West metro town briefs

The Light of Hanukkah exhibit at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, will feature a one-of-a-kind metal Hanukkah lamp as well as a series of new prints by Minnesota-based artist Kurt Nordwall.

The show from Nov. 12 to Dec. 24 will begin with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 12. It will also include a special evening celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. on the last night of Hanukkah, Dec. 17. On this eighth night of Hanukkah a festive evening is planned, including songs and candle-lighting with Nordwall. For more information, call 952-381-3453 or go to www.sabesjcc.org.

ST. LOUIS PARK

"Adolescent Mood Disorders" will be the subject of a seminar from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park.

Discussions will include depression and bipolar disorder, "Where do they come from and how do we deal with them?" Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, Ph.D., will cover topics such as signs and symptoms of mood disorders, challenges a depressed young person faces, and prevention and treatment of mood disorders.

Cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple.

HOPKINS

The Hopkins Westwind Concert Band will present "Bach to the Future" as its fall concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins.

The concert is free, but you must reserve a ticket. Call 952-979-1111 to make a reservations. For more information, go to www.hopkinswestwind.org.

MINNETONKA

The Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra will present its fourth annual "Spooktacular" classical music concert at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 and Oct. 31 at the Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka.

On Oct. 26, the orchestra will present its "Symphony in Song" concert at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, 15600 Old Rockford Road, Plymouth.

All concerts are free. For more information, visit www.musicassociation.org or call 952-401-5954.

ORONO

Orono's International festival -- a chance to learn about other cultures and traditions while sampling foods and regional crafts and arts -- is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Friday at Otten Brothers Garden Center, 2350 W. Wayzata Blvd., Long Lake.

The event is supported by the Discovery Arts Council and Orono Community Education, with a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.

EXCELSIOR

The 5th Annual Kids Against Hunger-West Metro Packathon will be held on Nov. 14 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 County Road 19, Excelsior.

Family and friends can spend two hours packing meals that will be sent to Haiti. Shifts begin as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 4 p.m.

To participate, contact Kids Against Hunger West Metro at kidsagainsthungerwm @yahoo.com .

MOUND

Bethel United Methodist Church of Mound will hold its annual Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, at 2116 Commerce Blvd.

Proceeds from the event will go to support missions to women and children.

For more information, call 952-361-0122.

WACONIA

The 2009 Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia of Speech is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday beginning at the City Square Park Gazebo in Waconia.

Apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder that causes children to have difficulty making sounds, syllables and words. Though the brain knows what the child wants to say, the child has problems moving his or her lips, jaw and tongue to produce speech. Apraxia of speech requires frequent and intensive speech therapy.

Pre-registration for the walk-a-thon is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Register online at www.apraxia-kids.org/minnesotawalk.

HENNEPIN COUNTY

The Northeast branch of the Hennepin County Library will close Oct. 29 for a $5.2 million renovation project that will expand room for kids and increase the number of public computers.

A kickoff event for the project will be held at the library from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29, with refreshments, craft activities for the kids and a story time hosted by Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein. The library is at 2200 Central Av. NE., Minneapolis.

The project will be paid for with Minneapolis city bonds and supplementary funding from Hennepin County. When the library reopens in 2011, it will have more space for children and teenagers, along with reading and study areas.

The number of computers for public use also will triple, and the new building will include new energy conservation features such as windows that let in more natural light.

Patrons borrowed more than 176,000 books and materials from the library last year. While it's closed, they may use the Central Library in downtown Minneapolis or other Northeast Minneapolis branches at Pierre Bottineau and St. Anthony.

HOPKINS

Stages Theatre Company will present "Alice in Wonderland" beginning Friday and running through Nov. 8.

The play will employ an unusual set in which the audience surrounds the actors and the actors interact with the audience.

For more information on show times and tickets, which range from $5 to $15, go to www.stagestheatre.org or call the box office at 952-979-1111.

LAURIE BLAKE, KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, HERON MARQUEZ ESTRADA, MARY JANE SMETANKA