March, 2010   
Marshalls
Farm Fresh Foods

 

 

Eden Prairie Rd and
Pioneer

--------------------------

Main Street Bakery


 

Bread Rack
6947 Washington Ave
Edina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review These Movies:

 

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

watch trailer...

 

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

watch trailer...

 

Wolfman

Wolfman watch trailer...

 

 

Prairie Home Living is one!


 

 

 

Flagship Salon

 

 

Flagship Salon

flagship005

 

Flagship Salon
8345 Crystal View
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Suite 202
952-944-6647

8345 Crystal View

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Suite 202

952-944-6647

 


Follow Us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/prairielive
Current Conditions
View Full Forecast from Paul Douglas
Kid Kitchen
Kid Kitchen Bento Box Lunch
Follow the leftovers, and use your imagination from fridge to pantry to create fun meals for kids' lunches.

    Bento Box Lunch

lunch box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow the leftovers, and use your imagination from fridge to pantry to create fun meals for kids' lunches.

Ingredients...

 

 

  • Double sided wheat, white bread heart cut out sandwich w/peanut butter and jam
  • Luncheon meat rolled up with parsley like a tree
  • Snack Trail Mix
  • Motts Strawberry Banana Applesauce
  • Small Hot Dogs cut like flowers topped with olive bud

 

 

bentos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Egg salad

Green Eggs and Ham Salad
Green Eggs and Ham is a best-selling and critically acclaimed book by Dr. Seuss, first published in 1960. As of 2001, according to Publishers Weekly, it was the fourth-bestselling English-language children's book (novel) of all time. Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born on March 2, in 1904.
We dedicate this salad recipe to Dr. Suess:
Hard boiled eggs soaked in natural green food color
Chopped ham in small cubes
Light Olive Oil Mayonaise
All mixed together.
Try out Green Eggs and Ham à la Sam-I-Am at Seussville..

Green Eggs and Ham Salad

 

 

Green Eggs and Ham is a best-selling and critically acclaimed book by Dr. Seuss, first published in 1960. As of 2001, according to Publishers Weekly, it was the fourth-bestselling English-language children's book (novel) of all time. Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born on March 2, in 1904. We dedicate this salad recipe to Dr. Suess: Hard boiled eggs soaked in natural green food color, Chopped ham in small cubes, Light Olive Oil, Mayonnaise, All mixed together.   

 

Try out Green Eggs and Ham à la Sam-I-Am at Seussville..  

 

www.seussville.com

 

eggs2march

 

 
Cheese of the Month

Sapsago CheeseCheese of the Month Club

 

 

Sapsago
The Moon is Made of Green Cheese: John Heywood's Proverbs 1546
Believe it or not, Sapsago has been around for over 2,000 years in Switzerland. Sapsago is always shaped in a small cone, is rock hard with a greenish color which comes from herbs like clover, blue melitot and funugreek which have unmistakeable flavors. The flavors are very distinct because of the herbs and definitely not like other hard cheeses we're used to. Evidently the cheese has curative powers like inhibiting cholesterol absorption, its seeds can add dietary fiber, can also lower blood sugar. What's more is is virtually fat free. It's most often used as a grating cheese, sprinkled on bread, salads and other dishes. You can refridgerate it for months  or it is said to keep in room temperature indefinitely. The herbs act as a preservative. The Swiss eat Sapsago on fresh buttered bread. It can also be blended into butter, yogurt, or cream cheese and used as a spread. We grated and sprinkled the cheese on top of spinach spagetti. Where to buy? Igourmet.com

Sapsago 

 

The Moon is Made of Green Cheese: John Heywood's Proverbs 1546 Believe it or not, Sapsago has been around for over 2,000 years in Switzerland. Sapsago is always shaped in a small cone, is rock hard with a greenish color which comes from herbs like clover, blue melitot and funugreek which have unmistakeable flavors. The flavors are very distinct because of the herbs and definitely not like other hard cheeses we're used to. Evidently the cheese has curative powers like inhibiting cholesterol absorption, its seeds can add dietary fiber, can also lower blood sugar. What's more is is virtually fat free. It's most often used as a grating cheese, sprinkled on bread, salads and other dishes. You can refridgerate it for months  or it is said to keep in room temperature indefinitely. The herbs act as a preservative. The Swiss eat Sapsago on fresh buttered bread. It can also be blended into butter, yogurt, or cream cheese and used as a spread. We grated and sprinkled the cheese on top of spinach spagetti.

 

Where to buy? Igourmet.com

 

 


 
March Home and Garden

2010 Winter Olympic Games Bouquet, Green spider mums, monkey grass, aspidistra leaves and hypericum berries.


Flowersarrangements

flowers


read more...

 

KITCHENS


Eden Prairie Mall

Teapots,
Gourmet Food,
Colorful Recycled
Table Ware

and More...

 

 
Books

THE LEXICOGRAPHER’S DILEMMA:

The Hidden Life of Deer

The Evolution of ‘Proper’ English, From Shakespeare to ‘South Park’

 

By Jack Lynch

 

Illustrated. 326 pages, Walker & Company. $26.

 

“All the signs point to a fundamentally reconfigured world,” he writes, “in which what we now think of as the English-speaking world will eventually lose its effective control of the English language.”

 

Jack Lynch

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/books/01book.html?ref=books


more books...

 

 
Restaurant Review

Tis the Season for Giving



Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels prepares and delivers hot, healthy lunches for homebound residents or those unable to prepare their own meals. This program is run entirely by volunteers. To participate or volunteer, call Meals on Wheels.
952-937-1478


An emergency food shelf is operated by PROP (People Reaching Out to Other People).  The program provides food and clothing to residents of Eden Prairie and Chanhassen who are in need. The children’s clothing closet has clothes through size 16. PROP also provides transportation, emergency financial assistance, information and referrals to other agencies.  Volunteer opportunities always exist. Please contact PROP directly for more information.

 

PROP (People Reaching Out to Other People)
http://www.propfood.org/

 

Eden Prairie City Center
14700 Martin Drive
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
Phone (952) 937-9120

 

 


Best Fast Food Drive Thru


Culvers Drive ThruCulvers Drive Through- "Get Culverized"



It's Eden Prairie's Butter Burger and Custard Zone adjacent South West Metro Transit Station off Technology Drive.
Culver's Tuna Swiss Melt on Rye gets our best sandwich of the month mention. Check out Culver's nutritional facts and their "Made-to-order Meal Builder" at  http://www.culvers.com/
Tweet Culvers at twitter.com/culver

It's Eden Prairie's Butter Burger and Custard Zone adjacent South West Metro Transit Station off Technology Drive. Culver's Tuna Swiss Melt on Rye gets our best sandwich of the month mention. Check out Culver's nutritional facts and their "Made-to-order Meal Builder" at  http://www.culvers.com/ Tweet Culvers at twitter.com/culver


Culvers

 
Places To Go

 

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Roars Into Minnesota Children’s Museum Exhibit Runs Through May 31, 2010
Exhibit Utilizes New Research to Create Distinct Dinosaur Environments
Long before the Midwest was populated by corn fields and cows, dinosaurs roamed the land.  A brand-new exhibit created by Minnesota Children’s Museum will allow children and adults to explore dinosaur habitats to better understand how these mysterious animals lived and use inquiry skills to examine what they left behind. Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice, opening, December 19, transports families back to the Cretaceous Period (145 – 65 million years ago), the time when dinosaurs last lived on earth.
Children will go face-to-face with the prehistoric world and meet dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. The exhibit, created for children ages 3 – 10, will feature two distinct environments and a variety of activities.  A Field Research Station allows children to step into the role of paleontologist by uncovering fossils with brushes and creating drawings of the dinosaur environment using fossil rubbings and tracings.
The steamy “Land of Fire” connects visitors with prehistoric home of the Triceratops and T-Rex. Children can circle the land in insect costumes and buzz through a volcano with oozing lava. Work through a swampy bog and climb into a Troodon’s nest and play with dinosaur eggs. No coats are needed for a trip across the “Land of Ice” where visitors meet two dinosaurs, a Pachycephalosaurus and Edmontosaurus, who made their homes in the cold climate of Alaska. Activities include: climbing rocky steps, breezing down an icy slide, and hoping across stepping stones in an icy river.
Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice utilizes new research about climates in which dinosaurs were able to survive and thrive. The discovery of numerous species of dinosaurs in the arctic is causing scientists to reconsider old theories about dinosaurs only living in tropical climates.  It is now known that many dinosaurs, including Edmontosaurus and Troodon, lived in cold weather climates for at least part of the year.
Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice is the first child-centered exhibit in the country dedicated to expanding the understanding on dinosaur habitat and range. The exhibit will run through May 31, 2010.
More information:
MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Minnesota Children’s Museum is a non-profit community educational organization committed to smart play: sparking children’s learning through play. Infants ages six months through children age 10 discover their world through hands-on exhibits in five permanent galleries: Our World connects children to people and places in their community as they role play “grown–ups” in a child-size environment; World Works encourages creativity and problem-solving through investigation and experimentation; Earth World immerses children in lifelike Minnesota habitats to nurture an understanding of the natural world; Habitot® enables infants and toddlers to safely explore four developmentally designed learning landscapes; and Rooftop ArtPark brings nature and art together in an outdoor gallery on the Museum’s fourth floor. Two special galleries offer exciting traveling exhibits from around the world. Fun drop-in programs such as Story Time and Big Fun! take place daily. Kid Spark, the Museum store, is located in the first floor lobby.  Minnesota Children’s Museum has been providing children and adults with a fun, educational environment since 1981.
The Museum is located at Seventh and Wabasha streets in downtown St. Paul.  For 24-hour information, visit www.MCM.org or call 651-225-6000.
places march

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Roars Into Minnesota Children’s Museum Exhibit Runs Through May 31, 2010

Exhibit Utilizes New Research to Create Distinct Dinosaur Environments

 
Long before the Midwest was populated by corn fields and cows, dinosaurs roamed the land.  A brand-new exhibit created by Minnesota Children’s Museum will allow children and adults to explore dinosaur habitats to better understand how these mysterious animals lived and use inquiry skills to examine what they left behind. Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice, opening, December 19, transports families back to the Cretaceous Period (145 – 65 million years ago), the time when dinosaurs last lived on earth. Children will go face-to-face with the prehistoric world and meet dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. The exhibit, created for children ages 3 – 10, will feature two distinct environments and a variety of activities.  A Field Research Station allows children to step into the role of paleontologist by uncovering fossils with brushes and creating drawings of the dinosaur environment using fossil rubbings and tracings. The steamy “Land of Fire” connects visitors with prehistoric home of the Triceratops and T-Rex. Children can circle the land in insect costumes and buzz through a volcano with oozing lava. Work through a swampy bog and climb into a Troodon’s nest and play with dinosaur eggs. No coats are needed for a trip across the “Land of Ice” where visitors meet two dinosaurs, a Pachycephalosaurus and Edmontosaurus, who made their homes in the cold climate of Alaska. Activities include: climbing rocky steps, breezing down an icy slide, and hoping across stepping stones in an icy river. Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice utilizes new research about climates in which dinosaurs were able to survive and thrive. The discovery of numerous species of dinosaurs in the arctic is causing scientists to reconsider old theories about dinosaurs only living in tropical climates.  It is now known that many dinosaurs, including Edmontosaurus and Troodon, lived in cold weather climates for at least part of the year.  Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice is the first child-centered exhibit in the country dedicated to expanding the understanding on dinosaur habitat and range. The exhibit will run through May 31, 2010. More information:

 

 


 

mcm

MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

 



 

Minnesota Children’s Museum is a non-profit community educational organization committed to smart play: sparking children’s learning through play. Infants ages six months through children age 10 discover their world through hands-on exhibits in five permanent galleries: Our World connects children to people and places in their community as they role play “grown–ups” in a child-size environment; World Works encourages creativity and problem-solving through investigation and experimentation; Earth World immerses children in lifelike Minnesota habitats to nurture an understanding of the natural world; Habitot® enables infants and toddlers to safely explore four developmentally designed learning landscapes; and Rooftop ArtPark brings nature and art together in an outdoor gallery on the Museum’s fourth floor. Two special galleries offer exciting traveling exhibits from around the world. Fun drop-in programs such as Story Time and Big Fun! take place daily. Kid Spark, the Museum store, is located in the first floor lobby.  Minnesota Children’s Museum has been providing children and adults with a fun, educational environment since 1981. The Museum is located at Seventh and Wabasha streets in downtown St. Paul.  For 24-hour information, visit www.MCM.org or call 651-225-6000.

 

 

 
Spa

Spa logoPanache Spa at Madden's

 

Situated on the shores of Gull Lake in the heart of Madden's Resort, The Panache Spa (an Aveda Concept Spa) features skin care, massage, manicures and pedicures.  Spa Getaway packages include breakfasts, a welcome gift and a $100 Gift Card to be used at The Spa.  Affordably priced as low as $179.25/pppn.  Visit www.maddens.com or call 800/642-5363 for complete information.

 

manicure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

read more...

 
Music

 

 

 

Vocalessence Witness: Sweet Honey in the Rock

 

Grammy-nominated a cappella vocal ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock joins the VocalEssence Chorus and conductor Philip Brunelle for an uplifting celebration of hope, love, and justice. Inspired by African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock mixes blues, spirituals, gospel, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and improvisation to create the soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms that have made them famous.
Ordway Theater
Sun February 14, 2010, 4:00PM
Ordway Main Hall
www.vocalessence.org
www.ordway.org
Image of VocalEssence ¡Cantare! Program at Eden Prarie High School
A choir member learns to make sounds with a conch shell while performing visiting composer Jorge Cozatl's music at Eden Prairie High School. To download high resolution for press use, click on "original" below the photo. Photo Credit: Stephen Maturen

CantareVocalessence Witness: Sweet Honey in the Rock  

 

Grammy-nominated a cappella vocal ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock joins the VocalEssence Chorus and conductor Philip Brunelle for an uplifting celebration of hope, love, and justice. Inspired by African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock mixes blues, spirituals, gospel, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and improvisation to create the soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms that have made them famous.  

 

Ordway Theater

Sun February 14, 2010, 4:00PM

 

Ordway Main Hall 

 

www.vocalessence.org

 

www.ordway.org 

 

Image of VocalEssence ¡Cantare! Program at Eden Prarie High School A choir member learns to make sounds with a conch shell while performing visiting composer Jorge Cozatl's music at Eden Prairie High School. 

 

read more...


 

 



Footloose the MusicalFor immediate release
January 6, 2010


FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOOTLOOSE – the Musical! – “CUTS LOOSE” ON

CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES’ MAIN STAGE!



FOOTLOOSE – the MUSICAL will play on the Main Stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres for the first time ever. Based on the 1984 hit film that captured the hearts of America, FOOTLOOSE was freshly reinvented as a successful Broadway musical in 1998, with music by Tom Snow, Kenny Loggins (and others), lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. The show ran for more than two years on Broadway (1998-2000) and went on to enjoy West End  productions, British national tours, US national tours, and a 10th anniversary American national tour, between 2000-2008.  FOOTLOOSE the MUSICAL! previews from January 29 through February 4, with grand opening festivities on Friday, February 5.

 

read more...

 

 

 
Science

CarredineWhy do we like horror movies? Answer: we like to be scared.




A study by Eduardo Andrade ( University of California , Berkeley ) and Joel B. Cohen ( University of Florida ) which appeared in the August issue of the Journal of Consumer Research argued that "The assumption of people's inability to experience positive and negative affect at the same time is incorrect."

In other words, according to Eduardo and Andrade horror movie viewers are happy to be unhappy. What this reveals about us is that “people experience both negative and positive emotions simultaneously -- people may actually enjoy being scared, not just relief when the threat is removed. As the authors put it, "the most pleasant moments of a particular event may also be the most fearful."

“Andrade and Cohen developed and utilized a new methodology to track negative and positive feelings at the same time. Their method could apply to other experiences that seem to elicit terror, risk, or disgust, such as extreme sports.”

"When individuals who typically choose to avoid the stimuli were embedded in a protective frame of mind, such that there was sufficient psychological disengagement or detachment, they experienced positive feelings while still experiencing fearfulness,"



–Eduardo and Andrade explained.


Reference:  Eduardo B. Andrade and Joel B. Cohen. "On the Consumption of Negative Feelings" Journal of Consumer Research: August 2007.


www.sciencedaily.com


Read More...

 
Minnesota Grown


http://www3.mda.state.mn.us/mngrown/

Pride of the Prairie Seasonal Food Guide Seasonal Food Database

Know Your Local Farmer

Minnesota Grown - local farmer

Everyone needs a farmer according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Get to know your local farmer, Marshalls Farm Fresh Foods, Pioneer and Eden Prairie Road

Read more...

 
The Practical Foodie

seedsPepitas and Pistachios-

 

The health benefits of raw or roasted seeds are countless. Pepitas or pumpkin seeds belong to the gourd or Cucurbitaceae family.

They are high in manganese, maganesium, phosphorous, tryptophan, iron, copper, vitamin k, zinc and protein. They provide a rich source of healthful minerals, protein and monounsaturated fat. Pumpkin seeds are not a commonly allergenic food and are not known to contain measurable amounts of oxalates or purines.

 

Find out more at Whole Foods-

www.whfoods.com

 

"Per serving, pistachios have more antioxidants than green tea. That should make tea green with envy." Pistachios are one of the oldest flowering nut trees, and are one of the only two nuts mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 43:11). Humans have eaten pistachio nuts for at least 9,000 years. Take a pastachio and call me in the morning: An old folk remedy, pistachios were once thought to cure ailments such as toothaches and sclerosis of the liver.

 

Find out more amazing health information about pistachios at the following address:

www.pistachiohealth.com/

 


 

Zucchini BreadBanana Zucchini Bread with Chopped Walnuts

 

We made this eggless bread with ripe bananas and fresh zuchinni with a coarse grate. We added chopped walnuts and used only whole wheat flour and raw Turbinado sugar. It's a dense bread, wonderful with herbed whipped cream cheese. Raisins could be added, dates or dried cranberries.

 

Recipe Inside-

 

 

 

 


 

Dill WrapFresh Dill Chicken Salad Wrap


The Herb of the Month Club picked Dill [Anethum graveolens]as it's cover girl for January. You can plant this kitchen herb in an indoor container garden.
Facts about Dill from the Raw Epicurean:
It’s name comes from the old Norse word “dilla” which means “to lull”. This name reflects dill’s traditional uses as both a carminative stomach soother and an insomnia reliever.
It is scientifically known as Anethum graveolens and is part of the Umbelliferae family, whose other members include parsley, cumin and bay.
Dill is a noted herb in the cuisines of Scandinavia, Central Europe, North Africa and the Russian Federation.
The Fresh Dill Chicken Salad Wrap recipe is simple:
Bake chicken in fresh dill, and olive oil, season to taste. Wrap in foil and cook till done.
Dice cold chicken and add to olive oil mayo, diced celery, green onions, chopped green grapes and fresh chopped dill. (not too much dill to overpower the other flavors.) Use a large lettuce leave to wrap the salad and serve with green grapes.

The Herb of the Month Club picked Dill [Anethum graveolens], as it's cover girl for January. You can plant this kitchen herb in an indoor container garden. Facts about Dill from the Raw Epicurean: It’s name comes from the old Norse word “dilla” which means “to lull”. This name reflects dill’s traditional uses as both a carminative stomach soother and an insomnia reliever. 
It is scientifically known as Anethum graveolens and is part of the Umbelliferae family, whose other members include parsley, cumin and bay.

Dill is a noted herb in the cuisines of Scandinavia, Central Europe, North Africa and the Russian Federation.


rawepicurean.net


The Fresh Dill Chicken Salad Wrap recipe is simple: Bake chicken in fresh dill, and olive oil, season to taste. Wrap in foil and cook till done. Dice cold chicken and add to olive oil mayo, diced celery, green onions, chopped green grapes and fresh chopped dill. (not too much dill to overpower the other flavors.) Use a large lettuce leave to wrap the salad and serve with green grapes.

 

 


 
PrairieHOMEliving's Photostream on Flickr

Refracted sun

 

 
Style

leggings

Keep warm in Annie Fink's fun leggings, headbands and gloves...

 

Available at the following stores locally...

  • • Larue’s (Minneapolis)
  • • Time Out Studio (Minneapolis)
  • • Design Collective (Minneapolis)
  • • I Like You (NE Minneapolis)
  • • Picky Girl (St. Paul)
  • • Sanctuary Spas (Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, Prairie Center Village, and Tonka Bay)
  • • Omorphia (Excelsior)
  • • University of Minnesota Duluth Bookstore (Duluth)

 

 

gloves

http://www.anniefink.com/

 
Prairie Politics Live

Report from Senate Distirict DFL42 Caucus Night

 

 

Note: The GOP District42 has not sent us their report
The DFL Caucus was attended by about 400+ people.  370 people cast votes in the gov straw vote.
Bakk - 11
Entenza - 18
Gaertner - 6
Kelley - 52
Anderson Kelliher - 48
Marty - 29
Montez - 2
Rukavina - 8
Rybak - 108
Savior - 1
Thissen - 33
Uncommitted - 54
There were many resolutions, but we haven't sorted through them yet.
Everything else went well.  No long lines. We had sufficient volunteers to give directions and help people find the proper room.
We had $1720 in donations.
Candidates Mefert, Hacket, Chase and Maria Ruud were present and made their way round the caucus rooms. Many other Gov candidates had people and literature there.
It was a good night.
Norbert Gernes
Chair

The DFL Caucus was attended by about 400+ people.  370 people cast votes in the gov straw vote.  

 

  • Bakk - 11
  • Entenza - 18
  • Gaertner - 6
  • Kelley - 52
  • Anderson Kelliher - 48
  • Marty - 29
  • Montez - 2
  • Rukavina - 8
  • Rybak - 108
  • Savior - 1
  • Thissen - 33
  • Uncommitted - 54

 

There were many resolutions, but we haven't sorted through them yet. 

 

Everything else went well.  No long lines. We had sufficient volunteers to give directions and help people find the proper room. 

 

We had $1720 in donations. 

 

Candidates Mefert, Hacket, Chase and Maria Ruud were present and made their way round the caucus rooms. Many other Gov candidates had people and literature there. 

 

It was a good night. 

 

Norbert Gernes, Chair

 

Report from Senate Distirict DFL42 Caucus Night

 

http://www.dflsd42.org/

 

MN State Wide Caucas Results for Republicans

 

http://caucusresults.sos.state.mn.us/

 


Report From Senate District GOP42 Caucus Night

 

GOP Caucus night, it was a great success.  We had a little over 350 people attend our caucuses, which was pretty much what we expected for a non-presidential election year.  I would venture to say that this caucus year will be far more productive for organizing the grassroots than in 2008.  I say this because many who came in 2008 showed up only to vote, not to work.  On Tuesday we had 350+ people (plus a large number of uncounted attendees, including high school students) that came to organize and work to support our Party's principles and candidates.

 

Over the course of the evening we heard from a number of elected officials including Mayor Young, Councilman Aho, Councilman Duckstad, Rep. Loon, Sen. David Hann, Rep. Tom Emmer, and Long Lake Mayor Randy Gilbert (now a candidate for State Auditor).

 

Inside the individual caucus rooms, caucusgoers were excited and passionate discussion of the issues and how we, as a Party, should proceed took place.

 

I am happy to report that the 2010 GOP caucuses were a huge success.

 

Jake Grassel

 

GOPsd42 official site is www.sd42gop.com

 

 
Governor Watch

Governor's Race: 17 left as of 3/06/2010

 

Six Republicans:

 

Bob Carney, Leslie Davis, Tom Emmer, Bill Hass, Phil Herwig, Marty Seifert

 

Nine Democrats:


Anderson Kelliher, Tom Bakk, Mark Dayton, MAtt Entenza, Susan Gaetner, John Marty, Tom Rukavina, R.T Rybak, Paul Thissen


Two Independents left:

  

Rob, Hahn, Tom Horner

 
2010 Census
culver015
The 2010 Census will  be mailed to you in March.
Find out more at:

The 2010 Census will  be mailed to you in March. 

 

Find out more at: 

 

2010.census.gov

 
National News

ObamaOverview of the President's Proposal

 

The President's Proposal puts American families and small business owners in control of their own health care.


• It makes insurance more affordable by providing the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history, reducing premium costs for tens of millions of families and small business owners who are priced out of coverage today. This helps over 31 million Americans afford health care who do not get it today • and makes coverage more affordable for many more.
• It sets up a new competitive health insurance market giving tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress will have.
• It brings greater accountability to health care by laying out commonsense rules of the road to keep premiums down and prevent insurance industry abuses and denial of care.
• It will end discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions.
• It puts our budget and economy on a more stable path by reducing the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years • and about $1 trillion over the second decade • by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.


It includes a targeted set of changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Senate-passed health insurance reform bill. Key changes include:


• Closing the Medicare prescription drug "donut hole" coverage gap;
• Strengthening the Senate bill's provisions that make insurance affordable for individuals and families;
• Strengthening the provisions to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid;
• Increasing the threshold for the excise tax on the most expensive health plans from $23,000 for a family plan to $27,500 and starting it in 2018 for all plans;
• Improving insurance protections for consumers and creating a new Health Insurance Rate Authority to provide federal assistance and oversight to states in conducting reviews of unreasonable rate increases and other unfair practices of insurance plans.

 

For more information, check out:

www.whitehouse.gov

 

 

 

Republican Health Care Plan

 

The American people have spoken. They oppose government-run health care. Republicans are on the side of the American people. 

What Americans want are common-sense, responsible solutions that address the rising cost of health care and other major problems. In the national Republican address on Saturday, October 31, 2009, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) discussed Republicans’ plan for common-sense health care reform our nation can afford.  Boehner’s address emphasized four common-sense reforms that will lower health care costs and expand access to quality care without a government takeover of our nation’s health care system that kills jobs, raises taxes on small businesses, or cuts Medicare for senior

 

Number one: let families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines.

Number two: allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do.

Number three: give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs.

Number four: end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.

 

www.gop.gov

 

 
Excel Interiors
www.excelinteriorsmn.com/
Excel  Excel 
Real Estate

house photo

Here's what the EP real estate market looks like as of 1/07/09:

Read More....

EP Logo

 
Local News
County Assessor Property Tax Questions #1
Q & A with Scott Neal, Eden Prairie City Manager
1. PHL The current tax bill for 2010 does not reflect the devaluation in real estate incurred in 2009. Is that correct?
Our understanding is that the devaluation in value will show up in the next bill, 2011?
Scott:  Our property tax system in Minnesota is designed to lag what is happening in the real estate market.  For example, the property taxes paid in 2010 are based on the value of that property on January 2, 2009, which was calculated based on the sales and market data from 2008.  Taxes payable in 2011 will be based on the value of property on January 1, 2010, which is based on sales and market data from 2009.
2. PHL- According to the state budget, property taxes will rise in the coming years because of cuts to cities. Will this off-set the lower valuation causing home owners to pay higher prop taxes though their homes are of less value?
Scott:  Property taxes will rise or fall depending on spending decisions made by local governments.  If a City, County or School District receives a cut to financial assistance it receives from the state, but still wishes to continue spending at the same level, it will need to increase its locally generated revenue somehow, most likely by increasing its property taxes or fees.  We’ve been fortunate in Eden Prairie that we’ve been able to keep our spending and taxing for 2010 at or below what is was in 2009, and very close to what it was in 2008.  Not very many cities can make that claim.
3 PHL-. The largest part of the tax bill comes from county, city and school taxes. It is likely there will continue to be state funding cuts to cities and schools? Is there an established ceiling,  formula or cap the city uses to keep property taxes from going beyond what it costs to keep up with growth and inflation?
Scott:  While it is true that the bulk of the property tax bill of a residential property is imposed by the City, County and School District, this is not true for commercial and industrial properties.  It is not widely understood that more than half of the typical property tax payment from an Eden Prairie commercial/industrial taxpayer goes to recipients outside our city borders:  the State of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Fiscal Disparities Program.  For example, there is a prominent Minnesota retail business here in Eden Prairie with an annual property tax bill in 2009 of $352,414.  Of that total, 11% of it goes to the City, 15.7% to the County and 14.1% to the School District.  28.3% goes to the State of Minnesota and 27.4% goes to the Fiscal Disparities Pool.
Regarding tax ceilings, floors, caps and formulas, there are spending floors called “maintenance of effort” requirements that you will find at the County government level, but there isn’t anything like that for cities.  The State imposes and relaxes from year to year what it calls “levy limits” to limit the annual increase in municipal property taxes.  Many cities tax up to the state imposed levy limit, but Eden Prairie does not.  We did not increase our total tax levy from 2009 to 2010 and currently have a tax at 92% of our state levy limit.
4. PHL- Where does Eden Prairie stack up  tax wise compared to our like suburbs?
Scott:  We compare our financials and operations regularly to a group of 12 comparable suburban communities.  We recently completed a ten year analysis of the City property tax impact to a hypothetical $300,000 property in these twelve communities.  In 2001 of these twelve cities Eden Prairie ranked third highest in terms of its city tax impact on the $300,000 sample property.  Only Apple Valley and Burnsville were higher.  In 2003 we moved down one rank to #4.  In 2005 Eden Prairie moved down the chart three more spots to #7.  We were #7 again in 2007 again.  In 2009, we dropped one more spot to rank #8.  The City Council challenged City staff to change our property tax impact relative to our peer cities.  We have accomplished that challenge, but will continue to look for ways to improve our municipal value for our taxpayers.
5. PHL- Is it important for homeowners who might be selling their homes to obtain a Certificate of Real Estate Value, particularly since it's a buyer's market?
Scott:  A Certificate of Real Estate Value is the disclosure document that all real estate buyers have to complete when they close on a sale. That document is provided to the State, County and City Assessor as evidence of the "sale price" and terms of sale. A taxpayer can't request a Certificate of Real Estate Value be created - they or their closing agent create it.

Scott NealCounty Assessor Property Tax Questions

Q & A with Scott Neal, Eden Prairie City Manager   

 

 

1. PHL The current tax bill for 2010 does not reflect the devaluation in real estate incurred in 2009. Is that correct?Our understanding is that the devaluation in value will show up in the next bill, 2011? 

 

Scott:  Our property tax system in Minnesota is designed to lag what is happening in the real estate market.  For example, the property taxes paid in 2010 are based on the value of that property on January 2, 2009, which was calculated based on the sales and market data from 2008.  Taxes payable in 2011 will be based on the value of property on January 1, 2010, which is based on sales and market data from 2009.  

 

 

2. PHL- According to the state budget, property taxes will rise in the coming years because of cuts to cities. Will this off-set the lower valuation causing home owners to pay higher prop taxes though their homes are of less value? 

 

Scott:  Property taxes will rise or fall depending on spending decisions made by local governments.  If a City, County or School District receives a cut to financial assistance it receives from the state, but still wishes to continue spending at the same level, it will need to increase its locally generated revenue somehow, most likely by increasing its property taxes or fees.  We’ve been fortunate in Eden Prairie that we’ve been able to keep our spending and taxing for 2010 at or below what is was in 2009, and very close to what it was in 2008.  Not very many cities can make that claim. 


 

3 PHL-. The largest part of the tax bill comes from county, city and school taxes. It is likely there will continue to be state funding cuts to cities and schools? Is there an established ceiling,  formula or cap the city uses to keep property taxes from going beyond what it costs to keep up with growth and inflation? 

 

Scott:  While it is true that the bulk of the property tax bill of a residential property is imposed by the City, County and School District, this is not true for commercial and industrial properties.  It is not widely understood that more than half of the typical property tax payment from an Eden Prairie commercial/industrial taxpayer goes to recipients outside our city borders:  the State of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Fiscal Disparities Program.  For example, there is a prominent Minnesota retail business here in Eden Prairie with an annual property tax bill in 2009 of $352,414.  Of that total, 11% of it goes to the City, 15.7% to the County and 14.1% to the School District.  28.3% goes to the State of Minnesota and 27.4% goes to the Fiscal Disparities Pool.  Regarding tax ceilings, floors, caps and formulas, there are spending floors called “maintenance of effort” requirements that you will find at the County government level, but there isn’t anything like that for cities.  The State imposes and relaxes from year to year what it calls “levy limits” to limit the annual increase in municipal property taxes.  Many cities tax up to the state imposed levy limit, but Eden Prairie does not.  We did not increase our total tax levy from 2009 to 2010 and currently have a tax at 92% of our state levy limit.  


 

4. PHL- Where does Eden Prairie stack up  tax wise compared to our like suburbs? 

 

Scott:  We compare our financials and operations regularly to a group of 12 comparable suburban communities.  We recently completed a ten year analysis of the City property tax impact to a hypothetical $300,000 property in these twelve communities.  In 2001 of these twelve cities Eden Prairie ranked third highest in terms of its city tax impact on the $300,000 sample property.  Only Apple Valley and Burnsville were higher.  In 2003 we moved down one rank to #4.  In 2005 Eden Prairie moved down the chart three more spots to #7.  We were #7 again in 2007 again.  In 2009, we dropped one more spot to rank #8.  The City Council challenged City staff to change our property tax impact relative to our peer cities.  We have accomplished that challenge, but will continue to look for ways to improve our municipal value for our taxpayers.   

 

 

5. PHL- Is it important for homeowners who might be selling their homes to obtain a Certificate of Real Estate Value, particularly since it's a buyer's market? 

 

Scott:  A Certificate of Real Estate Value is the disclosure document that all real estate buyers have to complete when they close on a sale. That document is provided to the State, County and City Assessor as evidence of the "sale price" and terms of sale. A taxpayer can't request a Certificate of Real Estate Value be created - they or their closing agent create it.

 

 
Remarkable Women

Jennifer Loon

Representative Jenifer Loon (42B)

Interview with Prairie Home Living (PHL)

 

 

PHL When did you first become interested in serving as an elected public official?  Did you have any particular role models?

 

I have been fascinated by, and a student of, the legislative process, since my high school days.  My uncle served in the South Dakota State legislature and I was a page for the South Dakota House of Representatives during my senior year in high school.  It was the ‘light bulb’ moment that sparked my interest in public service.  


I’ve had the good fortune to have tremendous opportunities in the legislative arena and great mentors.  You learning something from each person you work for, whether it be how to analyze an issue, or how to be able to recall someone’s name when you are constantly meeting new people.  While working in Washington, DC the Member of Congress I served the longest was Congresswoman Jan Meyers.  Now retired, she represented the Third District of Kansas for several years, and became the first woman to Chair the House Small Business Committee.  Congresswoman Meyers knew her district, and always voted in a manner that she felt was true to the interests of her district, the nation, and her conscience, in that order. In addition to being a good public servant, Jan is a warm, wonderful person with a great sense of humor.  I thoroughly enjoyed working for her.

 

PHL How would you describe your first year as a legislator?

 

It has been a rather action packed year.  The session pace moved very quickly, particularly from the first deadline at the end of March for committees to act upon bills, through the end of session.  I wasn’t sure how busy I would be after session through the summer months, but I’ve had a steady stream of meetings and activities in Eden Prairie.  Once school started again this fall and people were back in their “post-Labor Day” routines, my schedule really filled up.  Many people ask how I like my new position.  The most succinct description would be that it is the most challenging, and most enjoyable work I have ever done.  Like any new job, there is a bit of a learning curve and the need to get to know and develop a rapport with your new colleagues.  However, despite the difficult decisions we are facing due to the recession and poor economy, I am enjoying my public service as a State Representative.  

 

read more...

 

 

 

 
Trails, Rails and Runways
Patrick Hogan
PHL- Is it true that the MAC’s LTCP does not include lengthening the runway at FCM past its current legal designation?
Patrick Hogan- Yes, that is correct.  The updated long term-comprehensive plan for Flying Cloud Airport does not include extending any of the airport’s runway lengths past the 5,000’ limit for minor-use airports.
PHL- What proposed changes does it contain other than relocating the control tower and lengthening or shortening a cross runway that is parallel to 212?
Patrick Hogan- Actually, the plan does not recommend relocating the air traffic control tower.  Rather, it recommends that MAC discuss the matter with the FAA.  The FAA, not MAC, owns the control tower.  Any relocation of the tower is contingent on the cooperation and assistance of the FAA.
The plan does recommend shifting north-south runway 18-36 to the north and extending it to a length of 2,800’ from its current length of 2,691’ in keeping with FAA runway length standards.

Interview with Patrick Hogan

 

PHL- Is it true that the MAC’s LTCP does not include lengthening the runway at FCM past its current legal designation? 


Patrick Hogan- Yes, that is correct.  The updated long term-comprehensive plan for Flying Cloud Airport does not include extending any of the airport’s runway lengths past the 5,000’ limit for minor-use airports. 



PHL- What proposed changes does it contain other than relocating the control tower and lengthening or shortening a cross runway that is parallel to 212? 


Patrick Hogan- Actually, the plan does not recommend relocating the air traffic control tower.  Rather, it recommends that MAC discuss the matter with the FAA.  The FAA, not MAC, owns the control tower.  Any relocation of the tower is contingent on the cooperation and assistance of the FAA. The plan does recommend shifting north-south runway 18-36 to the north and extending it to a length of 2,800’ from its current length of 2,691’ in keeping with FAA runway length standards



PHL-  What impact would the changes in Runway 18-36 have, and which residential area would it impact?  


Patrick Hogan-The slight shift in the runway to the north would enhance safety by bringing the runway safety area on the southern end into compliance with federal guidelines.  Lengthening Runway 18-35 to 2,800’ also provides an added layer of safety, giving pilots more room when landing or taking off.  The updated plan indicates changes in the runway will not increase the 2025 noise contour.  Planes taking off on Runway 18 fly over a non-residential bottomland and those taking off on Runway 36 generally turn over airport property or over a lake before overflying residential areas.  Noise contours are based on a federal metric that averages noise impacts in a given area.  Runway 18/36 will continue to be used as a crosswind rather than a primary runway, and the addition of 109' of pavement is not expected to result in significant runway use changes or increased noise impacts in neighborhoods around the airport. 

 

 
Read More...

 

 
Made in America
Ford's Flex features wheat- straw reinforced plastic to reinforce plastic in the interior storage bins of its Ford Flex vehicles-
2010 Ford Flex Eco Boost Review

Ford's Flex

 

features wheat- straw reinforced plastic to reinforce plastic in the interior storage bins of its Ford Flex vehicles-

2010 Ford Flex Eco Boost Review

Ford Focus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See these links for more information:

 

http://www.gizmag.com/ford-flex-2010-wheat-straw

 

http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/flex/

 

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/

 

 

read more...
 
Travel

Forbes Most Endangered Destinations

 

http://www.forbes.com

 

 

Everglades National Park- Urban Development- Chosen by Unesco World Heritage Center
Galapagos Islands- Over-tourism Chosen by Worldwatch Institute
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, Peru- Chosen by Global Warming- Unesco
Kathmandu Valley, Nepal- Urbanization, Pollution- Chosen by Unesco
Tibet – Development- Chosen by Getty Conservation Institute
Mount Kilimanjaro Ice Fields- Tanzania-Chosen by Global Warming-Word Watch
Great Barrier Reef- Australia –Chosen by Global Warming, Coral Bleaching- Worldwatch
Glacier Park Montana Global Warming- Chosen by Worldwatch Institute
Luxor, Egypt- Rising water levels caused by urbanization- Chosen by U of Pennsylvannia Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology
  • Everglades National Park- Urban Development- Chosen by Unesco World Heritage Center
  • Galapagos Islands- Over-tourism Chosen by Worldwatch Institute
  • Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, Peru- Chosen by Global Warming- Unesco
  • Kathmandu Valley, Nepal- Urbanization, Pollution- Chosen by Unesco
  • Tibet – Development- Chosen by Getty Conservation Institute
  • Mount Kilimanjaro Ice Fields- Tanzania-Chosen by Global Warming-Word Watch
  • Great Barrier Reef- Australia –Chosen by Global Warming, Coral Bleaching- Worldwatch
  • Glacier Park Montana Global Warming- Chosen by Worldwatch Institute
  • Luxor, Egypt- Rising water levels caused by urbanization- Chosen by U of Pennsylvannia Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology
  • The Michoacan Mountains 200 Million Monarch Butterfly March- Mexico- Deforestation- Chosen by Worldwatch
  •  

     

    Everglades National Park- Urban Development- Chosen by Unesco World Heritage Center

    Alligator



     

    Mangroves, Panthers, fresh water sloughs and marl prairies, marine and estuarine, tropical hardwood habitats flourish there.


    It has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, only one of three locations in the world to appear on all three lists.


    The Everglades provide the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America.


    The Florida panther, the American crocodile, and the West Indian manatee and other species that are threatened  or protected live in the Everglades National Park.


    Unlike most U.S. national parks, Everglades National Park was created to protect a fragile ecosystem instead of safeguarding a geographic feature.


    Over one million visitors come each year to visit the park.


    Encroaching Development threatens the area. Learn more http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm


    Become a Web Ranger-


    Sign up at http://www.webrangers.us/register.cfm

     

     

    Leave no Trace: Center for Outdoor Ethics

     

    Wilderness ethics dictate that visitors to the area try to leave no trace of their passage.  While not regulations, the seven Leave No Trace principles will help you get the most out of your wilderness experience, and help you to preserve the park’s unique values for other visitors, both today and in the future.

    Plan Ahead and Prepare

    Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

    Dispose of Waste Properly

    Leave What You Find

    Minimize Campfire Impacts

    Respect Wildlife

    Be Considerate of Other Visitors


    http://www.nps.gov/ever/supportyourpark/leavenotrace.htm

     

    more travel...

     
    Point of View
    Voting to Override the Governor's Veto
    Representative Maria Ruud (DFL) District: 42A: "I voted to override the Governor's veto.  I believe it is the right thing to do.  It is a temporary fix that provides health care to more people for lower cost than the Governor's. It is not perfect but I believe the reasons we heard today not  to vote to override ( it didn't go to conference committee and we still have to balance a budget etc,) were not convincing.  We can still work on finding a better way to provide this care, our work to balance the budget has just begun - that doesn't change.  What does change is if we fail to override, it begins the process of auto-enrolling this population into MN Care - a program that all agree is not a good fit and will cause thousands of working Minnesotans to lose their health care. We will continue to work to find a solution.  I believe the people of MN have an idea that our health care system is broken, but they are not clear on the specifics of a solution other than turning our backs on the poor and vulnerable, which is wrong.  They expect - and want - us to figure it out."
    Note: House Member Jenifer Loon was also asked to give a response she has not done so by the 3-3-10.
    All PHL Q & A, interviews, commentaries or responses in the various sections of the online magazine do not reflect advertisers views. Candidates may purchase space to run campaign ads provided they are based on their own qualifications and record. Our interview questions in Q & A reflect the legislative history, actions and record taken by a particular candidate or candidates.

    Maria RuudVoting to Override the Governor's Veto

     

    Representative Maria Ruud (DFL) District: 42A: "I voted to override the Governor's veto.  I believe it is the right thing to do.  It is a temporary fix that provides health care to more people for lower cost than the Governor's. It is not perfect but I believe the reasons we heard today not  to vote to override ( it didn't go to conference committee and we still have to balance a budget etc,) were not convincing.  We can still work on finding a better way to provide this care, our work to balance the budget has just begun - that doesn't change.  What does change is if we fail to override, it begins the process of auto-enrolling this population into MN Care - a program that all agree is not a good fit and will cause thousands of working Minnesotans to lose their health care. We will continue to work to find a solution.  I believe the people of MN have an idea that our health care system is broken, but they are not clear on the specifics of a solution other than turning our backs on the poor and vulnerable, which is wrong.  They expect - and want - us to figure it out."

     

    Note: House Member Jenifer Loon was also asked to give a response she has not done so by the 3-3-10.


    All PHL Q & A, interviews, commentaries or responses in the various sections of the online magazine do not reflect advertisers views. Candidates may purchase space to run campaign ads provided they are based on their own qualifications and record. Our interview questions in Q & A reflect the legislative history, actions and record taken by a particular candidate or candidates.

     
    SPORTS WORLD EDEN PRAIRIE