For most people Valentine’s Day is an excuse to hook-up and eat chocolate. Hey, sounds good to me too, but surely we can be more creative than that! Why not mix things up this V-Day with a fun workout you can do in the comfort of your home with your significant other?
Today I am going to demo the concept of partner training. Partner training workouts are essentially a workout that involves performing joint exercises with at least one other person or more. There are a ton of benefits to partner training, including:

Writer: Charles Luedloff, of Dahlgren Township

When: 1888

What: Luedloff argues that replanting forests will help cool the climate.

Published: “Annual Report of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society for the year 1888.”

Are you ready for some football?!
Super Bowl Sunday is just days away. My two favorite things about Super Bowl Sunday are the hilarious commercials and, of course, the party food.

Unfortunately, all that party food can add up to some serious calories and pack on pounds of fat. In today’s post, I’ll show you how, with just a few tweaks, to make some of those delicious treats healthier and more figure-friendly.

Author: Local justices of the peace

Published: In court dockets, from the 1880s through the early 20th century, held in the Chaska Historical Society’s collection.

What? In Carver County’s early history, justices of the peace served at the local level, handling civil and criminal cases involving less than $100. They issued warrants, performed marriages and authenticated documents. In some instances, they would determine whether there was probable cause to send a case to a grand jury. Justices of the peace were later replaced by municipal courts and by the 1980s, the district courts began handling all cases.

Wrapping it up: This is the final of four Chaska Obscura columns featuring probate court notes.

Each week we publish a detail of a local building. The next week we indentify the building, along with a detail of a different building. Do you know where the heck this is? Post your answer; e-mail [email protected]; or call (952) 345-6574.

It’s always great to get feedback on Chaska Obscura items.

Last week, Mary Goetze, of Chanhassen called about the featured photo in the print edition of the Herald (pictured above). That little guy in front at right – Martin Schlenk, is Goetze’s father.

Writers: Elmer Kelm, a Chanhassen banker; and Congressman Elmer Ryan

Year: 1940

Elmer KelmPublished: Speech to be delivered on WTCN radio. This address is in Elmer Ryan’s files, held at the Minnesota Historical Society. It is unknown if this was the final version that was broadcast.

What: This was apparently Kelm’s introductory speech as chairman of the Democratic Party in Minnesota, largely ghost-written by Congressman Elmer Ryan. The speech served as a rallying cry to unite the Democratic Party and fire a warning shot across the bow of the Farmer-Labor party. The Farmer-Labor party had long dominated state politics and relegated the Democrats to third-party status in Minnesota, even though the Democrats controlled the White House. As chair, Kelm and future Vice President Hubert Humphrey lobbied to merge the Democratic and Farmer-Labor Party in 1944 to form the DFL that has since played a major role in Minnesota politics.

More info: For a profile on Elmer Kelm, click here.

Each week we publish a detail of a local building. The next week we indentify the building, along with a detail of a different building. Do you know where the heck this is? Post your answer; e-mail [email protected]; or call (952) 345-6574.

Big weekend coming up. The Vikes are going to the Superdome for the NFC championship! But, before you close out the week, be sure to hit it hard with today's FREE Workout Video of the Week.

Let's go into the weekend strong with your Workout Video of the Week!
50-10 Five-Exercise Circuit powered by Workout Muse: Boot Camp Dynamite
You will alternate between 50 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest/transition for each exercise within the circuit. Perform this 5-minute circuit up to 4x for a 20-minute total body workout.