Four-hour standoff ends peacefully

Eden Prairie Police responded to a domestic dispute during the early morning hours of Thanksgiving, which turned into a four-hour standoff at a residence on the 9000 block of Hampshire Lane. The stand-off ended when police pushed their way into the residence and arrested a 33-year-old male suspect for making terroristic threats.

The wait-and-see approach taken by the City Council for Art Center funding has so far not netted the needed $83,000 for upgrades to the interior of the new facility.

Back in September, the City Council approved $91,000 to expand the parking lot of the facility, which was donated to the city of Eden Prairie by the Sampson family this year.

Are you interested in reading the public notices published in the December 4, 2008 print edition of the Eden Prairie News newspaper? The page or pages on which those notices were printed are attached to this item, in the form of .pdf’s that can be opened with Adobe Acrobat.

What do you think? Are drivers becoming less courteous on the road? Do you signal before you break to change lanes? Click here to comment on a forum.

A funny thing happened after I cut off that irate person on Highway 169

By Suzanne Ruff

The following obituaries are from the Dec. 4, 2008 print edition of the Eden Prairie News newspaper:

Visit our forum here.

A group is seeking to limit the Eden Prairie superintendent’s contract, as School Board reviews her performance

By Karla Wennerstrom

Recession concerns add new twist to budget talks

By Leah Shaffer

East of Eden Salon has planned a Toys for Tots open house from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Donate a new toy and receive a complimentary mini service, according to a news release. Food, drinks and door prizes are also planned. You can drop off toys at the salon through Dec. 11.

East of Eden is at 7735 Flying Cloud Drive. For information, visit www.eastofedensalon.com or call 952-942-0590.

Baja Sol Cantina is set to open at 8335 Crystal View Road (former Chevy’s location) in Eden Prairie on Dec. 11.

The restaurant is set to be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight Sundays, according to general manager Tom Boeckmann.

The full service restaurant chain is headquartered in Inver Grove Heights.

An Evening with the Watershed is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Chanhassen American Legion, 290 Lake Drive E., Chanhassen.
The Riley-Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed will feature Professor Peter Sorenson and David Austin reporting on their work on lake restoration over the summer.

“Significant, new strides were made in understanding our lakes and their aquatic communities and prospects for restoration,” according to a news release.

Evelyn Shull, 85, of Eden Prairie, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008.

Service is Thursday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. with visitation one hour before at the Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road, 952-975-0400.

Attached below this article are Eden Prairie's challenged ballots in the Norm Coleman-Al Franken U.S. Senate election recount.  No 'Lizard People' here, but still a bit up for debate. Check them out for yourself by clicking on the attachments below.

Shirley Carlon, 87, of Eden Prairie, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008.

Mass of Christian Burial is Friday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 13505 Excelsior Boulevard, Minnetonka.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at church as well as Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5-7 p.m. at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road, 952-975-0400.

Judy Schell, 70, of Eden Prairie, was born in Minneapolis, on July 20, 1938. She died peacefully at home on Nov. 29, 2008 after a 21-month battle with ovarian cancer.

Memorial service is Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie (952-937-8123) with visitation one hour prior service.

Huber Funeral & Cremation Services Eden Prairie Chapel, 952-949-4970. www.huberfunerals.com

Hennepin County will hold a public Truth in Taxation hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, on the county’s proposed budget for 2009. “Hennepin County is proposing expenditures of $1.7 billion in 2009,” according to a news release. “The proposed net property tax levy is $644 million – a 6.98-percent increase from 2008.”
The county is proposing to decrease the Regional Railroad Authority levy by $8.5 million and decrease the Solid Waste Management Fee levy by $6.6 million.

CoreSpine Technologies, a company focused on developing advanced surgical devices for cartilage and nucleus removal of the spine has been named “Minnesota’s Top Breakthrough Business Idea” and honored for its concepts. Area business and educational leaders named CoreSpine Technologies the 4th Annual Minnesota Cup winner and awarded it a $50,000 prize.

On Dec. 2 Women with Spirit Bible Study at Pax Christi Catholic Community begins the study of Matthew: “Proclaiming God-With-Us” with Catherine Cory of the University of St. Thomas and Sister Paul Therse of the St. Paul Seminary.

“What issues are common to both genders and where do they differ … and how can you effectively parent during the teen years?” A free seminar aims to answer this question. The event features Heather Flies, junior high pastor at Wooddale Church and Todd Mulliken, family counselor, speaker and author. “They will share their unique insight into the teen world; and you’ll leave encouraged and better equipped for life with a teenager in the house,” according to a news release.

The Eden Prairie City Council meeting Monday includes the Truth in Taxation hearing. The meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at Eden Prairie City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road.
Click below for a link to the agenda and council packet.
http://www.edenprairie.org/vCurrent/live/council.asp?r=6311

By Ken Shindler

Editor’s note: This is an open letter from Ken Schindler to his former classmate, newly elected Congressman Erik Paulsen.

Dear Erik,

I was reminded of why I wanted to write you on the way to work today. I saw your face up on the massive billboard just past Highway 6 on 494 North. You know the one. You’re standing next to current Congressman Jim Ramstad. Both of you wearing smart suits and easy smiles. Summer foliage in the background. Your name in blue block letters set in a blaze of orange.

By Leah Shaffer

Though it’s a bit cold now for playground trips, kids visiting Miller Park play area in the spring will find it to be a transformed facility. Thanks to the donations from the Kathy and Tom Miller Family Foundation and the fundraising work of Mike and Jenny Garvin, Miller Park will be one of the only barrier-free parks in Minnesota.
The Garvin family, with the help of friends and fundraising work, has contributed more than $211,000 to fund the first phase of reconstruction of the Miller Park play area.

The Eden Prairie Band Parents Organization (BPO) will hold a band fundraiser at the Barnes and Noble in Eden Prairie Center from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Upon presenting a voucher to the cashier at the time of sale, a portion of your total sale at Barnes and Noble will be donated to the band. Band members will also be available to offer free gift wrapping. EPHS Chamber Winds Flute Choir and Woodwind Quintet will be performing in the store from 1-5 p.m. Purchased items from the store café items will also be included in the fundraiser.

ELECTION 2008
Well done
students!
On Nov. 4, I was an election judge at an Eden Prairie precinct. Several students were there observing and assisting (where permissible) with the election process. This was not just another day off from school. The interest shown by these young people was truly gratifying. I am sure students observed/assisted at other precincts as well. To all of them, hats off for a job well done!
Carl A. Grande
Eden Prairie

Congratulations
from Meyerhofer

The Monday after Thanksgiving is "Cyber Monday," when shoppers spent 733 million dollars last year and could spend even more this year.

"According to Shop.org, 84 percent of online retailers plan to have a Cyber Monday promotion on Dec. 1," said a news release from the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota.

The BBB offers the following tip list for shoppers, warning "Anyone can create a Web site:"

":Here’s a list of tips you should consult when shopping online:

Shoppers can win prizes during Eden Prairie Center’s Black Friday festivities.

The center opens at 6 a.m. (some stores open earlier) and participants can win prizes by texting and competing in challenges.

"The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) wants holiday shoppers to arm themselves with good information before they hurry out to grab their treasures," according to a news release.

Here are tips from the BBB:

* Budget. Sit down and plan your holiday expenditures. Along with your list of gifts, include holiday cards, stamps, entertaining, and clothing. As you make purchases, keep a running total to make sure you do not spend more than you planned.

The following incidents were reported by the Eden Prairie Police Department:

THEFT

Between 9:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and 7:45 a.m. Nov. 7, someone stole a vehicle parked on the 11000 block of Riverview Road. The 2007 Kia Rio had a Minnesota license number SEU-004 and was valued at $9,000. The key had been left in the vehicle while it was parked in front of a residence.

The following products were Made in Eden Prairie or have Eden Prairie ties - don't miss the embroidered toilet paper.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced today that former Eden Prairie Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens was one of three finalists for an opening on the Metropolitan Council.

The other finalists are William J. Guidera and Robert J. McFarlin Jr.

The finalists were recommended by a nominating committee. The vacancy occurred because of the resignation of Mary Hill Smith effective Dec. 31.