First-half property taxes are due by Thursday, May 15. There are several payment options:

•  At the Customer Service window at the Scott County Government Center in Shakopee. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

•  By mail, postmarked on or before May 15. (Those who mail should keep in mind that postage will increase to 42 cents on May 12.)

  
  

“Simple steps on how to manage your money….so you can pay your bills on time!” is being taught by Susan Hooper from the Minnesota Extension Service at Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center in Savage.

The class will take place Tuesday, May 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. Free childcare may be available; an RSVP is required. Call (952) 447-LOVE (5683) for more information and directions.

The Dan Patch American Legion Post 643 in Savage is collecting old worn out flags for proper disposal

Every year on Flag Day (June 14). the Legion has a ceremony retiring the colors that is followed by flag burning, the proper method of disposal. The Legion accepts flags from homes, schools and businesses. Flags may be dropped of at the Legion anytime during business hours.

Volunteers from the Carver Scott Humane Society will have a pet adoption Saturday, May 17 from noon to 3 p.m. at Petco, located off of Singletree Lane, between Prairie Center Drive and Hwy. 212 in Eden Prairie. CSHS is without its own building and all pets are housed in foster care.

The Citizen’s League is asking Minnesotans to share their experiences of interacting with public officials.

In an unprecedented survey, the views of the general public will be compared with those of public officials, to determine where the two groups see eye-to-eye and where they are misunderstanding one another when they interact.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Scott County is just around the corner, so residents are encouraged to form teams now.

Register teams by contacting Janice Anastasi, team coordinator at janice.anastasi@allina.com or call (952) 403-2712 or log onto www.cancer.org/rflscottcountymn.

All 2008 high school grades who live in Savage are being asked to contact the Savage Pacer! (Please note: parents can submit this information for their busy graduate!)

The newspaper wants to know who you are, what high school you are graduating from, what activities you were involved in while you were in high school, who are your parents and what are your future plans after high school. Graduates are also encouraged to send in a picture, which can be submitted in a digital format or as a print.

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week, and there will be statewide tornado drills today.

At 1:45 p.m., the National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado warning, and outdoor warning sirens will be activated. At 6:55 p.m., a second drill will take place in Scott County for families and second-shift workers.

To provide additional medical services, Cub Foods announces the grand opening of its newest in store clinic.  The NOW Express Care clinic will be located inside the Savage Cub Foods at 14075 Highway 13. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m. 

WestWood Elementary second-grade students put their Earth Day thoughts into poetic form. Here are the winning Earth Day poems:

Colored Earth

Silver clouds
Gold sun
Lime grass
Copper trees
Rainbow earth

by Teagan Tersteeg
Age 8
Prior Lake

Nature's Gifts