Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Apple Valley teacher earns top state honor for dance education

And check out Apple Valley Summer Market on the Apple Valley Patch calendar

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Monday October 12th Patch AM
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Good morning Apple Valley! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Apple Valley teacher earns top state honor for dance education
  • Want to showcase your Apple Valley business at this county-wide expo?
  • Apple Valley educator takes his volleyball coaching talents to Carleton

Also on today's calendar: Kids 'n Kinship Super Bingo Fall Fundraiser and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do some birds fly south for the winter? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Warm; a p.m. shower or two, with a high of 84 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and cooler, temps: high: 63, low: 49.
  • Wednesday: Sun and some clouds, with a high of 59 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Apple Valley teacher wins MNSHAPE award (hometownsource.com) — Apple Valley residents can celebrate that Apple Valley High School dance teacher Kristen Blatzheim has been named MNSHAPE's Dance Teacher of the Year. She's praised for creating an inclusive, culturally relevant dance program, and will be honored Nov. 8 at the MNSHAPE State Conference in Lakeville, with potential consideration for regional and national awards.
   

2. County-Wide After Hours & B2B Expo on Nov 12, 2026 (businessdailynetwork.com) — Apple Valley businesses are invited to join chambers from across Dakota County for a free County-Wide After Hours and B2B Expo on November 12 in Burnsville. Exhibitors can reserve limited booth space, and attendees can network, enjoy appetizers, and support local food shelves through donations of cash, nonperishables, and personal care items.
   

3. Ben Thies - Volleyball Assistant Coach (carleton.edu) — Apple Valley residents might recognize volleyball coach and educator Ben Thies, who teaches at Westview Elementary and calls Apple Valley home while serving as an assistant coach for Carleton College volleyball. With nearly two decades of club and high school coaching, he blends classroom experience and high-level volleyball instruction to develop student-athletes on and off the court.
   

4. Uponor Expands PEX Pipe Manufacturing (phcppros.com) — Uponor's latest $6.35 million plant purchase in Hutchinson builds directly on a separate $17.4 million expansion of its Apple Valley manufacturing facility, boosting local production capacity and jobs. The company cites surging demand for its PEX piping and says the Apple Valley project should be finished by January 2018, contributing to more than 1 million square feet of North American operations.
   

📸 Around Apple Valley

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My husband and I are affected by Health Partners discontinuing the Advantage plan we currently have and we must select another plan (like so many of you out there).
    My conclusion is there are now only 2 Advantage plans offered for 2027 by HP in Dakota county. One has a $0 monthly charge and the other $20 charge. … (Nextdoor Longridge)

Ok Apple Valley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why do some birds fly south for the winter?" — Because it's too far to walk..! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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