Same-Sex Marriage Decision, Jablonski and New Fast Food: Pick of Our Patches

This week's selections include a new Taco Bell, more on the Buddhist monastery, another attempt at school levies and a healthier sport drink for young athletes.

Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday. Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change' Minnesota state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who represents St. Michael-Albertville, recalled promise that 'no' votes on constitutional amendment to ban marriage wouldn't lead to legalization. ZipRealty Lists Westonka …

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Fridley-area Student Wins $2,500 National Merit Scholarship

He was selected from a pool of 15,000 finalists.

A Fridley-area student is among the winners of $2,500 National Merit Scholarships released Wednesday, the organization announced. He is Justin C. Wang, who lives in the 55421 zip code and attends Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation selects students from among 15,000 finalists in the 2013 National Merit Program. The winners are judged to have the best combinations of “accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.” The number of winners in each state is proportional to the number of graduating seniors in the state. A committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors selected the winners using: This year’s competition began when 1.5 million juniors …

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Man Drowns in Pond, Governor Heckled and Book Burning: Pick of Our Patches

This week's compilation includes a Red Cross Hero, 'unemployment is a very boring existence,' MCA issues, profitable liquor store, superintendent search and light rail.

Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Brooklyn Park Man Pulled From Maple Grove Pond Dies The 20-year-old man was pulled from the pond near the 12300 block of Elm Creek Boulevard. Freshwater Society Officially Declares Ice Out on Lake Minnetonka The call came at 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning; Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol uses a different standard. Dayton Heckled in Shakopee, Calls Audience 'Rude' and 'Juvenile' Gov. Mark Dayton told a Shakopee audience that "I’ve been all over the state and I’ve …

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Reports: Catholic High Schools to Meet about Forming Own Conference

Athletic directors from Twin Cities schools will discuss the idea May 16, 2013, according to local newspapers. Included are Totino-Grace, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Holy Angels, St. Thomas Academy, Hill Murray, DeLaSalle and Holy Family.

Seven Catholic high schools in the Twin Cities are talking about forming their own conference, depending on the outcome of a May 16, 2013 meeting of athletic directors, local newspapers have reported.  The schools, according to the Star Tribune, are: (Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul will not participate, the Star Tribune reported.) Talks are preliminary so far, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "We're just looking at and discussing possible options right now," St. Thomas Academy activities director Jack Zahr told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday, May 1. "We'll get together and exchange ideas. It's just discussion. It's nothing more than that." ... Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park is in the North Suburban Conference—which will …

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Parents Talk

Hey Mom and Dad: What Is Your Prom Budget?

A new Visa survey says families are spending over $1,000 for their child to go to prom. What price works for you, and how do you agree on a limit with your teen?

It has gotten more expensive to do most things in life, so we shouldn't be surprised that it has gotten more pricey to go to a high school prom. On average, parents and teens will spend $1,139 on prom this year. This is only a slight increase over last year but a 40 percent increase from the $807 average of 2011, according to a new Visa survey. The list of "needed" items can be endless: dress, tux, shoes (one pair formal and one for the dance?), corsages, limo, dinner, actual prom tickets and after-prom activities. "Prom is the new wedding," said Kit Yarrow, a consumer research psychologist, in a CNN Money article. "I think that every society has to have a rite of passage into adulthood for young people, and prom has become that."   Have …

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Mike B.

6:39 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013

Scott, there is no such thing as "liberal ideals." Liberals are pro-abortion, pro-taxing people to death, pro-homosexual marriage, pro-kicking God out of the classroom.... these are not "ideals." These are evil beliefs.   more ›

Hot Topics

Should MN Law Protect Coaches' Jobs from Complaining Parents?

Proposed legislation would ban school boards from dropping coaches' contracts 'solely' because of parent gripes.

Do high school coaches need a law to shield their jobs from parent complaints? Leave your comment below. A Minnesota Legislature conference committee is weighing whether to include this sentence in its omnibus policy and finance bill: "The existence of parent complaints must not be the sole reason for a board to not renew a coaching contract." The legislation is in response to increasing non-renewals of coaches' contracts, with as many as 35 percent in one sport (boys' hockey) involving parent complaints, according to a Star Tribune report: “This just came out from athletics directors and coaches who thought something more needed to be done,” said Rep. Dean Urdahl, a Grove City Republican who co-authored the bill. “The problem is … parents…

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Post Your Totino Grace Prom Pics on Patch

You don't have to wait until prom night 2013 to share those awesome pics. Share the fun of picking out that dress, snagging those designer shoes or picking out that really retro suit from Goodwill!

Totino Grace's prom, the glamour event of the year for students and their families, is Saturday. It's one long photo op, and Inver Grove Heights Patch is the perfect place to share them with the community. There's no limit on the number of photos you can add. Share your shots from: And this isn't just for kids! Parents, you can upload your "classic" prom pictures. We had some great shots last year! Just click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button to the left and show off those awesome pics! 

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