West metro news briefs: Wayzata council approves seasonal sidewalk cafe

Council approves seasonal sidewalk cafeA five-day trip to France was enough to inspire Terri Huml on how to keep Gianni's Steakhouse on par with other restaurants.

Until last summer, hers was the only restaurant in Wayzata that didn't offer outdoor seating, she said. "On beautiful, nice days, I really was hurting."

Stuck in the middle of the block on Lake Street, Huml expanded the only direction she could: Into the sidewalk.

Last month, the Wayzata City Council approved the recurring operation of the seasonal Gianni's Steakhouse sidewalk cafe.

The steakhouse will be allowed to place an eight-foot-wide walkway across four public parking spaces in front, detouring sidewalk traffic around the cafe. There will be 24 two-person tables on the outdoor patio.

Huml said she ordered chairs and tables from France, where she was inspired by the plethora of outdoor sidewalk cafés. She said the sidewalk seating gives Gianni's Steakhouse a "European feel."

Within the first hour of its opening on a trial basis last spring, the patio was full. It's a "meet-and-greet" spot -- many residents would spot their friends and climb inside to talk, Huml said. And it increased foot traffic on Lake Street. Local businesses agreed that the addition was good for the area last summer.

"It really created a positive community vibe on the block," she said.

City Council member Mary Bader said the sidewalk cafe was allowed last year "to try to boost business" for Gianni's Steakhouse. She said the council approved the concept again for this summer because it was executed both successfully and tastefully.

Bader said her only concern would be implementing a fee policy for the use of public sidewalk and parking spaces. The council hopes to decide on a policy before summer.

The cafe will be open June 1 through Nov. 30, weather permitting.

Grants for youth sports equipmentApplications are due by March 9 for Hennepin County's capital equipment grants for youth sports, funded from a portion of the county sales tax levied to build Target Field.

The Hennepin Youth Sports Program has awarded as much as $2 million annually in capital grants since 2009 to build, repair, renovate or expand youth sports facilities.

Last year, $250,000 was set aside for capital grants for youth and amateur sports equipment to be used by organizations in the county. The grants are awarded twice a year -- $125,000 in the spring and $125,000 in the fall.

The MN Amateur Sports Commission screens and processes grant applications for the Hennepin Youth Sports Program. For more information on how to apply, go to www.mnsports.org/grant_pro gram.stm.

Voter ID subject of Feb. 15 forumThe Southdale/Edinborough Democrats will sponsor a forum next Wednesday on proposed legislation that would require Minnesotans to present a photo ID when voting.

Debby McNeil of the League of Women Voters Minnesota will review the proposed voter ID bill in the Legislature and discuss its likely impact on voters. The nonpartisan Voters League has prepared a new documentary, "Democracy for All? The Barriers of Voter ID," and it will be shown during the forum.

Kids' Fest set for SundayMinnetonka's Kids' Fest -- featuring dog sled rides, magic shows, ice sculpture demonstrations, s'mores over a fire, and plenty of crafts and entertainment -- is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Minnetonka Civic Center Campus,

Open swimming, ice skating and indoor playground time will be offered. All of the activities are free.

For more information, go to www.eminnetonka.com, or call 952-939-8203.

Special council election is TuesdayAll city voters are eligible to cast ballots in the special election Tuesday that will fill a vacant at-large seat on the Minnetonka City Council.

Voting hours on Election Day are 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Absentee voting is available at Minnetonka City Hall from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. today through Friday. Extended absentee voting hours also are being offered from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and through 5 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Grays Bay boat slip lottery Feb. 16Minnetonka will hold a lottery Feb. 16 for Grays Bay Marina boat slip vacancies.

Only Minnetonka residents may compete. Slips are approximately 10 1/2 feet wide and can accommodate boats up to 24 feet in length. Cost for the 2012 season will be $3,900.

Applications must be received at Minnetonka City Hall no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15. The lottery will take place at City Hall at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 16; applicants do not need to be present.

To get a go to www.eminne tonka.com or call 952-939-8390, or e-mail mweseloh@eminne tonka.com.

State of the City events around areaTwinWest Chamber of Commerce's "State of the City" series is scheduled through March, with west-metro area mayors and in some cases city managers discussing the outlook for their cities during 2012.

•Hopkins -- Mayor Gene Maxwell and City Manager Mike Mornson will present the state of the city from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.

•Minnetonka -- Mayor Terry Schneider will present the state of the city from 7:30-9 a.m. Feb. 29 at the Minnetonka Community Center.

•Plymouth -- Mayor Kelli Slavik will present the state of the city from 7:30-9 a.m. March 7 at Plymouth City Hall.

•St. Louis Park -- Mayor Jeff Jacobs and City Manager Tom Harmening will present the state of the city from 7:30-9 a.m. March 13 at the Showcase ICON Theater at West End.

•Golden Valley -- Mayor Shep Harris and City Manager Tom Burt will present the state of the city from 7:30-9 a.m. March 23 at Golden Valley City Hall.

'Living Streets' presentation TuesdayAn urban planning expert will discuss street design that balances the needs of drivers, walkers, bicyclists and transit users with safety and active living in a free presentation from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday in room 350 of the Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Road.

Presenter Ryan Snyder has worked with "living streets" in Los Angeles. The city of Edina is working on such a plan in cooperation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

For more information, call Katherine Bass at 651-662-9326.

Lions plan winter golf tournamentThe Rockford Lions are planning a winter golf tournament -- the "Blue Ball Open Golf in the Park" -- from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at Riverside Park in Rockford.

Proceeds will go to the Claus Robinson Benefit Fund to help a 6-year-old Rockford boy who needs a kidney transplant. For more information, go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/clausrobinson.

Teams of up to four players can sign up at www.therock fordlions.org or by sending their names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers along with a check for their entry fee to the Rockford Lions, Blue Ball Open, P.O. Box 24, Rockford, MN 55373.

For more information, contact the Lions at 763-200-6393 or rockfordlions@gmail.com.

Fund-raiser for STEP set at Lenox Center"Gifts from the Heart," a community-wide fundraiser for the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP), gets underway Monday.

Donations may be made between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. next Monday-Friday at the Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd. STEP assists about 800 families a month with food assistance.

For more information, call 952-928-6444.