Southwest insider

Foo co-op meeting Harvest Moon Natural Foods, a co-op planned for the Orono and Long Lake area, is hosting three informational meetings in February.

Members will answer questions such as: What exactly is a co-op? What does it mean to be a member? When and where is the co-op going to open?

Members have been working to make the co-op a reality for more than a year. As of April 2007, more than 150 people had signed up for one-time $175 memberships. Now, the co-op boasts almost 400 members.

Meetings will be 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 and 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 26 in the front office space of 540 Willow Drive in Long Lake, one of the sites being considered for the co-op.

For more information, visit www.harvestmoon.coop or call 612-435-2210.

Highways' future Minnetonka will collect comment from the public on possible changes to its comprehensive guide plans for the areas along Hwy. 7 and Interstate Hwy. 394 during an open house on Feb. 20.

A citizen steering committee and city employees are updating the comprehensive plan to guide the city's development through 2030. A steering committee working with the planning staff on the updated guide plan is discussing possible changes along the highways. Its members are seeking public comment.

Making upper creek area more accessible The city of Minnetonka on Feb. 21 will host a discussion of plans for expanded public access to the upper Minnehaha Creek corridor in Minnetonka.

Initial plans will be presented at an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd.

The proposal includes a nature preserve, walking and biking trails and a scenic parkway through the historic Minnetonka Mills District.

Mall will cease as park-and -ride location The park-and-ride at Four Seasons Mall in Plymouth will likely be nudged to a nearby spot north of County Road 9.

Metrolink buses will begin serving the new location on Feb. 18 if the City Council approves the move this week.

For more information, visit www.startribune.com/a3976.

Food taking center stage at chamber gala The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce's annual gala is focused on food. The March 14 event, to be held at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, will feature tastes from 17 local restaurants and caterers.

The menu includes food from Dave & Buster's, Famous Dave's BBQ, Kip's Authentic Irish Pub & Restaurant, and Noodles & Company, along with other restaurants. Proceeds will help sustain the Chamber's programming and the TwinWest Foundation scholarships for local students.

For more details, call 763-450-2220.

Restoring native plants Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation and Friends of Birch Island Wood will hold a free seminar for service groups and homeowners on Feb. 21 on how to restore native plants, trees and wild flowers to yards and woodlands choked with buckthorn.