Chanhassen Villager - Chanhassen Scoop- Spring 2008 - Comments

Lunchtime Lyrics and

FAdams — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:18:53 -0500

Lunchtime Lyrics and Twilight Tunes

The city's annual Lunchtime Lyrics and Twilight Tunes summer concert series is scheduled to begin Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m. in City Center Park. Scheduled to play is the Jonathon Pemberton Quartet.

This summer's series is cosponsored by Klein Bank. The shows will be on Thursdays in June, July and the first week of August.

The rest of the schedule is as follows:
The Splatter Sisters, June 19, 12 to 1 p.m.
Lehto and Wright, June 26, 7 to 8 p.m.
Sticks and Tones, July 10, 12 to 1 p.m.
Boyd Lee and Joe Cruz, 7 to 8 p.m.
Minn. Valley Community Band, July 24, 7 to 8 p.m.
The High 48s, July 31, 7 to 8 p.m.

Hear Recreation Supervisor John Stutzman talk about the series by opening the story titled summer concert series and then clicking on the attached sound file.

Southwest Transit Fare

FAdams — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:18:40 -0500

Southwest Transit Fare Increases?

As you've probably heard or read in the news recently, there is a possibility of fare increases throughout the regional transit system. The Metropolitan Council feels that an increase in fares will be needed to help offset rising fuel costs and lower-than-expected revenues from the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST).

The proposal about specific changes will be published June 25. The public comment period ends July 25. The Council will vote (following review of comments) on Aug. 13. Changes would take effect Oct. 1.

You can comment on this issue by:

e-mail - Regional Data Center at data.center@metrocouncil.org
mail - Data Center, 390 N. Robert St., St. Paul, MN 55101
fax - 651-602-1464
telephone message - 651-602-1500 (TTY 651-291-0904)
Or you can attend a Proposed Public Hearing:

Monday, July 7: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Northtown Mall, Community Room
398 Northtown Drive, Blaine

Tuesday, July 8: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main St., Hopkins

Wednesday, July 9: Noon - 1:00 pm
Minneapolis City Hall - Conference Room 333
350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis

Wednesday, July 9: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Burnsville City Hall - Chambers
100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville

Thursday, July 10: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Maplewood Community Center
2100 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood

Monday, July 14: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Eden Prairie City Hall - Heritage Room
8080 Mitchell Rd., Eden Prairie

Tuesday, July 15: Noon - 1:00 pm
Metropolitan Council - Chambers
390 Robert Street North, St. Paul

The sheriff's office crime

FAdams — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:39:59 -0500

The sheriff's office crime report given by Sgt. Peter Anderley to city councilors in May showed a decrease in the number of citations issued in Chanhassen in April and also year-to-date compared to last year.

However, the number of Part 1 crimes reported in the month increased from 28 in 2007 to 34 in 2008. Part 1 crimes consist of arson, aggravated assault, burglary, homicide, robbery, felony sex crime and theft. The increase may be due to recent thefts from vehicles.

The number of reported Part 2 crimes is down from 67 to 51.

The number of crimes year-to-date is down from 873 to 647. Year-to-date, 102 Part 1 crimes have been reported, compared to 112 in 2007. Overall, Part 2 crimes, like assault, suspicious activity, runaway, property damage, and drug violations are also down, from 196 to 182.

The Chanhassen Area Chamber

FAdams — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:30:00 -0500

The Chanhassen Area Chamber of Commerce awarded scholarships this week to graduating high school students. They are:

Kelsey Brasch, Chaska High School
Sponsored By: Wells Fargo Bank

Catherine Cheam, Chaska High School
Sponsored By: KleinBank Challenge

Margaret Goshert, Minnetonka High School
Sponsored by: Roberts Automatic Products

Kirsten Hart, Chaska High School
Sponsored By: Chanhassen Villager

Scott Mason, Minnetonka High School
Sponsored By: Halla Nursery, Garden Center, and Landscape

Luke Schlangen, Minnetonka High School
Sponsored By: KleinBank

Phallis Seng, Minnetonka High School
Sponsored By: The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center

Kellyn Thomas, Minnetonka High School
Sponsored By: Dave Huffman Race

Emily Thometz, Minnetonka High School
Sponsored By: M&I Bank

Sarah Thune, Chaska High School
Sponsored By: Americana Community Bank

The Chanhassen Rotary Club

FAdams — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:22:40 -0500

The Chanhassen Rotary Club awarded $24,000 in scholarships to local students on May 21.

17 Chanhassen high school students from 5 different schools received scholarships from the Chanhassen Rotary Club at a breakfast banquet on Wednesday, May 21.

The Club awarded $24,000 to local scholars at a breakfast at the Oak Ridge Conference Center. Dr. Mitch Pearlstein of the Center of the American Experiment provided the keynote address, highlighting the work and life of former Minnesota Governor Al Quie.

Scholarships ranging from $750 to $2500 were awarded. The scholarships were made possible through the Club's fund raising efforts and it's generous sponsors. Scholarship sponsors included Michael Leonard DDS, the Community Bank Chanhassen, Eden Trace, General Mills, Ridgeview Medical Center, Klein Bank, Americana Community Bank, Blomberg Companies, Waytek, the Chanhassen Villager and Exlar Corporation.

(May 28 Press Release) —

FAdams — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:12:53 -0500

(May 28 Press Release) — IWCO Direct, the nation’s leading provider of integrated direct mail production services and marketing solutions, was ranked as the fifth fastest growing private company in Minnesota during the past three fiscal years by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.

The company experienced annualized three-year growth from fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2007 of 22.5% according the report. Revenue in 2007 was $281 million, which placed IWCO Direct as the 78th largest private company in Minnesota.
IWCO Direct’s growth is the result of its integrated direct mail platform that provides customers with increased postage savings, speed to market, and response rates.

IWCO Direct further enhanced its service offerings in April with the launch of AMP™, the company’s automated marketing program platform. AMP was developed to meet the growing demand for specialized direct mail programs such as trigger mailings and response management services. IWCO Direct also anticipates continuing its geographic expansion, and will look to add a presence in the western U.S., likely in 2009.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our employees and the loyalty of our customers,” said Jim Andersen, IWCO Direct president and CEO. “We expect our new service offering, combined with our integrated strategy to offer even greater value to our customers and deliver strong financial results.”

Within the past two weeks,

FAdams — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:01:58 -0500

Within the past two weeks, construction trailers have been the target of criminal activity in the Chanhassen industrial district, along Park Road and Lake Drive West.

Crimes included theft of tools from a trailer, as well as theft of a construction trailer. It is believed that the crimes occurred during the weekends.

The City of Chanhassen and Carver County Sheriff Office encourage companies to:
• Secure trailers and equipment
• Update equipment inventory records, including serial and model numbers
• Secure businesses and all property stored outside
• Instruct employees to immediately report suspicious activity by calling 911

If you have any questions or concerns,
contact Detective Bryan Stranberg, Badge #879
Carver County Sheriff’s Office - 952-361-1879

Lake Ann beach to open June

FAdams — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:32:18 -0500

Lake Ann beach to open June 7

Beaches With Lifeguards on Duty

Lake Ann Beach, located in Lake Ann Park at 1456 West 78th Street, is staffed with lifeguards daily from early June to the third weekend in August from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Minnewashta Regional Park (operated by Carver County) is located on Highway 41 (Hazeltine Boulevard) between Highways 5 & 7. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from June 9-August 19, 2007 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Beaches Without Lifeguards on Duty

Carver Beach on Lotus Lake, 6891 Lotus Trail
Greenwood Shores Beach on Lake Ann, 7110 Utica Lane

Lake Susan Beach in Lake Susan Park, 903 Lake Drive East

Roundhouse Park Beach on Lake Minnewashta, 3950 Kings Road

KidSync family entertainment

FAdams — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:54:20 -0500

KidSync family entertainment is set to end its spring run at the Chanhassen Recreation Center on Friday, May 30.

It has operated this spring from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Recreation Center on Friday evenings, providing kids and parents the opportunity to sing karaoke to their favorite songs in a friendly environment.

Songbooks and song request slips are in the room listing the hundreds of tunes available. Snacks are available, too, at affordable prices.

For more information, call Ms. Rena at (612) 250-2149.

Mark your calendars for

FAdams — Thu, 29 May 2008 08:40:58 -0500

Mark your calendars for Family Day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on Sunday, June 22. Bring the kids (and grandparents) for a “birthday party” celebration in recognition of the Arboretum’s 50th anniversary from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events include: the 1K Family Fun Run with KARE-11’s Kim Insley at 10:30 a.m.; Raptor Center demos at 11 a.m. and 1:05 p.m.; Swedish fiddler Ross Sutter at 12:10 and 2:15 p.m.; and complimentary cake and ice cream from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. While you’re here, visit our “Treeology” exhibition and Maze Garden. Bring a picnic or order one in advance by calling 612-624-7173. Complimentary Coca-Cola products and birthday gift bags (while they last) for kids. Family Day is presented by Target. Free admission. For more information, call 952-443-1400 or check the website at www.arboretum.umn.edu

Beginning in late May

FAdams — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:15:09 -0500

Beginning in late May therewill be significant changes made at Park & Ride facilities
in Chaska and Chanhassen.

On Friday, May 30, the Park & Ride location at the Target store in Chaska will be permanently closed and moved.

Beginning Monday, June 2, East Creek Transit Center in Chaska will open for service. The East Creek Transit Center is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of new Highway 312 and County Road 41.

Also, beginning June 2, the Park & Ride location at
SouthWest Village in Chanhassen will be closed for two weeks to accommodate construction work. This facility, located at the intersection of new Highway 312 and County Road 101, has been open for a number of months. Work continues at the site on the second level of the parking ramp and the construction of the transit station building itself.

Riders who normally use the SouthWest Village Park & Ride facility are encouraged to use either the Market Boulevard Park & Ride in Chanhassen or the new East Creek Transit Center in Chaska.
SouthWest Transit provides public transportation services for Eden Prairie, Chanhassen and Chaska and will provide more than one million rides for its customers this year.

Life Time Fitness, Inc.

FAdams — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:23:42 -0500

Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) announced today that it has appointed Scott C. Lutz to the position of executive vice president and chief marketing officer, effective May 19, 2008. Lutz joins Life Time Fitness from Best Buy Co., Inc. where he served as senior vice president of New Business Development and Marketing since 2006.

Lutz has held executive management roles at leading packaged goods companies, including Procter & Gamble, General Mills and ConAgra. He served as president and chief operating officer of ConAgra’s Snacks Division and chief executive officer of 8th Continent L.L.C., a General Mills-DuPont health & wellness joint venture.

Lutz began his management career in manufacturing operations for Procter & Gamble, where he also held several broader roles in marketing and general management. He brings extensive new business development experience to Life Time Fitness, having served as vice president and general manager of New Enterprises at General Mills, where he led the launches of many successful new product initiatives. Lutz also has held entrepreneurial startup roles, including serving on the executive management team for SunMilk Dairy Co., a venture capital-backed dairy venture, and he brings international management experience having also worked in both Italy and Canada.

In his new role, Lutz holds direct leadership responsibility for all Life Time Fitness marketing operations, including strategy development, planning and execution on behalf of the Company’s growing, national base of sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort/spa centers, as well as its portfolio of in-center and complementary businesses. He reports to Michael Gerend, Life Time Fitness president and chief operating officer.

“Scott’s extensive marketing, branding, sales and business operations experience bolsters our strong, seasoned executive management team,” said Gerend. “In keeping with the continued, rapid growth of our company, we are excited to leverage his considerable experience and impressive track record of innovation, financial and operations leadership successes, and passion for building and leading strong teams.”

Lutz holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri. He has been a frequent guest lecturer and speaker on the topics of marketing, new business development, innovation and consumer intimacy at leading universities, including Northwestern, UCLA and the University of Chicago. Additionally, he as served as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas, teaching an MBA course on New Wealth Creation.

Text from Business Wire, http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_v...

Chanhassen on the 3rd Lair

FAdams — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:50:13 -0500

Chanhassen on the 3rd Lair summer schedule

This summer 3rd Lair will be hosting the organization's 2nd annual contest series, dubbed the ‘Summer Series’ at various skateparks in Minnesota.

Points will be given to each competitor based on their final standing at each contest. Results, Standings and cumulative point totals of every competitor will be kept track of on the official ‘Summer Series’ website via www.3rdlair.com.

The competitors with the most points at the end of the 14-event contest series will be the winner! There will be 3 overall points winners crowned - beginner, intermediate and expert.

Winners of each division at each contest will receive a ‘Golden Ticket’ to the Midwest Melee - held at the 3rd Lair at the end of the summer on the weekend of Aug. 8 to 10. This ‘Golden Ticket will put them directly into the finals of the Midwest Melee.

Below is the list of spots where skateboarders can compete in the 2008 summer series.

#1 Bottineau Skatepark - May 17 (Sat.) - starts at 11 a.m.

#2 Mendota Heights Skatepark - June 6 (Fri.) - starts at 5 p.m.

#3 Champlin Skatepark - June 14 (Sat.) - starts at 11 a.m.

#4 St. Louis Park Skatepark - June 14 (Sat.) - starts at 5 p.m.

#5 Oakdale Skatepark - June 20 (Fri.) - starts at 5 p.m.

#6 Roseville Skatepark - June 27 (Fri.) - starts at 5 p.m.

#7 Woodbury Skatepark - June 28 (Sat.) - starts at 11 a.m.

#8 Chanhassen Skatepark - July 3 (Thur.) - starts at 5 p.m.

#9 Plymouth Skatepark - July 12 (Sat.) - starts at 11 a.m.

#10 Maple Grove Skatepark - July 12 (Sat.) - starts at 5 p.m.

#11 Whitebear Lake Skatepark - July 19 (Sat.) - starts at 11 a.m.

#12 Elk River Skatepark - July 26 (Sat.) - starts at 11 a.m.

#13 Shakopee Derby Days - Aug. 1 (Fri.) - starts at 5 p.m.

#14 Prior Lake Skatepark - Aug. 3 (Sun.) - starts at 11 a.m.

Registration is done on site the day of the contest starting approximately one hour before times. The cost is $5 or $10 depending on the city.

Watch video of the events

FAdams — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:16:01 -0500

Watch video of the events now online.

General Mills has donated

FAdams — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:55:48 -0500

General Mills has donated $2,000 to pay fees for safety instructors, lunch, t-shirts, medals and miscellaneous expenses at the 2008 Chanhassen Safety Camp.

Chanhassen Scoop- Spring 2008

FAdams — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:06:27 -0600

Come to the Chanhassen Scoop for updates on the local government.