Briefs: Dakota County seeks public input on greeways, transit

The public is invited to an open house Wednesday, Feb. 4, to give input on the future River to River Greenway in northern Dakota County.

The team working on the master plan for the greenway will be at Dakota Lodge in Thompson County Park from 5 to 7 p.m. There is no set program, but people can ask about and get feedback on the alignment of the greenway, design features, trailheads, habitat restoration and interpretive themes. When complete, the trail will cross Lilydale, Mendota Heights, West St. Paul and South St. Paul to connect the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.

Information about the project is online at www.hkgi.com/projects/dakota.

Plans for transit on Cedar Avenue are getting an update, and the public can offer feedback at two open houses in February.

The first is from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Cedar Grove Transit Station, 4035 Nicols Road, Eagan. The second will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Apple Valley Transit Station, 15450 Cedar Av. S., Apple Valley.

Staff from Dakota County and partner transit agencies will be at the open houses with information about the Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update, a yearlong study that will be completed in August. The study covers existing transit and facilities in the corridor, and considers future development, including new transit station locations, bus service, operating costs and capital investment and estimated ridership.

People who cannot attend the open houses but would like to weigh in can visit the project website, www.cedartransitway.com.

The reading program for library patrons 18 and older offers prizes in exchange for book reviews. Participants can read and review as many books as they'd like until Feb. 28.

Not interested in book reviews? Winter Jackets also features author events around the county through the end of February:

• Award-winning crime fiction author David Housewright will be at Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville, from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 7.

• Susan Follett, who wrote "The Fog Machine," a novel about the price of freedom in Mississippi in 1964, will lead a panel discussion about the book at Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17.

• Textile artist Wendy J. Johnson will talk about her book "Yarn Works: How to Spin, Dye, and Knit Your Own Yarn" at Westcott Library, 1340 Westcott Road, Eagan, from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26.

Youngsters interested in ice fishing can learn the basics from Fishing the Midwest television show co-host and fishing educator Mike Frisch on Saturday.

Frisch will be teaching the School of Fish on Ice class for kids from 9 a.m. to noon at McGuire Middle School, 21220 Holyoke Av., Lakeville. Participants must be in third grade or older. Students will learn how to use different lures, tie knots, and rig a rod and reel for ice fishing. There will also be lessons about Minnesota lakes and ice safety.

Participants will receive a School of Fish book, an ice rod and reel, tackle box with tackle and a fishing journal. The class costs $49 per person. To get more information or register, call Lakeville Parks and Recreation at 952-985-4600.

Eagan residents who want to provide input into municipal decisions are encouraged to apply for seats on city advisory commissions.

Eagan will accept applications through March 20 for the Advisory Planning Commission, the Airport Relations Advisory Commission, and the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission. Eagan also appoints members of the Gun Club Lake Watershed Management Organization.

For information, descriptions of the commissions, meeting schedules and applications, go to www.cityofeagan.com/commissions.