BURNSVILLE

Photographer of the year The owner of the Imagery photography studio in Burnsville was named Minnesota Illustrative Photographer of the Year by the Minnesota Professional Photographers Association.

Rod Oman, who has owned the studio for 11 years, also won two "judges' choice" awards in a field of 308 entries.

Oman also was given the Illustrative Photographer of the Year honor for the Twin Cities area earlier this year.

The images he submitted for the contest include "Live Entertainment," which shows a mouse running across the keys of an antique piano; "Violet," a portrait of a high school senior; "Into the Mist," a scene shot in Brainerd, Minn., and "Everlasting Vow," shot during an anniversary photo session.

Oman does high school senior pictures, family and child portraits, pet portraits, weddings, commercial photography and more. He is expanding into more commercial work and fine-art photography, according to a news release.

The Imagery is at 11804 Kennelly Road.

LAKEVILLE

Ace Hardware plans store Ace Hardware has put in an application with the city of Lakeville to build a new store on a vacant lot in downtown Lakeville. The site is directly south of the new Market Plaza. Ace Hardware currently has a store across Holyoke Avenue downtown. The Lakeville Planning Commission will review the proposal at a meeting on May 21.

Allstate agent wins honor Allstate agent Frank Whitcomb of Lakeville has earned the 2009 President's Award by the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers.

APPLE VALLEY

Adult day center opens Augustana Apple Valley Senior Campus held a grand opening for its new adult day center in the Apple Valley Villa, 14610 Garret Av., last week.

Adult day centers are designed to offer a break for caregivers while allowing participants to interact with peers, engage in activities, and receive health services and therapy.

Fore more information on the center, call 952-236-2524.

DEAN SPIROS AND Dylan Belden

Is your south-metro business opening, moving, expanding or changing key personnel? E-mail your business news and notes to dylan.belden@startribune.com or mail them to Dylan Belden, Star Tribune South, 101 W. Burnsville Pkwy., Suite 101, Burnsville, MN 55337.