:: Unofficial Waconia Minnesota ::

Zen Gardens Center is now open on the corner of highway 5 and county road 10. I haven’t been in myself, but they have quite a few plants outside.

Not much is known about the place, so if you have details, do share.

Zen Gardens Center Review

The highway 5 project outside of Waconia hit a milestone this week as it appears that all lanes are in place and all lines are painted on.  There is still some shoulder work to do, but the highway 5 project could be in the final stages.  Exciting!

The 2006 Carver County Fair is just around the corner. It runs Wednesday to Sunday August 9th to the 13th here in Waconia.

Gates open at 8am and close at 10:30pm on most days and the fairgrounds are located at 501 West 3rd Street. The cost is $8 for adults and anyone 8 and under is free.

Grandstand Shows
Wednesday August 9th - 7pm
Triple B Rodeo

Thursday August 10th - 7pm
Truck & Tractor Pull

Friday August 11th - 7pm
Truck, Tractor & Semi Pull

Saturday August 12th - 6:30pm
Demolition Derby - Stocks and Compacts

Sunday August 13th - 6:00pm
Demolition Derby - Stocks and Trucks

Entertainment Highlights
Johnny Holm Band on August 9th
Hairball on August 10th
The Castaways on August 11th
Smokescreen on August 12th
Smokin’ Guns on August 13th
Goldstar Amusements everyday!

This is only a small preview of all the great activities at the 2006 Carver County Fair!

Talk about ironic. Today Waconia went around distributing important notices to the residents. Starting today through July 16th, there is to be no outdoor watering. If it uses the hose, it’s not allowed. If you are caught, it could cost you $250 or so I hear.

What’s so ironic about that? Well at about 8:30pm severe storms started rolling though. Started with strong winds and brought much needed rain. It may not end up being as much as we want (or need) but it’s more than we’ve seen in weeks and it’s greatly appreciated!

Starting July 17th, the watering ban should end but there are still strict watering rules. The city’s water restriction policy does not allow watering of lawns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It also follows the odd/even system meaning f your address ends with an even number, you may water your lawn on even numbered days, but not during the restricted hours.

Have fun, be safe, and leave the water for indoor activities.

It’s important to remind people that in these times with little or no rain, that we need to save water. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

- Water during the early morning hours or late in the evening. Avoid the heat of the day.
-  Try to water close to the ground. Sprinklers are great, but are they hitting your target? More than likely you are throwing water everywhere. Even some of it is evaporating.
-  Don’t water every day. It doesn’t rain every day, so why should you water every day?
-  The more water you use, the most it costs you.

And the most important thing to remember:
More than likely your grass will grow back. More than likely, your house won’t. Save the water for the fire department!

Construction has already began on the expansion project at the Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia. The new construction will house the Regional Heart Center, the Center for Women & Children and a Communications Center.

During this time, the emergency entrance has been moved any anyone that visits the hospital should be on the lookout for big red detour signs. The detour will last until late fall.

I’m eager to see what construction brings, the official Ridgeview Medical website doesn’t give much of any details on the project but it sounds like they are expanding quite a bit. Only time will tell.

As the Hospital continues to grow and expand, check out what it use to look like in 1954. Amazing!

(Photo from Ridgeview Medical’s history page)

It’s true, the Waconia July 4th Fireworks have moved, but not far enough to worry about.

Instead of being shot of from Coney Island, they’ll be shot off on the southeast shore of the lake.

Have no fear, they’ll still look great from on the lake, Cedar Point Park or wherever you usually sit.

The show begins at dusk so get ready!