BURNSVILLE

Holiday lights to shine in city center

A holiday lighting ceremony is coming up again at Burnsville's Heart of the City.

It will be the 15th annual ceremony of its kind, with more than 200,000 mini lights, 230 streetlight snowflakes and a 30-foot tree.

The event is Nov. 27 between 6 and 6:45 p.m. at Nicollet Commons Park, Nicollet Avenue and 126th Street, in front of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will appear, along with the Burnsville High School Freestyle Singers and the Sioux Trail Elementary Choir. There will be free hot beverages, cookies, candy canes, and glow sticks, thanks to donors.

Free parking will be available at two parking decks nearby.

City officials stress that the lighting is LED, with 90 percent less energy use than incandescent lights.

Shakopee

Explore potential careers for kids grades 7-12

A Career Exploration Fair is coming up at Shakopee High School next week.

Students in grades 7-12 can explore options with representatives of jobs from accounting to water reclamation. Parents may also attend.

The event is Nov. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Shakopee High, 100 17th Av. W. It's co-sponsored by Shakopee schools and the Shakopee Area Chamber of Commerce.

Call 952-445-1660 for information.

Dakota County

Parks to close at times for this fall's deer hunts

Some county parks are closing at this time of the season for deer hunts.

The entire Lebanon Hills Regional Park, for instance, will close Mondays through Wednesdays from 5 a.m. to noon, today and Nov. 18–20.

At Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve, the archery trail and Camp Spring Lake will close all day Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, Nov. 16–18 and 23–25.

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve will close for nine days Nov. 23 through Dec. 1.

The goal is to limit damage from deer overpopulation.

Volunteer now for New Year's Eve

Dakota County parks officials are looking for volunteers to help with a New Year's Eve party that draws hundreds of families to Lebanon Hills. Individuals or groups are welcome.

Tasks include luminary lighters, greeters, sledding hill bouncers, bonfire tenders and equipment assistants.

Volunteers get free admission and hot food.

For more information, e-mail parks@co.dakota.mn.us.

Eagan

Class for baby sitters coming up soon

A baby-sitting class teaching lifesaving techniques and other important skills will be offered in Eagan next month.

The Eagan YMCA is hosting the event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7.

It's a part of the Safe Sitter program, launched after the accidental death of a nurse's child who was being cared for by an adult baby sitter.

Safe Sitter and the YMCA are working together to offer classes to youth in the Eagan area, aimed at the ages of 11 to 14. The course provides entertaining education for the kids while stressing important life skills.

Cost is $55 for Y members and $65 for nonmembers. Preregistration is required.

To learn more, call Karen Roberts at 651-683-4717.

STAFF REPORTS