Winter Wonderland brings Thoughts of Warmer Destinations....

If the recent snowfalls have made you start day dreaming about your warm weather getaway, you will want to read this article and start planning while there is still time!

I won’t be home for Christmas

Salt is only part of the equation when it comes to keeping our roads safe in the winter.

FarmWise pilot project a winning idea

A pilot project called FarmWise, which will be a collaborative effort of the National Park Service and the Freshwater Society, is based on the simple principle that people learn best from their peers.

Maplewood Mall: The next urban forest?

Now, thanks to an ambitious project of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, trees are sprouting right out of the pavement in the parking lot of the Mall.

Tribute to Andy Rooney

A Tribute to Andy Rooney, Who Died Yesterday at age 92.

Afton Couple Lends a Helping Hand to Valley Creek

In striving to improve their little corner of the woods, Mike and Trudy Berggren have demonstrated that conservation is a gift that one can both give and receive.

Local Churches find Multiple Benefits in Stewardship Projects

For many congregations, installing a raingarden or porous parking lot on their property is only the first step in demonstrating environmental stewardship.

When Change doesn’t Happen Overnight

By the time our favorite lake hits the tipping point, it usually requires a decade or more of intensive effort to reverse the effect.

2011 Stillwater School Levy and Your Home Value

I’m writing today to remind all of us that if you own a home or wish to in the future, your home value is tied to the outcome of the 2011 Stillwater School Levy questions.

Buckthorn: If at First You Don’t Succeed, Kill, Kill Again

Regardless of how you kill the adult buckthorn shrubs, you will likely be shocked by the number of offspring that come back for revenge the next year.

Pumpkins, Street Dances, and Beer Tastings...OH MY!

Come get your pumpkin on this weekend at the annual Harvest Fest this weekend in Lowell Park.

Taking the Slow Road to Clean Water

Unfortunately, stormwater runoff is more like an American driver than a Costa Rican farmer.

Tough Week of Football for Stillwater, Vikings Fans

The Gophers were the only team for locals to be happy about last weekend. Stillwater and the Minnesota Vikings had ones it would soon like to forget.

Work For Water Neighborhood Challenge

Perhaps this year, however, some Minnesotans will find an extra incentive for raking their leaves, in the form of a $500 prize being offered by the Freshwater Society.

Opportunity at their doorstep

Stillwater has its hands full, but a well prepared, mistake-free game can give the Ponies its third consecutive win against Cretin-Derham Hall.

Paintings with "Slavic Soul" Make Their Way to America

Serbian Artist Dragana Knezevic paintings on display in Marine on St. Croix this weekend.

Stillwater Athletics Off to a Great Start

We are less than a month into the fall sports season, but the Ponies have already shown they ready for postseason success - in all sports.

Debunking Myths about Raingardens

Unfortunately, although raingardens have become more prevalent in our landscape, many common myths and misconceptions continue to proliferate.

In Search of "Slavic Soul"

Stillwater artist Paul Randall talks about his return from his journey to a Serbian "Art Colony" and how he has found the meaning of "Slavic Soul."

The Royal Wedding Comes to Lanesboro

A small town like Lanesboro, Minnesota is ideal, and I’ve found folks down there to be big fans of ladies in fancy hats.

Where can Henderson go?

Former Cretin star, familiar with the Suburban East and Ponies football program, was once a top recruit. Now he is just trying to find a place to go where his program won't be penalized.

Williams Injury Bigger Than Just Missing Preseason

Kevin Williams, defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings may miss the rest of the preseason because of plantar fasciitis..

Do These Petals Make Me Look Fat?

Still having trouble picturing yourself as a plant? Then stop by and visit Blue Thumb at the “Great Minnesota Get Together.”

As Usual, Ponies Will Get Big Test to Open the Soccer Season

Annually, the Ponies boy's soccer team hosts a tournament against some of the best teams in the state. This year, Stillwater opens against Wayzata to see where they are at.

Just Get In and Go From There

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk made a great point about just getting into the playoffs. Recent seasons have proven if a team barely gets in, they can make fireworks.

Playing In the Mud

For those of us who continue to love playing in the mud well into our adulthood, opportunities abound still abound, just not on local construction sites.

Vikings Second String Corners Need to Pick It Up

Take it for what it is. Week 1 of the preseason, but it exposed a weak second string secondary for the Vikings.

There goes the tent!

While our parks might be dry, some people living in our area have had similar experiences in their own backyards.

Ponies, LaBore Begin New Page in Football History, Expectations High

Beau LaBore will open the season as head coach for the Ponies and will take on his former team, Woodbury. After that, the schedule doesn't get any easier.

Jackson Had His Chances in Minnesota, and Did Not Convert

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said former Vikings quarterback was "jerked around," while in Minnesota. He might want to look a little deeper before saying that.

Vikings Have a Chance to Make Minnesota Sports Fans Feel Good Again

After a year of complete misery for the Minnesota sports scene, the Minnesota Vikings will have a tough road ahead, but have an opportunity to turn things around.

Crazy, Mixed-up, Finances and Love

The Best Marriage is a Great Deal.

Internet Legal Forms Company Sued For Unauthorized Practice of Law

A Cautionary Tale - Using A Will Form From The Internet

This Morning the 'Creator' Came Knocking

2011, August 1st Sunrise over the St. Croix River Valley

My Patented Summer Weight-loss Plan

The final stage of my patented summer weight loss plan takes place at the Washington County Fair.

Welcome to Stillwater

It's Lumberjack Days. The time of year when we locals avoid downtown and cast wary, "you're not from here, are you?" glances at passersby.

Waiter! There’s a plant in my lake!

While we may consider aquatic plants to be a nuisance, they are actually the building blocks for life in lake, stream and river systems.

Time to Show Some Stillwater Love and Pay it Forward

Do something to help your neighbors today that will impact the future for years to come.

Your Voice Matters

Stillwater, Bayport, Lake Elmo and Oak Park Heights are great places to live, work and play. Let's keep them that way. Participate in the Community Symposium and share your ideas!

Blue Thumb Gardens Take the Stage at this Year’s St. Croix Valley Garden Tour

This year, there will be two Blue Thumb yards on the 19th Annual St. Croix Valley Garden Tour.