South metro briefs: Academy teaches Apple Valley teens about police work

The city of Shakopee is holding a reception for outgoing Mayor Brad Tabke at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers, 129 Holmes St. S.

Tabke took office in 2012. He did not seek re-election.

Public comments are being taken until Feb. 4 on the environmental assessment work sheet for the proposed expansion of the high school and development of an athletic complex. They can be sent to Mark Noble, senior planner, 129 Holmes St. S., Shakopee, MN 55379, or e-mailed to mnoble@shakopeemn.gov.

The Dakota County Library is offering a Winter Reads program for adults that runs from Monday until Feb. 29.

Adults can read or listen to a book of their own choosing, then write a short review that will be entered into a weekly drawing for prizes. The more reviews a reader submits, the better his or her chances are of winning a prize.

The program also includes several author appearances, starting Jan. 16 with mystery author Christopher Valen visiting Inver Glen Library, 8098 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights, and humorist, musician and radio host Michael Perry visiting Galaxie Library, 14955 Galaxie Av., Apple Valley. Both events will be held at 1 p.m.

Future author events offered through Winter Reads include Dan Cashman at Robert Trail Library on Jan. 19, Jackie Lea Sommers at Robert Trail Library on Feb. 16, Steve Werles at Wentworth Library on Feb. 22, and Allen Eskens at Hastings Art Center on Feb. 22.

The Dakota County Historical Society will hold its annual meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Southview Country Club, 239 Mendota Road E., in West St. Paul.

The historical society has large print, microfilm and online archives. Online databases contain more than a half-million church and cemetery records and census information. It also has information about every historic site in the county.

Registration for winter skating lessons begins at noon Sunday. Burnsville's "Learn to Skate" program is open to people from age 3 to adults. Group and private lessons are available. Figure skating and hockey skating will be covered.

Lessons will be Saturdays from Jan. 16 to March 26 or Wednesdays from Jan. 20 to March 23.

To celebrate National Skating Month, a free skating event will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Burnsville Ice Center, 251 Civic Center Parkway. People will receive free admission, discounted skate rental and free private mini-lessons for new skaters. Space is limited and will be first-come, first-served. For more information, go to www.burnsvilleicecenter.org/lts or call 952-895-4657.

That will be followed Jan. 16 with an "extravaganza" from 1 to 4 p.m. 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 also 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.

The event is sponsored by the Rosemount Area Arts Council, Robert Trail Library, Friends of Robert Trail Library and the city of Rosemount. For more information, call 952-388-8652.