Every month there are things that I come across in my job that never make it into print. Sometimes its something simple, other times its kind of silly. Here's a list of some recent observations.

Janet Williams and her son, Kyle, participated in the annual NAMI awareness walk at Minnehaha Falls on Sept. 28.

Eagle watching is fun, especially at the new McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center. At the start of an interview in the middle of a noisy construction site, Civil Engineer Sam Lucido spotted a pair of Eagles flying overhead. Sam, myself and Jon Allen stopped talking and just watched them fly overhead. I'm sure if someone had a camera they could have snapped a picture of us with our mouths open. It was really cool.

Firefighters are great guys: Two Savage firefighters died within a day of each other in mid September. Kudos to the SFD for being present at both funerals and showing the familes of each firefighter how much their loved one has meant to them.

Students clean up: Almost 100 students showed up for the fall cleanup day at Burnsville High School. Ever since efforts started five years ago to spruce up the campus and get a new monument sign, the group of parent volunteers has said they want the student body to take ownership of the efforts. When funds were being solicited for the new sign, the students did so, in particular the Student Council raised a lot of money towards funding the sign. Now students in science classes and clubs have stepped up to help. As well, ERJH students who are part of that school's environmental club showed up to help out. It was great to have so many volunteers.