South metro news briefs: Holiday lights to shine in Bunsville 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.

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

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.

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.

The goal is to limit damage from deer overpopulation.

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.

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.