South news briefs: Hastings launches Zagster bicycle sharing program

The Zagster bicycle-sharing program launched Monday in Hastings, offering the public a chance to ride a bike anywhere and anytime — mostly for free.

Users must have a mobile phone. Download the Zagster mobile app to create an account. The app can be used to extend the bike rental time, find restaurants and attractions within biking distance and to get directions.

The bikes can be checked out under the Hwy. 61 bridge in the 2nd Street parking lot. Riders can use the bikes for up to four hours free. Each additional hour is $3.

Riders can sign up for the program at zagster.com/hastings.

The program is a collaboration between the city, Allina Health, United Way of Hastings and A Healthier Hastings 4 All.

Music and entertainment, ethnic foods and family activities are among the attractions at the International Festival of Burnsville, which runs from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Av. S.

Featured bands and groups include the Hounds of Fin (Irish music), Sisters of the Sahara Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, Iny Dance Theatre (Asian dance), Mongolian Circus and more. There will be henna tattoos, face-painting and cultural activities.

To celebrate author Harper Lee's companion book to "To Kill a Mockingbird," the Dakota County Library will hold two programs in July.

Lee's new book, "Go Set a Watchman," continues the story of Scout Finch, her father, Atticus, and the fictional small town of Maycomb, Ala. It will be released July 14.

On Thursday, author Loretta Ellsworth will present "Mockingbird Up Close," to discuss the life of Lee, how "To Kill a Mockingbird" came to be published and the book's lasting impact. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Drive in Lakeville.

Ellsworth has written several young adult novels, including "In Search of Mockingbird," a story about a teenager whose journey to learn more about her mother leads her from Minnesota to Alabama.

On July 16, the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird" will be shown at 6 p.m. at the Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. County Road 42.

Architect Tom Olson will talk about his time as an apprentice with Frank Lloyd Wright at an event from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 14 at the LeDuc Historic Estate, 1629 Vermillion St.

The program is part of the Friends of the LeDuc: History of the Mississippi Belle.

Adults 55 and older can learn the basics of Microsoft Word, a word processing program, at a class from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Inver Glen Library, 8098 Blaine Av.

Participants will learn to format, set margins and save a document. The prerequisites are a computer basics class and/or the ability to use a mouse. To register, go to tinyurl.com/phg4lrg.

Grandparents are invited to join their grandchildren ages 5 to 12 for "Grandkids in the Kitchen: Breakfast" from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Lakeville Heritage Center, 20110 Holyoke Av.

The cost is $15 per child. Register at tinyurl.com/om9uknu.

If you'd rather buy treats than make them, a craft and bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Heritage Center. Among the offerings will be cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls and root beer floats.

Runners and walkers can choose from a 4-mile run, a mile run or a half-mile fun run for kids at the Pan-O-Prog Run on Saturday morning.

Registration starts at 6:45 a.m. at Casperson Park, 19720 Juno Trail. The 4-mile run begins at 7:45 a.m.; the fun run begins at 8:30 p.m., and the mile run at 8:45 a.m. The course takes runners along the west side of Lake Marion.

Online registration is recommended for the 4-mile and mile runs. The cost is $19 for registration on or before Tuesday and $24 after that. Go to panoprog.org for more information.