Press Publications has helped deliver letters to Santa. Each year, Press Publications asks children to drop off their letters to Santa in the big red mailbox outside of the office in White Bear Lake, or to mail them in.
Some of the desired items this year included: a fart gun, cotton candy and size 6 shoes. See pages 10 and 11 for more Santa letters. And be sure to read even more Santa letters online at presspubs. com.
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
Shoreview’s budget and tax levy for 2025 is expected to be set at the next City Council meeting. Unless it is reduced, the city levy will be $1,046,881 higher than it was in 2024. Impacting the levy increase is a $1,104,381 bump (6.88%) in general fund expenditures. Among the line items that are impacting the increase in the tax levy are public safety contracts, staff wage adjustments and benefits and certain supply items, such as park maintenance.
“The public safety contracts for police and fire are driving the largest share of the levy increase at $564,592,” said Fred Espe, city finance director, “followed by staff wage
JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | CONTRIBUTED One of Minnesota’s year-round residents, the Blue Jay, appears frequently on Christmas Bird Counts.
Now in its 125th year, the Christmas Bird Count is a tradition that began as a conservation measure, but has evolved into one of the longest-running citizen science projects in history. For many in Minnesota, it has become a yearly tradition and a way to get outdoors and enjoy the winter landscape—and wildlife.
When the Christmas Bird Count started in 1900, it was a time when Christmas “side hunts” were a popular part of holiday celebrations. People gathered for the holidays would challenge each other to take their firearms outdoors and bring home as much furred-and-feathered game as possible. Conservationists proposed a less lethal alternative: a bird census to count as many birds and bird species as possible rather than kill them. This has led to more than 100 years of consistent data collection that can provide insight into changing bird populations.
The National Audubon Society is the organizer for this yearly event, which began in the U.S. but now ranges from the Arctic Circle to the tip of South America. The count window takes place between Dec. 14, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025. It’s up to
the local organizations to choose which day they will perform the count. This year, the Northeast Suburban will count on Dec. 28.
Each count area is a designated circle 15 miles in diameter. These circles are designed to capture a snapshot of the bird populations within the area. Every bird that is heard and seen within this area will be recorded and submitted to the National Audubon Society’s database. The long history of these count circles allows researchers and curious bird enthusiasts to observe patterns of population change over time.
Jim Howitz is the count coordinator for the St. Paul Suburban Northeast count circle, which centers on Withrow and includes parts of Washington and Ramsey County.
“It’s a really good way of tracking the birds that we have that don’t migrate to South America,” Howitz said. “It doesn’t really tell us anything about orioles or grosbeaks, but the south has been reporting a lot of hummingbirds. That wasn’t true 30 years ago. Some are ruby-throats that don’t bother to cross the Gulf of Mexico. Others are birds from the West that their navigational apparatus is screwed up, and they end up in Texas or Florida. Those are places they could spend the fall and maybe the winter. It’s really interesting from an evolutionary standpoint, because these are birds that should be dead. But they’re coming back year after year and presumably reproducing. You can pick up trends like that that are of scientific interest.”
Although many birds have migrated away from Minnesota for winter, the volunteer counters never quite know what they will find when they set out on count day.
“So much depends on the weather,” Howitz said. “We’ve had a very wet summer and a dry fall, and I expect the usual trends that have been going on for the last 10 or 20 years to continue. Some of the less hardy birds like robins, bluebirds and
titmice, especially, should show up in pretty decent numbers.”
Last year’s mild winter allowed a lot of waterfowl to stay deep into the winter season; Howitz expects the freeze this year to concentrate waterfowl in small areas of open water.
The number of woodpeckers observed on the count has grown over the years, likely due to maturing trees planting in suburban neighborhoods, Howitz said. However, open country birds such as horned larks, common redpolls, and snow buntings have become less common.
With warming winter conditions, Howitz expects to see more southern species making their way northward in the coming years. Tufted titmice, for example, have been showing up more and more often.
“The St. Croix Valley is a good place to look for them and other things like Carolina wrens. Eventually, mockingbirds should begin showing up more and more on Christmas counts. They’re all birds that do well with people. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be showing up more often.”
Now that we have freezing conditions, most of the regular migratory birds should have disappeared by this year’s count, Howitz said. Red-winged blackbirds, for example, may have stayed late to take advantage of the warm autumn but should be gone by the time of the count.
If you are interested in participating, you can visit the National Audubon Society website and type in “Christmas Bird Count” to view count circles, contact your local count coordinator and view past year’s data. Anyone interested in participating in the Northeast Suburban count circle can contact Jim Howitz directly at 763-783-3521 or jlhror@aol. com. Bird feeder data is also welcome. Those who live within a count circle and would like to stay home and watch feeders on count day can contact their count coordinator to learn the protocol for collecting feeder data.
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
SHOREVIEW — Cummins Inc., in partnership with the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, has provided adaptive toys for kids with disabilities throughout the North Metro and Minnesota for almost two decades.
The partnership was created in 2006 by Mark Weber, a retired reliability engineer for Cummins, after a group of about 20 visited what was known at the time as the Courage Center in Golden Valley.
“I said, ‘Oh, we’ve got engineers; we can help out,” Weber explained when asked how the partnership was created. “We did perhaps 16 that first year and now we’re doing over a thousand toys a year.”
Cummins hosts multiple adaptive toy workshops throughout the year at various company locations. Recently, the Shoreview location hosted its own adaptive toy workshop.
Engineers from Cummins volunteer their time to help make the adaptive toys. They will remove the toys from the packaging, make the adaptations
and place the toys back into their original packaging.
Adaptations vary depending on the product, according to Matt Ethen, senior electrical engineer and engineering manager at Cummins. He also serves as a liaison for the partnership between the two organizations. He said one variation is a small jack that is inserted into the toy. This allows for a switch adapter to be plugged into it.
“This means that (the child) can activate the toy in whatever way that their ability allows,” said Ethen. “If it’s on the ground, they can step on it. It gives them a way to interact with the toy as if they were able to use it with their natural abilities.”
Adaptive toys include stuffed animals, coin pigs and lanterns. They are adapted to be suited for children with neurological impairments, such as cerebral palsy or a spinal cord deformity.
“It’s just really fun to see the impact that this has had on the kids, because now they have a toy that they used to not be able to use,” said Matthew White, an occupational therapist with the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. “Now they can interact with
it because a lot of the kids have limited mobility. It gives the kid a chance to play, and everyone deserves to play.”
White added the toys provide the children with an opportunity to build life skills through play.
“It just helps in their development,” Weber said. “It’s teaching them cause and effect.”
“There is the impact rehabilitationwise, therapeutically, but also it’s just kids having fun,” White concluded. “It’s about making toys accessible. It’s huge deal.”
The adaptive toys will go to occupational therapists within Allina Health to use with children and young parents. From there, toys will go to outside organizations, such as Minneapolis Public Schools.
For more information about the adaptive toys, go to www.cummins. com/news or visit www. allinahealth. org/news.
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-4311226 or shoreviewnews@presspubs.com.
Icannot believe that 2024 is almost over. It feels like only two short months ago I was gathering articles, snippets and photos for the “2024 Year in Review” special section to run in the Shoreview Press. In the last year, a lot has happened: I started graduate school, my sister got engaged and I reached my goal of reading 27 books. I read close to 60, almost double what I had intended. Last December, I wrote about Christmas traditions that my family has latched onto over the years. Those traditions still stand strong. On top of our traditions, we are trying new things to incorporate into our routine. Last year, my mom bought us all paint by the numbers to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My dad and sister painted a moose, my mom painted a Christmas tree and my sister’s fiancée created a winter bird landscape. Of course, I painted a girl holding a large stack of books. My sister planned a bunch of odd winter-themed games for us to play leading up to opening our presents. It was a very eventful, and busy, Holiday season. We even did a Secret Santa among the five of us.
Currently, I am in the process of helping my sister plan her wedding. It is so exciting to say that. She is getting married in less than year and her venue is absolutely beautiful. I am not heavily involved in the planning process, but my sister is always sending me things here and there on social media about ideas for her special day. I like to say I am her “wedding advisor” even though I do not know much about wedding planning.
Now time to talk about one of my favorite subjects: books. Every year, I make a reading goal for myself. I try to focus on reading a book series every year, one year I read the whole Harry Potter series in one month. On top of that, I chose a genre to read more of. In the past, I have focused on reading more creative nonfiction novels or selfhelp books. And lastly, I set a number of books I want to read. Last year, I set my goal for 20 books, which I easily surpassed. The same with this year.
Most of my reading gets done in the summer and over the holidays. During the summer, I read about two to three books in a single week. In January, which is when I have a month off of school, I can consume anywhere from five to seven books. If you have any book recommendations, please do not hesitate to send them to me. I love when family, friends and readers recommend books to me. I will read everything and anything.
For next year, I will have to increase the number of books I read by a landslide. I am going to try and tackle the “Game of Thrones” series by George R.R. Martins. One of my favorite television shows is “House of Dragon,” so it only seems fitting. Another trilogy I want to tackle is called “Prelude to Dune,” which covers the backgrounds of the Dune characters leading up to the universe’s main plotline.
I hope everyone has a great holiday season. May it be merry and bright!
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-407-1226 or shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com.
Last week Shoreview hosted a naturalization ceremony in the community center. It was sponsored by the Shoreview Human Rights Commission, the Scouts BSA, and the Shoreview/ Arden Hills Rotary Club.
Sue Denkinger
Ninety-nine people from 35 countries became U.S. citizens on that day, sworn in by the local Immigration and Naturalization Service representative and a federal judge. The new citizens came from countries such as Australia, Germany, Ukraine and Mexico. They also came from Ecuador, Kenya, Somalia, Egypt and mainland China. During the ceremony, participants took an oath swearing commitment to the United States, said the pledge of allegiance and sang the national anthem. That was a moment where I felt gratitude and great pride in my country, imperfect though it may be at times.
Throughout the ceremony, their reactions varied from rapt attention to tears to wide smiles.
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When preparing my remarks, I thought about what being a U.S. citizen means to me and pondered what it would be like for these immigrants to leave family and home behind—even if it’s for a better life. What thoughtfulness, courage and commitment! My message to them was one of welcome and reminding them that we are a nation of mostly immigrants. They were also reminded of the responsibilities that come with citizenship. Among those many benefits are the freedom to vote and speak freely. Yet those benefits also bring responsibilities: to support the community in which they live and to use their vote and voice. When the judge rose to speak, she became emotional as she assured the new citizens that, while they are US citizens, it doesn’t mean that they have abandoned their countries or the families and friends they are leaving behind.
According to the Immigration and Naturalization representative, approximately 23,000 people become U.S. citizens each year in Minnesota and Wisconsin alone. There is more to immigration than the headlines we often see, and it was inspiring to be a part of this exciting event. It was also a reminder of how privileged we are to live in the United States.
Construction updates
Bobby Theisen Park is undergoing renovation as part of the Shoreview Master Plan updates. Due to this, the hockey rink will not be open at that park this year. Improvements include a new park building with a meeting room and restrooms. The meeting room will allow for future park offerings and some storage. There will be nine new pickleball courts located north of the current location with shaded areas for those waiting to play. Another improvement includes a playground. The Shoreview Commons park building is also underway with the addition of restrooms and more shaded seating. Both park improvements will be completed in 2025.
All Hodgson Road improvements were finally completed in November and the road is fully opened between Highway 96 and 694 bringing this two-year project to a close.
As 2024 comes to a close, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! Life is good here in Shoreview.
Sue Denkinger is the mayor of Shoreview.
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.
FPastor’s Ponderings
Jason Steffenhagen
or most of my life the story of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus has been told like an extraordinary tale of the most unique birth in human history. And for good reason! Mary has an immaculate conception after being visited by an angel, Joseph is reassured in a dream, and angels break into a choir concert for some shepherds. It’s also been emphasized that Mary and Joseph were left out in the cold –‘no room in the inn’ – and that Jesus was born in a stable with the animals. A scandalous birth if there ever was one! All of it sounds so extraordinary. We like extraordinary. We want to believe in the extraordinary. We want to be extraordinary. And maybe that’s exactly why we get the birth story that we do. Something incredibly important has just happened and God doesn’t want anyone to miss it. Strike up the angel chorus! But faith is more than the extraordinary. It’s easy to have faith when angels are showing up and miracles are happening. It’s also easy to have faith when
the bottom falls out and you don’t have anything left. The extremes of being human are the most common places for people to experience faith. But we spend most of our lives in unspectacular moments.
Is there room in the story of Jesus being born for the rest of life’s unspectacular times?
Here’s my thesis: The birth of Jesus is not only the most extraordinary moment in human history, but the most unspectacular moment as well. The word ‘inn’ that we often read when we turn to Luke 2 is also the word for ‘upper room’... like the upper room in which Jesus and the disciples ate the Last Supper. Most first century middle eastern homes were built with an upper room and lower room. The upper room for the family to sleep and for hosting guests. The lower room where the family would do the cooking and shelter their animals. They didn’t have a separate building.
And because birthing was done in homes, it was likely that a birth took place in the lower part of the house because it was (and still is) a messy endeavor.
So, it’s quite possible that Mary and Joseph showed up in Bethlehem and were told that the ‘upper room’ was full because Mary was about to give birth and she needed to be downstairs. In essence, Jesus likely wasn’t the first baby to be born among the animals and laid in a
manger. His birth was probably unspectacular. So unspectacular that it took a choir of angels for anyone to even show up!
This “Unspectacular First Christmas” is actually comforting to me. Although I’m drawn to and excited by the extraordinary, most of my life is unspectacular. It’s meetings and emails. It’s coaching third grade basketball and unclogging a toilet. It’s doing the dishes and watching the Vikings. And maybe that’s why an unspectacular story is needed most.
Because faith is not only meant for mountain tops and dark valleys, but for all the inbetweens, the unspectacular parts of the journey.
It can be hard to have faith in the unspectacular moments. To believe that love will win, and forgiveness sets people free. To believe that grace is real, and justice is possible. To believe that kindness matters, and hope is on the horizon. All of this when just getting through the holidays can seem like a never-ending to-do list...that takes real faith!
Having faith in the unspectacular moments is extraordinary! And maybe that’s why we also got an unspectacular first Christmas.
Jason Steffenhagen is the lead pastor at United Methodist Church in Shoreview.
CONTRIBUTED
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
When: 5-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31
Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.
Details: Bring the whole family to ring in the new year at the community center. Registration required. Register through the Shoreview Parks and Recreation catalog. Contact: 651-490-4700
LAKESHORE QUILTERS GUILD MONTHLY MEETING
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17
Where: Shepherd of the Hills Church, near entrance, Door G, 3920 Victoria St. N., Shoreview Details: Annual Chrismtas party. Pillowcase lollapalooza and bring a new wrapped quilting notion gift. There will also be games and refreshments. Visitors are welcome. Contact: lakeshorequiltersmn.org
Cafesjian Art Trust Museum collects kids’ winter gear
The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum will collect kids’ winter gear in partnership with Project of Pride in Living, a local nonprofit that provides affordable housing and career readiness services.
All rental licenses set to expire on Dec. 31
All rental licenses in Shoreview are set to expire on December 31.
Shoreview hosts New Year’s Eve party
Bring the whole family out to ring in the new year at the Shoreview Community Center from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Activities include inflatables, face painting, swimming in the Tropics and Bamboo Waterpark, bingo, a magic show and more. There will be a countdown to the New Year with a confetti drop. Registration is required. Register before noon Tuesday, Dec. 31. The Shoreview Community Center is located at 4580 Victoria St. N.
Take part in the Sweetheart Dance
Put on your party clothes, grab a special adult and attend Shoreview’s annual sweetheart dance from 6- 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the community center. There will be a DJ playing music, crafts, treats and fun. Tickets must be purchased for each individual attending. Registration is required by February 4.
Participate in the Valentine’s Dance and Desserts
The Valentines’ Dance and Desserts will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at the Shoreview Community Center. There will be live music from the Legendary Percolators, desserts and easy ballroom dance instruction with one of the top dance instructors in the nation.
Register by February 3 through the Shoreview Parks and Recreation catalog. There is a registration fee.
New ladder trunk delivered to Lake Johanna Fire Department
The Lake Johanna Fire Department recently took delivery of its new 101-foot Rosenbauer King Cobra Aerial. Staff have been training and outfitting the equipment. The department hopes to put it in service in the early months of 2025.
HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING
When: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580
Victoria St. N.
Details: Each registered child will get a dozen holiday cookies to decorate and decorating supplies. Please bring your own container to transport cookies home.
Contact: www.shoreviewmn.gov.
CANDLE TOUR AT THE FILLEBROWN HOUSE
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
Where: Fillebrown House, 4735 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Guided tour of the local landmark as it’s decorated for the holidays. Cocoa and cookies served. See website for ticket information. Contact: 651-407-5327 or whitebearhistory.org
THE OK FACTOR: HAVE YOURSELF AN OK CHRISTMAS
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Celebrate with the classical crossover duo as they celebrate the holidays with traditional carols, seasonal songs, and original versions of holiday favorites. Ticket information online. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org
SANTA’S TRAIN SHOP
When: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22
Where: Minnesota Transportation Museum, 193 Pennsylvania Ave. E., St. Paul
Details: Ride on a caboose, take a photo with Santa, and explore the Christmas Lego Land. Guided tours, museum exhibit, food and beverages, entertainment, kids play area and gift shop. Tickets online. Contact: trainride.org/santa.
If you visit the museum this month, bring a coat, snowpants, winter boots or mittens for children of all ages. Donations should be new or in great condition.
The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum is located at 4600 Churchill St., Shoreview.
Applications for a new license must be submitted to city staff by January 1, 2025. Renew your license online or in person at Shoreview City Hall. If you have questions, contact 651-490-4680.
Building a Better Community through Charitable Giving
Make a tax-free gift to the Shoreview Community Foundation from an IRA in 2019
Meet Your Shoreview Community Foundation Youth Board Members!
Details:
By connecting the generosity of people with the evolving needs of Shoreview, the Shoreview Community Foundation enriches our quality of life. The Foundation provides grants according to predetermined guidelines to non-profit organizations or units of governmental from its permanent endowment fund.
Individuals who are age 701/2 or older can make gifts of up to $100,000 directly from their IRA to one or more qualified charities, without paying federal income tax of the withdrawal. This option provides tax savings to donors even if they do not itemize deductions.
• Donors must be age 701/2 or older at the time the gift is made.
There are many options for making undesignated or designated, tax deductible gifts or bequests by will or trust. BUILD THE FOUNDATION - CREATE YOUR LEGACY - CREATE YOUR LEGACY BUILD THE FOUNDATION IRA Charitable Distribution
• The funds must be transferred directly to a qualified public charity. It is important not to withdraw the funds before making a gift.
• Gifts cannot be used to fund a gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
• Each donor may give up to $100,000 per year.
• Gifts can be used to satisfy the donor’s required minimum distribution.
• Donors can exclude the distribution from income on their federal tax returns. If they do, they will not receive a charitable income tax reduction.
• To qualify for tax-free treatment, donors cannot receive goods or services, or a personal benefit (such as tickets for events) in return for the IRA charitable distribution.
Meet our newest Youth Board Member, Jack Gao. Jack is fourteen years old and a freshman at St. Paul Academy. He has lived in Shoreview since he was born. He enjoys academics, including math, physics, and debate. Aside from academics, some of his hobbies are fencing, tennis, and playing the viola. He enjoys aiding the community because he believes the community is a welcoming and nurturing community from which everyone can learn and grow. Help me welcome Jack to the Shoreview Community Foundation!
Contact the Shoreview Community Foundation at: www.shoreviewcommunityfoundation.org
The Shoreview Community Foundation wishes you a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season!
The Shoreview Community Foundation does not give tax or legal advice. We recommend that donors consult their own professional tax advisor before making a gift.
The SCF seeks to maintain, enhance and enrich the quality of life in Shoreview by connecting the generosity of people who appreciate Shoreview with the evolving needs of the community
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Shoreview:
• A Minneapolis youth reported his iPhone stolen while he was playing basketball at the Shoreview Community Center in the 4500 block of Victoria Street N. on Nov. 10.
• A resident in the 4800 block of the Hodgson Connection on Nov. 10 reported a woman, 31, for harassing him. Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) deputies advised the complainant on options related to securing an order for protection (OFP).
• A hit-and-run-accident involving a school bus and an SUV was reported at 8:11 a.m. Nov. 12 in the intersection of Highway 96 and Hamline Avenue N. No injuries were reportedly sustained by any of the occupants of the school bus, and the SUV fled the scene with front end damage. Following an interview with the school bus driver, an insurance demand was mailed to the registered owner of the SUV. The school bus was undamaged.
• A girl living in the 1000 block of Island Lake Avenue on Nov. 12 reported being contacted by her exboyfriend, 18, against whom she had an OFP.
• A pick-up alert was issued to area law enforcement agencies Nov. 12 for a Shoreview man, 30, after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, 31, in the 800 block of Sherwood Road and fled the scene.
• A resident in the 5800 block of Hamline Avenue N. reported two chainsaws stolen from his garage overnight Nov. 12-13.
• A Plymouth man, 20, and a Minneapolis man, 18, were arrested Nov. 13 after they were reported for pulling a gun on a gas station employee who tried to stop them from driving away without paying for fuel in the 5900 block of Hodgson Road. Following the armed robbery, a Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert was issued, and the suspects were taken into custody by Brooklyn Park Police Department officers. Both adult males were booked at the RCSO law enforcement center for first-degree aggravated robbery.
• A resident in the 1100 block of West Royal Oaks Drive on Nov. 13 reported fraudulent transfers made on his bank account. A resident in the 3500 block of Owasso Street reported fraudulent activity on his bank account on Nov. 14.
• A Woodbury man, 19, was arrested Nov. 14 in the 3600 block of Victoria Street N. for interfering with a 911 call being made by a girl, 17, who feared for her
safety, after deputies responded to a 911 hang-up that occurred during a domestic incident.
• A Shoreview man, 25, was cited for speeding at 5:05 a.m. Nov. 15 in the intersection of I-694 and Victoria Street N. A Lino Lakes woman, 61, was also cited for speeding Nov. 15 in the intersection of Tanglewood Drive and Churchill Street N.
• An Andover man, 28, was arrested Nov. 15 on Hodgson Road and Highway 96 on multiple charges, after he fled from deputies trying to conduct a traffic stop. In addition to fleeing officers, the subject was arrested on an active warrant and for DWI.
• Target store employees in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Nov. 15 reported a shoplifter who had fled before deputies could get to the scene.
• A Shoreview man, 20, was cited Nov. 15 for careless driving in the 800 block of Highway 96. Failure to provide proof of insurance was also added to his traffic bill. A Shoreview man, 22, was cited Nov. 16 on County Road I and Wood Duck Court for speeding. A Shoreview woman 36, was cited for speeding on Highway 96 and Victoria Street N. on Nov. 16.
• A St. Paul man reported that someone had rummaged through a bag sitting on the front seat of his vehicle parked in the 5100 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Nov. 16 and had stolen a wallet containing cash and credit cards.
• A Heybike Racemax electric bike was reported stolen Nov. 16 while its owner was inside getting a haircut at Sport Clips in the 1000 block of Red Fox Road.
• A Roseville man, 20, was arrested for assault Nov. 17 in the 800 block of Highway 96 after Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an open 911 line. The suspect had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and forced her into his truck after she called 911. The vehicle was located in Roseville, and the suspect was taken into custody.
• A New Brighton man, 22, was cited Nov. 17 in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. for failure to obey a traffic control device. A Stacy man, 24, was cited Nov. 19 in the 5900 block of Hodgson Road for driving on a suspended license and for displaying expired registration tabs. A Champlin woman, 33, was cited for speeding Nov. 19 in the 5500 block of Rice Creek Parkway.
• A resident in the 1800 block of Bluestem Lane reported her 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee broken into Nov. 19 and her possessions rifled through. A garage door opener was among the items stolen.
• A resident in the 1100 block of West Royal Oaks Drive on Nov. 19 reported seeing people she didn’t know pull their vehicle into her driveway and take photographs before driving away.
• A resident in the 600 block of Harriet Avenue on Nov. 20 reported a package stolen from her front step, after the package was shown on the store’s website as having been delivered, complete with a photograph of the package sitting on the front step. Deputies gave the victim the case number for their records.
• A Champlin man, 41, was arrested Nov. 20 in the 3300 block of Rice Street for narcotics possession, after a traffic stop led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamines.
• A resident in the 5700 block of Prairie Ridge Drive on Nov. 20 reported an AT&T wireless account opened fraudulently in his name after his identity was stolen by unknown means in May 2023.
• A Buffalo man reported his work truck stolen from a construction site in the 800 block of Colleen Avenue on Nov. 20. The truck was full of tools and personal possessions.
• A homeowner in the 4000 block of Chatsworth Street N. on Nov. 20 reported being bitten by his own rescue dog, despite the dog being unprovoked. The dog was set to be returned to the Golden Valley Humane Society the following morning.
• A resident in the 1600 block of Knight Street on Nov. 22 reported an attempt to open a bank account in her name from a location in the state of Utah. The case is under investigation.
• A resident in the 5100 block of Hodgson Road on Nov. 22 reported fraudulent activity on his bank account.
• A Coon Rapids man, 39, and a St. Paul woman, 23, were arrested for shoplifting Nov. 22 at the Target store in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. The suspects were also issued citations for misdemeanor theft and trespassed from the property.
• Target store employees on Nov. 23 reported a man seen on video surveillance shoplifting several items and successfully leaving the store.
Loretta Harding
CITY OF SHOREVIEW
ORDINANCE SUMMARY — ORDINANCE 1043 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE IV, EDIBLE CANNABINOID PRODUCT SALES, AND REPLACING IT WITH ARTICLE IV, CANNABIS BUSINESSES
On the 2nd day of December, 2024 the Shoreview City Council adopted ordinance 1043 repealing chapter 10, article IV, edible cannabinoid product sales, and replacing it with article IV, cannabis businesses. On the same day, pursuant to Minn. Stat. §412.191, Subd. 4, the Shoreview City Council directed that a summary of ordinance 1043 be published. Ordinance 1043 establishes regulations for cannabis retail businesses, edible cannabinoid sales, and temporary cannabis events in compliance with Minnesota Statutes. It also requires cannabis retail businesses to register with the city, describes the procedure for obtaining a registration, prohibits certain sales, and outlines administrative penalties. A copy of the ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular business hours at the office of the city manager, 4600 North Victoria Street, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126. Brad Martens, City Manager Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 17, 2024.
LAKE JOHANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT LEGAL NOTICE - BIDS WANTED
NEW LAKE JOHANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS Existing Headquarters 5545 Lexington Avenue North Shoreview, MN. 55126
BIDS DUE: 2:00P.M. CDT, THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2025
Sealed proposals from General Contractors will be received at the Existing Headquarters of Lake Johanna Fire Department (reception counter), Shoreview, until 2:00 P.M. CDT, January 30, 2025 for bidding: New Lake Johanna Fire Department Headquarters 3535 Pine Tree Drive Arden Hills, MN
The project consists of the following: The construction of a two story fire station of 41,000 SF. Precast concrete panel walls, steel frame with bar joist roof structure. No bids shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after opening of bids. A Performance Bond and Labor and Material payment Bond will be required.
Buetow 2 Architects, Inc. was the Architects of Record for Design & Construction Documents.
Feders Architects, LLC is the Architect for Bidding & Construction Administration (refer all bid questions to Feders Architects 612-270-8168).
Bidding documents including proposal forms, specifications, plans, etc. will become available at the printers ARC Document Solutions, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 email minnesota@e-arc.com 952-697-8822
Bidders, General Contractors and other sub-contractors may secure electronic or hard copy documents at ARC beginning Friday January 3, 2025.
Bidding Documents will also be on file at the following locations: Minnesota Builders Exchange, Quest CDN, Rochester Builders Exchange, Blue Book and Dodge Construction Network.
Bids must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Bid for Lake Johanna Fire Station Headquarters” and addressed to the Fire Chief Tim Boehlke, 5545 Lexington Avenue North, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126.
Bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of a cash deposit, a bid bond or certified check payable to the Lake Johanna Fire Department in the amount of at least 5% of the Base Bid amount.
Bids will be publicly opened and read in the large meeting room at the existing fire station headquarters.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities or to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, in the interest of the Owner.
Tim Boehlke, Fire Chief Published three times in the Shoreview Press on December 17, 31, 2024 and January 14, 2025.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NOTICE OF STATE LAND SALE
Notice is hereby given that state land located in Aitkin County, as described below, is hereby offered for sale by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The land will be sold at public auction as required by Minn. Stat. Ch. 92 and 94.The auction will be held online at MNBid.mn.gov, the Department of Administration Surplus Services online auction site.
Bidders are advised to obtain property data sheets and be familiar with the property, price, and terms and conditions of sale prior to bidding at the auction. To obtain a property data sheet, visit mndnr.gov/landsale or call (651) 2595432, (888) 646-6367 or email: min.landsale@state.mn.us. In all inquiries, please specify the property number.
Online Auction begins Wednesday, January 22, and closes Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Property #01260: The Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 12, Township 52 North, Range 26 West, Aitkin County, Minnesota.
General Statement of Terms of Sale: The following is a summary of terms: Please obtain the document Instructions for Online Auction, Terms and Conditions of Sale on the DNR Land Sale web page or by email or phone as outlined above. The property data sheet details the comprehensive terms and conditions of sale. Bids for each parcel will start at the minimum bid, which is the appraised value plus sale costs. Any bid for less than the minimum stated will be rejected. The successful bidder must pay 10% of the bid amount within ten government working days of the award. The successful bidder must pay the balance of the purchase price within 90 days from the close of the auction.
Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 17, 2024. MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SUMMARY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024
Meetings take place at the District Center in Shoreview (4570 Victoria Street N). Complete minutes available upon request at the District Center. Audit report
A representative from the audit firm Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A. reviewed the 2023-24 audited financial statements and supplemental reports. During the presentation to the Board, the representative noted that the audit was clean and there were no findings to report. The audit report is available on the Budgets & Finance page.
Quarterly budget report
Executive director of administrative services Bernice Humnick provided revenue and expenditure reports for all funds for the first quarter ending September 30, 2024. Each quarterly budget update provides an opportunity to review budget variances and make amendments when information becomes available. To view the report, please visit the Budgets & Finance page. Non-resident enrollment options 2025-26
Each year, in compliance with state statute, the District reviews student enrollment along with building capacity and decides whether it has the ability to open to nonresident enrollment or if it must continue to limit enrollment to families living outside the District boundaries. This year, the District will have limited capacity at the kindergarten centers and/or elementary schools to offer enrollment to nonresident students at specific grade levels for the 2025-26 school year. The Board passed a resolution opening enrollment to non-residents on a limited basis in grades K-5 for the 2025-26 school year. Applications are due by January 15, 2025. The application and more information can be found at mvpschools.org/enroll.
DOP Goal Update: Early childhood and kindergarten outreach efforts
Karl Brown, director of community education, Colin Sokolowski, executive director of public relations, Megan McKeen, assistant director of public relations, Barb Schochenmaier, assistant director of early learning, Ryan Lang, principal, Snail Lake Kindergarten Center and Todd Durand, principal, Pike Lake Kindergarten center gave an update regarding the progress on the DOP Goal of implementing a coordinated outreach plan that builds connections and promotes programs with our early childhood and kindergarten families. View the presentation on the website Updates
The Board discussed issues and updates related to AMSD/legislative, NE Metro 916 and shared updates on their activities and participation in events and committees around the District.
Thank you
The Board accepted with appreciation gifts from Land O’Lakes - Blackbaud Giving Campaign, Carol Ducharme, Jane and Thomas Watson, Kari McGee - Charities Aid Foundation, Joe and Becky Kroll, Tuan Le, Shih’chuan Kao - Charities Aid Foundation, Christine Altenhofen-Sonner, Alpha Delta Kappa c/o Chris Manka, Charles Shaw, Mary Anderson, Jennifer and Brian Bradway, Carley Foundry – Jordan Carley, Dayton Lang and Associates Simply Resurface – Linda and Dayton Lang, JoAnne Garbe, Ramona Holmes, Margot Jacobson, Dan Langanki, Multi-Tech Systems – Terry Boe, Jen Peterson and Presbyterian Church of the Way – Pastor David Parker and Members.
A look ahead December 5, 5 p.m., work session December 10, 7 p.m., regular meeting (6:30 p.m. comments to the Board) Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 17, 2024. MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT #621 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID HIGHVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL – 2024 LTFM IMPROVEMENTS BID OPENING: Friday, December 20, 2024 @ 10:00 a.m. For more information regarding the above Bid, please visit the Mounds View Public School District #621 website at: www.mvpschools.org/about/finance/bids
Published two times in the Shoreview Press on December 3 and 17, 2024.
FROM PAGE 1
adjustments and benefit increases at $493,043.”
Reductions in the cost of contractual services related to human resources and elections will help reduce the budget.
“We did a salary survey this past year, and that will not be included within next year’s budget,” Espe explained. “There also won’t be an election in 2025, so that’s also a reduction in the budget because those costs won’t be present next year.”
Espe added that one of the strategies the city is using to reduce the levy is continuing the use of a correctional crew to help with the maintenance of city parks and other maintenance throughout the city. It is important to note, Espe said, that Shoreview received no local government aid in 2025, nor will it receive aid in 2025. This type of aid received from the state of Minnesota is formula-driven. High property-valued cities do not get government aid.
The largest portion of the tax dollars collected by the city goes toward public safety contracts. Thirty-five cents of the city’s tax dollar go toward public safety; the cost of parks and recreation follow at 17 cents. The city’s
The proposed 2025 total levy changes will equal $1,061,881, an increase of
for the city and HRA levies.
tax dollar is only part of what residents pay. Other jurisdictions levy property taxes in Shoreview. The Housing and Redevelopment Association (HRA) levy is increasing by $15,000, for a total increase of 4.84%.
According to Ramsey County, the median-value home in Shoreview is $421,800. The city property tax on a median-value home will be $1,336. The total tax bill for a median-value home in Shoreview will total $5,383. The city of Shoreview gets 24.8 cents of that tax dollar. The rest of the total will go toward the school district, Ramsey County and other taxing entities.
Holiday recycling in Shoreview, Ramsey County
When thinking of holiday gatherings and gifts, consider ways to reuse and cut down on waste. For items that you’re throwing away, make sure you know where they go.
• Wrapping and tissue paper can go in the trash. Use and save gift bags, tissue paper and bows to reuse more than once.
• Batteries often cannot be thrown in the trash. Lithium batteries and many rechargeable batteries can cause fires and need to be disposed of at a household hazardous waste location.
• Flatten cardboard boxes and put them in your recycling bin. If you
“Within Shoreview, 25% of the homes will have a decrease or no change in tax,” said Espe. This means that roughly 2,428 homes in Shoreview will not see an increase in their taxes.
Along with those 2,428 Shoreview properties:
• 1,827, or 18.90%, of properties will see an increase of $1-$100.
• 1,733, or 19.92%, of properties will see an increase of $101-$200.
• 1,254, or 12.97%, of properties will see an increase of $201-$300.
• 902, or 9.33%, of properties will see an increase of $301-$400.
• 426, or 4.41%, of properties will see an increase of
have more cardboard than can fit in your bin, drop it off at Waste Management, 309 Como Ave., St. Paul, or contact Republic Services at 320-2529608 to request an additional recycling cart.
• Bring your Christmas tree to a Ramsey County yard waste site or the Maintenance Center. Remove all lights, wires and ornaments. The Maintenance Center is located at 4615 Victoria St. N., Shoreview.
• String and LED lights cannot be thrown in the trash and can be taken to the household hazardous waste facility, located at 5 Empire Drive, St. Paul.
For more information, visit Ramsey County’s A to Z Disposal Guide at www.
$401-$500.
• 1,099, or 11.37%, of properties will see an increase of $500 or more.
“Every year we do comparisons to other cities,” said Espe. “So, what we do, is take a median-value home in Shoreview and then we calculate what the tax would be on that median-value home in other communities based on their tax rates.”
Espe added that when staff members look at the city portion of taxes, Shoreview is the sixth-lowest out of the 28 comparison cities. In total property taxes, Espe said that Shoreview jumps from sixth-lowest to tenth-highest.
Items impacting the tax levy are public safety contracts, staff wage adjustments and benefits and supply items, such as park maintenance.
“A lot of the drivers in the taxes are from these other taxing jurisdictions and not necessarily Shoreview, because when we look at just our tax portion, we’re the sixth-lowest.”
The City Council will take action to approve the budget and adopt the tax levy at its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 17 (after press deadline), at Shoreview City Hall, 4600 Victoria St. N. The council can reduce the tax levy, but the levy cannot increase.
ramseycounty.us/residents/recyclingwaste/z-green-guide.
The 2025-25 winter warming spaces will begin operating in mid-December, providing a safe and warm environment for those in need.
The following three winter warming spaces will be open every night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.:
• For women: The Holy Christian Cathedral Church, 125 Stevens St. W.
• For single adult males: Phalen Activity Center, 1530 Phalen Drive
• For single adult males: Newell Park Building, 900 Fairview Ave. N.
• For families and youths ages up to
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@presspubs.com.
24: St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, 100 Oxford St. N. These locations will offer seating, blankets, light snacks, warm drinks and donated winter essentials when available. There will be designed spaces for women, families, youth (ages 18-24) and single adult men.
When temperature reach zero degrees or lower, or when the windchill hits -15 degrees Fahrenheit or below, extra warming spaces or shelter beds may be available.
To request a referral, contact Ramsey County staff at 651-266-1035 or email ColdWeatherReferrals@ramseycounty. us. Family shelter staff can be reached by email at chs.fas.shelterteam@ramseycounty.us.
LANNY & KAREN DAHLMAN
MICHELE FISCHER
DAVID SCHOLZ
LUTHER DALE
ERNEST & LISA OLSON
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• Mounds View High School City Council is working with members of the National Honor Society to put on a Music for Mounds View concert. The concert will take place sometime during the second semester. The annual concert benefits the Angel Foundation, American Cancer Society and Marit Swenson Shining Light Foundation.
• There were nine gifts received for schools and programs this period for a total of $12,190. The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf received 10 gifts this period for a total of $11,198.
• The cell phone advisory committee provided an update to the board. After collecting data from surveys, the committee recommends that elementary students should not access, or use, cell phones during school hours. School hours are defined as the published start and end time for each of the schools within the district. At the secondary level (middle school and high school), the committee recommends that students should not be allowed to use or access cell phones during scheduled academic class time and activities or assemblies where important information is being announced. The committee recommends allowing secondary students to use their cell phones during nonacademic or nonscheduled school hours. In addition to the Minnesota Legislature’s mandate to adopt a cell phone policy by March 15, 2025, the committee is also encouraging the school board to establish regulations to accompany the cell phone policy. These regulations should outline the rules and procedures to be implemented at each school or program, and address the daily practices and enforcements related to student access and use of cell phones. The committee recommended
that the board include these regulations and procedures in student and parent handbooks.
• The board approved the final property tax levy for 2025. The final certification will be forwarded to Ramsey County for processing. Property tax revenue will be collected in 2025 and will be available for the school district to use in the following school year. This year, the levy is set to be approximately $64,286,578. This is a $597,972, or 0.94%, increase from 2024.
• A district partitional plan update was provided to the board regarding middle school programs. The district began to focus on this goal last year. The purpose of this goal is to help support students’ transition from elementary school to middle school. This year, the district is focusing on creating a plan for the implementation of the middle school program recommendations gathered during the 2023-24 school year. Recommendations include establishing a design team to continue to create a vision of the middle school experience for students, including developing a purpose statement. It is also recommended that the district provide students with more opportunities to develop future-ready skills throughout their middle school experience. A third recommendation was to consider alternative schedule structures that allow for expanding explanatory courses to reflect student interests.
The next Mounds Views Public Schools School Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the District Center, 4570 Victoria St. N., Shoreview. Public comments to the board will be at 6:30 p.m. before the meeting.
Madeline Dolby
Shooting reported at Berwood Avenue and Arcade Street South
A shooting occurred just after midnight Nov. 10 at a residence located in the 800 block of Berwood Avenue and Arcade Street South in Vadnais
Heights. At 12:18 a.m., a 911 caller from Minneapolis reported he was shot in the leg by a male suspect following an altercation between the two at the residence during a party. The suspect fled in an unknown direction before police arrived at 12:20 a.m. The victim’s wounds were described as not life-
threatening before the individual was transferred to Region’s Hospital. The suspect is described as a Somali male, last seen wearing a blue hoodie, black
Dear Santa I whant a desk and I whant a Fonko Pop collection. I whant takis and I whant V-bucks. And I whant a kiten. And I whant color pastels. And I whant a Greek Myth book. And I whant a N plush from Glich. Then I whant a water proof camera. And I whant movie views for fazbeard and plush. And I whant a X-box and I whant a ruby necklace. And I whant a tv. And I whant a keyboard that lights up. And I whant a bike with no training wheels and I whant a bonnie plush. And I whant sower candy’s in my stoking. And I whant a poster.
From Axel
Dear: Santa, im sorry for, cussing, being rude, its because I just keep getting stresd from my finger. I want a cat for the family. I want the curces plus cfnda and iphone 16. I want diminds from msm. Ill be good. Can I also have my own YouTube channel with coo subscribers.
From pretzel the champion ptc.
From: Ayden
Necratbee 8 plush Rory Santa, maiteimi, fsonicith eh I would like!
BEYBLAOEX!
PIXEL PET
NERF CROSS BOW!
RCCREEPER!
FART GUN!
GODZILLA SONICS QUI
Bobs a spong
Thank you
Dear Santa, Will you please help people who are sick or hurt to feel better and will you also help poor people
get money to buy food for the holidays and have proper clothes for the cold weather. That;s the big thing but other things I would like are a hover bored, cotton candy and a very happy holiday for everyone!From: silas
Dear Santa, I wan an Agility blaster and X box series X console college football 25 X box. Razor scooter and dudes shoes, size 6 T-shirts. Merry Christmas, Santa
Dear Santa, I want a Glitter Girls Bluebell Doll and a Wild Republic Cuddlekins Eco Jumbo Axoloti and a Littlelest Pet Shop Play Set Bitzee Magicals Pet Rainbow Loom Treasure trove and a gumball machine maver I have been super good this year.
Sylvie Arola
Dear Santa for crhist-mass I would like to have 1) Hoverborad - go cart
2) fortnite Vbucks 3) Vidio games
4) pegs for “new bike”
5) mini Stanly 6) phone 7) chrome book for home 8) lap-top 9) personal computer 10) a good Christ mas 11) new friend for rowdy Sincerely, Scotty
Dear Santa I want
1) hover board go cart attachment
2) fortnite vbucks card
3) Dog man big gim begins Book 13. 4) a new freande for rowdy/new dog
Chip is a good elf and really good hider.
From JT to Santa
Dear Santa, I would really like a Barbie airplane and a Barbie Dreamhouse. And a KIDS motorcycle. What I really want are tu-tus and skirts. Love, Junie (Age 4-1/2)
To Santa Mini cavases
Easy bake oven Mini stuff but not mini vetsel 3D printer Polaroid camera Viv
Dear Santa, For crismas I would like a Panda stuffy, a watch, a under water camera, a icy machine, a harry potter necklace and a electric scoter and that is it. And by the way how did elfie get in side our house last night? hope you stay warm!
Merry Christmas!
Dear Santa, I hope you come this year! Here is some things I would like . . . Dog man: Bio Jim begins #13 book Hotel Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins Book Dog man and cat kid book Dog man mothering heights book Shredderman #1 by Wendein van Draynen Scarefy squirrel visits the doctor by Melanie Watt Dog man mission impawsible video game on Nintendo switch Thank you and have a merry Christmas Santa! Miles
Dear Santa, I would like a Barbie suitcase,
Squishmellow, Unicorn squishy Natalie, age 4
Dear Santa, I would like a changing color cars and a not wheels track and a new squishmellow. Love, Eian, age 6
Dear Santa, I really want a Ronaldo soccer jersey for boys. Dolanus remote control transform robot, RC cars contolns, better ies, off button. Technic off-road race buggy buildable car, cowboy boots. Dirt bike, please. Andrew
Dear Santa, I really want a Lego technic Ford Mustang. Seed champions 2023 McLaren, super sport car building kit, a Christmas shirt, please. Love, August
Dear Santa, I been good all year. All I want for Christmas is to be with my frend HANK!!
Phil
P.S. Also a whale for tubber time.
Dear Santa, how are you doing? I am good. I want ohora nalis, a pair of flare pants, color of orange, a pack of Squishy. Thank you from Zoey. I am 8. You are the best!
Dear Santa, How are you? I am doing good. For Christmas, I would like anything that is Paw Patrol. Especially anything that has Sky. Thank you, Amie (3)
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Olivia. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of
White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
Stuffed Zebra Noisy Cow Firetruck Book
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Olivia
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Lucille. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
Curious George Books Squish Mallow Daniel Tiger Legos Cookie Stampers Art Kit Wooden Castle Figurines Yo-yo
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Lucille
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Finly. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year: Sisu Dragon Raya Raya
Unicorn Doll
Barbie Doll Makeup
Vacuum Shop Remote Control Car - Pink and Purple
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Finly
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Charlie. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
Hulk Thor
Iron Man
Captain America Falcon
Legos
Scooter
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Charlie
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! For me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Jensen. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
New Marble Track
Classic Sonic Classic Knuckles
Classic Amy Squishy Eyeball
Squishy
Brain
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Jensen
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Hunter. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
Car Truck
Candy Cane Toy
Scooter Train toys
Legos
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Hunter
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! For me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Amelia. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve
been really good and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
Rollerblades Ice skates
Santa toy
Barbie
Puzzles
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Amelia
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Rowan. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
White and blue striped
skateboard
Legos
Trucks
Spy glass
Dinosaur book
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Rowan
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Audrey. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year: LOL dolls
Sheep that toots
Puppy in a kennel
Magna Tiles
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Audrey
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Ada. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year:
Pink Roller Skates
Pink Squish Mallow
Pink Hammock
Barbie
Art Kit
Paint Kit
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Ada
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Kenzie. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really nice and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
New Books - Kitty Cat
New Bike
Princesses
Magna Tiles
Unicorns
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Kenzie
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Addison. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year:
Light up Beast toy (Beauty and the Beast)
Star
Jack in the box
Purple Roller Skates
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Addison
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Reid. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really nice and it would be super fun if you could bring me these things this year: Race Track
Giant Lego Set
Remote Control Car
Science Experiments
Basketball Hoop
Piggie and Gerald Books
Glow in the dark things
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Reid
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Will. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really nice and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
Werewolf Costume Monster Truck Sweatshirt that says Monster Jam
Duplos Legos
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Will
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Elsa. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of Mahtomedi. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year: Rainbow Rollerskates
Duplos
Trampoline
Barbie Santa Hat
Ring Toss
Snow Globe
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Elsa
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Leo. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year: Electric Scooter Pet Snake Ninja Turtle Mask
Art Kit Knee Hockey Stick Squish Mallow
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Leo
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Ethan. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of Vadnais Heights. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year: Fastest Motor Bike Toys with batteries Legos
A little car to drive in Pet Turtle Doggie Book
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Ethan
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Charlie. I am 4 years
old! I live in the great town of Birchwood Village. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year:
Strawberry Mints
Fan
Owl Puzzle
Legos
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Charlie
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Bera santa, I have been year, this I want for cristmas
More monster trucks
Nerf guns
Kt kats
Monster play set iPad apple
red clngunboa mistury mudders race car play sets
rc
Frum Joey
Dear Santa I have been good this year. This is what I want for Christmas.
Every single Minecraft diamond level
N series pinpoint nerf gun
Sonic charaacters
A good gaming computer
Thank you for the presents Santa. From, Wally
Dear Santa One thing I want for Christmas is a X shot and Legos. I love you.
From: Jakobi
Dear Santa, What I want for Christmas is, new shoes.
P.S. I hope you can find are house!! Are door is greenish blue.
From, Quinn
Mara Christmas List
Mama Chicken puffed feathers with babies
Lakeshore Learning Clubhouse
Trang Projector
Paintable rocks
Eva’s Christmas List
Purple frog
Moma frog
Dada frog
Purple poopy butt
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
Kurt Thompson has put up thousands of lights between his current home in Shoreview and previous home in Maplewood. Last year, Thompson won second place in Press Publication’s Holiday Lights Contest.
He has been putting up holiday lights since 1990. Thompson said he got into it after his sister gave him a Santa Clause mold.
“She gave me a low mold of a Santa, and I put that up in the yard and I was like, ‘He needs some companionship out there,’” he explained.
Thompson has lived in Shoreview with his wife, Lisa, for around six years. For the past two years, he has entered his home into the Holiday Lights Contest.
He heard about the contest from Lisa after she saw it in the Shoreview Press.
“My wife saw it in the paper,” Thompson said. “She got it before I did and saw that I could enter, so that’s what I did.”
When they lived in Maplewood, Thompson also entered into the city’s holiday lights contest, but never won.
“I entered the Maplewood one but it never amounted to anything,” Thompson added. “Although my display was the brightest in the neighborhood, you could see it all the way down the street.”
One year, Thompson said a mother and son walked by when he was setting up decorations. The mother asked him if he was going to light up the display soon. Thompson replied that he was just about to.
“I went inside and flipped the switch. It lit up and his eyes just grew, and he was like, ‘Whoa!’ That’s why I do it, for the kids,” Thompson said.
Another year, Thompson said he received a message from a neighbor in his mailbox that they loved his display. He added that a second neighbor told him that her children loved the display too.
This year, Thompson’s holiday lights display will look a little different due to a fall he took in June. He said he broke eight different bones and had to have a complete shoulder repair. Thompson added that recovery is going well and he is progressing. Because of Thompson’s injury, Lisa helped set up the decorations that are currently in their yard.
“I helped when I could with my left arm,” he said. “But my wife decorated what she could, which is the blow-ups and a couple of the small decorations.”
Thompson added that he is glad to have some type of holiday display this year. He said he was glad Lisa could put up what she did, and he hopes everybody enjoys it.
“I’m glad I got a canvas to paint, so to speak,” he concluded.
Voting is now open for this year’s Holiday Lights Competition through Dec. 31. Go to www.presspubs. com/holidaylights to vote for your favorite holiday house.
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@presspubs.com.
Wed. December 18th at 10 AM for ads to run the week of December 24-26
Tues. December 24th at 10 AM for ads to run week of December 31- January 1
Look here for your next job!
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BRIEF
Ice is never 100% safe
The Department of Natural Resources reminds Minnesotans to be safe about ice this winter. When is ice safe? There really is no sure answer.
You can’t judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors — plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice, and
• Bolton and Menk Inc. and the city of Shoreview will enter into a professional services agreement for the 2025 County Road I boardwalk replacement. The city’s 2025 capital improvement plan includes funding for the replacement of the boardwalk on County Road I between Lexington Avenue and Chatsworth Street. Reconstruction of the boardwalk is anticipated to include upgrades to improve accessibility and ease of maintenance. Other improvements include widening the walkway, installing larger boards, upgrading the railings and creating a connection to the paved trails. The project will be led by the City of Shoreview in partnership with Ramsey County, both of which are contributing funding to the project. The estimated cost for survey, preliminary and final design, permitting, development of plans and specifications and bidding services is not to exceed $75,367.
• Shoreview will continue to use North Suburban Access Corporation, or NineNorth, for technical services after Mayor Sue Denkinger and City Manager Brad Martens authorized the execution of the agreement. Since August 2020, NineNorth has been responsible for taping a variety of meetings, including City Council and Planning Commission meetings. Through the agreement, NineNorth hires and trains video producers to provide these services. The agreement will be for 2025-2027.
• The council voted to move ahead with abating the nuisances on two properties, located at 4486 Lexington Avenue and 225 North Owasso Boulevard. Pursuant to the city code, the property owners were contacted and notified of the nuisance conditions, requesting necessary corrections be
Director is responsible for the full operations of Marketfest including: selling vendor spaces, obtaining sponsorships, booking musicians and managing the budget.
• Strong organizational and communication skills required
• Background in festival and event planning required
Send inquiries and resumes to Dan Perry at dan.perry@edwardjones.com
local climatic conditions.
Many factors other than thickness affect ice strength, including air temperature, wind, snow, streams, narrow areas or bottlenecks, sun, shade, fish communities, plant decay and more. When a layer of snow melts and refreezes on top of lake ice, it creates white ice, only about half as strong as new, clear ice.
For more information about ice safety, or how to check ice thickness, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/ safety/ice/check-ice-thickness.html.
made. Upon reinspection, staff found that both properties remained noncompliant. The cost of the abatement for property located at 4486 Lexington Ave will be $285. The cost of the abatement for the property located at 225 N. Owasso Boulevard will be approximately $92.
• The council has approved a new ordinance and ordinance summary regarding cannabis business registration requirements and cannabis-related events. The ordinance repeals the city’s existing cannabis sales ordinance and replaces it with additional regulations to include registration for cannabis businesses, temporary cannabis events and other regulations. These regulations will include hours of operation, minimum employee age, on-site consumption and penalties. Flavored cannabis products that are intended to be inhaled as smoke, aerosol or vapor will also be prohibited. This restriction will not apply to businesses that prohibit those under 21 from entering, derive at least 90% of their revenues in sales of approved or edible cannabinoid products and do not share a wall with another registered retailer where there is access between the two businesses without going outside. These restrictions resemble the city’s ban on flavored tobacco products. According to the City Attorney Joe Kelly, this ban falls under the city’s authority to protect public health, safety and welfare.
The next Shoreview City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, in council chambers.
Madeline Dolby
Marketfest is seeking an Event Director for 2025
Director is responsible for the full operations of Marketfest including: selling spaces, obtaining sponsorships, booking musicians, and managing the budget.
Strong organizational and communication skills required along with a background in festival and event planning.
Send inquiries and resumes to Dan Perry at dan.perry@edwardjones.com
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Shoreview resident Peter Gallanger recognizes that in fiction, authors are making subliminal statements about themselves and their views of the world around them. In his own fiction writing, Gallanger has always centered it around the ambient attitude of his old St. Paul neighborhood where he resided for around three decades. He populates the place with characters who have evolved within the collective energy of the neighborhood. In “Backwashed,” his most recent novel, the reader
follows Dion Drury on the 20th anniversary of his father’s murder and mother’s disappearance. Dion is forced to confront his destructive youth while nurturing his newfound hope for the future. Recently, Press Publications sat down with Gallanger to learn more about himself and his latest novel.
Q. Tell us about yourself.
A. I retired from the City of Saint Paul after thirtyfour years, most spent in the engineering sector as a technician and supervisor. I’ve been working at writing since I was young, with varying degrees of success and frustration. I’ve lived in Shoreview, Arden Hills, and now back in Shoreview again for about as long as I was employed by Saint Paul. You might see me in warm months on a local bike trail or tennis court, giving a faint impression of spontaneous motion.
Q. Tell us more about your book, “Backwashed.”
A. The novel centers around Dion Drury on the twentieth anniversary of his father’s murder and his mother’s disappearance. Police investigator Kady L’Orient reopens the file and ingratiates herself into the
tension between Dion and his older sister with results complicated by her own troubled past. Her superiors intervene in the case at the behest of a local restaurateur who might be implicated in the crime, but everyone’s priorities soon become muddled. Police sergeant Arno St. Albans begins to question his loyalties.
Dion is forced to confront the emotionally destructive nature of his youth while nurturing a newfound hope for the future. It’s a story of damaged people finding each other.
Q. How did you come up with the idea for the book?
A. I’ve read a lot of fiction since my teens, and recognized that authors, no matter the story, are primarily making subliminal statements about themselves and their views of the world around them. My efforts in writing fiction have always centered on the ambient attitude of my old St. Paul neighborhood and populating the place with characters who have evolved from within that collective energy. This book is the culmination of many hours of ruminations and typing.
Q. What was the most difficult thing about writing this book?
A. Figuring out how to take what I wanted to say, and why I wanted to say it, and finding a structure to make it work. There is a prehistoric axiom in fiction to write what you know, which is what I was doing, but you need to sculpt your musings around a compelling narrative framework, which is a challenge.
Q. Is this the first book you’ve ever published?
A. It’s not the first one I’ve tried to publish, but it’s the first one to make it through. I’ve been writing for quite a few years. An instructor in a short story class at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis once encouraged me by saying that I wrote good sentences, the insinuation being that I just wasn’t quite writing good stories. This book overcame that barrier for me.
Q. Where can people purchase your book?
A. It can be purchased through retail booksellers, or directly from the distributor at ItascaBooks. com, or online through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Q. Anything else you would like to add?
A. The book has been nominated for a Minnesota Book Award, as presented by the Friends of the Saint Paul Library, which sounds impressive. I’m not sure how that will play out, but I’ve got my fingers crossed.
Compiled by Madeline Dolby
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
The Mounds View wrestlers, ranked No, 2 in the state after last year’s state runner-up finish, have breezed through their first seven dual meets and their first tournament.
The Mustangs have three shutouts, against Cretin-Derham Hall, Spring Lake Park and East Ridge. Their closest matches were against KenyonWanamingo 43-24 and CambridgeIsanti 47-17.
The Mustangs won the Husky Invitational at Andover on Saturday, outscoring No.4 ranked Shakopee 252.5 to 223, with Andover third at 140 among 10 teams.
Quarterback Jacob Sampson, inside linebacker Joey Muhlstein and kicker Cooper Fellman were named the most valuable players on the Mounds View football team after an 8-3 season. Sampson and Muhlstein were also Metro East District most valuable players. Aaron Moberg was designated as district coach of the year. Other players named alldistrict included Mitchell Olson, running back/safety; Godson Rufus Okomhanru, running back/ outside linebacker; Hudson Voight, offensive line; Joe Kostolnik, inside linebacker; Sam Crane, defensive line/tight end; Jacob Jude, outside linebacker/fullback; Colton Loween, defensive line; and Chuck Eggert,
safety.
Honorable mentions were linemen Jonah Willard, Emmett Harry and Birk Swenson; receivers Jack Dahl and Ben Arnold; and defensive back Jonny Gale. Sampson completed 65 percent of his passes (89 of 136) for 942 yards and 11 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He ran for eight touchdowns, netting 309 yards in 64 carries. Dahl caught four touchdown passes and RufusOkomhanru three. Olson was the top rusher with 100 carries for 678 yards and eight touchdowns and scored twice on passes. Fellman was 29-for-29 on extra points and 3-for-5 on field goals.
Bruce Strand
Joey Muhlstein
Mounds View Wrestling & Football December 17, 2024
Joey Muhlstein is a veteran presence in Mounds View’s wrestling and football lineups. He has won his first 10 matches in wrestling, all by pins, raising his career record to 131-31 with 51 pins. He’s earned two podium finishes at state. “Hard worker and great leader,” said Coach Daniel Engebretson. Muhlstein was named co-Defensive most valuable player in football for the Metro East District as a 5-foot-10, 190-pound inside linebacker, where his wrestling skills are evident in his fierce tackling. He’s a captain for both sports
Placing first were Owen LaRose at 121, Brett Swenson at 133, Caden Grenier at 172, Joey Muhlstein at 189. Placing second were Paxton Carl at 114, Will Schneider at 127, Jack Hatton at 139, Eli Claseman at 152, Colton Loween at 160, Ethan Swenson at 215, and Braden Maxey at 285.
They have a big tournament coming up, the Minnesota Christmas Tournament in Rochester, Dec. 2021, where they are the defending champion.
Mustangs ranked by The Guillotine’s are Brett Swenson, No. 1 at 127 pounds; Ethan Swenson, No. 2 at 215; Loween, No. 3 at 160; Muhlstein, No. 3 at 189; LaRose, No. 6 at 121; and Grenier, No. 6 at 172.
Mounds View improved to 6-0 with wins of 47-44 over Park and 60-43 over St. Anthony Village, then absorbed their first two losses to Stillwater 52-49 last Tuesday and East Ridge 68-33 on Friday. Maddie Schneider had 16 points and Lily Ryan had 11 against Park. Schneider had 18 points and Jaycie Helmer 15 against St. Anthony Village. In the loss to Stillwater, Schneider had 19 points and Nora Schmidt 10. Against East Ridge, Ryan led with 10 points.
Mounds View won its first three games before losing to East Ridge 72-20 on Friday. The Mustangs beat Highland Park 64-53, led by Cody Loegering with 16 points and Alex Kriauciunas with 11. They beat St. Anthony Village 61-50 as
Kriauciunas sank 16 points, Loegering 14 and Nate Edelman 11. They beat Stillwater 53-37, powered by Loegering with 24 points. East Ridge got 32 points from Cedric Tomes in the win over the Mustangs.
Mounds View won two events at the Suburban East Conference Relays on Thursday in the season opener, competing against Park, Forest Lake, Roseville and host Stillwater. Danny Bai, Luke Schmitzer, Emmett Haller and Ben Lawrence won the 400-medley relay in 3:54.75. Lawrence, Holden Then, Haller and Bai won the 400-freestyle relay in 3:35.18. That was the season opener. The Mustangs were also second in two events.
Bruce Strand
and the start of a new year, this time of year is full of festivities, and White Bear Center for the Arts keeps that celebration going.
Open House transforms their campus into a winter wonderland on Saturday, January 11, when visitors can embrace the magic of winter with a festive, family-friendly celebration.
enthusiast, a family seeking a fun outing, or just in the mood to explore your creative side, the Winter Open House promises an afternoon of free, hands-on art activities, demonstrations, and
“Remember
Knit Your First Scarf
White Bear Center for the Arts
January 18, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Learn to knit a cozy scarf. With giant needles and a
a department store to a wintery dreamland.
Dan’s has long been a Twin Cities staple. His contributions reach far
few stitches per row, you’ll be done before you know it! Once you’re done, you can choose to seam the ends together to create a single- or double-loop cowl.
“Glass in All Seasons”
White Bear Center for the Arts
January 11-March 1, 2025
See stunning stained glass, fused glass, and mosaic artwork by WBCA teaching artist Sushila Anderson in this pop-up exhibition.
Chase & Ovation: A Salute to the Music of Prince
TPT 2 and the PBS App on December 17, 2024.
The Hanifl Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - 7:30 PM
Ring in the new year at Lakeshore with a paramount Prince tribute show!
Divas Gone Country
The Hanifl Performing Arts Center
Friday, January 10, 2025 - 7:30 PM
Divas Gone Country celebrates the sounds of America’s Heartland featuring music by Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and others.
