South metro town briefs

Coborn's opens with food, pharmacy, gasIt isn't Costco, but for the town of Belle Plaine, the opening of a new Coborn's commercial center might as well be, according to city officials.

The 38,000-square-foot Coborn's features a supermarket and much more. The ribbon-cutting was held on Nov. 17 for the $5.6 million store, which broke ground last summer.

The facility, part of a St. Cloud-based national chain, is expected to employ as many as 120 people at its 10-acre site at 1010 E. Enterprise Drive. Most of the jobs will be part time.

The store will be open from 6 a.m. until midnight every day, with standard features such as a bakery and meat and fish counters. It will also have a pharmacy and a Coborn's Express Gas-On-The-Go and convenience store, according to company officials. The store will also have a dry cleaning service and a liquor store.

Kids' shopping eventFarmington is inviting children to a kids-only morning of Christmas shopping at its "secret holiday shop" from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The city-sponsored holiday shop, at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., has gifts for all ages and free wrapping. Children of all ages can shop and volunteers will be on had to assist little shoppers. Gifts prices range from 50 cents to $6.50.

Parents are asked to provide a shopping list for their kids with names and how much to spend on each person. The children will need to buy $1 tickets. Parents are encouraged to do their own shopping downtown while the kids are busy at the shop.

City seeks volunteers for advisory groupsNorthfield is seeking volunteers to serve on a number of citizen commissions and other groups.

Among those with openings in January are the Arts and Culture Commission, the Economic Development Authority, the Environmental Quality Commission, and boards overseeing the hospital, library, and parks and recreation.

Over 100 citizen members annually provide leadership to the city through participation in the groups and special study committees. The members participate in advisory, regulatory, governance and oversight activities.

Those interested in being considered for openings in January should submit applications no later than Monday. More information and applications can be obtained at City Hall, 801 Washington St.; at the Northfield Public Library; or by contacting City Clerk Deb Little at 507-645-3001 or deb. little@ci.northfield.mn.us.

Food for blood this holiday seasonEvery pint of blood you give will yield a pound of food for people who need it during the holidays.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's holiday blood drive takes place from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dakotah Sport and Fitness, 2100 Trail of Dreams.

The tribe says "Memorial Blood Center will donate the equivalent of one pound of food to Second Harvest Heartland for area food shelves for every pint of blood donated between Nov. 15 and Jan. 9."

Call 952-233-2965 to set up a session. Some walk-ins will be accepted.

Recycle lights rather than trashing themSavage is encouraging residents to dispose of holiday lights that don't work by recycling them. Lights can be turned in at City Hall.

The city has become a dropoff site for the Recycling Association of Minnesota's "Recycle Your Holidays" program. A box is located just inside the main doors at City Hall. It is accessible 24 hours a day.

Last year, the association reports, it recycled more than 100,000 pounds of holiday light strings, putting 200 people to work. This year's goal is 200,000 pounds. To learn more about the program, visit www.recycleminnesota.org.