SUN Thisweek Farmington and Lakeville by Sun Thisweek

Farmington | Lakeville

www.SunThisweek.com Special Section JULY 1-8, 2012

June 22, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 17

Lakeville mayor seeks re-election Bellows touts conservative credentials by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

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opinion Cyber bullying can be stopped The locker room video and photo incident in Lakeville can bring awareness to stop cyberbullying. Page 4A

thisweekend

Lakeville Mayor Mark Bellows announced his bid for a second term Tuesday, June 19. Bellows said in a press release that he is running for another term because there has been an “overwhelming number of residents who asked me to serve again and to be a voice for the conservative values of this community.” Bellows’ first term has been an active one. Of his accomplishments, he speci-

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Little declared his mayoral candidacy in December 2011 and has raised more than $13,000. Bellows has not been as active in his fundraising efforts, though Little’s amount does not worry him. “I’m not too concerned about fundraising,” he told Sun Thisweek. In his press release, Bellows cited former Lakeville Mayor Robert Johnson and former Dakota County Sheriff and Lakeville Police Chief Don Gudmundson as supporters.

“Mark is a reflection of Lakeville’s values and he is a principled leader,” Johnson said in the release. “He is a proven fiscal conservative who understands the sanctity of the taxpayer’s dollar.” In the press release, Gudmundson referred to Bellows as a “selfless servant to this community both in his role as an elected official and in his longstanding role as chaplain for the police department.” Bellows was first elected to the council in 2000. He

was elected mayor in 2010. Mayoral terms are two years in Lakeville. Council terms are four years. Outside of his elected role, Bellows is a pastor and licensed marriage and family therapist at Hope Community Church in Lakeville. He is also the director of Lakeville Police chaplaincy services. Aaron M. Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

Storm leaves its mark on Lakeville Property damage, felled trees abound by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

An early morning storm June 19 in the south metro resulted in widespread reports of power outages, property damage and downed trees. Around Lakeville, the storm ransacked garbage cans and lawn furniture while taking down significant portions of several trees, knocking out power in some neighborhoods and damaging homes and other buildings. Roads were obstructed and there were even loose power lines downed. Shakespeare in With straight-line winds as high as 54 mph, neighthe woods borhoods in the northeast Eagan’s Caponi Art Park is playing host to a staging and southern sections of of the Shakespeare comedy Lakeville received significant damage. “The Merry Wives of In downtown, toppled Windsor” this Sunday. Page 12A-13A trees blocked sidewalks and streets. Marie Kibler Hongslo wrote on Sun Thisweek’s Facebook page that she experienced “intense wind sports and so much rain.” She posted some photos to the page that exhibited some Lakeville golfer of the challenges downtown will face in its cleanup places third efforts. Lakeville North In the areas near Valsophomore Freddy ley Park trees were also Thomas placed third last down, some on the roofs week at the state golf tournament. Page 14A

Online

fied the formation of the Financial Advisory Board, the positive outcomes of the DevelMark Bellows oper’s Forum and the development of a business marketing strategy that would attract new businesses and grow existing ones. So far, only one challenger has announced a run for Bellows’ seat. Council Member Matt

Photo by Erik Anderson, special to Sun Thisweek

Storms on June 19 wreaked havoc on parts of Lakeville. In the northeast part of the city the straight-line winds blew down trees, some of which collapsed homes. of homes. Furniture had collided with some homes, knocking off siding. Along Cedar Avenue, a barn owned by Joe Miller, which houses the Pan-O-Prog Committee’s parade float, experienced a

collapsed roof. Debris from the incident was strewn about the perimeter. Both Dakota Electric and Xcel Energy reported outages for thousands of customers in their service areas, though most saw

power restored by Wednesday. Sue Palm, the city’s communications manager, said there were no injuries reported from the storm. City crews were out at 5 a.m. touring the city

to assess the damage and clear debris from the roads. Though the city is not responsible for cleaning up fallen trees on private property, Palm said, residents See storm, 10A

forum set ‘Deathly still’ before storm Candidate Farmington-area seat open hit like a ‘cannonball’ by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Trees down, homes damaged in Farmington

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

The weather became “deathly still” before the storm hit like a “cannonball” Tuesday, June 19 at about 4 a.m, Farmington resident Brad Bauer said. “It all happened so fast,” said Bauer, who Wednesday morning described his neighborhood on 2013th Street as a “disaster zone.” Bauer said the warning sirens went off about 30 minutes before the storm hit with hail, raining, lightning and winds of up to 70 miles per hour. A large tree in Bauer’s yard crashed into his house, damaging part of the roof. “The rain was blowing

Photo by Laura Adelmann

Huge trees toppled in an early morning storm Tuesday in Farmington. This tree fell into across the entire back yard of Dave and Bonni Walz. Their house was not damaged. sideways, so you couldn’t see much before the tree hit the house,” he said. Across the street at Trin-

ity Terrace, Environmental Services Director John See damage, 11A

Students may be on summer vacation, but Farmington-area voters will need to keep educated on the issues to be ready for an Aug. 14 primary election. On that day, voters will whittle five candidates to two vying in the Nov. 6 election to replace 32-year incumbent Joe Harris as Dakota County commissioner, representing District 1. To help inform voters, Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a District 1 primary candidate forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26 at Farmington City Hall. The public is encour- The position County commissioners aged to attend. District 1 candidates expected to appear are: Dean See forum, 10A

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Birnstengel, Hastings, a retired engineer who ran against Harris in 2008; Brian Jay Budenski, Eureka Township Board chair; Christy Jo Fogarty, Farmington City Council member; Mark Henry, a Castle Rock Township business owner; and Mike Slavik, Hastings City Council member. Candidates will make introduction and closing statements and will answer questions they will not have seen prior to the event. Citizens are invited to submit questions for the candidates to Sun Thisweek at laura.adelmann@ecminc.com by Thursday, July 19.

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

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Breaking the silence

Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

Forum participants share experience, pain of mental illness by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Seven men and women punctured the hidden shame, silence and isolation by offering painful testimony to a standing-room St. Paul History Theater crowd that shouted encouragement, cheers and gave robust applause. The June 18 Minds Interrupted monologues was a declaration that diagnoses like paranoid schizophrenia, manic depression and bipolar did not erase the participants’ humanity, has not stopped them from living, and has united them to stand against society’s stigma that for lifetimes left them ashamed and trapped in their or their family member’s mental illness. Among the speakers was Heidi Nordin of Eagan, a manager for a Fortune 500 company who lives with bipolar and borderline personality disorder, rides a motorcycle and loves Lady Gaga’s music so much her friends call her “Heidi Gaga.” Depression enveloped her at 15, after a series of life-altering circumstances: Her grandmother, the “glue” of the family, died, she transferred from a small Catholic school to large public high school, and Nordin’s parents divorced. “Oh my God,” Nordin said, her voice wavering, “Even after all these years, just thinking about my dad leaving creates a sick feeling in the deepest part of my soul.” High school felt like a black hole; she cut herself

and often contemplated suicide. As an adult, her behavior “became truly out of control,” Nordin said. She went into manic episodes, skipping medications while on “highs,” that included wild spending sprees and too much food, alcohol and one-night stands. “There’s no moderation when I’m depressed, either,” Nordin said. “I’m like a radio channel that’s either blaring at full-blast or at such a low volume you can’t hear me at all.” Nordin said although she still spirals between depressive and manic episodes, suffers nightmares and a racing mind and “almost constant” thoughts of suicide, she found hope through the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which sponsored Monday’s event. NAMI Minnesota Executive Director Sue Abderholden said society’s stigma against people who suffer mental health issues is so strong, people live with their symptoms an average of 10 years before seeking help. She said a survey last year showed that nearly 100 percent of patients hospitalized for mental illness never received a get-well card. “There is isolation with this illness,” Abderholden said. “When someone shares their story, we take another brick off that wall.”

“Experienced Parent” program. Started 18 months ago, a team of eight trained parents are helping about 50 families struggling with mental health issues. NAMI Operations Director Suzette Scheele of Burnsville coordinates the Experienced Parent program that matches trained, experienced parents who are raising children with mental illnesses with parents who are new to the mental health system. Experienced parents meet weekly with the families in the program to listen, provide support and connect them to resources. “Parents who have walked this path understand,” Scheele said. “When you’re a parent and faced with these challenges and don’t know where to go for help, they trust parents who’ve walked the path.” One mother recently was helped through the program, after she broke down in tears at a NAMI support group, expressing feelings of hopelessness because her child had been hospitalized with a mental health diagnosis. Four weeks after entering the Experienced Parent program, the mother told the group she felt there was hope and that her child had a positive future. That mother’s despair reflected what Scheele said she has experienced with a positive outcome. In Dakota County A single mother of three, NAMI is active in Dako- one of her sons was diagta County, which is the only nosed with attention deficit county in the state with an hyperactivity disorder at

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The cover of the “Minds Interrupted” program featured a photo of a cloudcovered walkway. age 3, underwent the first of eight psychiatric hospitalizations at age 5 and was diagnosed bipolar by age 14. “There were no support groups then,” Scheele said. “You feel like you’re alone, and the stigma prevents a lot of people from getting the help they need.” Now 22, he has gradu-

ated cum laude from the University of St. Thomas with a double major, and is working part-time while earning a graduate degree. “He has strengths and talents like everyone else,” Scheele said. “He just so happens to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It’s been a challenge, but he’s a wonderful young man. I’m very proud of him.” During the Minds Interrupted forum, speakers shared their struggles, and those of friends and relatives. They spoke of abuse, beatings, horror movies in their heads, hearing voices, or of being a child, roiling with emotions through the years: confused, frightened, angered, embarrassed of a parent they could not understand until years later. Sometimes, the presenters could not speak, stopped by memory too painful to admit: A surprise party, followed by his friend’s suicide; porn images that refused to

leave; sobbing and making animal noises in a corner; pleading with authorities to see even if her child was arrested. Most of the speakers had to stop as they struggled to read, standing in the spotlight, looking down, choking back tears. People in the crowd urged them on. And they continued; every one finished their monologue. Several called their diagnosis a blessing, in part because of the help, support and friends they have found through NAMI. Nordin said while she has found help and comfort in the support, she also has found she is grateful because of who she is: “Heidi Gaga.” For more information about NAMI, go to www. namihelps.org. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Opinion

June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Lessons from Lakeville about cyber-bullying by Joe Nathan Sun Thisweek

Will you take five minutes to help protect your children? Please consider several steps that come from an incident in Lakeville where some middle school students took photos inside a girls locker room. First, read the following with (not to, but with) your children. Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said Four students at Century Middle School in Lakeville were charged last week with crimes involving the taking and distribution of inappropriate photos and a video in May 2012. The following charges were filed: Two boys, ages 13 and 14, were charged with conspiracy to commit interference with privacy and criminal defamation, both gross misdemeanors); A 14-year-old girl was charged with interference with privacy and criminal defamation, both gross misdemeanors; and another 14-year-old girl has been charged with gross misdemeanor interference with privacy. These charges stem from a May 2012 incident that was reported to the Lakeville Police Department on May 21 by a school administrator, in which two girls allegedly took photos and a video of two other girls

Sun Thisweek Columnist

Joe Nathan

undressing in the school’s locker room. The first girl charged is alleged to have taken four photos of one victim and a video of another victim. The second girl charged is alleged to have taken one photo of one of the same victims. The photos and video showed the backs of the victims partially undressed from the waist down, according to the Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom. None of the images showed the victims naked. The two boys apparently had created a game in which they took photos of the buttocks of girls in the hallway and forwarded these photos to other students. It is believed that each boy paid one of the girls $5, and one of the boys gave her a can of soda to take the inappropriate images in the locker room. The second girl charged is believed to have taken one inappropriate photo as a result of the urging of the first girl. These inappropriate photos/images may have been seen by more than 40 students from

the school. Stunning, right? Now please consider having your youngsters watch a 45 second video, “Pause before you Post,” produced by Josten’s. Jeff McGonigal, an Anoka-Hennepin School District administrator, reports students were “extremely attentive” when teachers showed this. He recommends that parents watch and discuss it with their children. The video is at www.jostens.com/students/ students_cp_pause_before_you_post.html After reading this and watching the video, it’s time for a short family writing assignment. Ask: “Please write down five rules that you will follow about the use of cell phones and forwarding pictures, based on what you’ve read and seen.” My list would include: • No taking pictures of people who are not fully dressed. • No forwarding of embarrassing pictures to others, that someone sends you. • Tell me if someone does this to you. Compare lists, and create a final copy. Now, what happens if these rules are not followed? As one teacher reminded me: “There need to be consequences – like losing a cell phone for a while, if youngsters don’t follow these rules.” You and your child or children should sign this.

Marco Voce, Zimmerman High School principal, told me: “Usually the biggest problem is that the school doesn’t get notified until it (bullying) has been going on beyond a reasonable time frame. I would suggest reporting as soon as possible.” Julie O’Mara-Meyer, a family support worker at the Caledonia Elementary School suggests that families “listen to your kids when they come home. Encourage them to tell you if someone is bullying them. Give them some strategies to help. For example, tell the bully – strongly, ‘I don’t like it. Stop!’ If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact school officials immediately.” Backstrom praised the Lakeville Police and school district for their prompt actions. He’s right. We can’t prevent every young person from sometimes doing silly, even stupid things. But we can help children and teens learn how to deal. The Lakeville incident can help bring awareness that we need to protect your young people. Joe Nathan, a parent of three and formerly a public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change. He can be reached at joe@centerforschoolchange. org. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Four-day school week has some hidden costs by Zack Avre Special to Sun Thisweek

With schools across Minnesota feeling an increasing budget pinch, several districts have opted for or considered moving to a four-day school week to save money. The BurnsvilleEagan-Savage School District made the right choice in declining to pursue this option. While it’s debatable whether or not schools see a significant savings going to four-day weeks, we know this move winds up costing most parents more in child care costs. Over time, a significant economic and education equity narrative also emerges. As part of a plan to save $5 million next school year, the district entertained the idea of instating a four-day week model by slashing 17 days from the academic calendar. However, the school district has since dropped the proposal after widespread parent objection. A map posted with this story at SunThisweek.com highlights that moving to a four-day school week would have cost district families an additional $518.50 to $595

Guest Columnist

Zack Avre

per student annually, with average daily child care costs varying across the district, based on Census and state department of education data. These figures do not take into account existing days off of school for parent-teacher conferences, teacher in-service days, and holidays; in total, the average child care costs for days off exceed $1,200 annually across the district. These additional costs do not appear unbearable considering the five cities that comprise the district – Burnsville, Eagan and Savage – are all above Minnesota’s median household income for 25- to 44-yearolds, according to estimates from the 2010

American Community Survey. In fact, ACS places Savage’s median household income for 25- to 44-year-olds just shy of $100,000. With such relative prosperity, an additional $500 to $600 doesn’t seem too problematic. Numbers can be deceiving, though, and when juxtaposed with the percentage of students on free or reduced lunch in 2011, a different picture materializes. Although a suburban school district, Burnsville-EaganSavage retains a relatively high level of socioeconomic diversity. As the map online shows, six of the 10 elementary schools in the district had rates of free or reduced lunch above the 37.3 percent state average, with four schools over 50 percent free or reduced lunch. A majority of the district’s elementary schools are Title 1 schools, which receive federal aid to support low-income students. Considering these factors, the costs of moving to a four-day school week for families become more glaring. Creating the need for additional child care will undoubtedly place extra financial burden on families that are already in a crunch.

What’s more, many households in the school district are still facing uncertain economic conditions. As late as April 2012, 1 in 1,116 households in Dakota County and 1 in 491 households in Scott County faced foreclosure, according to RealtyTrac. With these underlying economic conditions, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District was wise to put its proposal to rest. However, budget crises remain a real issue, and school districts across the state need help. Instead of cutting education funding and forcing school districts to flirt with fourday weeks, policymakers should be investing in schools and their respective communities. When both are healthy, our kids can get back to learning and Minnesota can move forward. Zack Avre is a Minnesota 2020 undergraduate research fellow. MN2020 is a nonpartisan, progressive think tank focusing on the issues of education, health care, transportation and economic development. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters Investing wisely To the editor: A recent opinion piece about rising enrollment in charter schools was thought provoking. Yet the vast majority of our young people attend our K-12 public schools. Prominent stories about school district budget cuts highlight the fact that our state legislators have been appropriating less and less each year after inflation for one of the greatest legacies we can leave our next generation. Opponents of levy referendums to permit level spending on our students, cry the mantra of “accountability,” yet I can think of nothing more irresponsible than stinting on the education of our young people. Ongoing growth in class sizes is a symptom of this irresponsibility. Another is the rate of pay for starting teachers, which can discourage juniors in college from borrowing hefty amounts to study education. Graduates of local two-year colleges are not being given any incentive to pursue teaching degrees and certificates. This is happening at a time when economists say we are investing less

in our educational system than what is needed to create growth in our economy. What we need is a change of heart and mind. We need this for the ability to compete on a world stage where foreign countries, and other states, are investing more in their future than we in America and Minnesota. It may seem like an old-fashioned value, working on a Minnesota Miracle again, but it is a future-oriented, forwardthinking belief that will repay us all in years to come. LARRY KOENCK Eaga

Save the U.S. Postal Service To the editor: There have been news reports the past several years about the U.S. Postal Service’s severe financial condition. It has reached a crisis this year as revenue has declined along with a 20 percent decline in mail volume. The Postal Service is on the verge of going bankrupt and closing. If that happens, it would be a disaster of catastrophic

proportions. It would put a large number of postal employees out of work and really hurt the economy. The Postal Service is 7 percent of the gross national product and millions of Americans use the Postal Service to mail money, goods and communications. The problem is caused by emails and texting replacing postal mail, especially first class mail. To save the Postal Service, I urge Americans to stop sending so many emails and go back to postal mail. Write letters and pay your bills by postal mail. It is fast, inexpensive and unlike email, it is reliable and dependable. I use postal mail all the time. With computers, information is sometimes lost. Screens freeze up, viruses invade, servers crash and other problems occur. None of these things happen with postal mail. As a result of computers, we have a generation of very fat teens and adults who spend endless hours sitting at computers. They are losing the ability to read, write and speak. There have been divorces

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over computer use. One man told me his wife was on the computer day and night and he couldn’t get her off of it. She neglected the children. He finally divorced her. It is an addiction. Write or call your U.S. senators and U.S. representative and ask them to co-sponsor and vote for legislation that will end the financial crisis for the Postal Service and put it back on sound financial footing. About one-fourth to onethird of the American people do not have computers or email. If the Postal Service closes, 25 to 33 percent of the population will be left with no way to communicate, other than by telephone. RALPH A. GILBERTSEN Burnsville

Is telling the truth important in elections? To the editor: Should honesty and integrity be trivial matters in an election? Is it OK to lie in a campaign? Have voters come to expect it? Have we become so used to such lies that we don’t care anymore? Is it fair to try to justify a big lie with the excuse: “The other side does it” or “It’s just politics”? Some would have us believe that. Call me naïve, but I’d like to think the people in the south suburbs deserve better. Some of our incumbent Republican legislators and their PAC supporters have chosen to make a big fat lie the heart of their campaigns, and the lie has appeared in this paper’s pages. The big lie is the claim that our IR friends were responsible for an $8 billion, nine-month turnaround in the state’s budget.

Let’s be clear. No selfrespecting economist would stand behind this claim. Whether you support the state budget compromise of July 2011 or not, it had nothing to do with the improvement in Minnesota’s economy that changed the budget outlook. In fact, it may have hurt it in the long run by borrowing from our schools. It would be truthful to instead acknowledge the effects of billions of dollars in federal aid Minnesota received from President Obama’s stimulus package, as well as the Federal Reserve’s actions to stimulate the economy. But how should south metro citizens take the claims their Republican legislators are making? Do the lies matter? I, for one, think they do. If our candidates lie because they can’t justify their votes based on an honest assessment of the implications, then we all lose something unbelievably important: the integrity of our democratic process. We might blame “the system” or the media or one political party or another for the state of our lives, our communities, our state or our country, but in the end, we have only ourselves to blame, and our votes come November, if we accept such lies as “business as usual.” JOHN WELLS Eagan

Learn the value of tolerance

If we listen to some of Minnesota’s top business executives and job creators, we should be able to accept that discriminatory measures like the same sex marriage ban is bad for business. We should pay attention to the opposition to the amendment from the top executive levels of Target Corporation and General Mills – especially since they have a firm grasp of Econ 101 and beyond. I trust Ken Charles, who is vice president of global diversity and inclusion at General Mills, when he recently said that the proposed amendment is not in the best interests of their employees or state economy. If the economic argument is not convincing enough for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kurt Bills to change his position on the marriage amendment, I ask him to consider the social struggles of LGBT kids and young adults who have likely taken his economics class at Rosemount High School. As a public school teacher, it seems that he should have an added incentive to oppose the intolerant marriage amendment. We’ve all made mistakes and have regretted past decisions so I wonder if Bills regrets his decision to vote for putting the marriage amendment on the ballot? If the answer is yes, I’d like for him to use his platform as an opportunity to make up for his vote and advocate for the rights and liberties of gays and lesbians. If the answer is no, then I implore Bills to take economic lessons from the job creators at some of the state’s largest employers. Perhaps learning the value of tolerance is a lesson to be learned Econ 201?

To the editor: For a candidate who is running on “Bringing Econ 101 back to Washington” in the U.S. Senate race this year, it seems that a constitutional ban against same sex marriage is a distraction from Econ 101 at its best and a detriment to Econ 101 at its Eric Jayne Apple Valley worst.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

District 196 teacher to run for School Board

Bartosh questions trend for iPads in Farmington by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Eric Bartosh’s passion for teaching was so strong he dropped an entire career path to pursue it. Now, he wants to bring that experience and passion to the Fa r m i n g ton School Board as a Eric Bartosh candidate in the November election. “I’ve had extremely valuable experiences with success in the classroom,” Bartosh said. “I’ve developed relationships with students, I communicate with parents and served on committees. … I think I have good expertise as far as what makes and effective classroom, where money should be spent and what could be done better.” Bartosh, 36, was selling insurance and investments, when he was recruited in 1999 to coach ninth-grade football at Apple Valley High School. Bartosh enjoyed working afternoons with the students so much, the former college football player went to his boss and quit. “I said, ‘I don’t think my heart’s in this business,’ ” Bartosh said. Teaching and coaching brought him to Wisconsin and Texas as he pursued

his license while gaining classroom experience before he returned to Minnesota. While living in the Farmington School District, he earned a master’s degree and kept teaching and coaching numerous sports in District 196. He is currently a reading specialist at Valley Middle School in Apple Valley. As a Farmington School Board member, Bartosh said he would prioritize spending money on things that make an effective classroom and favors increased options for all-day kindergarten and additional emphasis on preschool literacy. Bartosh said early reading programs are effective in addressing the achievement gap between white and minority students. He is not as eager for the district to invest in iPads for every student. “Our kids need to be comfortable working with technology,” Bartosh said. “But I don’t think it is the magic bullet to solve all problems.” He said parents he has spoken with are concerned about the equipment being lost or stolen. “I‘m for technology, but I’m not necessarily sure I’m for everybody having an iPad,” he said. “I think the money could be used better elsewhere.” Bartosh emphasized the importance of maintaining

extra-curricular activities like sports and theater, even in tight budgets, to provide students opportunities to learn valuable life skills. “I think schools are so focused on standardized test scores, they end up cutting everywhere else,” Bartosh said. He is an advocate for improving communication between the schools and parents and expressed frustration about the district’s history of public disputes between school board members and former Superintendent Brad Meeks. As a board member, Bartosh said he would respectfully listen to community members, officials and other board members before making a decision on an issue. He vowed to respond to emails and phone calls from the public quickly. “I think I represent a silent majority of people in Farmington who want the schools to do well,” Bartosh said. “I think we have a lot of potential here to be a leader.” Bartosh and his wife Alyssa Bartosh, a literacy coach at Parkview Elementary, have lived in Farmington since 2002 and have three preschool-age children. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Treat Depression

Prevent Suicide www.save.org

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

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Considers reviving ‘right-to-work’ amendment proposal if re-elected

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by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

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Thompson seeks second term

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Republican state Sen. Dave Thompson, of Lakeville, came into office as part of a GOP wave that swept much of the country in 2010 in local and national elections. Though the seat has been Republican for more than 20 years, 2010 marked the first time in more than Dave 30 years that Thompson the GOP had control of the Senate. In Thompson’s first term, he has become a popular leader of the freshman class, often defining his party’s policy goals amid an onslaught of media attention. “I think that as a caucus in the Senate, as well as in the House, we raised a lot of arguments and talked about a lot of things that I think really hadn’t gotten an airing at the Capitol,” Thompson said, “such as the airing of concepts regarding the free market and economic freedom.” The lawyer and former talk radio host is seeking reelection this fall in the new Senate District 58. It would be the first time he would

serve a full four-year Senate term (redistricting means this will be a half-term). DFLer Andrew Brobston, a firsttime candidate, will challenge Thompson. One of Thompson’s most ambitious bills, a “right-towork” ballot initiative that would be a Constitutional amendment preventing employees from being required to join unions, never made it to a full vote in the Legislature. The bill brought out protesters from both sides, in addition to spawning a debate about the place of unions in the 21st century, a discussion that has found an audience in a number of states around the country. It also proved divisive within his party, when some Republicans voted against moving it along toward a full vote. There was also a lot of support for the bill and Thompson said he intends to try to resurrect it if elected to another term. Two other Constitutionamending ballot initiatives will go to voters in November: One requiring photo ID when voting and another that would define marriage as between a man and a woman. Thompson sees getting the voter ID amendment on

the ballot as a major accomplishment for his party. “Not only are we preventing the kinds of fraud we’re concerned about that goes on when you don’t have requirements,” he said, “we’re also restoring the confidence in and perceived integrity of the electoral system.” Thompson acknowledged that not all electoral irregularities are fraud, but he sees requiring photo ID the right thing to do. “When you’re counting a couple million ballots there are going to be some mistakes. We are human beings and are never going to have a perfect system,” he said, “but what we want to do is prevent an error that is preventable.” Thompson said that while he thinks government should get out of the business of marriage, he does support the passage of the marriage amendment. “If government is going to be in the marriage business, then I think we have a right to define it,” he said. One area where Thompson agrees with his opponent is an opposition to using money intended for schools as a means to balance the state’s budget. These “shifts” are eventually paid back to districts, but Thompson said he opposed the principle

around them. “It is once again putting off our financial obligations,” he said. In other words, it is an example of “I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” Thompson said he isn’t one to have political heroes, but he does respect Wisconsin’s Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan. “I don’t agree with his budget line by line, but the fact that he is willing to take slings and arrows takes courage,” Thompson said. “Courage is a quality I admire most in people.”

Outside the Capitol Thompson has spent most of his career in law. He graduated in 1987 from the University of Minnesota’s law school and has been an attorney ever since. He currently is in-house counsel with Twin Cities Power, an energy trading firm. He lives in Lakeville with his family. He grew up in East Grand Forks, Minn. He and his wife, Rhonda, will celebrate their 27th anniversary in August. His daughter just completed her first year at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where her father obtained a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and political science in 1984. His son will be a junior at Lakeville South High School this fall. Thompson enjoys golf, especially with his son. “I love it and try to play as much as I can,” he said. His indoor hobby is reading. “I read a lot,” he said. Thompson looks forward to another term in office. “The really big argument in government and politics,” Thompson said, “is are we going to have a system that promotes individual action and responsibility in the free market to produce economic outcomes, or are we going to have a government-centered system where individuals are subservient to the state?” Aaron M. Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

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�� Mabel Meyer

Jeffrey Donald Anderson Born October 2, 1964 passed away peacefully at home in Farmington on June 15, 2012. He was a loving son, friend and partner. He will be greatly missed by friends and family. He is survived by his Mother, Kathy Storlie, Step Father Gerald Storlie, Father Clint Anderson, two daughters, three brothers, three sisters and companion, Sheri Costa. Memorial to be held by family at a later date. Memorials can be sent to Kathy and Gerald Storlie.

Vanessa Kay Szyman (Paulsen) Entered into rest at her Lakeville, MN home on Friday, June 15, 2012, at 55 years of age. She leaves her husband of 33 years, Thomas Szyman, two children- son Richard Szyman (Laura) and daughter Kim Szyman (friend Adam), her parents Richard and Barbara Paulsen, 3 sisters: Pat VanHoecke (Morey), Pam Paulsen, Carrie Hiniker (Mark), brother Steve Paulsen, brothers-in-law: Robert J. Szyman (Marie Towey), Charles R., James D., Lawrence M. (Carol Erickson), Mark H. (Valerie Black), Peter A., (Catherine Williams), sister-in-law: Marijo T. Bjorlin (Dean) Nieces: Chrissy DeBates (Jeff), Emma Paulsen, Chelsey and Brooklyn Hiniker, Elizabeth A., Rachel A., Malia P., Megan C., Jessica B. Kasper (Isaac), Anna E Graves (Peter), Christina M. Hershberger (Jason) and Jessica Huston; Nephews: Bill VanHoecke (Emily), Aiden Hiniker, Robert M. Szyman (Tamala Hoftiezer), Stephan S., SSG. Daniel P. (Emily Weidhaas), Douglas S., Zachary A., Nathanael E., Joshua L., SGT Mark T., SPC Nicholas G. (Rachel Limas), SPC Travis A. (Amanda Garza), Patrick T., Liam J., Mikel Herb (Brian); David D., and Stephen D. Bjorlin and great nieces and nephews: Will and Matt DeBates, Carson VanHoecke, Bella, Cecelia, and Trinity Szyman and Malachy and Anthony Herb. Vanessa was born on January 7, 1957 in her hometown of Pipestone, MN. She graduated from Pipestone High School in 1975 and furthered her education at U of M in Waseca for animal vet science. Upon completing her degree she moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where she worked with Dr. Christensen. Van was united in marriage on December 28, 1979 to Thomas Szyman. Together they resided in Pipestone, MN where she was employed at the ASCS office. They later moved to Slayton, MN where they began raising their family. They briefly resided in Cloquet, MN before reaching their permanent home in Lakeville, MN in 1983. In 1985, Vanessa established a daycare in her home up until July 2011. Vanessa will always be remembered for her strength, beauty, contagious laugh, her constant rocking in her rocking chair, snacking on Cheerios, home shopping (especially QVC) and her love for children and her pets. She was the family leader on keeping traditions and loved Christmas. Her many interests included: decorating her beautiful home and garden, reading, music, watching movies, traveling, decorative birds, sewing, baking, puzzles, cake decorating, planning parties, and playing games with family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents- Kathryn and Bernard Hjermstad; Bill and Emma Paulsen, her in-laws- Bob and Pat Szyman, nephews Patrick K. Szyman and Sam Huston and 3 uncles- Robert Paulsen, Donald Hjermstad and Timothy Hjermstad. Visitation was held 5-8pm Monday, June 18, 2012 at All Saints Catholic Church, Lakeville, MN. Mass of Christian Burial in Pipestone, MN was Friday, June 22, 2012.

Vermillion DFLer talks nonpartisan solutions Brobston running for first public office by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

Mabel was born September 1, 1926 in Madelia, MN to Edward and Louise Jahnz. She was baptized and confirmed at Fieldon Lutheran Church in Watonwan County. She graduated from Truman high School in 1944. Mabel married Alvin Meyer of Lewisville, MN on September 22, 1946. They became parents of four children. She resided in Rosemount and worked at the Legion Club, Warner Hardware, and retired from the Dakota County Technical College in 1988. For many years Mabel was active in Home Extension, and in a number of committees, and Circles at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed various hobbies and crafts with stamping and quilting being her favorites. Mable is survived by her husband of 65 years, Alvin; sisters, Lillian Bode, Arlis Black; sister-in-law, Mary Jahnz; children Nancy (Ron) Wiborg, Vicky (Larry) Wolle, Daryl (Patti) Meyer, Sherry Huber (Denny Cegla); grandchildren, Sheila Baker, Lonnie Wiborg, Dana Alvarado, Nicole Geiger, Jamie Bergeman, Shannon Brekke, Cami Jo Krueger, Allison Meyer, Nate Meyer, Seth Meyer, Joe Huber; also eleven great grandchildren. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and two sisters. Funeral Service was held 11AM Friday, June 15, 2012 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran church 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN. Visitation was 6:30 – 8:30PM and also was one hour prior to service at Church. Interment Lebanon Cemetery. White Funeral Home Apple Valley 952-432-2001 www.whitefuneralhomes.com

Leighton - Ries Kristin Leighton, daughter of Paul and Jeanne Leighton of Apple Valley, and Jim Ries, son of Jim and Sue Ries of Plymouth, announce their engagement. Kristin is a 2004 graduate of Eastview High School and a 2009 graduate of Creighton University. She is employed as an occupational therapist at Gillette Children's Specialty Hospital. Jim is a 2003 graduate of Wayzata High School and a 2007 graduate of Concordia University and is employed as a financial advisor at North Star Resource Group. An August 10th wedding is planned.

Age 79, of Burnsville, passed away on Saturday June 9th peacefully at home after a courageous twelve yr. battle with cancer. Preceded in death by parents, Leon & Martha; sister, Jean Ann Jensen; and nieces, Debbie & Cheri. Survived by wife, Diane; sons, David (Wendy), Steven, Kevin, Mark (Stephanie); sister, Marcia Chalgren (Bill); brothers-in-law, Lamar and Robert Walters (Harold); and granddaughter, Donna Meyer. He was born in Mankato Minnesota in 1932, graduated High School in 1950, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1954. He joined the U.S. Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate program, entering flight training in Pensacola, FL before being commissioned in Corpus Christi, TX. After receiving his wings, he joined the VA-125 "Rough Raiders" in 1956 where he flew the Douglas A-1 Skyraider ("Spads") aboard the USS LEXINGTON (CV-16). He served a total of 12 years between active duty and the reserves and left the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1958 he joined Northwest Airlines, where he flew for 34 years until his retirement as a 747 Captain in 1992. After retirement, he enjoyed nearly 20 more years of summers spent at the cabin on Roosevelt Lake, where he liked to fish and play golf. We would like to thank the nurses and Dr. Dien at MOPHA and Curt and Cindy at Hospice Advantage for all the care they have given to Jim. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society (towards Lymphoma & Leukemia Research) or Hospice Advantage at 18472 Kenyon Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044. "And God's Finger Touched Him and He Slept". Funeral service 12 noon, Tues., June 26th, 2012, at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church 5025 Knox Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419; visitation one hour prior to service and reception to follow.

Andrew Brobston, a software developer and smallbusiness owner, is running as a DFLer in the heavily Republican state Senate District 58. He faces incumbent Sen. Dave Thompson, a Republican who was first elected to replace now-retired Andrew GOP Sen. Brobston Pat Pariseau in 2010. There has not been a DFL senator in that seat since the 1980s (redistricting has not dramatically changed the geography of the district). But Brobston is not necessarily too concerned about all of this. “I want to represent everyone in the district, whether they are Republican or Democrat,” the former music teacher and native Iowan said. “I think there is room for someone who can come in and bring these groups together.” Early this month, the DFL in District 58 endorsed Brobston to challenge Thompson.

Brobston opposes both ballot initiatives that this November will ask voters to amend the Constitution to require photo ID when voting and define marriage as solely between a man and a woman. Regarding photo ID, he sees that as a potential problem for certain segments of society. He said he is concerned it could be another type of poll tax or poll test, the likes of which existed in portions of the United States in the past. “Some may not be able to get to an office to get an ID,” he said. As for the marriage amendment, Brobston said it would “enshrine discrimination in the Constitution. Same-sex marriage is already illegal here.” Education funding is an important policy for Brobston, who taught music in Iowa before moving to Minnesota five years ago to pursue a doctorate in saxophone performance at the University of Minnesota. “I would make it my priority,” he said. Like Thompson, Brobston opposes withholding funding intended for school districts as a means

of balancing the state budget, which came out of the 2011 legislative session. “Schools need to be able to count on their budget,” he said. “It is simply unfair to local districts to have to deal with this much uncertainty from the state.” Brobston lives in Vermillion Township on a 10-acre hobby farm. He said he enjoys having horses. In addition to his day job as a software developer with Air-Serve and his side business as a web developer, Brobston also sells supplies for horses. Brobston has been learning a bit as he undertakes his first campaign for public office. The former bus driver has been meeting with supporters, making phone calls and raising money. As to the challenge he faces against an incumbent, Brobston emphasizes that he is in it to win it. “I’ll do everything possible to win the seat,” he said. “I want to win. It’s a steep climb, but I know that I’m getting more support. Aaron M. Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/ sunthisweek.

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Honl - Nelson

James L. McLaughlin

DeeRae Honl and Matt Nelson, Fargo, ND announce their engagement. Parents are Raymond and Connie Heley, and the late Harris Honl, Lidgerwood, ND, and Maureen and Dan Nelson, Burnsville, MN. Dee Rae graduated in 2005 from Lidgerwood Public School and in 2011 graduated from Minnesota State University, Moorhead with a Master’s degree in speech language pathology. She is a speech language pathologist at Aegis Therapies in Fergus Falls, MN. Matt graduated in 2004 from Burnsville High School and in 2009 graduated from MSUM with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is the assistant wrestling coach at Moorhead High School and is an account an t f o r Wi l l ia m C . M c C aw , CPA. An August 4 wedding is planned at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, followed by a reception at the El Zagel Shrine, Fargo.

To submit an announcement Forms for birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and obituaries announcements are available at our office and online at www.thisweeklive.com (click on “Announcements” and then “Send Announcement”). Completed forms may be e-mailed to class.thisweek@ecminc.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.

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Mature Lifestyles ��

Photo submitted

There are many new considerations to take into account when people in the golden years enter into new relationships after a lifelong spouse has died.

Restarting love in the golden years Age, health, family can hinder personal relationships by Emily Hedges Contributing Writer

When Boyd Phelps, 88, married his wife, Shirley, on Sept. 11, 1948, he knew he had found the love of his life. For almost 60 years the couple lived together, raised two children, and faced whatever challenges came their way. But after Shirley died, for the first time since Harry Truman was in office, Phelps experienced what it was like to be alone. “I was just watching TV, nothing but watching TV,” he said. “I could tell you every program on every night of the week. I started thinking there’s got to be more to life than this.” Phelps decided to start getting out. He began by contacting old friends. One of the first people he called was Carol, a friend he had known for more than 40 years. “She used to call up every few months to see how I was getting along,” he said. “We started going out together. It was fun to meet once a week. Then it became twice a week.” Boyd’s wife Shirley had gone to high school with Carol. He played golf with Carol’s husband for decades. The two couples were in a dance club for almost 20 years. “We always saw each other socially. We went to dinner at each other’s houses as couples,” he said. Now Boyd and Carol take vacations together. They particularly love cruises. As of last month, Carol is living in the same inde-

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pendent living center. “Under the same roof but not in the same apartment,” Boyd was quick to add. Relationships like the one Boyd and Carol share are important to many seniors, according to Sandra Grace of Healing Works in Chaska. But sometimes they can be tricky. “As they age, people want someone to be there,” Grace said. “They wonder if they will find compassion and patience from someone. They worry how health issues will limit them.” She also points out that for many surviving spouses, guilt can hinder their ability to move on. “If you had a loving relationship with a deep connection, it can be really hard to move on and let go of that,” Grace said. “There’s guilt about how the children are going to perceive it. Will they think they’re not honoring the spirit of their mother or father?” One of the first things Boyd did was talk to his daughter. “At first she thought I wanted to talk to her to tell her I had cancer,” Boyd said. “It took her a few days to get used to the idea, but she responded in the affirmative to the relationship.” Grace says that what grown children think about their parents entering a new relationship can be one of the biggest obstacles. “Kids can be very threatened, especially if there is any kind of wealth,” Grace

said. “They suspect their motivations.” But Grace encourages the children to see their parents new relationships as a blessing. “Many times their kids are busy,” she said. “If they are able to find someone, their kids should be thankful.” So part of her job is to help older clients move past those feelings of guilt and other barriers that can stand in the way of a successful and healthy new relationship. “Sometimes as people become older, they get rigid in their beliefs, routines, family rituals, in their physical surroundings,” she said. The challenge comes in figuring out how to compromise. Another concern is attractiveness. Grace finds many clients worry about whether or not they will be attractive to anyone, especially if there are health issues. “Hopefully we are more spiritually attractive, instead of all the materialist trappings,” Grace said. It’s this focus on the opportunities rather than the limitations of dating later in life that Grace stresses to her clients. “If we age gracefully, we have more compassion, wisdom. We feel lighter,” Grace said. “There is no biological clock ticking or career building. During this time, it’s not about becoming; it’s about being.”

Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Photo by Mike Jetchick

A storm on June 19 offered up winds reported as high as 54 mph, enough to cause property damage around the city. This barn, near Cedar Avenue and Dodd Boulevard, suffered a collapsed roof. Inside is the Pan-O-Prog Committee’s parade float. storm, from 1A should call the city if they see trees in the roadways. If homeowners choose to remove trees or stumps themselves left by this storm, they may bring them to the curbside and the city will haul them away. Before pulling up any stumps, call Gopher State One Call at (866) 640-3637 to locate any utilities. As for when everything will be cleaned up, the city reports there is no set timetable. City crews will begin to remove brush and debris after all roadways are clear and other priority work is complete. If possible, residents should have debris placed curbside by Monday, June 25, according to the

forum, from 1A

city. Pickup is for vegetation only, not construction debris. On various websites and social media, some residents lamented the lack of a warning siren. Palm said it is the Dakota Communication Center’s responsibility to manage sirens, and that the city is looking into it. “In Lakeville, sirens did not sound during the storm,” she said. “All sirens are in working order and the city is therefore working with DCC to investigate why they were not activated.” Aaron M. Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/ sunthisweek.

“You have to be ready to commit that time,” Harris said. “Your family has to know you’re not going to be home every night of the week, and not every Saturday or Sunday. There are always things going on.” Commissioners should also work to keep in contact with the town boards and city councils in their district, Harris said, adding that issues can take years to resolve. In Farmington, Harris worked 20 years before funding agreements were forged allowing a bridge and roundabout on 195th Street and Highway 3. Harris said he has most enjoyed seeing projects come to completion and least liked dealing with newspaper reporters. “I’ve never been pleased with many articles written,” Harris said. “It seems like you speak in a paragraph, and they print one sentence. Or they write the article and the headline is misleading.” Harris intends to retire from politics to focus more time on his business and family. He is not endorsing any candidate running for the District 1 seat, but said he has spoken to many of them to share his experience. He said he advised them not to try to satisfy everyone when dealing with issues. “If you try to satisfy everyone, you’ll never get anything accomplished,” Harris said.

each earn about $66,400 per year plus $1,000 lump sum and $4,752 per year car allowance to oversee the county’s actions as the delivery agent for many state and federal programs. While the District 1 commissioner will represent Farmington, Hastings, Coates, Hampton and the townships, the representative will consider and vote on issues involving all areas of the county, Decisions commissioners make may involve human service programs, affordable housing, county budget, transportation, environment, regional parks, taxes and land use. It is not a part-time job, said Harris, who also has an insurance business. “There’s no way you can show up on Tuesday morning and not have read your packet,” Harris said. “There’s a lot of background work that goes into it. A lot of people out there think we get to the County Board meeting Tuesday morning, spend a few hours making decisions and come home. That isn’t the case.” As a county commissioner, Harris estimated he spends 30 to 50 hours per week on county business, many times as a representative on various boards and committees. Harris said a new commissioner could expect to be appointed to eight to 10 boards, and more experienced commissioners may take leadership roles and Laura Adelmann is at laura. or serve on subcommittees adelmann@ecm-inc.com or within those boards. facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

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Photo by Laura Adelmann

A tree crashed through the garage on this house on Eighth Street in Farmington. A minivan can be seen inside. damage, from 1A Hofacker estimated about 25 to 30 trees were damaged on its five-acre property. The elderly residents were without power until 11:30 a.m., but all had flashlights. Workers came in early to check on their welfare and found many were frightened by the storm. “All of us just went room to room and checking that they were OK,” said Sharon Lilla, Trinity Terrace director. She said the storm was so loud almost all of the residents were awakened by it, even those in their 90s who have suffered hearing loss. “It was really a huge storm,” Lilla said.

Farmington resident Amy Pederson said the storm sounded like a train and fallen trees had blocked the intersection at Sixth Street. After the storm woke up people in the neighborhood, when it was over everyone went around the neighborhood helping clean up downed trees and branches. She said one woman driving by stopped and helped clean up then bought everyone lunch. “We thanked her a lot because she didn’t have to do that,” Pederson said. A few houses down from the Pedersons, a large tree crashed across the back yard of Dave and Bonni Walz. Bonni Walz said a trans-

former had blown between Sixth and Seventh streets and started on fire, and then they heard a loud crunch. “You could see the limbs go by the window,” Walz said, who said it blew so hard for about five minutes that she thought it was a tornado. After the storm passed, a neighbor with a chainsaw cut a tree off a car and several helped neighbor Wendy Pyor pull a tree off her roof. “That’s the biggest thing that I’m going to remember about this storm,” Walz said. “Everybody caring for everybody else in the neighborhood.” Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Castle Rock bartender charged with serving minors A bartender in Castle Rock Township is accused of serving beer to minors during an alcohol compliance check conducted by the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. Christine A. Weiers, 44, was charged June 7 with one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor, a gross misdemeanor, following the incident at the Castle Rock Cafe in December of last year. According to the criminal complaint, the sheriff’s deputies conducting the checks on Dec. 29 at various businesses in Dakota County were assisted by two individuals who were both

under 21. Equipped with a wireless recording device, the two minors entered the Castle Rock Cafe at about 10 p.m. and went to the bar, where they each ordered a Coors Light. Weiers served each an opened bottle of beer without asking for identification, the complaint said. After the sale was made, two sheriff’s deputies en-

tered the bar and spoke with Weiers, who stated she was fooled into thinking the two beer buyers were adults because they were wearing Minnesota Wild jerseys. If convicted, Weiers faces a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. A court date has not been set. —Andrew Miller

Seniors Farmington seniors The Rambling River Center is located at 325 Oak St. For more information on trips, programs and other activities, call (651) 2806970.

Pearl of the Lake cruise Take a scenic cruise on Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River aboard the Pearl of the Lake riverboat on Monday, June 18. Lunch at the Chickadee Cottage Cafe. Program time: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $61 for members, $71 for nonmembers. Deadline: June 18.

Scandinavian celebration The Scandinavian Midsummer Celebration will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 17. It will feature Scandinavian folk artist Ross Sutter and a traditional Scandinavian meal. Tickets go on sale June 26 at the Rambling River Center. Cost: $15. Deadline: July 10. ��

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Thisweekend Shakespeare embraces the great outdoors Caponi Art Park plays host June 24 to a staging of ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’

by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

series continues July 8 with a concert by the Dakota Valley Summer Pops Orchestra. A concert by the Minnesota Sinfonia, originally scheduled for Father’s Day but canceled because of rain, has been rescheduled for July 15. O’Shea Irish Dance and Music plays the Caponi amphitheater on July 22, followed by the Japanese taiko drumming of Mu Daiko on Aug. 5. Admission to all the performances is free with a $5 suggested donation to support programs at the 60-acre nonprofit art park. For families with younger kids, the art park also offers Family Fun Tuesdays, events held each week at 10 a.m. in Caponi’s sculpture garden. Upcoming Family Fun Tuesdays programs include a puppet show by Open Eye Figure Theater (June 26), a raptor presentation by the Dodge Nature Center (July 3) and Mexican folk dance (July 10). The full schedule for Caponi’s Summer Performance Series and Family Fun Tuesdays is at www.caponiartpark.org.

The wooded beauty of Caponi Art Park in Eagan will serve as the backdrop this weekend to “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” Cromulent Shakespeare Company, the Minneapolis-based theater group behind the production, describes “Merry Wives” as a “bawdy farce with colorful characters, silly comedy and audience participation.” Though it’s set in Elizabethan England, director Erin Caswell says audiences will have no trouble relating to the material. It centers on courtship – suitors vying for the affections of a lovely, eligible maiden – and its humor is derived in part from the busybody matchmaking involved. “Think of it as an Elizabethan ‘Real Housewives of Windsor,’ ” Caswell said. The family-friendly performance will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 24, in Caponi’s outdoor amphitheater, and guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs, and a picnic dinner. The Shakespeare comedy is the latest in Caponi’s annual Summer Per- Andrew Miller can be reached at anformance Series featuring regional drew.miller@ecm-inc.com or facebook. theater, music and dance groups. The com/sunthisweek.

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Photo submitted

Tim Jopek of Cromulent Shakespeare Company plays Sir John Falstaff in “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” The Shakespeare comedy will be staged at Eagan’s Caponi Art Park this Sunday.

theater and arts briefs Art fest in Eagan The 18th annual Eagan Art Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 24, in Eagan’s Central Park.

The festival will include global cuisine and traditional fare in a familyfriendly venue. For a list of this year’s artists, go to www.eaganartfestival.org.

Concert rescheduled

concert at Caponi Art Park, Eagan, has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the park’s Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater. The performance, originally scheduled for Sunday, June 17, was moved to a later date due to inclement weather.

The Minnesota Sinfonia’s annual Summer Pops

Country sound in Burnsville The Devon Worley Band, a seven-piece country band, will perform at 7 p.m. June 27 as part of the Wednesday in the Park series at Civic Center Park in Burnsville. People who bring a canned or nonperishable food item will receive a free Pepsi beverage. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Nicollet Junior High School. For information, visit www.communityed191.org or call (952) 707-4150.

Theater group celebrates 40th anniversary The Prior Lake Players will hold its 40th anniversary celebration and fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center in Savage. The event will feature a dinner buffet from CRAVE restaurant, live music from the Red Rock Swing Band, and a variety of activities celebrating PLP’s 40 years of community theater. A silent auction and raffle will also be held to raise funds for PLP’s future theatrical productions. Event tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at www.plplayers.org/plp40th.

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Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Friday, June 22 Inaugural Louie Schmitz Memorial Golf Tournament at noon at Fountain Valley Golf Course, 2830 220th St. W., Farmington. Cost: $100; includes golf, free beer and food on the course, prizes and music, and a steak dinner at the Farmington Legion. Proceeds will go towards memorial scholarships and a fund for financial assistance for student athletes. For more information or to register, contact John Barger at (952) 240-6793 or johnbarger@ frontiernet.net. Outdoor movie, “Soul Surfer,” 7:30 p.m. seating, dusk showtime, part of Burnsville’s “Flicks on the Bricks” series at Nicollet Commons Park in the Heart of the City. Saturday, June 23 Family open house for Rocky Point Lighthouse Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School, 151 E. County Road 42, Burnsville. Activities include music, games, crafts, skits, bounce house, and a community service project. Free. Information: www.goodshep.com or (952) 432-5527. Benefit for the Gagnon family at noon at Hope Church, 7477 145th St. W., Apple Valley. Bill Gagnon is currently receiving hospice care for stage 4 colon cancer. His wife Leanne is in remission from breast cancer. Benefit includes lunch, silent auction, bake sale, and family-friendly games. Donations can be made to the Gagnon family and mailed to the church. Field Day – An emergency communications public demonstration, starting at 1 p.m. and running 24 hours at Neill Park, Burnsville (Upton entrance). See how local “ham” radio operators with the Twin Cities Repeater Club serve the community during an emergency. Information: www.tcrc.org. Movies in the Park, “Dolphin Tale,” at dusk at the Central Park Amphitheater near City Hall, Rosemount. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Weather-related updates: (952) 985-1790, option No. 6.

theater and arts calendar

“The Amazing Cow Boat” puppet show, 10 to 11 a.m. in the Sculpture Garden at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. $4 per person donation is suggested. Information: (651) 454-9412 or www.caponiartpark.org. Tuesday Evenings in the Garden – Taming Garden Godzillas with Elizabeth Spedaliere, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the garden at UMore Park, 1605 160th St. W. (County Road 46), Rosemount. Learn strategies to help manage Japanese beetle and emerald ash borer in the home landscape. Fee: $10. Questions or to register by phone, call University of Minnesota Extension: (651) 480-7700. Wednesday, June 27 Little Chefs Cooking Class for ages 3-11 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Valley Natural Foods, Burnsville. Free. Register 32 hours in advance by calling (952) 891-1212, ext. 221. Eagan Market Fest, 4 to 8 p.m., Eagan Festival Grounds. Farmers market, Radio Disney with music, prizes and contests, the Teddy Bear Band (6 p.m.), inflatables (weather permitting), Eagan puppet wagon shows, kids’ art, family games and extra family fun activities. Information: www.cityofeagan. com/marketfest or (651) 6755500. Thursday, June 28 Music in the Parks – Wiggle Jiggle and Jam, 10 a.m. at Central Park Amphitheater, Rosemount. Free. Weather line: Call (952) 985-1780 option 6 to find out if a performance has been cancelled. Thursday Rockin’ Readers – Rahn Principal Elaine Mehdizadeh, 11:15 a.m., Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour – Sticks and Tones, noon, Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Music in the Parks – South of the River Community Band, 7 p.m. at Central Park Amphitheater, Rosemount. Free. Weather line: Call (952) 985-1780 option 6 to find out if a performance has been cancelled.

Friday, June 29 Open house by the Apple Valley MOMS Club-South Tuesday, June 26 (Moms Offering Moms Sup Family Fun Tuesday – port) from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Open Eye Figure Theater’s at Lac Lavon Park in Burns-

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ville. Information: momsclubofapplevalleysouth@live. com. Summer Fresh Friday Film, “Locavore: Local Diet, Healthy Planet,” 6 to 8 p.m. at Valley Natural Foods, 13750 County Road 11, Burnsville. Information: (952) 891-1212, ext. 221. 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. • June 23, 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville. • June 26, 2 to 7 p.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4625 W. 125th St., Savage. • June 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Eastview High School, 6200 140th St. W., Apple Valley. • June 28, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Quello Clinic Ltd., 14000 Nicollet Ave. S., Burnsville. • June 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Culver’s, 3445 O’Leary Lane, Eagan. Reunions Lakeville High School Class of 1972 will hold its 40th reunion at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the home of Bruce and Pat Zweber, 387 Maple Island Road, Burnsville. Information: Mary Boegeman Johnson at MBoegemanJ@ yahoo.com or Mary Ann Knox at MaryAnnKnox@visi.com. Burnsville High School Class of 1992 will hold its 20th reunion from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Minneapolis. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door. To register and purchase tickets, visit https://reunionmanager. net/class_members/registration.php?class_id=124786 or contact Kelly Bruce Regan at kelbel070@gmail.com or Bob Hayes at bobhayes37@ yahoo.com with questions.

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

John Prine with Willie Watson, 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphiComedy theater, Apple Valley. Cost: Dwight York with special $67. Tickets available at tickguest Earl Nitch at 8:30 p.m. etmaster.com. Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23, at MinneHAHA Exhibits Comedy Club, 1583 E. First World Travel PhotograAve., Shakopee (lower level phy exhibit by artist Becqi of Dangerfield’s), (612) 860- Sherman at the Lakeville Area 9388, www.minnehahacom- Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke edyclub.com. Tickets: $13. Ave. Information: (952) 9854640. Concerts Music in Kelley Park fea- Festivals turing Ménage à Neuf from 6 Apple Valley Freedom to 9 p.m. Friday, June 22, at Days runs June 29-July 4. Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino St., Information: www.avfreedomApple Valley. Free. Food and days.com. beverages available for pur- Lakeville Pan-O-Prog chase. runs July 1-8. Information: The Pines with Lucy Mi- www.panoprog.org. chelle and The Velvet La- Eagan July 4th Funfest pelles, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, runs July 3-4. Information: June 23, Subway Music in the www.eaganfunfest.org. Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: Theater $24. Tickets available at tick- Cromulent Shakespeare etmaster.com. Company’s “The Merry Tedeschi Trucks Band Wives of Windsor” will be with Ryan Shaw, 7:30 p.m. presented at 6:30 p.m. June Sunday, June 24, and Mon- 24 in the Theater in the day, June 25, Subway Music Woods outdoor amphitheater in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo at Caponi Art Park in Eagan. amphitheater, Apple Valley. Free, but a $5 donation is reCost: $58 and $66. Tickets quested. Information: www. available at ticketmaster.com. caponiartpark.org. Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat with Joey De- Workshops/classes Graw, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Music Together in the June 27, Subway Music in the Valley offers classes for Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphi- parents and their infant, todtheater, Apple Valley. Cost: dler and preschool children $56. Tickets available at tick- in Rosemount, Farmington, etmaster.com. Lakeville and Apple Valley. Wednesday in the Park Information: www.musictoConcert Series with The getherclasses.com or (651) Devon Worley Band, 7 p.m. 439-4219. June 27 at Civic Center Park, The Eagan Art House of75 Civic Center Parkway, fers classes for all ages. For Burnsville. Rain location: a complete listing go to www. Nicollet Junior High, 400 E. eaganarthouse.org or call 134th St., Burnsville. (651) 675-5521. Emmylou Harris with Dan Petrov Art Studio Field Report, 7:30 p.m. in Burnsville offers oil paintThursday, June 28, Subway ing classes for beginners, Music in the Zoo, Minnesota intermediate and advanced Zoo amphitheater, Apple Val- skill level painters, www. ley. Cost: $58. Tickets avail- danpetrovart.com, (763) 843able at ticketmaster.com. 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. Fee is $3 and includes all supplies. Bring any old jewelry you would like to re-make. 3981 Lexington Ave. S., (651) 675-5500. Savage Art Studios, 4735 W. 123rd St., Suite 200, Savage, offers classes/workshops for all ages. Information: www.savageartstudios. com or (952) 895-0375. Soy candle making classes held weekly in Eagan near 55 and Yankee Doodle. Call Jamie at (651) 315-4849 for dates and times. $10 per person. Presented by Making Scents in Minnesota. Country line dance classes held for intermediates Mondays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., Farmington, $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Beginner country line dance classes on Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Lakeville VFW, 8790 Upper 208th St. $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Country line dance classes on Wednesdays at the Lakeville Senior Center, 20732 Holt Ave. Beginners, 9-10 a.m.; Intermediate, 10 a.m.-noon. $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. The Lakeville Area Arts Center offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn. gov, (952) 985-4640.

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Sports

June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Lakeville’s Skjei eyes the NHL Future Gopher could go in first round of draft by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

Years ago, Brady Skjei dreamed of scoring the winning goal in an NHL game while skating on an outdoor rink on a crisp January morning in Lakeville. That dream is getting closer to reality. Skjei played for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., the past two seasons and will play for the University of Minnesota next season. He’ll soon know where his future lies after college. On Wednesday, Skjei along with several family members flew to Pittsburgh to attend the NHL Entry Draft on Friday. The two-way defensive prospect has been tagged as a mid-to-late firstround prospect. Most mock drafts have him going anywhere from 20th to 25th overall. He finished the season as Central Scouting’s 19th-ranked North American skater. He’s got the size at 6 feet, 2 inches and more than 200 pounds, and he’s regarded as one of the top skaters in the draft. “It’s been a lifelong dream to be a first-round pick,” Skjei said. “Being drafted, period, will be a good experience.” The team that drafts Skjei will hold his rights for four years. He’s already taking summer school classes at the University of Minnesota and working out with other members of the hockey team. “I can’t wait,” Skjei said of playing for the Gophers. “I’ve wanted to be a Gopher since I was a kid. I’ll stay there as long as I need to.” He said it will be nice to play closer to home after playing in Michigan for the past two years. He played on the Lakeville North varsity team during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons before playing on the U.S. National Under-17 team in 201011 and the U18 team in 2011-2012. “It was tough to leave Minnesota

May goes low at state Photo by Rick Orndorf

Farmington’s Tommy May takes a swing at the Class AAA state golf tournament at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids last week. He was in 13th place with a 76 after the first round, including an even-par 36 on the back nine. On day two, May slipped to 35th with an 81, finishing with a twoday score of 157. His teammates walked the fairways both days to show support.

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Lakeville North’s Freddy Thomas swings away at the Class AAA state golf tournament in Coon Rapids last week. He finished third overall, one stroke behind the leaders.

Freddy Thomas earns bronze at state Photo by Rick Orndorf

Panther golfer one shot behind winners

Lakeville North’s Brady Skjei puts a hit on a Minnetonka player in 2010 at the by Andy Rogers Class AA state tournament at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Skjei spent the Sun Thisweek past two seasons playing for the U.S. National Development Team in Ann Arbor, Mich. He’s expected to be a mid-to-late first-round pick in the NHL Entry Draft Making his fourth appearance at the state Class on Friday. AAA boys golf tournahigh school hockey,” Skjei said. “I loved He put on about 25 pounds during ment, Lakeville North Lakeville North, but I felt like I needed the two seasons, and he helped Team sophomore Freddy Thomas to get better, and Ann Arbor helped me USA win its fourth gold medal in a row had his best finish yet, comat the World Under-18 Championships ing in third overall last week do that.” He played with the 2010 Lakeville this spring. at Bunker Hills in Coon North team that qualified for the state “Going out on top was really nice,” Rapids. Class AA tournament. Skjei scored the Skjei said. Thomas shot 74 on the only goal for the Panthers in the state That drew even more attention from first day leaving him tied for NHL scouts. On Friday, he’ll find out fifth, five shots behind the quarterfinals against Minnetonka. “It was a dream of mine to play at just how much they liked him. The leader, but the following day state,” he said. “Once I went there it was NHL Entry Draft first round will be he played even better. easier to make the decision to go to Ann shown on NBC Sports Network start- By the end of his round ing at 6 p.m. Arbor.” he closed the gap to one He remembers stepping onto the ice stroke by making six birdAndy Rogers can be reached at andy. ies. the first time for the U17 team. “Everything was so much faster,” he rogers@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/ On the 18th hole, he said. sunthisweek. hit an off-line tee shot and eventually had a long putt to tie for first place. He just missed and finished with 69, putting him in third. His two-day total of 143 was 1 under par. Ben Welle of Moorhead and Jon DuToit of Chaska both had 142 to tie for the Photo by Rick Orndorf state individual title. Brianna Vetter of Lakeville Thomas tied for 28th North takes a swing at the Class last season, finished 53rd in AAA state girls golf tourna2010, and came in 42nd in ment at Bunker Hills in Coon 2009. Rapids. Vetter finished tied for It was a little bittersweet 45th with a two-day total of to be there without his 177. The eighth-grader shot 42 team. on the front nine on day one and For the first time since 42 on the back nine on day two. 2007, the Panthers fell short Lakeville North junior Laura of qualifying for state as a Larson wasn’t far behind, tying team. for 53rd with 181. The Panthers North was in the lead finished fifth in the South Suburban Conference this season. Christi Vetter was named all con- after the first round of the ference and Chelsea Crego, Brianna Vetter, Katie Albrecht and Section 1AAA tournament on May 30, but other teams Samantha Folkman received honorable mention.

Pair of Panthers get high marks at state golf

still were within range. In round two on June 3, an off day by the Panthers coupled with a fantastic day by Rochester Century kept Lakeville North out of state. It didn’t help that two of Century’s golfers shot career bests by several strokes. “I guess that is golf and sports in general,” said Lakeville North assistant coach Scott Thomas, who’s also Freddy’s father. “It definitely has made the returning guys more hungry and motivated to get back to state next year.” Although the team will lose all-conference players Joel Oxton and Trey Heid to graduation, Freddy Thomas and his brother Bobby, along with Mike Oberg and Joe Smits, are underclassmen. The Panthers finished the year with the state’s top regular-season scoring average and were seventh in the Minnesota Golf Association rankings. Freddy Thomas was ranked No. 2 individually and Bobby Thomas finished fourth in the conference. Oberg was named all-conference and Smits was honorable mention all-conference. Matt Ostdiek and Zac Whalen are the front-runners to fill in for the departed seniors. Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

New high school mountain bike league starting in fall Burnsville/Lakeville and District 196 will have two of the 15 teams by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

The Twin Cities suburbs aren’t exactly known for their mountain ranges, but that’s not stopping anyone from mountain biking. Bicycling Magazine recently ranked Minneapolis as the top bike-friendly city in the country and many of those cyclists aren’t exactly riding on pavement. With places such as Lebanon Hills in Eagan and Murphy-Hanrehan Park in Savage, interest in mountain biking the metro is growing. “There is some really great off-road naturalsurface bicycling here,” said Gary Sjoquist, founding chair of the Minnesota High School Cycling League. “Minnesota is getting a reputation for unexpectedly good bicycling.” Starting this fall, several club programs will compete in the Minnesota High School Mountain Bike League. California has had high school mountain racing for a decade through the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. It has spread to other states, including Colorado, Washington, Utah, Texas and now Minnesota. Teams are available for any boy or girl entering

ninth through 12th grade in the Burnsville, Lakeville, and District 196 area. For more information, visit www.minnesotamtb.org. “What made me want to join the mountain bike club is that it would give me more opportunities to get out and bike and experience different trails around the state,” said Adam DeCurtins, a student who plans to ride this fall. Being on the team will give him someone to keep pace with on the course. “I really enjoy mountain biking because of the added challenge of conquering the terrain and just the fun of being in nature,” DeCurtins said. He started trail riding for the first time two years ago and was quickly hooked on the thrill of singletrack biking. “It can be scary, but that is the fun part most of the time,” DeCurtins said. “Your adrenaline kicks in and you just kind of let go of a little sanity.” The girls and boys will race separately, but the team’s final tally will be a combination of both scores. No racing experience is necessary; all riders need is a mountain bike and a helmet. About 15 teams have formed already

A high school mountain bike league is scheduled to begin in the fall. across the state. “We can teach anyone to ride a bike and introduce beginning riders to a safe, fun, and challenging experience,” said Chris Harvey, coach of the Burnsville/ Lakeville program. The Lakeville/Burnsville team will mainly practice at Murphy-Hanrehan Park in Savage but will

also go to Lebanon Hills in Eagan and Terrace Oaks in Burnsville, which is “some of the best mountain bike singletrack in Minnesota,” Harvey said. Sjoquist has been racing for more than 20 years and has encouraged others to get involved in mountain biking. Starting them young has worked well.

Photo submitted

chance to score points and nobody will be cut from a team, Sjoquist said. “The great majority of kids come back with a smile and it’s something they can do with other kids,” Sjoquist said. “It’s very social. Even the smallest, scrawniest kids, if they can make a lap, they can score points. You don’t get that with the other sports. Kids can feel empowered, learn something new and secretly get in shape. “There’s also all the lessons of practicing and being responsible for the bike and safety and being ready for a race. There’s so many things a kid can learn.” Races will take place weekends during September and October in the metro as well as Rochester and St. Cloud, with the series championship at Buck Hill in Burnsville on Oct. 28. There’s a girls-only “Tryit-Out Session” from 1 to 4 p.m. July 12 at MurphyHanrehan to learn proper bike fit and basic mountain bike skills. Demo bikes will be available. Parents must sign a waiver for the child to participate. More information is available at www. minnesotamtb.org.

“I knew there was a good base here for mountain biking,” Sjoquist said. “I knew we had all the right ingredients. It’s just a matter of getting some help from key people and retailers. These are kids who aren’t playing the typical sports like football and Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com hockey.” Everyone will have a or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville June 22, 2012

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June 22, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington / Lakeville

Business Briefs New IT leaders at Blue Cross Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Eagan, announced two new appointments to its IT leadership team, naming David Kaercher as vice president of infrastructure and Colleen Sargent as vice president of application development. Kaercher will be responsible for aligning the corporate technology vision with business strategy by integrating company processes with the appropriate technologies. He most recently held the position of senior vice president of technology operations and service delivery at PNC Bank. Kaercher holds a bachelor’s degree from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa., and a master’s degree in computer science from the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science in Washington, D.C. Sargent is responsible for the company’s strategy, design, and delivery of application solutions. She works across the organization to assess current and potential processes, strategies and initiatives that will best align with Blue Cross’ technology needs to remain competitive in the marketplace. Prior to this position, Sargent held leadership positions at U.S. Bank. Sargent holds a bachelor’s degree and a master of education degree from the University of Minnesota, as well as a master of business administration degree from the University of St. Thomas.

Proto Labs leaders named Entrepreneurs of the Year Larry Lukis and Brad Cleveland of Proto Labs Inc., Maple Plain and Rosemount, a provider of custom CNC machined and injection molded parts, have received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. The award celebrates the Upper Midwest’s most innovative business leaders in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. Proto Labs and other award winners were formally recognized June 14 at the regional awards gala at the Marriott City Center in Minneapolis. Proto Labs will now be eligible for consideration in the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Program. National award winners will be announced Nov. 17 at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif.

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Eureka Township A Public Hearing will be held on the request for a variance by Annar & Candyse Karlsen 10420 235th St. W. , Lakeville. The variance request is to place a pole barn closer to side yard property line than the minimum requirements set by the zoning ordinance. The hearing will be held on Monday July 9, 2012 at 8:00 pm in the Eureka Town Hall located at 25043 Cedar Ave. Anyone wishing to express an opinion about the proposed ordinance orally or in writing will be heard at the public hearing. Nanett Sandstrom Clerk/ Treasurer of Eureka June 22, 2012 3052757 6/22/12

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District 194 School Board Proceedings

This is a summary of the Independent School District No.194 Regular School Board Meeting on Tues, May 22, 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.isd194.k12.mn.us or District Office at 8670 210th Street W., Lakeville, MN 55044 The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. followed by pledge of allegiance. All board members and administrators were present. Consent agenda items approved: minutes of the meetings on May 8 and 15; employment recommendations, leave requests and resignations; resolution relating to the termination and non-renewal of probationary teacher; payment of bills and claims subject to annual audit; wire transfers & investments; alt facilities bids/quotes; AMSD membership; donations; and fieldtrips. Reports presented: K-12 science curriculum; CLEC update; Multiple Measurements Rating (MMR); iLearn update and Key Work of School Boards. Recommended actions approved: Graduates for class of 2012; ELA curriculum resources; 2011-12 revised budget. Adjournment at 9:19 p.m. 3059003 6/22/12

Local Fairview clinics receive grants Fairview Physician Associates has awarded grants totaling $122,000 to medical clinics across the Twin Cities including Fairview clinics in Burnsville, Eagan and Rosemount. Funding is part of an annual program to improve clinical quality, efficiency and the patient and family experience within the FPA network.

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