Mitt Romney to Make Campaign Stop in Eagan

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be visiting with former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty just up the road from Apple Valley, stopping for a campaign event in Eagan on Wednesday.

The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Freightmasters, a large Eagan-based trucking company. Romney, who is considered the favorite to run against President Barack Obama this year, is the second Republican candidate to visit Minnesota within a week; fellow Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum stopped in Luverne on Monday night.

Adult Beginner Lessons At Buck Hill

Looking to try something new? Don't know how to ski or snowboard? Why not take adavantage of the winter special at Buck Hill!

Take a lesson from one of Buck Hill’s professional staff and learn the basics for one great low price. This one-time package is open to participants age 13 and up who have never skied or snowboarded or to those who would like a tune up. This one-time package includes: a session lift ticket, 90-minute lesson, and rental equipment, for only $35! Advance registration is required.

Find available dates as well as an online registration form here.

Find directions to Buck Hill here.

Did You Know? It's National Peanut Butter Day!

Fun fact: it’s National Peanut Butter Day! Peanut butter is a staple in over 90% of American households and the average person consumes more than six pounds of peanut products each year. Women and children prefer creamy peanut butter, while most men go for the chunky variety.  A doctor in St. Louis created peanut butter in 1890 as a remedy for bad teeth. It became very popular with the doctor's patients, but the oil often separated from the grainy solids. In 1933, a California packer was able to homogenize the peanuts into a spreadable butter. Did you know that it takes 550 peanuts to make a 12 ounce jar of peanut butter? Peanuts are cholesterol free and an excellent source of protein. In fact, it’s the high protein content that causes peanut butter to stick to the roof of your mouth. To celebrate National Peanut Butter Day, bake some peanut butter cookies, spread some tasty peanut butter on toast, or enjoy a spoonful right out of the jar!

Frozen Apple Concert Kicks Off January 21st

The Apple Valley Arts Foundation is offering a remedy to the wintry Minnesota desolation with its Frozen Apple concert series, which will feature a sunny mix of Latin pop, folk, jazz, funk, and soul.

The Valley Middle School percussion band will open the Jan. 21 concert at 5:45 p.m., followed by Harold Torrence at 6:15 p.m.

On Feb. 4th the Frozen Apple will play host to acoustic artist Michael Monroe, whose music is a blend of folk, jazz, and reggae.

The series concludes March 3 with Menage a Neuf, a nine-piece Twin Cities funk and soul band that's led by three female vocalists and covers artists such as Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones.

Admission is free to all the concerts at the community center located at 14603 Hayes Road. Food and beverages from Enjoy restaurant, Famous Dave's and other local vendors will be available for purchase at each of the performances.

More about the Frozen Apple concert series can be found here.

Mendota Heights Has a New City Administrator

Justin Miller (no relation to me) began his new position as city administrator in Mendota Heights, MN on December 28, 2011.  He was selected in October to fill the position vacated by David McKnight over the summer when he left to become city administrator in his hometown in Farmington.

Back in October, Mayor Sandra Krebsbach said the decision was unanimous among the five council members. She said Miller’s strong leadership skills, current data management experience and technology skills will be an asset to the city. In addition, she said he will be instrumental in developing the city’s industrial park.

“For the residents, he will provide excellent service. He will be accessible, effective and I think the residents will enjoy and benefit from him being our city (administrator),” Krebsbach said.

Justin Miller received a bachelor’s degree in political science and business administration from Austin College of Sherman, TX and a masters of public administration degree from the University of Kansas.  He has served as city administrator in Falcon Heights since 2006. Prior to that he has been employed with the cities of Chanhassen and Des Moines, IA, according to a statement released by the city.

Here is a question and answer interview with Justin Miller on his first day at work in Mendota Heights City Hall by Mendota Heights Patch editor.

Endangered Asian Wild Dogs Exhibit Opens At Minnesota Zoo

Looking for something new to do or see while the kids are on winter break?

No matter how many times you've been to the Minnesota Zoo, starting Friday you and your family can see a new exhibit of Asian wild dogs, called dholes (pronounced "dohlz").

The zoo is the third in the U.S. to exhibit the animals, according to a news release.

The endangered dhole is found in China, India, Russia and Thailand; about 2,500 are left in the wild, the release says. The growth of Asia's human population contributes to their endangered status, causing habitat loss and lack of prey, as well as disease.

More information about dholes is available on the Minnesota Zoo website. You can check out more photos on the zoo's Facebook page.

The Minnesota Zoo is open normal hours throughout the new year's holiday and into 2012—9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

Is It A Good Time To Buy?

Buyers often ask when is a good time to buy, and one thing I always tell them to look at is housing affordability. This housing affordability index measures housing affordability for the Twin Cities region.  An index of 120 means the median household income was 120% of what is necessary to qualify for the median-priced home under prevailing interest rates. A higher number means greater affordability. The past months housing affordability index was 256, which increased 10.3% from the previous month. That means the median household income has 256% of what it takes to qualify for their next dream home. Of course, every buyer has different circumstances. It may be time to sit down with a professional to determine if now is the right time for you to buy!