Strings of history, tunes of joy - Star Tribune

ZDC [C M Y K] N1 Sunday, May. 5, 2013

S TA RT R I BUN E . COM/ SOUTH • S E C T ION N • SUNDAY, MAY 5 , 2 013

¬ Expanded coverageof the south metro

dakotacounty

µ DaveOsberg said he’s impressedwith Eagan cityleaders’ interactionwith the community.

By SUSAN [email protected]

Dave Osberg says he’s spentthe last several weeks makingthe rounds of Eagan’s commu-nity and business organization,“getting my name and face outthere” as the new city admin-istrator. He succeeds TomHedges, who retired in Febru-ary as the first city administra-tor in Eagan’s history.

Osberg, 54, had been cityadministrator in Hastingssince 1989, and in the early1980s worked in Eagan as anintern for Hedges. They haveremained friends and profes-sional colleagues. “I don’t feellike I’m coming in to fill Tom’sshoes. I’m coming in to fillthe vacancy created by Tom’s

retirement,”Osberg said. “Iwillprobably call him tocontinue toget advice on somematters.”

The following are excerptsfrom a recent interview.

Q:Howdo you think yourHast-ings experiencewill help you asstep into your new job inEagan?A:Hopefully 24 years of expe-rience in Dakota County helps.I’ve certainly been very famil-iar with the acitivites in Eagan,the culture, someof the projectsgoing on and the folks that havebeen involved. I’ve known TomHedges for many, many yearsandwouldseehimona frequentbasis. So I have general familiar-ity with what Eagan has beenlike over the years.

Q:What do you think is the big-

gestmisconceptionpeople haveabout what a city administratordoes, your role and authority,what you can and cannot do?A: I don’t think it’s a miscon-ception — I think it’s a lack ofunderstanding. I’ll have peopleaskwhen I have to run for officeagain. Sometimes people willthink that the administrator islikeacityplannerandhasa lot todowithhowacommunity is laidout froma land use perspective.

The city administrator is likethe CEO of the city, appointedby theCityCouncil. Themayorand council set the policy, andthe administrator and staffimplement the policy. Depend-ing on the community, the cityadministrator has the authorityto hire and fire all city employ-ees. In Eagan, the city admin-istrator has strong recommen-

Newcity administratorready tomakehismark

BRUCE BISPING • [email protected] Osberg, Eagan’s new city administrator, talked about thecity’s challenges and opportunities as he takes over command.

By LIALAHELAL • [email protected]

F or a year and a half, roosters interruptedCraig Evans’ most exciting moments.

The Rosemount resident had pur-chased a video camera from Craigslist

and set off across the continent to documentbuilders who crafted the instrument that he sayschanged his life— the open-back banjo.

“There was an uncanny number of roosters,”Evans, 60, said. “Anytime Iwas interviewing, theywould begin to crow, and they were so loud, I’dhave to stop. Roosters, of all things.”

Calling himself the “CNN of banjos,” Evanstraveled 12,000 miles across United States and

Canada tomeet banjo builders. The result wouldbe a nine-hour documentary series. The initialtwovolumes, “ConversationsWithNorthAmeri-can Banjo Builders,” tells stories of 26 people.

Afterward, he won a $10,000 grant to producethe third volume, “ConversationsWithBanjoHis-torians.”

The Smithsonian caught wind of what he wasdoing and began an Instrument Builders’ Collec-tion, starting with his series. His DVDs will soonbe housed in the Smithsonian Folkways Library.

Strings of history,tunes of joy

Photos by BRUCE BISPING • [email protected] Evans, left, played the banjowith Kurt Olson, Joe Fishbein and other bandmembers at Black Bear Crossings on the Lake at the Como Park Pavilion.

Craig Evans of Rosemountwent on a questto find the root of his love, the banjo.

IF YOU GOWhat: “An Eveningwith Craig Evans,”banjoist and historian, sponsored by theRosemount Area Arts CouncilWhen: 1-8 p.m. Tuesday,May 7Where: Robert Trail Library, 14395 S. RobertTrail, RosemountMore information: Call 952-255-8545 or gotowww.northamericanbanjobuilders.com

«WHEN I LEFTHOMETOTHETIME I GOTBACK, ITWASLIKE IWASTHREEFEETOFFTHEGROUND. ITWASTHEMOSTEXHILARATINGTHING I’VE EVERDONE.» Craig Evans

µ Dewey’swasn’tprofitable enough forprivate partners; the citywill run it as a public service.

By [email protected]

Lovers of books and cof-fee in Eagan will continue tofind the two side by side atthe Westcott Library, despitea change in management atDewey’s, the onsite cafe.

The city will now run theonce privately owned coffeeshop, according to the library’ssenior manager, Eric Austin.

Former owner ChrisMcLeansaid he and his partner wereunable to turn enoughof a profitto keep the business as a sourceof income. Hewill stay on, how-ever, serving coffee for patrons.

The businessman turnedbarista said he isn’t disap-pointed at the change — justglad the city will keep the pop-ular caffeine hub open.

As for profitability, Austinsaid the city’s goals are a bit dif-ferent from that of the formerowners.

The main objective for thecity is to keep the shop run-ning and not to rely on it to bean income generator, he said.But Austin said the city can’tafford to lose money on theventure, either. “If we cannotbreak even,we can’t continue.”

To that end, Austin said thelibrary and the city are consid-ering changes that include adelivery service and a possibleart exhibit.

Eagan takesoverpopularcoffee shopat library

Osberg continues on N3 Ø

Library continues on N3 Ø

Banjo continues on N4 Ø

µ The district nowhas achance to experimentwithnewprograms,withoutasmuch red tape that canhamper innovation.

By ERIN [email protected]

At Farmington High School,kids are cutting out of classearly in thenameof innovation.

Pr inc ipa l Ben Kuschrecently instituted “self-directed learning time,” whichallows students who aren’tbehind on schoolwork to leaveclass 10 minutes early to workon projects or catch up onother assignments.With fewerstudents in class, teachers havemore time to focus on thosewho need extra help.

“What do you do with thekids who are behind the curveor ahead of the curve? This isone of thewayswe’ve begun tocontemplate that,” Kusch said.“How to we begin to empowerour students to take more con-trol of their learning?”

Because the Farmingtondistrict was recently named anInnovation Zone, they’ll soonbe able to trymore experimen-tal projects like these.

The five-year designationby the Minnesota Departmentof Education gives districtsthat apply the chance to part-ner with another district to trynew things with less red tapeand paperwork from the state.

Beginning next school year,

Farmingtonschools get‘InnovationZone’ going

Zones continues on N2 Ø

ZDC [C M Y K] N4 Sunday, May. 5, 2013

N4 • DAKOTA COUNTY • S TA R T R I BUN E • SUNDAY, MAY 5 , 2 013

sports dakota county

QUICK Q&AHAILEY LUNDQUISTHAST INGS , S R .S O F T BA L L

Lundquist’s most memorablemoment as a high school ath-lete came two years agowhenthe Raiders won the Class 3Astate championship. The centerfielder would like to concludeher prep career with onemorerun at the title. Here is a closerlook at Lundquist,who alsoplayed tennis and hockey forthe Raiders:

The best movie I’ve seen in thepast year: “42.” I recommend itto everyone.

Three words my friends orteammates might use todescribe me? Competitive, com-passionate,motivated.

Three songs I never skip onmy iPod are ... “WagonWheel”by Darius Rucker,“Girl on Fire”by Alicia Keys, and anything byAdele.

What are your three favoriteapps? Twitter, Pinterest, Vine.

Who do you like to follow themost on Twitter, and why?Hastings very own sportsannouncers Nick Tuckner andManny Hill.

At my first varsity practice, Ifelt … pumped up and ready togo. The softball program doesa great job of making sure theyounger girls transition rightinto varsity and can be success-ful.

If you could change one thingabout high school sports, whatwould it be? I wish girls’ athlet-ics receivedmore recognition.

How do you balance schooland sports? Study halls aremy best friend, and teachersare very flexible when theycanmeet you to help you out. Inever have tomiss practice tomake stuff up or ask questions.

Who is your favorite college orpro sports team and why? TheMinnesotaWild!Whowouldn’twant to watch Zach Parise?

In 10 years, I hope I’m … livingandworking in New York City.

What is the best sports adviceyou have ever received? “Workhard and stay humble.”– formerHastings pitcher Treya Connell

RONHAGGSTROM

“I kept looking through thecamera going, ‘Thanks, God. Ican’t believe I’m sitting here lis-tening to this stuff,’ ” he said.

They include the tale of aman who lost his arm and legand now builds machines thatbuild banjos. And another of aman who used banjo strings tostitch a patient during his timewith DoctorsWithout Borders.

“When I left home to thetime I got back, it was like I wasthree feetoff theground,”Evanssaid. “It was themost exhilarat-ing thing I’ve ever done.”

Following a dreamEvans was going through

an “acrimonious” divorce in2000 when he had a dreamthat inspired him to “trust thatthe banjowould leadmeon thejourney I would never forget.”

“It sounds crazy, but itwasn’t,” Evans said. “BecauseI found peace in learning that.”

What began as a quest todocument howbanjos are builtended up being amore power-ful story.

“It ended up being a treatiseon human creativity and howpeople will work to pursuetheir gifting,” Evans said.

Evans had put away hisbanjo after high school, andfor the next 25 years he focused

on his careers in science, busi-ness, marketing, communica-tions and later building web-sites.

When he reconnectedwith the instrument, “fromthat point on it seems that ifevery time I touched a banjo,astonishing things happened,”he said. “I have just found aninstrument that is so appeal-ing that I’m literally obsessedwith it.”

Taking lessons from a60-year-old Mennonite minis-ter, he joined two bands at age50 and has since had his musicrecorded on five CDs.

“When I play banjo, be it ata festival in front of a crowd,or under a tree at an appleorchard, it’s astonishing to mehow it can compel a humanbeing, especially a younghuman being, to stop whatthey’re doing and literally letmusic take over their bodyand dance … and for a briefmoment, you’ll see this joy popout of nowhere.”

Evans gained a deeperappreciation of the banjowhenhe learned that it came fromAfrica and was a merging ofseveral instruments broughtover by slaves. On their day ofrest, the slaves would gatherto cook, tell stories, dance andsing.

“These people were so

homesick that they wouldlook at other black people,and it didn’t matter what theirreligions were, what their lan-guageswere— theywere fromAfrica, so they were home,” hesaid. That’s why “old-time tra-ditional Americana” music ismore appealing to Evans thanbluegrass — it’s historic.

Banjos have gained andwaned in popularity through-out the years, but today is arenaissance period, Evans said.

However, “even today, thereare few black banjo playersand no black builders,” he said.“The fewplayers, they are onlynow starting to rediscovertheir roots. And that’s terriblyexciting. I mean, this is theirinstrument.”

Evans calls himself an“encourager” — he wantsto encourage people to fol-low their gift and learn whatmakes them happy. He incor-porates that into his jobteaching marketing classes atDakota County Technical Col-lege. He hopes young peoplewho watch his series will beinspired to follow their artis-tic gift.

‘A timeless connection’Every Saturday morning,

Evans joins a group of old-time musicians who put on a“public jam,” sitting in a circle

at Black Bear Crossings in St.Paul, in the corner of a cafe.

This is how traditionalstring instrument music ispassed on to the younger gen-eration, Evans said—nomusicor tablature is allowed. Thelearning is done by ear.

“Once you get into it, youare so passionate and in lovewith the instrument, and nowyou want others to appreciateit for the history and beautythat it can portray,” he said.

One cafe customer said themusic brought her back to herchildhood, when people gath-ered at her house in a circle toplay.

“It’s just exciting,” MaryHartman of Brooklyn Centersaid. “It’s kind of uplifting —reminds me of my youngeryears.”

When Evans plays, he’llquickly change from a seri-ous, somber expression to anupbeat smile and laugh — themoment he starts to feel whatthe music expresses.

“He’s very connected withit. It becomes a part of him,”said group member Joe Fish-bein of West St. Paul, who wasfeatured in the festival at theend of Evans’ documentary.“He’s really in tune with themusic.”

Liala Helal • 952-746-3286

STRINGSOFHISTORY,TUNESOFJOYø BANJO FROM N1

µ The Cadets’ lacrosse team is 6-0 after being ridiculedonline in preseason. The harsh jabs inspired the players.

By AARON PAITICHSpecial to the Star Tribune

Sometimes a little bulletin-boardmaterial can go a longway. St. ThomasAcademy lacrosse certainly is capital-izing on some preseason online chat-ter.

“People on the website forumswere saying our team was laughableand that we only have a couple play-ers,” senior midfielder Benny Wil-liams. “I think we have a chip on ourshoulder.”

Are the critics still laughing? It’sstill early in the season, but the Cadetshaven’t given them any credence.That’s what a 6-0 start through Tues-day’s victory over Rochester Mayowill do.

And it’s only fueled St. Thomas

Academy’s desire.“With each step we take, we think

about being laughable at the begin-ning of the season,” Williams said.“Look where we are now. That wasdefinitely something that got us prettyriled up going into the season.”

The competitionwould bewise notto rile the Cadets’ defensive corps.Especially 6-3, 230-pound junior J.R.Riley, who was named a Star Tribune“player to watch’’ this preseason. Hehasn’t disappointed.

“He’s our enforcer— a really intim-idating dude,” Williams said of Riley.“Nobody wants to mess with him.”

Team defense is a definite strengthfor the Cadets, who have three stal-warts whomake it difficult for oppos-ing offenses to generate scoringopportunities.

Senior Joe Weichert and juniorGrant Oncay are both physical, fun-damentally strong players with goodstick work.

“They are all dominant forces backthere,” Williams said. “They’re alllockdown defenders. Tough to get by.”

If they do get chances, Chase Bock-struck is waiting in goal. The seniorhas been nothing short of spectacular.

“He’s a gamer,”Williams said of hisnetminder. “He knows how to stop theball. He puts his game face on.”

The Cadets also have taken careof business offensively. Williamsnotched seven goals and eight assiststhrough the first five gameswhilewin-ning about 80 percent of his faceoffs.Attacker Will Dahl scored two goalsand four assists in the season opener.The midfielders are fearless, not rely-ing much on finesse.

“If a defenseman shuts us down onone dodge, we’re going right back athim the next time,” Williams said. “I

just think that’s our whole offense’smentality.We like to push the ball andput it in the net.”

The teamhas bought in. The coach-ing staff knows this group has to playas one. That’s the team philosophy.

“STA lacrosse focuses on becom-ing a family with one goal. That goalis to have fun and play together,”head coach John Barnes said. “A mixof seniors, juniors, sophomores andfreshmen learning to play and fighttogether one game at a time.”

That group will compete this sea-son knowing that theMinnesota StateHigh School League has added foursections, which means eight teams,not four, will reach the state tourna-ment.

“We definitely have high hopesgoing into the playoffs,” Williamssaid. “Hopefullywe can get a good rungoing and get further than any otherteam in our school’s history has got-ten.”

Success hushes criticsJENNIFERWEICHERT • Special to the Star Tribune

J.R. Riley (28), a physical force on defense, battled an opponent in front of Cadets goalie Chase Bockstruck,who also has playedwell. Behind the net is JoeWeichert.

BRUCE BISPING • [email protected] Evans played at Black Bear Crossings on the Lake at the ComoPark Pavilion on a recent Saturday.