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Bird Scouts: Local troop gets banding lesson from legend
BY ROY HEILMAN
WRITER
CONTRIBUTING
It’s not often adults get a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with
wild birds of prey. For youth involved with Scouts BSA, on the other hand, it could be any old Saturday. On one recent weekend, 18 Scouts from BSA Troop 639 held a “bird
banding campout” in northern Minnesota. The experience was a first for all involved, and made
How north metro schools are using AI
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
In multiple north metro area schools, there is no official written school board policy regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), yet various restrictions can be in place to limit the usage of AI. Each school district has different regulations and rules when it comes to utilizing AI.
But AI can also be used to help create lesson plans, grade students’ homework and help students study for upcoming tests or quizzes.
Mounds View High School
Mounds View High School does not have an official written school board policy regarding AI at this time, according to Colin Sokolowski, executive director of public relations for Mounds View Public Schools.
The district addresses the topic of AI in its student handbook. Under “Academic Dishonesty,” it reads that at Mounds View High School “we are committed to guiding responsible,
Minnesota measurers make the record books—literally
BY ROY HEILMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Opening day for Minnesota’s firearms deer season is getting close: Saturday Nov. 9. Tens of thousands of hunters now count the hours until they could encounter the buck of a lifetime. With a bit of luck, some will.
For those who want to know
exactly how their trophy measures, a dedicated group of people are on standby to help. Organized in the mid-1990s, Minnesota Official Measurers have scored many thousands of deer, elk, and moose antlers. They make themselves available year-round, at shows like the Minnesota Deer and Turkey Classic, at taxidermy
shops, and by appointment in other locations. M.O.M. members are all volunteers. There is no charge, other than if an animal scores high enough to be included in a record book and the hunter wishes to have his or her trophy entered. Jeff Olson is one of a few dozen active members of the
Minnesota Official Measurers. As he scored a whitetail rack last week, Olson explained that he became a measurer almost by accident. Someone talked a friend of his into taking the M.O.M. class, and he said, “I’ll do it too, I guess.”
That was 2008. Olson became a M.O.M. measurer in 2009. His dedication has only grown in
the years since. In addition to being M.O.M. certified for 15 years, he has been certified by Pope & Young since 2012, and by Boone and Crockett since 2014.
“To be Pope and Young, I had to go to Chatfield [Minnesota] SEE
ROY HIELMAN | CONTRIBUTED
Troop 639 Scout Owen Tollefson releases a freshly banded sharp-shinned hawk to continue its migration.
for three days. To be Boone, I had to go to Missoula for five days. Now they teach the Pope and Boone classes together, but it’s still five days. So it’s a commitment,” he said.
“Minnesota is a one-day class. You take the measuring class, and you become an apprentice. And then we ask that you do one deer classic and three small shows in three years.”
As a coordinator of the training classes, Olson has further insight into M.O.M. membership. He said there are typically four to six students in a class. That would tend to add up over the years. However, he said many took the class only to be able to measure their own sets of antlers, and didn’t participate further. M.O.M. made some changes to help weed out those who aren’t interested in measuring for the public.
For his part, Olson measures around 20 to 30 deer racks a year. Typically, a handful of those occur at his home. Most of the rest are at shows, he said, where he interacts
with the public and instructs M.O.M. apprentices.
Mentors like Olson pass on a great deal of insight. While following the rules and general mechanics of measuring, experience sometimes proves invaluable. After partly measuring the rack last week, for example, Olson determined he needed to classify (and thus, score) those antlers differently. “There’s a lot more to this than you think,” he said. Olson explained that measuring moose antlers presents routine difficulties. Likewise, he said white-tailed deer antlers are more difficult to measure than mule deer or elk. “The whitetail is the hardest one to measure, because there’s no two that are alike. Mule deer and elk are structured, so they’re always the same. A whitetail—they throw the book out.”
In addition to providing measuring services free of charge, M.O.M. is the keeper of Minnesota hunting records, and publishes the official record book. Olson said that
after purchasing the rights, the group redesigned the hardcover book to make the layout better. “It’s real friendly for people to read. It’s a really nice record book. Our goal is to try and measure as many [animals] as we can, so our record book represents what Minnesota has to offer.”
Entering a deer into the Minnesota record book (if it qualifies) costs only $20. Olson said the record book can be purchased through the group’s website or directly through
M.O.M. measurers. The Minnesota Official Measurers website, mnmom.com, also explains the history of M.O.M., what it takes to make the record books, and contact form for anyone who might want to learn more about becoming a measurer.
And if they are among the lucky few this weekend, hunters interested in contacting a certified measurer can do so through their interactive map feature.
Heilman is a contributing writer for Press Publications. He can be reached at news@ presspubs.com or 651-407-1200.
Chippewa Middle School student plays Cindy-Lou Who
Chloe Hu, from Shoreview, will play Cindy-Lou Who in the Children’s Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The show will incorporate music, dance, vivid and fun costumes and the traditional story of the Grinch realizing the true meaning of the holidays and community. Recently, Press Publications sat down with Hu to learn more about herself and her upcoming role.
Q: Tell me about yourself.
A: I am a 13-year-old girl who is currently in 8th grade at Chippewa Middle School. I enjoy cooking, hanging out with friends, singing and dancing in my free time!
Q: How long have you been a part of the Children’s Theatre Company?
A: About two-and-a-half years. My first show at the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) was “Something Happened in Our Town,” which
premiered in 2022. I was the understudy for Ling.
Q: What got you into theatre?
A: One summer I wanted to try something new, and my mom signed me up for the theatre program at CTC. After a few classes, I felt in love with acting and started to audition for shows.
Q: What made you want to audition for the part of Cindy-Lou Who?
A: I’ve always adored her kindness and how she doesn’t let other opinions affect her. She seemed like such a fun role to play so I decided to audition and see how it goes. I also just enjoy being in Whoville a lot!
Q: Do you have a favorite scene from the play?
A: I would say my favorite scene is shopping! It’s so fun to be frantic and running around shopping while also doing super fun choreography.
Q: What is the most challenging part about your role?
A: In the original movie Cindy Lou is a 6-year-old girl who is naturally so tiny, innocent and kind. It can sometimes be difficult to portray such a young character but with lots of practice it has become easier.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: Please come see the show! It’s such an amazing experience and so fun for the actors onstage and the audience watching. Plus, the show is going to be different from all the past years with new elements added in!
For information and to purchase tickets for the show, one can visit childrenstheatre.org. The show will run through Sunday Jan. 5, 2025.
Compiled by Madeline Dolby
READ • REUSE • RECYCLE
If every person takes one small step toward being more conscientious of the environment, the collective effort will change the planet.
651-407-1200 | presspubs.com
CONTRIBUTED
Chloe Hu, of Shoreview, will play Cindy-Lou Who in the Children’s Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Roy
ROY HEILMAN | CONTRIBUTED Minnesota Official Measurers like Jeff Olson stand by, armed with clipboard and various measuring tools, to score the biggest of this season’s deer harvest.
Measurers need to master intricacies of the methods of measuring antlers for the record books. It takes experience and dedication.
BIRD SCOUTS: ‘We are always looking for unique and fun experiences’
possible by one Scout’s grandfather, master bander and White Bear Lake resident Frank Taylor. Taylor greeted the troop at the banding site with the day’s first capture already in hand: a sharpshinned hawk. He proceeded to tell all about that species’ physical features, diet and migration. He then enlisted the Scouts to help him record the bird’s measurements and information from its newly attached band. One fortunate Scout, Declan Johnson, was chosen to release it back onto its journey south. As he worked, Taylor showed the Scouts his equipment, talked about the banding process and shared more about raptors and their migration through northwestern Minnesota. He explained that since the vast water of Lake Superior doesn’t produce the warm air thermals the birds need to make their long migrations, they are funneled down the North Shore. As a result, they pass his banding station—and Duluth’s famous Hawk Ridge—in large numbers each fall.
If anyone could teach a bunch of Scouts about all these things, it would be Taylor. This is the 55th year he has banded raptors in the same location in St. Louis County. In that time, he has banded over 5,000 birds on a volunteer basis under the U.S. Geological Survey’s rigorous oversight. Sharp-shinned hawks, like the one Johnson released, are the most captured in Taylor’s nets year after year. He had a simple explanation for that.
“Because there’s more of them!” he laughed. “Actually, there are two birds that come through Duluth in big numbers: the sharp-shinned hawks and the broad-winged hawks. Well, most of the adult broad-winged hawks stop eating when they migrate, so every once in a while we’ll catch an immature broad wing that is hungry. But most of the sharpshinned hawks are real hungry, real aggressive, so we catch more of those.”
After the first bird release, Taylor and the Scouts hunkered down to wait for the next raptor. While they waited, a “kettle” of broad-winged hawks gathered on a thermal overhead. An eagle made a thrilling fly-by and, at least twice, red-tailed hawks circled and swooped, but did not make contact with the net. Within an hour, another sharp-shinned hawk was in hand.
Taylor again asked Scouts to help him with measuring and banding the bird. When all the
paperwork was done, Owen Tollefson picked the lucky number and was allowed to release it.
“It was very cool,” recalled Tollefson, his face lighting up. “He taught me how to hold it and stuff. So I had to hold it in my hand, and on the count of three I released it and it went straight back into the woods.”
It is no coincidence that Taylor has provided experiences like Tollefson’s for decades. Education has been at the center of his involvement with raptors for years, including his time as curator of education birds at The Raptor Center. He and his wife Trudi, a retired professor of education, have hosted many visitors to the banding station over the years. Taylor cited groups associated with the National Eagle Center, DNR, Minnesota Zoo and many college biology departments.
“I love talking about it and showing people, and what’s there and why it goes on, ” he said.
According to Troop 639 Scoutmaster Kurt Then, tapping into Taylor’s expertise was a no-brainer. “We are always looking for unique and fun experiences for the Scouts,” he said. “When he came to one of our troop meetings and mentioned the bird banding he does, I knew we had to arrange a future outing.”
Troop 639, with Scouts from Shoreview, North Oaks and Vadnais Heights, has embarked on varied adventures in just the last five years, including
camping in snow shelters, backpacking in New Mexico and staying overnight on a submarine. Scoutmaster Then hopes to take Scouts to the BWCA or on another backpacking trip soon.
“Through events like these, the Scouts are learning and experiencing things you can’t get through other activities,” said Then. “I think the best part of the Scouting experience is when we get outside and connect with nature. The bird banding campout checked all kinds of boxes for a great Scouting event.” He said that thanks to Frank Taylor’s knowledge and generous spirit, the Scouts who ventured north for an up-close encounter with raptors will remember it for a lifetime.
Owen Tollefson would likely agree. “It was just so cool. I felt like I wouldn’t have an experience like this, probably never in my life again,” he said.
Learn more about Frank Taylor’s bird banding at bandingreports.blogspot.com or Troop 639 at www. troopwebhost.org/Troop639NorthOaks/ Roy Heilman is a contributing writer for Press Publications. He can be reached at news@presspubs. com or 651-407-1200.
WHAT’S HAPPENING • WHAT’S HAPPENING
THE ENJOYABLE EVENING SERIES
When: 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11
Where: Galilee Lutheran Church, 145 McCarrons Blvd. N., Roseville
Details: The Musikmeisters are modeled after the traditional village bands found in German-speaking areas of Europe. Musical arrangement of marches, polkas, waltzes, folk dances and ballads are all authentic. Free to the public.
Contact: www.galileelutheranelca.com
ONGOING EVENTS
CURBSIDE MATTRESS COLLECTION
When: Oct. 14- Nov. 18
Where: Shoreview
Details: Shoreview is partnering with Second Chance Recycling and Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy to offer free curbside mattress collection. Schedule a pickup time through Second Chance’s website.
Contact: www.secondchancerecyclingmn.com
CURRENT EVENTS
KNITTING FOR GOOD
When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Nov. 7
Where: Ramsey County LibraryShoreview, 4560 Victoria St. N.
Details: This drop-in group encourages you to bring your creative
talents to support good causes, such as hats for premature babies and welcome blankets, or bring a project of your own to work on during group time. All skill levels are welcome. Contact: 651-724-6006
LAKESHORE QUILTERS GUILD SATURDAY SEW-IN
When: 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: Ramsey County LibraryShoreview, 4560 Victoria St. N. Details: Lakeshore Quilters will be working on their own quilting projects. Stop in to see what projects are being worked on.
Contact: lakeshorequiltersmn.org
ARTS ROSEVILLE FEATURED INDIGENOUS ARTIST: TARA PERRON
When: 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: Ramsey County LibraryRoseville, 2180 North Hamline Ave. Details: Tara Perron is a Dakota and Ojibwe mother. She owns and operates Blue Hummingbird Woman Indigenous Gift Shop. She is the author of “Takoza: Walks With the Blue Moon Girl”, “Animals of Khéya Wíta,” “Animals of Nimaamaa-Aki” and “Our Love Language”. Contact: rclreads.bibliocommons.com/ event
GREAT COMMUNICATION SKILLS
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12
Where: Ramsey County LibraryRoseville, 2180 North Hamline Ave.
Details: Home your persuasive and descriptive writing skills using tips and tricks from the world of print advertising. Registration required. Contact: rclreads.bibliocommons.com/ events
PRESIDENT: RICHARD NIXON
When: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14
Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St.
Details: Learn about Nixon’s important successes, his strannge habits and his public and private relationships. Registration required. Contact: www.shorevewmn.gov
SHOREVIEW/ARDEN HILLS LIONS THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
When: 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: In Vino Veritas, 1080 County Road E., Shoreview
Details: The Shoreview/Arden Hills Lions will be hosting a Thanksgiving food drive. Donate items such as boxes of stuffing, pie crust, cans of cranberries, rolls and more. Contact: www. shoreviewardenhillslions.org
INDOOR MARKET
When: 3:30- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19
Where: Fireside Lounge, Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.
Details: Features local crafters and vendors.
Contact: www.shorevewmn.gov
Master bander Frank Taylor shows the scouts one of dozens of birds he has caught this season.
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED Scouts from Troop 639 help Frank Taylor record band information and bird measurements for scientific purposes.
Getting along
Regardless of which candidate ends up winning the national presidential election, we’re still going to need to get along with family members, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and all of the other people we interact with locally on a daily basis. The upcoming holiday season, including Thanksgiving, only adds to the potential anxiety and stress of living in a society that is increasingly polarized.
Political differences in families are nothing new, but the levels of toxic rhetoric and volatility have been significantly cranked up due in no small part to the fragmentation of information on various social media platforms and the growing distrust of scientific and medical experts. It’s extremely challenging engaging in a meaningful conversation when the definition of the truth is in question.
Personally, more than 25 years ago, I needed to formulate some coping strategies so that a relationship with a key family member could be maintained following an angry outburst — directed at me — during a discussion featuring a well known politician I’d had interactions with. I was caught by surprise and profoundly bummed out by the incident. A sincere apology followed the next day, which I gratefully accepted, but I vowed to do whatever I could to avoid a similar situation from ever occurring again.
After giving it some thought, I came up with the relatively simple strategy of identifying and avoiding the key catalysts (the mix of alcohol consumption and political talk) that led to the dustup. Quietly, without any announcement or fanfare, I began to cut back my drinking at family gatherings to (at most) one or two beers while also strategically avoiding potentially volatile political topics. To my knowledge, no one seemed to notice any change in my behavior and thankfully many years have elapsed without a similar incident. However, there have been a handful of occasions over the years where, in order to tactfully avoid the possibility of a heated escalation, I needed to firmly assert that I did not want to discuss certain topics. I was also relieved we were still able to have meaningful and varied conversations about a variety of other topics.
While I was looking for information related to the subject of maintaining communication and healthy relationships in a politically divisive society, the contributions of William Doherty, professor emeritus in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, showed up in a number of articles at various news and information outlets including Time, NPR and Braver Angels (braverangels.org), an organization he cofounded as an effort to help bridge the political divides splitting the country. I’ve always thought of Thanksgiving as one of the most unifying and least stressful of American holiday celebrations, but Doherty and other family counselors are concerned that this year may be even more tricky than the post-election Thanksgivings of the past and are advising some advanced planning and the adjustment of expectations. Because it takes only one person to derail or escalate an already emotional and complicated discussion, Doherty advises against talking about political topics around the dinner table and suggests a host can ask ahead of time that politics are off-limits. He also suggests that you should probably give up on the idea that you might be able to change a family members mind because you enlightened them with a persuasive, thought provoking argument. There are tips and resources available about how to talk to family members about politics, it’s just that the dynamics of a group holiday meal are not ideal.
It’s not an easy situation, but we do still have choices. The question that it all comes down to for me is, do we really want to let political leaders and toxic, cynical politics hurt our families?
Paul Dols is photojournalist/website editor for Press Publications. He can be reached at 651-407-1238 or photos@presspubs.com.
IPastor’s Ponderings
Jason Steffenhagen
A modern-day Bible story
n Numbers 24, the people of Israel have been migrating in the wilderness for almost 40 years. This is after over 400 years of slavery in Egypt; and they are nearing the Promised Land. A nearby king, Balak of Moab, hears they might be headed his way, so he hires a spiritual leader to curse (spread fearful rumors) about them because he’s worried, they could be a threat. But when the spiritual leader, Balaam, goes to curse Israel, he listens to God and pronounces a beautiful blessing over the people. In this blessing, he reminds the people that God is always with them and that whoever blesses them will be blessed and whoever curses them will be cursed.
I’ve always struggled with the ‘blessing’ and ‘cursing’ language in the Bible. What does it mean?
Is it a simple transaction – give blessing to receive blessing? Is
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Letter writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.
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it a karma thing – what goes around comes around? Or maybe it has to do with your posture towards humanity and the way in which you choose to live?
Part of our problem is that we don’t use these words very often. Blessing is typically used to express gratitude when something goes our way. ‘I’m so blessed.’ And cursing is not something we see very often, unless we are watching a movie about a witch putting a curse on our main character.
So, let’s use a couple different ideas.
Instead of blessing, let’s use –on your side, unity, connection.
Instead of cursing, let’s use – fearmongering, division, isolation.
That would make Balaam’s message about Israel a little more palatable to our modern minds. “Whoever is on their side will experience unity and connection; whoever traffics in fearmongering will experience division and isolation.”
The question being asked is which way of being human are you going to choose.
Although the story of Balaam blessing Israel in Numbers 24 is an ancient story, if we pause and look at our world today, the same
question is being presented to us daily. From social media posts to news stories, we are bombarded with a choice about how to see one another.
And for anyone who thinks this is a do-gooder, touchy-feely way of seeing the world, I get it. Because it’s empowering to name an enemy and attack. But courage is knowing your good choices might cost you everything, and still choosing to bless and not curse.
Are we the kind of people who use the most vulnerable to create fear? Use their struggle to further divide people, and in so doing, further isolate ourselves?
Or.
Are we the kind of people who say to the most vulnerable, “I’m on your side, I’m here to help?” Might this posture of generosity and kindness transform us into a more loving people?
Let’s not give in to fear but overcome fear with love. We might just see that the world is a little brighter than we imagined.
Jason Steffenhagen is the lead pastor at United Methodist Church in Shoreview.
SHOREVIEW PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES
at least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters. Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication. Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not be published.
• Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published. Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification. All letters are subject to editing.
• Deadline is 5 p. m. , Wednesday of the week prior to publication. To submit a letter, e-mail it to shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com, fax it to 651429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
Angle of View
Paul Dols
Residents raise concerns about developer for Union Gospel Mission site
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
Two Shoreview residents raised concerns at the most recent City Council meeting about the construction that is occurring at the former Union Gospel Mission property.
Resident JoAnn Toth said the community wants to make sure the developer, Tycon Companies, is doing things according to the rules. Toth said that Tycon Companies “broke the rules” by cutting down trees in protected areas and starting construction before obtaining a grading permit.
“He says he got permission from city staff,” said Toth. “But city staff, per your agreement, can only make minor changes. You can’t make major changes unless major things come back to the City Council.” A major change is anything considered in a development agreement.
Toth noted that the second rule the developer has broken is starting construction without the proper permit.
“The development agreement says ‘no work shall be done without a grading permit. Including cutting down trees,
erosion control,’ and as you can see, trees have been cut down and erosion control has been done. And they still don’t have a grading permit.”
She added that the developer is contractually required to protect any trees that need to remain on the site. The protection entitles things that are in the development’s landscaping plans, city code and the agreement.
Toth explained that in the landscaping plan, it says that there needs to be a drip edge surrounding the surviving trees. She said that, currently, there no drip edges. The landscape plans also states that the developer needs to lay down mulch. Toth says there is no mulch surrounding the trees.
“We would like to see a stop work order issued. It’s typical in the construction industry, and a stand down order issued,” said Toth. A stand down order would bring the developer, contractor and the city together to discuss what the development agreement says.
Resident Jane Friedman also mentioned the former Gospel Mission Site along with the minutes from the joint Planning Commission and City Council workshop that took place
in June 2024 in which the site was discussed. Friedman said that at the workshop, there was a debriefing of the decision-making process for the site.
“My take from the discussion was that the city felt as much frustration as we, the citizens, did about the process and the limitations within that to properly address a development proposal with complex issues,” Friedman said.
She mentioned, if allowed, that having an opening meeting with the commission, City Council and citizens would have been helpful.
“All along, citizens’ concerns focused on compliance with code and the comp plan. Additionally, we were concerned that post-approval, there wouldn’t be close oversight of the building process and monitoring of the common dock for compliance with regulations,” she added.
Friedman said she agrees with Toth’s assessment that the agreement requires a grading permit before developers are able to cut down any trees. She also would like the issue looked into.
City Manager Brad Martens said that, typically, the council does not respond to citizen comments during a City Council meeting, but due to the
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Schools explore possibilities
safe and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the development of clear AI guidelines that support both teachers and students to engage with, innovate and make informed decisions.”
“We created this based on our understanding on how kids are using it and wanting to create more clarity for them,” said Mounds View High School Principal Rob Reetz. “Less because we want to catch them doing it, more because we want to guide them on what not to do.”
According to the student handbook, staff may use AI detection tools as part of their grading process Once students demonstrate the ability to consistently move their critical thinking to a paper, be able to make claims and support them with evidence, Reetz said then the conversation should move to how AI can be used to support or enhance critical thinking.
“I don’t want it to replace student work before they know how to write and think critically,” Reetz added. “Your writing is essentially the communication of this critical thinking that you’ve been engaged in.” He also added that students need to be taught how to ensure the research provided to them by AI is accurate. Teachers are also helping students understand that not everything AI produces is a reliable resource. Reetz said it is more about the inclusion of AI when speaking about the reliability of resources.
Mounds View High School places strong limits on student use of AI when completing their work. But for teachers, AI has helped teachers a lot.
“It’s been an incredibly helpful tool,” said Reetz. “One example would be AI’s ability to change the complexity of texts. You can change the complexity of the text without losing its meaning to create greater access for kids to engage, sometimes, in discussion with others, to use a lesser complex text to make claims and support those claims with evidence in writing.”
It also allows the teachers to differentiate instruction and create some type of modified assignment. He added that, “In some ways, it is ensuring that we have activities and assignments for students that are at their level of readiness.”
At Mounds View High School, teachers use what Reetz calls the “80/20 Rule,” which is when a teacher might use AI to modify an assignment. Teachers can use 20% of what AI created and then modify the rest to what works best for their students, or vice versa.
“It is a great tool for educators,” Reetz said. “It is a great tool for principals.”
Mahtomedi Schools
At this time, Mahtomedi schools are working to lay a foundation for professional learning and
district practices for the use of AI. According to Superintendent Barb Duffrin, the district is focusing on supporting teachers and staff in understanding the value of AI and the necessary considerations of student data privacy and academic integrity.
“Our district mission acknowledges the importance of providing students with opportunities to lead and thrive in a dynamic world,” said Duffrin. “Our Portrait of a Graduate, which outlines the skills we want for graduates of Mahtomedi Public Schools, includes utilizing AI and technology responsibly while staying current on trends for success.”
The district acknowledges that AI can improve efficiency and invite innovative learning experiences for students. Duffrin also stated that students must learn to use generative AI tools responsibly and ethically to successfully navigate a future where these technologies will play a crucial role in job markets and social interactions.
“By instilling a strong ethical foundation now, we have the opportunity to support students to take academic risks while harnessing the potential of AI,” she explained.
White Bear Lake Schools
Included in the White Bear Lake Area Schools’ Technology Department’s Strategic Plan is the facilitation of districtwide conversations about AI to develop board policy. Also included in the plan is training and guidelines for teachers, administrators and students.
According to staff members within the district, these conversations stem from a belief in leveraging AI as a collaborative partner and transformative tool that enhances learning and cultivates flexible, critical thinking and a commitment to ethical AI practices that promote privacy, security, access, equity, integrity, transparency and providing the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic, technologydriven world.
This work falls within the district’s strategy of ensuring the district’s organization continuously transforms to fulfill its mission, and will continue this school year.
Centennial
Currently, Centennial schools are still exploring the use of AI as a district. According to Krista Bergert, director of public information and community outreach, Centennial High School is exploring the use of AI.
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com.
allegations alleged he asked to clarify items mentioned.
“It is understandable why anyone would think that there is significant grading going on for the project because there is a lot of dirt work taking place,” he said. “However, what the developer does have is a demolition permit.”
A demolition permit allows the developer to take care of what is currently on site and not advance work on the future project. Martens explained that if the developer did not have a future project planned for the site and came to the council with a demolition permit, it would be approved because of the significant public safety issues that exist on site.
“Recently, somebody went out there and attempted to steal copper from an active, live, electrical box that started a fire,” he stated. “That is an act of theft that took place out there.”
Martens stated that they anticipate that the developer will secure a grading permit soon. For now, there is only a demolition permit.
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com.
COPS&COURTS
RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Shoreview:
• Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies took custody of a bicycle found Sept. 22 in the 3900 block of Evergreen Place and placed it into property.
• A resident in the 3500 block of Owasso Street on Sept. 22 reported unknown persons for drilling a hole in his gas tank and stealing the gas from his vehicle.
• A resident in the 4300 block of Chatsworth Circle on Sept. 23 reported receiving a fraudulent $20,000 check in exchange for a vehicle he tried to sell on Craigslist.
• A Blaine woman reported a hit-and-run incident involving her vehicle in the 4000 block of Lexington Avenue N. at 12:35 p.m. Sept. 24. At least she briefly met the person who did it; the other driver stopped, became uncooperative and drove away without exchanging insurance information. It is unknown whether the complainant was able to retrieve the license number.
• A Blaine man reported hit-and-run to his vehicle later on Sept. 24, almost in the same location near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Red Fox Road. The miscreant vehicle had made a sudden U-turn and left a scuff mark on the complainant’s back bumper before leaving the scene.
• A resident in the 800 block of Westview Drive on Sept. 24 reported receiving a credit card in the mail that he didn’t request.
• A St. Paul man, 50, was arrested on an outstanding warrant at 12:25 a.m. Sept. 25 at the intersection of Gramsie Road and Rice Street.
• A North Oaks man, 35, was cited for speeding Sept. 25 in the 200 block of Highway 96.
• A Shoreview man, 75, was arrested Sept. 26 in the 4600 block of Mackubin Court for violating an order for protection, after deputies assisted
Minnesota
‘Driving While Impaired Dashboard’ available to public
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has launched a new version of its map-driven tool for learning about crashes and arrests related to impaired driving. The tool is now available to the public for the first time.
The Driving While Impaired (DWI) Dashboard allows user to search for information statewide, or in their own
members of the Blaine Police Department.
• Two Minneapolis men, 47 and 31, were issued trespass notices Sept. 26 from a residence in the 3900 block of Gramsie Court after they were reported for knocking on a door at which they were not welcome.
• A Lino Lakes man, 33, was cited for speeding Sept. 27 at the intersection of County Road I and Lake Avenue.
• A Shoreview man, 19, was also cited for speeding Sept. 27 at the intersection of Lexington Avenue N. and Johns Road.
• Management of a fire equipment company in the 400 block of County Road E reported the exterior mirrors broken off several vehicles parked behind the business Sept. 28.
• A large snapping turtle was reported Sept. 29 in the middle of the road at the intersection of Mound Avenue and Victoria Street N. The caller kept the turtle (and deputies) out of harm’s way by removing it before deputies arrived.
• Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Sept. 29 took a scam report from the 4200 block of Reiland Lane where the resident lost $12,000 to someone pretending to be from the online Geek Squad.
• A resident in the 500 block of Suzanne Avenue on Sept. 30 reported being charged for a canceled rental car reservation.
• A resident in the 1500 block of Park Street on Sept. 30 reported a domesticated rabbit for hopping up to her door seeking some sort of assistance. The caller didn’t say whether the rabbit was holding a clipboard or soliciting for business.
• A resident in the 5500 block of Alameda Street on Sept. 30 reported finding a website displaying her personal financial information.
• An ex-boyfriend was reported Oct. 1 for stealing the vehicle belonging to a woman in the 880 block of Nancy Circle who had an order for protection (OFP)
community. Results can be filtered by age, alcohol concentration, incident day, time and more. Search results can be downloaded in Excel and other formats.
The BCA first created the DWI Dashboard in 2016 to help law enforcement identify trends in crashes and arrests related to impaired driving that could help them plan prevention and response efforts. The tool law enforcement uses are the same tool that is now available to the public.
■ Support Veteran Nonprofits.
■ Free Pickup & Towing.
out against him. The complainant had not given permission for the suspect to take the vehicle.
• A resident in the 5900 block of Fernwood Street on Oct. 1 reported fraudulent activity on her bank accounts.
• An elderly man in the 600 block of Mound Avenue on Oct. 1 reported being bullied into paying a construction company for work he didn’t think was completed.
• A Blaine man reported his bag stolen Oct. 1 while he was working out at the YMCA in the 3700 block of Lexington Avenue N.
• A Shoreview man, 29, was arrested at 12:57 a.m. Oct. 2 after he fired a gun inside a home in the 200 block of Grand Avenue during an argument with his significant other. He was taken into custody for gross misdemeanor reckless discharge of a firearm.
• A St. Paul man, 50, was arrested Oct. 2 in the 3600 block of Lexington Avenue N., after he refused to leave a business at which he is suspected of starting fires.
• Deputies took custody of a bicycle found Oct. 3 in the 4100 block of Sylvia Lane S.
• A St. Paul man, 34, was arrested on multiple felony warrants at 10:18 p.m. Oct. 3, for giving a false name to a peace officer, and for driving after revocation, following a traffic stop at the intersection of I-694 and Victoria Street N.
• A South Carolina woman on Oct. 4 reported fraudulent activity on her bank account in the 1000 block of Red Fox Road.
• A Brooklyn Park man reported hit-andrun to his vehicle while it was parked outside the Shoreview Target in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Oct. 4.
Loretta Harding
Shoreview resident charged after fleeing from police
■ Top Tax Deduction. Donate Your Vehicle Call (833) 937-2593 to donate your car, truck, boat, RV, and more today!
The DWI Dashboard is available on the BCA website under Statistics/ Reports.
White Bear Lake VFW Post 1782 hosts Veterans Day ceremony
The White Bear Lake VFW Post 1782 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 in Veterans Park. After the ceremony, there will be a lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All veterans are invited to join a complimentary meal from a select menu, along with one guest.
Veterans Park is located at 4520 Hwy 61, White Bear Lake. The VFW is located at 4496 Lake Ave. S., White Bear Lake.
State of Minnesota Veterans Day celebration
The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day program is heading to the north metro. On Monday, Nov. 11, honor those who served at the National Guard Ben Franklin Readiness Center, 1536 Ben Franklin St., Arden Hills. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a program to follow at 10 a.m.
Paint with me: A surprise painting
Spend a morning with Paint by Jill at the Shoreview Community Center. A young person, along with their grandparent, parent(s) or another adult will be able to create a surprise painting together on one canvas from 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday Nov. 16. Children of all ages are welcome, but 5 and older is recommended. Registration is required by one week before class. Register online through the Shoreview Parks and Recreation catalog.
Shoreview resident Mark John Hamburger has been charged with fleeing from a police officer in a motor vehicle. According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 17, 2023, police officers activated their sirens and attempted a traffic stop on Dellwood Road N. in Grant. At the time, the vehicle increased speed and officer pursued. Officers pursued the vehicle onto Saint Croix Trail N. and eventually onto Arcola Trail N.
The criminal complaint read that
the vehicle collided with a railroad bridge post and came to a stop. Officers then observed a male, identified as Hamburger, exit the driver’s side of the vehicle and flee eastbound on the railroad tracks. When officer caught up to him, he proceeded to make suicidal statements prior to being taken into custody.
If found guilty, Hamburger faces up to three years and one day in prison with a $5,000 fine.
Properly dispose of your pumpkins in Ramsey
and
enrich your garden soil. Pumpkins that end up in landfills have a hard time breaking down because landfills function to
and don’t have much oxygen to allow organics to decompose properly. When it is time to throw away your pumpkins this fall, drop them off at a Ramsey County yard waste site. In total, there are seven waste sites:
• Arden Hills, 1881 Hudson Road
• Mounds View, 8307 Long Lake Road
• White Bear Township, 5900 Sherwood Road
• Summit Hill, 870 Pleasant Ave., St. Paul
• Battle Creek, 389 Winthrop St. S., St. Paul
• Frank and Sims, 1150 Sims Ave., St. Paul
• Midway, 1943 Pierce Butler Rte., St. Paul For more information, go to ramseycounty.us/residents/recycling-waste.
CITY OF NORTH OAKS
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING APPLICATION FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR BUILDING HEIGHT EXCEEDING 35 FEET AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR GRADING IN EXCESS OF 100 CUBIC YARDS OF MATERIAL FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2 CHERRYWOOD LANE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of North Oaks will hold a PUBLIC HEARING at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, in the Community Room, 100 Village Center Drive, North Oaks, MN 55127, at a special meeting to consider an application for a Conditional Use Permit for the construction of a home with a height greater than 35 feet in height from grade and grading in excess of 100 cubic yards of material and driveway for the property located at 2 Cherrywood Lane, North Oaks, MN 55217.
Members of the public may participate in the public hearing by:
1) Attending the meeting in person and providing public comment during the public hearing;
2) Attending the meeting remotely and providing public comment via zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83850022533 ; or
3) Submitting written public comments by emailing City Administrator Kevin Kress at kkress@northoaksmn.gov by November 11, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Public comments submitted in advance will be accepted into the record as part of the public hearing.
Questions regarding the public hearing, including about remote participation opportunities, should be directed to City Administrator Kevin Kress at 651-792-7750.
Published one time in the Shoreview Press on November 5, 2024.
CITY OF SHOREVIEW
ORDINANCE SUMMARY
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND ENACTING A NEW CODE FOR THE CITY OF SHOREVIEW, MINNESOTA; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED THEREIN; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER OF AMENDING SUCH CODE; PROVIDING FOR THE SUMMARY ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION PURPOSES; AND PROVIDING WHEN SUCH CODE AND THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
On October 7, 2024, the Shoreview City Council adopted Ordinance
Mounds View Theater hosts
‘Pride and Prejudice’
The Mound View High School Theater will perform “Pride and Prejudice” beginning on Thursday, Nov. 7. This version of “Pride and Prejudice” explores the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life.
The outspoken Lizzy Bennet is
1038 which adopted a recodification of the city’s ordinances. City staff and consultants undertook an extensive process to review and update the Shoreview City Code so that the city’s ordinances could be incorporated into a new code book, which was reformatted as a single unified Shoreview City Code. The purpose of the recodification was not to implement substantive revisions to local laws and policies, but rather to remove outdated and unnecessary code language, reformat the code, update staff titles, and modernize the code to conform to current city practices and state law, as necessary. Prior to adoption, a complete copy of the new Shoreview City Code was presented to the City Council and the public and was further on file with the City Clerk and made available for viewing on the City’s website.
Printed copies of the new Shoreview City Code, as adopted by Ordinance 1038 are available for inspection and general distribution to the public during regular business hours at Shoreview City Hall. It can also be viewed online through the City’s website, shoreviewmn.com.
Brad Martens, City Manager
Published one time in the Shoreview Press on November 5, 2024.
CITY OF SHOREVIEW
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Shoreview Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2024 in the City Council Chambers at Shoreview City Hall, 4600 Victoria Street North, Shoreview, Minnesota to consider a conditional use permit for a residential care facility for eight adults.
APPLICANT: ACR Homes
LOCATION: 0 Emmert Street (between 3335 and 3315)
PROPOSAL: The applicant, ACR Homes, is proposing to construct a new home, on two lots that are currently vacant, that will operate as an assisted living with dementia care facility for eight residents.
Persons who want to submit written comments on this proposal can email Allison Eddins, Senior Planner, at aeddins@shoreviewmn.gov. All written comments received before November 21st will be included in the staff report. Those who wish to give oral testimony are invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, November 26th at 7:00pm. Residents are encouraged to call the Shoreview Community Development Department at 651-490-4681 after Thursday, November 21st to find out where this item will be located on the meeting agenda.
determined to never marry, despite mounting pressure from society. But can she resist love, especially when that vaguely handsome, mildly amusing and impossibly aggravating Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn?
Opening night will be 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 7. Other performance dates include 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8; 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. All shows will take
NOTICE OF
REGARDING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS REGARDING CANNABIS BUSINESSES AND LOWER POTENCY HEMP EDIBLE BUSINESSES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of North Oaks will hold a PUBLIC HEARING at 7:00
phones
The Mounds View School Board is asking the community to provide feedback regarding student use of cell phones in schools. This feedback will
be shared with an advisory committee of parents, students and staff for their review. The group will identify themes found in the responses and provide recommendations to the school board. Feedback will be used to help inform the creation of a cell phone policy. Learn more at www.mvpschools.org/ cellphones.
andArts Culture2024
EMERGING ARTIST: ARIANNA VANN-COOK
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
People are often sorted into two categories: followers and leaders.
Recent White Bear Lake graduate Arianna VannCook, however, belongs in a third category—trailblazer.
School Board Student Liaison, Black Student Union coleader, Women Empowerment Seminar founder—VannCook has long been bursting with ideas. Only in the last few years, though, has she realized the power her ideas had.
“I had notebooks and books lined up in every corner of my room, and I didn’t realize … until a teacher drew it out of me, like, ‘Honey this is poetry,” Vann-Cook recalls. Because she had so much content, her teacher
Excerpt from
“summer,”
plenty of color, a dozen creation/ we shall huddle together, a standing ovation/ to how we shine in front of the sun/ and teach it to glow.
encouraged her to submit to White Bear Center for the Arts’ WriteNow! Contest. She won four awards her freshman year.
Vann-Cook describes poetry
and writing as “my deepest emotions and thoughts. It’ll be something small, and then it’ll kind of snowball into something bigger. … It’s really just pouring everything out.” Vann-Cook’s process led her to write the piece “Monochromatic”—a poem about Vann-Cook’s experience
growing up mixed race. For this, she received an Award of Merit from WBCA, who also featured the work in their first issue of “Repose,” an art collective magazine.
Vann-Cook’s relationship with WBCA proved critical when the center looked to establish a high-school internship program. There, she used the shape and power of her words to appeal to the State House of Representatives: “I have witnessed a great deal of passion with no outlet, having nowhere to fulfill their dreams … Talent is something that can often be overlooked if there is nowhere to apply it.” Earlier this year, VannCook completed WBCA’s inaugural students-in-resident internship.
She also handed the reins of the Women Empowerment
HISTORICAL SOCIETY RETRACES MINNESOTA’S TRAIL OF TEARS
BY LOGAN GION
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On Nov. 7, 1862, between two of The Civil War’s most brutal battles, Minnesota governor Alexander Ramsey demanded that the Dakota “be exterminated or driven forever beyond the borders of the State.” This was decreed in retribution for the deaths caused by Little Crow’s Rebellion earlier that year. The vast majority of the Dakota population had opposed the war, refused to fight and condemned the fighting party’s leader, Little Crow, for his actions. Nevertheless, that winter, 1,658 non-combatant Dakota were forcibly marched for 150 miles from the land on which they’d lived for hundreds of years—currently termed “unceded lands”— to an internment camp in Fort Snelling en route to a reservation near Omaha, Nebraska. Only 1,000 reached their destination. This event is now known as Minnesota’s Trail of Tears.
A Google search of “MN Trail of Tears” yields a handful of local and state articles before switching to “Trail
WHITE
Cof Tears” with a note underneath that reads “Missing: MN.” While writing this very article, autocorrect “helpfully” changed “unceded lands” to “unneeded lands.” Rob Thomas, Development Director for the History Theater and current Board President for the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, believes two factors are behind the low awareness of this atrocity. The first is that Minnesota only allowed Dakota to reenter under strict terms beginning in 1889. Thomas’ own family only returned in the late 1940s. The second reason hits upon a universal human difficulty.
“We don't mind talking about the concentration camps in Germany because it happened in Germany; somebody else did it. We get a little more hesitant to share real history when we're talking about ourselves,” Thomas states. To help remedy this, Thomas will be giving a historical presentation of these events through the eyes of his great-great-greatgrandparents, Pazaheyayewin (She radiates in her path like the sun) and Mazaadidi (Walks on iron).
When Thomas talks about this
subject, he sometimes gets a little pushback. “The most common thing I hear is, ‘You know, the Indians killed white people too,’” he says. “Yes. But we're talking about systemic issues of our educators not having either the education themselves or the power to tell, you know, true stories. These are big, big problems that everyone should be upset about.”
To be clear, though, Thomas’ aim is not to make anyone feel ashamed or guilty about Minnesota history. “You don't have any control over it. … I don't think anyone should have to feel bad about that specifically. But we can feel bad about not doing enough to acknowledge people want to see themselves represented in history,” he says. “There were, and are, burial mounds [in White Bear Lake], which means this was a significant place to Dakota people at some point. So Dakota history has to be a part of White Bear history too."
One Family’s Journey on MN’s Trail of Tears takes place from 6-7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the White Bear Lake Library. No advance registration is necessary.
BEAR DYES FUR ‘BLONDE’ FOR FALL MUSICAL
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
hoir Teacher and Musical Theater Director Wendy Suoja has directed 27 shows for White Bear Lake Area High School Theater. However, this fall’s musical, “Legally Blonde,” has a special distinction: It will be the last show performed in the high school’s theater. The Performing Arts Center, a new 850-seat auditorium complete with a fly system and changeable screens, will open in early December.
“It’s super nostalgic for me personally,” says Suoja, “'cause I've been here since 1999. Then for the kids, their world has been jostled so much over the past five years … For them [the space is] like their favorite pair of shoes.” Suoja also believes that this show will be invigorating for all who see it. Between COVID and construction on the 9-12 high school, “Legally Blonde” will be the first show since 2019 that will
feel normal to produce.
Then again, Suoja promises that “Legally Blonde” will be tweaked “the White Bear way.” Elle Woods, the musical’s lead part, will be played by Yahaira Nok-Chidana, who is Afro-Latina. Nok-Chidana’s hair will be specially interwoven and braided to achieve the signature blonde color and look. Suoja assures that those who see the show, though, will recognize Nok-Chidana as Elle Woods almost immediately. “We are not changing the vibe of the character,” Suoja explains. “You see her for the character in about 30 seconds in her performance. It's so good.” As for the reason behind the casting, Suoja says. “You know, Elle Woods’ story is anybody’s story.”
Elle Woods’ story will be everybody’s story when White Bear Lake High School’s production of “Legally Blonde” opens at 7 p.m. Nov. 15. For tickets and a full list of show dates, visit sites.google. com/isd624.org/musical-theatre/tickets-legally-blonde.
Seminar, a student-interest club that Vann-Cook founded, to her successor. “I do a lot of spoken word at the seminars and try to relate to the crowd … you know, self love and the battle with confidence. I’m glad that I took the initiative to start it. Now it’s like an actual big club. You can letter in it now, which is super cool. It’s in the yearbook.”
Even with these accomplishments to her name, Vann-Cook is still amazed that her ideas have turned into concrete accomplishments. “I created [the seminar] out of thin air, and it’s real now. It’s the same thing for writing. You create something; it can be real.”
To read “Monochromatic,” visit whitebeararts.org/ writenow/writenow-2022award-ceremony
NOVEMBER EVENTS
Explore upcoming Avenue of the Arts events with CPA, LPT and WBCA
ENTURY COLLEGE PLAYHOUSE’S ‘FUDDY MEERS’
Location: Hanifl Black Box Theatre, 4914 Long Ave.
Date: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1; Saturday, Nov. 2; Thursday, Nov. 7; Friday, Nov. 8; Saturday, Nov. 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3; Sunday, Nov. 10
Details: Lakeshore Players is proud to host the Century College Playhouse for their fall play, Fuddy Meers—a poignant, brutal comedy that traces one woman’s attempt to regain her memory while surrounded by bizarre characters.
ARTRIO CONCERT
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts Date: Wednesday, November 6, 4:306:30 PM
Details: Listen to the musical stylings of local bassoon trio Atrio during this free concert at WBCA.
‘LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL’
Location: White Bear Lake Area High School Theatre, 5405 Division Ave.
Date: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; Saturday, Nov. 16; Thursday, Nov. 21; Friday, Nov. 22; Saturday, Nov. 23; 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 (This showtime is free for senior citizens)
Details: Based on the hit film, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” follows Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend, Warner. She discovers her potential and finds love in the most unexpected way.
FRESH HOLIDAY WREATHS
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts
Date: Saturday, November 16, 10:00
AM-1:00 PM
Details: Create and decorate your own holiday wreath in this class with artist Cara Corey.
CLASSIFIEDS
• City staff will request Select Committee on Recycling and Environment (SCORE) funding from Ramsey County for 2025 after council approval. The funds will be used in conjunction with city recycling fee revenues to help pay for the city’s recycling program.
• The City Council authorized the purchase of a 2022 SECA JAJ-600WH track driver easement machine from Flexible Pipe Tools & Equipment for a total estimated cost of $62,000. Shoreview’s 2025 capital improvement program includes funding that can be used for the replacement of the city’s current Screco easement jetter. City Council approval is necessary for authorization to purchase its replacement. The replaced unit will be sold at a public auction after arrival of the new unit.
• PaveDrain will be responsible for applying Endurablend pavement coating on permeable paver blocks installed at the city’s maintenance facility parking area after the firm’s quote of $24,242 was accepted by the City Council.
• The city-owned home located at 5931 Lexington Avenue will transfer to the Community Action Partners of Ramsey and Washington County (CAPRW) after council approved the renovation and reuse of the property. CARPW will build two or three affordable homes on the property. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) reviewed the property transfer and supported the continued partnership with CARPW.
• There will be a reduction in contamination cleanup grant funds and an execution of a revised grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for the Rice Street Crossing redevelopment project after council authorized the request from city staff. The Rice Street Crossing project was awarded a contamination cleanup grant by DEED in the amount of $624,693 to assist with environmental remediation, which has been estimated to cost around $1 million to make the site suitable for residential development. A condition for accepting the grant award requires the developer
to pay prevailing wages, which would add to development costs. Enclave is requesting the size of the DEED grant be adjusted down to $199,999.99 because accepting a larger grant amount brings additional requirements that they consider to be cost prohibitive to the overall project.
• The city will issue tax abatement general obligation bonds for the funding of park buildings at Commons Park and at Bobby Theisen Park. The park improvement tax abatements will be around $3,070,000. These abatement bonds will be repaid by transfers from the community investment and capital assets replacement fund, according to Finance Director Fred Espe. Tax abatements are not an actual abatement of taxes. Espe said these abatements permit the levy of taxes for the development of public infrastructure and other improvement purposes. The city also will issue a general obligation utility revenue bond for water and surface water improvements. The water revenue bonds will help fund the North Tower rehabilitation project, 2024 street rehabilitation and water utility system improvements. The surface water revenue bonds will help fund the Kerry Ponds sediment removal, the 2024 street rehabilitation project and storm sewer rehabilitation. The utility revenue for water will be around $2,240,000. The utility revenue for surface water improvements will equal $985,000. The bonds will be repaid by revenue generated by the water fund and revenue generated by the surface water management fund and paid over a 15-year term, Espe noted. In total, the tax abatement and bonds will equal around $6,295,000.
• Rachel Japuntich and Josh Wing will fill two at-large positions on the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA). They will serve on the EDA through Dec. 31, 2026.
The next Shoreview City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, in council chambers.
Madeline Dolby
SHOREVIEW
Mustang girl’s cross country team 6th at state, win section
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
The Mounds View girls placed sixth in the state Class 3A cross country meet, led by fourth-place Linnea Ousdigian, on Saturday at the University of Minnesota Golf Course. The Mustangs were section champions a week earlier. Wayzata was champion with 42
points, their top five runners all placing in the top 15, followed by Forest Lake with 76, Prior Lake 111, Minneapolis Southwest 146, Minnetonka 189 and Mounds View 201 for the top six spots among 16 teams. Ousdigian, a sophomore, finished in 18:00.5 and made all-state for the third time, moving up from 10th-place finishes in eighth and ninth grade. Mustang sophomore Abigail Urriola
was 41st in 19:19.5, eighth-grader Emelia Brodin placed 94th in 20:10.5, senior Maya Francisco placed 99th in 20:17.1 and junior Adela Peterson placed 103rd in 20:19.4.
In Section 5AAA, Ousdigian won by 61 seconds in 17:42 as the Mustangs 39 points, Roseville Area 44 and Maple Grove 60 at Anoka High School. Urriola was fourth in 18:56, Peterson sixth in 19:27, Cora Gentry ninth in 19:38 and
Emelia Brodin 16th in 20:00. The Mustangs were second in the Suburban East Conference behind host Forest Lake earlier this season. Ousdigian placed second in 17:21 behind Hushagen while Peterson was ninth, Urriola 10th, Francisco 16th and Gentry 18th.
Frank Watson
Frank Watson
Wahlstrand sisters are state doubles champions
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Rory and Reese Wahlstrand had never played doubles together before this year’s post-season tournaments, but it looked like they’d been doing so all their lives.
The Mounds View sisters captured the state Class 2A doubles championship Oct. 2425, knocking off the top-seeded, defending champions from Rochester Mayo and the No. 2 seeds from Edina.
“We just thought we’d give it a try,” said Reese. “We definitely knew it was possible if we worked hard.”
The sisters went 8-0 together in doubles while leading the Mustangs to the section team title and a fourth-place finish in the state tournament.
Rory, a junior originally played 1-singles, was 27-4 overall, and Reese, a freshman who played 2-singles, was 26-5. This was Rory’s fourth state tournament and Reese’s third.
Rory was consolation champ at state in singles last year.
“Rory and Reese are fierce competitors. They were great partners and supported each
other through the ups and downs of every match,” Coach Scott Sundstorm said. “Rory’s forehand and Reese’s willingness to take balls at the net were the difference, in my opinion.”
The Wahlstrands are the first doubles state champions for Mounds View. Four previous teams were runners-up. The Mustangs had one singles champion, Summer Brills in 2012.
In the first two rounds, the blonde siblings got past East Ridge’s Paige Heideman and Anne Benjamin 6-1, 6-1, and Edina’s Zoya Hasan and Lauryn Schenk 6-1, 5-7, 6-3. Awaiting them in the semifinals was Malta Diehn and Keely Ryder of state team champion Rochester Mayo. While many state doubles entrants are singles players like the Wahlstrands, Diehn and Ryder only play doubles and were state champs last year. “We knew we had to be consistent, and we had to be aggressive,” Rory said. “If we were not aggressive, they would be able to attack.”
The Wahlstrands lost the first set 7-5, then cruised 6-2 in
Mustang boy’s 4th at state
XC
meet, win section
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
The Mounds View boys placed fourth in the state Class 3A cross country meet, led by Casey Poppler’s fifth-place finish, on Saturday in Falcon Heights. They were section champions a week earlier.
“We talked all week about the range of outcomes we might see Saturday. From a team standpoint we knew it was going to be close, and it was,” Mustang Coach Tom Wentworth said.
“Our focus was on running our own race and being our best on the day, and I believe we did that. We came in ranked sixth and finished fourth.”
Edina won with 106 points, followed by Wayzata 112, Minnetonka 119, Mound View 124, Rosemount 129 and Stillwater 141 for the top six spots among 16 teams.
the second and closed it out 6-4 in the third. Mayo fought off two set points to win the first set and three more in the third set before the sisters closed it out. “We had to keep our
nerves in check and always stay positive,” Reese said.
The championship match pitted them against Astrid Kerman and Raya Hou of Edina. The Hornets beat the Mustangs three times this year, all 5-2, but the Wahlstrands vanquished the Hornets this time, 6-2, 6-4, for the gold medals.
Rory and Reese are the only children of Carl and Carol Wahlstrand, who both played tennis for Mounds View, and who both teach tennis at Lifetime Fitness in White Bear Lake. Carl played college tennis for Michigan Tech.
“I am incredibly proud of how Rory and Reese represent Mounds View High School,” Sundstrom said. “They are positive, display great sportsmanship and give it their all on the court every single point. They are so very deserving of winning the state championship.”
Shae Crockarell and Avery Schifsky were also state qualifiers in doubles. They lost to Hastings, beat Fergus Falls and Minnetonka. They lost to Elk River 6-3, 3-6, 11-9 in the consolation finals.
Mustangs place 4th in state tennis
The Mounds View tennis team reached the state Class 2A semifinals and wound up placing fourth on Oct. 22-23 at the University of Minnesota. The Mustangs, seeded third, beat past Bemidji 6-1 in the first round, then lost to No. 2 Edina 5-2 and No. 4 Maple Grove 5-2. They finished 17-5. Rochester Mayo beat Edina in the finals 5-2.
Mounds View swept the singles matches against Bemidji with Rory Walhlstrand and Reese Wahlstrand, Avery Schifsky and Sonam Bhaskar. In doubles, Bemidji’s Megan Berg and Elena Peterson beat Shae Crockarell and Stella Fagerlee 6-4, 1-6, 6-1. The Mustangs’ Annika Dox/Sofia Kostinovski and Avery Dove/ Audrey Halverson won. Rory Wahlstrand also won at 1-singles against Edina and Maple Grove. Crockarell/ Fagerlie got the other point against Edina at 2- doubles. Dox/Kostinovski won at 2-doubles against Maple Grove.
Mustang gridders win thriller, advance to state final eight
Poppler, a senior, finished in 15:30.9 at the University of Minnesota Golf Course, earning all-state status. Their top five also included senior Sam Geer in 30th place in 16:19.6, sophomore Andrew Richter placed 33rd in 16:22.3, senior Owen Kalmes placed 38th in 16:24.7 and sophomore Hunter Miller placed 54th in 16:36.7.
“I’m proud of our group, especially our seniors who have shown exemplary leadership this season,” Wentworth said. “They are the reason we got this far.”
In Section 5AAA, the Mustangs had five of the top 13 runners and won with 39 points, followed by Roseville Area with 64 and Champlin Park with 71, on Oct. 24 at Anoka High School. Poppler placed second in 15:51 (behind state champ Mechura) while Kalmes was fourth in 16:06, Cole eighth in 16:14, Richter 12th in 16:21 and Geer 13th in 16:21.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Casey Poppler
Mounds View Cross Country
Casey Poppler placed fifth in the state cross country meet Saturday. Poppler has been “an awesome addition” to Mounds View cross country this fall, Coach Tom Wentworth said. “He sets a great example on how to train and how to lead. We’re really proud of him.” The 5-foot-11, senior finished in 15:30.9 at state, leading the Mustangs to fourth place. Poppler placed 35th for Totino-Grace as a sophomore before transferring to Mounds View High School and was not eligible last year due to transfer rules. Poppler placed second in both the conference and section meets, each time behind the state champion. “Casey went out and ran a gutsy race at state,” Wentworth said, “and it paid off for him and the team.”
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Elation. Relief. Jubilation. All those emotions gushed from the Mounds View football team long after the final gun as the Mustangs celebrated a harrowing 28-27 playoff win over Prior Lake at home on Friday evening. The Mustangs stopped a two-point conversion run by the Lakers, who had been running strong all game, with 49 seconds left, to advance to the third round of the state Class 6A playoffs.
“I don’t know how close he came, but I know he didn’t make it over the line,” beamed Joey Muhlstein, who, along with fellow linebacker Joe Kostelnik, made the initial hit on Prior Lake’s Levi Eiter, a 200-pound back who’d scored a game-tying twopointer earlier.
After two home playoff wins, the No, 9 ranked Mustangs (8-2) now face No. 2 Shakopee (9-1) in the quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 8 at Spring Lake Park. Prior Lake finished 5-5 after starting 1-4 against five topten teams.
A year ago, Prior Lake ousted the Mustangs 17-15 as a last-minute drive fell short after Eiter scored on a pass with 2:41 left.
“We lost a heartbreaker to Prior Lake last year, and this time we held on,” said Coach Aaron Moberg, while still getting hugs, back slaps and vigorous handshakes
15 minutes after the game.
“I told the kids; they’d remember that stop for the rest of their lives.”
Mounds View got a fiveyard touchdown from Jacob Sampson and a 73-yard breakaway by Mitch Olson in the first half. They led 14-13 after three quarters, staying in front when Prior Lake’s Mason Storlie was short on a 44-yard field goal attempt after hitting from 30 yards and 42 yards earlier.
The Mustangs increased the lead to 21-13 on a 10-yard run by Sampson, after Olson ran for 20 yards and caught a pass for 27 yards.
Prior Lake’s Luke Loehlein returned the kickoff to the Mustang 45, then broke off 26- and 12yard runs. Eiter scored from the three, then powered into the end zone for two more points, tying the score at 21.
The Mustangs went back to work and Olson blazed down the left sideline for a 27-yard touchdown and a 28-21 lead after Cooper Feldman’s fourth extra point kick.
The Mustangs got a sack
from Sam Cornelius that left the Lakers with a fourthand-11 at midfield, but Myles Greenwood hit Loehlein for 12 yards, keeping the drive alive. Loehlein slashed 13 yards for a touchdown with 49 seconds left. Prior Lake went for the win, calling upon Eiter again, and this time the Mustangs made the stop.
Olson gained 191 yards in 17 carries. Sampson gained 62 in 16 carries and was 5-for-9 passing for 95 yards.
Mustangs 42, Coon Rapids 0 Sampson completed 12 of 13 passes for 97 yards, with an 18-yard touchdown to Weston Kuchar, who caught four for 51 yards. Olson scored on runs of 19 and one yard while gaining 87 yards in eight carries. The Mustangs had two defensive touchdowns. Muhlstein recovered a fumble in the end zone to open the scoring. Colton Loween recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. Jonny Gale and Charlie Eggers intercepted passes.
CONTRIBUTED
Rory (left) and Reese Wahlstrand conferred during the state doubles finals against Edina.
CONTRIBUTED
Mitch Olson dived over the goal line for a 73-yard touchdown after being tripped by a Prior Lake defender.
Shoreview
a.m. to discuss issues and concerns. The next meeting will take place on
There are multiple citizen groups in Shoreview searching for members. Currently, there are eight regular seats and two student seats available across six
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