South metro town briefs

APPLE VALLEY

WolfQuest, the free educational video game launched online by the Minnesota Zoo, has been downloaded more than 220,000 times during its first year, officials say.

Billed as a means of drawing young people into nature in an innovative way -- by placing them in the minds of a much-feared predator as it seeks to survive in the wild -- the project attracted federal funding as a contribution to scientific understanding.

The game did have its growing pains. Its launch party at the Apple Valley zoo, where kids lined up to use rows of computers, was plagued with glitches: Even experienced gamers found their wolf-selves stuck, for instance, as they encountered rocks and trees. A new, more bug-free version was offered in July. Players from 235 countries have downloaded the game, the zoo reports, and almost half of all players live outside the United States.

Thanks to donations from the Best Buy Children's Foundation and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a new episode is being prepared. WolfQuest: Slough Creek, now projected for release next summer, will "allow the virtual wolf players to establish territories, raise pups, leave the park" -- meaning Yellowstone Park, the setting for the game -- "and encounter a sheep ranch," according to the zoo's announcement.

APPLE VALLEY

Board members of the Minnesota Zoo and its foundation have contributed more than $6 million to the zoo's improvement, with the marquee grant of $3 million coming from the Edward Dayton Family Fund.

The zoo is not publicly tying the money to any specific improvements. But in the wake of its Russia's Grizzly Coast expansion, opened last summer, it is heading for a second phase featuring, among other things, a new and enhanced entrance switched from one side of its grounds to another.

LAKEVILLE

Donations are rolling in for Lakeville Miracle League Field, a specialized baseball field that accommodates wheelchairs and allows special-needs children to play baseball outdoors.

An anonymous family foundation donated $40,000 in December while issuing a challenge that an additional $60,000 be raised soon. Answering that call, North American Communications Resource of Eagan delivered a $20,000 check.

The Lakeville Rotary Club is collecting donations and seeking support from nonprofit groups, clubs, individuals and businesses across the south metro area. The Lakeville Baseball Association also is raising money for the field, with the goal of starting construction in 2009. The first phase of construction will cost about $400,000.

For more information about the Lakeville Miracle League Field or to donate to the project, contact Brian Roseen, Miracle League coordinator, at 612-387-8437 or via e-mail at lakevillemiracleleague@yahoo .com. Information about the Miracle League of Minnesota is available at www.miracleleaguemn.com.

DAKOTA COUNTY

The era of free electronics recycling has come to an end in Dakota County.

The Recycling Zone, the drop-off site on Dodd Road in Eagan, began charging about 35 cents per pound for electronics on Jan. 1. The fee arose out of increasing popularity among residents and lesser demand for recycled materials.

It isn't the first time Dakota County has charged for electronics recycling -- a fee fo 40 to 60 cents per pound was imposed when the program started in 2002. But it had been free for residents since 2007, in part because the Legislature required all electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle a set amount of electronics for free, boosting recyclers' bottom lines. But manufacturers have since met those goals and the cost has fallen back to the county recycling programs.

Scott County also charges 35 cents per pound for electronics recycling.

Residents who want to contribute their two cents about county government have until Jan. 16 to submit applications for a spot on a citizen advisory committee.

The committees, which meet multiple times a year, make recommendations to county commissioners about a variety of issues, including corrections, libraries, zoning, planning, personnel, parks and recreation.

A complete list of committees with descriptions, openings and qualifications is online at www.dakotacounty .us/CountyGovernment/CAC. Residents can also call county administration at 651-438-4418 for information or an application.

County employees helped put more than 900 pounds of food on the shelves at Hastings Family Services.

The financial services staff started it, encouraging employees to bring food and cash to donate during December. By month's end, the county operations and management division had contributed 300 pounds of food and cash to buy 600 more pounds of food from Second Harvest on behalf of Hastings Family Services.

Hastings Family Services, a nonprofit incorporated in 1970, serves the hungry and those who need clothing, shelter, friendship and transportation. For more information or to donate, call 651-437-7134.

Bookworms have something to do this winter.

The Dakota County libraries adult reading program, "Winter Jackets," kicks off Jan. 12.

The program, which runs through Feb. 28, encourages reading for fun. Each person who enrolls in the program will receive a ceramic mug (while supplies last) and discount coupons for Dunn Brothers coffee. For each book read, participants will be entered in a weekly drawing for prizes including gift baskets and Barnes and Noble gift certificates.

For more information, visit the Dakota County libraries, call 651-450-2918 or visit www.co.dakota.mn.us/library.

KATIE HUMPHREY AND DAVID PETERSON