West metro news briefs: Navarre seeks cyclists' input for trail study

The Navarre Community Initiative is hosting a meeting this month to gather input on the area's bike trails.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Gray Freshwater Institute, 2500 Shadywood Road, Orono.

Navarre, which is part of Orono, is next to the Dakota Trail and a popular place for bicyclists around Lake Minnetonka.

The meeting comes as Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District are revising the countywide bike and regional trail plan.

There may be a recount in the District 1 Bloomington City Council election, where Dwayne Lowman beat Richard Bohnen by just 2 votes out of 3,084 cast.

Last week, Bohnen said he would probably ask for a recount but that he had not made up his mind.

Bloomington City Clerk Janet Lewis said a recount would occur after the City Council canvasses election results Wednesday if Bohnen requests a recount by letter.

The annual Victorian holiday open house will take place from 1-4 p.m. at the house, 13209 E. McGinty Rd., ­Minnetonka. Self-guided tours will be available as well as refreshments.

The event is free and open to the public.

In honor of Edina's 125th anniversary, Edina Reads held a contest for pieces of writing connected to city history, and the winners will read their work on Monday, Nov. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room of the Edina Senior Center, below the library.

First prize went to Sarah Morris for "A Leadership Legacy: Early Edinan Sarah G. Baird."

Second prize went to Celayne Jones for "A Magical Childhood," and honorable mentions went to "Growing Up in Edina" by Ted Brouillette and "No Place Like Home" by Andy Otness.

City ordinances call for unattended vehicles to be locked, with the keys removed. Only vehicles with remote starters are exempt. Violations are a misdemeanor and carry a maximum penalty of $1,000.

Police Sgt. Mike Glassberg said purses and laptops left in running cars and trucks can tempt thieves and lead to dangerous situations if a car is stolen.

He said the city has a "zero tolerance" on this violation.

The Maple Grove Farmers Market is celebrating its 10th season of indoor markets.

The indoor market began Nov. 7 and continues every other week — from 3-6 p.m. Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19 — with more than 25 vendors at the Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road.

The fair takes place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 16 and noon-5 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Av. N.

It includes demonstrations and art sales as well as entertainment, children's activities and musical performances.

The event is free and open to the public, and co-sponsored by the city, Plymouth Arts Council, Envy Skin Clinic and Andersen Windows.

For more information, go to www.plymouthmn.gov.

The Plymouth police and fire departments will host a "Home Alone" Workshop for children ages 8-10 on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The workshop takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Plymouth Public Safety Building, second-floor training room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd.

Cost is $5 for each child, and the class is limited to 30 participants.

For more information or to register, call 763-509-5200.

The Museum of Lake Minnetonka, which owns and operates the historic Steamboat Minnehaha, will hold a volunteer fair at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, for people interested in the boat's operation.

The event will be held at the museum's headquarters at 37 Water St. in Excelsior. Visitors can learn about the volunteer opportunities available year-round, both on and off the boat.

Volunteers with any level of experience are invited to the boat's maintenance barn on Saturday mornings to assist with various maintenance projects.

For more information, go to www.steamboatminnehaha.org.