South news briefs: Burnsville food co-op turns up pressure for quality

First Lady Michelle Obama would be pleased.

A natural foods coop in Burnsville is inviting residents to weigh in on a Minnesota Food Charter, aimed at putting pressure on schools and other players in the system to raise their game on healthful foods.

Valley Natural Foods is hosting an event from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy.

Those interested may register for the free event at http://minnesotafoodcharter.eventbee.com.

The topic is "concerns about our food system and … changes needed to make the healthy choice the easy one for all Minnesotans."

Other sessions around the state will feed into creating such a document. Participants will fill out a survey and join a conversation about food access in Minnesota.

A Minnesota Food Charter steering committee is made up professionals in public health, agriculture, wholesale food production, nonprofit and government.

Scott County has agreed to clear out of its space in the Savage library building by Sept. 9, and contractors will immediately begin reworking the space for a city social club and its arts council, city officials report.

Countywide library administration will move to new quarters in the building housing the Marschall Road transit station in Shakopee — a onetime auto dealership off Hwy. 169 now being converted for multiple new uses.

Savage City Administrator Barry Stock told council members last week that he's confident the space will be ready for its new uses by Oct. 1.

Scott County is looking for folks to recognize as conservation leaders.

Through Oct. 11, the county is accepting nominees among those helping with healthy water, soil and promoting wildlife. There is now a December awards ceremony as well.

The application form is available at www.scottswcd.org. To learn more, call 952- 492-5425.

A 2014 construction date is approaching for major changes to the area around Hwy. 169 and Marschall Road, and there's an open house on the subject on Wednesday.

Shakopee, Scott County and the state have been studying improvements needed, including the north ramp to 169.

The plan is to build new turn lanes, change the access to Vierling Drive, update traffic signals and repave Vierling between Sage Lane and Miller Street.

The open house is designed to find out about public concerns with the project, from residents or businesses. Topics include construction staging plans and schedule, business signage and alternate routes.

For more info, call Bruce Loney, the city's public works director, 952-233-9300.

The "Show Off Shakopee" photo contest is taking entries through Sept. 20 from either amateurs or professionals.

The categories include life in town (people enjoying amenities), photos from sporting events, festivals and the like, and pictures of landmarks such as buildings or nature.

Winners must live in town and will be featured on the city website. The deadline is 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

Photos containing recognizable people must be accompanied by a signed consent form. There are lots of other rules, including how old the images can be and minimum file size.