West news briefs: Smart-driver classes offered in Bloomington

A first-ever 5K race in Eden Prairie raised more than $16,000 for Twin Cities organizations that provide housing and services to help youth who have been involved in sex trafficking.

About 850 people participated in the "Stop the Trafficking 5K Run/Walk" on June 14 at Purgatory Creek Park.

The event was organized by the city of Eden Prairie's Human Rights and Diversity Commission, Grace Church, Wooddale Church of Eden Prairie and several nonprofits and businesses — all seeking to raise awareness about the issue of sex trafficking in Minnesota and raise money for organizations supporting trafficked youth.

Eden Prairie has a new city planner.

Julie Klima will replace Mike Franzen, who retired after 30 years as the city's planner. Klima has worked for Eden Prairie since June 2013 after working for more than 18 years in planning for the city of Shakopee.

To assist residents affected by recent storms, the city has opened a free dump site for tree branches.

The site across from the Braemar Golf Dome at 7420 Braemar Blvd. is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day through Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday June 29, the last day for branch drop-off.

For more information, contact public works at 952-826-0376.

With Fred Richards Golf Course set to close at the end of this season, the city of Edina is looking for ideas from the public about what kind of park it should become and what amenities it should have.

Ideas will be accepted online or in writing through Sept. 30. Residents can comment at www.EdinaParks.com or www.SpeakUpEdina.org. Written comments can be dropped off at City Hall or mailed to Edina City Hall, Parks and Recreation Department, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424.

For more information on the process of repurposing the golf course, go to www.EdinaMN.gov/fred-richards-repurpose or contact Ann Kattreh at 952-826-0430 or akattreh@EdinaMN.gov.

Drivers who are age 50 and older can refresh their driving skills and perhaps qualify for lower insurance rates with the AARP Smart Driver Program, which has new classes starting in July, August and September. Dates are listed at http://tinyurl.com/mlmc3nb. To register for a class, contact Creekside at 952-563-4944, TTY 952-563-4933. Cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers.

A family with a Hopkins High School student is preferred for at least one of the families. Host families must live in the Hopkins School District, have a bed for the student (they can share a room with a same-gender "sibling") and an open heart to learn about the student and their country.

Interested families should contact Angela Schatz at 612-328-0058 or angelaschatzrotary@gmail.com or Katie Williams at 952-988-4967 or Katie.williams@hopkinsschools.org.

Minnetonka's Charles H. Burwell House is open for tours until the end of August.

The historic house, located at 13209 E. McGinty Road., is open for tours through Aug. 30 on Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m., Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. (July 5: 12 to 2 p.m.) No reservations are required and tours are free. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, go to www.eminnetonka.com.

St. Louis Park City Manager Tom Harmening has been selected as the League of Minnesota Cities Leadership Award winner for 2014. The award is given annually in celebration of outstanding service.

The annual Wayzata Art Experience will take place this weekend.

The two-day event includes more than 120 top artists and takes place on Lake Street and Depot Park in downtown Wayzata from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 28 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29.

This year's Guest Artist is Frederick Somers, an internationally awarded artist, speaker and teacher. Attendees can meet Somers as he paints "en plein air" the waters and gardens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28 at the historical Wayzata Depot Park.

Other events include "Random Acts of Art" performed by Wayzata-based CREO Arts & Dance Conservatory, painting by Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, the Kids Zone by Creative Kids Academy and much more. For more details about the event and artists, go to www.WayzataArtExperience.com.

Holy Name Church in Wayzata will host its annual rummage sale next week, donating money raised to organizations that assist families in the community.

For more information, go to www.hnoj.org or call Karen at 763-551-0968.

STAFF REPORTS