DAKOTA COUNTY

DAKOTA COUNTY

The county is asking the public for thoughts about how to improve its most popular park.

Input from residents on plans for Lebanon Hills Regional Park will be gathered Tuesday during an open house at the park visitor center, 860 Cliff Road in Eagan. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with presentations by park employees at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. that will provide an overview of the project.

Potential improvements to the 2,000-acre park include a redesigned parking area, better trails, shade for the sitting area near the beach and play areas for kids. Parks staff members are also considering the addition of gathering or performance spaces.

The improvement planning process is being funded by a $750,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council and a $378,000 grant from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a pool of money financed by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

For more information go to www.dakotacounty.us and search "Lebanon Hills" or call Bruce Blair in the county's Parks and Open Space Department at 952-891-7990.

SCOTT COUNTY

A high-speed busway crossing the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and a commuter rail option through Savage are among Scott County's priorities in the coming legislative session, according to a document being circulated among the county's and cities' elected officials and top staffers.

A transportation and economic development task force bringing together officials from throughout the county will meet on Friday with Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel at Canterbury Park to air their concerns.

In preparation for the next legislative session, meanwhile, officials are drawing up a wish list that includes:

• Reserved bus lanes on the Hwy. 169 river crossing as part of a move toward bus rapid transit, similar to what is nearing reality on I-35W and Cedar Avenue.

• Upgrading Hwy. 13 between 169 and 35W to an "interregional corridor," ushering in improvements that would make it more freeway-like.

• Reconstructing Hwy. 101 between Shakopee and Chaska to create a river crossing protected from spring flooding.

• Lifting the state ban on planning for a Dan Patch commuter rail line between Northfield and Minneapolis. The county says it's prepared to pay for its own study of potential usage.

BURNSVILLE

The City Council approved by a 3-2 vote last week the purchase of a portable dance floor for the Burnsville Performing Arts Center at a cost of $15,000. The council previously authorized the purchase of an orchestra shell and other improvements at a maximum cost of $140,000. Because the winning bid came in at $124,600 the council agreed to use the additional money for the dance floor. The plan is to rent the floor for weddings and other events, which will provide added revenue for the center. Council members Charlie Crichton and Mary Sherry were against the purchase. Crichton said he would have liked to use the money to help pay down debt on the $20 million publicly financed facility.

SOUTH METRO AREA

The StringWerks orchestra programs will present their fall concerts this weekend.

The adult chamber ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at the performing arts center at Hidden Valley Elementary School, 13875 Glendale Road, Savage. The youth orchestras will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Mraz Center at Burnsville High School, 600 Hwy. 13, Burnsville. Both shows are free.

StringWerks is an orchestra program for youth through adult musicians offered through Burnsville-Eagan-Savage community education. For more information, call Carolyn Axt at 952-890-1284.

DAKOTA COUNTY

First-time home buyers planning to take advantage of the extended federal tax credit can get some advice about homeownership from the Dakota County Community Development Authority.

Trained "homeownership specialists" review financial information and help potential buyers plan. Counseling is offered on a variety of topics, including credit reports and improving credit, downpayment options, budgeting and predatory lending.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Shannon Kehoe at 651-675-4472 or Rachel Smith at 651-675-4471.

SAVAGE

More than 100 types of wine will be available for tasting Thursday night when the city of Savage's municipal liquor store stages a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The city's fall wine tasting takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. at Neisen's Sports Bar and Grill, 4851 W. 123rd St., in downtown Savage. Tickets are $20. Over the course of a little more than a decade, the event has raised more than $100,000.

In addition to wines, spirits, cordials and beers will be sampled, and there will be free snacks. There's also a silent auction with items such as power tools and flat-screen TVs.

SHAKOPEE

The Shakopee Mdewakan-ton Sioux Community has announced the dates for its annual Wacipi (powwow). The 2010 event will be held Friday through Sunday, Aug. 13-15. The Wacipi will be held at the Pow Wow Grounds on the SMSC reservation.

For more information on the Wacipi call 952-445-8900 or go to www.shakopeedakota.org. For information about booths, call 952-496-6176.

DAVID PETERSON, KATIE HUMPHREY, DEAN SPIROS AND DYLAN BELDEN