West metro news briefs

'Autistic License' performance TuesdayThe Illusion Theater will present a free performance of the play "Autistic License" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Chanhassen High School.

Playwright Stacy Dinner-Levin will host a question-and-answer session after the play, which is an autobiographical account of a family that has raised a son with autism.

The play is considered appropriate for ages 10 and older. For more information or to reserve a seat, e-mail 112boxoffice@district112.org.

While admission is free, donations will be accepted at the door to support parent education about disabilities.

Class to help seniors avoid fallingThe St. Louis Park Senior Program is sponsoring an eight-week class to help seniors increase activity levels and avoid falls.

"A Matter of Balance" will be presented by specialized coaches from 9-11 a.m. on Thursdays beginning April 14 at the Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd.

Participants will learn how to reduce their risks of falling and increase strength and balance.

League plans forums on garbage haulingThe League of Women Voters of Edina is hosting meetings to discuss the pros and cons of organized versus individually hired garbage hauling.

The meetings will be held at 9:45 a.m. Saturday at Edina City Hall and at 9:45 a.m. on April 14 at the Edina Community Library.

For more information, go to lwvedina.org or find LWVE on Facebook.

Job fair Thursday at Chaska HighThe Southwest Metro Job/Education Fair will be held from 3:45 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Chaska High School.

More than 20 businesses, including food, medical, health care and temporary agencies, will be represented, along with several education and training institutes.

The school is at 545 Pioneer Trail and the fair is sponsored by Carver County Workforce Services, Partners in Excellence and School District 112.

City, Stages Theatre renew art center leaseThe city of Hopkins and Stages Theatre Company have renewed their lease in a deal that will keep the youth-oriented Stages as the anchor tenant in the Hopkins Center for the Arts for the next 15 years.

The lease will run from November 2012 through July 2027, extending a lease arrangement that began in 1998.

In announcing the deal, the city acknowledged several factors, including Stages' value to the city's image and the theater company's ability to attract a high volume of people to downtown Hopkins.

Stages, in turn, recognized the quality of the theater as a performance space and the city's ongoing efforts to maintain it as a focal point for arts, education and entertainment in the city.

For more information on Stages and its upcoming shows, go to www.stagestheatre.org.

Scholarships for women leadersThe League of Women Voters of Edina is sponsoring two scholarships to the 16th annual Leaders of Today and Tomorrow Conference on May 21 at the Kahler Hotel in Rochester.

The conference will feature speakers, panel discussions, workshops and networking for collegiate and emerging professional female leaders. The focus is on personal progress, leadership and inspirational advice to promote success.

The scholarships will cover the cost of the conference, with preference given to Edina residents. Transportation is not included.

Young women who are interested in attending can go to www.lwvmn.org/2011lottconference. For more information about the scholarships, e-mail lwvedina@gmail.com .