SCOTT COUNTY

The author of a heartfelt plea to preserve our historic bridges, even when busting them down and putting up a new one is cheaper, will speak in Shakopee on Saturday.

Denis Gardner is the author of "Wood, Concrete, Stone and Steel," billed as the first illustrated history of the bridges of Minnesota. It was published last year.

The Scott County Historical Society is hosting a book signing and talk at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The free event takes place at S. 235 Fuller St., Shakopee. For information, call 952-445-0378 or visit www.scottcountyhistory.org.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

The city of Inver Grove Heights invites residents and business owners to its first-annual series of town hall meetings, beginning Tuesday. The city will provide updates on development projects, transportation, street construction, housing and foreclosure issues, the city's financial status, public safety and park projects.

Here's where and when to go:

• Citywide meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Veterans Memorial Community Center youth room, 8055 Barbara Av.

• Zone 2 meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. March 26, River Heights Vineyard Church, 6070 Cahill Av. E.

• Zone 3 meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. March 30, Skyline Village, 7510 Concord Blvd.

• Zone 1 meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. March 31, Amazing Grace, 7160 S. Robert Trail.

• Business meeting, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 14, Veterans Memorial Community Center youth room.

• Zone 4 meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 14, Berea Lutheran Church, 9308 Rich Valley Blvd.

Zone 1 is generally west of Hwy. 52 and north of the Marcott Lakes area; Zone 2 is generally east of Hwy. 52 and north of 70th Street; Zone 3 is generally east of Hwy. 52, south of 70th Street and north of Concord Boulevard; Zone 4 is generally in the rural residential area in south Inver Grove Heights. For more information, go to www.ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us.

Business owners and managers should RSVP for their meeting by calling 651-450-2585 or e-mailing jwonick@ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us.

BURNSVILLE

An Open House for Burnsville Community Television (BCTV) will be 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the studio at Burnsville High School, 600 E. Hwy. 13.

Residents can tour the facility, see the equipment, meet the staff and ask questions about how they can get involved with Burnsville Community Television, said Jim Skelly, a Burnsville city spokesman.

For more information, contact BCTV at 952-641-1355 or see www.burnsville.tv.

Stephanie Wieseler and Michael Linden are back in the area from the best jazz schools in the country to perform a free one-night gig at the Applewood Rustic Grill tonight.

Wieseler is acclaimed as one of the best jazz saxophone players of her age in the country. She attends the jazz program at the New England Conservatory, which is renowned as having one of the best jazz saxophone programs in the world. Linden studies guitar at the Berklee College of Music. And now, their drummer, Jean-Paul Bouvet, has been offered a scholarship to join his friends in Boston.

The group is performing at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Applewood Rustic Grill at Hwy. 13 and Cliff Road.

EAGAN

The mayor's annual "state of the city" address will be available for viewing online. It will be given in the City Council Chamber at Eagan City Hall at 8 a.m. Thursday and the public is invited, said city spokesman Tom Garrison. Or, you can watch it on Cable Channel 16 or on the city's website at www.cityofeagan.com.

LAKEVILLE

Artists of all ages can find something at the Lakeville Area Arts Center this spring.

The center, at 20965 Holyoke Av., is exhibiting student artwork Tuesday through April 10. The exhibit includes more than 200 artworks by students in elementary through high school in School District 194 and at Parkview Elementary and All Saints. A free opening reception with artists, family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The arts center is also looking for artists to enter the seventh-annual juried art show to be held Sept. 19 and 20. The application deadline is April 30 and forms can be found online at www.lakevilleartfestival.org.

The Arts Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 952-985-4640.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Dakota County expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 metric tons per year through equipment purchases costing $1.4 million, including five hybrid sedans.

The total purchase includes 33 vehicles and other pieces of equipment, many smaller and more fuel efficient than the ones they replace. Annual fuel consumption will fall by 3,555 gallons, the county says.

People hoping to a pitch a tent in a Dakota County park this summer can start making reservations for campsites at Lebanon Hills and Lake Byllesby parks on March 31.

The county will open reservations for both campgrounds at 10 a.m. and recommends making reservations early for holidays and weekends. The new online reservation system, found at www.dakotacounty.us/parks, will dole out the sites on a first-come, first-served basis. The camping season in Dakota County parks runs from May 1 through Oct. 18.

For more information, call 952-891-7000 or visit www.dakotacounty.us/parks.

ROSEMOUNT

Here's a chance for local bus riders to weigh in on Minnesota Valley Transit Authority service in Rosemount.

The agency, which provides bus service for the five south metro communities, is asking Rosemount riders to share their opinions on three possible route changes. The request comes on the heels of an unfulfilled threat by the city to withdraw from the collaborative agreement.

To check out the routes, visit the "Listening Post" page on www.mvta.com. Feedback can be sent to mvta@mvta.com.

HealthEast Care System will open a clinic in Rosemount this fall. It will be the anchor tenant of a new building in downtown Rosemount on the site of the former Genz Ryan building on Hwy. 3.

HealthEast just opened another new medical clinic in Eagan at 1215 Town Centre Drive. The clinic is in a new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building that includes using recycled asphalt from the old parking lot.

KATIE HUMPHREY, DAVID PETERSON AND JOY POWELL