West Extra town briefs: Haunted house finds a home in Long Lake

Veteran haunted-house organizer Dave Barnhill has finally found a place to host his theatrical haunted house, "The Dungeons of Darkness and Doom."

The Minneapolis salesman, who has organized haunted houses for 40 years, has hopped around to various venues across the Twin Cities the last decade. But the last two years, he's been unable to find space to rent.

Now, he hopes he's found a permanent venue at 10 Sports Centre in Long Lake. Volunteers and students from the Main Street School of Performing Arts in Hopkins and Wayzata High School will be actors; all proceeds will benefit the Main Street School. "We're going to do our best to scare everyone," Barnhill said.

The haunted house will take place at 2465 W. Wayzata Blvd., Long Lake. Tours began earlier this month and continue this week from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. It wraps up on Halloween, open from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission costs $12 or $9 with a donation of gently used sports clothing for the Senneh Foundation. More details are at www.haunteddome.com.

Plymouth is seeking applications from residents to fill vacancies on commissions and committees that advise the City Council.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 8. The City Council will then interview applicants and make appointments later this year; terms begin Feb. 1.

There are spots open on the environmental quality committee, the housing and redevelopment authority, the parks and recreation advisory commission, the planning commission, the advisory committee on transit, the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission, the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission and the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission. For details, call 763-509-5080.

More than 25 families have registered to sell everything from children's toys and games to clothes. There is no cost to browse; the sale is open to the public. For more information call 763-509-5200.

Volunteers, residents and Plymouth city staff are working to remove buckthorn through next month.

The "buckthorn busts" will take place on Saturdays through early November. Residents can join in from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 2 at Maple Creek Park and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Nov. 9 at Oakwood Park. For more information, contact Forestry Technician Lara Newberger at 763-509-5945 or lnewberger@plymouthmn.gov.

The St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts invite volunteers who are passionate about the arts to apply to join its board of directors. St. Louis Park residents who have expertise in law, graphic arts and human resources are encouraged to apply now for positions that open in January.

Terms last three years and the board meets monthly. Volunteer activities take about four hours per month. Applications are online at http://tinyurl.com/l5p5rwh and more information is available by e-mail at info@slpfriendsofthearts.org.

Bloomington's Human Services Division will salute city veterans and active-duty personnel on Friday, Nov. 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd.

The Visit with the Veterans Breakfast will take place from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by the presentation "Alan Woodworth and World War II," about life at Fort Snelling and overseas for Minnesota's Greatest Generation.

Breakfast tickets are $5 per person, and are free for veterans and active duty personnel. Registration is required for both the breakfast and/or the historical presentation by Friday, Nov. 1. To register, please call 952-563-4948 (952-563-4944 V/TTY).

The city Public Works Department will hold a buckthorn dump from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the dumpster on Ikola Way, across from the Braemar Golf Dome.

Only buckthorn will be accepted. Residents must show a photo ID with an Edina address. Commercial haulers are not allowed unless they are accompanied by residents for whom they are working. Buckthorn must not be bagged, boxed or bundled.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is starting November with a weekend specially designed for dogs and "dashers." Details:

• All About Dogs Day, Saturday, Nov. 2: Doors open for all dogs. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Events include a dog walk on Three-Mile Drive, plus a Pet Expo, "Meet the Breeds" demos, "Smart Dog Activities" and more. For details about cost and to register, go to www.arboretum.umn.edu/dogday.aspx.

• Witch Hazel Hustle 5K Run/Walk, Sunday, Nov. 3: 9 a.m. race start, Arboretum grounds. The run begins at the Oswald Visitor Center and continues on Three Mile Drive. For details about cost and registration, go to www.arboretum.umn.edu/witch hazelhustle.aspx.

Eden Prairie police are warning residents after a spree of thefts targeting cellphones, laptops and tablets. Since July, police have had numerous reports of thefts throughout the city targeting smartphones, laptop computers, tablets and external hard drives, all stolen in public at everywhere from department stores and restaurants to gas stations and parks. Police advise residents to secure electronic devices and be mindful that having the items in reach of others could make you a target of a theft.

The League of Women Voters of Golden Valley is hosting a meeting for the Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the St. Louis Park City Hall council chambers, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.