South metro news: Dakota County Library forum series discusses U.S. policy issues

The Dakota County Library is hosting a nonpartisan discussion group to educate participants on American policy issues. Each program includes a presenter with expertise on the topic. The topic Tuesday is "Privacy in the Digital Age" with George Welles, president of Imaging Futures and CEO of Allargeo Ltd., who advises senior federal executives on national security. The group meets every other Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Galaxie Library, 14955 Galaxie Av. in Apple Valley.

The Friends of the Heritage Library will hold its annual book sale Thursday through next Sunday at the library at 20085 Heritage Dr. Books for all ages cost from 50 cents to $1 each. Electronic media is $2. Money raised from the book sale helps support library activities. Hours of the sale are 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:15 to 3 p.m. next Sunday, when books will be $5 per bag.

The group needs volunteers to work two-hour shifts before, during and after the sale.

The Lakeville Post Office mall will be the setting for a Trick or Treat event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

The free event, sponsored by the Downtown Lakeville Business Association, will include a costume contest and parade for children up to age 10, pumpkin decorating, and trick-or-treating at local businesses. For more information, go to www.downtownlakeville.com.

Prior Lake and the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District will hold the third annual "Clean Water Clean Up" from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Ponds Park in Prior Lake.

Volunteers will be given a free lunch and be eligible to win prizes. Volunteers should sign up at www.facebook.com/PLstormwater.

The book, "The Things They Carried," by Tim O'Brien, is free and available at any Scott County library branch, the historical society's Stans Museum, the Prior Lake VFW and many other locations. The book centers on the men of Alpha Company during the Vietnam War.

Book discussions will begin Monday at 7 p.m. at the Belle Plaine Veterans Club, 221 N. Meridian St., and will continue through October and November at several locations across the county. Go to www.scottlib.org and click on the The Big Read or call 952-445-0378.

All Scott County residents can drop off yard waste for free from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through the end of October at Dakotah Roots organics recycling facility. Items accepted include leaves, shrubs, brush and logs, mulch, grass clippings and other organic recyclables. The Organics Recycling Facility is at 1905 Canterbury Road in Shakopee.

Residents can meet and talk to City Administrator Bill Reynolds about what's happening in Shakopee at a coffee hour Friday. "Coffee with the City" will be from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Friday at Munkabeans, 222 1st Av. E.

The sixth annual Jack-o'-Lantern 5K and Kids' 1/2-mile Pumpkin Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning and ending at Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St. S. Runners are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

Kids in grades four, five and six have until Friday to send in an essay to the 2015 Mayor for a Day Essay Contest. Essays must answer the question, "If you were mayor of your city for a day, what would you do to encourage people to get more involved in city government?"

Essays must be handwritten and postmarked by Friday. Three kids will win $100 and have their essays published in Minnesota Cities magazine. Winners only will be notified by Dec. 16.

For an entry form, go to http://tinyurl.com/q6auhgx