What’s Chanhappenin’ This Week
⛅ Weather: A cool start Monday, warming into the mid-60s by midweek, rain returning Thursday, then mild through the weekend
❓Trivia: The Minnesota town home to the world's largest ball of twine
📰 Community News: Avienda's upcoming Council vote, a 7.1% preliminary levy, and the Sept. 24 candidate forum
🍻 Local Deals: BOGO beer at Med Box Grill, mention this newsletter in store
🗓️ Upcoming Events: Last chance for Guys and Dolls, Cars and Caves' finale, and Stevie on the Roof is live!
🍽️ Best of Chanhassen: The votes are in, see every category winner
♾️ Weekly Events: Live music, games, & more
🔎 Get Featured: Want your business or event noticed?
Hey Chanhassen! Avienda's updated plan heads to City Council on October 12, Council set a 7.1% preliminary levy increase for 2027, and there's a candidate forum coming up Sept. 24. The votes are in for our first Best of Chanhassen Food & Drink awards, so scroll down for the link to every category winner. Lotus Lake Gifts turns 10 on October 3, and Med Box Grill is running a BOGO beer deal for the next month for anyone who mentions this newsletter in store.
Also, are you like me and forget to drink enough water? This week’s sponsor, Pique, makes it easy. Check them out, if you want, at the top of this week’s issue.
Weather This Week
Chanhassen Trivia
One small Minnesota town is home to the world's largest ball of twine rolled by a single person. Which town is it, and about how much does the ball weigh?
Scroll down for the answer
Community News
Avienda's Updated Plan Heads to Council Oct. 12 · The Planned Unit Development amendment for Avienda, already anchored by Coborn's Market & Table, goes before City Council for a vote on October 12. Newly proposed additions include fuel pumps and a medical user alongside the existing mix of restaurants and retail, plus changes to setbacks, shared parking, landscaping, and signage. The city is also in early discussions about a large-scale entertainment project that would sit next to the new Community Center. See the project page and renderings
City Council Sets a 7.1% Preliminary Levy Increase for 2027 · The Council approved a preliminary property tax levy increase of 7.1% for 2027 last week. A preliminary levy can go down but not up before the final budget is adopted in December; the higher starting number leaves room while costs like health insurance, projected to rise 20 to 35%, are still being finalized. See the property tax impact slide
Mayor and City Council Candidate Forum, Sept. 24 · With no local newspaper to lean on, the League of Women Voters of Eastern Carver County is hosting a forum so residents can hear directly from candidates. It's Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 PM in the City Council Chambers, and every candidate on the ballot was invited: mayoral candidates Bala Chintaginjala, Jerry McDonald, and Mark von Oven, and City Council candidates Paul Haik, Denny Laufenburger, Bryan Litsey, and Kyle O’Neill. Can't make it? A recording will be posted to the League's Facebook page afterward.
Road Projects: Two Dates to Know · Carver County says Highway 41 north of Highway 5 to Tanadoona Drive is set to reopen October 5. Additionally, paving on Galpin Boulevard, from Longacres Drive to 78th Street, is targeted for completion by mid-October, with only a 1–2 day closure expected. See Carver County's Highway 5 project page
Local Deals
Med Box Grill: Buy one beer, get one free when you mention “What’s Chanhappenin’” in store. Stop by their Turkish and Mediterranean spot downtown for gyros, kebabs, and baklava, and bring a friend along.
Offer valid 9/21/26 through 10/21/26
Upcoming Events
At the Chanhassen Library This Month · A couple of free events left at the library this September:
CHANchats: Coffee with Communities of Belonging — Saturdays through Sept 26, 10–11 AM
Master Gardener Help Desk — Saturdays through Sept 26, 10 AM–1 PM
Household Hazardous Waste & Environmental Center Tour
Thu, Sept 24, 6–7:30 PM · Carver County Environmental Center, 116 Peavey Circle, Chaska · Free
Learn why household products like paint, batteries, pesticides, and cleaners need to be disposed of properly, then take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Carver County Environmental Center to see how hazardous waste gets collected, processed, recycled, reused, or disposed of safely. Part of the city's Environmental Academy series. See the full schedule
Chaska Area Quilt Club: “Fall Splendor of Quilts”
Fri–Sat, Sept 25–26 · Chaska Community Center · $10 admission
Around 200 member-made quilts on display, plus a boutique of handmade items, a food truck, and a chance to win the raffle quilt “Winter Botanicals” ($2/ticket). Award-winning quilter Amy Pabst gives lectures both days and teaches two classes; admission includes lectures and the bed turning. More info here
Last Chance for Guys and Dolls
Through Sat, Sept 26 · Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Guys and Dolls closes its run this Saturday, the same week as Cars and Caves' season finale and the Quilt Show — catch it before it's gone. CDT's next Main Stage production, ANNIE, is already on the way. Tickets and info
Cars and Caves — Season Finale
Sat, Sept 26, 9 AM–12 PM · Chanhassen AutoPlex · Free to spectate
The last Cars and Caves of the 2026 season. Classic, collector, muscle, antique, street rod, and exotic vehicles are welcome, plus many of the AutoPlex's 120 garage condos open for viewing and coffee, beverages, and food available for purchase. This month's show also features a special Mercedes Cave display of vintage and late-model Mercedes. More info
Stevie on the Roof
Underway now, wrapping up around Sun, Sept 27 · Chanhassen Dinner Theatres · Free to watch
Stevie Ray of Stevie Ray's Improv Company is spending a full week on the Dinner Theatres' roof — 24 hours a day, rain or shine — to raise $250,000 for the non-profit's work with emerging artists. Catch challenges, interviews, and antics livestreamed all week. Watch live · Donate
Chanhassen Fire Department Open House
Mon, Sept 28, starting at 5:30 PM · Chanhassen Fire Station · Free
An annual tradition — tour fire trucks, an ambulance, and a squad car, hit the bounce house and spray house, check out the MN State Patrol rollover simulator, and catch a live demonstration at 8 PM. Donations for Southern Valley Alliance welcome (shampoo, paper towels, diapers, cleaning supplies, gift cards). Parking available at Chanhassen Elementary. Details
Lotus Lake Gifts 10th Anniversary Celebration
Sat, Oct 3, 10 AM–5 PM · Lotus Lake Gifts & Home Decor, 412 West 78th St
Lotus Lake Gifts turns 10, and they're celebrating with live music, a food truck, local vendors, special deals, giveaways, and more.
Best of Chanhassen Food & Drink 2026
The votes are in! Thank you to everyone who cast a ballot in our first-ever Best of Chanhassen Food & Drink awards.
Happenin’ Every Week
Monday
The Initials Game at Lake Drive Tap – 7:00–9:00 PM
Tuesday
Live Music at Brindisi's Pub – 6:00–8:30 PM
Wednesday
Trivia Mafia at Lake Drive Tap – 7:00–9:00 PM
Texas Hold’em at Lake Drive Tap – 6:00–9:00 PM
Saturday
Chanhassen Farmers Market at City Center Park – 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, through September
Live Music at Moe's Char House – 7:00–10:00 PM
Sunday
Music in the Garden at the MN Landscape Arboretum – 1:30–3:00 PM, through October (included with admission)
4th Sunday of the Month
Free Bingo at The O.G. Coffee & Wine Bar – 2:00–3:30 PM
Get Featured
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🏪 Business Spotlight — Tell us your story and get considered for an upcoming issue.
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🗓️ Event Submission — Hosting an event in Chanhassen or nearby? Share the details and we’ll get it in front of the community.
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Trivia Answer
Darwin, Minnesota. Francis A. Johnson spent decades adding to his ball of twine, and it now weighs about 17,400 pounds and measures roughly 12 feet across, earning it a spot as the world's largest twine ball rolled by one person.
Referral Program
Got a friend, neighbor, or coworker in Chanhassen who needs to know what's happenin' around town? Share your link and start racking up free local prizes:
2 referrals → $5 gift card to The O.G. Coffee & Wine Bar ☕
5 referrals → $10 Chipotle gift card 🌯
10 referrals → $15 to Tono Pizza 🍕 (go big or go home!)
Rewards are reviewed before we send them out, so let's keep it real — we're looking for genuine neighbors, not just names on a list.
(referral link in email version only)
Stay Connected
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