South metro town briefs

DAKOTA COUNTY

Dakota County commissioners will hold a truth-in-taxation hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday in the third-floor board room at the Administration Center, 1590 Hwy. 55, Hastings. The hearing, open to the public, offers residents an opportunity to ask questions or make comments directly to county commissioners regarding county property taxes.

The board of commissioners refers questions regarding property assessments to the county Assessor's Office 651-438-4200.

Under the proposed budget, a median-priced home, valued at $240,500, for example, would have no net county property tax increases. The county, which has the lowest tax rate in the state, has a proposed 2009 budget of $338.5 million. That's 5.2 percent lower than last year's budget, said County Administrator Brandt Richardson.

The Dakota County Community Development Agency is offering a free workshop for homeowners who are worried about making upcoming mortgage payments, are already facing foreclosure, or just want to learn more about the topic.

The workshop is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Hill Library, 1490 S. Frontage Road in Hastings. Participants are encouraged to come any time during the workshop hours, and registration is not necessary. Participants can about learn homeowners' rights and solutions for long-term housing need, ask questions, and get free and confidential advice from trained home-ownership specialists, officials said.

For more information about the foreclosure process, please call the Dakota County CDA at 651-675-4555.

Dakota County libraries will be launching Microsoft Office 2007 for patrons beginning Jan. 1. The libraries offer computer classes at various times.

BURNSVILLE

Individuals, couples and families interested in being mentors for children are invited to a Kids 'n' Kinship orientation session at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville.

The mentorship program is seeking volunteers who want to provide support, encouragement and friendship for a young person; who have experience working with kids with special needs or the willingness to be trained, or are able to support a fourth- or fifth-grade student at an Eagan school with academic needs.

Fore more information or to RSVP, call 952-882-6368 or see www.kidsnkinship.org.

Jazz guitarist and vocalist Nick Colionne will headline the grand opening of Burnsville's performing arts center, according to Dan Gustafson, a city council member and curator of the city's summertime Art and All That Jazz festival. Colionne played the festival in 2005 and 2006.

Colionne is the second act announced at the $20 million, publicly funded arts center, now under construction in the city's Heart of the City district. He will arrive in Burnsville for a clinic at the Garage teen center on Jan. 23 and play at the PAC on Jan. 24.

"Blue-collar" comedian Bill Engvall is the other announced act scheduled to appear during the grand opening of the center.

SCOTT COUNTY

Scott County's library board has worked out a way to absorb a $35,000 budget cut for 2009 without reducing staff or cutting into the hours its branches are open.

Library officials had warned that a cut of that magnitude would mean perhaps 10 fewer hours of public access per week.

But, late last month, the Library Advisory Board decided it could make the county board's ordered cutbacks without affecting services or materials available. The group hopes its recommended changes will have "little or no direct impact on public service," according to library director Vanessa Birdsey.

Instead, reductions will occur in staff travel, lodging, mileage, some conference fees, and some training fees; technology such as computers, small equipment, and consulting services; supplies, printing, copying, and the like.

SHAKOPEE

Christmas Tea at Historic Stans House in Shakopee will feature Christmas carols and the making of Victorian Christmas cards and tree ornaments to take home.

Girls' teas ($7 per girl, $10 per adult) will be offered on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 to 2:30 p.m and Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. An adult tea ($20 per person or $15 for Scott Historical Society members) is Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Reservations are required. The 1908 Stans House is at 128 2nd Av. W., Shakopee. For tickets, call 952-445-0378 or e-mail info@scottcountyhistory.org. The website is www.scott countyhistory.org.

SAVAGE

The popular trio "Sister" returns for the holidays. Sister will present their show, "A Holiday Mixed Bag," at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12, 13, 18, and 19 at Neisen's Event Center, 4851 W. 123 St., in Savage. Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and are available at www.sisterproductions.com.

The group features three sisters: Alisa Leonard, Kjersten Dysthe and Kara Millerhagen. Their "A Holiday Mixed Bag" CD was released Tuesday. Available for $18 on the website and at live performances, it features songs including the favorite "The Little Drummer Boy," a rocking version of the English carol "I Wonder as I Wander" and a new original, "Christmas is Here."

APPLE VALLEY

Nearly 100 volunteers put together 200 Thanksgiving baskets at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. The group, consisting of members of Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Lily of the Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church and Casa de Oracion Church, gathered on Nov. 22, filling the baskets with everything needed for a meal, from a 15-pound turkey to pumpkin pie ingredients.

The Social Ministries Committee of Christus Victor raised funds for the project through an annual church garage sale concession stand, through many donations from the Adopt-a-Family campaign at the church, and from a grant from Thrivent Financial. The Thanksgiving basket project has grown tenfold at this church from a mere 20 baskets in 2002, when the church teamed up with South Metro Vineyard Church.

Residents, commuters and business owners are invited to attend an open house and public hearing to comment on the environmental assessment and the proposed transitway plan for the Cedar Avenue Corridor Transitway. The event will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Dakota County Western Service Center Atrium, 14955 Galaxie Av., Apple Valley. The environmental assessment is available for public review and comment through Dec. 17. To see a copy, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search for "Cedar Avenue."

NORTHFIELD

The Northfield Arts Guild will present an unusual "play-within-a-play" retelling of the classic Christmas tale "It's A Wonderful Life." The play is set in 1946 and features a troupe of actors portraying the story of George Bailey in a radio play. The show is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 14 at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. 3rd St. Call 507-645-8877 for information or tickets, or see www.northfield artsguild.org.

JOY POWELL, DAVID PETERSON AND DYLAN BELDEN