On July 8, my dog Kuma turns 1 years old. He officially moves up the canine ladder from the ranks of cute little puppy to adult dog. And I think, with that transition, come certain expectations. Allow me to digress. As some readers know, I very much enjoy the hiking, biking, camping, kayaking side of life and—because I've taken him with me since he was a puppy—Kuma enjoys these activites too. But during our trips to Battle Creek Dog Park—a park that includes three or four sizeable ponds—I've made a concerning realization: Kuma can't swim. He plays in the ponds and chases the other dogs in …
It may be hard to believe, but if you were part of the Class of '94 at Park Senior High in Cottage Grove, that ridiculous vest I'm wearing in the picture on the left was cool. The forest-green school colors I'm sporting and the casual laying-on-the-ground pose on the right—that was equally cool. And if you look really closely—embarassment ensues—you'll see three earrings in my ears. Yep. My ears were pierced. Three times. That was super cool too. My my my, how the times have changed. I didn't actually realize how much they'd changed until I dug out these pictures last night. But this post …
Derrick Williams, local editor in Lakeville, threw down a Facebook-style gauntlet yesterday. He rallied Lakeville residents to help him "destroy" his Dakota County coworkers—in a Facebook manner of speaking—but fear not, fellow IGHers, I think we can give them a run for their collective money. 'Like' Inver Grove Heights Patch on Facebook To quote Mr. Williams: My fellow Patch editors in the south suburbs of Dakota County are some of the nicest, most inherently decent, upstanding professionals I have ever had the privilege to call peers. I must destroy them all. Yes, destroy them. Lakeville …
What was once a beautiful little puppy has morphed into something that is part-time devil, part-time trickster and full-time pain in the rump. Seven months ago I rescued a two-month-old Belgian Malinois from Brooklyn Park-based Midwest Animal Rescue & Services. I got an amazing puppy that was intelligent, cuddly, curious and full of energy. He ate everything put in front of him, listened to direction and was potty-trained after just a day. Then it happened—he turned nine months old. I named my little guy Kuma which means Bear in Japanese, but, as it turns out, something like Lucifer would…
I'm not much of a football fan and the Super Bowl game is what happens between commercials and grazing on the snacks. Some of my fellow Patch editors and I are working to compile a collection of your favorite party-food recipes and create a Super Bowl cookbook of sorts for our readers to use. Have a fiery homemade buffalo wings recipe? Can you make a jello mold in the shape of a football? Does your salsa disappear off the table in the blink of an eye? Then we want you to send us your recipe! Feel free to post your gameday recipes in the comments section below so all our readers can try them …
Back in April, Patch launched a blog platform—the online equivalent of an open community opinion page—and in that time we've gotten some fantastic contributors filling our Local Voices section, posting entries about everything from politics in Inver Grove, to posts on motorcycling, to Hwy. 52 roadwork. In addition to providing locally focused news coverage for Inver Grove Heights , we're looking for even more residents to host their own blog on the Inver Grove Patch site. For the most part, anything goes, if it's legal. We want bloggers to own their blogs. In fact, Patch doesn't own the blog …
Do you still have photo albums with pictures of your student heading off to the first day of kindergarten? Have you already snapped a shot of him or her trying on that cap and gown for high school graduation this year? Patch is creating a photo gallery of graduating seniors from Inver Grove Heights. As the momentous occasion approaches, post or send photos of your son or daughter to acknowledge their success, or let readers know what their plans are for the future. We’d love to see them as babies, in their formative years or preparing to take that next step in life. If you'd like to include a…
Baja Sol, A&W, Dunn Bros. Coffee. The list of recent restaurant closures within Inver Grove Heights has grown long. And while new eateries, like B52 Burgers & Brew, continue to open their doors, they are sadly outnumbered by the host of vacant storefronts, lonely drive-though windows and empty tables across the city. I want to know: What new restaurants would you like to see in Inver Grove Heights. Have your taste buds been impatiently waiting for a Chipotle? Do you wish you could share a romantic dinner take your significant other to a new fine dining restaurant? Do you think the city needs …
With the death of Osama bin Laden dominating headlines Sunday night, there might be no more appropriate time than now to thank any veterans in your life — and to remember those who sacrificed their lives for this country. Bin Laden's death clearly illustrates the danger that American military personnel routinely face, as U.S forces reportedly stormed a Pakistani mansion and killed the terrorist leader, fending off gunfire during the mission. So, take a moment to remember U.S. Army Pfc. Conor G. Masterson and U.S. Army Spc. Joseph A. Kennedy — two men from Inver Grove Heights who died during …
In addition to providing some of the best local news coverage in town, Inver Grove Heights Patch also wants to be a home for local voices. So, Inver Grove Heights Patch is launching a blogging platform the week of May 2 —and strong community voices are needed. The blog will be more free-wheeling than the Inver Grove Heights Patch homepage and will be a place where readers can check out what local voices have to say about goings on in the community. For the most part, anything that is legal, goes. We want the bloggers to own their blogs. In fact, Inver Grove Heights Patch will not own the blog…
When people talk to me about Inver Grove Heights Patch, they mention our news reporting, our sports coverage and the stories that give readers a glimpse into the lives of their fellow Inver Grove Heights residents. Readers can share photographs, write guest columns and create announcements and events. There are comments posted on stories here and on our Inver Grove Heights Patch Facebook page. Every week I receive calls and emails from people with suggestions and feedback about our stories. There is another way you can get involved, and I want you to consider this your official invitation to…
What does 20 years of crime look like? I found out on Thursday at the Dakota County Historical Society in South St. Paul, where I spent two hours volunteering to sort through decades-old newspaper crime reports and organize them chronologically. I was at the historical society as part of Patch’s “Give 5” program, which encourages editors to take part of the workday off and volunteer in the community they cover. Volunteering is important to Patch: After all, the network was founded because one person wanted to find out where he could help out in his local community. Wading through a 10-inch …
Moms, we want to talk to you. And we want you to talk to us. Often. We know you've got wisdom to share — not just with your children, but with other moms facing the same challenges, dilemmas, joys and opportunities you've encountered. Although it seems like you can do everything (it really, really seems that way—we never stop being amazed by it), it wouldn't hurt to have some fellow moms around to share ideas and advice. Here's the deal: Starting very soon, we're going to be offering a lot of information we hope you'll find useful. Tips and stories on everything from finding the best …
Forecasters are preducting temperatures in the 20s for much of the week — balmy weather, compared to the deep freeze we've had over the last few days. Even though things are warming up, January's bitter cold has me thinking of tropical beaches and palm trees. Wish you were at your favorite vacation spot this time of year? Share your photos of where you'd rather be.
With Inver Grove Heights Patch entering its second full week of operation, we thought it was high time to fill you, the reader, in on all the functions and features of our site. We're committed to covering all aspects of life in Inver Grove Heights, but we also want to promote a healthy dialogue with the community. We want you to feel invested in this site, just like you feel invested in Inver Grove Heights. For those of you who have already started commenting and contributing to the site, thanks! Your voices and perspectives are welcome, and make Inver Grove Heights Patch more well-rounded …
Hi, my name is David Henke. I'm the local editor for the Inver Grove Heights Patch, a new website that is one part online news source, one part community forum and one part business directory. Take a moment to watch this introductory video. It explains who I am, what to expect at invergroveheights.patch.com and how you can contribute to the website. After you're done, feel free to browse the stories we've already posted, like an in-depth analysis of overcrowding at Pine Bend Elementary School, or a robbery involving a battle ax and sword. You can reach me by email at David.Henke@patch.com …
There are plenty of civic-minded people that love to ring in the new year by volunteering with local organizations or non-profits. If your New Year's resolution is to do more to help your friends and neighbors, then here's a short list of area groups that are currently looking for a little extra help. #1) Inver Grove Heights Schools Earlier this year, the Inver Grove Heights School District created the Volunteer Corps, a volunteer program that puts parents or other caring adults in the community in contact with the students who need them most. As part of the program, adults must go through …
Hi, my name is David Henke. I'm the local editor for the Inver Grove Heights Patch, a website that is one part online news source, one part community forum and one part business directory. Unlike other media outlets in the area, we are dedicated solely to Inver Grove Heights. Expect to see me, or one of our experienced freelance writers, at athletic events, school board meetings, covering breaking news or speaking with local business owners. Inver Grove Heights is a young community blessed with strong schools, plenty of outdoor space and a growing commercial core. I plan to reflect that on …
