Town briefs

Read this before you take out the sprinkler Burnsville, keen on conservation efforts, has already put in place water-use restrictions to reduce the need to drill new wells and keep down costs, the city says. Residents are asked to refrain from any watering, including irrigation, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Residential and business addresses that end in an odd numbers, or are multifamily residences, can water only on days that end in an odd number. Those with even numbers can water on days that fall on an even number. Properties with irrigation systems that cannot water their entire site on a single day should contact the city for special instructions. Exceptions include new seed, sod or landscaping, plants that need daily watering, flower pots and vegetable gardens.

For further information, call the Burnsville Public Works Department at 952-895-4550 or visit www.burnsville.org.

JOY POWELL

Grants available for 'greenway' projects The Kodak American Greenways Awards Program, a partnership of the Eastman Kodak Co., the Conservation Fund and the National Geographic Society, is taking applications for small grants to stimulate the planning and design of "greenways" -- corridors of open space for recreation or environmental preservation.

The grants can be used for expenses to complete a greenway project, including planning and technical assistance. Examples include ecological assessments, surveying, developing brochures, interpretative displays, hiring consultants, incorporating land trusts, and building footbridges, paths or other infrastructure. The maximum grant award is $2,500. The deadline is June 15. Visit the Conservation Fund website at www.conservationfund.org for more information.

JOY POWELL

New board member The town board has reorganized with new member Carrie Jennings. Brian Budenski was reelected for a three-year term.

JOY POWELL

Thousands of food items, one bald pastor The Rev. Kent Claussen-Gubrud of Christus Victor Lutheran Church shaved his head in front of his congregation Sunday to keep his promise after challenging church members to collect 2,500 food items for Minnesota Food Share in March. He shaved half during the 8:30 am service and the other half during the 11 a.m. service. The congregation outdid its own success last year, when it raised a total of 1,152 food items.

"With rising unemployment rates, the drastic increase in home foreclosures and the ever-increasing cost of living, the need for community involvement to support those in need will certainly grow," said Michele Iaria, member of the church Social Ministries Committee.

JOY POWELL

Caponi Art Park is looking for volunteers Caponi Art Park, a 60-acre sculpture and performance art park on Diffley Road in Eagan, is looking for volunteers to help with events, programming, tours, gardening, cleanup and more. If you're interested, go to the park's volunteer orientation at 2 p.m. on May 18 or send an e-mail to volunteer@caponiartpark.org.

SARAH LEMAGIE