Canterbury Park in Shakopee received approval from the Minnesota Racing Commission on Thursday to conduct a 62-day thoroughbred and quarter-horse race meet in 2010.

The meet, which will mirror the 2009 season, will begin Friday, May 14 and run through Sunday, Aug. 29 with Thursday and Friday post times of 7 p.m. and weekend and holiday post times of 1:30 p.m.

A traveling businessman lured the Mendez family to Minnesota to start a Mexican fast-food eatery. They found success in Shakopee and developed a cult-like following for their authentic burritos and tacos. Their unique drive-up store is closing at the end of the month after more than six years of business. The family will carry on at a new indoor space across town. Learn more about the family's history in today's Shakopee Valley News. Share your memories below. 

 Shannon Fiecke

By Kristin Holtz, Staff Writer

Lynda Otten laughs when she recalls her high school career counselor’s advice after announcing her career goal to show dogs.

“You’ll never make a living,” the counselor told her.

Fifty years after first stepping into the show ring, Otten, 60, continues to parade her beloved dogs at shows around the United States.

As Minnesotans know, winter offers a unique way to play, and the 2009-10 edition of the Minnesota State Parks Programs & Special Events catalog is now available to help families plan their winter outings.

The catalog lists more than 130 things to do now through the end of March, including candlelight ski and snowshoe events, Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing clinics, maple syruping demonstrations, and much more.

The Governor’s Residence, which has been decorated for the holidays, will again open to the public for holiday tours on three Tuesdays in December: Dec. 1, 8 and 15, from 1-3 p.m.

The first annual Prior Lake Area Art Crawl will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 at participating artists' studios and sponsoring businesses.

Thirty-one artists from Prior Lake and surrounding areas will be opening their studios to the public providing a rare opportunity for visitors to meet artists in their working environments and purchase finely crafted artwork.

The Shakopee High School drama department presents its last weekend of "Once Upon A Mattress" Friday through Sunday in the high school auditorium.

The play tells the untold tale of the “Princess and the Pea.”

By Kristin Holtz, Staff Writer

The last couple months have been a whirlwind for Shakopee fashion designer Christopher Straub.

From New York to Chicago, Straub has been busy making the press rounds and enjoying his flirt with fame as one of the top five contestants on season six of Lifetime Network’s “Project Runway.”

However, the fame is even more rife in his hometown.

“I literally can’t go to Holiday [Stationstore] without getting recognized,” Straub, 30, said.

Families in the southwest metro who have a child with an intellectual or developmental disability are invited to enjoy a free night of musical fun with Arc Greater Twin Cities from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at Jordan Elementary School, multipurpose room, 815 Sunset Dr., Jordan.

The event will also include a pizza dinner and is geared toward families with children age 16 and younger but is open to everyone.

Space is limited; call to reserve your place. To register or get more information, call Arc at (952) 920-0855.