Viking Legend Tommy Kramer Featured at St. Michael Football Camp

St. Michael-Albertville youth football players got some one-on-one instruction from former Viking quarterback Tommy Kramer Saturday. The thrill was as big for parents in attendance as it was for the aspiring players.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer, an all-pro during the mid-1980s and one of the franchise's leaders in passing yards and touchdowns, made his way to St. Michael-Albertville Saturday for some one-on-one instruction with aspiring football players here. Kramer, now 58, was the starting quarterback for the NFC in the 1986 Pro Bowl, and still holds the record for most passing touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in a single game with six. But Saturday was about reaching out to kids, Kramer said, and teaching them the basics of throwing the ball. He spent the moring with youth football players at the fields near St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East. A crowd of parents, many in purple in gold, looked on. "This is always a …

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Mike Schoemer

1:33 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

The captions have been clarified to indicate this accordingly. Thanks, Marcia.   more ›

Edina Happy Hour, Pink Water and Gay Marriage: Pick of Our Patches

This week's selection includes lots of school news, including state Teacher of the Year and Robbinsdale's top educator for 2013.

  City Council Lifts Edina's Happy Hour Ban The amendment removes part of the city ordinance governing prices of alcoholic beverages at Edina's restaurants.  Pink Water Draws Concerns in St. Michael, Albertville The Joint Powers Water officials that oversee the area's tap water supply are aware of the situation. The colored water is harmless in normal doses. On Gay Marriage, Richfield Catholic Parishes of One Mind Three Catholic churches in Richfield recently affirmed they will be following the lead of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul, urging members and others to vote yes on the anti-gay marriage amendment. Edina's Jackie Roehl Named Minnesota Teacher of the Year  The 10th-grade English teacher at Edina High School is first-…

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James Warden

9:41 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

I'm wondering if we need to rethink our belief that the Minnesota Constitution really is harder to change than state laws. We're seeing constitutional amendments precisely because the proposals couldn't make it through the law-making process. In other words, amendment supporters see it as an easier process than one that forces them to go through the governor. So I think it's more accurate to say …   more ›

Accolades Keep Coming for St. Michael's Olympian

Chas Betts has earned the 2012 Jacob Curby Memorial Award. This award is presented annually to recognize a Greco-Roman athlete from each of its Olympic Training Centers for displaying strong personal character and commitment.

Cedar Creek Hosting Golf Tournament for Larson Family

The Albertville golf course is welcoming golfers to the inaugural Tim Larson Golf Tournament June 11.

Golfers of all abilities are encouraged to register for the first Tim Larson Memorial Golf Tournament, set for June 11, 2012 at Cedar Creek Golf Course in Albertville. Foursomes or individual golfers are welcome. Sponsors are being sought at this time. The day will include golf, food, a silent auction, contests, and some memories of Mr. Larson, who was tragically murdered last year.

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Weapons Confiscated, Hunter Shot and Radon: Pick of Our Patches

This week's selection includes another resignation at Best Buy, council opposes same-sex marriage amendment and school board chooses health over profits.

Editor’s Note: Every week we will bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. (Click on the headline to read the full story.) 70 Dangerous Items Taken From People at Suburban Courts The prohibited items were taken during the first week of weapons screening at Brookdale, Southdale and Ridgedale courts. Maple Grove Man Shot in Kansas Hunting Accident Law enforcement officials say Brian Hansen of Maple Grove was shot twice with a shotgun by his turkey hunting partner last Friday. His condition is unknown. St. Michael Family Takes on Radon After hearing stories about radon gas in basements a few years…

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Vikings Pro-Bowler to Visit with St. Michael, West Metro FCA

St. Michael-Albertville's Jake Vanada is at it again, this time bringing in Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings for the West Metro Fellowship of Christian Athletes' annual banquet.

Last year, St. Michael-Albertville's own Jake Vanada surprised students at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West with motocross standout Tucker Hibbert as a special speaker. This year, he's "bull rushing" the West Metro Fellowship of Christian Athletes' (FCA) annual banquet. Vanada is bringing in All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings to talk with West Metro FCA students (and parents) at the banquet, set for Saturday night at the Medina Ballroom on Highway 55, near Plymouth. Tickets are still available for the event, and run from $60 to $2,000 for table sponsor. More information is available via the West Metro FCA website. The night begins at 5 p.m. for people with VIP tickets, and runs through about 9 p.m. There …

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Olympic Berth for St. Michael's Betts Fulfills Lifelong Dream

For St. Michael's Chas Betts, Saturday night in Iowa City was the culmination of sacrifice and hard work in order to earn one title: Olympic wrestler.

As exhausted and emotional Chas Betts left the mats at the University of Iowa's Carver Hawkeye Arena last weekend, he spoke frankly about how the night was the culmination of years of sacrifice. Betts, a St. Michael-Albertville graduate and one-time Minnesota State Champion in wrestling, earned a spot on the United States Olympic Team by defeating fellow Minnesotan Jordan Holm in the 84 kg (185 pounds) finals, sweeping a series of matches to earn his spot. "It's been a lot of sacrifice," he told media outlets, inlcuding USA Wrestling. "I trained for over a year, overseas, by myself to do this. I left my wife and my family behind. We've been through a lot." Longtime St. Michael-Albertville wrestling coach Gregg Greeno said the spot on the …

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Watch LIVE video of the Vikings Stadium Senate Committee Hearing

The Vikings Stadium bill continues its trip through the Minnesota Senate this morning. A floor vote could happen as early as Friday.

Legislators are keeping a Vikings stadium proposal rolling despite setbacks just a week ago. The stadium proposal cleared two House committees this month but stumbled last week when the House Government Operations and Elections Committee rejected it, 9-6. Supporters, led by Shakopee's Cory Merrifield at SaveTheVikes.org, and backed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, rallied to keep the bill moving forward—which the the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee did on Tuesday. Today, the Senate Finance Committee will take up the measure. The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. You can watch live here, thanks to The UpTake.  Republican Sen. Amy Koch, Buffalo, said she's in favor of keeping the Vikings and getting a new stadium together as long …

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Familar Faces in Iowa City Olympic Wrestling Trial Fan Fest Photo Gallery

Our colleagues down in Iowa encouraged fans to stop by and say 'hi' to the Patch team at the Fan Fest for the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials in Iowa City. You might notice a few familiar faces in here.

Patch had a booth at the U.S. Olympic Trials Fan Fest in the Iowa City pedestrian mall Saturday and afternoon. A few familar faces from the St. Michael-Albertville High School Wresting team stopped by. You might be able to spot them. Want to add your own pictures from Fan Fest or the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials? Just click "Upload Photos and Videos" to include them in the gallery.

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