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Riebe Run, Car Seat Checks & A Tough Talk on Polarization

Riebe Run, Car Seat Checks & A Tough Talk on Polarization

Join the Riebe Run, get your car seat checked, hear from Braver Angels, and stay safe around Medicine Lake.

Dustin Hart
September 17, 2025

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Good day, Wayzata. This is Wayzata Scoop: Proof that small-town news pairs well with crisp air.

In today’s Scoop:

Free Public Forum on Polarization and Civility Set for Oct. 9 🇺🇸
Plymouth Warns Residents About Toxic Algae on Medicine Lake ‼️
Pacifier Hosts Car Seat Safety Check and Trade-In Day 👶
Step Up for Heart Health — Riebe Run 5K Sept. 20 🏃

Let’s crush it.

— Dustin Hart

📢 TALK OF THE TOWN

Bridging the Political Divide: A Community Discussion in Wayzata

National polarization isn’t just a Washington problem. It’s showing up in neighborhoods and communities across the country. This October, Wayzata is hosting an event aimed at bringing people together to talk about it.

“Bridging the Political Divide: How Local Leaders Can Help” will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, from 6:30–8 p.m. at Wayzata City Hall (600 Rice St. E.). The event is free and open to the public; registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.

The 90-minute interactive discussion will focus on the challenges of polarization and practical ways community members and leaders can lower tensions, build trust across differences, and strengthen local connections.

The session will be led by Bill Doherty, University of Minnesota emeritus professor of family social science and co-founder of Braver Angels — the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement working to bridge divides and create conditions for civil conversations. Braver Angels has a particularly strong volunteer presence in Minnesota, and its events are always free to attend.

The conversation around polarization often feels too big to fix. This event reminds us that solutions start locally with neighbors willing to sit down, listen, and build bridges.

plymouthmn.gov

Blue-Green Algae Reported on Medicine Lake

The City of Plymouth is warning residents about a blue-green algae bloom on Medicine Lake that may be toxic to both humans and animals.

While city beaches are already closed for the season, residents are urged to take precautions when spending time on or near the water. Avoid contact with the lake, as exposure to algal toxins — whether through touching, swallowing, or inhaling water droplets — can cause severe illness or discomfort for people and pets. Warning signs have been posted around the lake.

City staff confirmed the bloom through visual observations, though no toxin testing has yet been completed. Blue-green algae is capable of producing harmful toxins, especially at high concentrations.

Algae blooms are typically fueled by excess nutrients in the water, often linked to stormwater runoff and lawn overfertilization.

Public health contacts:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: 651-757-2822 (general info on algae blooms)
Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne & Waterborne Illness Hotline: 1-877-366-3455 or report online
MDH Waterborne Diseases Unit: 651-201-5414 or visit the MDH website

Blue-green algae isn’t just unpleasant — it’s a real health hazard. Staying out of the water and keeping pets away is the best way to avoid serious illness.

Car Seat Check + Trade-In Event in Wayzata

In honor of Child Passenger Safety Month, Pacifier Wayzata is hosting a Car Seat Check + Trade-In Event on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) will be on hand to check your car seat installation and answer any questions you have. Families can reserve a 20-minute appointment with a $20 deposit, which is returned as a Pacifier gift card at the appointment.

Other details:

Car Seat Trade-In: Drop off any used or expired car seat during the event and receive a trade-in coupon (no ticket needed).
Storewide Discount: Attendees will receive 15% off their next purchase at Pacifier (some exclusions apply).
Who Can Attend: Open to all families and community members, regardless of car make or model.

This event offers peace of mind, safety checks from certified experts, and a little bonus shopping perk.

📍 Location: Pacifier Wayzata

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Riebe Run: Walk/Run for Heart Disease Research

The community is invited to lace up for the Riebe Run on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at 9 a.m. at French Regional Park in Plymouth.

This family-friendly 5K walk/run honors the life of Greg Riebe, who passed away in 2015 from arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The event raises awareness of heart disease while supporting groundbreaking research and education at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.

With every step, participants contribute to advancing heart disease research and helping change the future for current and future generations.

📍 Location: French Regional Park, Plymouth

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m.

Registration and donations directly support the cause.

📖 QOTW (QUOTE OF THE WEEK)

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail all the time." — J.K. Rowling

🌪️ WEATHER WATCH

Thunderstorms crash the midweek party, showers linger into the weekend.

Wed 17 83°/65° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧24%

Thu 18 77°/64° Scattered Thunderstorms ⛈️ | 💧42%

Fri 19 71°/62° Showers 🌧️ | 💧61%

Sat 20 73°/62° Scattered Thunderstorms ⛈️ | 💧54%

Sun 21 75°/62° AM Showers 🌧️ | 💧31%

Mon 22 78°/58° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧24%

Tue 23 75°/56° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧18%

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