Magazine ranks Woodbury among best for quality of life

Thirteen turns out to be a lucky number for Woodbury when it comes to Money Magazine's list of the "Best Places to Live." The magazine rated the city 13th on its list of the top 100 U.S. cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000.

Five Minnesota cities scored in the top 20, with Eden Prairie topping the list at No. 1 in the country. In addition to Woodbury at 13th, other Twin Cities area communities and their ranking are: Plymouth, 11th; Eagan, 15th; and Apple Valley, 20th.

"Money Magazine started with 746 cities nationwide that are within the population limits for small cities," said Community Development Director Dwight Picha. "Coming in 13th among all those communities is quite an accomplishment. The ranking underscores Woodbury's great quality of life, and we are gratified to receive it."

In choosing the Best Places to Live, Money Magazine "crunched the numbers in order to zero in on America's best small cities for families." Several factors were studied, including housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure, safety, diversity, and health care. Particular attention was paid to economic factors.

Then the top 30 towns were visited. Researchers interviewed residents, assessed traffic, parks, and gathering places, then finalized the ratings.

For more information, see www.money.cnn.com.

Portion of Lake Road closing for project Lake Road from Woodlane Drive to Copper Oaks Trail, was closed to all traffic starting last Wednesday and will reopen about Aug. 21, weather permitting, according to Aaron Nelson of Woodbury's Engineering Division. The closure is needed so the road can be rehabilitated.

Bridge work to close part of Century Avenue The Minnesota Department of Transportation is planning to close Century Avenue under Interstate 494, between Highwood Avenue and Courtly Road, for five days starting on Monday. The closure is required for bridge painting.

Residents sought to create bird habitat The Washington Conservation District is looking for help to provide habitat for migratory birds. The St. Croix River Valley is a major migration corridor for more than 320 bird species. Small backyards and large "back-forties" can provide homes for birds if invasive non-native plants such as buckthorn are removed and native trees, shrubs and plants are added.

Along with the bird conservation project, cost-sharing funds are available for planting and erosion control projects near Valley Creek, Lake Edith and the St. Croix River that can reduce water pollution and improve wildlife habitat.

Several agencies are offering grants, restoration and planting advice, as well as labor assistance. For more information or to request a free site visit for your property, contact the Washington Conservation District at 651-275-1136. To learn more about habitat restoration and grants, visit www.mnwcd.org.

Chamber hostings networking forum The Coffee's On!, a Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce morning networking forum, is set for 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday at Cottage Grove Auto & Collision, 7515 95th St. S.

The forum offers an opportunity for chamber members and business people in Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park and surrounding communities to meet potential new clients and customers.

Call or e-mail the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce for additional information at 651-458-8334 or office@cottagegrovechamber.org. Or visit www.cottagegrove chamber.org.

Municipal golf course offers discount rate River Oaks Golf Course has announced new rates for golfers between the ages of 18 and 29. Golfers can now play the municipal course for $25 on both weekdays and weekends, a discount of $5 during the week and $8 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Riverfront cleanup rescheduled for Aug. 1 A "family-friendly" riverfront cleanup has been postponed until Aug. 1 because of high water on the St. Croix.

Volunteers can meet at the Hwy. 95 public parking spaces on the south end of Stillwater, across from River Oasis Cafe, at 9 a.m. Bring gloves, sturdy shoes that can get wet, sunscreen, bug spray and water. Tongs are helpful for children to pick up trash. Cleanup bags are provided. All youth participants will receive a free T-shirt.

Washington County opens library kiosk A kiosk where patrons can order, pick up and return library materials has opened at Hugo City Hall, 14669 Fitzgerald Av. N.

"Hugo is a community which is seeing substantial growth. We want to make sure access to library services is a cost-effective benefit which can contribute to that growth," said county librarian Patricia Conley.

STAFF REPORTS

Dock gives access to White Bear Lake While about half of White Bear Lake is in Washington County, there has been no public access to the lake from the Washington County side.

To remedy that, the White Bear Lake Conservation District donated $2,300 to the Washington County Sheriff's Office water patrol to be used for materials to construct a dock at the White Bear Lake Yacht Club to provide access for the sheriff's patrol. The dock will enable the unit to perform safety patrols on the lake.

Candidate gets a spot to stump at county fair Jim Martin, an independent candidate for the District 56A seat in the Minnesota House, is expected to appear in an outdoor slot near the bingo hall at the Washington County Fair from Aug. 4-8.

"This is a great opportunity to see animals, have fun at the carnival, eat good food, and listen to great music," Martin said. "It is also a great time for my neighbors to pick my brain and critique my platform. I have heard from some people that rumors are circulating about my stance on certain issues. Instead of relying on hearsay, I encourage voters to get the word directly from the horse's mouth."

County Board backs two park projects Washington County is planning two parks projects costing $476,000 as part of its 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Program. Funding for the projects, which will be reimbursed by State Parks and Trails grants, was approved by the County Board last Tuesday.

The Winter Recreation Area Project in Lake Elmo Park Reserve includes the development of recreational facilities for evening use of the park, including the addition of cross-country ski trail lighting, a new road and parking lot and the remodeling of an barn for use as a trail head.