Beekeeping, Class Size and ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’: Feedback Friday

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation.

(The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.)

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Golden Valley City Councilmembers want to add a second left turn lane to the south side of Winnetka Avenue North and Highway 55. But the city won’t be able to get the funding needed from the state. That’s because Hennepin County refused to give Golden Valley a letter of support--a necessary step in the process, since Highway 55 is a county road.

F. Eidbo agreed with Hennepin County's decision to decline to support the project:

I'm glad the council is getting punished for voting against the Bottineau Transitway

Lyndale Station, the city’s newest retail center, is proceeding roughly as expected, with . While other tenants have yet to be announced, developer Steve Wellington said a prominent grocer was very interested in the space.

Ann Delaney felt Richfield, and that area of town in particular, was already saturated with grocery shopping options:

Why do we need another grocery store and a chain, yet. We have a Rainbow almost on the same site, Lund's, Cub , two Target and a Wal-mart super stores , Whole Foods, Aldi's From what I understand, Trader Joe's may be opening a store down by Perkins where I believe Circuit City used to be. And World Market may be coming back to it's original building.This would be like letting CVS build in an area where there already were a half dozen pharmacy outlets. Doesn't anyone have some better ideas to put forth instead another of what we already have a number of? I'm sure many suggestions have been given but let's get real. We don't need another grocery store.

Beekeeping in St. Louis Park will likely remain a legal hobby, but don't be surprised if new regulations are added. The St. Louis Park City Council discussed the issue Monday during a study session, and most members said they'd like to see beekeeping continue to be allowed in the city. Currently, the practice is OK by default, because city code is mum on residential beekeeping.

Mayor Jacobs was less supportive, saying he'd prefer an outright ban.

Emily B criticized the mayor's position:

I'm curious if Mayor Jacobs would also like to ban picnics in all SLP public areas, maybe even private backyards, because we all know that open soda containers and meat attract much more aggressive stingers like yellowjackets (which are actually wasps) and we sure wouldn't want those in "parks and other areas where kids play." I really wish politicians took more time to understand the science of "bees" and weren't so out of touch with who actually does the majority of stinging out there.

Friends, family and community members will celebrate the life of Tim Larson with a 5K run in his honor on Sept. 29. Larson, a Middle School West teacher, was tragically killed in October of last year.

Irish said: 

What a wonderful event! Last year the turn out was amazing. I hope it is just as big this year. C'mon St. Michael-Albertville, let's get out there and support the Larson family!!

British author E.L. James will be on hand at Edina's  store next month to sign copies of her bestselling "Fifty Shades" Trilogy.

James, whose "Fifty Shades of Grey" recently outsold all seven "Harry Potter" books on Amazon's UK site, will be making a rare appearance at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Galleria book store.

Reader Eyesopen wondered what drew so many people to the series of books, often referred to as "mommy porn":

Now I know the books have sold wonderfully, but is it not frightening, that people are obsessed with this type of literature.

I am not saying it is good or bad.... Just curious about the attraction so many people are having for these books.

Is this now a socially accepted porn?

Twenty Minnetonka residents took part in the third annual event. Athletes could participate in the Dare to Sprint or Olympic Dare competitions.

Jerry Johanning enjoyed the Dare to Sprint race:      

I was in this race, the sprint distance. It was awesome! Great course, great volunteers. I had a great swim, a Great bike, and a terrible run, but it was great to be racing!!

Hopkins School Board directors met last week to discuss their visions for the future.

Damon Struyk wanted the board to focus on class size:

I'm hopeful that the Hopkins School Board will finally develop and implement a strategy for a meanigful reduction in class sizes, and not merely pronounce generalities about the 21st century. There is an overwhelming consensus among Hopkins parents (and teachers) that current class sizes are far too large. And all we ever get is the same old tired refrain that 'studies show that test scores don't suffer' due to class size. Well, board members, at least it appears you're focusing on more than 'test scores'. IMPROVE the learning environment. For everyone. Focus on smaller classes and how this can be accomplished.

Sam answered Damon:

Do not assume that teachers are for smaller class sizes. They have had numerous opportunities to focus dollars on class size and instead chose larger salaries and bonuses in the past instead of allocating funding that could have helped to address our rapid class size growth.

Funeral Services for Shakopee Mdewakanton Chairman Stanley Crooks, who died Saturday after leading the tribe for 20 years, were set for Wednesday, Aug. 29, at the Tiowakan Spiritual Center in Prior Lake.

 gave her condolences:

Your leadership and vision in helping others with heart disease is a lasting legacy to your generosity of spirit and commitment to helping others. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and community at this time.