Tricks, treats & tunes

Our middle daughter and I attended the Halloween Suzuki violin and piano concert on Saturday morning at MacPhail Center for Music in neighboring Apple Valley. Kids aged 3 - 12 performed in their Halloween costumes with piano accompaniment by Superwoman. Sweet treats followed the musical tricks!

A parade of costumes

Families and friends gathered in the school cafeteria to watch the long parade of teachers and elementary school students in their Halloween costumes. A witch, Spiderman, a cat?, a couple of brightly dressed girls and the Statute of Liberty.

Happy Halloween!

Dutch Mummy...

Our neighbors from Holland really like decorating their house for Halloween! Look out for the mummys, spiders and other scary creatures as you approach their front door to say, "Treat or Treat!"

Meet Count Dracula!

Sunday, October 31 is Halloween and Count Dracula is ready to welcome the kids to Blane's front door!

Rain, rain, go away...

It was cold, rainy and windy on Tuesday afternoon. The TV weatherman will probably tell us soon that snow is on the way.

Scratching the clouds

This electrical tower looms high up into the air overlooking busy Pilot Knob Road!

Gone but not forgotten

This Maple tree was captured off the balcony of the Gates Corporation office on October 6 by its Regional Sales Manager. The leaves are gone but the glorious memory remains!

Guest photographer: Mike Tobias

Ready, set, exercise...

The bikes and rubber balls reflected on the polished, shiny, wooden floor. An Eagan water tower could be seen through the window of the Eagan Community Center and it was quiet...

Mum's the word...

This homeowner seems to love Mum plants for Autumn. They are brightly colored and do well even with the cooler evenings.

busted & broken

An old, wooden wagon marks the turn to the Cherokee Restaurant on Nicols Road. Any guesses about the mileage on that 4-wheeler?

Deb & Jeff's wonderland

The Autumn colors and the fallen leaves bring a smile to my face every time I drive by their house.

Morning jubilee

On an October morning, the early light had a magical feeling.

Guest photographer: Candace Medici

Rally time with Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts Governor and 2008 Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was in nearby Bloomington to help rally for Tom Emmer. Tom is running for Minnesota Governor in the November 2nd election. Mitt and Tom both worked the crowd following Mitt's speech.

Peaceful, then escape

This Great White Egret (Ardea alba) was slowly walking around a small pond behind the Eagan Community Center but when I made too much noise, he flew away!

Walking bridge @ ECC

Behind the Eagan Community Center, one finds a water fountain in a large pond surrounded by a wonderful walking path and a gazebo. This bridge stands off to the side from the fountain.

Click here to link to other bridges around the globe with Louis la Vache's BRIDGE meme!

Where's Margo?!

"The Taste of Eagan" gave many Eaganites the occasion to try yummy food from 27 local restaurants. This final 150th city anniversary event filled the Eagan Community Center gymnasium with stands offering: sushi, pizza, beef stew, chicken skewers, French pastries, cookies, etc.

Hint: Margo is a beautiful blonde!

Tribute & Memorial Dedication

Margo Danner, a woman with a dream, and Tom Mullon, a man with military connections, joined together with local military, Eagan Police officers, Eagan Firefighters, City Council members and many Eagan citizens to dedicate a new site behind the Eagan Community Center. A WWII veteran led the "Pledge of Allegiance," a Police Chaplain invocated, Mayor Maguire spoke and Margo thanked many people and challenged others to join in completing the project with donations. A life size bronze Policeman statute and bronze Firefighter statue were unveiled with a bronze Military statue to be added at the completion of the fundraiser.

More information: www.eaganlionessmn.lionwap.org

You've got mail...

Maybe the mail carrier gets annoyed with the beautiful green vine covering up this mailbox? But better a green plant than a barking and/or biting dog, eh?!

Parking in Autumn

Arriving early before my weekly, Wednesday Eagan Rotary lunch meeting, I passed through the parking lot with my camera. Ah, I love the Fall colors!

King, Joker, Queen & Jack

Five girls playing "four square" on a sunny, Autumn day - what could be more fun?! It reminded me of playing that game when I was in elementary school, long ago...

Cool guys & cute dolls

Eight couples from Eagan High School posed for parents' and friends' cameras in the beautiful landscaping behind Anchor Bank before Homecoming. On a gorgeous Autumn evening with 70 degree temperatures, it looked like a perfect night for dinner and dancing.

Hut 1, hut 2...

The Eagan Wildcats football team was practicing on a glorious Fall afternoon behind the Eagan High School.

Brushing shoulders in Eagan

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty joined three Eagan political candidates for a photo following a large 7 am breakfast gathering at La Fonda's Mexican restaurant in Eagan. From left: Ted Daley is running for State Senate, Diane Anderson is seeking a spot as State Representative and Doug Wardlow is campaigning for the role of House Representative.

Election Day is less than 30 days away!

Having a poopy day?

Hugh Griffin, owner and operator of the local "Poop 911" franchise, flew as a regional airline pilot before getting into a different kind of business. This national Doggie do-do company started in 2003 in Dallas. If you have one dog and want Hugh or one of his teammates to stop and pick up doggie piles once per week, that will cost you $9.95. Many other plans are available. As they say, "Leave the Dirty Work to Us!"

www.POOP911.com

Ruffled feathers

They were having a Canadian Geese convention on a Saturday morning on Fish Lake!

Glorious Maple

Ah, the Fall colors here in Eagan! Can you see what's hiding in the shade of this tree?

Dream. Design. Build. Enjoy.

The Parade of Homes remodeled houses were showcased in early October. This 1980's contemporary 2-story home, Project #R64, displayed a remodeled main level: bathroom, kitchen, great room, family room and laundry. James Madsen of "James Barton Design Build Inc." and his fine home remodeling team can help you upgrade your home.

www.jbdb.biz

Mountain biker dude

James was starting into the mountain bike trails of Lebanon Hills Regional Park - West just off Johnny Cake Ridge Road. With 6.36 miles of trails through beautiful wooded hills and curves, this area is hugely popular among bikers and hikers in the Spring, Summer and Fall and skiers in the Winter.