South news briefs: 'Apfelfest' offers a German take on fall

The Minnesota River Heritage Park known as The Landing will offer an immigrant German slant on that American icon, the apple.

On Oct. 4, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the Shakopee historic village will offer a look at how early Minnesota pioneers established winter-hardy "apfels" (German for "apple") and turned them into a major horticultural crop.

The emphasis is on German immigrant history, with recipes and demonstrations of apple use in the 1800s. Apples were cooked, dried, canned and jellied and made into cider.

There will be games and a horse-drawn trolley. Gift shop and food concessions will be available.

Cost is $5 for ages 18-64 and $3 for ages 2-17 and 65 plus. Children under 2 are free.

Dakota County's Community Development Agency hosts its annual Senior Showcase on Thursday.

The event is from 1 to 4 p.m. and features five senior housing developments for public tours.

• Cahill Commons, 5840 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights

• Cameo Place, 3101 Lower 147th Street, Rosemount

• Cortland Square, 7385 157th Street, Apple Valley

• Oakwoods East, 2061 Park Center Drive, Eagan

• The Dakotah, 900 South Robert Street, West St. Paul

Service providers will have information booths at each property.

Officials say the program is one of the largest locally funded of its type in the nation. It's for people aged 55+ seeking affordable yet elegant units.

To learn more, call 651-675-4432 or visit http://www.dakotacda.org.

Discounted registration is available online for a running event in Savage next month.

Savage Recreation is hosting two events on October 25 to celebrate fall.

Both are at Savage Community Park, 13500 Dakota Avenue S.

Registration for the run, part of the Ground Pounders Grand Prix Running Series, begins onsite at 11:45 a.m.

The four-mile event will start at 1 p.m. A half-mile fun run for kindergarten through 6th grade, follows.

Discounted registration is available online at cityofsavage.com until Oct. 17.

Return to the park in costume between 4 and 8 p.m. the same day for the Bash: horse-drawn wagon rides, a bonfire, crafts, games and refreshments.

The fifth annual event is Oct. 25. Halloween costumes are encouraged and there's n award for the best one.

The 5K starts at 9 a.m. and the Kids Pumpkin Run follows. Both races begin and end at the Community Center, 1255 Fuller St. S.

Registration for the 5K is $20 through Oct. 3, $25 from Oct. 4 through noon Oct. 24 or $30 on race day.

Register at http://tinyurl.com/kpsny9g. 5K registrations will not be accepted at the Community Center.

The Kids Pumpkin Run registration is $10. Register online at parksandrec.ShakopeeMN.gov with program code Jacko 2014. Kids Pumpkin Run registration will not be taken on the day of the race.