WEST METRO: Mayors to hold issues forum

WEST METRO

Six south Lake Minnetonka area mayors will get together at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 for a forum to discuss issues affecting their cities and the region.

The mayors of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood, Tonka Bay and Woodland will convene the session at the Shorewood City Hall, 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood.

The mayors each will present a brief summary of issues facing their cities, including water quality and public safety in their cities as well as property taxes and assessments. Residents also will have a chance to ask questions.

Five of the cities share an interest in the Fire District and the South Shore Community Center, while four share a public safety department, and the cities also cooperate in sharing other services.

The meeting is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of South Tonka. For more information, call 952-474-7971.

EDINA

The Edina Theater is celebrating its 75th anniversary from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday with a free premiere screening of "Into Temptation," which was filmed in the Twin Cities.

Local writer and director Patrick Coyle will be on hand for the event. To see a preview of the film go to www.intotemptationthemovie.com. For free tickets, call 952-922-1524.

The celebration will continue throughout the weekend with other movies. "The Adventures of Robin Hood," filmed in 1938, will be showing at 10 a.m. Saturday, and a Sunday afternoon double feature will include "It Happened One Night" and "The Bride of Frankenstein." Admission to these shows will be $5.

For more information contact the Edina Theater at 952-926-0358.

Adults who live or work in Edina can get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of the Edina Police Department by participating in the Citizens' Academy, a 10-week program that runs Tuesday nights from Sept. 15 to Nov. 17.

Subjects include DWI, interrogation, drug enforcement, use of force, the K9 program, local crime trends and many other topics. Participants must be 21 years old and pay $25 to defray costs. They also have to pass a background check.

Applications are due Sept. 1. For an application or more information, call officer Brian Hubbard at the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610 or visit the "Services and Programs" page on the Police Department website at www.cityofedina.com.

MINNETONKA

Young singers in the Minnetonka area who are interested in joining performing groups can learn about the Music Association of Minnetonka's Youth Choir at an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Arts Center, 18285 Hwy. 7, Minnetonka.

The Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra also is auditioning string players for all of its sections. To learn more, visit www.musicassociation.org or call 952-401-5954.

HOPKINS

"Hopkins in Motion," a new event to highlight the walkability and livability of the city, is scheduled to get underway from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

Activities will be offered at three venues: the Trail near the Depot on Excelsior Boulevard, Downtown Hopkins surrounding the Clock Tower at 9th and Mainstreet, and Downtown Park.

The Three Rivers Park District, Freewheel Bike, Hoigaards with Nordic Walking Poles and Hopkins Minnetonka Recreation will provide information and activities at the Depot. In the Downtown area there will be a Bike Rodeo and a farmers market that will be open until 2 p.m. The Hopkins Historical Society will provide Guided Historic Walking Tours, and vendor booths will line 9th Avenue. Entertainment will be offered at the bandshell at Downtown Park.

An "In Motion" Community Parade will start at noon and is open to all community members who'd like to walk, bike, roller-blade, dance or otherwise participate down Hopkins' Mainstreet.

At 2 p.m., the Hopkins Rotary Club will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Trail Oasis Project, a Rotary project located at 9th Avenue and 1st Street N.

For more information, go to www.thinkhopkins.com/hopkinsinmotion or call 952-908-1144.

BLOOMINGTON

The Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority is hosting free seminars on sustainable home improvements.

Remaining sessions are:

• Thursday on stimulus tax incentives for energy conservation.

• Sept. 17 on dealing with household water conservation inside and outside the home.

Both sessions are planned for 7 p.m. at the Rehearsal Hall at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road.

For more information, contact Tom Holman at 952-563-8941 or tholman@ci.bloomington.mn.us.

HENNEPIN COUNTY

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has appointed Brandi Brown of Minneapolis to the County Library Board.

Brown, who grew up in Minneapolis, is a freelance brand strategist. She is filling a vacated term left by Roger Hale, so her appointment is through 2010.

The board is a citizen advisory panel that reviews budgets and establishes management and service policies governing the library system.