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I hope you had a chance to get out and enjoy some or all of Ki Chi Saga Days. The weather could not have been any better this year. Absolutely spectacular from beginning to end.

I took in plenty of activities and it sure looked like everyone was really having a great time. The fireworks were as good as they always are. The crowds in the park seemed busier than in the past. There were some new vendors that offered some new products that people really seemed to be interested in.

I was really surprised at the amount of people that were watching the skateboarding competition at Chuckie Lundquist Park. Some of these kids are really good at skateboarding. I am convinced that if skateboarding was this popular when I was young, I would have broken both my ankles.

The parade on Sunday did not disappoint. There were plenty of floats and the people we sat by were having a blast.

This was the first year that Family Pathways offered a 15K race to accompany their annual 5K race. Bonita Carlson and all her helpers did a wonderful job with the race. If you enter the Lindstrom Loppet and not the Ki Chi Saga Days race, I would recommend running in both. They both have scenic, challenging courses, and those who run in the Ki Chi Saga race really seem to love it.

Thank you to Doris Zacho and all of the terrific volunteers who made this year's Ki Chi Saga Days a huge success. Without all of these great people volunteering, we would have nothing. I know I sound like a broken record, but I am amazed at the amount of people who take time out of their busy lives and work relentlessly to make these celebrations so great.

If you have been reading about Xcel Energy and their plans to bring new lines through our area, here is your chance to voice your opinion. On September 4 and 5, at the Chisago Lakes Library, Judge Lipmann will listen to public testimony regarding the high-power lines. I would like to invite any and all to these hearings to let the judge and your community leaders know your stance on the upgraded lines.

If you cannot attend the hearings, you may submit a letter to: Office of Administrative Hearings, 100 Washington Square, Suite 1700, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2138.

Last Friday my family decided to view the Minnesota State Fair differently than usual. Usually we attend the great Minnesota Get-Together on a weekend. With the weekend, comes what feels like millions of people, all trying to purchase whichever food we are trying to buy.

I could tell right away this Friday was different. Arriving around 10 a.m., it was clear this was going to be better. We could actually walk down the streets without knowing what the man next to you had just eaten or catching up on some teenager's tale that usually is filled with expletives. The lines for food and exhibits were very manageable. Our trip to the fair was dare I say it enjoyable? The day went swimmingly. We managed to take in more of the fair than I had ever in the past.

The only mistake we made was going on a Friday. For the first half of the day it felt like we had the fair all to ourselves. But around 2 p.m., I was smelling Miller Lite and alligator on the guy's breath next to me, and hearing what a #*^@#* awesome time some teenagers had at the grandstand show last night.

Yes, timing is everything.

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