South metro town briefs

SHAKOPEE

Taxes, spending and jobs were among the key issues when the four candidates for mayor in Shakopee debated the issues last week. The hourlong event can be seen on public access cable and on the city's website.

"Taxes are up and home values are down," said challenger CJ Walor. "We've got to stop the bleeding and get the money back to the people."

"Seventy-five percent of the people don't trust our government," said veteran council member Matt Lehman, who's seeking the seat of Mayor John Schmitt. "That's got to change."

The need to update the city's community center at a time when funds are tight drew a lively response. "Look at Chaska's community center," Walor said. "It's gorgeous -- and a huge selling point for their community."

Schmitt said that Shakopee has much to be thankful for. "We're blessed with stable [property values] compared with our neighbors and are able to do a lot with that," he said. "We're a self-sufficient community that doesn't get affected by cuts in state aid."

The fourth candidate, 25-year-old Rachel Romansky, said she seeks to be a voice for newcomers to town. "I want to bring the community together," she said. "Newer residents are often overlooked."

Separate candidate forums, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, included aspirants for school board and City Council, and those too can be seen on cable and online.

To view the forums online, go to rtxp.com/u/1d1.

EAGAN

A collection of Guatemalan paintings will be on exhibit at Saints Martha & Mary Episcopal Church, Lexington and Diffley avenues in Eagan, on Oct. 30. The paintings go on display at 5:30 p.m. and a reception will follow.

"Tucked in the highlands of Guatemala, several communities of Indian artists produce oil paintings that reflect Mayan life," says a press release that invites the public to this free event. "Lorenzo Cruz paints to communicate the spiritual and cultural traditions of his village and create a bridge from his culture that reaches out to other people."

Proceeds from sales of the paintings will support Cruz's rural village and help build a medical clinic. Donations will be accepted, too.

For more background, see Arte Maya Tz'utuhil, www.artemaya.com.

Dakota County and DARTS, a nonprofit that helps seniors and their families, are looking for nominees for the inaugural "Working with Experience Award" for employers who have aging-friendly workplaces.

The award is part of the Living Longer and Stronger in Dakota County program, which focuses on preparing for the needs of an aging population. Nonprofit, for-profit and public-sector employers are all eligible to receive the new award if they have an exemplary workplace that is free of age bias and welcoming to older workers.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 30 and a winner will be selected by Nov. 13. The award will be presented at the Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board's annual legislative and award luncheon Dec. 4 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center.

To learn more and apply, check out www.darts1.org or call Deb Tompkins at 651-455-1560.

BURNSVILLE

Exhibitors including home-based businesses, wellness specialists and others will be on hand for a women's expo the weekend of Nov. 6 at Burnsville Center. The date, not coincidentally, lines up with the start of hunting season.

Mary Kay Cosmetics, Tastefully Simple, American Laser Centers, Arbonne International, Edward Jones Investments and two chiropractic clinics will be among the dozen or so businesses participating. Gifts, coupons, services and samples will be available while supplies last.

The expo is Nov. 6-8 during mall hours, which are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Most exhibitors will be on the upper level. For more information, see www.burnsvillecenter.com or call 952-435-8182.

NORTHFIELD

The Northfield Area Family YMCA 5K run/walk along the Cannon River is Saturday. There will also be a kids' fun run obstacle course for ages 3-8.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and continues up to race time at 9 a.m. The obstacle course begins at 10:30 a.m. Participants in the race pay an $18 entry fee, with proceeds benefitting the Y's teen programming. The obstacle course is free, and participants will receive a free pumpkin upon finishing.

For more information, see www.northfieldymca.org.

DAVID PETERSON, JOY POWELL, KATIE HUMPHREY AND DYLAN BELDEN

DAKOTA COUNTY

People in search of 2010 calendars can check out two options being offered by Dakota County.

The county attorney's office is distributing 15,000 free copies of its 21st annual anti-drug-and-violence calendar at county libraries and police departments. It features 12 drawings chosen from more than 1,000 entries by elementary school students who were encouraged to make positive statements about preventing illegal drug, alcohol and tobacco use, and violence. Each page also features statistics and contact information for local resources.

Another option is the first edition of a Dakota County Parks calendar, for sale online and at select county facilities for $12.50 with all proceeds going to the parks system. The calendar features 25 professional photos of the scenery and wildlife in Dakota County's parks.

The parks calendar can be purchased online at www.dakotacounty.us or at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road in Eagan, or on the third floor of the Wester Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av. in Apple Valley.