Thisweek Newspapers Apple Valley and Rosemount

General 952-894-1111Distribution 952-846-2070

Display Advertising 952-846-2011Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

ANEWS

OPINIONSPORTS

Opinion/4A Public Notices/5A & 6A Announcements/6A Sports/7A Classifieds/9A

Thisweekwww.thisweeklive.com

March 16, 2012 VOLUME 33, NO. 3

Apple Valley-RosemountApple Valley-Rosemount

by Tad JohnsonThisweek NewspApers

in recent years, it was easy to spot Chris Gerlach as a partici-pant in local parades. Along with being accompa-nied by dozens of volunteers waiving signs bearing his name, one could pick him out because of his trademark American-flag T-shirt. while the T-shirt has logged lots of walking miles and has faded a bit over time, that gar-ment and its frequent wearer can finally take a rest. Gerlach, the Apple Valley and rosemount-area state sena-tor for the past eight years and state representative for six years before that, has seen his children grow up fast over those years

and said on Monday his inter-est in spending more time with them is one of the reasons he is retiring from elective office when his term expires at the end of this year. Gerlach and his wife, shelli, have two children, ages 10 and 8. “while serving in the Legisla-ture is truly an honor and privi-lege, the family and financial sacrifices are great,” he said in a press release. “Now is the time to reassess my personal priorities.” “he’s long struggled to main-tain a life-work balance, between politics, family and his business,” said kevin ecker, Gerlach’s campaign manager and the re-publican party senate district’s secretary. “he takes his public commitments very seriously, so

it was often his family or busi-ness that suffered as a result. i think he finally just realized he couldn’t be all things to all peo-ple. As a friend, i’m happy with his decision and glad to see he made it.” Gerlach, who did not return a phone call for comment on this story, said the other reason he retired was to focus on his direct mail business, eagan-based Cap-itol Direct, which has been the focus of recent scrutiny. Criticism from within in his own party and from the non-profit, nonpartisan citizen’s lobby Common Cause Minne-sota regarding Capitol Direct’s mailing of fliers in support of the so-called right to work pro-

photo by rick Orndorf

State Sen. Chris Gerlach (at right) cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the main reason he is retiring from his work in the Senate.

Gerlach to step aside for new senator

Rosemount representative seeks U.S. Senate endorsement

Kurt Bills was elected to state House in 2010

by Tad JohnsonThisweek NewspApers

state rep. kurt Bills, r-rosemount, added his name last week to the grow-ing list of candidates seek-ing the republican endorse-ment for the chance to face U.s. sen. Amy klobuchar this fall. Bills, a first-term repre-sentative, rosemount high school economics teacher and former rosemount City Council member, touted his experience in those areas in making his announcement March 8 on the corner of downtown rosemount’s main intersection. with about 30 support-ers standing behind him, Bills said he plans to bring econ 101 to the U.s. Capi-tol and used the location to show he stands behind “main street” and not “wall street.” “My only aspirations lie in fixing what is broken and standing up for what is

right,” Bills said. “it would be a lot easier for me to stay at home with my family. however, i care too much about them and about our state and about our great country to sit back and take the easy road.” he cited the rosemount City Council and state Legislature’s ability to turn

around financial situations for both units of govern-ment as examples of the work he would like to ad-dress on the federal level. Bills served two years on the council before being elected to the state house in 2010. A rosemount teacher for the past 15 years, Bills

photo by Tad Johnson

State Rep. Kurt Bills, R-Rosemount, stood on a busy corner in downtown Rosemount to announce his bid to be the Republican-endorsed 2012 U.S. Senate candidate.


Eastview girls basketball student manager Michael Sheridan leads the team out onto the Target Center floor at the start of the quarterfinal game against St. Michael-Albertville in the girls basketball state tournament on Wednesday. The Lightning notched a 55-41 win over the Knights, earning the team a spot in the semifinals against Hopkins on Thursday night; visit www.ThisweekLive.com for updates.

by Andrew MillerThisweek NewspApers

The February fuel spill at Magellan tank farm in Ap-ple Valley has not contami-nated the municipal water supply, the city’s top public works official said Tuesday. Cleanup efforts are un-der way at the privately owned tank farm at County road 42 and Flagstaff Av-

enue, where an estimated 63,000-gallon gas leak was discovered Feb. 14. “63,000 gallons spilled – we take that very seriously,” said public works Direc-tor Todd Blomstrom, “but in terms of a public health concern with the municipal water supply, that is not an issue.” with oversight from the

Minnesota pollution Con-trol Agency, Magellan is us-ing a soil vapor extraction system – a pump that sucks air from the ground – to clean up the fuel that seeped into the soil. Apple Valley officials shut down four municipal wells in the wake of the spill as a precaution. Those wells were still shut down as of

this week, Blomstrom said. in terms of water sup-ply to residents, “we have 19 municipal wells. in the win-ter, we can easily operate on four. To pull those wells offline really is just a flip of the switch,” he said. The Minnesota Depart-ment of health has taken water samples from the wells, though Blomstrom

said the motivating factor behind the shutdown of the wells was to alleviate pub-lic concern, not because of contamination. “There’s certainly not gasoline going to be show-ing up in municipal wells,” he said. The Minnesota pollution Control Agency estimated that the spilled fuel had

gone as deep as 40 feet be-low the ground, according to a March 3 star Tribune report. The groundwater supply begins about 70 feet below the surface, and the nearest municipal well is 500 feet deep.

Andrew Miller is at [email protected].

Lightning strikes at state

See Gerlach, 8A

Apple Valley resident has served the area for 14 years

Public works director: City water supply safe after gas spill Four municipal wells remain shut down as a precaution after spill at Magellan tank farm

See Bills, 8A

Yellow ribbons all around Dakota to become Yellow Ribbon County

by Laura AdelmannThisweek NewspApers

Dakota County is poised to build the biggest local network of Beyond the Yellow ribbon cities in the state. Connecting Yellow rib-bon cities to form a com-prehensive support network is Dakota County’s goal as it is proclaimed a Yellow rib-bon County by Gov. Mark Dayton at a 3 p.m. recogni-

tion ceremony March 30 at Trinity evangelical Church,

10658 210th st. w. in Lakeville. The cit-ies of Apple Valley and

B u r n s -ville will be pro-

c l a i m e d Yellow ribbon cities

during the event and west st. paul is expected

to attain its Yellow ribbon status this year, said Dakota County Veterans services Director Lisa Thomas. since Farmington be-came Minnesota’s first Yel-low ribbon City in 2008 by committing to provide services to soldiers and mili-tary families, Dakota Coun-ty has led the state in show-ing soldiers appreciation for the sacrifice they have See Ribbons, 5A

Local senior’s second act: standup comedy. See Thisweekend

Page 12A

2A March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

by John GessnerThisweek Newspapers

Noise walls on both sides of interstate 35w in south-ernmost Burnsville could be built in 2015. a proposed 1,150-foot wall on the west side would reduce traffic noise at the sunny acres mobile home park. a 1,700-foot wall on the east side would shield sin-gle-family homes, duplexes and fourplexes next to the frontage road. First, the Minnesota De-partment of Transportation

will survey affected prop-erty owners and residents. Neighborhoods nearly always answer “yes” by a large majority to MnDOT’s rare proposals to build new noise walls, said pe-ter wasko, the agency’s metro noise abatement program manager. at a March 13 work session, the City Council gave wasko the green light to survey residents. The noise abatement program requires cities to pay 10 percent of the cost of new walls. Burnsville’s share would be $120,000. The proposal follows

the 2010 completion of noise walls on both sides of the freeway from Burns-

ville parkway to M c a n d r e w s road. Con-struction of those walls was triggered by a mandato-

ry environmen-tal review that

preceded expan-sion of the Mnpass

and smartLanes systems from Burnsville parkway to southcross Drive. Noise walls are welcome in a city where residents have been asking for them since the freeway came through in the 1960s, Coun-cil Member Dan Gustafson said.

“it’s taken 50 years to get the attention of MnDOT,” he said. The proposed south Burnsville locations are among 285 MnDOT has identified as priority sites for noise walls. Only two or three of those are built each year from an annual budget of about $2 million, wasko said. projects that rise to the top are typically in the loudest and most densely built areas on the list, was-ko said. The two qualify-ing Burnsville sites were grouped together because money can be saved by do-ing them together, he said. Despite pleas, another Burnsville neighborhood won’t get noise relief. The

city has repeatedly asked for a wall for the Carriage hills neighborhood south of southcross Drive and east of the freeway. The area doesn’t meet MnDOT’s criteria for a wall and has a tall berm that already mitigates freeway noise, wasko said. News that Carriage hills is being bypassed won’t sit well with some residents, Mayor eliz-abeth kautz predicted. Burnsville could cover its share of the cost for the pro-posed locations by drawing on its annual allocations of state gasoline-tax funds to repay bonds, City Manager Craig ebeling said. “This would not be re-flected in your tax levies,” he told the council. “it

could be financed from our share of the gas tax.” it’s a rare opportunity to get the walls built, ebeling said. if cities reject such proposals, those locations are stricken from MnDOT’s list. a MnDOT map shows 19 benefitting proper-ties at sunny acres, where the park’s owner and the homedwellers, who rent their lots, will be polled. There are 10 benefitting properties, some of them duplexes and fourplexes, on the east side of the freeway, according to wasko. John Gessner is at [email protected].

Both sides of freeway would

get relief

South Burnsville noise walls may be built in 2015

by Laura AdelmannThisweek Newspapers

The growing popula-tion may help force elec-tions in all seven Dakota County commissioner dis-tricts in November. Minnesota law requires counties to redraw com-missioner districts consist-ing of precincts that cities will have re-established by March 30, based on the 2010 census. any county district population change of 5 percent or more will re-quire an election in that district, according to Da-kota County public servic-es and revenue Director Tom Novak. “i think everybody’s going to have to run,” said County Commissioner paul krause, who has represented Lakeville and portions of Burnsville and apple Valley in District 6 since 1995. Four commissioner seats are up for re-election this year regardless of the redistricting results. They are now held by Liz work-man, will Branning, Tom egan and Joe harris, who after 32 years as a commis-sioner, will not seek anoth-er term. Commissioners who may be required to run because of redistrict-ing are krause, Nancy schouweiler and kathleen

Gaylord. Those commissioner districts currently include portions of apple Valley, eagan, Lakeville, Burns-ville, and inver Grove heights. Novak said redistrict-ing the county is unlikely to result in any commis-sioners being left out of their districts or force two into a single district. “They are spread far enough out throughout the county,” Novak said. The County Board is expected on March 27 to pass a resolution for the intent to redistrict, then Novak said he will work with commissioners indi-vidually to discuss district boundaries before bring-ing a proposal to the entire board by mid-april. Dakota County Board candidates have from May 22 until June 5 to file to run in the election. To maintain staggered terms on the board, work-man said races forced by redistricting would likely be for two-year terms and then return to the county’s regular four-year pattern. The 2010 census showed Dakota County’s popula-tion grew from 355,904 to 398,552 during 2000-10, an increase of 42,648 people.

Laura Adelmann is at [email protected].

by Jessica HarperThisweek Newspapers

The rosemount-apple Valley-eagan school Dis-trict will once again look to borrowing to ease financial burdens created by shifts in state aid. in a 5-0 vote on March 12, the school Board ap-proved issuing $35 million in tax anticipation certifi-cates, which are loans that help school districts allevi-ate cash flow issues and are to be repaid using property tax revenue. “This is the result of three years of actions taken

that resulted in state aid taken away from school districts and property tax shifts,” said Jeff solomon, finance director for District 196. recent tax shifts forced the district to use up its $8 million in cash flow, which created cash flow shortages, he said. The district is ex-pected to face a $35 million shortage in 2012 and 2013. in May, the school Board unanimously approved issu-ing $15 million in aid an-ticipation certificates, loans that help districts alleviate cash flow issues and repaid using state aid. solomon predicts the district will spend approxi-mately $100,000 from bor-rowing by the end of 2013. District officials previ-ously expected a $42 million

shortage but recent talks of quicker state aid repayment have changed the forecast. The district is not alone in its decision to borrow money to make up for cash flow shortfalls. solomon es-timates that approximately 70 percent of school dis-tricts nationwide have, at some time, used some sort of cash flow borrowing. several board members expressed frustration with the state’s decision to delay state aid. “as the governor and Legislature look to balance its budget, it’s a real cost to us,” Board Member art Coulson said.

Jessica Harper is at [email protected]

Officials say need for loan

was created by funding changes

Growth may force county board race in all districts

District 196 looks to borrow again

by Hunter Paulson-Smith

Thisweek Newspapers

Though the school of environmental studies in apple Valley offers many opportunities, it can present challenges for those inter-ested in team sports. The magnet school offers an interdisciplinary cur-riculum, student-run clubs and committees, and field studies to places around the globe. But ses does not of-fer team sports, so students have to travel back to their District 196 “home high school” to participate in the

sport of their choice. Transportation poses a problem for some students, especially those without their own car or a license. some ses students also say timing can be an issue. “i’m really crunched for time because i have to drive over and get changed in the car, so i’ve been late a couple times,” said ra-chel Gratz, an ses student who traveled back to eagan high for varsity soccer dur-ing her junior year. This year, Gratz didn’t participate in soccer at ehs because her schedule was so full with school and other activities. Other students say that

they don’t feel as much a part of the community within their sport because they attend ses. “it’s hard because on game days, everybody dresses up and is very en-thusiastic, and at ses, no-body’s really on your team here,” said sophie albright, an ses student who plays softball at eastview. Despite the challenges of transportation and timing, many ses students find it worthwhile to play sports at their home high school. “There weren’t many conflicts for me, and the teachers were very flexible when i missed school for (the) state (tournament),”

said Jenny rudnicki, a stu-dent who played tennis at eagan high for four years. Jenny and ses students Chris Bechly (rosemount) and kate wright (apple Valley) were captains of their respective sports at their home high schools this year. These students show that ses and team sports can mix. “Don’t let participation in a sport hold you back from going to ses,” said Jenny.

Hunter Paulson-Smith is an intern who attends the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley.

Mixing school and sports is a challenge for SES students

by Jessica HarperThisweek Newspapers

an eagan man is facing felony charges for allegedly failing to pay taxes associ-ated with his prior Lake business. Douglas Nagle, 52, was charged by the scott Coun-ty attorney’s Office with four counts of willful fail-ure to pay Minnesota sales tax, one count of making a sale after the state Depart-ment of revenue revoked his sales tax permit, and four counts of willful fail-ure to file corporate returns between 2006 and 2010. Nagle, owner of Diggers sales and service inc., owes a total of $608,992 in un-paid sales taxes, according to the Minnesota Depart-

ment of revenue. The department revoked Nagle’s sales tax permit in October 2011 for allegedly failing to pay sales taxes be-tween June 2008 and Octo-ber 2011. Despite the state’s ac-tions, Nagle made illegal sales eight days later, ac-cording to the Department of revenue. Nagle’s unpaid corporate taxes total $5,897, includ-ing penalty and interest, the complaint said. if convicted, Nagle could face up to five years in pris-on and a $10,000 fine for each felony count.

Jessica Harper is at [email protected].

Eagan man faces felony tax charges

Distraught man chargedwith making threats a Burnsville man dis-traught over a breakup with his girlfriend allegedly threatened her and caused a disturbance the next day at his apartment. Michael Todd pleier, 36, is charged with making ter-roristic threats, a felony, and interfering with an emer-gency call, a gross misde-meanor, in the March 5 and 6 incidents. police were told the after-noon of March 6 that pleier was holding his mother hos-tage at his apartment on the 12500 block of portland avenue south. police spoke with pleier’s father, who insisted they go inside to “save his wife’s life,” according to the crimi-nal complaint. The man said his son may have taken

prescription drugs. The woman then exited the apartment and told po-lice no one was inside. They located pleier nearby and arrested him. his mother told police she’d been at the apartment when her son came home in a rage. she said he took the phone away when she tried to call 911. she said pleier had “threatened to cut his girlfriend up into little piec-es,” the complaint said. police then spoke to the girlfriend, who said she’d told pleier on March 5 that she didn’t want to see him anymore. he threatened to “cut (her) up with a knife,” the complaint said. she eventually got pleier to leave.

— John Gessner

Education

AgendasEagan Advisory Parks Commission Following is the agenda for the 7 p.m. Monday, March 19, meeting of the

eagan advisory parks Commission in City Coun-cil chambers at the eagan Municipal Center.

workshop: Caponi Update and

Off Leash Dog area Operational policies & procedures, 6 to 6:55 p.m., conference rooms 2a and 2B. agendai. Call to Order and pledge of al-legiance ii. adopt agenda iii. approval of Minutes of regu-lar Meeting of January 12, 2012 iV. Visitors to be heardV. Director’s UpdateVi. Consent agenda a. arbor Day proclamationVii. Development proposals a. eagan Car Club

Viii. Old Businessa. Off Leash Dog area Operation-al policies & procedures iX. New Businessa. public hearing for submis-sion of DNr Outdoor recreation GrantB. public hearing for submission of DNr Natural and scenic area Grant X. Other Business and reports a. recreation Facility reportXi. CommunicationsXii. round TableXiii. adjournment

THISWEEK March 16, 2012 3A

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

��

��

��

Tickets to theMarch19U.S. Navy band concert atthe Burnsville PerformingArts Center are sold out,but city cable subscriberswill still have an opportu-nitytoseetheperformanceliveat7p.m.onBurnsvilleCommunity Television(BCTV)cablechannel14.

Areplayschedulefortheconcertwillbeavailableaf-tertheeventatwww.burns-ville.tv. For more information

on the concert, contact theBurnsville Performing ArtsCenter at (952) 895-4680or visit www.burnsvillepac.com.

PhotobyRickOrndorf

Evan Brown, in the green hat, and Patch McMahon, in the blue, high five the Eagan Wildcat hockey team as it takes the ice during the start of the Eagan versus Moorhead quarterfinal boys’ state hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center on March 8. The Wildcats lost to the Spuds 4-0. Eagan went on to finish the tournament with a 4-1 loss in the consolation final.

Wildcats lose at state tournament

PhotobyMichaelRicci

Legion Games at 3128 Highway 13 W. in Burnsville is hosting the Pokemon state championship for the fourth consecutive year.

by Michael RicciThiSweekNewSPAPeRS

Burnsville seems to behome to a niche that mostpeople were never fullyawareof. ABurnsvillebusinesswillhost about 150 Pokemoncard players this month.Legion Games, 3128 high-way 13 w., will be homeof the state championshipcompetition, on March 24,for the fourth consecutiveyear. Players can earn thechance to advance to theMidwest regional competi-tioninMadison,wis.,April13 to 15, with the hope ofultimatelycompetingatthenationallevelinAugust. According to Jeff Pren-

tiss,whomanagestheevent,thetournamentisinits15thyear,withthelastfourbeingheldatLegion.Thegamingcenter is discreetly locatedin the northwest portionof Burnsville just north ofhighway13. Competitors enter thecompetitions on their ownand advancement is up tothem,accordingtoPrentiss.But those who wish to ad-vanceaftertakingfirstplaceintheopen,statewidecom-petitionreceiveanincentive. “The first place win-ners get a travel stipend tonationals,” Prentiss said,addingtherehavealsobeenscholarshipsinpastyears. Prentisssaidthetourna-

ment usually draws about100 competitors from bor-deringstatesaswellasMis-souri, illinois and Nebras-ka. “we usually have three,four or five states repre-sented,” Prentiss said, add-ing that top players couldadvance to internationalcompetition. Thetournament–whichis open to players in the10-and-under juniors, 10-15 seniors and 15-and-overmasterslevels–typicallyat-tracts not only players butfamilyandfriendsaswell. “it’s fairly exciting,”Prentiss said. “There is al-waysalotoftalking.” Although it may be an

excitingtimefortheplayers,most of them, especiallytheyoungerones,don’ttalkmuchabouttheirPokemonachievements, according toPrentiss. “when you ask if theywanttoputtheirnameandpicture in the paper, theysaynobecausetheygetkid-ded about it at school,” hesaid. ThiscomesasnosurprisetoCedanBourne,managerofLegionGames.TheMin-neapolisresidentandhobbygamestoremanageroffiveyearssaidthosewhoarere-allyintoPokemonandsimi-largamesdon’ttalkaboutitmuch. “i’msureeverybodyhas

acousin,sibling,roommate,or somebody they knowwhoplays thesegames,”hesaid,addingthatthisislikeadegreeofseparationfromthe“average”person.“it isaniche,butitisareallybignichethesedays.” hesaidPokemon is stillpopular in 2012, but it hasnotalwaysbeensince ithitthemarket. “Pokemon has goneup and down through theyears,” Bourne said, add-ing that the popularity isup again. “i know that igetabout15to20peopleinhereeveryFridaynightwhoplay.” According to Bourne,Legion Games is one of

dozens of hobby gamestores in the Twin Cities,andtheaveragepersonlike-ly doesn’t know about thegameconceptofPokemon. “There has always beena game concept,” he said.“iremembermyroommateplayingitwheniwasincol-lege.Alotoflittlekidsjustcollect the cards becausethey are neat, but therehasalwaysbeen theoptionto play a game with thosecards.”

Michael Ricci is Burnsville-Lakeville community editor for Minnesota Sun Publica-tions.

Legion Games is four-time host

Burnsville business hosting Pokemon state championship tourney

Skateville in Burnsvillewill hold its Spring FoodDrive from 4 to 8 p.m.wednesday,March28,andwednesday,April4.

Guests will receive freeadmissionwithadonationof a nonperishable fooditem. Rental prices will be$1 for roller skates and $3

forin-lineskates. Alldonateditemswillbesent to 360 Communitiesfordistribution.

Skateville holds spring food drive in Burnsville

Sold-out U.S. Navy Band concert to be cablecast live

The 2011-12 District196 figure skating teamwill present its annual iceshow, “A Tribute to Musi-calicons,”at7p.m.March15-17atAppleValleyhigh

SchoolArena. Skatersfromallfivedis-tricthighschoolsandthreemiddleschoolsmakeupthe30-memberteam. Flowerswillbeavailable

for purchase. A silent auc-tionalsowillbeheld. For more informationabouttheicettes,visitwww.icettes.com.

District 196 figure skating team presents ice show


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Opinion

Many Minnesotans say they treasuretheMinnesotaVikingsfootballteam,buttheydon’twanttohelppayforanewsta-diumtokeepit. That’sthedilemmafortheLegislature,whichkeepsstalling,hopingitcanputthisdecisionoff untilaftertheNovemberelec-tions. Meanwhile, the Vikings insist theywantanew$975millionstadiumandarewillingtopaymorethan$427millionofthecost,aslongassomeoneelsepaystheremaining$548million. The central question, however, is nothowtopayforitandwheretoputit.Thebottomline is:Howimportant is theVi-kings team to Minnesotans’ quality oflife? If theconsensusofthepeopleistokeeptheVikingsbecausetheyaddsomuchval-uetothestate’squalityoflife,thenallthepeopleshouldhelppayforanewstadiumthatwillkeepthemhere.

ThisburdenshouldnotfallonMinne-apolisresidentsalonethroughthearrayoftaxestheypaynowforfacilitieslikeTargetField,theMinneapolisConventionCenterand Target Center. Nor should it fall ononly those who would pay for electronicpulltabs,asproposedinthelateststadiumplan. Thelatestplancallsfora$975millionstadiumeastoftheMetrodomeinMinne-apolis.Itwouldbefinancedby$427mil-lion from theVikings,$150million fromMinneapolis through sales and luxurytaxesand$398millionfromstate-runelec-tronicpulltabs. This plan still has to be approved bya reluctant Legislature and Minneapo-lisCityCouncil,whichfear thebacklashfromthosewhoquestiontheVikingsdealwhen compared with the state’s need tocloseabudgetdeficit,topayfor$2.1bil-lion in withheld payments to school dis-trictsandtofundhumanservices.

Since this issuehasdraggedon for10yearsandaplanhasbeenputtogetherfortheLegislature,thisisthesessiontovoteitupordown.Waitingwon’tleadtoabettersolution. Minnesotans want to believe the Vi-kings will never leave for a city with amodern stadium. Don’t they recall howthe state lost its former NBA franchise,the Minneapolis Lakers, to Los Ange-lesandtheMinnesotaNorthStarsNHLhockeyteamtoDallas? Have they forgotten how the statefought forand regainednewhockeyandbasketball franchises by having to buildTargetCenterandtheXcelCenter? Amajorpolicyquestionis:Shouldthestatecontinuetofundentertainmentven-ues for its residents with local and statetaxes? Whynot?TherearestateandlocaltaxdollarsintheXcelCenterinSt.Paul,Tar-get Field in Minneapolis, the National

SportsCenterinBlaine,theGuthrieThe-aterinMinneapolis,theMallofAmericainBloomingtonandtheTCFBankStadi-umontheUniversityofMinnesotacam-pus. Themostrecentcaseofpublicfinanc-ingisTargetFieldinMinneapolis,wherethere is a 0.15 percent sales tax payingtwo-thirds of the cost. People are ravingaboutthisstadium,evenastheyhelppayforitwhentheybuysomethinginHenne-pinCounty. Aconsensusisdevelopingthatkeepingthe Vikings maintains the state’s qualityoflife.Astadiumplanisonthetable.Let’svote.

An editorial from the ECM Publishers Edi-torial Board. Thisweek Newspapers and the Dakota County Tribune are part of ECM Publishers Inc.

by Jeff MortensenSPeCIALToTHISWeekNeWSPAPerS

360Communitieshaspreviouslyshared theexcitingresultsfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaCenterforAppliedresearchandeducationalImprovement evaluation of ourPartners For Success program: 88percentofstudents intheevaluationmet,exceeded or made progress toward theirreadinggoals.Nearlyhalf ofthosekidsex-ceededthosegoals,severalby200percent.

Inadditiontovalidatingstrongser-viceresults,theCAreIstudyalsoprovided constructive feedbackregarding organizational areas forimprovement. Adaptability is an essential partof any organization’s continuedgrowthandviabilityand360Com-

munities isa learningorganization. overthepastcoupleofmonths,wehaveopenedupnewconversationsexternallywithpart-ners and internally with staff and volun-

teers. We have found that while there ismuchtocelebrateabout360Communities,thereisalsoimportantfeedbacktoactonnow to improve and strengthen servicesthatdirectlysupportfamilies. Informed by staff and volunteers clos-est to the work, community partners andtheCAreIevaluation,wepromptlyimple-mentedimprovementsthatbothstrengthenourdirectservicesandincreaseourvolun-teercapacity. We’veadded40frontlinestaff hourstothe360CommunitiesBurnsvilleresourceCenter.Thesehoursaresharedbyemploy-eesfromourPartnersForSuccess,DakotaHealthy Families and 360 CommunitiesLewis House service areas. The result isexperienced full-timestaff coverageMon-daythroughFriday,9a.m.to5p.m.atthiscriticallocationthatsupportsmanyofourother service areas throughout DakotaCounty. This immediately provides moredirect service to families, greater supporttovolunteersandallowsustobemorere-sponsivetocommunityneedsthroughour(952) 985-5300 hotline and in-person in-takes. Inaddition,360Communitiesaddedapositionthatisresponsiblefortherecruit-ment,supportandretentionofvolunteers…acommunitysourceofstrength!Inthepast fourweeks, thisadditionhasalreadymade an impact: 10 new volunteers are

now providing direct service to families,another15areintheon-boardingprocessandactivevolunteershavegainedincreasedsupport. ourservicesarenowmoreaccessibleata time when they couldn’t be more need-ed. According to the U.S. Census BureauAmerican Community Survey, there wasa 126 percent jump in poverty in DakotaCounty between 2000 and 2010. We areconfident our recent changes will help usconnect with families in new and betterways,pavingthewayforasuccessfulfutureforallofus. 360 Communities is adapting to thechanging needs of its staff, its volunteersanditscommunities.Wearegratefultothemorethan1,000volunteerswhogenerouslygive360Communitiestheirtimeandtalentannuallytostrengthentheircommunities. Dropbyandyou’llnoticeafreshinfluxofenergyandexcitementaround360Com-munities.If youareinterestedinvolunteer-ing,contactkathrynArchambaultat(952)985-4017.Yourcommunityand360Com-munitiesneedyou.

Jeff Mortensen is interim president and CEO of 360 Communities, a nonprofit de-voted to preventing violence in our homes and communities, stabilizing families in cri-sis, and ensuring that kids succeed in school. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Time is now to vote on Vikings stadium

The next step: strengthening family services

ECM Editorial

Guest Columnist

Letters

Correction

Letters to the editor policyThisweekNewspaperswelcomesletterstotheeditor.Submittedlettersmustbenomorethan350words.Alllettersmusthavetheauthor’sphonenumberandaddressforverificationpurposes.Anonymousletterswillnotbeaccepted.Lettersreflecttheopinionoftheauthoronly.ThisweekNewspapersreservestherighttoeditallletters.Submissionofaletterdoesnotguaranteepublication.

Thisweek Newspapers

Publisher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JulianAndersenPresident. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MargeWinkelmanGeneralManager/editor . . . . . . . . . . LarryWernerAppleValley/Thisweekendeditor. . AndrewMillerBurnsville/District191editor . . . . . . JohnGessnereagan/District196editor. . . . . . . . . . JessicaHarper

rosemounteditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TadJohnsonPhotoeditor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rickorndorfSportseditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AndyrogersSalesManager...................MikeJetchickofficeManager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ellenreierson

Contactusat:APPLeVALLeYNeWS:[email protected]

BUrNSVILLeNeWS:[email protected]:[email protected]

roSeMoUNTNeWS:[email protected]:[email protected]

ADSALeS:[email protected]:[email protected]

Managingeditors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TadJohnson/JohnGessner

BURNSVILLE OFFICE12190 County Road 11Burnsville, MN 55337

952-894-1111 fax: 952-846-2010

www.thisweeklive.com officeHours:9a.m.-5p.m.Monday-Thursday,9a.m.-3p.m.Friday

Myhra has earned the votesTotheeditor: Itwasalittledisappoint-ing to find out that PamMyhrawillnolongerbemystate representative follow-ingtheredistrictingprocess. If thereisonethingthat

isclear,it’sthatMyhragen-uinelycaresabouthercon-stituents and the state ofMinnesota. Shewonin2010becauseshe worked tirelessly andconnected with thousandsof voters across Burnsvilleand Savage, and with thesame commitment, I haveno doubt that she will be

sent back to St. Paul in2012. I urge the voters of thenewly redrawn House Dis-trict 56A to support PamMyhrain2012andbeyond–shewillnotdisappoint.

NATHANSCHMIDBurnsville

Thisweek incorrectlyreported video visitationcallers use Skype to reachDakota County Jail in-

mates. Callersuseacustompro-gram that does not requirerunninganapplicationona

personalcomputer. Thisweek regrets theerror.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

PUBLIC NOTICEINDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196

Rosemount-Apple Valley-EaganPublic Schools

Educating our students to reachtheir full potential

2012 Waterproofing RehabilitationRosemount High School

Notice is hereby given that sealed bidswill be received for the 2012 WaterproofingRehabilitation by Independent School Dis-trict 196, hereinafter called the Owner, atthe Facilities and Grounds Office located inthe District Service Center Annex at 14445Diamond Path, Rosemount, MN 55068,until 2 p.m. local time on April 3, 2012, atwhich time and place bids will be publiclyopened and read aloud.

In general, the work consists of water-proofing rehabilitation at Rosemount SeniorHigh School.

Complete instructions on how to obtainB idding Documen ts can be found a t :http://www.district196.org/District/LegalNotices/index.cfm.

If you should have any questions regard-ing this bid you may contact the FacilitiesDepartment at (651) 423-7706.

Art Coulson, Board ClerkIndependent School District 196

2936912 3/16-3/23/12

PUBLIC NOTICEINDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196

Rosemount-Apple Valley-EaganPublic Schools

Educating our students to reachtheir full potential

2012 Hardscape Rehabilitation

Notice is hereby given that sealed bidswill be received for the 2012 HardscapeRehabilitation by Independent School Dis-trict 196, hereinafter called the Owner, atthe Facilities and Grounds Office located at14445 D iamond Path, Rosemount, MN55068, until 10 a.m. local time on April 3,2012, at which time and place bids will bepublicly opened and read aloud.

In general, the work consists of crack-seal, sealcoat, reconstruction and re-strip-ing to parking lots, drives, pathways andplaygrounds at multiple sites throughoutthe District.

Complete instructions on how to obtainB idding Documen ts can be found a t :http://www.district196.org/District/LegalNotices/index.cfm.

If you should have any questions regard-ing this bid you may contact the FacilitiesDepartment at (651) 423-7706.

Art Coulson, Board ClerkIndependent School District 196

2936903 3/16-3/23/12

��

��

��

��

��

��


made. Skilled Yellow Ribbonvolunteers in Lakeville re-centlypatchedaceilingleakforasoldiergettingreadytobedeployed. NumbersofYellowRib-bonvolunteersandbusiness-es will combine efforts thisweek toassist thewifeofasoldierservingoverseaswitha move from BloomingtontoFarmington. One day after her wor-riedcalltoAnnetteKuyper,Minnesota’s director ofmilitary outreach, movingboxesweredeliveredtoher,anarmyofvolunteersorga-nized tohelpherpackandclean, two moving truckswere reserved, and SubwayFarmingtonandCubFoodsinBloomingtonagreedpro-videfoodforvolunteers. That kind of action de-mands collaboration, theheart of Dakota County’sfunction as a Yellow Rib-bonCounty. “Any veteran in Dako-ta County that needs anytypeof resourcescancall,”said Dakota County Veter-ans Services Director Lisa

Thomas. “We may not beable to help them immedi-ately,butwecouldconnectthem with someone whocan.” The county’s involve-ment is not intended totakeoverordirect localef-forts, but to enhance andconnect them to provide acomprehensive network ofresources bold enough togrowfromprovidinghelptosolvinglargersocietalprob-lems military face, Kuypersaid. Working as a network,businesses, organizations,government, thefaithcom-munity and individualscan, for example, work toaddressmilitaryunemploy-ment, which has proven tobeabiggerprobleminMin-nesota than other states,Kuypersaid. Rich Davey, a 20-yearmemberoftheAppleValleyAmerican Legion, serviceofficer and chaplain, saidsoldiers’stressofreintegra-tionismagnifiedbyaweak-enedeconomy. “I’ve heard so manythings about people com-ingbackafter serving theircountry and their position

hasbeeneliminated,Daveysaid. “They’re told there’snospotforyounow.” As a Yellow RibbonCounty, Dakota Countymay network with busi-nesses that provide resumecoachingandinterviewtipsforsoldiers. Employers may be en-couraged to hire a veteran,and tips about availablejobs provided to militarymembers seeking employ-ment. Thomas described thecounty’s role in the YellowRibbonnetworkasweavingaconnectivethreadtosup-portcities. ShehasestablishedaYel-low Ribbon County Steer-ingCommitteethatincludesrepresentativesfromYellowRibbon cities, county de-partments and communityleaders. Togethertheysharecon-cerns and collaborate toensureresourcesareunder-stood,sharedandarecraft-edtomeetlocalneeds. Dakota County’s actionplan includes a provisionfor the county’s communi-cations department to up-date a website highlighting

local resources, events andsupportservicesfromava-rietyofsourcesavailabletomilitarymembersandtheirfamilies. “There is so much in-formation for veterans, somany new programs andchanges, it’s hard to keepuponthose,”Thomassaid.“It’saquick-movingworld.Wewanttomakesurewe’rekeeping each other in-formedofthechanges.” Thomas said the coun-ty will share informationabout its resources to helpmilitarymembersandtheirfamilies find affordablehousing,healthcareandfi-nancialsupport. “DakotaCountyisreallymodeling what we want allcounties throughout Min-nesotatodo,”Kuypersaid.“Theyarebecomingacon-nectoroftheirYellowRib-bon communities so theyknowwhatthey’redoingtoensuretheyareallworkingtogether.”

Laura Adelmann is at [email protected].

PhotobyRickOrndorf

Water clarity in Alimagnet Lake has doubled in recent years, thanks to a series of cleanup efforts. The lake is situated in Burnsville and Apple Valley.

Bringing clarity to Alimagnet LakeCities, homeowners have made big progress in lake cleanup

of algae decreasing everyyear as well. Between 2008and2011,clarityhasaboutdoubled.” Another Burnsville lake,Earley Lake, came off thelist in 2010, Jacobson said.CrystalandKellerlakesre-mainonthelist,alongwithLac Lavon. The latter —“one of the cleanest lakesintheentiremetro”—isonthe list for mercury levels,not the typical pollutants,Jacobsonsaid. A total of 3,638 Min-nesota water bodies are la-beledimpairedbythePCA. Scheerer, who is presi-dentoftheAlimagnetLakeAssociation, said the lakeisinthebestshapesincehemovedtherein1994. “Ithinklastsummerwesaw marked improvement,”hesaid. He gives much of thecredit to the banning ofphosphorous fertilizers atleastadecadeago. But the cities of Burns-villeandAppleValley,eachof which contains abouthalf of Alimagnet Lake,have taken a number ofsteps since 2005 to cleansethewater. Burnsville has spentabout $400,000 since then,

which included a $65,000grant from the Board ofSoil and Water Resources,accordingtoJacobson. The grant helped builda stormwater pond nearCounty Road 11 to treatwater before it enters thelake. Apple Valley madesignificantimprovementstoitsstormwaterpondinRed-woodPark,Jacobsonsaid. “But there’s still a reallylargenumberofstormwateroutletsthatdodraindirect-ly into Alimagnet Lake,”Scheerersaid.“It’sjustcost-prohibitivetotakethemallaway.’ Other projects have in-cluded winter aeration ofthelake,installationofbar-leystrawinthreekeystormponds to reduce phospho-rous loading, a curlyleaf-control program done bythe lake association, andfishmanagement. TheDepartmentofNat-uralResourceshasremovedsomesunfishandbullheadsandintroducedcatfish,andthe lake association hasadded some large-mouthbass, according to Jacob-son. The bass and catfishare predators that feed onyoungerbullheadsandsun-

nies, he said. When therearetoomanybullheadsandsunnies, they have to rootaround in the lake-bottomsediment to find food,whichreleasesphosphorousintothewater.

Earley Lake A stormwater pondbuilt at Southcross Driveand Burnhaven Drive sev-eral years ago has greatlyimproved water quality inEarleyLake,Jacobsonsaid.The lake is west of Burns-villeCenter. “That is obviously a lotof impervious surface uponthehillthere,”Jacobsonsaid.“Noneofitwasreceiv-ing any stormwater treat-mentpriortothatpondbe-ingputin.” Citywide,Burnsvilleem-barked on a 15-year, $27millionplan in2001 to im-prove surface-water qualityandcontrolflooding.Muchoftheworkhasbeenstorm-sewermaintenanceandup-grades.

John Gessner is at [email protected].

by John GessnerTHISWEEKNEWSPAPERS

AstheiceretreatsonAli-magnet Lake, homeownerDave Scheerer anticipatesanother year’s pleasures oflakeshoreliving. “Ihaveadock,”saidtheBurnsville resident, one of60 Alimagnet Lake home-owners. “I have a littlerunaboutboat thatwepulltubers and water skiersaround in. ...There’snoth-ing better than living onthe lake, and I don’t haveto drive four hours to gettomine.Ijusthavetocomehome.” Alimagnet has beentransformedinrecentyears,thanks to a series of proj-ects undertaken by the cit-iesofBurnsvilleandAppleValley and the AlimagnetLakeAssociation. Water clarity has dou-bled. Post-rainstorm algaeblooms are under control,Scheerer said, and massivewinter fish-killsarea thingofthepast. Alimagnet reached amilestone late lastyear, thefirst time itmetMinnesotaPollution Control Agencystandards to be removedfrom the state’s impaired-waterslist. Such readings averagedover a decade are neededto actually remove a lakefromthelist,butAlimagnetseemstobeonitsway,saidDaryl Jacobson, Burns-ville’s water-resources spe-cialist. Alimagnethad“thelow-estwaterqualityinthecityforanumberofyears,”Ja-cobsonsaid. “It’sbeenprettyremark-able,” he said. “I’m alwayscautiously optimistic be-cause the environmentalfactors inwaterqualityareunpredictablebecausethereare so many. The weather,theclimate,allthosediffer-entthingsplayabigrole. “But we have seen im-provement, I think, everyyearforthepastfiveyears,with phosphorous reduc-tions every year, clarity in-creasing, and the amount

RHS Winterguard pancake breakfast Rosemount Applebee’swill host a pancake break-fastfortheRosemountHighSchoolWinterguardfrom8to10a.m.Saturday,March17. Ticketsareavailableatthedoorfor$10.Thefundraiserwillhelpthecolorguardcov-eritscostsfortheseason.

Scouts pancake breakfast BoyScoutTroop455willhost its seventh annual pan-cake breakfast from 8 a.m.to noon Saturday, April 21,at the Rosemount AmericanLegion,14590BurmaAve.W. Thebreakfastincludesall-you-can-eat pancakes, sau-sage,juiceandcoffee.Ticketsare$5at thedoor.Childrenage 5 and younger eat free.Therewillalsobeabakesaleandprizeraffle.

Medi-CAR program benefits charities Medi-CAR Auto Repairin Rosemount is offering aprogramcalled“DoctorYourCar:DonatetoYourFavoriteCharity.” The program willrunthroughMay31. The program will benefita number of local charitiesthrough designated dona-tionsonbehalfofautoown-ersandtheautorepairshop. Areanonprofits can con-

tact Debi McConnell toensure their organization’sname is on the donationdesignation list by phoneat (651) 322-6466 or [email protected].

Robert Trail Library events TheRobertTrailLibrary,14395S.RobertTrail,Rose-mount, has planned the fol-lowingevents: •ASt.Patrick’sDayStoryTime,7p.m.Monday,March12.Music, limericks, stories,a wee jig and a simple craftforfamilies. • Family Story Times,10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Thurs-days, March 15, 22 and 29.Stories and activities formixedagegroupsofchildrenages0to6. •BabyStoryTime,10:30to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday,March 21. Stories, songs,bounces and playtime forchildren newborn to 24months.

In Briefs

Ribbons/from 1A

Berg to return from deployment this spring FirstLt.DustinBerg hasbeendeployedtoAfghani-stansinceMayof2011.HefliestheBlackHawkhelicop-terwiththe1stCavalryandwillreturntoFt.Hood,Texas,thisspring.He isa2004graduateofAppleValleyHighSchool.

First Lt. Dustin Berg

Service News

Singing camp registration open TheAllegroChoralAcad-emyisacceptingregistrationsforitsJune18-21“PitchPer-fect”SummerSingingCampfor ages 6-11 at St. John’sLutheran Church in Lakev-ille. Find information andregistrationmaterialsatwww.allegroca.org,(952)[email protected].

The Denmark TownshipHistorical Society is in theprocess of buying one oftheoldestone-roomschool-houses in the state, ValleySchoolDistrict#34,builtin1852andstillonitsoriginalsiteonSt.CroixTrailatthesoutherntipofWashingtonCounty. Society members invited“country kids” and teach-ers to share their memo-ries, pictures and stories asthe society works towardrestoring and furnishingthe historic school. Dona-tionsoftypicalfurnishings,suchasschooldesks,books,maps,globes,PalmerMeth-odchartsandmorewillbeaccepted. Members of the histori-cal society are working to

raise $80,000 to buy theschoolhouseand$45,000torestore it.Thefirst$40,000isdueMay1andthesecond$40,000byMay1,2013.Atotal of $12,000 has beenpledgedsofar. For more informationaboutthecampaigntoSaveOur School, contact Jeanand Wayne Boyd, (651)436-8031, [email protected] or Sharon Le-wandowski,(651)436-5664,[email protected], orcheck the website at dths-mn.org. Donation checksshould be made payableto the Denmark TownshipHistorical Society and sentto Treasurer Lauren Cran,7777 Quadrant Ave. S.,Hastings,MN55033.

‘Country Kids’ and teachers wanted to help restore school


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

� ��

� ��

� ��

� ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

� ��

��

� ��

� ��

� ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

� ��

� ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

District 917School BoardProceedingsThis is a summary of the Intermediate

School District 917 Regular School BoardMeeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, withfull text available for public inspection ont h e d i s t r i c t w e b s i t e a twww.isd917.k12.mn.us or the District Officeat 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN55068.

The meeting was called to order at 5:00PM at 1300 145th Street East, in the DCTCBoard Room. Board members present:Arlene Bush, Dan Cater, Veronica Walter,Deb Clark, Vanda Pressnall, Vicki Roy, andex-officio member Supt. John Christiansen.Absent: Kathy Lewis, Jill Lewis, Tom Ryer-son. Also present: Melissa Schaller, DanHurley, Nicolle Roush, Erin Mahnke, CoryLangenfeld, Kitri Larson Kyllo and LindaBerg. Good news reports were presented.The following Consent Agenda items wereapproved : minutes, personnel, bills to bepaid, investment report and wire transfers.Recommended actions approved: Resolu-tion directing administration to make rec-ommendations for reductions in programsand positions-roll call vote taken, all votedaye; and approval of maintenance pay-ments to member districts. Adjournment at5:56 PM. ____________________________________

This is a summary of the IntermediateSchool District 917 Regular School BoardMeeting on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, withfull text available for public inspection ont h e d i s t r i c t w e b s i t e a twww.isd917.k12.mn.us or the District Officeat 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN55068.

The meeting was called to order at 5:00PM at 1300 145th Street East, in the DCTCBoard Room. Board members present:Arlene Bush, Dan Cater, Deb Clark, KathyLewis, Tom Ryerson, Vanda Pressnall, VickiRoy, and ex-officio member Supt. JohnChristiansen. Absent: Veronica Walter andJill Lewis. Also present: Melissa Schaller,Dan Hurley, Nicolle Roush, and members ofthe audience. Good news reports werepresented. The following Consent Agendaitems were approved: minutes, donations,personnel, b i l ls to be pa id, investmentreport and wire transfers. Recommendedactions approved: 403b Plan Guidelinesand Terms and Conditions of Employmentfo r the Ass is tan t D i rec to r s fo r Ju ly2011-June 2013. Adjournment at 5:54 PM.2933619 3/16/12

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

��

��

��

Hartman - PapinChristopher Hartman and Jen-

nifer Papin were happily marriedon October 22, 2011 in Virginia,MN.

Christopher is the son of Fredan Gloria Hartman of Lakeville,MN. Jennifer is the daughter ofDavid and Mavis Papin of Vir-ginia, MN.

The couple resides in St. Paul,MN.

��

Sood - GrossJ e r r y a n d S u s a n S o o d o f

Lakeville are pleased to announcethe engagement of their daughterMegan to Justin Gross, son ofJeff and Rozanne Gross of Mar-cus, Iowa.

The future b r ide i s a 2006graduate of Lakeville North HighSchool and a 2011 graduate ofBethel University with a Bach-elor of Science in Nursing. She iscurrently working as a ChargeNurse in Dubuque, Iowa.

The future groom is a 2005graduate of Marcus Mer idenCleghorn High School and a 2009graduate of Iowa State Univer-sity with a Bachelor of ScienceDegree in Mechanical Engineer-ing. He works at John Deere as aNew Project Design Engineer inDubuque, Iowa.

A May 2012 wedding is plannedin Minneapolis.

��

In Loving MemoryDarah Lynn Robertson

8-12-89 to 6-7-08...and until we meet again, may

God hold you in the palm of Hishand.

-An Irish Blessing

��

Michael AllenPaulsen

Michael Allen Paulsen, age 45of Fairbanks, Alaska, formerly ofLakeville, MN died peacefully onFebruary 12, 2012.

M e m o r i a l w i l l b e h e l d o nMarch 17th, 2012 at St. JohnsLutheran Church 20165 HeathAve., Lakeville, MN. Visitation 1hour prior, guests invited to lun-cheon following services.

��

��

To submit an announcementForms for birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and obituaries announcements are available at our office and online at www.thisweeklive.com (click on “Announcements” and then “Send Announcement”). Com pleted forms may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to Thisweek Newspapers, 12190 County Road 11, Burnsville, MN 55337. If you are submitting a photograph along with your announcement, please only submit photographs for which you have the right to permit Thisweek Newspapers to use and publish. Deadline for announcements is 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fee of $50 will be charged for the first 5 inches and $10 per inch thereafter. They will run in all editions of Thisweek Newspapers. Photos may be picked up at the office within 60 days or returned by mail if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

Burnsville City Council Following is the pre-liminary agenda for the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, regular meeting of the Burnsville City Council at City Hall.

CALL TO ORDERPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE1. Announcements and Proclama-tions2. Citizen Comments3. Additions to the Final AgendaCONSENT AGENDA 4A. Consider Approval of Minutes 6:35 p.m. B. Consider Approval of Claims Listing C. Consider Resolution Estab-lishing Election Precincts and Ap-proving the Designation of Polling Places for the 2012 Primary and General Elections. D. Consider Approval for the Annual LOGIS Application Ser-vices Payment E. Consider Authorizing the Purchase of LUCAS-CPR Devices for the Fire Department. F. Consider Adopting Policy No. 1.137 - Sponsorship and Ad-vertising and Adopt an Ordinance Amending the 2012 Fees and Charges Schedule to Establish Re-lated Fees. G. Consider Approval of Mas-ter Agreement with Baseball As-sociation 191 to Allow Advertising on the Outfield Fences at Alimag-net Park. H. Consider Awarding Con-tract to Dakota County Sentence to Service in 2012 for Work Crews. I. Consider Accepting Bids and Awarding Contracts for the 2012 South Metro Cities JPA for Street Maintenance Services (12-303). J. Consider Accepting Quote and Approving Purchase of Global Positioning System Unit. K. Consider Authorizing Proj-ect, Approving Plans and Specifi-cations and Ordering Advertising for Boiler/Heating Plant System Replacement in City Hall. L. Consider Authorization to Utilize JQP, Inc, to Complete ADA Assessment of Parks and Fa-cilities.REGULAR AGENDA5. Consider Application for Fairview Development Company for a Preliminary and Final Plat to be known as ARBORS ADDI-TION and a Planned Unit Devel-opment Amendment for Develop-ment Stage Approval to Construct a Senior Housing Facility located at the Northeast Corner of the Com-munity Drive and Nicollet Boule-vard Intersection; and Consider Findings of Fact; Ordinance and Development Contract/Planned Unit Development Amendment Agreement. – 6:40 p.m. 6. Public Hearing – Consider Res-olution Vacating the Drainage and Utility Easements as Dedicated in the Plat of RIDGES SIXTH AD-DITION, over Outlot B. – 7 p.m. 7. Regular Meeting of the Eco-nomic Development Authority – 7:05 p.m. 8. Miscellaneous – 7:10 p.m. 9. Adjournment

Agendas

StopSmoking

Today’sThe day


Sports

by Mike ShaughnessyThisweek Newspapers

eastview has made regular ap-pearances at the state girls basket-ball tournament – five since 2000 – but most of the current Light-ning players have only seen it from the stands, or on television. Getting used to the shooting background at Target Center and the extra-length NBa court took a little time, but eastview quickly adjusted and defeated st. Mi-chael-albertville 55-41 in a Class 4a quarterfinal game wednesday afternoon. “i thought we kept our com-posure pretty well,” senior guard paige palkovich said. “we didn’t look scared out there.” eastview (25-5) never trailed after the game’s opening minute. even though st. Michael-albert-ville drained six three-pointers in the second half, the knights never cut the Lightning’s lead to less than eight. The size of the court is an un-derrated factor, palkovich and eastview coach Melissa Guebert

said. The Target Center court is 10 feet longer than a regulation high school court. “it makes a big difference,” Guebert said. “if you’re using (defensive) pressure, full-court or half-court, the spacing is com-pletely different.” eastview held st. Michael-al-bertville to four field goals and 11 points in the first half. “at the end, maybe we could have defended the three better and fought through some picks, but i thought we played well defensively,”palkovich said. palkovich and ninth-grade point guard Madison Gue-bert scored 15 points each for eastview. senior forward amber Mehr, the only current varsity player who was in uniform when eastview last played at state three years ago, had 10 points and 12 rebounds. “we’ve lost one game since December,” Melissa Guebert said.“when we started playing well, it was because we had a lot of players contributing.”

eastview, 25-5, played No. 1-ranked and defending state champion hopkins in the Class 4a semifinals Thursday night. The winner plays for the state championship at 8 p.m. saturday at Target Center, while the loser goes to Concordia University in st. paul for the third-place game at 4 p.m. The Lightning played hopkins in December, and it represented a low point of the season for eastview, which lost 64-22. hopkins (28-1) defeated the south suburban Conference’s other state qualifier, Lakeville North, 51-29 in wednesday’s first Class 4a quarterfinal. “Our girls know they’re a bet-ter team than the first time they played hopkins,” Melissa Gue-bert said following eastview’s state quarterfinal victory. “and they’re anxious to go out and prove it.”

Mike Shaughnessy is Dakota County sports editor for Sun Newspapers.


They watched as top players from other high schools left their teams, but a group of eagan se-niors never abandoned their goals. College or Junior a hockey would come soon enough, but before they left eagan, the 11 seniors want-ed to make sure they did their part to establish their school as a state power. even though eagan fin-ished sixth in the state Class aa tournament last week, they left convinced they had done just that. “This program now has high expectations, and i think it has some tradi-tion after going to the state tournament three times in the last seven years,” eagan coach Mike Taylor said. “and it has a lot to do with this group of seniors.” Four eagan seniors – Michael Zajac (princeton), will Merchant (Maine), sam wolfe (Maine) and eli May (Minnesota state-Mankato) – have committed to Division i college pro-grams. some others will try Junior a hockey in an effort to attract attention from college teams. They saw players from other schools – some of

whom they’ve been com-peting against for years – leave for juniors or the Usa hockey development pro-gram in Michigan. some of those same op-portunities likely were avail-able to the eagan players. But they stayed. why? “That’s easy. it’s our friendship,” senior defense-man Derick kuchera said. “we’ve played together on the pond since we were 3.” even though this winter seldom was conducive to outdoor hockey, they got to-gether as often as they could for various contests because bragging rights were impor-tant. “This is such a tight-knit group,” said senior forward will Merchant, who is No. 2 on eagan’s career scor-ing list with 118 points. “we knew coming into this year we’d have a good team again. everyone wanted to be a part of it, and we knew we were going to get back to state.” The wildcats were third in the 2011 Class aa tour-nament and went into this year’s tourney with a 24-3-1 record, the best in school history. But their bid for a state championship was denied by Moorhead goalie Mi-chael Bitzer in the first

round. Bitzer stopped all 34 eagan shots in the spuds’ 4-0 quarterfinal victory March 8. Bitzer, a finalist for the state’s senior goalie of the year award, was good (stoning Nick kuchera on a breakaway in the second period) and fortunate (Mer-chant had the puck hop over his stick with an open net in front of him). “Their goalie’s a good player, a lot of props to him, but we’ve got to find a way to put the puck in the net,” Zajac said. senior forward Cody Mason scored two goals in eagan’s 4-1 victory over Maple Grove in the conso-lation semifinals March 9 at Mariucci arena. The wildcats couldn’t get a shot past Bitzer in 51 minutes of playing time, but they needed only 26 sec-onds to score against Maple Grove goalie kyle koop. Mason scored in the first minute, eli May made it 2-0 at 12:53 of the first period, and eagan held the lead the rest of the way. Mason scored his second goal of the game at 6:38 of the third period. Merchant added an emp-ty-net goal with 15 seconds remaining.


eastview’s and apple Valley’s first two boys bas-ketball games this season were such box-office suc-cesses – resulting in packed houses at both schools’ gyms – that they’re going to do it again. This time, it’s at a neu-tral site (Burnsville high school) and with even more at stake (the Class 4a, sec-tion 3 championship). Tip-off is 7 p.m. Friday, March 16. “apple Valley has an un-guardable kid,” eastview coach Mark Gerber said, referring to eagles sopho-more Tyus Jones. “But it’s really hard to key on him because he makes everyone else better.” Jones scored 39 and 45 points in two games against eastview during the regular season. But the Lightning

by Mike Shaughnessy and Tad Johnson

Thisweek Newspapers

alyssa Grogan has played exactly 9.8 seconds of hockey in the last 17 months, and chances are she’ll never play again. But Grogan not only is at peace with that, she said she believes it was a great way to go out. playing the final few seconds of a game the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team had already safely tucked away allowed Grogan the chance to say goodbye on her terms. Now she can move on with her life, which might one day include training young girls to play goalie – the position where she excelled for years at the high school, college and in-ternational levels. Grogan, an eagan na-tive, suffered a concus-sion in practice in October 2010. what followed was a long, frustrating, debilitat-ing battle with concussion symptoms, not unlike what Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau and pittsburgh penguins forward sidney Crosby have gone through. Last Nov. 30, the Go-phers’ team physician and athletic trainer told Gro-gan her playing career was over. They said they couldn’t clear her to return because she was still expe-riencing symptoms and the risk of another concussion was too high. “it’s hard to imagine what my recovery from a second concussion would be like,” Grogan said. “it

was something i was pray-ing i wouldn’t hear but something i unfortunately wasn’t completely shocked to hear.” Minnesota is playing in the NCaa women’s Fro-zen Four this weekend in Duluth. Grogan’s closure came when she was al-lowed to sit on the bench for the Gophers’ senior Night game Feb. 18 against North Dakota. it was the first time Grogan had suit-ed up since her injury. The Gophers weren’t planning to put her in the game. They held a 5-2 lead with 9.8 seconds remaining with a faceoff in the North Dakota zone. at that point, coach Brad Frost removed his goalie and sent out a sixth skater with the intention of having six seniors on the ice when the game ended. The skater who was to re-place the starting goalie suggested that Grogan take the ice instead. with the trainer’s Ok, Grogan skat-ed to the Minnesota net as more than 2,100 fans at ridder arena roared their approval. “as i skated to the net, i wasn’t really thinking,” she said. “i honestly just couldn’t believe it was hap-pening. i don’t know if i’ve ever had that big of a smile on my face in my entire life.” Better still, her parents, who had attended every home game for four years, were in the crowd, as were about 10 family members from out of town. Gro-gan’s brother, Derek, had his senior Night hockey

game for st. Olaf College the previous day. “i’ve been asked quite a few times if it makes me want to play again,” she said. “and to be complete-ly honest, that moment was so special to me, it almost makes me never want to suit up again. Nothing will ever top that moment on the ice to me.” in the weeks follow-ing her injury, Grogan slept as much as 20 hours a day and experienced se-vere headaches. she missed three semesters of classes. it cut short a career that included playing for eagan high school in the state Class aa tournament and for the gold medal-winning Team Usa in the Un-der-18 world Champion-ships in 2008. as a fresh-man at Minnesota, she ranked sixth in the nation with a 1.67 goals-against average. recovery took place slowly, but she was able to resume a full-time course load this semester and is working out almost every day. Grogan is on schedule to graduate in spring 2013. her degree will be in busi-ness marketing with a pub-lic relations emphasis, and she’s working toward a minor in management. she also is interested in broad-casting after serving as a radio analyst on Gophers games this season. she expects coaching to be part of her future. “i spend a lot of time in the summers coaching at all levels,” she said. “i

Lightning wins opener at state girls tournament

Eagan finishes sixth in state tournament

Section boys basketball title game is Friday

Still recovering from concussion, Eagan nativegets one last chance to skate for Gophers

Eastview makes itselfat home at Target Center

Senior group sticks around to put Wildcats on the hockey map

Lightning, Eagles tip off again

Playing days probably over, but Grogan ready to move on


Eastview’s Madison Guebert attempts a shot during the Lightning’s 55-41 win over St. Michael-Albertville in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament Wednesday.

photo by Mike shaughnessy

Apple Valley’s James Horton (right) battles for position under the basket during the Eagles’ 87-76 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall in the Class 4A, Section 3 boys basketball semifinals on March 10.

photo from the University of Minnesota

Eagan native Alyssa Grogan returned to the net for the final 9.8 seconds of a University of Minnesota women’s hockey game last month. She had been out since October 2010 because of a concussion.

See Basketball, 9ASee Grogan, 9A

See Hockey, 9A

��

��

��

��

� ��

��

��

��

��

A ProgressiveChristian Community

Sunday Worship Hour10:30 AM

Adult Education 9:30 AM(Children’s Education

during Worship)

spiritofjoymn.comNot Your Usual Church

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


Sports

posed constitutional amendment did not factor into his decision to retire, according to Ecker. The conservative po-litical action committee Freedom Club paid for the Right to Work fliers, which were mailed in neighbor-hoods that have Republican senators reportedly reluc-tant about supporting the proposed constitutional amendment. The amendment, carried in the Senate by Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, cleared a Senate committee on Monday amid protests by union supporters. If ap-proved by voters, the mea-sure would make it illegal to force someone to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. Common Cause Min-nesota asked Gerlach on Monday to disclose Capitol Direct’s client list. “Legislators and the public deserve to know whose interests Senator Gerlach may be represent-ing,” Mike Dean, executive director of Common Cause Minnesota, said on the or-ganization’s blog release. “This business arrangement between a lobbying group and the Senator creates an appearance of corruption.” Capitol Direct’s web-site reported that Gerlach bought the company in the mid 2000s and brought with him “his values discipline,

and business ethics, which reinforced the strong foun-dation of this already suc-cessful and growing organi-zation.” Gerlach’s retirement an-nouncement comes six days before the Senate District 57 endorsing convention, at which many expected him to be the new district’s can-didate. Gerlach would have run in the new Senate Dis-trict 57 that largely went unchanged under the new redistricting plan. The dis-trict, which includes all of Rosemount and Apple Val-ley, adds Coates and a por-tion of northeast Lakeville, while losing a portion of southeast Burnsville. Ecker said an announce-ment is expected soon re-garding a replacement can-didate for Gerlach. Apple Valley resident Mike Germain, who has run previously against Gerlach, has said that he will seek the DFL’s endorsement this weekend at the convention. Gerlach’s announcement also comes four days after House District 37B Rep. Kurt Bills, R-Rosemount, said he would seek the Re-publicans U.S. Senate en-dorsement. The Republi-cans are seeking a candidate for that office (now called 57B), too.

Gerlach’s career During his career, Gerlach served in both the Republican minority and

majority, and as majority whip and assistant major-ity leader, a position he lost earlier this year during a GOP reshuffling after Sen-ate Majority Leader Amy Koch resigned from her leadership post. Gerlach said in the press release that he was most proud of the opportunity to serve as the chairman of Senate Commerce Commit-tee. “It has been a great plat-form in which to promote free-market economics while balancing consumer protections,” he said. In 2010, as the lead mi-nority party member on elections issues, Gerlach said he was key to the suc-cessful bipartisan efforts that produced a wide-rang-ing package of election re-forms, including adminis-tration procedures, absentee ballot reforms, an earlier primary election and chang-es to campaign finance and reporting rules in the wake of the Coleman-Franken recount of 2008. Ecker said one of Ger-lach’s most notable accom-plishments was holding the line on taxes. “I was pretty happy with some of his work on elec-tion laws,” Ecker said. “I know the local beer fans were pretty happy with his ‘Surly bill’ that passed through his committee.” In his time at the Capi-tol, Ecker said Gerlach was practical.

“It’s easy to get your head wrapped around ideol-ogy, but Chris has never lost sight of the big picture and what’s practical in our cur-rent situation,” Ecker said. “He’s been a good judge of character and who to seek out for advice when a legis-lative topic leaves his com-fort area.” Gerlach graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of St. Thomas and earned a master of busi-ness administration from the University of South Da-kota. He maintained and de-activated weapons systems as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. Gerlach has served on the Dakota County Human Services Advisory Commit-tee and as a board member of the Apple Valley Opti-mist Club – an organiza-tion dedicated to fostering a wide range of youth pro-grams. “He’s always been very approachable, even to those that disagree with him,” Ecker said. “Some-times at parades someone will pull him aside and want to lay into him on an issue. By the time they part they’re both smiling.” And Gerlach and that old T-shirt keep moving up the road.

Tad Johnson is at [email protected].

Gerlach/from 1A

will attempt to convince delegates for the Minnesota GOP convention May 18-19 that he is the right candidate to face Klobuchar. Also vying for the en-dorsement are military vet-eran Pete Hegseth and for-mer lawmaker and retired U.S. Navy pilot Dan “Doc” Severson. Bills said that no matter who is in charge, the nation keeps racking up a moun-tain of debt. “I have watched in great detail as our various defi-cits and debt have grown to shockingly large propor-tions of our overall econ-omy,” Bills said. “If your children and grandchildren ask what you did when our nation’s economy was at its tipping point, what will you say?” He said he understands the importance of hard work and getting involved. That hard work includes his own schedule during Minnesota’s legislative ses-sions. He said he continues to teach his first-hour Ad-vanced Placement econom-ics course each day before going to the Capitol. He also touted his work with young people, includ-

ing the city’s creation of a Youth Advisory Commis-sion, as a driving force be-hind his decision. Bills, who has been mar-ried to his wife, Cindy, for the past 17 years, has four children. He is a graduate of Winona State University with a bachelor of arts de-gree in American history and a master’s degree in education. Bills defeated one-term Rep. Phil Sterner, DFL-Rosemount, in 2010. In 2008, Sterner won the seat that had been held by Re-publican Dennis Ozment, who had served in the Leg-islature for 23 years. Bills’ announcement leaves an apparent opening for the House District 57B seat. The Republicans will endorse a candidate at their March 17 convention. Kevin Ecker, the Repub-lican Party’s district secre-tary, said there will be an-nouncement soon regarding a replacement for Bills. The expected DFL can-didate is Jeff Wilfahrt, the father of a gay U.S. Army soldier who was killed in ac-tion.

Tad Johnson is at [email protected].

Bills/from 1A

City looks to expand Lebanon Cemetery Apple Valley officials are looking to add about three acres of land to Lebanon Cemetery. City staff are in talks with the owner of the par-cel, Fischer Sand and Ag-gregate, and are hoping to arrive at a purchase price in the next few weeks, accord-ing to Apple Valley Pub-lic Works Director Todd Blomstrom. The additional land, Blomstrom said, would pro-vide more space for inter-ments as well as better road access. Currently, the 10-acre city-run cemetery at Pilot Knob Road and County Road 42 has enough space for 80 years of interments. The Fischer Sand and Ag-gregate parcel, which ad-joins Lebanon Cemetery to the east, would provide enough total land for about 100 years of interments. The land would also provide better road access to the cemetery as it would connect with the city’s planned extension of Em-bry Path, Blomstrom said. “The challenge with (ac-cess to) the cemetery today is there’s a median along the centerline of County Road 42, and there’s a median along the centerline of Pilot Knob Road,” which makes the cemetery inaccessible to westbound vehicles on 42 and southbound vehicles on Pilot Knob Road, Blom-strom said. If city staff and Fischer Sand and Aggregate are able to arrive at a purchase price, the purchase agree-ment would then be brought before the City Council for final approval.

—Andrew Miller

Students nominated for television awards Students from Apple Valley, Eastview and Lakev-ille South high schools are nominees for the 2012 Stu-dent Television Awards for Excellence. The awards, given out by the National Association of Television Arts and Sci-ences Upper Midwest chap-ter, recognize superiority in high school and post-sec-ondary media production. Students from Apple Valley High School re-ceived seven nominations. Eastview students received nine and Lakeville South students garnered six. A complete list of entries can be found at midwestemmys.org. The award ceremony is scheduled for noon April 1 at The Theaters at the Mall of America.

The man accused of op-erating a Zamboni while drunk at a youth hockey event has resigned from his part-time job as arena building supervisor with the city of Apple Valley. The City Council on March 8 accepted the res-ignation of 34-year-old Joel Bruss, who has been charged with four counts of driving while impaired in connection with the Jan. 30 incident at Hayes Arena. Parents at the city-run arena contacted police dur-ing the peewee hockey game to report that the Zamboni operator was driving errati-cally and appeared to be in-toxicated. When officers arrived

on the scene, they observed Bruss struggling to maneu-ver the Zamboni, as he’d gotten the ice-resurfacing machine stuck half on and half off the ice, according to police. Police say Bruss was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol; he failed field sobriety tests and was arrested for DWI. The complaint against Bruss states that his blood-alcohol concentration was 0.32, four times the legal limit for driving. Bruss, of Apple Valley, has three prior convictions for DWI – two in 1999 and one in 2002.

—Andrew Miller

Charged with DWI, Zamboni driver resigns from job with city

Rosemount police officer Jason Waage and firefight-er Tom Bigalk have been named the city’s public safe-ty employees of the year. The two, who were nomi-nated by their co-workers and selected by department managers, were honored last weekend during an ob-servance at the Rosemount American Legion. Waage was praised for his work ethic and dedica-tion to law enforcement. The announcement said he performs in traffic en-forcement at a high level and is quick to respond to calls for service of any kind. He was assigned last year to serve on the county’s joint SWAT team in addition to standard patrol duties, re-quiring additional month-ly training and stand-by readiness in case of a crisis

situation. Waage joined the Rosemount force in 2008. Bigalk has made himself available to the Rosemount Fire Department at all hours, outside of his com-mitment for his full-time job. Along with responding to many service calls, he helps with repair and orga-nization at Fire Station No. 2 and has taken a role with the department’s prevention and education services. He was part of the team that recently installed 200 smoke detectors obtained through a grant, and often volunteers to represent the department at block parties and station tours. He was also a member of the com-mittee that researched the specifications for a new fire truck. Bigalk joined the de-partment in 2005.

Rosemount’s public safety employees of the year named

Lightning reach state tournament

Eastview girls were on 18-1 run going into state

by Mike ShaughnessyTHISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

For the first time in a long time, people were us-ing the “R”word around the Eastview girls basket-ball program. That is, “R,” as in, “rebuilding.” That didn’t come from within the Lightning’s team, but from the outside. “We had a lot of stu-dents saying, ‘Oh, you lost a lot of your best players (from last season), so you must be rebuilding for next year,’ ” senior guard Paige Palkovich said. But as the season pro-gressed, it became clear the Lightning didn’t have to adopt “Wait ’til Next Year” as its slogan. Eastview was 6-4 on Jan. 1. The Lightning then won 18 of its next 19 games, taking it through a 52-47 victory over Park of Cottage Grove in the Class 4A, Section 3 cham-pionship game March 8 at Hamline University. “As a team, we’re pret-ty solid,” senior forward Amber Mehr said. “Madi (ninth-grader Madison Guebert) is a great point guard. We’ve had a lot of players contributing this season, so we have good balance. And we know when we’re on defense, we have to play tough.” Eastview (24-5) will try to maintain that formula through the state Class 4A tournament at noon Wednesday against St. Michael-Albertville at the Target Center in Minne-apolis. Eastview had to survive a furious rally by Park to qualify for the state tour-nament for the first time in three years. Eastview scored the first 13 points of the game and held a 37-23 lead with less than 12 minutes re-maining. Park then went on a 22-4 run over the next six minutes that turned a 14-point deficit into a 45-41 lead. The Lightning regained control and held the Wolf-pack to two points the rest of the game. “The nice thing about these kids is they are com-posed,” coach Melissa Guebert said. “We didn’t think this was going to be easy. We’ve been in enough tough games to know that. Teams can come back

quickly, especially with the three-point shot.” Madison Guebert’s steal and basket with 2:31 remaining put Eastview back in front, 48-47. Meghan Ryan made a key steal with Eastview still holding its one-point lead. Park was forced to foul Mehr, who made two free throws to make it 50-47. Park launched three three-point attempts in the final 22 seconds, although none came particularly close to going through. Ryan made two more free throws with one second re-maining to seal the Light-ning’s victory. “That was hard,” Palkovich said. “But I thought we did a really good job of playing as a team. We kept our poise, we stayed calm with the ball and we hit some big shots.” Madison Guebert, the Lightning’s leading scorer,

had 20 points in the sec-tion final. Ryan added 14 points and Mehr scored 11. Melissa Guebert, the Lightning’s first-year head coach, said the players be-came better at understand-ing and executing their roles during the streak of 18 victories in 19 games. She also got a glimpse of her team’s resolve in December when, three days after a 42-point loss to No. 1-ranked Hopkins, the Lightning came within a missed three-pointer at the buzzer of taking then-fifth-ranked Bloomington Kennedy to overtime. “I think that’s when we realized we were good players, too,” Mehr said. And the talk of this be-ing a rebuilding year for the Lightning soon died down. Mike Shaughnessy is Da-kota County sports editor for Sun Newspapers.

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Eastview’s Amber Mehr (No. 45) guards Sydney Lamberty of Park of Cottage Grove during the Class 4A, Section 3 girls basketball championship game on March 8 at Hamline University.

THISWEEK March 16, 2012 9A��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

��

�� Last Hope

Pet AdoptionApple Valley Petco

11-3pmEvery Saturday!

Cats, Kittens,Dogs & Pups!

Adopt or donateto your animal rescue:

Last Hope Inc.Box 114

Farmington, MN 55024Beverly 651-463-8739

��

��

OrganizationalNotices



��

��

��

BurnsvilleLakeville

A Visionfor You-AA

Thursdays 7:30 PMA closed, mixed

meeting atGrace United

Methodist ChurchEast Frontage Roadof 35W across fromBuck Hill - Burnsville

Abraham LowSelf-HelpSystems

(Recovery, Int'l)��

��

��

Dona:612-824-5773

www.LowSelfHelpSystems.org

If you want to drinkthat’s your business...If you want to STOP

that’s ours.Call

AlcoholicsAnonymous

Minneapolis: 952-922-0880St. Paul: 651-227-5502

Find a meeting:www.aastpaul.org

www.aaminneapolis.orgLooking For Good

Homes For PuppiesYou Are Selling?

Place An Ad Here! Only $49For 5 Lines + Picture Runsfor 6 weeks! 952-894-1111

��

��

South SuburbanAlanon

�� Ebenezer Ridges

Care Center��

��

��

Contact Scott612-759-5407

or Marty612-701-5345

EAGAN/BURNSVILLE/SAVAGE AA3600 Kennebec Drive (2nd Floor)

Eagan, MN (Off of Hwy 13)

Meeting Schedule• Sundays 6:30pm (Men’s) & 8pm (Mixed)

• Mondays 6:30pm & 8pm (Mixed)• Tuesdays 6:30pm & 8pm (Mixed)

•Wednesdays Noon (Mixed) & 8pm (Mixed)• Thursdays 6:30pm Alanon & 8pm (Mixed)

• Friday 6:30 (Mixed) & 8pm (Mixed)• Saturdays 8pm (Open) Speaker Meeting

Questions? 651-253-9163

Last Hope, Inc.(651) 463-8747

��

�� www.last-hope.org ��

Craft Shows& Boutiques

Vehicles

��

��

��

��

��

��

Vehicles

RV’s &Campers

Trucks &Pickups

Garage &Estate Sales

��

2000 Ford Ranger ��

�� 612-385-2465

��

�� Saturday, March 24

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

50+ VendorsHand-Made Crafts

Favorite Gift Companies

Mount Olivet Church14201 Cedar Ave.

Apple Valley952-432-4332

�� 20651 Kenrick Ave.(Cty Rd 70 & 35W.)

��

Fri., Mar. 23 - Sunday,Mar. 25, 11am -10 pmSun. 25th 11 am - 5pm

�� Huge Mov-ing Sale! 9879 Upper

173rd Ct. Mar. 19th-??8am-8pm! ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Misc. For Sale

Parts &Services

��

�� 80+ Vendors

FREE Admission��

��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

$$ $200 - $7500 $$Junkers & Repairables

More if Saleable��

www.crosstownauto.net 612-861-3020 651-645-7715

COURT RESOURCES- SAVE!�� start ��

��

DuluthEast’slethalpowerplaybrokeopen theMarch10con-solationfinal.TheGreyhounds,who entered the state tourna-ment as the top-seeded team,scored twice with the man ad-vantageinthethirdperiodandwentontobeatEagan4-1. “Five-on-five, we playedDuluth East dead even,” Tay-lor said.“But we didn’t haveenoughtimetoprepareforthebest power play I’ve ever seenin high school hockey. There’sa reason they score almost 50percentofthetime.” Eagan’s 1-2 record at state

notwithstanding, DerickKuchera said he didn’t believetheWildcatsplayedpoorly. “I don’t mean to soundcocky, but I thought we tookit to teams most of the time,”he said.“Butwedidn’tget thebounces,andwedidn’tputthepuckinthenet.” If there’sanyconsolationfortheWildcatsnotfinishingtheirseasonthewaytheywanted,it’sthat it took a quality team tobeatthem.Theirfivelosseswereto Eden Prairie, Minnetonka,Burnsville, Moorhead andDuluthEast. Of that group, Moorheadand Duluth East were in the

state tournament, Minnetonkaand Burnsville reached sectionchampionshipgames,andEdenPrairiewas the2011ClassAAchampion. NowEagancanclaimstatusasaneliteprogram,somethingTaylor said his seniors helpedmakehappen. “They have talent. That’sobvious. But they also boughtinto the system,” Taylor said.“There were no prima donnas,no superstars, and they heldeachotheraccountable.”Mike Shaughnessy is DakotaCounty sports editor for SunNewspapers.

Hockey/from 7A

came away with the victory bothtimes,91-84onJan.13and85-75onFeb.14. “Eastviewisaverydifficultteamtodefendagainst,” saidAppleVal-leycoachZachGoring.“You’vegottoknowpersonnelatall times, likewhichkidsshootthethree(-pointer)andwhichonesdon’t.” The Lightning and Eagles wonsection semifinal games March 10at Burnsville High. Eastview (27-1), ranked third in Class 3A, usedstrong three-point shooting to routEagan62-43inthefirsthalf ofthedoubleheader. Cretin-Derham Hall also triedto use perimeter shooting to keepupwithfast-breakingAppleValley,but the Eagles prevailed 87-76 in aphysicalgame. Darin Haugh made six three-pointers and Joey King three inEastview’svictory.Haughscored21pointsandKinghad19. “We played Eagan twice andknow what they do defensively,”Gerbersaid.“DarinandJoeyweregoingtobeopenincertainspots.Wetriedtogetthemtothosespots,andtheyhittheshots.” SeniorguardNickSabatkescored16pointstoleadEagan,whichfin-ished15-13. Jones had 33 points, 10 assistsandsixreboundsinfifth-rankedAp-pleValley’svictoryover10th-rankedCretin-Derham Hall. Junior guardDustinFronkscored29pointsandmadeallsixofAppleValley’sthree-pointbaskets. The Eagles made 69 percent oftheir shots as opposed to Cretin-Derham’s 45 percent. The Raiderstook 36 three-point shots, making12. “We were also plus-8 on theboard,which isbigforuswithour

(lackof)size,”Goringsaid.“Withasmanythree-pointshotsastheytook,there are going to be a lot of longrebounds.” Dennis Austin had seven re-boundsforAppleValley,withMitchHechsel and Jones grabbing sixeach. Fronkscored13ofAppleValley’sfirst22pointsastheEaglesracedtoa22-12leadwith10minutes,53sec-ondsleftinthefirsthalf.AppleVal-leyheldtheleadtherestofthewayexceptforabrief timeinthesecondhalf when Cretin-Derham tied thegame51-51. NowtheEagleswilltrytochangetheirluckagainstEastview.Gerber,theLightningcoach,saidheexpectseach team to try to roll out a fewsurprisesfortheother.Butwiththeteams so familiar with each other,therearefewsecrets. “When you get to the sectionplayoffs,somuchdependsonhustleplays,like50-50ballsandrebound-ing,”Gerbersaid.“It’snotsomuchabout X’s and O’s, it’s about thekids’effort.”

Playoff notes • Eagan defeated Henry Sibley68-54inaClass4A,Section3quar-terfinal game March 7 as seniorcenterSheaMandliscoredacareer-high33points. •BrandonForcierhad15pointsandMattNelsonscored10inRose-mount’s68-48losstoCretin-DerhamHallintheClass4A,Section3quar-terfinals.TheIrishfinished11-16. •Burnsvillecloseda1-25seasonwitha71-30losstoEdenPrairieinthe Class 4A, Section 2 quarterfi-nals.TheBlaze’svictorythisseasonwas46-43overBloomingtonJeffer-sononFeb.14.

MikeShaughnessyisDakotaCountysportseditorforSunNewspapers.

Basketball/from 7A

have a huge passion for thegame and for being a positiverolemodeltoyoungkids.I’magoaliecoachforalotofdiffer-ent camps and still have greatconnections with my old highschoolcoachesatEagan.Even-tually I’d like to go back andhelpcoachwiththem.” Grogan said she expects tofieldnumerousquestionsaboutherconcussionrehabilitation. “Iamnotfullythroughwithmyjourneyyet,”shesaid.“Butthemostfrustratingpartofthewholeprocessformewastherewasn’tanybodyformetoturntowhoknewwhatIwasgoingthrough. I didn’t have anyonetotalktowhounderstood.Andthatwasreallyhard.” She has spoken about herexperience at a University ofMinnesota Mini Med SchoolpresentationaswellasFellow-shipofChristianAthletesandAthletesinActionfunctions.

“I love sharing my testi-mony.Myfaithhasheldmeupthroughthisstorm,”shesaid. Playersafetyinhockeycameunder intense scrutiny follow-inginjuriestohighschoolplay-ers Jack Jablonski and JennaPrivette this winter. A “PlayerSafety Summit” was held lastweekinSt.Paulinconjunctionwiththestatehighschoolboystournament. “All my prayers go out to(JablonskiandPrivette)intheircontinued recovery, and I havefoundatremendousamountofinspiration from Jabs and theway he’s handled his injury,”Grogansaid. “Minewasacompleteacci-dent–anunfortunateaccidentfrom poke-checking a puck,andIhavenohardfeelingsto-wardtheplayerwhohitme.” Grogan said collisions areunavoidableat thehighest lev-elsofcompetition,but“Ithinkthe focus needs to get backto the fundamentals – puck

movement, skating, passing,shooting. The girls game isa bit different from the boys,butnobodyshouldbefocusingprimarily on leveling anotherplayer.” AlthoughitappearsGroganwill not return to hockey as aplayer,thereisonebigathletictest she wants to pass in thenextfewmonths. “I love to golf in the sum-mer,”shesaid.“LastsummerIwasn’table tobecause itmademe too dizzy and I couldn’tcontact the ball. I’m super-excited for it to warm up andthesnowtomeltbecauseIhaveafeelingI’llbeabletodothatagain. “It seems like a little thing,butthatwouldmakeabigdif-ferencetome.”

Mike Shaughnessy is DakotaCounty sports editor for SunNewspapers. Tad Johnson is [email protected].

Grogan/from 7A

��

��

��

Full-Timeor Part-Time







��

��

��

��

��

Burnsville-Eagan-SavageSchool District

Visit www.isd191.orgfor more details and to apply.

��

��

��

��

��

Please seewww.

cityofapplevalley.org��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Part-TimePart-Time Part-Time Part-Time Part-TimePart-Time Part-Time

� � � � � � � � � � � ��

Lakeville - ��

��

�� Email:[email protected]

��

��

��

��

��

PC: Tue, Wed, Fri��

�� LPN: Mon, Tue, Fri

��

��

��

��

��

Contact:Jodyv@

thomasalleninc.comwww.thomasalleninc.com

AA/EOE

Thomas AllenInc.

ProgramCounseloror LPN

Burnsville

Office/DispatchBurnsville location

Monday - Friday, 5pm-9pm and available forother shifts, including days, weekends, and

holidays. FT potential. $10/hr. Must be reliableand able to mulit-task effectively for

a fast-paced office while working indepen-dently. Must be able to pass

a drug screening and background check.Please call 612-282-9330.

PT CaregiverNeeded to Care

for 5 elderly adultsin Burnsville 24 HrSleep-over Shifts

8am-8am.Every Saturday

$170 per shiftCall for details.

Rob612-670-1380

Exper. Res. Cleaner,��

�� 612-987-1917

PART TIMELIQUOR SALES CLERK

The City of Farmington �� Liquor Clerk ��

��

�� at

City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024.Forms may be downloaded from

www.ci.farmington.mn.us. Deadline is Apr. 16, 2012 EOE

��

Work with children andadults in the South

Metro area.

�� 952-898-4911

or email

[email protected]

��

��

��

��

Please apply at:

TRINITY CARECENTER

3410 213th Street WestFarmington, MN 55024Or send resumes to:

[email protected]��

E/O weekend Sat. andSun. 8am-2pm

��

��

��

��

Contact:Jodyv@

thomasalleninc.comwww.thomasalleninc.com

AA/EOE

Thomas AllenInc.

ProgramCounselorBurnsville

��

��

��

��

��

��

I am looking to contractdependable and respon-sible adults to deliver theStar Tribune newspaperin the Burnsville/Savageareas in the early morn-ing hours . There is a$100 incentive availablea f te r 4 wks o f rou tedelivery. Profit potentialis from $400 to $800 permonth. For more infor-mation contact John @952-895-1910.

PT RNBurnsville/Eagan

areas -Weekend On Call1-2 Wkends per

month. Friday 4pm- Sunday midnite$230 + $25/hrlyas needed.

Call for details.Linda

612-889-5009

Full-Time Full-Time Full-TimeFull-Time Full-Time Full-Time Full-Time

Full-TimeAutomotiveParts SalesUnlimited Earning

Potential��

��

��

��

��

Metro Auto Salvage,Inc. 11710 E. 263rd St.

Lakeville, MN952-461-8285

��

�� Contact Huston's

Tree Service952-953-4859

��

��

��

��

��

��

We getread!

Classifieds 952-846-2000

��

��

��

��

��

www.newmarketbank.comor call (952) 469-1600

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

Send Resume to:[email protected]

or Fax: 651-450-7923��

www.thomasalleninc.com

Thomas Allen Inc.Program Manager/(West St. Paul)

SOUSCHEF

Crystal LakeGolf Club& CateringIs looking for an

experienced, handson Sous Chef.Full time position

requires knowledgein banquet & linecooking, kitchen

operationand management.

E-mail résumé [email protected]

or Fax to:Ryan at

952-953-646216725 Innsbrook Dr.Lakeville, MN 55044

��

��

� ��

��

� ��

� ��

�� [email protected]

or fax to: 612-729-4216

��

��

��

��

��

�� [email protected]

or fax to: 612-729-4216

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

952-846-2000

��

��

��

��

Roofing& SidingCleaning �� Electrical

& Plumbing

REACH NEARLY 1 MILLION HOUSE-HOLDS! ��

TO INVESTIGATE OTHER ADVERTISINGOPPORTUNITIES ��

FARM EQUIPMENT:Farmi 3 pt. logging winch’s, ��

HEALTH:Canada Drug Center is your choice forsafe and affordable medications. ��

ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare.��

GENERAL HELP WANTED:Help Wanted!!! ��

MISCELLANEOUS:Ever Consider a Reverse Mortgage? ��

MANTIS Deluxe Tiller. NEW! ��

DISH Network. Starting at $19.99/month��

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BEN-EFITS. ��

ATTENTION SLEEP APNEA SUFFERERSwith Medicare. ��

AUTO:DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOATTO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. ��

CASH FOR CARS: ��

ADOPTION��

AUTOS WANTED��

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES��

EDUCATION��

EMPLOYMENT��

FINANCIAL��

MISCELLANEOUS��

��

��

REAL ESTATE��

REAL ESTATE��

��

��

WANTED TO BUY��

��

��

��

Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association webelong to has purchased the above classifieds. Deter-mining the value of their service or product is advised bythis publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings,some advertisers do not offer employment but rathersupply the readers with manuals, directories and othermaterials designed to help their clients establish mailorder selling and other businesses at home. Under NOcircumstance should you send any money in advance orgive the client your checking, license ID, or credit cardnumbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guaranteeloans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repaircompany does business only over the phone it is illegalto request any money before delivering its service. Allfunds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may ormay not reach Canada.

Absolute Tree Service�� 651-338-5881absolutetreeservicemn.com

NORTHWAY TREE SERV.��

Terry 952 461-3618

Al & Rich’s Low CostStump Removal, PortableMach. Prof tree trimming& removal. 952-469-2634

Lawn Ae ra t i ons �� Mark 651-768-9345

Lawn Care��

��

��

��

651-248-1932

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�� Len @ 952-237-9132 [email protected]

�� Living Spaces PlusDecks & Outdoor Structures

New, Replace, RepairHome Repairs-Inside & Out952-738-1260/952-905-0963Member BBB ��

� ��

��

��

• Patios • Rock • Mulch• Plantings • Skid Work• Draintile • Boulder Walls

612-644-3580landscapesbylora.com

Landscapes By Lora

��

��

��

��

�� Call Al at 952-432-7908

Michael DeWittRemodeling

u �� u ��u �� u �� u ��

��

� ��

�� 651-261-7621

��

��

��

��

��

�� Free estimates, no job

too big or too small!��

��

�� ( 6 5 1 ) 2 8 4 - 5 0 6 9 o rwww.dli.mn.gov

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

� ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

�� 651-329-5783

�� 952-492-2440 ��

� ��

� ��

��

��

��

��

“George’s Painting”*Int/Clean, Quality Work!*�� 651-829-1776

Burnsville� ��

�� 952-894-3474

�� 651-357-0220

•Cleaning • Painting� ��

�� 952-890-7983

�� • Gen. Help + Lic. Elec.• Low By-the-hour Rates651-815-2316 ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � �� Call Kelly 651-460-4226

�� 952-607-1009/ 612-636-9501

�� 651-905-0356Melissa’s Housecleaning

�� 612-598-6950

Painting ��

952-447-3587

��

EG: Reasonab le Pr ices�� 651-330-8167��

�� Tracey 952-239-4397 ��

�� 952-758-7585 ��www.teamelectricmn.com

10% off w/this ad

Engelking Coatings, LLC�� www.engelkingcoatings.comMark 612-481-4848

Rich’s Window Cleaning��

�� 952-435-7871

��

��

Dave’s Painting& Wallpapering LLCInt/Ext, Res/Comm. Free est, 29yrs exp. Will meet or beat anyprice. Refs/Ins. 952-469-6800BBB Member

BusinessProfessionals Miscellaneous��

�� 4 - 30 Yd Dumpsters

�� • Ben’s Painting •Will meet or beat prices!Int/Ext, Drywall RepairPaint/Stain/Ceilings

��

952-432-2605

�� 612-209-0643

HandymanConcrete& Masonry

�� 612-270-4900

��

�� 612-644-1153

� ��

��

��

HOMETUNE-UP

Fix It•Replace It•Upgrade It��

�� Ron 612-221-9480

��

��

Benson ResidentialServices

�� Small job specialist

�� 952-457-9419�� www.bensonresidential.com

MuenchowConcrete LLC

Driveways, Patios, GarageFloors, Steps, Walks, Block

Foundations. New & ReplaceLight Excavating. Family bus.since 1975.952-469-1211

��

Dakota Home ImprovementBasements, Kitchens, Bath-rooms, Tile, Flooring, Decks& Repairs. 952-270-1895

�� AboveQ u a l i t y M a s o n r y952-200-3013

Drywall�� PearsonDrywall.com ��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� 952-200-6303

DaymarConstructionConcrete:

• Driveways • Sidewalks• Steps • Patios

• Exposed AggregateNew and Replacement

Free Estimateswww.daymarconst.com

952-985-5477

�� • �� 651-324-4725

Apts &Condos

Apts &Condos

Apts &Condos

TH, DblsDuplexes

HousesFor Rent

TH, DblsDuplexes

CommercialFor Rent

��

��

��

�� Palomino East Aptsu � �� u& 2BR, 2BA! Avl. Now!

Free Cable, W/D.$99 Deposit.

952-686-0800

��

��

��

��

��

�� 651-328-1624.

�� 651-437-8627

Burnsville/Cliff RoadWarehouse Space2000 sf w/office.10’ overhead door

612-889-9162��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

��

�� 952-955-9118

��

��

��

Farmington1 BR Apt. Avl 4/21

$595/mo. $500 Security��

651-274-2837fairviewapartments

[email protected]

HousesFor Rent

�� 612-968-7487

��

��

��

New Market-Retail/Office�� 952-292-2323��

��

Lakeville:Starting $800per month

2 BR,Manufactured

Home!No shared walls!

W/D Hookups!

Call Tanya952-435-7979

��

Modular/Mfg For Sale

��

��

��

�� NO PETS. �� 952-944-7983

�� 612-581-3833

12 March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

Thisweekend

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

� � ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

by Andrew MillerThisweek Newspapers

F. scott Fitzgerald said there are no second acts in american lives. Dennis Carney begs to differ. The 70-year-old sav-age resident retired in 2000 after nearly four decades working in the production department at the pioneer press. and that’s when the fun began. he’s now a professional standup comic, producing and performing in shows a few times a month at ven-ues throughout the Twin Cities. Carney got interested in doing comedy after joining Toastmasters, the nonprof-it which aims to build pub-lic speaking and leadership skills. “i was giving a speech at Toastmasters and people were laughing – found out i had a flair for comedy,” he said. Carney began honing his standup skills at open-mic nights at Twin Cities comedy venues such as the Joke Joint and acme Com-edy Club. recruiting some of the other comics he met at those events, Carney formed a comedy troupe and started staging his own shows. “i have a loose group of about 30 comedians. we started doing shows in american Legions and VFws and have since branched out,” he said.

a fan of Jack Benny and Jay Leno, Carney said self-effacing humor is at the heart of his act. “i’m a loser – i’m short, old, overweight. i’m di-vorced, i’m lazy, i drive a Toyota – bought it from Denny hecker,” he said. Though his shows are intended for adult audienc-es, he restricts himself and the other comics to clean

material. “Most national tour-ing comedians do jokes so dirty you can’t use ’em, and it’s just not me,” he said. “we don’t do anything you wouldn’t see on network TV. i do a joke about Vi-agra – that’s probably my dirtiest one.” Carney is bringing his “all-star comedy troupe” to Casa Nostra restau-

rant, 20198 heritage Drive, Lakeville, on March 23. The 8:30 p.m. show fea-tures Carney and fellow comics Carol Vnuk and rod Blanchard; pizpor the Magician, a renais-sance Festival veteran, is the headliner. admission is free.


photo submitted

The Vecchione/Erdahl Duo, the husband-and-wife team of Rolf Erdahl (bass) and Carrie Vecchione (oboe) of Apple Valley, will be featured March 18 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center as part of the Chamber Music Coffee Concerts series. Tickets for the 2 p.m. event are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and are available at the arts center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., or by calling (952) 985-4640. The Coffee Concerts are held in a casual cabaret setting with complimentary coffee and refreshments. The series continues April 29 with the Balkan dance music of Orkestar Bez Ime; the full concert schedule is at www.ci.lakeville.mn.us.photo by rick Orndorf

Self-effacing humor is at the heart of 70-year-old Dennis Carney’s standup act. “I’m a loser – I’m short, old, overweight,” he said. “I’m divorced, I’m lazy, I drive a Toyota – bought it from Denny Hecker.”

Local senior’s second act: standup Dennis Carney brings his comedy show to Casa Nostra in Lakeville

Bounty of oboe and bass in Lakeville

IMAX family night The iMaX Theatre at the Minnesota Zoo in ap-ple Valley will host Family Night on Monday, March 19. Guests who purchase one adult admission ($9.75) to the 6:30 p.m. showing of “sea Monsters 3D: a pre-historic adventure” will receive one free child’s ad-mission to the movie and a complimentary slice of pizza and drink (while sup-plies last) before the show. Dinner will be served in the lobby beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Bach featured Tickets are still avail-able for the 7 p.m. sunday, March 18, Baroque Bash concert by the Dakota Val-ley symphony at the Burns-ville performing arts Cen-ter, 12600 Nicollet ave. The 2 p.m. concert has sold out. Baroque music fans will have the opportunity to hear Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. solo pianist elise Mo-lina will play Bach’s piano Concerto in F minor. Tickets range from $5 to

theater and arts briefs

See Briefs, 11A

THISWEEK March 16, 2012 13

�

� �

�

��

��

�

Photo by Rick Orndorf

The Play’s the Thing Productions presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays March 23-April 1. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 senior/students, and can be purchased online or at the door. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatretptt.com.

$15 and can be purchased in person at the box office, or via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or Ticketmaster.com.

Glee takes the ice The Heritage Figure Skating Club and Lakeville and Farmington Learn to Skate programs will pres-ent their inaugural ice skat-ing show March 23-24 at Hasse Arena, 8525 215th St. W., Lakeville. The show will feature songs from the television show “Glee.” Ticket sales begin at 6 p.m. at the arena, the show

begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for stu-dents under 18 and seniors over 55.

‘Troops’ event The 2012 Scoops for Troops Benefit will feature five top Twin Cities singer-songwriters. The event, which benefits the families of U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at The Ring Mountain Cafe and Creamery in Eagan. Ad-mission is free. Artists performing in-clude James Loney, Edie Rae, Inukshuk Pass, Bill Woodson and Matthew

Griswold. “Home Again, The 21st Century Veteran Experi-ence,” a limited edition CD of songs written by the fea-tured performers and oth-ers, will be for sale at the Scoops for Troops show.

Celtic Crossroads Celtic Crossroads will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $29.50 and $32.50 and can be pur-chased in person at the box office, by calling (800) 982-2787 or at Ticketmaster.com.

Briefs/from 10A‘Joseph’ comes to Lakeville stage

��

� ��

� � ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


Photo by Andrew Miller

Valley Middle School seventh-grader Kallie Buss, left, and eighth-grader Ben Doherty, right, square off during a scene in “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” Eighth-grader Malachi Nelson, pictured at center, attempts to mediate.

by Andrew MillerThisweek NewsPAPers

One of the acting skills Valley Middle school drama club members learn is im-provisation. it’s a skill that came in han-dy for eighth-grader Malachi Nelson on opening night of “Charlotte’s web” last November. As he took the stage, Nelson’s boot got caught on a step and he hit the ground hard, face first. “i heard a few giggles and one or two gasps. People were like, ‘Oh no,’ ” he re-counted. “i went on stage and covered it up – i pretended my character was clumsy. i improvised.” “And it worked,” he added with a laugh. Nelson is returning to the stage at the Apple Valley school to play the lead role of Tevye in the drama club’s spring musical, “Fiddler on the roof Jr.” he’s among about 110 students in the drama club who are participating in the production as ac-tors, tech crew mem-bers, makeup artists and costume and prop helpers. Two months of after-school rehears-als in the Valley Middle school caf-eteria – which also serves as the drama club’s performance hall – culminate in stagings of the adapted Broadway musical this week-end. “Producing a mu-sical takes a lot of teamwork amongst the students and all who are involved,”

said assistant director Jenni hibberd, a spanish teacher at the school. “we have our director, two assistant directors, musi-cal director, tech director, sound producer and a choreographer who have all helped to make this happen.” school District 196 helps cover some of the drama club’s costs, but much of the bill for each production is up to the club, with concessions sold during performances helping to pay for props, costumes, sound equipment, spotlights and other essentials. Performances of “Fiddler on the roof Jr.” are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, March 16, and 2 p.m. saturday, March 17. Admis-sion is $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens; children under 5 get in free.



A former pumpkin patch in Apple Valley will soon be the site of a day-program facility for adults with disabilities. Lifeworks, an Eagan-based nonprofit, plans to open the $3.3 million building in fall 2012 as its eighth Twin Cities location, replacing an existing program center in Burnsville. A groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday at the former farm field at Johnny Cake Ridge Road and Upper 147th Street was attended by Lifeworks staff and clients, Apple Valley city officials, and representatives from RJ Ryan Construction, the project’s contractor, and Minnesota Bank and Trust, which is financing the project.

Nonprofit moves to Apple Valleyby Jessica Harper

Thisweek NewsPAPers

eagan-based nonprofit Lifeworks services plans to close its Burnsville facility and move its operations to Apple Valley. Lifeworks, which pro-vides enrichment programs and employment opportu-nities for people with dis-abilities, made the move to obtain a larger, more ac-commodating space, said Judy Lysne, president and CeO. “we noticed there are people who have been with us since the early days who are now older adults who need additional support,” Lysne said. The $3.3 million facility at Upper 147th street west and Johnny Cake ridge road will have overhead wheelchair lifts, a fitness center and a space dedi-cated to those with autism, among other amenities. The move will also pro-vide the nonprofit a cost-effective option as its grant money became more sparse

with the economy, Lysne said. Lifeworks also chose to move the center to Apple Valley for its rich culture. “we are working to de-emphasize the centers by working more outside in the community,” she said. “And there’s so much our clients can do in Apple Val-ley.” A ground-breaking cer-emony was held March 14. The building is scheduled to open this fall. Lifeworks currently op-erates centers in Burnsville, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, eagan, hastings, Mankato, Minneapolis and st. Paul. The nonprofit was founded in rosemount in 1965 by a group of parents who yearned for more edu-cational opportunities for their disabled children. “Their goal was to keep their children at home in-stead of in an institution,” Lysne said. By 1973, the organiza-tion began offering oppor-

tunities for adults as the nation began to deinstitu-tionalize people. Lifeworks began to shift its focus entirely to adults in 1988 when public schools created special education programs. “Our mission is that the community and people with disabilities can live and work together,” Lysne said. Today Lifeworks pro-vides services for 2,250 adults with disabilities. Like many nonprofits in the nation, Lifeworks has felt the weight of the Great recession and slow recovery. The nonprofit lost some job opportunities for its clients as businesses ceased hiring. “we fortunately have been able to replace em-ployers faster than we lose them,” Lysne said. “But we are always looking for new job opportunities in Burns-ville and Apple Valley.” Jessica Harper is at [email protected].

Valley Middle students enter the spotlight School drama club presents ‘Fiddler on the Roof Jr.’


About 110 Valley Middle School students are participating in the drama club’s spring musical as actors, tech crew members, makeup artists and costume and prop helpers.

Documents

Thisweek Newspapers Apple Valley and Rosemount