Cops & their bikes

These Eagan policemen were quite friendly and happy to show off their motorbikes. Just be careful not to speed over the limit; they like to show up out of nowhere!

Eagan Rotarian series #7

Michael Scott has fought fires in Eagan since 1983. In March 2006, he became Eagan's first full-time fire chief of a department which started in 1963. He coordinates the efforts and work of the 120 volunteer fire fighters here. In 2009, the fire department budget is $1.6 million. Volunteer firefighters receive just $13 per fire call regardless of the time spent on a call. About 30 pieces of equiptment make up the force's list of trucks, engines, etc. They received 1,200 fire/rescue calls in 2008.

Mike posed with the first 1942 fire truck which was originally an army truck. They paid $1,600 for that first truck. Now fire trucks cost $500,000 or more! We have 5 fire stations and 1 fire adminstration building in Eagan.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty

Yesterday, Governor Tim Pawlenty spoke at our Eagan Rotary club lunch meeting. I had the honor of introducing him; he gave a great "presidential" handshake. Terry, our Rotary International exchange student from Taipei, was happy to be photographed with the governor, too.

Governor Pawlenty launched a political action committee and Web site recently as he continues to lay the groundwork for a potential presidential bid in 2012. Mr. Pawlenty, age 48 and fellow Eagan resident, was on Senator John McCain's vice-presidential short list in 2008.

Photo taken by fellow Eagan Rotarian, Michael Proebstle. www.LegacyCreativeImages.com

V is for Von Hanson's

Von Hanson's is the closet thing we can find to an old fashioned butcher shop in Eagan. Great steaks, sausages, bacon, pork chops, brats, etc.

Bus stop diversity

My friend, Allison, took this morning "waiting for the school bus" photo. From left to right the kids are lined up: Andrea from Mexico, Delaney the bus patrol, Sanna from Afghanistan, Mohammed from Somalia, Bashir from Afghanistan, Zanie from Somalia, Piper and Susanna.

Dinner guest from Taipei

On Saturday evening, Terry from Taiwan, the Rotary International exchange student in Eagan, joined us and our friends, the Butlers, for a lively, delicious dinner. Fresh apple crisp made from apples picked last weekend in Lakeville with vanilla ice cream was our dessert!

Dream house series #9

This house had some new brick work done. The masons did a darn good job! Summer flowers weren't yet planted in the front flowerpots when I photographed it.

Grand opening - new location!

My 150th posting!

On Tuesday, September 29, Paul & Leslie Arazny cut the red ribbon in front of their new "Insty Prints" printing company in Eagan. They bought it from the original owner of 13 years who retired and moved to Wisconsin. Their 3,800 square feet facility employees 3 persons besides Paul. Some guests included the city mayor, Paul's fellow Rotarians, the police chief, friends, Chamber of Commerce members and the handsome president of the Eagan Rotary club. Call Paul for any of your printing needs! Tel: 651-688-3385

1975 Seneca Road - Suite 500

www.Eagan.Insty-Prints.com

Apple picking Sunday

Last Sunday, we drove 20 minutes south of Eagan to "Applewood Orchard" in Lakeville to pick "Honeycrisp" apples. Our timing was perfect as it rained before we arrived and after we left! With 33 pounds of apples, our two bushels were enough for one day's picking. Apple sauce, apple crisp and maybe apple pie!

www.applewoodorchard.com

Big & small cars CONTRAST!

The THEME for City Daily Photo blogs for October is CONTRAST! My office assistant, Allison, and I drove around Eagan in her BIG Chevy Suburban between office clients just to find a SMALL Mini Cooper with which to contrast. Friendly Doug and his pet Chihuahua were happy to be photographed for my blog. When we arrived back at the office after chasing around town, we spotted a cute, yellow, Mini Cooper in our parking lot!

How do Mini Coopers contrast with Suburbans? Look at the numbers: Length: 8 feet, 1 inch VS 18 feet, 6 inches

Width: 5 feet, 6 inches VS 6 feet, 7 inches

Height: 4 feet, 7 inches VS 6 feet, 5 inches

Weight: 2,568 pounds VS 7,400 pounds

Gas usage: not so much VS a lot!

Base cost: $19,500 VS $40,000

Passengers: 4 & SMALL dog VS 7 & BIG dog

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

U is for Umbria

Umbria, a gourmet pizzeria, offers a menu of pizzas, pastas, hot entrees, calzones, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Umbria was started just 5 years ago and the Eagan Umbria is one of only 7 locations found only in the Twin Cites. You can enjoy Italian inspired food at 1965 Cliff Lake Road - Suite 105.

"Turning Taste into Memories."

www.GoUmbria.com

Lone Oak Days

Flicka, Ricka & Dicka visited Holz Farm during the "Lone Oak Days" held last Saturday and Sunday. They took a hay ride with Farmer Fred, rode a horse and pony, posed on a pumpkin wagon and petted live animals in the red barn. Had they arrived earlier, they might have tried rope making, butter churning, field plowing, corn grinding, bread baking, egg picking, pedaling tractors or digging potatoes. Presented by "Friends of the Farm" and Eagan Parks & Recreation.

www.cityofeagan.com/holzfarm

Homecoming Queen & her friends

Eastview High School, located in Apple Valley just south of Eagan, celebrated its "Homecoming" this past weekend. Our beautiful neighbor girl, Barbie, in the black striped dress, was crowned as the "Homecoming Queen." Friday night was the football game and Saturday night was the semi-formal dance. Barbie and many of her classmates posed for a pre-dinner photo at Jensen Lake. Almost 15 couples gathered but I preferred this smaller group photo.

Boys and their toys

On Saturday, September 26, my family and I drove less than 15 minutes north of Eagan to the Minnesota Air Guard Museum. After passing through the car search by soldiers armed with M4 guns, we walked around and climbed in and out of vintage airplanes no longer in active military service.

These three guys could have been former pilots. I should have conducted a "Steffe interview." The Minnesota Air Museum currently has 22 aircraft in its collection. One of the larger collections in the upper Midwest, it represents a rather complete arsenal of post WWII jet aircraft.

Signs, signs, signs

When I drove into our friends' neighborhood, I noticed this glob of signs! Couldn't they have squeezed in just one more sign?

Eagan Rotarian series #6

Jim McDonald has served as a police officer in Eagan since 1988. In September 2006, he became our police chief for a police department which started back in 1965. Over 68 highly educated officers serve to protect our community; our crime rate in Eagan is lower than the Minnesota state average which is lower than the US average. The 2009 Eagan police department budget is $10,956,300. Over $225,000 in fines or forfeitures were collected in 2008.

Jim posed with a replica of the original 1965 Ford police car. The car cost $2,900 at that time. A new police care now costs $38,000.

Eagan dog series #10

Lucy, the 10 week old Labrador, and her owners drew a lot of attention at the Eagan Market Fest! Puppy Power!

T is for Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church

In 1880, a group of German Lutheran immigrants started Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church in what is now northeastern Eagan. At that time, the church was called "Evangelische Lutheranische Dreieinigkeits Kirche."

Located at 2950 Highway 55, this Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and school stand as a pillar in their community.

www.trinityloneoak.ctsmemberconnect.net

Handicapped Sheriff

This Sheriff won't get very far, very fast with his back tire missing! A few other bloggers on our photo safari also shot this car a few weeks ago.

The Eagan Rotary Club

I stepped back from the podium to photograph my Eagan Rotary Club saying the "Pledge of Allegiance." We begin each weekly, Wednesday lunch meeting in this way.

The pledge of Allegiance: "I pledge my allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, to the Republic for which is stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all."