SHAKOPEE

Woodworker Mark Johnston of Historic Design Consulting LLC will discuss traditional woodworking methods, historic tools and supplies in a session sponsored by the Scott County Historical Society on May 22.

Owners of older homes in particular may want to question Johnson about choosing millwork and selecting interior and exterior colors.

The 1 p.m. session will take place at the Stans House, 235 S. Fuller St., Shakopee. Cost is $10, or $8 for society members. For more information, call 952-445-0378.

DAKOTA COUNTY

A donor to the county's fledgling parks foundation, Forever Wild Friends, has issued a challenge to others who value county parks: a matching donation of up to $1,000.

The anonymous donor will match the contributions of those who become members of the foundation before July 1, up to a total of $1,000. Memberships range from $25 to $100.

The county launched Forever Wild Friends to raise money and volunteer support for projects within the parks. Members receive park discounts, invitations to special events, a tote bag, window clings and a T-shirt.

For more information about joining Forever Wild Friends, stop by the Lebanon Hills visitor center or go to www.dakota county.us and search for "Forever Wild Friends."

BURNSVILLE

The Burnsville Fire Department will hold a fundraiser today at the Arbors at Ebenezer Ridges, 13810 Community Drive.

The Firefighters Lunch and Fundraiser, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., will have a Cinco De Mayo theme and feature Mexican foods such as tacos, churros and non-alcoholic margaritas. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

Proceeds will be used to purchase Fire Survivor Escape Systems -- rope systems that attach to firefighters and allow them to be quickly removed from danger in a burning building.

DAKOTA COUNTY

The county's fitness walking program, Simple Steps, kicks off on May 13 with a celebration at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

The event will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center and Schulze Lake Trailhead, 860 Cliff Road in Eagan. There will be guided walks along trails in the park, demonstrations of Nordic pole-walking, ideas for healthy snacks and staying active, and free refreshments.

For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search for "Simple Steps."

PRIOR LAKE

Two key sites in Prior Lake, the yard waste facility and the farmers' market, both will open for business on Saturday.

The compost site, a partnership between the city and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from now though October, operating from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on those dates.

About a quarter mile west of the intersection of County Rd. 42 and County Rd. 83, residents can drop off leaves, grass clippings, brush and branches of less than 8 inches in diameter. No waste containers or bags are allowed.

Call Danette Parr at 952-447-9813 or Al Friedges at 952-447-9892 for more information.

The downtown farmer's market will operate from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through mid-October. There will be live music most of those dates and cooked breakfasts will be available. Prospective vendors can e-mail Karla Haugen at khaugenlc@hotmail.com.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Libraries will be hosting Silver Teas this month to celebrate senior citizens.

A variety of programs created for adults 55 and older will be offered free throughout the month, including a barbershop quartet at Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings on May 12 and a Scandinavian ensemble at Galaxie Library in Apple Valley on May 19.

For more information, see www.dakotacounty.us/library or call Betsy Ellis at 651-450-2944.

SHAKOPEE

The first annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and Soccer Tournament is set for Saturday in Shakopee.

Shakopee Parks and Recreation and Hispanics Taking Action in the Community are jointly sponsoring the event at the 17th Avenue sports complex. Most activities are free.

The soccer games will run from 9 a.m. to noon, and other activities will follow.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Senior citizens can learn about the Indian Archipelago, state parks, radio broadcasting, the work of the county attorney and more through the Senior Adults Learning Together program this spring.

SALT, an interdenominational learning group organized by south-metro churches, is inviting seniors to presentations from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Monday. The classes, followed by lunch, will be held at Church of the Risen Savior, 1501 E. County Road 42 in Burnsville.

Participants can register at the door for the classes, but lunch reservations must be made in advance. More information is available online at www.risensavior.org or by calling Marianne Brass at 952-431-5222, ext. 207.

KATIE HUMPHREY, DEAN SPIROS,

DAVID PETERSON