South metro town briefs

Water public forum Residents interested in Eagan's plan for managing its storm-sewer system, as well as the water quality of Fish Lake and Schwanz Lake, can attend a public forum on Thursday.

The meeting to review the programs is 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Eagan Room on the second floor of Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. Attendees may freely come and go, but there will be formal presentations about the programs at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

"Spending a few minutes at this meeting is a great way to learn what Eagan is doing to prevent lake pollution and to offer suggestions for the future," said Eric Macbeth, Eagan's water resources coordinator. The 7 p.m. presentation will summarize Eagan's accomplishments in 2008.

The water quality study will determine from where and how phosphorus is getting into Fish and Schwanz lakes, set the maximum amounts of phosphorus the lakes can receive and still meet water quality standards, and set phosphorus reduction goals needed to restore the lakes. Fish and Schwanz have excessive levels of phosphorus. The 8 p.m. presentation will cover findings of a 2008 field study and computer modeling, compare Eagan lake quality with state standards and offer lake improvement ideas.

For more information, call 651-675-5300.

Class for home buyers Prospective home buyers can get an introduction to the real estate process at Home Stretch education courses in February.

The Dakota County Community Development Agency is coordinating the classes taught by real estate professionals, mortgage lenders, budget counselors and home inspectors. Topics to be covered include money management, shopping for a home and mortgage foreclosure prevention.

The fee for Dakota County residents is $15, and nonresidents pay $25. Space is limited and registration is required. Participants can register online at www.dakotacda.org/homebuyers.html or call 651-675-4458.

A new showcase for art - and history The first art exhibit in the new Burnsville Performing Arts Center opens tomorrow and offers art including portraits, still life, landscape paintings, sculpture, photographs and artifacts, most of it created by members of the Burnsville Visual Arts Society.

The exhibit, called "Community + Evolution + Art = BPAC," is curated by the Dakota County Historical Society, is "built around the core idea that the new Burnsville Performing Arts Center is many things, including a gathering place for an increasingly diverse community," according to a news release.

Complementing the fine art on exhibit are several historical vignettes created by the Dakota County Historical Society. As the curator of the show, the Society brought out artifacts and images from its collection to highlight the evolution of Burnsville from Dakota Indian village to modern suburb, ending with the Heart of the City project.

The opening reception is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Many of the artists and historical society staff members will be on hand to discuss their work. The exhibition runs through March 31 at the center, located at 12600 Nicollet Av. S., Burnsville.

Delmoro is a 26-year resident of Burnsville and a retired vice president of the Soo Line Railroad. He serves as a vice president of the Burnsville Community Foundation, is serving his second term on the Heart of the City Design Review Committee and has been involved in numerous other volunteer activities.

Saefke is a semi-retired Our Own Hardware executive and resident of Burnsville since 1975. He was recently named Burnsville Business Person of the Year by the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce. He is president of QuestGrowth Partners Inc., a consulting company.

Fire Muster board of directors named The board of directors for the Burnsville Fire Muster celebration was set in December. Elected for two-year terms were Jim Marchessault, returning as overall chairman; Tom Taylor, returning as concessions chairman; Rosie Martin, returning to the fundraising chairwoman position; and Steve Saefke, returning as publicity chairman. Continuing into their second year of two-year terms are Ken Slypka, treasurer; Jodi Congdon, events chairwoman, and Steve Cherney, grounds chairman.

This year's Fire Muster is Sept. 9-13.

It's time to kick off the citywide book club Residents are invited to a community potluck from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Fire Station No. 4 to launch One Book, One Lakeville. Participants this year will read and discuss "Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time," by Michael Perry. The book chronicles his experience as a volunteer firefighter in a small town.

There will be additional book discussions in February and the author will come to town to take questions on March 13.

Fire Station No. 4 is on 185th Street between Dodd Boulevard and Ipava Avenue. For more information about future One Book, One Lakeville events, visit www.onebookonelakeville.com.

Cloud Nine in concert Paula Lammers and Cloud Nine, a fast-rising jazz orchestra in the Twin Cities' scene, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center.

The group, known for its sassy, sultry vocals, creative arrangements and an extraordinary repertoire, will feature a variety of vocal favorites such as "Caravan," "Route 66" and "I'll Be Seeing You."

Tickets are $15, available at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Av. For more information, call 952-985-4640.