South town briefs

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 5:02 PM

LAKEVILLE

Public invited to enjoy holiday lighting party

The public is invited to the holiday lighting ceremony in downtown Lakeville on Nov. 24.

The event, sponsored by the Downtown Lakeville Business Association, its building owners and its businesses, will be held at Pioneer Plaza at the intersection of Holyoke Avenue and 208th Street. The decorated trees in Pioneer and Market plazas will be switched on and building owners will have their rooflines decorated with strings of lights. Entertainment will be provided by the Lakeville North High School Now and Then Singers and refreshments served compliments of Mainstreet Coffee Café and Kazolly's Sweet Shop.

BURNSVILLE

Air Force performers will give free show

Tops in Blue, an all-active-duty U.S. Air Force special unit made up of amateur performers, will perform a free public show on Dec. 5 on the Main Stage of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. The group is a collection of talent-show winners who will perform a variety show. The event is underwritten locally by the Burnsville Community Foundation and Baseball Association 191.

Tickets are required and will be distributed at the John & Betty Adamich Ticket Office at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Tickets must be picked up in person and there is a limit of two tickets per person. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until all tickets are gone. For more information, call the ticket office at 952-895-4680.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Share thoughts on Cedar bus line

As plans for bus rapid transit on Cedar Avenue roll toward the construction phase, Dakota County will hold an open house with information about the project on Nov. 19.

Residents who attend the event from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av. in Apple Valley, are invited to give input on everything from bus schedules and ways to reduce congestion to streetscaping and public art.

Information about the new Apple Valley and Cedar Grove transit stations and the park-and-ride lot in Lakeville will also be available.

People who would like to learn about the project but cannot make it to the open house can call or e-mail Kristine Elwood, Cedar Avenue project manager, at 952-891-7104 or kristine.elwood@co.dakota. mn.us. They can also call Sam O'Connell with Dakota County Transit at 952-891-7105. More information about the Cedar Avenue project is online at www.dakotacounty.us.

Learn about plans for county roads

Residents have a chance to learn about future county roads near Rosemount and UMore Park at an open house on Thursday.

A plan for roads serving the area in and around UMore Park, the Vermillion Highlands and a county park will be on display from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S. Robert Trail in Rosemount. There will not be a formal presentation, but staff from Dakota County, Rosemount, Empire Township, the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to answer questions and gather input from residents.

For more information visit www.dakotacounty.us and search "UMore Transportation Study" or call Brian Sorenson in the county transportation department at 952-891-7122.

KATIE HUMPHREY AND Dean Spiros

DAKOTA COUNTY

Recycle old mercury thermometer and get new, digital model for free

If a new thermometer is what you need, the Recycling Zone may be the place to go.

People who bring old mercury thermometers to the Recycling Zone, 3365 Dodd Road in Eagan, can exchange them for a newer digital model for free.

The goal of the program is to keep mercury thermometers out of the garbage and prevent people from being exposed to the chemical if the old thermometers break at home.

More information about the thermometer swap program and the Recycling Zone can be found online at www.dakotacounty.us or by calling 651-905-4520.

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