Sun Thisweek

My wife likes lights and fans. It’s the only explanation for why I always find lights illuminating various areas of our home where, it seems to me, they are not necessary. And fans, it’s a rare day when an exhaust fan is not running in one of our bathrooms or the kitchen. I’m the yin to her yang when it comes to lights and fans. I once had a neighbor ask if we were having electrical issues at our Chanhassen home because the outdoor garage lights kept coming on and going off.

Eagan Art House, designed by JLG Architects, was recently honored with three awards from the Minnesota Recreation & Parks Association. Finance & Commerce and the League of Minnesota Cities. Eagan Art House is the first fossil-fuel-free building owned by the city, leveraging geothermal energy, roof-mounted solar panels, and low-carbon timber. Operated by Eagan’s Parks and Recreation Department, the new Eagan Art House is a 10,200-square-foot, purpose-built arts center in Patrick Eagan Park.

A 40-year dry spell in competitive swimming didn’t stop Rosemount resident Kevin Carroll from diving back into the sport to feed his interests in staying fit, meeting people, and gathering a few gold medals along the way. Since he started training at Bluewater Aquatic Center in Apple Valley in 2012, Carroll, 72, has racked up several first-place finishes for Riptide Masters in the state and nation.

“Overwhelming bipartisan support” is a phrase rarely spoken in our current, deeply divided U.S. Congress and Minnesota Legislature. Yet, against all political odds, federal and state lawmakers delivered a genuine breakthrough across party lines with the passage of the 21st Century Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream — ROAD — to Housing Act and the 2026 Minnesota Housing Package.

When it rains, it pours — literally and figuratively. The week of my discontent began after we had new carpet installed in the lower level of our suburban townhome. The installation was a cumbersome process but when finished it looked good and felt even better. That exhilaration over our new purchase lasted a couple of days until an all-day, rather heavy rain resulted in a portion of said carpet becoming water-logged.

The Steeple Center, 14375 South Robert Trail, houses the majority of the programs and events for those 55 plus offered by the Rosemount Parks and Recreation Department, 13885 S. Robert Trail. To register for a program, go online at www.rosemountmn.gov/parks. #Advanced registration required, ##Rosemount Area Arts Council event, @ appointment required, % pre-screening required Monday, Aug.

Sign up for Apple Valley Senior Center, 14601 Hayes Road, programs by contacting: 952-953-2345, 952-953-2300. It is open Monday — Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and other times by reservation. Events with a @ require AVS membership; % require pre-registration; # require Advanced Registration and payment. Monday, Aug.

Sofia Templos, Sara Clemons, Kathy Cooper and Dr. Arden Virnig represent Minnesota at its best. As we move toward a new school year, I hope young people and families will find their work not just inspiring, but instructive. We’ll start with Templos, who lived in the Apple Valley-Eagan area several years ago. One of her friends died from a drug overdose. She was devastated. Templos wondered what she could have done differently to help her friend.

The Eagan City Council voted 4-1 during its Aug. 10 regular meeting to send a Comprehensive Plan amendment to the Metropolitan Council for review to change a land use designation for six acres at 1360 Lone Oak Road from low density agricultural to medium density residential. Council Member Paul Bakken was the dissenting vote, and Council Member Cyndee Fields, though voting to advance the project, said she did not support the current 27-unit townhome development plan and asked for changes.

Longtime Burnsville resident George Gilmour is the Republican-endorsed candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 52A, which includes portions of Burnsville and Eagan. Gilmour will face Eagan DFLer Christos Roy Jensen in the Nov. 3 general election. Current Rep. Liz Reyer is vacating the seat to run for the Senate in District 52. Current Sen. Jim Carlson is retiring.