West metro town briefs

Energy expo Sunday Information about living green and saving energy will be available at the Edina Energy Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Av. S.

The first 200 people to bring in incandescent light bulbs will be able to exchange them for free, energy-efficient compact florescent light bulbs. Free reusable tote bags will be given away, and organic refreshments will be served.

At 2 p.m., David Morris of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance will talk about meeting the energy challenge. Residents also can sign up for the Edina Energy Challenge, which encourages individuals to reduce their energy use. The city's Energy and Environment Commission wants to sign up 2,008 households for the challenge this year.

Waste collection Hazardous waste will be collected by Hennepin County Thursday through Saturday in the Independence City Hall parking lot at 1920 County Road 90. Only household waste will be accepted.

Those items include light bulbs with mercury in them, thermostats and thermometers, pesticides, electronics such as VCRs and computers, automotive wastes, paints, solvents and thinners, rechargeable tools and batteries.

For more information, call 612-348-3777 or go to www.startribune.com/a4318.

Rain garden lessons Lessons on how to install a rain garden will be given at a Metro Blooms rain garden workshop at 6:30 p.m. June 5 at the Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd.

Guides are available at the Anoka Area Chamber Office, Brooklyn Center Community Center, Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, East Side Neighborhood Services, Minneapolis, Fridley Community Center, Maple Grove Community Center, Metro North Chamber Office, Mounds View Community Center, North Hennepin Chamber Office, Twin Cities North Chamber Office and the Visit Minneapolis North Office.

Or go online to www. startribune.com/a4300 to find links to sales information.

Walking for animals The Animal Humane Society will sponsor its 34th annual Walk for Animals this weekend at two locations -- one in the west metro area and another in the east. Both events are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with registration beginning at 8:30 and post-walk events continuing until 2 p.m.

The west walk will begin at the society's Golden Valley facility, at 845 N. Meadow Lane, proceed to Theodore Wirth Park, then return -- a distance of about 5 miles.

A simultaneous walk is planned in St. Paul, from the Como Midway Pavilion/East Picnic Area at 1199 Midway Pkwy. and around Como Lake, a distance of about 3 miles.

For more information, see www.animalhumanesociety .org.

Sailing school offering education programs The Upper Minnetonka Sailing School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting good sailing, will launch its new summer Learn-to-Sail program with an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. June 6 at the Yacht Club, 4165 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park.

Information will be available on the school's adult Learn-to-Sail program as well as individualized Learn-to-Race programs and sailing clinics.

The school's goals are to introduce more people to sailing, to teach sailing safety and sportsmanship, to provide adult instruction and promote family participation in sailing, and to prepare sailors who want to compete in races.

For more information, go to www.sailawaysailingschool .com or www.umyc.org. Or call 612-871-8101.