Apple Valley official to chair transit board

Apple Valley City Council member Clint Hooppaw was elected chairman of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority board this month. He replaces two-term chairman Gary Hansen of Eagan.

Scott County Commissioner Jon Ulrich was elected vice chairman and Savage City Council Member Jane Victorey was re-elected secretary/treasurer.

Tire Rack Street Survival, a national teen driver safety program, will be offered 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount.

The program, offered by South Carolina-based Tire Rack Street Survival Schools, teaches driver competence using hands-on experiences in real-world driving situations. The program, entering its 12th year, has trained 12,000 drivers.

Students receive a short classroom session and then get behind-the-wheel instruction on braking, skid control and managing everyday driving hazards in a controlled environment on an advanced driving course. Students are taught in their own cars.

The program costs $75 and is open to licensed and permitted drivers ages 15 to 21. Forms, schedules and more information can be found online at www.streetsurvival.org.

The Dakota County Library is celebrating Black History Month with history, music and poetry.

Other activities include Nothando Zulu from 7 to 7:45 p.m. on Monday at the Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville; Daughters of Africa music presented by Mixed Blood Theatre from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Wentworth Library, and poetry readings from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Galaxie Library, 14955 Galaxie Av., Apple Valley.

The programs are paid for with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more information, see www.dakotacounty.us/library and search Black History Month or call 651-450-2900.

Eagan and Rosemount homeowners can receive no-interest loans from the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) to make energy efficiency improvements.

The loans may be used for wall and attic insulation, air infiltration, sealing, venting, furnace repair or replacement, and installation of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

The 15-year loans require no repayment until ownership of the home changes or the loan holder moves from the home. The minimum loan amount is $4,000, and the maximum is $8,500.

Homeowners can request applications by calling 651-675-4469 or visiting www.dakotacda.org/homeowners.htm#EAWP2.

Applicants must live in Eagan or Rosemount, have assets less than $60,000 and meet other qualifications.

The Eagan Rotary Club will name Karen Akslen as its first Eagan Citizen of the Year at its annual gala on Saturday at the Eagan Community Center, recognizing her for personifying the value of "service above self."

While volunteering at her church, Berean Baptist, Akslen became involved with foster care volunteer work. This led her to learn about Lincoln Place, a Dakota County Community Development Agency apartment building that provides a home for young adults in danger of homelessness, the club said. Akslen began providing a home-cooked meal for the residents once a month, which she later increased to twice a month. Other church members have since pitched in, and every Thursday night is now "meal night" at Lincoln place.