutes 54 seconds East (assuming the north line of said West Half of the Northwest Quarter has a bearing of South 89 degrees 56 minutes 27 seconds East) along the north line of said south 825.00 feet of the West Half of the Northwest Quarter 900.46 feet to the point of beginning of said “Line A”; thence North 00 degrees 14 minutes 12 seconds West 361.44 feet; thence northerly 322.98 feet along a tangential curve concave to the east, having a radius of 550.00 feet and central angle of 33 degrees 38 minutes 47 seconds; thence northerly 264.28 feet on a reverse curve concave to the west, having a radius of 450.00 feet and a central angle of 33 degrees 38 minutes 47 seconds; thence North 00 degrees 14 minutes 12 seconds West 917.03 feet to the north line of said West Half of the Northwest Quarter and there said line terminates. AND That part of the East Half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 115, Range 20, Dakota County, Minnesota, which lies west of the east 436.70 feet and lies north of the “original centerline of Dodd Road as located on March 19, 2002”. Except there from the south 825.00 feet of the west 662.31 feet of said East Half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 115, Range 20, Dakota County, Minnesota, which lies north of the “original centerline of Dodd Road as located on March 19, 2002”. “Original centerline of Dodd Road as located on March 19, 2002” is described as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of the East Half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 115, Range 20, Dakota County, Minnesota; thence North 89 degrees 57 minutes 55 seconds East on an assumed bearing along the south line of said East Half 754.41 feet; thence North 43 degrees 27 minutes 36 seconds East 221.72 feet; thence northeasterly 180.92 feet on a tangential curve concave to the southeast having a radius of 2083.21 feet and a central angle of 4 degrees 58 minutes 34 seconds; thence North 48 degrees 26 minutes 10 seconds East 385.07 feet to its intersection with the east line of said East Half of the Northwest Quarter. 2. This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage and publication. Passed this 23rd day of August, 2012. /s/ Mary Hamann-Roland Mary Hamann-Roland, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Stephanie Marschall Stephanie Marschall, Deputy City Clerk 3132425 8/31/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. 936 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BY REZONING CERTAIN LAND IN THE CITY OF APPLE VALLEY, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Apple Valley held a public hearing on property described herein on August 1, 2012, as required by City Code Section 155.400(D); and WHEREAS, on August 15, 2012, the Planning Commission recommended the rezoning as hereinafter described. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, that: 1. The boundaries of the zoning districts established by City Code Section 155.006 are hereby amended by rezoning the following described property located in the southeast corner of 150th Street West (CSAH 42) and Embry Path from “M-6C” (Multiple Family Residential/6-12 units per acre) to “R-3” (Single Family Residential/11,000 sq. ft. min. lot area): The south 825.00 feet of the west 662.31 feet of the East Half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 115, Range 20, Dakota County, Minnesota, which lies north of the “original centerline of Dodd Road as located on March 19, 2002”. “Original centerline of Dodd Road as located on March 19, 2002” is described as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of the East Half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 115, Range 20, Dakota County, Minnesota; thence North 89 degrees 57 minutes 55 seconds East on an assumed bearing along the south line of said East Half 754.41 feet; thence North 43 degrees 27 minutes 36 seconds East 221.72 feet; thence northeasterly 180.92 feet on a tangential curve concave to the southeast having a radius of 2083.21 feet and a central angle of 4 degrees 58 minutes 34 seconds; thence North 48 degrees 26 minutes 10 seconds East 385.07 feet to its intersection with the east line of said East Half of the Northwest Quarter. 2. This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage and publication. Passed this 23rd day of August, 2012. /s/ Mary Hamann-Roland Mary Hamann-Roland, Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Stephanie Marschall Stephanie Marschall, Deputy City Clerk 3132576 8/31/12

Robert Trail Library programs Robert Trail Library, 14395 S. Robert Trail, Rose mount, has planned the fol lowing programs. Call (651) 480-1200 for more informa tion. • Baby Story Time, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 5 and 19. Stories, bounces, songs and playtime for children from birth to 24 months. • Family Story Time, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Sto ries, music, activities and play time appropriate for all ages.

��

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

��

Fare For All in PUBLIC NOTICE Burnsville NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENT AND PRELIMINARY PLAT IN THE CITY OF APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet at the Municipal Center, 7100 West 147th Street, on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a public hearing for consideration of rezoning of the property from Planned Development No. 739 to Planned Development and “P” (Institutional) and preliminary plat of Parkside Village. Said hearing relates to property generally located at on the northeast corner of Galaxie Avenue and 153rd Street, and legally described as: Lot 1, Block 1; Lots 1-3, Block 2; Lot 1, Block 3; Lot 1, Block 4; Lot 1, Block 5; Lots 1-2, Block 6; Lot 1, Block 7; Lot 1, Block 8; Lot 1, Block 9; and Lots 1-2, Block 10; all in THE LEGACY OF APPLE VALLEY NORTH; Dakota County, Minnesota, according to the recorded plat thereof, on file and of record in the Office of the Dakota County Recorder. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that these proceedings are instituted upon the petition of the property owner IMH Special Asset NT 175 - AVN, LLC, and the developer Titan Development. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. DATED this 24th day of August, 2012. /s/ Stephanie Marschall Stephanie Marschall, Deputy City Clerk 3133296 8/31/12

�� District 917 School Board Proceedings

This is a summary of the Intermediate School District 917 Regular School Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, with full text available for public inspection on t h e d i s t r i c t w e b s i t e a t www.isd917.k12.mn.us or the District Office at 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM. Board members present: Arlene Bush, Dan Cater, Ron Hill, Jill Lewis, Kathy Lewis, Deb Clark, Vanda Pressnall, Tom Ryerson, Veronica Walter, and administrators were present. Absent: None. Good news reports were presented. The following Consent Agenda items were approved: minutes, personnel, donations, bills to be paid, wire transfers and the investment report. Recommended actions approved: Addendum to the 4th quarter 2012 Temporary Employee Report; final DCALS Student Handbook approval; Policy 6.93, Student Transportation; Contract with Dakota Country Sheriff's Office for School Resource Officer at Alliance Education Center; and Approval of James Eberhart as Lead Teacher for DCALS 2012-2013. Adjournment at 6:53 PM. 3130458 8/31/12

Fare For All Express, a program of a cooperative food purchasing program that sells packages of fresh produce and frozen meat, will be at the Diamondhead Education Center in Burns ville from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 12, Oct. 10 and 31. Prices range from $10 to $30 per package. The pro gram is open to all. Cash, credit, debit and EBT cards are all accepted. Diamondhead is located at 200 W. Burnsville Park way off Pillsbury Ave. Visit www.fareforall.org for more information.

��

Sports

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

Lightning boys will try to rebuild quickly After historic 2011 season, Eastview soccer faces challenges by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

His team earned a victory and a tie in its first two games, but Eastview boys soccer coach Scott Gustafson said he’s not sure of what that means for the Lightning’s future. “It’s really early,” Gustafson said. “We’re inexperienced. We have some young guys who are learning to play together. And, unfortunately, we had some injuries in our first game. We also had some kids get nicked up during practice and some others who were coming off injury layoffs in the summer.” Still, the Lightning’s record through two games was 1-0-1. That included a 3-2 victory over Roseville and a

3-3 tie with Cretin-Derham Hall, a game in which Eastview trailed 3-0 early in the second half. “You know, the talent is there,” Gustafson said. “It’s still pretty raw. We have some young players who are very good. We might take some lumps during our conference games, but we think this is a team that could be good by the end of the season.” In 2011 Eastview was 201-1 – by far the best record in school history – won its first conference championship and qualified for the state tournament for the first time. The Lightning didn’t lose until the Class AA title game, when it fell to Eden Prairie 3-1 at the Metrodome.

Three players – senior defender Jonathan Lenz, senior midfielder Jacob Opheim and junior forward Pierce Erickson – started for the Lightning in the state title game, and they’re the ones who will have to shoulder the load early this season while the Lightning’s younger players get up to speed. More than 40 Minnesota players gave up their remaining high school eligibility to train year-round with the Minnesota Thunder Academy, part of U.S. Soccer’s initiative to identify and develop possible national team candidates. Eastview might have been hit harder than any boys team in the state. Four players who would have been eligible to return to the Lightning opted instead

Eagles unbeaten

for the Minnesota Thunder Academy. That group consisted of Eastview’s leading scorer last season, one of its top defenders, and both varsity goalies. Those players made their intentions known last fall, so the Lightning knew the day was coming. Now the question is, how quickly can Eastview rebuild? Gustafson describes Erickson as “the cornerstone of our offense.” Lenz organizes the defense and Opheim plays center midfield. So, those are three spots filled by experienced players. Senior forward Joe Schlosser came off the bench for Eastview last season. Other seniors on the roster are defender Cody Bestul, defender Thomas Cole, for-

ward Jimmy Loi, defender Michael Stockton and forward Nicholas Lichtsinn. The goalkeepers are sophomore Kyle Lamott and freshman Sean Teske. Lamott started against Roseville. Teske got the start against Cretin-Derham Hall but was injured and was replaced by Lamott. Although the Lightning allowed five goals in its first two games, Gustafson said no more than one could be attributed to a goalkeeping error. “Their skill sets are a year or two ahead of other goalkeepers their age,” the coach said of Lamott and Teske. Gustafson said he’s willing to be patient with this group. “Last year we started out at a much more complex

level technically and tactically,” he said. “This year we’ve started out much more basic, but we’re still going to try to play the same way.” Eastview played Coon Rapids on Wednesday and will play host to Minneapolis Southwest at 7 p.m. Friday. The Lightning defeated Southwest in last year’s state Class AA semifinals. The Lightning opens South Suburban Conference play at 5 p.m. Tuesday at home against Eagan in a rematch between schools that met for the 2011 Section 3AA championship. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Hopeful signs for AV runners Eagle boys cross country team has five returnees

by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Apple Valley boys cross country coach Rollie Greeno was encouraged when Nick Hughes, his top runner from last season, had a good race in an intrasquad race earlier this month. But, what to make of the fact that four runners finished ahead of him? Greeno isn’t worried about Hughes. No runner is trying to peak in late August. “The way I look at it is we had four kids who showed a lot of improvement, and Nick is right on schedule,” Greeno said. The Eagles, who finished fifth in the Section 3AA meet last season, are looking to move up as five of their top seven runners return. “We’ve got a strong top five,” Greeno said. “We need to find some more depth. The top three teams in our Photo by Rick Orndorf section last year (Burnsville, Julia Lam of Apple Valley tries to evade a Mankato West player during the Eagles’ 3-0 Rosemount and Eastview) victory in a non-conference girls soccer game Tuesday at Johnny Cake Ridge Park. look like they’re strong again. Eastview is highly rated and I think Rosemount should be. Burnsville always Apple Valley’s seems to find one or two Laura Edgren runners that will help them.” plays the ball Apple Valley went to a past a Mankato meet in Jamestown, N.D., West player last week but three of the during a nonconference girls soccer game Tuesday at Johnny Cake Ridge Park. The Eagles won 3-0 and improved their record to Rosemount singles 3-0. player Virginia Norder Photo by Rick Orndorf hits a backhand return during a South Suburban Conference girls tennis match against Burnsville on Tuesday. Rosemount, which finished fourth in last year’s state Class AA team tournament, defeated the Blaze 7-0.

Eagles’ top seven runners stayed home because of various commitments. Still, the shorthanded Eagles finished fifth in a 17-team field. Greeno might find out more about his team in the Dakota County Invitational on Friday at Eagan High School, where all of his top runners are expected to be available. Hughes finished 22nd at last year’s section meet. Juniors Liam Tyler and Luke Tansey were 38th and 42nd, sophomore Grant Udelhofen finished 44th and junior Jack Crippes was 57th. They make up the core of this year’s Apple Valley team. There are 50 runners out for the team, and as many as 15-20 could be in the competition for varsity spots, Greeno said. Among the athletes who could line up in varsity races is junior Tyler Roberts, who previously played soccer in the fall but has run for the Eagles’ track team. Robert Torbroxen, a varsity basketball player who had not done a fall sport in the past, is trying cross country this season. Edward (Trey) Jones, a junior, also could factor into the Eagles’ plans. The secret to success will be moving the Apple Val-

ley pack closer to the front of the overall pack. Even though the Eagles had a strong showing in last year’s section meet, each of the top three teams had at least four runners finish ahead of Apple Valley’s No. 1 runner. Apple Valley will compete in the Faribault Invitational on Sept. 7. The Eagles’ annual invitational meet is scheduled for Sept. 22.

Apple Valley girls The Eagle girls also have some returnees but must replace their top four finishers from last year’s section meet. Returnees for head coach Raedi Zimmer include senior Meredith Jones, junior Shanni Moorse and ninthgrader Bailey Roberts all finished among the top 50 individuals at the 2011 Section 3AA meet, where the Eagles placed fourth as a team. Seniors Rouaa Abasher, Jordyn Haupert and Madison Helling are among other varsity candidates, as is eighth-grader Sarah Crippes. Apple Valley’s girls also will run in the Dakota County Invitational on Friday at Eagan High School. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Back at you

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Rosemount runners have state-meet ambitions Irish teams return some of their top performers by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

In some high school sports, if an alumni team thumps the current varsity, it might be reason for concern. But when past and present members of the Rosemount boys cross country team lined up for a race last week, the result was all but a foregone conclusion. Five of the top six alumni runners are competing for college teams, and they cruised to a 19-42 victory. Irish coach Chris Harder said there’s nothing wrong with seeing some good competition early in the season, and it can only help a Rosemount team that has talent, but also some spots in the lineup to fill. The Irish weren’t in the top 12 in the state coaches association Class AA preseason ranking, which

means little at this point, Harder said. “In 2010, we weren’t ranked in the top 10 at the start of the season and we ended up third in the state meet, so I’m not too worried,” the coach said. Rosemount was fourth at state last year, but five of the seven runners who competed for the Irish were seniors. The returnees from the state lineup are senior Trevor Capra (who finished 41st overall) and sophomore Sam Ivanecky. For the Irish, one runner’s graduation might be another runner’s opportunity. “We think we could have 15 or 16 kids competing for those other five spots,” Harder said. “Hopefully depth will be a strength for us. We won the (junior varsity) conference meet last year, and some of those kids look

like they’re ready to move up. We think we should be pretty competitive.” Last year Rosemount won the South Suburban Conference and Section 3AA meets. One indication that the Irish might be reloading, rather than rebuilding, is their 41-point victory in the SSC junior varsity meet. They had 17 points in that race, just two short of a perfect score. Capra, who finished sixth in the alumni meet behind five alumni runners, “will be our top guy, no doubt,” Harder said. “He’ll compete with the top guys in the conference and will be a single-digit (finisher) in every meet.” Ivanecky is a talented runner who looks to be ready to move up in Rosemount’s lineup, Harder said. The Irish could get help

from runners such as sophomore Ryan Brumm, last year’s conference JV champion. Others competing for varsity spots include juniors Cody Sedbrook and Ryan Condon, and senior Thomas Linder.

Rosemount girls The Irish also are looking for big things from their girls team, which finished third in the Section 3AA meet and sent Liz Evenocheck and Hannah Grim to the state meet. A spot in the state team competition – which would require a top-two finish in the section – isn’t out of the question. Harder said Eagan, the state’s fourthranked team, is likely to qualify for state through Section 3AA. The key question is how quickly Prior Lake will regroup after graduating

three of the top four runners from a section runner-up team. Grim, a junior, and Evenocheck, a sophomore, are the top two runners for Rosemount. Senior Taylor Rambo, the Irish’s No. 3 runner last season, also is back. Senior Taybri Irving also ran in the varsity lineup at sections last year. Sophomores Natalie Narloch and Rachel Schow are candidates to crack the varsity lineup, as is Sydney Regalado, a seventhgrader. Grim, Evenocheck and Rambo “had a good summer and are ready to go,” Harder said. “And we think we have some girls who can come in and fill those fourth, fifth and sixth spots, although three of them haven’t competed in a cross country meet for the high school yet.” Rosemount’s girls won

their race against the Irish alumni 26-38. It would have been closer, Harder said, if former Rosemount and University of Minnesota standout Heather (Dorniden) Kampf had been able to compete. Kampf, who ran in the 800 meters at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials earlier this summer, was competing in a race in Pennsylvania last week. The Rosemount boys and girls teams will serve as hosts of the Irish Invitational on Friday morning at the Rosemount High School campus. Then they will take a two-week break from competition before going to the Lakeville North Invitational on Sept. 14. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Rosemount man jailed after mother’s stabbing death A Rosemount man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of killing his mother during a late-night argument at her home in St. Cloud. Chad Pulju, 40, was taken into custody and booked into the Stearns County Jail after police were dispatched to the home just after 12:30 a.m. on a report of a domestic disturbance. Neighbors reported hearing arguing and a woman’s screams. When officers arrived at the home they found Pulju and his mother, 68-year-old Geraldine Bennett, who had suffered an injury from an edged weapon. Bennett was transported to St. Cloud Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

��

An autopsy by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Bennett had a stab wound that hit an artery and was fatal, according to a St. Cloud Times report. Police believe Pulju was in St. Cloud visiting his mother and stepfather and was staying at the home, the St. Cloud Times report said. Bennett’s husband was home at the time of the killing but likely slept through most of the incident. Police say second-degree murder charges are pending. Pulju has no criminal history other than driving violations. —Andrew Miller

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

Burnsville dental staff on Mission of Mercy Heart of the City Dental in Burnsville participated in the first Mission of Mercy presented by the Minnesota Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Foundation on Aug. 17-18 in Mankato. Dental professionals from across the state, along with lay community and corporate volunteers, delivered free dental care to patients resulting in 1,489 fillings, 1,307 extractions and 111 partial dentures, along with hundreds of cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments.

��

� � � ��

��

10A August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount religious affiliation. That be sullied through political debate, from 1A has now risen to about 18 activity, appraise the risks Church leaders in favor percent, and that rise has differently. of passage speak with equal happened in just 20 years,” “I think we’re all uncomconviction. Campbell said in an email. fortable,” Tegeder said. But can churches dam- The best available evi- But churches have always age themselves by becoming dence, including data Put- reacted to events in society, engaged in a process, what- nam and Campbell analyze he said. ever the spiritual dimen- in their book, is that people Martin Luther King, sions, that’s also political? are increasingly turned off the great civil rights leader, Some indicators suggest to religion because they see came out of the Africanthere’s a risk. it mixed up in partisan poli- American Baptist church. He witnessed or presided The Pew Forum on Re- tics, Campbell explained. ligion and Public Life in Between 2006 and 2011, at thousand marriages, exMarch published a survey while the percentage of peo- plained Tegeder, and it’s the showing that slightly more ple turned off by religion in- commitment, not the sexes, than half of the public, 54 creased modestly, religious that’s sacred. percent, believe churches disenchantment among The Rev. Deb Stehlin of should keep out of politics. younger people increased Light of the World (ELCA) In 1996, exactly the same fivefold. Church in Farmington, percent of the public indi- Evidence suggests they’re indicated she understood cated that churches and reli- reacting to perceived flaws her personal advocacy for gious leaders should express in the religious right, Camp- defeating the proposed their views on social and bell and Putnam noted in a amendment could be mispolitical topics. recent Foreign Affairs ar- understood. University of Notre ticle. “There’s a risk,” she said. Dame political science pro- “Interestingly, though, Still, she remembers fessor David Campbell and we have also seen a sharp church leaders urging young Harvard University pub- decline in the amount of ministers not to confine lic policy professor Robert politicking in churches (and their faith within the walls Putnam co-authored noted all places of worship) over of the church but live it in in their book “American the last five years or so, the larger world. Grace,” a study of religion which suggests that clergy “I still hear my bishop’s and politics, that there has have recognized the danger voice,” she said. been a dramatic rise in the in mixing too much Caesar Stehlin bases her advopercentage of people, espe- in place of God,” Campbell cacy against the amendcially the young, who have said in the email. ment on her understanding turned away from religion. Minnesota pastors and of God as revealed by Jesus “For decades, about 5 religious leaders, while in Christ — all loving, all empercent of the U.S. popu- general not dismissive of bracing, she explained. lation said they had no the idea that churches can “God doesn’t really have

any favorites,” Stehlin said. Beyond this, her advocacy stems from the unfairness confronting same-sex couples — things like having no say in the medical treatment of spouses. The Rev. Jeff Evans of Christ Church Twin Cities in Edina bases his support for the marriage amendment as keeping faith with the teachings of the Bible. “We really see it as a nonpolitical issue. … We are not of the donkey or elephant,” he said of ties to the Democratic or Republican parties. “We are of the Lamb,” referring to Christ. Rather than the divisive issue critics claim, the proposed amendment has brought churches together, he said. It’s dangerous for any church to become politicized, said Jason Adkins, Minnesota Catholic Conference executive director, but that simply is not the case with the conference’s support of the marriage amendment. To argue the conference was somehow a branch of the Republican Party is “completely false,” he said. For one thing, the proposed amendment isn’t partisan in a traditional sense,

he explained. Many Democrats support it, Adkins said. The Democratic-leaning Iron Range is a citadel of support, he argued. The “vast majority” of church-going Catholics support the amendment, Adkins said. Personally, he would rather be working on other matters — the conference is involved in issues ranging from immigration to health care — but it’s the advocacy of same-sex marriage supporters that has forced the matter, Adkins explained. “It (marriage) needs to be strengthened and not redefined,” he said. Still, churches or religious-based groups can damage themselves by too frequent contact with political issues, Adkins indicated. “You must be very careful if you intervene,” he said. Out of the thousands of bills that pour out of the state Legislature every session, the Catholic Conference becomes involved only with a double-handful, Adkins said. One amendment supporter, the Rev. Tom Parrish, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Min-

neapolis, who has testified on behalf of the proposed amendment at hearings at the State Capitol, spoke of a perceived ugly attitude among amendment opponents. Every time he puts a “Vote Yes” sign up in his yard, it disappears, he explained. “Fortunately, I have 25 more in the garage.” Religious leaders at the rally outside the State Fair charged amendment supporters were trying to shut down conversation on an important issue. The rally was sponsored by Minnesotans United for All Families, an antiamendment group listing dozens of religious leaders on its website as opposed to the amendment. Minnesota for Marriage, a pro amendment group, has a lengthy list on its website of churches supporting the amendment. The proposed amendment passed the Legislature with overwhelming Republican support. T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

11A

12A

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

13A

14A

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

Thisweekend theater and arts briefs Zoo kicks off concert series

The Minnesota Zoo will debut its Live On Stage acoustic concert series in its new indoor theatre, the Target Learning Center, a multi-purpose performance venue and winter home to the zoo’s World of Birds show. Concert lineup: Sept. 27, Chris Koza; Oct. 4, Lucy Michelle; Oct. 18, The Atlantis Quartet; Oct. 25, Alison Scott; and Nov. 7, Jeremy Messersmith. Evening schedule: 6 to 7 p.m., zoo opens for Tropics Trail stroll; 7 p.m., Target Learning Center doors open for seating; 7:15 p.m., bird encounter on stage; 7:30 p.m., concert begins. The concerts are open to guests age 18 and older. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at mnzoo.org.

Canvas & Vine tickets on sale The Burnsville Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual “Canvas & Vines, A Collection of Fine Art & Wine,” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. The fundraising event includes sampling and learning about select wines and craft beer, tasting a variety of foods from local restaurants, while viewing fine art, listening to

music from Greenwood Tree, and bidding on silent auction items. Tickets are available now. Admission is $35. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. Call (952) 8954690 for more information and to purchase tickets, or visit www.canvasandvines.com.

‘Steel Kiss’ in a headlock

‘Club Swing’ in Burnsville

Photo submitted

Chameleon Theatre Circle and Segue Productions will present “Steel Kiss” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7-8 and 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and groups. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling (952) 895-4680. Chameleon Theatre Circle’s 13th annual New Play Festival also will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. It is free to attend. More is at www. chameleontheatre.org.

Five By Design’s “Club Swing” performance will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets range from $22 to $29 and can be purchased at the box office or by phone at (952) 895-4680.

Teen artist gatherings The Eagan Art House, 3981 Lexington Ave. S., will host Teen Artist Gatherings from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6; and from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. Cost is $3 payable at the door. Drop-ins welcome. Bus transportation will be provided from Eagan High School to the art house on the Thursday gatherings. To ride the bus, call or text (651) 485-8940. No transportation will be offered on Saturdays. Call the Eagan Art House at (651) 675-5521 for more information.

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Friday, Aug. 31 Blue Moon Walk, 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Ritter Farm Park, 19300 Ritter Trail, Lakeville. For all ages, families encouraged. Cost: $5 per person and/or $15 per family. Information: Lakeville Parks and Recreation, (952) 985-4600. Wednesday, Sept. 5 Pilot Knob Road Corridor open house for area residents, business owners and commuters from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Eagan Community Center Oasis Room, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan. Information: (952) 891-7100. Eagan Market Fest, 4 to 8 p.m., Eagan Festival Grounds. The farmers market is open with a wide selection of fall produce including apples. Information: www.cityofeagan.com/marketfest or (651) 675-5500. Parent informational meeting hosted by MTS Minnesota Connections Academy, a virtual K-12 program, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble – Cafe, 1291 Promenade Place, Eagan. Learn what it’s like to attend public school online. Information: www. connectionsacademy.com or (800) 382-6010. Thursday, Sept. 6 “Activities to Encourage Engagement,” Alzheimer’s care training, 6 p.m. at Home Instead Senior Care, 1600 E. Cliff Road, Burnsville. Free. To reserve a spot, call (952) 882-9300. Friday, Sept. 7 Forever Wild Family Friday: Nature Bingo, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Lebanon Hills Visitor Center – Discovery Room, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan. Free. Registration required. Course No. 4174. Information: http://www.co.dakota. mn.us/LeisureRecreation/CountyParks/Calendar. Saturday, Sept. 8 Kids ’n Kinship 40th anniversary gala, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Crystal Lake Golf Club, 6725 Innsbrook Drive, Lakeville. In-

cludes cash bar, silent auction, music and other entertainment, a quilt raffle, wine cork pull, plus a sit-down dinner. Tickets are available for $40 at www.kinship40th.eventbrite.com. Live auction online at www.winningcause.org/all-auctions/kids-nkinship-1.html. Sunday, Sept. 9 Bird banding, 9 a.m. to noon at Ritter Farm Park, 19300 Ritter Trail, Lakeville. Join a naturalist for an up-close look at wild birds. Cost: $2 per person for ages 10 and older; free for children under 10. Information: Lakeville Parks and Recreation, (952) 985-4600. The Denmark Demons vintage baseball team will face the Quicksteps at 1 p.m. at the Denmark Town Hall, 14008 90th St. S., in Denmark Township. The game is free and open to the public. Ongoing Firearm Safety Class will be offered at Rosemount Middle School, 3135 143rd St. W., Rosemount, Sept. 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 29. Tentative range day: Oct. 27. Registration: 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11. Minimum age is 11. Fee is $7.50. A legal guardian must accompany students for registration and stay for approximately the first hour of class, which begins at 7 p.m. No preregistration. Information: Mike Kottwitz, (952) 884-8001. Blood drives The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. • Sept. 4, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church, 16725 Highview Ave., Lakeville. • Sept. 8, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville. • Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan. • Sept. 10, 2 to 5 p.m., Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria, 1965 Cliff Lake Road, Eagan.

��

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

15A

Thisweekend Journey to find ‘home’ Newbery award-winning author to be in Rosemount

by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

One wouldn’t expect to draw a straight line from Herman Melville’s iconic Captain Ahab to a girl in a rundown small town, but Kansas author Clare Vanderpool did. The line started to be drawn when Vanderpool came across the oftenrepeated quote from “Moby Dick” – “It is not down on any map; true places never are.” True places were easy to map for Vanderpool, who said she has lived in the same Wichita, Kan., neighborhood her whole life. “A true place is all about home and the people and places that are so familiar,” she said, “the neighborhood pool, the sledding hill, all the places where memories abound.” She said that started her thinking about what a young person whose family moved around a lot would think of “home.” “That was when Abilene Tucker showed up and I basically accompanied her on this journey of finding her own definition of a true place,” Vanderpool said. Abilene is the central character of Vanderpool’s “Moon Over Manifest,” which will be the focus of One Book, One

Clare Vanderpool Rosemount events from Sept. 1 to Oct. 9 (go to SunThisweek.com to see a full listing). She is the daughter of a drifter for a dad, who has sent her to live with relatives in her father’s hometown for the summer. Abilene has heard many tales of her dad’s childhood, but she’s disappointed that the town of Manifest in the 1930s doesn’t live up to the billing her father gave it. But discovering a tale about the town’s mysterious past and the role her father played in it are just the beginning for Abilene, who has never experienced community or a connection to place. Vanderpool said that tale shows the transfor-

mative power of story in our lives. “Moon Over Manifest” has a wide range of appeal because it has characters of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds in addition to being set in two different time periods. “I think it speaks to some basic themes that are important to all of us – home, community, the need for belonging, and the importance of story in our lives,” Vanderpool said. She said the book can incite discussion about history and those “I remember when” types of discussions. “Much of the book really pertains to all of our lives,” she said. “There are themes of friendship, loss, the need for forgiveness and redemption.” More about Vanderpool is at www.clarevanderpool.com. For a brochure about the One Book, One Rosemount events, go to the Robert Trail Library, 14395 Robert Trail S., or go to a PDF link of it from this story posted online at SunThisweek.com. Tad Johnson can be reached at tad.johnson@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

theater and arts calendar To submit items for the Arts Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Auditions The Prior Lake Players will hold open auditions for “Alice in Wonderland” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, and Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Twin Oaks Middle School, 15860 Fish Point Road S.E., Prior Lake. Auditions for children ages 5-10 will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. both nights, and teen/ adult (age 11 and up) auditions will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Information: www.plplayers.org. Concerts Little Feat with Tom Fuller Band, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $34. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Exhibits/art shows A botanical art exhibit by The Great River Chapter of Botanical Artists is on display through Sept. 16 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Information: (952) 985-4640. Pilgrims and Passages, a joint exhibit featuring art by Anthony Donatelle and Jon Reischl, is on display through Sept. 8 in the gallery at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. For more information, call (952) 895-4676 or visit www.burnsvillepac.com. Harvest of Art Community Art Exhibit opening, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Eagan Art House, 3981 Lexington Ave. S. The exhibit will run through Nov. 2 at the art house and other Eagan locations. Information: (651) 675-5521 or www.eaganarthouse.org. Festivals/special events Burnsville Fire Muster runs Sept. 5-9. Information: www.burnsvillefiremuster.com/. Burnsville Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Canvas & Vines will be 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Includes wine, craft beer, food, art, music and a silent auction. Admission is $35. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Call (952) 895-4690 for more information and to purchase tickets, or visit www.canvasandvines. com. “Musical Heart Notes – Treasuring Children,” a musical fundraiser for Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota, will be held from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Steeple

Center, 14375 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Information: www.childrenslighthousemn.org. Theater The Chameleon Theatre Circle and Segue Productions will present “Steel Kiss” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7-8 and 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and groups. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling (952) 895-4680. The Chameleon Theatre Circle’s 13th annual New Play Festival will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Free. Workshops/classes Allegro Choral Academy is currently accepting registrations for its 2012-13 season for students in second to eighth grade. Classes available in Rosemount and Lakeville. Registration information: http://www.allegroca.org/ or nmarschall@allegroca.org. Adult painting open studio from 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Fridays of the month at the Eagan Art House, 3981 Lexington Ave. S. Fee is $5 per session. Information: (651) 675-5521. 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 ages 4 through adult. Register now for fall classes. 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 ages 4 and up at River Ridge Arts Building, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. Special needs theater program (autism-DCD), ages 5 and older, Burnsville, (952) 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. Information: (651) 675-5500. Savage Art Studios, 4735 W. 123rd St., Suite 200, Savage, offers classes/workshops for all ages. Information: www. savageartstudios.com or (952) 895-0375. Soy candle making classes held weekly in Eagan near 55 and Yankee Doodle. Call Jamie at (651) 315-4849 for dates and times. $10 per person. Presented by Making Scents in Minnesota. Country line dance classes held for intermediates Mondays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., Farmington, $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. 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) 4637833. The Lakeville Area Arts Center offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn.gov, (952) 985-4640.

��

Treat Depression

www.save.org

��

Prevent Suicide

��

16A

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

��

Eagan YMCA adds board members The YMCA in Eagan announced the addition of the following area professionals to its Community Board: Gregory Buck of Eagan, owner of Buck Financial Services; Michael Scott of Eagan, Eagan fire chief; Trudy Matthys of Apple Valley, a pharmacist

with Walgreens; Wendy Feigal of Apple Valley, an IT professional with Prime Therapeutics; and Mark Youngdahl of Stillwater, home builder and owner of Red Brick. Now at 18 members, the Eagan Community Board is comprised of a range

of community professionals who guide the Y as it addresses the current and future health and wellness needs of youth and seniors. Current board projects include Y Partners fundraising, Y Board Challenge and a community garden.

proto labs, from 1A

three weeks, compared to 8.5 weeks with conventional methods of injection molding. Clients can upload a three-dimensional computer-aided design file to a Proto Labs website to get a quote, and, if desired, place an order. “We ship parts in as little as one business day, whereas conventional providers of those services take weeks or months,” Cleveland said. “So the main value we bring new product developers is the time we save them in getting to market. It’s all about giving them the ability to get real parts, not just prototypes, made with blazing speed.” According to Rosemount Community Development Director Kim Lindquist, Proto Labs first approached the city about the possibility of the new development in fall 2011, and secured its first permits that December. “The city was told Proto Labs found a good building for their use, and they were interested in expanding to a different region in the metropolitan area because they were looking to expand their worker labor pool,” Lindquist said. “Business development in the city is limited to the available rental space,” she said. “The prime location

of business park or light industrial uses is in the Rosemount Business Park. Most of those buildings were initially constructed as build-to-suit for the owner/ tenant. There has been some change over from the original tenants such as that with Proto Labs. With the economic downturn and the availability of rental space in the market, there hasn’t been any new construction on the Business Park for some time.” Proto Labs is one of four recent commercial/industrial projects either completed or under way in Rosemount. The others include a 60,000-square-foot chemical manufacturing and warehousing building for Hawkins Inc., a proposed mining site on the western 1,600 acres of the UMore property for Dakota Aggregates, and an ongoing Alternative Urban Areawide Review for UMore Park. This past June, Proto Labs was ranked No. 8 on the Star Tribune’s “Top 100 Places to Work in Minnesota” list in the mid-sized companies category. More information about the company is at www.protolabs.com.

Resources and the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. The company is currently seeking a facilities supervisor, a finishing operator and mold tech. “Since May, our Rosemount plant has been fully up and running supporting our Protomold production parts business, while in parallel they have been implementing a number of process improvements aimed at even greater efficiencies,” said company CEO Brad Cleveland. “The new facility and its highly trained staff have successfully handled many strong days of demand from our customers.” Proto Labs bills itself as “the world’s fastest source for custom (computer numerical control) machined parts and injection molded parts,” offering “real materials, real functionality, and real value in as fast as one business day.” The company can do this through a variety of processes, including Firstcut, which can generate up to 10 parts in under three days, and Protomold Rapid Injection, which can create up to 10,000 parts in myriad engineering-grade resins. The latter process can take

Joseph Palmersheim is a freelance writer for Sun Thisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount August 31, 2012

County holds waste collection events Dakota County residents can drop off household hazardous waste for free at two collection events. • Saturday, Sept. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Maintenance Facility, 19650 Municipal Drive, Farmington, (651) 280-6900. • Saturday, Sept. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Maintenance Center, 13713 Frontier Court, Burnsville, (952) 895-4511. Items that can be

dropped off include leftover paint, fluorescent bulbs, fertilizers, pesticides, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, gasoline, oil and oil filters, and other types of household chemicals. In addition, and only at the Burnsville collection, residents can drop off household electronics and small electrical items for free. Electronics that can be dropped off include televisions, cell phones, comput-

ers, DVD players, laptops, stereo equipment, and video gaming systems. Small electrical items accepted for collection include vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, blenders, electric tools (drills, sanders, etc.), clothes irons, fans, hair dryers, microwaves, space heaters and toaster ovens. No business or farm waste will be accepted at these collection events.

crime lab, from 1A

after July testimony in the hearing, the drug lab testing was shut down, the head of the lab replaced and the law enforcement entities that used the lab for testing drug evidence, including Dakota County, stopped sending samples there for testing. The drug evidence has been undergoing retesting by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension drug lab, but the defense also is claiming retesting cannot rectify damage done by the St. Paul lab. DeCrans said Traub’s questioning to determine the proper scientific term for the work she performed on drug cases was “getting a little nitpicky on terminology.” “Science is nit-picky” and “requires precision,” Traub replied. Previous testimony revealed the unaccredited St. Paul crime lab’s operations lacked standard operating procedures performed by an under-trained workforce that employed lax standards, improper testing procedures and failed to maintain equipment. The Frye-Mack hearing has included a cross-section of Dakota County drug cas-

es where evidence was tested by the St. Paul crime lab; its purpose is to explore whether scientific evidence can be presented against an accused defendant in trial. Traub and Christine Funk of the State’s Public Defender’s office have argued the evidence is contaminated and should be thrown out. Some of the seven cases included in the hearing are expected to be removed after the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension crime lab concluded drug evidence was determined to be too insufficient to retest. Those cases will continue through the legal process independent of the hearing and will allow evidence like drug paraphernalia, Prokopowicz said. He noted that tests of samples on the remaining cases involved in the FryeMach hearing, which have been given a high priority by the BCA, to conclude testing. The hearing will continue Sept. 6.

which she admitted could indicate the tubes (or columns) chemicals go through may need to be replaced. DeCrans also said she does not follow a single set of procedures on every scientific test she performs. According to her testimony, sometimes she ran follow-up tests when initial results showed no drugs present, and other times she did run the samples again. Public defender Lauri Traub challenged Dakota County Attorney Phil Prokopowicz’s repeated use of the term “standard operating procedures” when referring to the work DeCrans said she typically performed when testing evidence used in Dakota County drug cases. Traub challenged the term because accepted scientific standards indicate “standard operating procedures” are written, verified, tested and consistently followed. Procedures employed at the St. Paul crime lab did not meet that standard, as previous testimony revealed. Once the crime lab’s operations became publicized

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

17A

��

�

��

�

��

� ��

��

�

��

�

��

�

��

�

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

18A

August 31, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Apple Valley - Rosemount

one book, from 1A ard Peck. During the 2010 One Book effort, she said at one point 70 percent of the library’s copies were checked out. Jurgensen said she knew the program was a success when people were coming in to attend events all because of one book. “It reinforced the sense of community,” she said. “The pie-baking contest was a fun moment. It showed that old-school community involvement. … It was fun and familyoriented.” Vanderpool says the One Book, One Rosemount effort is important because it gets people talking. “We are living in an era of increasing isolation,” she said. “Books and stories bring us together in ways that allow us to connect and find common ground.” She said talking about books is a great way to meet new people or connect with old friends. The books people read say a lot about people’s interests and what is important to them, Vanderpool said. Jurgensen suggested Vanderpool’s novel to the Leaders Group, and there was a consensus it was a great pick. “It is a great mystery,” she said. “It is a

really nice character-driven story. I love the characters. … There are lots of tie-ins to small towns and to Rosemount.” Jurgensen expects the events to be well attended and is encouraging people of all ages to become part of the book club discussion. Organizers are working with school principals and teachers to encourage younger readers to join the clubs, with a special emphasis on teenage students. Before her Oct. 9 public events, Vanderpool will be visiting Rosemount schools during the day, which Jurgensen said should serve as an incentive for students to read her book prior to her arrival. Vanderpool said her talk from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Steeple Center will give some insights into the writing of the book, including her research, family stories, and the creative writing process. Jurgensen said the book is appropriate for high-level third-grade readers and that most adult readers can complete it in a couple of days. More on Vanderpool’s book can be found on today’s Thisweekend page. Tad Johnson can be reached at tad.johnson@ ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.