The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual Home, Landscape and Garden Everything Spring Expo is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Grace Church. The show is set to include more than 100 booths.

“This show is totally free to attend and has free parking,” according to a news release. “Kids activities will be provided by KidCreate Studios, Underwater World, Kid’s Potting with The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center, and The Home Depot.”

Brindisi, Kangas among new ownership group

By Forrest Adams

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is now under new ownership, though some of the owners have familiar faces.

Long-time Resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi and Choreographer Tamara Kangas Erickson are among a large cast now charting a path forward for the 41-year-old theater.

Beginning Tuesday, March 23, and continuing for three to six weeks, Xcel Energy will conduct a visual inspection of its electric transmission lines in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota by helicopter, according to a news release.

"Xcel Energy’s transmission lines stretch across southern Minnesota from the Wisconsin border to the South Dakota border, crisscross the central portion of the state from the Twin Cities to the St. Cloud area, and span an area from the Twin Cities north to the Canadian border," the release said.

Huey’s Nut-free Chocolate offers an alternative for families with allergies

By True Grimes

Kristen Rice recalls the many times her son came home with a look of disappointment on his face because he couldn’t eat the treats that someone brought to school or a party. Matthew “Huey” Rice is allergic to peanuts, diagnosed when he was 18 months old.

The Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota reported

This week, Starkey announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) for co-branded pediatric hearing aids.

“The pediatric earmolds specifically created for children ages 0-13 will feature characters from Nickelodeon’s most popular TV shows, including SpongeBob SquarePants, iCarly, Go, Diego, Go! and Dora the Explorer,” according to a news release.

Starkey is one of Nickelodeon’s latest partners, which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Mall of America, the Boys & Girls Club of America, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and others.

GiVan’s Salon, a full-service salon and spa offering hair services, nails, skin care and massage, is collecting for the Emergency Food Shelf Network in March and April.

“Our goal is to raise awareness to the need for food in our community and state,” according to a news release.
Anybody who brings food in will get a coupon for either $5 off a retail purchase, a facial wax or off any nail service, according to a news release.

“The Lakewinds third annual Gluten Free Roundup event rustles up gluten-free food for every meal and lassos friends and support for a gluten-free lifestyle,” according to a news release from the store.
According to a news release, Lakewinds Natural Foods has more than 1,700 gluten-free products, trained staff understanding gluten intolerance, special designation of gluten-free products, and gluten-free cooking classes.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Lakewinds Natural Foods, 435 Pond Promenade, Chanhassen.

For more information about MyPillow, visit www.mypillowshop.com.

By Cliff Johnson

Jan. 16, 2009, is a milestone date for Mike Lindell of Carver.

That’s the day he quit all his addictions.

He’s been sober in the 13 months since, pouring his new focus and clarity into his growing Carver company – MyPillow Inc.

By Mark W. Olson

Cooper’s County Market in Chaska won’t become a Cub Foods, according to store owner Gary Cooper.

In April, the Chaska Herald reported that Cub representatives had made an offer, which grocers Gary and his wife Sandy Cooper thought was “reasonable.”

In the article, Gary Cooper said Cub would tear down Cooper’s store and build a new Cub. However, Cub went on to make a “180-degree turn,” Cooper said.

Three individuals representing different connections to the healthcare industry had a consistent message for Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce members last Thursday. The theme that emerged during the Thursday meeting was that health-care reform is needed, but in a way that changes how the cost of care is aligned with the value of service.

The current economic model has been that the more services a provider does the more they get paid, noted Bradley Beard, the president of Fairview Southdale Hospital.

“The reality is that does little to promote quality.”