South news briefs: On area lakes, take the slow boat home

Unusually high-water levels on Crystal Lake in southeast Burnsville and Lake O'Dowd in Shakopee mean new rules for boats. Travel speeds must be reduced to eliminate all wakes and waves on the water, Burnsville officials say.

The goal is to protect the shoreline and personal property of homeowners from erosion.

Dakota County sheriff's officers will patrol the lake, and restrictions remain in effect until further notice.

For more information, call Burnsville Natural Resources at 952-895-4550.

Shakopee and a rural township declared an "emergency slow no-wake" for Lake O'Dowd.

Mayor Brad Tabke and Louisville Town Board Chair John Weckman enacted the temporary zone for up to 30 days. It will be lifted once the water body has fallen to a certain lower level for three consecutive days.

There Scott County sheriff's office will be responsible for enforcement.

A program on ball & cup toys will teach kids what pioneer kids did for fun, and yield a toy to bring home.

That one is offered at the following times and places:

Jordan, Thursday, 10:30 a.m. and Shakopee, 1:30 p.m.; Belle Plaine on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and Savage at 1:30 p.m.

A program on Victorian silhouettes introduces kids to the mysterious art of silhouette-making, using shadows and light to create portraits of family and friends!

For that one: Prior Lake July 8 at 10:30, and New Prague at 1:30; Shakopee July 17 at 10:30 and Savage at 1:30.

Prior Lake July 29 at 10:30 and New Prague at 1:30; Savage July 31 at 10:30 and Belle Plaine at 1:30; Elko New Market, August 5 at 1:30 p.m.; Shakopee August 7 at 10:30 and Jordan at 1:30.

For more information, call 952.445.0378 or e-mail Stephanie at: sherrick@scottcountyhistory.org.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has agreed to accept yard waste for free on Saturday to help with storm cleanup.

The tribe's Organics Recycling Facility is extending that offer to residents of Prior Lake, Shakopee, and Savage.

Drop-off hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Types of waste accepted include leaves, branches and garden plants.

Burnsville turns 50 in June, and has produced a video to celebrate.

The city was incorporated on June 18, 1964 as the Village of Burnsville.

From modest beginnings it now boasts more than 60,000 residents and 2,600 businesses.

The animated video, viewable online, recalls how "it all stems from a battle over a happy little power plant named Black Dog," in the words of city officials.

To see it, go to YouTube and search for "Burnsville became city."