Author: Amy Nylander

It’s more than pom-poms. Varsity cheer is a unique blend of athleticism, teamwork, and school spirit. Beyond their enthusiastic cheers and chants, Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) cheerleader athletes master tumbling, acrobatics, and dance routines. Their performances demand strength, flexibility, and precision, as they execute breathtaking stunts, all while energizing the crowd. Teamwork is the foundation of varsity cheerleading. Trust among team members is paramount as they rely on each other to execute complex routines safely. EPHS cheer head coach Valerie Song said, “This sport is truly a team sport, as when you stunt you can’t do it with one…

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) has partnered with the EPCF HUB Ambassadors to establish a collaboration aimed at enhancing the volunteer landscape in Eden Prairie. We invite you to explore the following list of volunteer requests for the fall of 2023. Many of these organizations will be at the GIVE Gathering on September 28 if you’d like to learn more. Take a moment to peruse these opportunities and consider joining forces with these local organizations. Volunteers make things happen! Volunteer needs for Fall, 2023, in alphabetical order. Eden Prairie Community Band The Eden Prairie Community Band is an adult community…

Eden Prairie hosted the first-ever evening Cross Country Metro Invite on Sept. 16. Coach Courtney Brandon says the EP team is running with a pack mentality.

Eden Prairie thrives with an impressive array of nearly 80 nonprofit and civic organizations, each contributing in remarkable ways to our community. With that much activity, it can be difficult to keep track of exactly who is doing what. To address this, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation (EPCF) has established The HUB—a comprehensive directory encompassing all these diverse organizations. The HUB serves as a resource for residents, directing them to local assistance programs for essential needs such as food and clothing. Moreover, it serves as a gateway to discover meaningful opportunities for community engagement and service. Whether you find yourself…

Seed libraries are a unique concept that has been growing in popularity in recent years. The Eden Prairie Library has recently sprouted its own version, making it easy to exchange seeds with other community members. A seed library is essentially a collection of seeds that are available for members to borrow, grow, and return. Just like a regular library, seed libraries have a catalog of available seeds, and members can check them out for free. But the plot thickens; rather than return the same borrowed item, patrons are encouraged to save some seeds from their plants and bring them back…

Several free COVID-19 vaccine clinics will be held in Eden Prairie starting Sept. 17 and continue over the next few weeks. Clinics will be administering Pfizer vaccines. Vaccines at these clinics are free and no insurance is required. You do not need to be an Eden Prairie resident to participate. Visa gift cards worth $50 will be handed out while supplies last. Eden Prairie clinic dates and times are listed below as well as in the EPLN Community Calendar. Arrive Eden Prairie, 13000 Garden Lane Friday, Sept. 17, (1st dose) and Friday, Oct. 8 (2nd dose), 2 – 6 p.m.…

A new Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) program recently rolled out three stickers to alert police, fire, and emergency medical services of individuals with special needs. Due to numerous requests from the public a fourth sticker has since been added: An Occupant May Be A Person with a Disability. “The stickers are designed to be placed anywhere a first responder may spot it quickly, such as a door or window; on an interior bedroom door; or in a visible location in a front entryway or hallway” according to a HCSO press release. Four separate stickers are now available: An Occupant…

August can bring back-to-school jitters, but some families have the additional anxiety of affording all the items on their children’s school supply lists. Thanks to a community-wide effort led by Eden Prairie Community Education, every child at each Eden Prairie Schools (EPS) site can easily and quickly access adequate supplies to be successful in school. “Students can pick up supplies during Back-to-School Open House Nights across the district,” EPS Family Resources Specialist Reta Johnson said. “Ask for the School Supplies Program or to speak with the school social worker. Supplies may also be accessed throughout the year via the school social…

English not your native language? For those who want to learn English, Family School offers a program without the barriers of cost or childcare. The program, run through Eden Prairie Community Education, offers free English classes for adults while their 3- and 4-year-old children attend pre-school. In addition, free childcare is provided for infants and toddlers. Adult English classes are provided by Metro South Adult Basic Education and children’s classes are staffed by early childhood educators. Preschoolers who are 3 years-old by September 1, 2021, attend morning classes at Lower Campus Preschool Center, 8100 School Rd, Eden Prairie. Preschoolers who…

Three new stickers are available to alert police, fire, and emergency medical services of individuals with special needs that may need to be considered, according to an August 6, 2021, press release from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). The stickers are available to all Hennepin county residents. The stickers can be affixed to doors and windows of a home, or vehicle windows. Three separate stickers are available: An Occupant May Be Autistic or Special Needs, An Occupant May Have Dementia or Alzheimer’s, An Occupant May Be Deaf or Hearing Impaired. “These stickers are a simple but effective way to…