SURPRISE!! Happy Birthday!

Our Eagan friends, Steven and Allison, hosted the SURPRISE birthday party for my wife, Anne, at their house on pre-Autumn like Saturday, August 29. Many friends gathered for a potluck, picnic barbeque style backyard party! We even watched a DVD about Anne made by her sister-in-law, Denise. Allison held a drink while Ann held Anne's arm. Ann, the other sister-in-law, missed this photo!

Eagan Lioness Club

On breezy, Autumn like Saturday, August 29th, the Eagan Lionesses were busy selling hotdogs and brats outside a Von Hanson's meat store. One of several fundraisers, they were making money to support some of their community projects. I hope they had a successful day of sales!

The 16 member Lioness Club of Eagan was established in 1976. They meet every fourth Thursday of the month for fun, fellowship and fundraising in the community room at Cedarvale Lanes. Club President, Margo Danner, leads their cheerful, fun group! A fellow Rotarian told me this week, "Margo knows everyone and everyone knows Margo!"

Park and ride

If you want to park your car here in Eagan, then exit off highway 35E north onto Pilot Knob Drive and park at the Eagan Transit "park and ride" center.

The Minnesota State Fair is a huge annual event held at the St.Paul fairgrounds. This year is runs from August 27 - Labor Day, September 7!

Check out their website to see more: www.MNstatefair.org

Twin buzzzz

We have had a lot of coneflowers in our yard. These two bees were buzzzzzzzing around a couple of weeks ago at the same time!

Leah the guest jazz singer

This Wednesday's "Eagan Market Fest" featured "Thomasina Petrus" and her jazz group. Young Leah in pink stood right in front of the stage listening to the jazz musicians until the lead singer invited her up on stage. Leah sang, "Twinkle, twinkle little star" to a jazzed up accompaniment! She stole the show!

My three little singers and I listened to the jazz and then bought some fresh produce and a $5 bouquet of beautiful flowers for "Mommy" before driving home.

www.thomasinaproductions.com

P is for pastries!

"Pardon my French" is a French bakery, cafe' and wine bar. They offer delicious food options, wines, etc. but my favorite is their pastries! The French native owners, Frederic & Chrystel Klein established this popular spot in October 2008. Frederic comes from Colmar in Alsace while his wife originates from Perpignon, France. Chrystel teaches French in the area.

Dream house series #6

I love this colonial style with the yellow front door and white birch tree.

Back to Eagan from Wisconsin

My family and I visited my twin brother and his family this past weekend at their cabin in western Wisconsin. With glorious weather, we enjoyed waterskiing, kayaking, riding the "Mambo," morning walks, watching Loons, etc. I love being out on a lake in a canoe or kayak! Luther and I went out for an "early" morning kayak ride.

Now we're back in Eagan, back to work and back to "reality."

Eagan City Council members

Please meet the members of the Eagan City Council! Standing in the Eagan City Council chambers from left to right are: Councilmember Cyndee Fields, Councilmember Paul Bakken, Mayor Mike Maguire, Councilmember Meg Tilley and Councilmember Gary Hansen. Immediately following my photo of them, the biweekly City Council meeting began!

Eagan dog series #8

Our elementary school nurse was walking by with her dog, Ubu. We all hustled over to pet her Standard Poodle dog and talk with one of our nicest, friendliest neighbors!

"Terrific Terry" from Taipei, Taiwan

On Thursday, August 20, a couple Eagan Rotarians and I welcomed our Rotary Exchange student from Taiwan. Terry will study in Eagan for a year and stay with three Eagan host families. Dr. Kim from Rotary District 5950 and Terry's "host Mom" and "host brother" also joined us to meet Terry at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

Eagan Rotarian series #3

Tami Phillippi owns the only "Fast Frame" custom picture framing store in Eagan. She has independently owned and operated her store since 1995. Her frame suppliers primarily include: Roma, Lason/Juhl, Nurre/Caxton and Framamerica. Swing by and Tami would be happy to get your photos or artwork all framed up!

www.fastframe.com
The world's largest custom picture framing franchise with 300 stores in the USA and some in Brazil.

O is for Oak Cliff Place!

If you need a financial advisor or investment advisor, please come and visit me at my Hagen Financial Network office. If you are turning age 65 and need Medicare supplement health insurance, email or call me!
Tel:651-209-6350!
www.HagenFN.com

Fire fighters' ice cream social

On Thursday, August 13 the community gathered at Fire Station #4 for a fun evening of root beer floats, games, playing on fire trucks and meeting the local firefighters. This annual event raises dollars to help support the efforts of the volunteer fire departments!

Twin brothers tried on firemen's uniforms while another boy tried shooting water at a practice "on fire" house with the fire hose.

Eagan's Royalty

We don't have Queen Elizabeth of England, nor King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, nor Princess Stephanie of Monaco, nor Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein nor Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg! But we do have the beautiful "Miss Eagan Queen" and her darling royal court of Eagan princesses!

Kind regards from HRH Prince Leif City Daily Photo blogger of Eagan

Bad news, good news

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church was almost burglarized on Saturday, July 18. Thanks to some "Good Samaritan" neighbors who heard broken glass and called 911, seven policemen arrived and caught the burglar! By the way, they worship on Sunday mornings and you are welcome to join them! (without a burglar's mask!)

Amy Ocean & Keesi

Anne and I drove over to the Ring Mountain Creamery Cafe' on Friday evening to hear live music and savor some delicious ice cream! Amy Ocean and her drummer, Keesi, played some relaxing, folksy music there. If you want to learn more about Amy, logon to her website:

www.AmyOcean.com

Tiger Woods in Eagan

Ok, ok, world famous golfer Tiger Woods isn't actually IN Eagan but he's close to Eagan. Tiger is playing in the 91st PGA Championship at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, just 29 miles from here.

My brother-in-law, Professor Dr. Kent Lee, and his son are staying at the "Hagen Hotel" in Eagan and attending this week's daily practices and following games. Kent took this picture at a practice round on Tuesday, August 11. Kent would play more golf if it weren't for his "day job" as a computer science professor at Luther College.

Ballroom dancing in the woods

My family and I watched the "Beyond Ballroom Dance Company" waltz and swing and move across the outdoor stage at Caponi Art Park on Sunday evening, August 9.

The five talented dancers changed into several different costumes and performed various style dances to varied music.

For more information about performances or classes, kindly go to www.beyondballroom.org.

N is for noodles!

Are you hungry for Asian, Mediterranean or American noodles? Then drive over to "Noodles & Company" at 1340 Town Centre Drive in Eagan. They offer soups, salads and noodles, noddles, noodles!

Created by New Yorker Aaron Kennedy in 1993, they are now a national food chain with 22 locations in Minnesota alone!

Motto: "Every Guest. Every Bowl. Every time."
www.noodles.com

Meet Mayor Mike Maguire

Mayor Maguire began his first term in January 2007 which will continue until December 31, 2010. He served previously as a City Councilmember since January 2003.

Mr. Maguire holds a Bachelors degree in Communication and Journalism from Suffolk University in Boston, a Masters degree in Speech Communication from Mankato State University and has completed doctoral course work in Speech Communication and American Studies at Indiana University.

Mike works in the American Cancer Society's media relations. He has taught at St. Olaf College among other positions. He serves as Chair of the Municipal Legislative Commission, and on the Board of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities and on the Finance Committee and the Personnel Committee of the City Council. He represents Eagan on the Cedar Group, an intergovernmental effort to bring bus rapid transit through the transportation corridor. Mike and his family have lived in Eagan for more than 10 years.

Run for Blood 5K

On Saturday morning, August 8, my identical twin brother, Luther, organized and sponsored his company's 1st annual "Run for Blood 5K" event at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. Hagen Financial Advantage, Inc gave the net proceeds to the Red Cross. On your mark, get set, go!!

The overall 5K winner was quick man #193 with an approximate time of 15.24 minutes. A recent Luther College grad! Go Norsemen!

The quickest woman runner, athlete #205, crossed the finish line at 18.32 minutes.

Next year's 2nd annual "Run for Blood 5K" is scheduled for Saturday, August 7. Our guest room is available for an CDP blogger visiting from abroad to run! Valkommen!

Eagan dog series #7

Three schnauzer dogs were at the Eagan Civic Arena with the Humane Society volunteers.

1956 Buick Super

Antique, classic cars were displayed on the Eagan Community Center's lawn. It was difficult to just show you one!

Wednesday evening, August 5, an "Oldies" band played at Eagan's "Market Fest." I love these weekly community events complete with a farmers market!

Eagan Rotarian series #2

Dan Sjolseth owns Superior Service Center in Eagan. He's worked in the auto repair and servicing industry for 28 years. He expanded this company when he bought it in November 2008 from fellow Eagan Rotarian, Jimmie Rabuse.

His 24 employees provide mechanical services, auto body repair and car cleaning. Visit them if you need an oil change, if your car is crashed up or anything in between!

www.superiorcollisioncenter.com

Jazz night in downtown St. Paul

This over 80 year old woman was elated to receive the "best vintage costume from the the 1940's worn by its original owner" award! The St. Paul skyline was the background.

Tuesday, August 4, we met some Eagan friends in downtown St. Paul at the History Museum for its weekly music night. Throngs of people danced to the live jazz music with a heavenly view of the nearby St. Paul Cathedral!

M is for Municipal Center!

Eagan's police office, city administration offices and city council chambers are all located in the Municipal Center just off Pilot Knob Road.

Dream house series #5

This house is surrounded by other similar houses with brightly painted colors & white trim.

Summer tennis lessons

If you would like to learn how to play better tennis, then stop by Eagan City Hall to register for tennis lessons or camps. Otherwise, logon to www.cityofeagan.com!

Trouble in my mirror!

I spotted an Eagan policeman on a motorcycle behind me! I had my camera with me! I was relieved when he turned left at the stoplight behind me! Whew!

Eagan NIGHT!

City Daily Photo's August theme day is "NIGHT!" The clouds as seen from my driveway almost covered the night sky as the Eagan day came to a close!

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