South news briefs: 'Outdated' Scott County library website gets a touch-up

At a time when it's upgrading libraries, Scott County also looks set to give its amateurish library website some new polish.

The County Board was expected, after the deadline for today's editions of the Star Tribune, to approve a contract with a web design firm to spend up to $65,000 to make over a site that a memo describes as "outdated in appearance, structure and in the presentation of content."

A new site is supposed to be ready by December.

The money comes from a technology fund maintained by the Metropolitan Library Service Agency , a group of metro library systems, officials say, and the board was assured that "no county levy [property tax] dollars will be used for this project."

In the past year or so, Elko New Market has gotten a new library, Jordan's was to be opened as soon as this week, and Shakopee has just inaugurated a new children's' play area designed by the folks from the Childrens Museum in St. Paul. Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke has posted a video of the latter online at http://vine.co/v/bYJW2JlXjpF.

Club Prior, a city facility in downtown Prior Lake, is offering free yoga at all levels on Mondays through the summer.

Sessions take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 5 in meeting areas within the library building. Class size is limited, so registration is a must.

Shakopee's SandVenture Aquatic Park, located at Lions Park, 1101 Adams St., is to open for the season Thursday, June 6.

The facility includes a diving board and three slides, the longest of which is 300 feet.

It's open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day through Aug. 25, date of the annual Goldfish Hunt.

Admission is $5 to $7 and depends on height or age, with a $2 discount after 5 p.m. Passes are available.

To learn more, visit www.ci.shak opee.mn.us/aquaticpark.cfm.

The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Huber Park, along the river near downtown.

Other features include kids' trike and training wheel races and bike registration. The free event ends with a 7 p.m. performance by the Splatter Sisters.

Belle Plaine is the latest south metro city to turn to local businesses in a quest for thoughts about "enhancing economic growth and stability."

The city's Economic Development Authority is holding an open forum next week for downtown business owners and managers. A separate session is planned for those tied more to Hwy. 169.

The forum is Monday, June 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers, 218 N. Meridian St. Refreshments will be served.

For the eighth year, a team has donated a week or more of their time bicycling to make a difference in the lives of children.

The riders in the 900-mile Christian Elder Memorial 900 bicycle ride (www.CEM900.com) have raised money for Kids 'n Kinship, a local nonprofit celebrating its 41st anniversary. Kids 'n Kinship matches children ages 5-16 with volunteer mentors.

A celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 8, at Merchants Bank, 7300 147th St. W. in Apple Valley.