An upgraded Field 2 contrasts with the old Jordan High School baseball field just as Target Field contrasts with the Metrodome.

“It’s going to be, in essence, like the Twins going from the Dome to the new field – a tremendous upgrade,” baseball coach Brent Goracke said.

Bowlers will descend on Shakopee next week in the hope of striking out a rare disease.

Todd and Julie Buckner of Shakopee are sponsoring “Pinning Down a Cure for HLH” in honor of their daughter, Abigail, who died from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in February 2009. The fundraiser features bowling and silent auction from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 at Louisville Lanes in Shakopee.

HLH is a rare disorder of the immune system, primarily affecting young infants and children.

The Scott County Fair opened Wednesday at the fairgrounds at 7151 190th St. W. in St. Lawrence Township near Jordan Wednesday for a five-day run that ends Sunday.

Music, entertainment, food and livestock shows take place all weekend. Merriam’s Midway will also be open selected hours.

Grandstand events start at 7 p.m. through Saturday and include a motorcycle Supercross, truck and tractor pull and demo derby. New this year is an Autocross event Friday evening.

Runaway steer, a huge cabbage, a rabbit show and the opening ceremony are only a few of the highlights from the first day of Scott County Fair on July 28. Also, a few of the fog over the Minnesota River July 29 are included. See the photos below:

A press release from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA):

The MPCA has announced the 2009-10 winners of the Governor's Awards for Pollution Prevention.

The 19-year-old award program honors superior environmental achievement by Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, government and institutions.

Two independent panels of judges reviewed 26 applications and selected the six winners. The judges evaluated organizations based on innovative pollution and waste prevention, resource efficiency and sustainable practices.

The 2009-10 winners include:

Did the kids think that summer science camp was fun?

How about sending them to camp on finance? With their parents. Oh yeah, and kids don’t even go to an actual “camp.”

Seriously.

Here’s a press release from Lutheran Social Service that, if employed, might give kids a leg up in life:

Kids this summer are participating in a variety of camps including language, sports, music, art and church camps. Why not add a financial camp experience – something parents can do at home with a camp of their own.

Those looking to hold block parties for National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 3 should request street closures by Wednesday, July 28.

Currently, the Jordan Police Department has not received any notification of parties looking to close streets, though the Valley Green manufactured home community is planning to host a party for residents there.

To request a street closure, contact the police department at 952-492-2009.

Ron Schara is planning on releasing a documentary the Minnesota River and efforts to clean up the Minnesota River. See the promotional video from Ron Schara Productions below:

On Monday, earth started moving on the new ballpark on Jordan Public Schools property along Hope Avenue. Field 2 will be revamped by a consortium of Jordan area residents, businesses, teams and nonprofit organizations, with the hopes of it becoming a much more respectable playing surface, like the city’s pride and joy, the Mini-Met ballpark in downtown Jordan. See photos from this week's ground-breaking event below: