Category Archives: Waconia

Lake Waconia Band Festival 2007

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The Lake Waconia Band Festival is marching into town on June 16th. The parade starts at 6pm and marches down Main Street in downtown Waconia. No floats, no clowns nothing but marching band after marching band.

I’m not sure why this is so big, but it really is. Tons of people and dozens of bands show up rain or shine. If you haven’t been to it before, it’s worth checking out. That is, unless you dislike marching bands. 🙂

If you plan to travel anywhere downtown on the 16th, be aware that I’ll be crowded and driving won’t be easy. If you live anywhere near downtown, you’ll get to hear the music if you want to or not. 🙂

Youngsteads – Waconia Goodyear – A Fix for Your Car Needs

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Waconia GoodyearI have to say that Younsteads/ Waconia Goodyear is a great fix it shop. I take my car there whenever I have an issue and they always have time open. You can call ahead, or email, for an appointment, but it doesn’t have to be far out. I’ve called on my way home before and they said “Bring it on in.”

They do everything from oil changes to fixing AC, replacing tires, belts and pretty much anything you need. They even have a tow truck if you need it. Plus they have great hours. Open from 7-7 Monday-Friday and shorter hours on Saturday. Closed Sundays. It’s really nice to have a shop that expect me to take time off work to get in.

I recommend Youngsteads as they are a good group of people and do great work.

Younsteads/ Waconia Goodyear is located just off highway 5 next to the Marathon station at the stoplight.

43 Hwy. 5 West
Waconia, MN 55386

Phone: (952) 442-1967
Fax: (952) 942-1643

Watering Restrictions

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Water IconIf you want to water your lawn, you better know the rules. The city of Waconia is cracking down and there are a few rules.

First, odd even days. If your house number is odd, you can water on odd days. Even house number, then even days.

Second, no watering between 10am and 5pm. No matter what your house number is or what day it is. The city doesn’t want to run low so they are restricting use to only early/late hours.

If it gets hot and dry, they may enforce even stricter rules. So be careful.

From what I hear, the first offense may be just a warning, then a ticket after that. It could cost you hundreds if you don’t listen. And, if you’ve been warned in previous years, that counts as your free warning this year.

What I’m un-clear on is if these are still enforced if I water my garden with the hose for a few minutes. No sprinkler action, but just soaking it down. Anyone know?

Sure a green lawn is nice, but don’t push it.

Request: Driveway Sealers/Fixers

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I’m putting out the request for a company that can come fix/seal our asphalt driveway. 🙂

I think ours just needs to be sealed, but I don’t really know any good local companies. Our driveway could probably be completely re-done, but sealing it should be good for a few years.

Any recommendations?

Highway 10 Closed, 284 Closing and Hwy 5 Construction

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You know it’s spring when the orange comes out in full force. And this year, the construction starts off with county road 10 and includes most roads on the east side of town.

County road 10 will close April 23rd and be open again, hopefully, by mid-November. They are going to modify the road to meet up with the stoplights just to the east of where it comes out now. They will also add drainage, turn lanes and bigger shoulders which is good news for the bikers.

Unfortunately, county road 10 is the main road to take over to Chaska. With the road closed, the already busy Highway 5 is the only alternative.

To make it worse, Highway 5 will be getting medians, turn lanes and better striping this summer too. No closures, but you can expect delays.

What’s one more headache? Starting in July, highway 284 will be closed from 5 to 212. This project includes mill and overlay which I think means re-surfancing. Good news here is that’s only a month project. But other construction on 284 and Sparrow Road will cause even more problems as a roundabout is put in place. Talk about getting fancy. This roundabout could take three months though!

Those are the biggest headaches and if you drive east or south out of Waconia, you will surely see road construction, additional traffic and a sad change as the farmland continues to change into city.

More construction details can be seen at the official Waconia site.

Waconia finally has a real bakery!

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The 1st Street Bakery is now open and I’m so excited. I made my first visit today and it’s very nice. New, clean and full of doughnuts. Who could ask for more?

They must have a meeting area somewhere, but I didn’t see it. I could hear a crowd of people, but they weren’t up front. So if you are going to have a social event, it might be worth giving them a call.

I only got one doughnut, and a milk, and it was great. I’m not sure how much a doughnut costs as I wasn’t paying attention to that. I was to busy looking around.

Some may thing that the Mackenthun’s bakery is a real bakery, but nothing in a grocery store can match the atmosphere and quality of a real bakery doughnut.

Now I don’t have to drive to Chaska or fantasize about a good morning doughnut. I guess that’s a bad thing though as it’s way to close and I’ll have to hold myself back from visiting daily.

Info from the business card:
1st Street Bakery – The Sweetest Place in Waconia!
Timothy Larson – Owner/Operator
37 First Street West
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: 952-442-9010

Retail and Wholesale Opportunities Available

2nd Annual Walk On Waconia

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The 2nd annual Walk On Waconia is coming up on April 28th, 2007. The walk goes around Lake Waconia and you can either do the whole walk, 10 miles, or half the walk, 5.5 miles. If you only do half, they’ll bus you back. The cost is only $10 and one canned food item. It also includes a long sleeve T-shirt, treats and door prizes.

To register now, you can find flyers available at local churches, or call 442-5548 or 442-1328. The event is sponsored and organized by the Waconia Ministerial Association with Ridgeview Medical Center assisting as a sponsor. Koch Bus is also providing transportation. You can register on the day of the event too at St. Joe’s School at 6:45 am.

Walk On!

HEI Collision Center – Body Shop

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With all the snow we’ve had in the past, and now with all the melting and re-freezing, the chances of getting in an accident are a bit higher. That’s where HEI Collision Center comes in. They give out free insurance claims and, if you choose them, they do great work.

My wife got rear-ended the other week, no not related to snow, and HEI was able to get us a quote right away. You just stop by and and they’ll take a look at it. They even faxed it in to the insurance agent for us and gave us car rental information.

We ended up going with HEI to do all the repair and they did a great job. The rear bumper looks as good as new now and I’d go back to them if we needed any other work.

Have you had to use HEI Collision Center or any other local body shops?

HEI Collision Centerf
200 West Main Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: 952-442-1123
Fax: 952-442-7462

Make Your Own Meals at Supper Thyme USA

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Opening March 3rd is Supper Thyme USA. Supper Thyme USA is much like Lets Dish or one of the many other meal making places. You sign up, create your menu and then go in. They’ll supply all the ingredients and help you make everything. Then, you take it home and when you are ready, cook it. All the hard work is done. Usually the only things left are cooking and eating.

My wife has done Lets Dish and it’s worked out well. No only is it easy, but you end up trying new things. More than likely she’ll show up at Supper Thyme USA soon.

Supper Thyme USA

Supper Thyme USA
1309 Oak Avenue
Suite 116
Waconia, MN 55387
(952) 442-1539

(over by Papa Murphy’s)