Briefs: Eagan in Money magazine's 'top-cities' list once again

Eagan finished behind Maple Grove in the latest Money Magazine listing of top small cities.

But officials say they're tops in one category at least: consistency.

"Eagan is the only Minnesota city to have five Top 20 finishes in a row in rankings issued every two years," a municipal analysis asserts.

Maple Grove came in second and Eagan 11th on the 2014 list.

The magazine said of Eagan:

"This Twin Cities suburb has no downtown, so residents tend to gather in places like the 60-acre Caponi Art Park, or the Eagan Community Center, which has its own fitness facilities, senior center and indoor playground. With more than 100 restaurants, the state's largest outlet mall, and a huge outdoor water park, there's plenty of family fun to be had."

Woodbury came in 12th in a listing that ranks cities of at least 50,000 but no more than 300,000 in population.

Eagan says that its "106 miles of boulevard and park trails and 55 city parks dwarf other communities of similar size."

Candidate forums are being held this week for those aspiring to office in Eagan.

The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the sessions.

A forum for Eagan City Council and mayoral candidates will be held on Monday in the council chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd., from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The forum will be carried live on Eagan TV Channel 15 and on the Internet at www.eagan-tv.com. Viewers can call in questions during the show. The forum will be replayed on Eagan TV and online.

This too will be broadcast live, replayed and lodged online in the same manner.

The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Rambling River Center in Farmington is coming up in October.

Organizers are seeking donors and volunteers right now.

The event features giant Belgian waffles topped with butter, whipped cream, nine choices of syrup, and sausages on the side.

There's also a silent auction and bake sale.

The event itself is Oct. 25 from 8:30–11:30 a.m. at the Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St. Tickets for adults are $7 in advance, $9 at the door; for children, $6 and $8, while ages 5 and under are free.

Silent auction bidding will close at 11 a.m., and the bake sale is from 9 to 11 a.m.

Proceeds support capital projects at the center.

An open house for the fire department in Mendota Heights this year will include a real fire.

The event is Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's a chance to meet firefighters and tour the facility. There are also fire truck rides, free hot dogs and pop, and "fire prevention bingo."

There's a kitchen fire demonstration at 2 p.m., followed by a home fire sprinkler demonstration at 2:30 p.m. The facility is at 2121 Dodd Rd.

Some public access broadcasts in Dakota County are moving to new cable channels.

Starting this week — "on or after Sept. 30," officials say — the new lineup:

• Government access channel 16, for Apple Valley & Farmington, moves to 180.

• Public access channel 12 shifts to 187.

• Education access channel 10 moves to 189.

STAFF REPORTS