South news briefs: Minnesota Zoo to celebrate its 35th anniversary

Zoo to celebrate its 35th anniversaryThe official anniversary date for the Minnesota Zoo is May 22, and a 35th anniversary celebration weekend is being planned for May 18-19.

In the runup to that event:

• A "Wall of History" is on display in Discovery Bay, featuring conservation and education highlights and a timeline of accomplishments.

• A "Making Wild Memories" Facebook contest is underway at facebook.com/mnzoo.

The zoo invites folks to submit favorite memories on that fan page, which will entitle winners to "exclusive experiences" throughout the year. An example is an offering called "Breakfast with our Brown Bears."

Night walks offered in two regional parksThree Rivers Park District is offering two "walk when the moon is full" programs at nearby regional parks.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, visitors can search the sky for constellations and learn how the moon cycles may affect animal activity. The cost is $5.

Both programs are suitable for anyone 6 years old or older.

One fest off, another needs a correctionAfter canceling one community festival, Shakopee is trying to get the word out that it has made a mistake in promoting another.

The city's Easter Egg Hunt takes place on Saturday, March 23, officials say -- ignore the latest Parks and Recreation brochure, which lists another date.

The event goes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the community center, 1255 Fuller St. S.

The city stresses it's a "rain-or-shine" event. The city just canceled its first-ever Winter Fest due to travel conditions. That event won't be rescheduled this year, though Parks and Rec hopes to hold it next winter.

It's part of a series presented by the Scott County Historical Society and St. Francis Regional Medical Center.

The event takes place from 7 to 8 p.m., with refreshments included. The society is located at 235 Fuller St. S. in Shakopee.

What roads do you think need work?Scott County is inviting the public to help in deciding what to include in its 10-year transportation plan.

The plan includes reconstruction and improvement of highways, trails and bridges, transit facilities, and other projects to improve safety along its highways.

Next month and in April, the county will host informational and public input sessions within each of the five commissioner districts, including two rural and two suburban.

To learn more or weigh in sooner, contact the Physical Development department at 952-496-8346.

Mayor's 'State of City' is this morningBurnsville's annual State of the City address takes place today, Feb. 20.

The event is at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Av., with the keynote from Mayor Elizabeth Kautz at 11:30 a.m. It's open to the public.

The speech will be shown live on cable TV on Burnsville Civic Channel 16 and online at www.burnsville.org.