[0:00] Our [0:06] natural resources team has installed air [0:08] raators at Farquar, Alamagnet, and Scout [0:12] Lakes to support healthy fish [0:13] populations during the winter months. [0:16] These air raators create water movement [0:18] and bubbles that prevent ice from fully [0:20] forming in certain areas of the lake. [0:22] The open water helps maintain oxygen [0:24] levels, ensuring sufficient dissolved [0:26] oxygen to support fish such as walleye, [0:28] bass, and pike. For your safety, please [0:31] avoid walking on the ice near air raator [0:33] locations, as ice in these areas can be [0:35] thin and unstable. Warning signs have [0:38] been posted at each lake to help keep [0:40] everyone informed and safe. [0:43] Apple Valley's outdoor ice rinks are now [0:46] open for the winter season, giving [0:48] residents of all ages a great way to [0:50] enjoy classic cold weather fun. Over the [0:53] past few weeks, parks and recreation [0:55] staff have been hard at work preparing [0:57] rinks in local parks. Now, residents can [1:00] enjoy skating, hockey, and casual [1:02] recreation on the ice. Skaters are [1:05] welcome to lace up and take advantage of [1:06] multiple outdoor ice rink locations [1:09] throughout the city. We encourage you to [1:11] check ice rink conditions before heading [1:13] out at applemn.gov/outdoor [1:16] ice rinks as weather and ice quality can [1:18] vary from day to day. More information [1:21] about outdoor and indoor ice skating, [1:23] including our learn to skate program, [1:25] can be found on our website. [1:28] Instead of tossing food scraps in the [1:30] trash after that big holiday dinner, [1:32] residents are encouraged to use the food [1:34] scraps drop off site at the Apple Valley [1:36] Central Maintenance Facility. Located on [1:39] 140th Street, just west of East View [1:41] High School, the site is free to use and [1:43] open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. [1:46] Food scraps collected at the site are [1:48] turned into a valuable soil additive. [1:50] This is a much better alternative than [1:52] being sent to a landfill where they [1:54] would generate methane, a greenhouse gas [1:57] that's 20 times more potent than carbon [1:59] dioxide. Visit Dakota County's website [2:01] for a list of accepted items and to sign [2:04] up for a welcome kit which includes free [2:06] compostable bags. [2:09] And finally, a reminder that all city [2:11] offices will be closed for the holidays [2:13] on Thursday, December 25th and Friday, [2:16] December 26th. [2:18] And that's the latest vibe in Apple [2:20] Valley. Stay up todate by visiting our [2:22] website and following us on social [2:24] media.