The Ponds at Battle Creek will close on Sunday after just 17 years as a golf course, but the debate about what to do with the south Maplewood land rages on.

State of play: Ramsey County, which owns the course, made the decision to close The Ponds in 2019, but delayed the closure until now. Officials are seeking developers to buy the 88-acre course, along with a 77-acre site just to the north on Century Avenue.

• The nine-hole course was built near the height of the Tiger Woods-inspired golf boom, and inmates at the nearby Ramsey County Correctional Facility tended to the grounds.
• But the county says it's the worst performing of its five courses. (The Ponds lost money in seven of the past 11 years, though it turned small profits the last two after getting some debt forgiveness.)

What they're saying: The county is open to selling the two sites to a single developer or splitting them up between two, and private golf course operators are welcome to submit offers, Ramsey County director of property management Jean Krueger told Nick.

• But county commissioners have expressed a strong interest in using the land for housing, including affordable homes.

The other side: Golfers and neighbors are pushing back against plans to convert the course into housing. Maplewood Mayor Marylee Abrams told the Star Tribune she wants to keep The Ponds as a golf course, and noted that the city has the authority to rezone the property for housing.

• Environmental groups are also protesting development, saying the land is an important bird habitat.

What's next: Developers must notify the county of their interest by Sept. 20 and submit a response by Oct. 4.

• A developer, following interviews this fall, could be selected by late November.

"We have to do something. We can't wait for the authorities. ... It's up to us. I think we can do it."

• That was the message Bloomington native Tom Burnett Jr. relayed to his wife when he called her from aboard Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001.

Burnett, who was 38 and living in California at the time, and his fellow passengers tried to retake the plane from hijackers.

• It crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, likely foiling the terrorists' plans to hit the U.S. Capitol.

Zoom out: Burnett, a Jefferson High graduate and quarterback for St. John's University, was one of 2,996 people who died in the attacks that happened 20 years ago Saturday.

It's a packed weekend in the Twin Cities! Here's some of what's on tap:

🎤 The Basilica Block Party returns! Stop by the Basilica of Saint Mary tonight and tomorrow for a packed lineup of live music on three stages, including the Avett Brothers, Spoon and AJR. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test required. Tickets here.

🧀 Taste your way through the Twin Cities Grilled Cheese Festival tomorrow in downtown Minneapolis. Try samples of grilled cheese, mac and cheese and beers. Free.

🎷 Celebrate 20 years of the Selby Avenue JazzFest tomorrow in St. Paul. Enjoy a full day of live music from local bands and artists, including Grammy winner Ignacio "Nachito" Herrera, at the corner of Selby Avenue and Milton Street. Free.

🎡 Stop by James J. Hill Days on Lake Minnetonka this weekend for a craft beer festival, carnival, street market, fireworks, airshow, live music from ZZ Top and more. Free.

Did we miss something? Have suggestions for upcoming calendars? Email Audrey at [email protected].

🩺 U.S. Sen Amy Klobuchar urged people to keep up with wellness checks and routine exams as she shared news of her own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. (Axios)

📖 Gwen Nell Westerman is Minnesota's new poet laureate. She's the first Native person to fill the role. Read one of her poems, "Dakota Homecoming," via the Poetry Foundation.

🤼‍♀️ Gold medalist Gable Steveson signed a multi-year contract to wrestle in the WWE, but first he will defend his NCAA heavyweight title at the University of Minnesota this winter. (ESPN)

🚨 John Elder, the Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson who authored the press release saying George Floyd died after a "medical incident," resigned to take a job with a nearby law enforcement agency. (Fox 9)

🏥 Allina Health CEO Penny Wheeler will retire at the end of 2021. (Star Tribune)

The 2021 Vikings season kicks off Sunday. Buckle up, it could be a wild ride.

On the one hand: The team still has a ton of talent and could easily slide into the playoffs and make some noise.

On the other hand: Several top players, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, are unvaccinated and at risk to miss games. Their starting tight end, Irv Smith Jr., is out for the season and key players Anthony Barr and Christian Darrisaw have nagging injuries.

• Missing the playoffs could cost Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman their jobs, and could spell the end of the Cousins era in Minnesota.

Expert predictions: NBCSports' Peter King has the Vikings missing the playoffs; The Athletic says they have a 45% of chance of making the postseason; and the Star Tribune's Mark Craig predicts Minnesota nabs a 7-seed and loses to Tampa Bay in the first round.

Nick's prediction: This feels like a wheels-fall-off season. They finish 7-10. I hope I'm wrong.

How to watch: The Vikings play the Cincinnati Bengals at noon Sunday. TV: Fox 9.

Last week, we asked readers to share their experiences making friends in the Twin Cities.

• Most of our respondents said it's not easy. Read the full story here.

Yes, but: It's not impossible, if you know where to look. Here's how our readers made friends in Minnesota, and their advice for those still searching.

• Of note: Some readers selected multiple methods.