South news briefs: Scott County hosts pesticide collection event

The free pesticide collection event on Aug. 17 will be the only one in the area this year, organizers said.

Farmers and small businesses can dispose of their unused ag quantity weed killers and herbicides, insecticides, mouse and rat poisons, fungicides and other pesticides for free.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17. Bring the items to the Scott County HHW Facility, 588 Country Trail East (Hwy. 282) in Jordan.

There's still plenty of time to paddle out on the lake for some summer fun. And if you find yourself on shore without a paddle or a boat, Dakota County can set you up.

The county offers rental canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards — and paddles for all — for use at Lebanon Hill Regional Park. Rates start at $8 per hour for canoes and kayaks and $10 per hour for paddleboards. Fishing equipment is available for free and a variety of live bait is for sale at the park's Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan.

Rentals are available daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The last rental of the day is at 6:45 p.m.

The 22nd Annual Lewis House Charity Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 24 at Brackett's Crossing Country Club in Lakeville.

The tournament, previously only for women, has expanded to include men this year. It costs $125 per golfer and starts at 7 a.m. for men and women. A round for women only begins at 1 p.m. and the golfers will decorate their golf carts and wear costumes that fit with the this year's them, Hero.

For more information or to register, go to www.360Communities.org or contact Laurie Bolin at 952-985-4004 or lbolin@360communities.org.

Officials from the Dakota County Community Development Agency will dedicate Hillcrest Pointe, a new apartment building for seniors, on Thursday.

The ceremony from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hillcrest Pointe will include remarks by local officials at 3 p.m. The building is the 27th constructed through the CDA's Senior Housing Program. It is the CDA's third senior apartment building in Inver Grove Heights.

Hillcrest Pointe has a mix of 66 one- and two-bedroom apartments for adults age 55 and older. Its amenities include a community room, club room, exercise room, screened porch, laundry, storage lockers and secured entrances.

The group does community service projects such as Mother's Day and Father's Day card-making activities, donating birthday bags and laundry detergent to the CAP Agency food shelf, adopting local parks and sponsoring the Savage Day of Service.

The celebration Monday will include lawn games, cake and packing birthday bags for kids. Partygoers are asked to bring a donation for the birthday bags such as cake mixes, canned frosting, gift bags, plates and napkins and supplies such as candles or party favors.

The group is looking for new members. There is no requirement that members live in Savage but many of the group's activities take place in Savage, Prior Lake and Burnsville.

RSVPs are required for the party. For more information, go to the group's Facebook page or www.savageareaWT.org.

The kids and family friendly Will Hale and the Tadpole Band will perform Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center in Community Park.

The Music in the Park series is sponsored by Savage Recreation. People are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Teenagers entering seventh grade and up can learn how to change a tire, check vehicle fluids and other basic vehicle maintenance at a workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the New Prague Library.

Registration is recommended because space and supplies are limited.

For more information call the New Prague Library at 952-758-2391.

The 32nd annual community festival in Lakefront Park starts Thursday with a business expo and wine tasting and silent auction. Events on Friday and Saturday include kids inflatables ($1 for an unlimited pass), live music, food and vendors. On Saturday, there is a parade, a beanbag tournament and fireworks.

Prior Lake Recreation will sponsor a trip to River Valley Ranch from a horseback riding event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17. The ride is for children 50 inches or taller.

The registration deadline is Aug. 12.

The group will meet at the Lakefront Park Pavilion. Children should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. The cost is $40 for Prior Lake residents and $45 for nonresidents.

To register, call 952-447-9820.

A performance of the Balloon Artistry by Mandana Show will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Huber Park as part of the 2015 Huber Park Performance and Events Series.

The park is at 150 Fillmore St. N.

Shakopee residents who took photos at Tuesday's Night to Unite can enter their photographs in the Shakopee Police Department's photo contest.

The deadline for submitting photos is 4 p.m. Aug. 14. Submit up to five photos via e-mail to jgrassel@shakopeeMN.gov.

The top two photos will be used in the city's 2016 Night to Unite ads.