Get your art on at the Eagan Art Festival. See Thisweekend Page 7A.
A NEWS OPINION SPORTS
Thisweek Burnsville-Eagan JUNE 17, 2011
VOLUME 32, NO. 16
www.thisweeklive.com
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Burnsville music, art festival’s future in doubt Art and All that Jazz may fold after seven year if funds aren’t raised by Tad Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
The future of Art and All that Jazz, an annual Burnsville festival since 2004, is in doubt. Dan Gustafson, event founder and lead organizer, said the nonprofit 501(c)3 committee is down about $30,000 in sponsorship donations this year and will decide within the week whether the event will go to only one day or be cancelled for 2011. Originally scheduled for Aug. 19 and 20 at Burnsville’s Performing Arts Center and Nicollet Commons park, the festival ran into financial difficulties when one of its major sponsors was unable to give $20,000 this year. Gustafson is appealing to businesses and individuals in an effort to replace the $30,000 gap. If half of that is able to be replaced, he said the event would likely keep its Saturday schedule in 2011. “It would be heartbreaking,� Gustafson said of losing the festival. “This was a vision I had in 2004 when they first opened the
Photos by Rick Orndorf
The Art and All that Jazz festival has drawn 15,000 in the past to the two-day event at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center and Nicollet Commons Park. park. When I looked around, I together with mostly local musithought what a cool place for a cians and artists and drew about jazz festival.� 2,000 people. That year the festival came The following year, the event
worked with Smooth Jazz 103 FM and attendance grew dramatically. The best years have drawn about 15,000 people to the
free events. This year, the event is planning to have a concert Friday with The Super Pilots, Dave Weckl and Mike Stern. Regular tickets are $25 to $35 and the cost to see the show and attend a VIP event is $150. The free Saturday show in the park is planned to have Randy Brecker and the Jack Brass Band. Fifty art and food vendors filled up the festival grounds last year. The event is an economic boost for Burnsville, according to Gustafson, a Burnsville City Council member. He said many people come from out of the area to attend and stay in hotels and spend money in local restaurants and bars. “Since it is a two-day thing, they come and stay for the whole event,� Gustafson said. He added that people come to the event from all over the country. Gustafson, a former Burnsville Convention and Visitors Bureau board member, said some hotels are booked solid for the weekend with many people choosing them for accommodations. In the past, the festival has worked with local hotels to offer stay packages for event attendees. See Festival, 13A
A joyful noise Funfest adds ‘Patriotic Day’ Eagan’s July 4th celebration puts spotlight on veterans
by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Photo by Rick Orndorf
Members of the Burnsville Senior High School Concert Choir sing “The Star Spangled Banner� during the Friday, June 10 commencement exercises on Dick Hanson Field at Pates Stadium. For more photos, go online to www.ThisweekLive.com.
Organizers of Eagan’s July 4th Funfest are answering a call from the community to add a more patriotic flair to the annual event. While past celebrations have featured fireworks and patriotic parade themes, some members of the public felt it wasn’t enough, said Cory Hilden, secretary of Eagan’s July 4th Funfest. “So we thought, let’s bring a little more patriotism to the (event) site itself,� she said. This year, July 3 will be designated “Patriotic Day� and will put the spotlight on those who have served their country. The events will take place at the Eagan Festival Grounds at Central Park, 1501 Central Parkway. Two World War II veterans and Eagan residents, Richard Carroll and Anthony Caponi, will share their stories from the stage, and the military statue will be officially unveiled at the Tribute and Memorial Plaza.
Fourteen teachers to be cut, 11 more get partial layoffs by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
File photo
Eagan’s annual July 4th Funfest is looking to incorporate more patriotism this year with “Patriotic Day� on July 3, and by inviting veterans to appear in the parade with the theme “Hometown Heroes.� There will be music and entertainment, and several organizations that support men and women in uniform will be showcased. Veterans are also being invited to walk or ride in the Funfest parade on July 4. The theme of this year’s parade is “Hometown Heroes.�
Interested organizations or individuals seeking details should contact Cory Hilden at info@EaganFunfest.org. A complete Funfest schedule can be found at www.eaganfunfest.org. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
Dog fair will benefit Eagan resident with cancer Paws 4 Cause event will feature play, family fun, food and canine education by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Wagging Tails Pet Resort, a full-service doggy day care and boarding facility in Eagan, invites all dog owners to join in a day of fun to benefit a serious cause. The Paws 4 Cause Dog Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25. It will feature an “Ask the Dog Trainer� booth, a dog communicator, doggy nail trims, non-toxic dog coloring, face painting for kids, music and gourmet nachos. For a $5 donation, dogs
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in the hospital and has not been able to work, said Jody Karow, one of Wagging Tail’s owners. “She doesn’t know how she’s going to stay in her apartment at this point,� she said. Cole has a heart of gold, especially when it comes to her canine charges, Karow said. “She’s just an incredible woman. She is hands on with all of our customers’ puppies,� she said. “We want to do whatever we can to help See Dog Fair, 13A
Submitted photo
Candy Cole, a dog care attendent at Wagging Tails Pet Resort in Eagan, has been diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. Wagging Tails is holding a Dog Fair to help raise money for her care.
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Nontenured teachers are not the only ones seeing pink slips this year in the Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan School District. The District 196 School Board unanimously approved June 13 laying off 14 tenured teachers and giving partial leaves of absence to 11 more. Those who are partially laid off may teach one or two classes during the year or for only one trimester, said Tom Pederstuen, director of human resources in District 196. This comes just months after the board approved laying off 93 nontenured teachers. The nontenured layoffs came after the School Board unanimously approved in March slashing $3.5 million from the district’s 2011-2012 budget, which included job cuts. Officials said they were able to avoid laying off more teachers thanks to a recent retirement incentive, which resulted in a higher than average number of retirements. The district’s decision to lay off tenured teachers had more to do with changes at the middle school than its budget constraints, Pederstuen said. On Jan. 10, the School Board unanimously approved shortening its middle school schedule to six See Teachers, 13A
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will be able to play off-leash in the 10,000-square-foot outdoor play area, and owners will receive a presentation on dog park safety and etiquette and canine body language. A raffle and silent auction will feature numerous gift cards and baskets, including a dog-training package valued at $1,200 and a day care package from Wagging Tails. All proceeds will benefit Candy Cole, a dog care attendant at Wagging Tails. Cole has been diagnosed with inoperable, stage IV colorectal cancer. She spent six weeks
Tenured teachers on chopping block in District 196