To celebrate Martin Luther King Day, Monday, Jan. 19, Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska will host a public celebration and benefit concert from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jim Broucek isn’t afraid to say it. “We’re in a recession,” he declared as he looked over the number of new cases Carver County’s Social Services department has taken on of late.

As an income support manager for the county, Broucek has noticed an increase in the demand for services like financial assistance, food support and workforce training.

Love INC is gearing up for its second annual community Thanksgiving dinner at St. John’s Lutheran Church next week. The event, sponsored by area churches and local businesses, is free and open to the public.

Doug Peterson, executive director of the non-profit Love INC, said that last year’s event was successful enough to convince them to do it again this year. “Everybody really enjoyed it,” he said.

The bolo ties, the cowboy boots, the poofy skirts – they all seem like images from a bygone era. But for square dance lovers, it’s all part of the fun.

Dee and Ken Scott hope to bring some of that fun to Chaska-area residents next Tuesday as they present “Square Dance ABC” at the Chaska Community Center.

It wasn’t a long haul from Walnut Street around the corner to Second Street, but Jason Vanderscoff hopes Five Stars Recovery Center’s move will help expand its reach into the community.

“Most of society doesn’t think treatment works,” said Vanderscoff. “But it can.”

After nearly four years of planning, construction and convincing neighbors it would be OK, Aeon is finally celebrating the opening of its Clover Field Marketplace in Chaska.

Grand opening festivities are scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate the grand opening of its newest education and visitor center on Sunday.

A Benefit for Kirra event has been scheduled for Sunday, October 26, 2008, 5-9 pm at the Chanhassen American Legion, 290 E. Lake Dr., Chanhassen, MN 55317. This event - organized by friends of Kirra and her family - consists of a Spaghetti Dinner, Silent Auction, Performance by the Waconia Performing Arts Center and Halloween "trick or treating" - bring the kids in their costumes!

Even in the light of day, there is a certain eeriness about the Scream Town lot. Tucked back out of the view of Highway 212, amidst dwarfing corn fields and thick oak forest, it is not difficult to imagine things that go bump in the night.

The current economic climate doesn’t worry Greg Larson, store manager for the new Kohl’s store opening in Chaska.

“We’re opening 47 stores this fall,” he said, adding that they’ll also welcome their 1,000th store into the Kohl’s chain before the year’s end.