West metro town briefs: Zimmerman to speak to GOP seniors

Fred Zimmerman, professor emeritus of manufacturing systems engineering at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, will speak at the Republican Seniors of Minnesota luncheon meeting on Tuesday, May 6. He'll talk about how emerging technology will affect future innovations in the United States and his view that Minnesota has not fared well in retaining employment in key industries.

The Republican Seniors of Minnesota meet on the first Tuesday of each month, starting at 10 a.m., at Poor Richard's Commonhouse, 8301 Normandale Blvd.

For more information, call 952-828-1943 or e-mail repseniorsmn@gmail.com.

"It's Magic on Ice," the 48th annual ice show of the Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club, will be held Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Braemar Arena, 7501 Ikola Way.

The show features skaters ages 3 to 18, plus 23 dads. Skaters in the city's Learn to Skate classes will perform as a group and club members will perform solos, duets, trios and in groups.

After winning a gold medal at the 2014 Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships and silver at the Spring Cup in Italy, the club's junior synchronized skaters, Team Braemar, will perform the finale.

Tickets will be for sale at the door and are $7 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors. Children 5 and under get in free.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 County Road 19 in Excelsior. Speakers will include Minnesota Public Radio chief meteorologist Paul Huttner, University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley, Fresh Energy science policy director J. Drake Hamilton and Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota Executive Director Tammy Walhof.

The Deephaven Historical Society will present a series of talks at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at City Hall, 20225 Cottagewood Road

Capt. Hank Graef will talk about the Jefferson family of Cottagewood, and particularly about local individualist Rufus Jefferson, who mysteriously disappeared in his handmade sailboat a few years ago on Lake Superior. Former Groveland School principal Harold Melby will discuss the history of that school. And Walden resident Ann Furst will share some of the history of Walden and the Douglas mansion.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 952-474-7248 or e-mail bookbob @aol.com.

The League of Women Voters of Golden Valley has received a grant from the Minnesota Humanities Commission to sponsor three community discussions about the U.S. Constitution.

Space is limited, so register by Monday, May 12. For more information, e-mail lwvgoldenvalleymn@gmail.com, call 612-543-6390 or go to www.lwvmn.org/GV.

One of Hennepin County's largest outdoor flea market will open on Sunday, May 4, at the Medina Entertainment Center, 20 minutes west of Minneapolis on Hwy. 55. It will be in business every Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon through September (except for May 11).

Antiques, collectibles, bargains, crafts, produce, plants and one-of-a-kind treasures will be present, as well as a concession stand. Parking is free.

Vendors supply their own tables and rent space at $20 a spot. Direct questions to Kent Usgaard at 763-355-7693.

The Maple Grove Farmers Market will kick off May 8 with a spring preview of more than 25 vendors.

The outdoor market is starting its 11th season and will officially start June 12 at the Maple Grove Community Center with 50 vendors. It takes place every Thursday from June 12 through Oct. 23; hours from June to September are 3-7 p.m. with hours in October from 3-6 p.m. For more information, go to www.maplegrovefarmersmarket.com or on Facebook at www.facebook/maplegrovefarmersmarket or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MGFarmers.

Plymouth will hold a kids' garage sale from noon-2:30 p.m. May 4.

The event will take place at the Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Ave., and includes more than 25 families selling items, including children's toys, clothes and games. There is no cost to browse the merchandise and the sale is open to the public. For more information, call 763-509-5200.

Plymouth's annual Drop-Off Day, where residents can recycle items such as appliances, tires and carpet, will be held May 3.

The event will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility, 14900 23rd Av. N. Residents can dispose of and recycle items not collected at the curb, including appliances, electronics, tires, fluorescent bulbs, bicycles, carpet, furniture, batteries, scrap metal and remodeling debris. There is a charge to drop off some of the items.

The event is for Plymouth residents only; identification for proof of residency is required. For more information, call 763-509-5906, e-mail recycling@plymouthmn.gov or visit plymouthmn.gov/dropoff.

Piper Breast Center is celebrating its inaugural year at Abbott Northwestern –WestHealth with a free health event for women on May 8.

"Well Women: Breast Care Basics" features a panel on health care and will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Plymouth Creek Community Center, 14800 34th Av., Plymouth. Registration is required at www.piperbreastcenterplymouth.eventbrite.com or by contacting Lisa Wahl at 612-262-4393 or lisa.wahl@allina.com.

The event includes a discussion about breast care and wellness featuring surgeon Margit Bretzke, radiologist Kevin Edelman, breast surgeon Dawn Johnson and cardiologist Courtney Jordan Baechler.

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE, Minneapolis.

With major reconstruction planned for 66th Street between Xerxes and 16th Street, the public is invited to a Thursday, May 1, open house to learn about and offer opinions on the project.

Officials from Richfield and Hennepin County will be at the meeting, which runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lakeshore Dr.

Planned improvements will fix deteriorating pavement; address stormwater, utility and drainage concerns; and improve safety for walkers and bicyclists. Construction is expected to begin in 2016.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Beth El Synagogue, 5225 Barry St. W., as part of its Inspiring Minds series.

The Science Museum of Minnesota and the Bell Museum of Natural History are partners on this event.

The annual membership drive of the Museum of Lake Minnetonka, owners and operators of the historic Steamboat Minnehaha, is underway. The organization relies exclusively on volunteers.

All are welcome at the annual members meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the Southshore Community Center. Items for discussion will include a review of the 2013 season, completed goals, action items on current projects, new initiatives and a meet-and-greet for supporters.

The Museum of Lake Minnetonka has several membership and sponsorship options. Details and applications are at www.steamboatminnehaha.org.

Environmental scientist Dana Nuccitelli will speak by national conference call on Saturday, May 3, to audiences at five west metro locations on "The Cost of Cutting Emissions Is Cheaper Than You Think."

Nuccitelli writes a blog for The Guardian. The program begins at 10:45 a.m. at the Edina Library, 5280 Grandview Square, and at 11:30 a.m. at the Eden Prairie Library, 565 Prairie Center Dr.; Linden Hills Park building, 3100 W 43rd St., Minneapolis; Maple Grove Library, 8001 Main St. N., and the Wayzata Library, 620 Rice St.