South metro town briefs

Some of the 10 million gallons of water that's a nuisance to a Burnsville quarry is now streaming into faucets in Burnsville and Savage.

The two suburbs teamed with a private firm to convert 4 million gallons of the water each day into drinking water. The $13 million project will have the ability to serve the wider region, where there's concern that aquifers could run out.

The interconnect, using water that pours into the Kraemer Mining quarry just west of Interstate 35W on the south side of the Minnesota River, went live last week, officials said. Previously, the water had been discharged into the river.

SOUTH METRO AREA

Tomorrow is as good a day as any to take the bus.

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, like other transit providers around the country, is participating in National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday. The fourth-annual occasion encourages people to save gas and reduce dependence on foreign oil by riding public transportation.

In their pitch for Dump the Pump Day, MVTA officials note that all the south-metro road construction gives drivers a good reason to hop on a bus. They also point to saving money and helping the environment by taking public transportation.

"By participating in Dump the Pump Day, we hope people who have never used the MVTA will decide to give us a try instead of driving their car," said Robin Selvig, customer relations manager. "We look forward to welcoming new riders on board and providing multi-modal trips to those who would like to combine biking and walking with transit."

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

A golf tournament Monday will raise money for the Inver Hills Community College Foundation.

The Forrest Glewwe Golf Classic is hosted by the foundation and named after its former chairman, who died in 1999. The day starts with registration and lunch at 11 a.m. followed by golf at 12:30. An auction will follow at 5:30, featuring more than 70 silent and live auction items, and a banquet-style dinner is at 6:30.

Proceeds help pay for scholarships for Inver Hills students and special projects and initiatives. Tickets for golfing, lunch and dinner are $179; a dinner-only ticket is $35.

For more information, call 651-554-3714 or see www.inverhills.edu.

A meeting will be held on a new plan for trails in the city from 6-7 p.m. tonight at Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Av. For more information call Eric Carlson, Parks and Recreation Director at 651-450-2587 or e-mail at ecarlson@ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us.

Volunteers are needed for an operational audit committee for Inver Wood golf course. Members will help oversee an independent audit of the municipal golf course. The application process ends July 3. For an application, contact Eric Carlson, Parks and Recreation director, at 651-450-2587 or ecarlson@ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us.

EAGAN

Hands-on art activities for kids, a variety of food vendors and displays from more than 100 artists will comprise the 15th-annual Eagan Art Festival, June 27 and 28 at Central Park. The event is free.

The children's art activity tent will let kids create mobiles, spinning tops and wire sculptures. Food will include kettle corn, mini-donuts, strudel sandwiches, burgers and fries, and more.

The festival is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 27 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 28. See www.eaganartfestival.org for more information.

DAVID PETERSON, KATIE HUMPHREY, JOY POWELL AND DYLAN BELDEN