West metro news briefs: Plymouth will fill council vacancy

Plymouth is accepting applications until Sept. 5 from residents interested in filling a City Council vacancy.

Ginny Black, the longest-serving council member, is resigning Sept. 30. She's served on the council for nearly 18 years and is retiring from her full-time job with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The council will appoint a resident to fill the rest of her term, which ends Dec. 31, 2014. The council will review applicants and select finalists Sept. 10, interviewing finalists on Sept. 17 and making an appointment then or on Sept. 24. To apply, contact City Clerk Sandy Engdahl at sengdahl@plymouthmn.gov or 763-509-5080.

The Plymouth Fire Department will hold its ninth-annual Firefighter 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 followed by a free kids fun run (half- or full-mile) at 10 a.m.

The races will start at Fire Station II, 12000 Old Rockford Rd. Proceeds will benefit the Plymouth Firefighters Relief Association.

Race-day registration and check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m.; registration costs $20 by Sept. 14 or $25 after Sept. 14. Participants will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt. The top three finishers — from the men, women and firefighter categories – will receive awards, as will the Fire Department with the most participants.

T.C. Bear, the Minnesota Twins' mascot, will be at the event, and a pre-race warm-up will be led by fitness expert Wendie Pett. To register, pick up a form at City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., or visit www.active.com.

The auditions will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Black Box Theater of the Plymouth Creek Center. The council is looking for five adults and seniors for the volunteer cast. People interested in auditioning should bring a photograph and be prepared to read the manuscript (script selections will be online beforehand at www.plymouthartscouncil.org). For more details, call 763-509-5223.

The show will be performed Nov. 14 to 17, with 7 p.m. shows Thursday through Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Artist instructors from the Minnetonka Center for the Arts will host the annual Faculty Show Sept. 3-19, with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 12. The show and opening reception are free and open to the public.

The faculty artists will exhibit up to three works showing what they teach or know, ranging from ceramics, paintings, sculpture, woodcarving, weaving, photography and glasswork.