Grab your bike and join us this Saturday, September 13th, for the Tour de Chaska! This fun, leisurely and unique 20-mile bicycle ride will loop through the beautiful city of Chaska and their top-notch trail system. while highlighting the Seminary Fen, the Jonathan Associataion, and Clover Ridge. The bike ride will begin and end at Fireman’s Park in downtown Chaska.

The 11th annual Chaska Lions Golf Classic, which is coming up on July 14th, offers you the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf at the award-winning Chaska Town Course, a great meal, along with SEVERAL other games of chance and opportunities to win BIG prizes! How big, you may ask? How about the chance to win a NEW CAR....how BIG is that!!???

What is your favorite vegetable that you grow in your own garden? Do you grow heirlooms or newer varieties? If they are heirloom, are they old varieties that have been handed down through your family for generations, or how did you discover them? Share your favorites with us, and why your family likes them best!

NOTE: to view a current Backyard Rain Gauge comment that is listed under the "READER INPUT - Recent Comments / Active Forum Topics" heading on the main Chaska Herald page (or under the "Most Read" link near the top of the page), you will first need to scroll down to near the bottom of this particular page and click on the link marked "Last>>" in order to move forward to the most recent page of comments...

We've all heard the urban (or would that be arctic) legend that Eskimos have as many as 100 words for "snow."

We should all be saying "Weathercasters have 1 million terms for snow."

This morning, I heard a TV forecaster predict "greasy snow."

I've also heard an increase in the phrase "heart attack snow" (apparently meaning that people should be in shape before shoveling).

With temperatures expected to soar into the 40s today and into the week, it's time to start scouting for those first brave (or idiotic) souls who dare don shorts.

Have you seen it yet? Let us know where and when.

I have received my first packets of garden seeds in the mail already - a sure sign that spring will be here soon. Have you seen any signs of spring yet in your neighborhood?

There was a full lunar eclipse last night and the Twin Cities enjoyed clear skies that made it easy to view. Did you catch it? What did you think? Anyone get a good photo they'd like to share?

As the old saying goes, is it cold enough for you? If not, just be patient....more cold is on the way! Our temperature in Chaska dipped down to -12 on Monday night (Jan 14), but has rebounded slightly since then. However, much colder air will arrive by Friday, with our daily high temperatures struggling to climb above zero over the weekend!

The snow lovers among us are very happy lately! Chaska has received 8" of new snow in the past week, with 4.0" of the fluffy white stuff falling on Christmas Day alone - to the joy of outdoor enthusiasts and the chagrin of Holiday drivers everywhere! We seem to be in an active pattern, with several opportunities for small amounts of additional accumulation coming along every day or two throughout the next week. Long-range forecasts are hinting at a bit of a January thaw a week or two into the new year. Stay tuned!