M&I Bank is collecting new and gently used children’s books in support of Read Indeed, a local children’s literacy initiative, according to a news release. The Read Indeed program began in 2007 when Maria Keller, a fourth-grader with a passion for reading, set a goal to collect and distribute one million books to needy children before she turns 18 years old. New and gently used children’s books can be dropped off at any of M&I Bank’s 27 Minnesota locations before July 31. Donations will also be accepted at M&I Bank locations in Wisconsin.

To make their business dreams a reality, Adam and Danielle Rosen tapped into a bit of the new and the old. For years, the couple has been selling records online out of their space in Eden Prairie, growing to the point where they have been able to take their online store and add a brick and mortar counterpart. The couple recently opened Shuga Records in northeast Minneapolis (at the former site of the Minnesota Center for Photography, 165 13th Ave. NE).

The deadline for letters to the editor of the Eden Prairie News is early for next week.

The deadline for letters and news releases is noon Friday, June 26, for the issue to be published on July 2.

The submitted sports deadline for these newspapers remains noon Friday.

The Eden Prairie News office, 250 Prairie Center Drive, Suite 211, will be closed July 3 for the Fourth of July holiday.

Please remember to include your name and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day on your letters.

Registration is now open for Stroller Strides of Minneapolis fitness classes for new moms.

“Stroller Strides offers a great combination of getting fit after the baby while enjoying the support of other moms experiencing the newness, joys and challenges of motherhood,” said Rachel Reeves, owner of Stroller Strides of Minneapolis, in a news release.
The program incorporates the baby and stroller. The workout improves cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission said in a news release today that it has "developed a series of online videos highlighting key features of the six area airports that comprise its reliever airport system."

For the video featuring Flying Cloud Airport, scroll down.

Click here for a slide show from the event: http://edenprairienews.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=8603597&Al...

Newly refurbished Staring Lake Amphitheatre unveiled before a rib-eatin’, jazz-listening crowd

By John Molene

Picture-perfect weather Sunday helped make the annual Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie a delight for those who came to sample the jazz, the newly refurbished Staring Lake Amphitheatre and, of course, the ribs.

The City Council OK’d Eden Prairie’s first precious metal dealer license at its meeting Tuesday.

“I don’t think we’ve ever done it,” Reynolds said, of whether the city had approved another precious metal dealer license. He said the city regulates the business because of the potential for passing along stolen items.

The license was granted to Wedding Day Diamonds, 8320 Crystal View Lane.

Kinderberry Hill Child Development Center is hosting a summer solstice party from 6:15-8 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at their location at 10160 Hennepin Town Road, Eden Prairie.

The event includes:

* Music and dancing with Kidsdance, America’s interactive DJ for children
* Complimentary face painting
* Gunny sack races and parachute play
* Complimentary picnic food including sandwiches, watermelon, lemonade and more
* Door prizes from Stages Theatre, Kidcreate Studio and Snips Salon.

Brace Helgeson was recently recognized for his outstanding performance for real estate sales in 2008, according to a news release. Helgeson is an associate in the Eden Prairie office of Coldwell Banker Burnet. He ranked second of all Coldwell Banker Burnet associates in the Twin Cities metro area for 2008.