Minnesota River park, trail plan will be on display at open house

People interested in parks and trails can check out Dakota County's plans for the Minnesota River area at an open house Wednesday.

The drafts of the Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan and the Minnesota River Master plan will be on display from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av. in Apple Valley.

The plans outline locations and possible amenities for future trails and greenspaces crisscrossing the county.

Fall deer hunt applications Dakota County is accepting applications for a fall deer hunt lottery at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Miesville Ravine Park Reserve and Spring Lake Park Reserve.

People selected for the November hunts must complete an online orientation. A voluntary orientation meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av. in Apple Valley.

The hunts have been used to control deer populations in county parks since 1995.

For more information and applications, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search for "deer hunt."

The University of Minnesota Extension Service gives the annual award to families who "have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture and agriculture production."

The Reuter brothers took over their family farm in 1987. It had previously been operated by their parents, Bill and Ethel Reuter. They milk 120 cows and farm 750 acres of corn, alfalfa and soybeans on land on the Mississippi River bluffs south of Hastings.

The family will be recognized Aug. 4 at Farmfest near Redwood Falls.

Dakota Electric plans member appreciation The Dakota Electric Association, which provides power to 100,000 homes in Dakota, Scott, Goodhue and Rice counties, is offering free Minnesota Zoo admission for members and their families for its 14th member appreciation day.

The event is set for 4-8 p.m. on July 28. Tickets were included in electric bills, or members can gain admission by bringing a copy of a recent bill.

The night also will include swing music from Opus One and walk-around magic by Bob Miller. More information can be found at www.dakotaelectric.com.

Career workshops set for girls in grades 5-8 Girls entering grades 5-8 who are interested in the hard sciences, technical careers or a variety of other career options are invited to a weeklong series of workshops at Dakota County Technical College.

From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 25-29, faculty from the school's programs will conduct hands-on workshops for the girls to explore their career options in design, business, health, science, technology, transportation and industry. The cost is $25 for the week.

Programs highlighted during the week will include architectural technology, photography, visual communication, automotive technology, welding, electrical construction, medical assisting, nursing, biology, nanotechnology, computer networking and computer hardware.

Other activities will include team-building and leadership and athletic workshops.

'Yellow Ribbon' event set for Wednesday Burnsville's campaign to become a Yellow Ribbon city, joining a network of cities providing support and assistance to military families, will begin with a kick-off event at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center on Wednesday evening.

The free event, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the upper atrium, will be a chance to learn more about the campaign. Organizers are hoping to attract residents, educators, elected officials, employers, faith groups, veterans, public safety officials, medical personnel and community volunteers interested in the Yellow Ribbon effort.

For more information about Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, see www.btyr.org.

No screech but more lighting OK'd for park The Sonic Screen security option for a Hastings park was killed, as expected, by the City Council at its last meeting this month.

The controversial device, which emits a high-pitched screech audible to teenagers but few others, attracted media attention after a national group claimed it discriminated against teenagers.