West metro town briefs

Arbor Lakes plans holiday tree-lightingA "Hometown Holiday on Main Street" will be celebrated Saturday at Arbor Lakes, at the corner of Main Street and Arbor Lakes Parkway, with a parade, a tree-lighting and other festivities.

The celebration will run from 3 to 7 p.m., with a "Sleigh Bells & Sparkle Parade" beginning at 5 p.m. on Main Street, proceeding from the Maple Grove Library at 8001 Main St. N. to the Government Center. Santa will light the Community Tree at the end of the parade around 5:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.arborlakes.net.

Home improvement loans, grants availableBloomington's Housing and Redevelopment Authority is offering home improvement loans to purchasers of foreclosed houses within targeted areas of the city. The program offers up to $20,000 in loans and grants for repairs to owner-occupied homes.

For income guidelines, eligible neighborhoods and other information, go to www.bloomington.mn.us and search for "FHIP" to download the brochure and application form. For more information, contact Brian Duerwachter at bduerwachter@ci.bloomington .mn.us or 952-563-8939.

Immunization clinics offered for uninsuredHennepin County is offering immunizations this month to people of all ages who lack health insurance or whose coverage doesn't include vaccines. Donations for the service will be accepted but aren't required.

The clinics will be held from 8:30-11 a.m. Friday at Hennepin Health Services, 525 Portland Av. S. in Minneapolis; from 3-5:30 p.m. Tuesday and again on Dec. 21 at the Bloomington Division of Health, 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road in Bloomington; and from 9-11 a.m. Dec. 28 at Hennepin County's Brookdale Service Center, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy. in Brooklyn Center. For more information, call 612-348-2884 or go to www.hennepin.us/vaccines/.

Sessions on services for the disabledTwo free information sessions on services available for people with disabilities will be held this month by Hennepin County's Human Services and Public Health Department.

The sessions will be held from 9-11 a.m. Monday at the Jordan New Life Community Church, 1922 25th Av. N. in Minneapolis; and from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Ridgedale Library, Room 229, at 12601 Ridgedale Drive in Minnetonka. Registration is required to attend. Call 612-596-6631 or click on www.hennepin.us/adsinfo/.

Winter holiday events at county librariesThe Hennepin County Library system has events planned throughout December related to the winter holidays. Here's a sampling:

Swedish Stories, 10:30-11 a.m. today at the Franklin Library, 1314 E. Franklin Av., Minneapolis. For preschoolers, a chance to learn about Swedish holidays and traditions. Presented in collaboration with the American Swedish Institute.

"Wishing for a Snow Day," with author Peg Meier. 7 p.m. next Tuesday at the Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka. Meier will read from her book of memories of a Minnesota childhood.

Holiday Hoopla, on Dec. 10 from 10:15-10:45 a.m. or 11:15-11:45 a.m. at the Rogers Library, 21300 John Milless Dr., Rogers. For preschoolers through first grade, a chance to celebrate winter holidays with songs, stories and games. Registration required, and group limited to 25. Call 952-847-6050.

Celebrate Winter, 2-3 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Westonka Library, 2079 Commerce Blvd., Mound. For preschool and older, winter-themed stories and crafts. Registration required. Call 952-847-6175.

Winter Holidays Around the World, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Augsburg Park Library, 7100 Nicollet Av., Richfield. For kindergartners and up, a chance to hear stories and songs and see origami and other art that demonstrate how Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day and St. Nicholas Day are celebrated around the world.

Snow Stories and Winter Fun, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22 at the Golden Valley Library, 830 Winnetka Av. N., Golden Valley. For kindergartners and up, stories, poems, music and movement about the joys of winter.

December Stories: Sharing Cultural Celebrations, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 28 at the Southdale Library, 7001 York Av. S., Edina. For ages kindergarten and up. Master storyteller Auntie Beverly will share holiday from around the world.

For more information on these and other events and activities going on at Hennepin County Libraries, go to www.hclib.org.

Most volunteer positions are three-year terms.

The council will interview all applicants on the evenings of Jan. 5, 6 and 11. For more information, visit www.cityofedina.com or call City Clerk Debra Mangen at 952-826-0408. Applications must be received at Edina City Hall by 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17.