Articles

Column: How many for an extra life?

I’ve been hearing a lot lately about Bitcoins, which are a kind of Internet-based money that’s real in the same way Kate Upton is really my Internet girlfriend. Which is to say, if I try hard enough I might be able to convince a few nerds, but most of the world will just look at me like I’m crazy.

Editorial: Innovation zone brings right kind of attention

The Farmington School District’s selection as an innovation zone is exciting. Probably. It’s hard to say too much about the designation at this point, because nobody seems sure exactly what it means.

District 192 gets OK to innovate

Farmington superintendent Jay Haugen has some big ideas about the future of education, and now he has support from the state to help turn them into reality.

Task force agents find drugs in Farmington home during December search

Dakota County Drug Task Force agents found drugs, syringes and a “large sum of cash” when they searched a Farmington home shortly after Christmas. The Dakota County Attorney’s office has charged 26-year-old Michael Marshall Simmons with a felony drug offense as a result of the search.

Christian Life Church will hold at least three free community meals

With plates of spaghetti and trays piled high with brownies, Christian Life Church is reaching out a hand to the community. On March 27 the church held the first of what will be at least three monthly community meals, inviting in anybody looking for something to eat or a little company

• Photo: Community meals

Dr. Ron Thomas will retire this year after 13 years at DCTC

Dakota County Technical College is a very different place today than it was when Dr. Ron Thomas took over as president 13 years ago, and you don’t have to look hard to spot the differences.

• Photo: Ron Thomas

Farmington parents fight for peace of mind

When a gunman opened fire last December at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Kristy Rhoades had the same thought a lot of people did: I should do something.

• Photo: PASS

Farmington School District 192 approves easement

The Farmington School Board has given its approval to sell an easement necessary for the construction of a long-planned power line running across the state.

Farmington School District 192 directors get raises

The Farmington School District’s five department directors got a new contract Monday that includes a 5 percent increase to salary and benefits over its two years.

FHS student needs help to pay for prestigious summer program

Erin Canada has a unique opportunity to pursue her passion for music this summer, but she needs a little help to make it happen. Canada, a junior at Farmington High School, is one of just 32 students from across the country and the only student from Minnesota accepted to the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University’s Tisch Summer High School program.

• Photo: Erin Canada

Columns

Column: Nice ride, worms and all

I had a worm stuck to my forehead Sunday afternoon. It wasn’t for long. And it wasn’t on purpose. I haven’t joined a strange new worm-face cult. Although, maybe that’s not a bad idea. We could wear pink jumpsuits and roll around in the dirt. But, I digress.

Column: The future of time-wasting toys

There was a time, and it wasn’t all that long ago, when I would have told you I didn’t need an iPad. I might have told you I really, really wanted one. That each new generation was shinier and faster and looked even more than its predecessor like the absolute best option for reading magazines in the bathroom.

Column: Attack of the robot reporters

There are a lot of challenges for newspaper employees these day. Subscriptions are declining as people get used to reading their news online for free.

Column: It’s all yours for the claiming

In honor of my first significant outdoor bike ride of the year, I’d like to take a moment to talk about a true pioneer in the bicycling world. Dan Henry, who died earlier this month at the age of 99, has made a number of important contributions to bicycling culture. He did early work on suspension systems for bicycles, and he created something called the sling saddle, which is a little like a hammock for your bike.

Nathan's column: Waiting with bated breath

By the time you read this column, nerds all around the world should know exactly what features the latest version of Apple’s incredibly popular iPad tablet will have to offer. Actually, depending on how diligent you are about getting to your newspaper, we might be well on our way to guessing what the iPad 4 will bring to the table.

Column: It was a super experience

The Super Bowl took place last Sunday. You probably knew that. It’s been discussed. If you didn’t know, maybe you could use some catching up. Let’s start at the beginning.

Column: Grappling with a fruit problem

You could say I have an aspirational relationship with fresh fruit. I’m not sure exactly why you’d say that, there being a nearly infinite selection of conversational topics more interesting than my attitude toward produce. But were you to say it, it would be accurate.

Column: Winter has to come sometime

A little more than two months ago I wrote in this space about the arrival of winter in Minnesota and the predictable howls of disappointment and surprise that accompanied it.

Column: Perfecting the self image

We all have mental pictures of ourselves that are just a little bit out of touch with reality. It’s not that we’re deluded. We just have an idealized image of ourselves. Maybe we imagine we’re a little bit smarter or better looking than we actually are.

Column: Another holiday battle won

Ladies and gentlemen, elves and elvettes, assorted reindeer, I come to you with good news this week. After months of struggle and hardship and brilliantly lit lawn displays, we have won yet another demanding battle in the increasingly difficult war on Christmas.