BLOOMINGTON
Forward 2040 seeks to set course for next 25 years
Bloomington residents are invited to help shape the city's direction for the next quarter-century by participating in "Forward 2040," a two-year effort to update its comprehensive plan.
The process will kick off with a town-hall meeting on sustainability scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 22 at Jefferson High School, 4001 W. 102nd St. Other public events will offer residents a chance to share their ideas on Bloomington's future.
The city is seeking applicants for an advisory committee that will work closely with staffers and elected officials throughout the two-year process.
"While we cannot predict what Bloomington will be in 2040, we do know the future will bring both opportunities and challenges, and that we will be better off if we anticipate change and ways to respond to it," Mayor Gene Winstead said.
"Bloomington has a strong record of understanding trends, setting ambitious goals and working steadily to achieve them. We trust in the ability of the Bloomington community, working together, to shape its future."
For information on all aspects of "Forward 2040," go to www.blm.mn/Forward2040, or contact senior planner Julie Farnham at 952-563-4739 or jfarnham@BloomingtonMN.gov.
JOHN REINAN
Art in the Parks returns for the summer
Bloomington's Art in the Parks program is underway for the summer season, offering a wide range of programming that includes children's activities, music and moonlight movies.
The program is seeking sponsors to help defray the cost of programming, with special incentives offered to sponsors. To find out more about sponsorships, send an e-mail to parksrec@BloomingtonMN.gov or call 952-563-8877.
For a full schedule of events, go to www.bloomingtonmn.gov/arts-parks.
JOHN REINAN
MINNETONKA
Open house slated on Ridgedale library work
Preliminary designs for a proposed renovation of the Ridgedale branch of the Hennepin County Library in Minnetonka will be unveiled Tuesday.
The library is scheduled to be renovated next year and will be closed temporarily during the yearlong project.
In the meantime, Hennepin County is continuing work on the plans and seeking residents' feedback on the renovation.
An open house will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr. Residents also may provide feedback on the project by calling 612-567-0719.
The project is one of several providing makeovers to west metro libraries in recent years. Hennepin County's goal is to update each of its 41 libraries at least once every 10 years.
KELLY SMITH
EXCELSIOR
Campaign supports local shopping
Excelsior has launched a campaign to support its growing shopping scene near Lake Minnetonka.
The city already draws many tourists to its restaurants, antique shops and boutiques on Water Street. Now the "Shop Excelsior" campaign aims to promote the local shopping scene even more, with several new events put on by the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce.
One example: The city's first Fashion Week will be held June 17 to June 23. For more information, go to excelsior-lakeminnetonkachamber.com.
KELLY SMITH
PLYMOUTH
City seeking to enlist on-call firefighters
Plymouth is looking for residents interested in becoming paid on-call firefighters, as cities across the metro area face a shortage of volunteers or difficulty in retaining and recruiting non-career firefighters.
In Plymouth, on-call firefighters are paid an hourly wage from $11.53 to $14.14 and are eligible for a defined-benefit pension plan.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or its equivalent and a valid state driver's license, and live within eight minutes of a Plymouth fire station, among other requirements.
Applications are due July 15. An open house is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 11 at Fire Station III, 3300 Dunkirk Lane.
To apply or get more information, go to plymouthmn.gov/become-firefighter.
KELLY SMITH
MOUND
Boater safety class to be held this week
A boater safety education program will be held Monday by the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Water Patrol.
The program aims at teaching adults and 12- to 17-year-olds how to get a watercraft operator's permit from the state Department of Natural Resources.
The session will occur at Mound Westonka High School, 5905 Sunnyfield Road E., Minnetrista.
For more details, go to lmcd.org.
KELLY SMITH
WAYZATA
Event raises money for sailing center
The ninth annual "Wine on Wayzata Bay" event will be held this month to raise money for the Wayzata Community Sailing Center, one of the largest community sailing centers in the Midwest.
The event, which supports programs and scholarships at the Sailing Center on Lake Minnetonka, will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. June 24 at the Wayzata Yacht Club.
The event, which is open to the public, includes music, more than 100 wines, boat rides and a raffle. Tickets cost $60.
For more information or to purchase a ticket, go to wineonwayzatabay.com.
KELLY SMITH