The Mound Westonka Blog - around Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota

Auditors Road Complete

DG — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:00:12 GMT

It seems like only yesterday, that work started on this improvement. Auditors looking North East as it runs into Shoreline.

Dakota Rail Regional Trail

DG — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:58:54 GMT

The Dakota Rail Regional Trail (DRRT?) at Shadywood looking East. This picture is from a few weeks ago. Beyond, the trail looked ready for paving.

Seton Channel Bridge

DG — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:38:10 GMT

The Dakota Rail Trail crossing Seton Channel. They are still working on this bridge, and the guard rails are temporary.

Dakota Rail Regional Trail

DG — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:11:31 GMT

Recently this trail has had sections of it paved in Mound, Spring Park and Minnetrista. I think it's really transformed the areas it runs through. I've seen rollerbladers, skateboarders and cyclists using this new resource. It's ideal for biking because there really aren't any hills, and you're usually sheltered from the wind.

We are waiting for the part of the trail in Downtown Mound to be sorted out. Unfortunately, the drivers in Mound still don't seem to follow our Crosswalk rules. As I understand them, if any pedestrian or cyclist is in any part of a cross walk, all traffic must stop. What I see happening is drivers driving at 30 mph giving little thought to stopping. I can deal with this and accept it however, what about children? Are they going to be able to cross at a crosswalk safely, in Mound?

There are some drivers here and everywhere else too, that cause me to repeat almost daily to my son; "Never trust a car". "Even while in a cross walk, watch both ways and don't expect a car to stop." While I would like Mound to belong to the children, and not the reckless drivers, there isn't much I can do about it. The city could issue a few tickets, and perhaps it all ready does, and I am not saying they aren't concerned. We see the signs in the road near the crosswalks, and the police officer near Grandview during the school year, so I know there's some effort being made. Perhaps I am appealing to the reckless drivers here. Children have a different perspective, and aren't part of "driving competition" that sometimes occurs. They don't cut people off, they don't tailgate. they don't pass someone to save a minute of time, and they don't speed. They just want to get from one side of Shoreline or Commerce to the other. They don't always make decisions like we do. They need drivers to give them a break.

Also I've noticed on our newly paved trail something that has in occurred other localities as well. The trail has little stop signs for the cyclists in places. The meaning to me seems clear. Stop and proceed when safe to do so. Right next to the stop sign is a cross walk crossing the road, which implies traffic must stop for cyclists. So who has the right of way? It's confusing, even for an adult. If I had to go one way or the other, I'd say the cyclists should yield. I do understand painting a cross walk on the road probably makes things safer. I'd guess less confusing might have its own merits too. What to do? "Never trust a car."

OK, bad drivers aside, this is really an improvement to the area and the City had and has some role in accomplishing it. My son and I rode all the way out to the WRA Park last night, and it was an easy ride. The section going West of Mound is really nice and still rural. The fall colors ought to be great.

The British Broadcasting Corporation in Mound

DG — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:55:27 GMT

Local author Tom Rockvam being interviewed by the British Broadcasting Corporation in front of Green T Accounting's building:

This building was owned by the Andrews Sisters uncles for many years who operated the Sollie Store that sold groceries. The BBC was in town this day filming a movie about the life and careers of the Andrews Sisters.

The BBC in Mound

DG — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:04:52 GMT

Local author Tom Rockvam has announced that the British Broadcast Corporation will be in Mound filming a movie about the life and career of the Andrews Sisters. The date of the BBC's appearance in Mound will be June 10th.

The public is being asked to show up at 10:00 AM at "The Andrews Sisters Trail" that is South of old Shoreline in downtown Mound and runs along Lost Lake.

The Andrews Sisters spent a significant amount of time in Mound, and it seems the BBC recognizes this.

Ice out on Lake Langdon and Loons visit

DG — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:09:40 GMT

This weekend saw the ice going out on Lake Langdon which is defined by being able to navigate a pontoon boat around the edge of the lake within 50 feet of the shoreline and being able to cross the lake both east to west and north to south. This year's winter kill includes a higher than average amount of carp which I predict will not impact their population or cause them to be placed on the threatened species list. The creek, (Langdon Bay Creek or Sollies Creek, take your pick.) is flowing into Lost Lake at a rate of about 10 gallons per second.

The ducks have returned and seem to be doing what ducks do every Spring, and there's a huge flock of white aquatic birds on the lake that are probably pelicans. And I am pleased to announce that about 5 loons have stopped by today and I am officially proclaiming there presence on the lake again. Their calls have also been heard.

And on this busy day, about 50 carp were seen moving upstream from Lost Lake into Landon Bay. Each year the creek is running, the carp will about this time, get confused and think they are Salmon, and fight their way upstream to spawn. While salmon die after they spawn, apparently carp do not.

This entry has been updated.

Langdon Bay Creek Update

DG — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:57:53 GMT

Langdon Bay Creek is about half open with the ice melted off of some of it. It appears to be flowing at a minimal rate, but I can't be sure about that. Langdon Bay's level may be low enough so that it hasn't breached the berm that sometimes forms at its headwaters.

Also I have recently been informed that another name for the creek is: "Sollie's Creek". (I am uncertain about the correct placement of the apostrophe.) Named after the two Uncles of the Andrews Sisters. These uncles owned the Sollie Store located South of the Creek for many years.

Thank you for not running into me...

DG — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:21:12 GMT

I'd like to thank the driver who passed me on the left while I was slowing to make a left turn off of Bartlett at Avon yesterday. Thank you for not running into the driver's side of my truck at around 2:00 pm Saturday when the roads were wet and it was snowing. I am sorry that my slowing down from about 25 mph to 15 mph in a residential area to make my left turn onto Avon could've delayed as long as 15 seconds, that surely wasn't my intent. Yes I was surprised to see you passing me in what I used to consider my neighborhood, until I realized I couldn't argue with physics and that Bartlett Boulevard between Shirley Hills and Shoreline belongs to those using it to get some place in a hurry. As I started my turn, there you were, like Richard Petty making that race winning pass. All I could do is stop in amazement and wonder, was that perhaps Jeff Gordon right here in Mound? A stock car racer once told me that their cars don't have rear-view mirrors, and it has something to do with never looking back. After I got over my shock at almost being in accident, I drove up to my house and tested my turn signal, thinking perhaps it was covered in that heavy wet snow that was falling or that it wasn't working? But that wasn't the case, it blinked OK. But all is well that ends well, and I am happy that you could continue on your way and know that you had saved yourself 15 seconds of travel time.

As I write this thank you to this unknown driver, I am reminded me of another near accident I was almost in. I was making a right turn off of Shoreline onto Chateau and was passed on the right. That taught me to block the break down lane of a road when making a right turn. Signaling a right turn may not count for anything. Physically blocking the break down lane where someone may try to pass, seems the safer thing to do. Some might say I am supposed to use the break down lane along that stretch of Shoreline, East of the old Hardee's, when making a right turn. I might say that it's too narrow to be a right turn lane given the width of my truck. Its narrowness might make things more dangerous if I use it as a turning lane. The reason I think it's not marked as a turning lane is not to save on paint, but because the road isn't wide enough to have a turning lane.

Unfortunately, I can't think of anything to make making a left turn in Mound any safer? Maybe I just won't make left turns anymore. I suppose it's normal to have differing opinions between people who live somewhere and people and who just want to get through somewhere as fast a possible. I am happy I haven't inconvenienced anyone by having an accident with them, as that might make them late for wherever it is they are going.

Westonka Horticulture Day

DG — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:50:04 GMT

Barbara Blaha writes: "The next Westonka Horticulture Day will be held on April 5, 2008 at the Mound Westonka High School. This is one event you don't want to miss. Keynote speaker Jeff Gillman will dispel all those gardening myths and give you the answers you need to solve your garden problems. Over 16 workshops with topics such as lakeshore restoration, planting with annuals, beekeeping, septic mound plantings, native plants, and many more topics. We gather the best speakers available to bring a quality educational program." - Westonka Horticulture Day
Their website is at: http://www.westonkahort.org/

Tribute to Tyler Hill

DG — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:33:42 GMT

Local resident Tyler Hill recently passed away while on a trip to Japan. tylerhill.org

Watercraft Inspection internships - Milfoil is not our friend

DG — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:53:04 GMT

Interns are wanted for the DNR's Watercraft Inspection program. Duties include:

Educate the public on invasive species program and issues

Distribute written information to watercraft users

Inspect watercraft for invasive species

Conduct a verbal survey & inspection inventory

Document and record research activities

These are paid positions, seemingly with the requirement that interns must receive college credit to be eligible for the job. The application is due by March 14th. See more

Residents sue Orono schools

DG — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:07:56 GMT

From the StarTribune: "Residents sue Orono schools, claim referendum not conducted correctly"
"Seven Orono School District residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging that the district's recent $39 million bond referendum should have been conducted by mail instead of at a polling place in the school district's main office.

The suit claims that the west-metro district's Feb. 12 vote violated a state law that requires any referendum not held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November be carried out by mail, unless a district is in statutory operating debt." More

Orono's voters approved a referendum by a vote of 1,845 to 1,713.

DNR returns disputed 52-inch muskie to Mound man

DG — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:10:06 GMT

From the Bemidji Pioneer: "The agency has returned the 52-inch fish to a Mound angler who caught it through the ice of Lake Minnetonka on Jan. 13.

Tom James kept the muskie after checking the DNR's regulation booklet and finding the season was listed as closing Feb. 24. The agency actually had closed the season on Dec. 15, but James and many other anglers weren't aware of the change." More

Presbyterian Homes buys Spring Park apartments

DG — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:19:37 GMT

From the StarTribune: "Presbyterian Homes and Services has purchased a two-building apartment complex in Spring Park and plans to rent the 75 units to its employees and the public.

The $5.4 million purchase at Shoreline and Island drives in Spring Park was completed last month, said Mark Meyer, chief financial officer of Roseville-based Presbyterian Homes, which provides senior housing in the Twin Cities metro area." More

Westonka to replace retiring School Board member

DG — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:56:46 GMT

"Of the ten district residents who sought to be considered for an open seat on the Westonka School Board, seven have been selected to make a face-to-face pitch to the panel next month." For more of the story about Westonka Schools: Laker

Police Squad Car Auction

DG — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:09:39 GMT

From Mound Crime Prevention: "The Mound Police Department is currently auctioning a retired police squad car on ebay if you are interested in placing a bid or following the auction. Go to www.ebay.com and type in item #260187820594"

Emerald Lake

DG — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:58:28 GMT

Emerald Lake. Picture by: GML4

Mound's Parking Ramp

DG — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:03:12 GMT

We are getting close to being able to tell the time from the new clocks downtown. Bigger image

Winter Parking restrictions for Mound

DG — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:28:35 GMT

From Mound Crime Prevention: Winter Parking Restrictions
Beginning November 15 through April 15 between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM - - - - Parking is prohibited on all city streets in accordance to Mound City Ordinance #700.45.