Photo: The Tavern Grill Looking for a special way to honor mom on Mother’s Day? Pro tip: Don’t leave her with a bed full of crumbs or a sink full of dishes. Get the day off to a great start with brunch reservations at one of these fabulous local restaurants.  The Tavern Grill Get hands-on with brunch buffet options like made-to-order pancakes, omelet station and  build-your-own-Bloody Mary. For a standout side, be sure to keep an eye out for the golden brown Baked Reggiano Hash Browns. $28 for adults, $14 for kids 12 and under. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 15435 Founders Lane, Apple Valley; 952.6 ..read more

Photos: Abijah’s on the Backside Lakeville Rotary Club’s new Kentucky Derby-themed gala supports Abijah’s on the Backside.  On April 20, enjoy a night of dinner, cocktails and meaningful change. The first ever Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Gala is a collaboration between the Lakeville Rotary Club and Abijah’s on the Backside, and the event aims to bring awareness to mental health and improve access to necessary resources. The evening starts at 5:30 p.m., at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville.  The proceeds from this gala will go towards Abijah’s Scholarship Fund. This ..read more

Confession: I have been threatening to take a sledgehammer to our living room wall for years. When we moved into our house almost 12 years ago, we loved it for its location and general layout but had pretty big dreams when it came to the kitchen, primary bedroom and bathrooms. And we would’ve dove into those projects head first, except we moved with a 6-month-old baby and then quickly added another baby to the mix and then another one. Then came COVID-19 and the requisite puppy, and … well, you get the idea. Big house projects have been back-burnered, and my frustration continues to simmer, w ..read more

Photo: Mary Mittelstaedt Meet a rescue dog who is up for fresh experiences. Duke Silver is a dog that loves adventure. After being adopted by Mary Mittelstaedt in 2020 from Wags and Whiskers, he has experienced many new things, such as motorcycle riding, dock diving, jumping in snow banks and having his picture taken. Duke has grown to be a bit of a model. You can see more of Duke’s adventures by following @duke.silver20 on Instagram. Photographer: Mary Mittelstaedt Title: Duke Silver Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro Max Location: Apple Valley Category: Pets Award: First Place The post A New Leash o ..read more

Top left to right: Sidekick Hoodie, Artisan Shirt Jacket and Aviator Bomber Jacket; Shoreliner Quarter Zip and Traveler Vest Matte with Belt Bag; Traveler Jacket and Vests pack into a pocket. Bottom left to right: Visionary II Polos and Shoreliner Quarter Zip; Idealist Windbreaker; Sidekick Quarter Zip and Artisan Shirt Jacket. Photos: Kelsey Lee Photography If you’ve ever received a corporate gift—maybe a jacket or a polo shirt with your company’s logo on it—it might’ve originated at Storm Creek, an Eagan-based lifestyle apparel business that sells shirts, jackets, vests, athletic wear and ..read more

Runners and walkers gather at Viking Lakes for Minnesota Race for the Cure. Photo: Minnesota Race for the Cure The 32nd annual Minnesota Race for the Cure returns to Viking Lakes for the second time—and moves to the Saturday before Mother’s Day. The 1-mile walk and certified 5K honors breast cancer survivors and serves as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which has given more than $1.1 billion to breast cancer research since the early 1980s. Money raised at the event helps support research, patient care, advocacy and the race. Find information and register at kome ..read more

Photo: Bree Becker Whether you’re searching for a new bike or looking to part with an old one, you’ll want to check out Rick’s Bike Sale in Apple Valley. The 16th annual sale features more than 350 refurbished bikes. Rick Anderson, along with help from volunteers and businesses, refurbishes donated bikes and sells them to benefit Kids ’n Kinship, a nonprofit that connects kids in need with mentors, and DARTS, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for senior citizens. In 2023, the sale raised almost $63,000 for these charities, with 4 percent of sales proceeds going to purcha ..read more

These are great books published in 2023 that might have slipped under your radar. Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent Sally is a middle-aged, neurodiverse woman who has recently lost her father. Her father used to joke that upon his passing, he wished to be incinerated and “taken out with the garbage.” Sally takes instructions literally, so she does exactly this. This sets off a chain of events with both the authorities and the press getting involved. It turns out Sally has a secret past that she has repressed, and her being in the spotlight brings some of these memories to light. Fans of psy ..read more

A selection of dog treats from the bakery case. Photos: Chris Emeott An Apple Valley bakery serves up freshly made baked goods and other delights for your pup. Nicole Fandrich is describing one of her regular customers, and she’s about half-way through the story when it becomes clear that the customer is a Siberian husky and not a human. It should come as no surprise that some of the most loyal customers at Three Dog Bakery in Apple Valley have four legs. The shop specializes in freshly made baked goods, as well as a thoughtfully curated selection of dog treats, toys, collars, bathing produc ..read more

Keyfit Tools Sprinkler Head Wrench. Photos: Chris Emeott Ross Lazarov’s lawn care company inspired his second career as an inventor. Prior Lake’s Ross Lazarov has built a career of making things work. As the inventor behind Keyfit Tools, Lazarov has developed more than 80 products for automotive applications, lawn care and more. And as the owner of Lazarov High Quality Lawn Treatments, he oversees a lawn care team providing services to Prior Lake and the surrounding areas. His life’s work found him as much as he found it. Lazarov left high school early, saying school just wasn’t a place for ..read more