South metro news briefs: Savage arts center opens this week

Savage's new Arts & Cultural Center is opening this week.

The new space alongside the city library means the Savage Arts Council has a home.

Uses will include literary and visual art classes, art gallery/exhibits, and small-venue cultural events.

The grand opening is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Refreshments and activities will be offered, including artist demonstrations, door prizes, and an artwork raffle.

Classes start in March.

The space opened up when the Scott County library administration moved. The city of Savage is making it available, shared with the Savage Senior Group.

More information about the Arts & Cultural Center can be found at www.savageartscouncil.org.

The address is 13090 Alabama Av., Arts Annex.

There's an informational session this week on plans to widen part of County Road 16 in Shakopee from two lanes to four.

The event is Thursday, Feb. 13, from 4-6 p.m. at Shakopee Fire Station #1.

The plan is to expand a two-lane rural section to a four-lane urban roadway with curbs and gutters as well as trails.

Preliminary design is going on through April, with final design through December, followed by right-of-way acquisition in 2015 and construction in the spring of 2016.

The completion of the 21 extension has made 16 more important as an east-west connection between 83 and the new 21, officials say.

The project contact is Andy Hingeveld, 952-496-8839 or ahingeveld@co.scott.mn.us.

A free breakfast program on the financial tools and resources available to entrepreneurs and small businesses is coming up next month.

The event is hosted by the Dakota County Community Development Agency, Dakota County Cities and the Dakota Scott Workforce Investment Board.

It's an introduction to the Open to Business Dakota County Program and Dakota Scott Workforce Centers, and in particular, Open To Business partnerships with private commercial lenders.

For more information or to register, go to www.opentobusiness2014.eventbrite.com or call 651-675-4432. Registration closes at noon March 3.

The Metropolitan Council is offering full-time paid summer internships in hopes of encouraging leadership skills among young people with diverse backgrounds.

The program is for college students interested in public service.

It's modeled after the city of Minneapolis Urban Scholars program, for students from "diverse racial, ethnic and/or low socioeconomic backgrounds."

Interns will work in various departments and get leadership training, do public speaking, learn financial literacy and get career guidance.

Students must have completed their first year of postsecondary education before the internship starts.

They must be enrolled in good standing at a two- or four-year college or university, graduate program, or law school.

It's part of the council's Office of Equal Opportunity.

Those interested should apply online by March 3.

The council will pick six students. It also has a regular summer intern program.

Ignore that snow and start registering for sand basketball in Prior Lake this spring.

Teams will play at Sand Point Beach on Wednesday evenings starting May 14, for 10 weeks.

Players must be at least 18 years old. Register online or call 952-447-9820.

The cost is $90 per team, or $125 for nonresidents.