May 2014

Earlier this month, the state’s teacher’s union chose their Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Thomas Rademacher, an English teacher in Minneapolis.

Emily Anderson of Blaine High School, however, was among the nominees.

Although she didn’t win the big award, we’d like her to know that she’s number one with Blaine residents.

Anderson teaches Social Studies at Blaine High School, which for most folks would be a full-time job. For Anderson, it’s only part of her very busy life. This mom of three also owns a busy photography business, Photography by Emily Marie. Then, she is the head coach of the Fridley chapter of Moms on the Run, a group that helps women train for 5k's, 10k's, 1/2-marathons, and full marathons.

As if that weren’t enough stuff for

One thing I’m absolutely convinced of is that Americans don’t get enough three-day weekends. Maybe that’s why we so relish the ones we do have.

Although many Americans treat the long Memorial Day weekend as a chance to get in that first camping trip of the season, take a road trip or just lounge around at home, I have a feeling lots of them also take a minute to give thanks to the men and women who died serving our country.

Memorial Day Ceremonies

Other folks take it a step further and actually pay tribute to our fallen in more pro-active ways. If you are among them and haven’t yet figured out what you’ll do this year, how about attending the ceremonies being sponsored by the Veterans Organizations of

I was thinking this morning about how Blaine is home to so many of this country’s “onlys” and “largests” when it comes to sports facilities. Schwan’s is the largest ice facility of its kind in the world. The National Sports Center is billed as “the world’s largest amateur sports and meeting facility.” The TCP is the only private PGA TOUR-owned property in Minnesota.

Four Seasons Curling Club is the first curling club in the U.S. to operate year-round. It’s probably the coolest, too.

If you’ve been thinking of taking curling lessons, though, you’re out of luck until July. The Club’s May schedule is completely full and they won’t be offering a new class schedule until late July.

Since you have to have curling experience to use the practice ice

Looks like the weather people are calling for more rain on and off throughout the weekend. Since being cooped up in the house isn’t really a great alternative, let’s take a look at some of what there is to do around Blaine this weekend.

Fishing in Blaine

YAY! Saturday marks the Minnesota Walleye Fishing Opener. If you don’t have a license yet, you can buy one online here.  If you’re new to the area you should know that in most cases, you don’t need a license to fish in a Minnesota State Park.

Moms don’t need a license to fish tomorrow and Sunday, in honor of Mother’s Day.

You’ll have to wait another month to take muskie and a couple of weeks for bass (May 24).

Blaine Hockey Tournament

The 10th Anniversary Walleye Chop is on at Schwan’s.

 The Minneapolis Association of Realtors has published the latest Blaine housing market statistics (from March – they’re always a month behind) and the infograph below shows that it’s full of good news for sellers and a bit of a mixed bag of good and not-so-good news for homebuyers.

Good News for Blaine Home Sellers

Blaine homeowners will love the fact that home prices have continued to rise. In February, the median sales price was up more than 27 percent from the previous year and in March it rose another 5.5 percent. The average sales price of a Blaine home now sits at $247,867 – an increase over last month’s $244,899.

Difference between Median and Average Price

One of the questions I am asked most often is “What’s the difference between the