West metro town briefs

Leashed dogs now allowed in parks The Hopkins City Council has voted to allow leashed dogs in city parks. The change came in response to residents' wishes, expressed in a 2007 survey, to walk dogs in city parks.

The ordinance allows leashed dogs in the city's four largest parks -- Burnes, Oakes, Valley and Central -- along trails and in open areas. Dogs will not be allowed in picnic areas, athletic fields, play-equipment areas, park buildings or on surfaced recreational areas.

For more information, visit www.hopkinsmn.com.

B&Bs now OK in Hopkins The Hopkins City Council approved a change to allow bed and breakfasts, or "B&Bs," in the city.

The city does not have any hotels or motels, and officials hope this change will lead to more temporary-stay facilities, said City Planner Nancy Anderson.

She said city staff had received questions about why the city didn't permit B&Bs, so they brought the issue to the council's attention.

Music in the Park begins this week Downtown Hopkins' annual Music in the Park summer series will kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday with the 1st John Philip Sousa Memorial Band's performance at Downtown Park, 16 9th Av. S. Seven more concerts are planned for six consecutive Thursdays:

• July 10, the Little German Band, 7 p.m.

• July 17, the Dixie Kats in a lunchtime concert from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the Westwind Concert Band at 7 p.m.

• July 24, the Teddy Bear Band/Resistors, 7 p.m.

• July 31, the Stan Bann Big Band, 7 p.m.

• Aug. 7, Percy Hughes' Ellington Echoes, 7 p.m.

'Carver County Day' at Arboretum Carver County residents can enjoy the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum free Thursday during "Carver County Day."

The day's events will include guided nature hikes and booths with information on county offices, from Land and Water Services to the Carver County Library.

Master gardeners will give presentations at 2 and 6 p.m., and refreshments will be served at 1:30 and 3 p.m.

For more information, call 952-361-1503.

Paintings of barns on display at library The work of Waconia artist Ruth Tremblay will be featured in an exhibition of her paintings and photographs of rustic barns which will be on display during July at the Chanhassen Library, located at 7711 Kerber Blvd.

Tremblay will discuss her work at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, along with Carver County Historical Society director Wendy Biorn.

They also will discuss the Generations Project, a new oral history program.

For more information, call 952-227-1500 or go to www.carverlib.org.

Music in Plymouth celebrating 36th year The Minnesota Orchestra will perform as "Music in Plymouth" celebrates its 36th anniversary next Wednesday. Entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. at the Hilde Performance Center at 35th Av. N. and Plymouth Boulevard, between City Hall and Lifetime Fitness. The evening will wrap up with fireworks.

Loans for energy improvements The Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority is providing a limited number of deferred loans for energy-related home improvements.

Applicants must meet an income eligibility limit of no more than 115 percent of the area median income (approximately $93,500 for a household of four). Loans are forgiven after 30 years, and $250 grants are also available for projects exceeding $7,000.

The Energy Advantage Program does not cover work started prior to submission of applications, or to general improvements, expansions, recreation or luxury projects. Contact Jim Hasnik at 612-335-5885 or visit www.mncee.org.