Candlelight hiking, snowshoeing and sledding (if there's snow), bonfires and storytelling will be among the attractions at the 10th annual New Year's Eve party at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan.
The party runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the visitor center, 860 Cliff Road. More than 1,200 luminarias will cover more than 2 miles of trails.
Admission is $8 per person if registered by Wednesday, or $10 at the door. Children 5 and younger are free.
Free parking is available at the park or at Woodcrest Church at 525 Cliff Road, with a shuttle to and from the event.
Volunteers are needed to light candles and for other events. To register to attend or become a volunteer, go toco.dakota.mn.us.

Wilderness camp teaches survival

A winter-break day camp for kids ages 8 to 12 will be held Monday at the Lebanon Hills Regional Park visitors center, 860 Cliff Road in Eagan.

The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $30 per person. Registration is required; go toco.dakota.mn.us.

EAGAN

Indoor farmers market next weekend

The first indoor winter farmers market of the new year will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway.

BURNSVILLE

It's time to renew animal licenses

The city of Burnsville is reminding pet owners to renew their pet licenses as the city's two-year licenses are due to expire this week.

Pet owners can apply for a new or renewed license at American Boarding Kennels, which handles animal control issues for the city. It is at 1102 Hwy. 13 E. They also can apply at the Police Department at 100 Civic Center Parkway or at a local veterinary clinic. Applications can be downloaded at www.ci.burnsville.mn.us.

All cats, dogs, domesticated ferrets and chickens older than 4 months must have a valid pet license every two years. Burnsville issues two-year animal licenses in January of even-numbered years. Licenses expire on Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years. The expiration date is printed on each tag.

A two-year license is $20 for a spayed or neutered pet; $30 for non-spayed or neutered animals.

For questions on animal control issues or to report a stray cat or dog, call 952-894-3647.

LAKEVILLE

Recycle holiday lights at City Hall

Holiday lights made of plastic and wire can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose and should not be thrown in the garbage. Nonworking or unwanted lights can be dropped off at no charge at Lakeville City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Av., from 8 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Other drop-off spots include Lakeville Liquors Heritage and Lakeville Liquors Kenrick.

ROSEMOUNT

'Star Wars' event coming next month

A free "Star Wars" extravaganza will be held Jan. 13 and 16 in Rosemount.

The extravaganza will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S. Robert Trail. There will be "Star Wars" Lego kits and action figure displays, face painting, caricature drawings, door prizes, Jedi training, a trivia contest and more.

There will be character appearances and photo opportunities with members of the Wolf Pack Squad of the Central Garrison of the 501st Legion, a "Star Wars" costume club.

For more information, call 952-388-8652.

SCOTT COUNTY

Foster care providers needed

The Scott County Department of Health and Human Services has an "urgent need" for foster care providers.

"We have been able to assure that children's safety and well-being needs are met in foster care, but identifying foster homes in all communities across the county is a challenge," said Gretchen Young, licensing supervisor.

The goal is to place children and teens in their home communities. Whenever possible, the department tries to reunite families, and having local care providers makes that reconnection easier. Most children served by the Scott County foster care program are reunited with their families within a year or less.

While the department is looking for homes to serve children and youth who could be in placement for up to a year, homes also are needed for shorter placements, anywhere from one week to a few months. There also is a large need for foster homes which can provide weekend respite care.

For more information, e-mail fostercare@co.scott.mn.us or call 952-445-7751.

PAT PHEIFER