West metro town briefs

Mayor Gene Winstead recently was presented with the 2015 Spirit of Hospitality Award by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau for his contributions to the travel and hospitality industry.

In addition, the Diamond Service Awards Committee inducted three members into the Hospitality Hall of Fame. The inductees are Ursula Chan, a server at Colette Bar and Bistro at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel; Mike Gruebele, director of engineering at the Embassy Suites Bloomington, and "Grandma" Sue Miller, a server at Woolley's Steakhouse at the Embassy Suites Airport.

With the Ryder Golf Tournament coming to Chaska in 2016, the PGA of America is bringing the Ryder Cup trophy to Minnesota, photographing it at 14 locations, including a Timberwolves game and at the City of Chaska entrance sign.

Chaska residents can see the trophy up close at a City Council meeting at 7 p.m. March 16. Representatives from the PGA of America will share statistics and information about the Ryder Cup trophy.

Three Rivers Park District will hold an astronomy class March 24 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Dayton.

The "Dark Sky Astronomy" class, which will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Eastman Nature Center, will discuss constellations and other celestial bodies and is geared for ages 7 and older. The cost is $5 and reservations are required; call 763-559-6700. Groups of four or more people get a 20 percent discount. For more information, go to threeriversparks.org.

The medical center, part of North Memorial Health care, opened last November and includes a new urgency center, primary care clinic, imaging center, lab, ambulatory surgery center and clinic.

The new specialty clinic includes cardiology, dermatology, ENT, gastroenterology, general surgery, orthopedics, menopause care, neurology, plastic surgery, rheumatology and urology.

For more information, go to minnetonkamedicalcenter.com.

A draft of the Wooddale/Valley View small area plan has been posted online for comment. The plan can be found at www.EdinaMN.gov/wvv. Comment at www.SpeakUpEdina.org.

Following the comment period, public hearings on the plan are scheduled at the Planning Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, and the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. Both public hearings will be held in the City Council chambers at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St.

The much-anticipated first hotel on Lake Minnetonka in decades has gotten another extension from the city of Excelsior.

The hotel has been discussed for more than five years, but final approval has been delayed several times. The hotel, which would be the first on Lake Minnetonka since 1964, would go on a now-vacant lot just yards from the shoreline.

The monthly luncheon meeting of the Women's Club of Hopkins will be held Tuesday, March 17, at Mizpah United Church of Christ, 412 5th Av. N., Hopkins. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by a short business meeting. Author Chuck Tindell will talk about his book "Seeing Beyond the Wrinkles."

To make a reservation for the luncheon, call 952-933-6325 by Friday, March 13.

DNR-certified turkey hunting instructors will teach an advanced hunter education class March 23 at Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement, Medina.

The class, which takes place from 6 to 9 p.m., will teach turkey biology, management, hunting behavior and equipment, calling techniques and more. Cost to attend is $7.50; the program is for ages 11 and older. Go to threeriversparks.org for more information.

The event will offer a class for up to 35 residents on CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator. Representatives from Heart Safe Plymouth and the Plymouth Rotary will teach three sessions — at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Three Rivers Park District will hold an event March 14 on stopping invasive species in Carver Park Reserve in Victoria.

The event, from 1 to 3 p.m., will teach participants how to get involved in stopping the spread of land-based invasive species and participate in buckthorn removal and a bonfire. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, go to threeriversparks.org/events/B/beat-invasives-kick-off-party.aspx.

Blue Water Theatre Company is performing Disney's "Alice in Wonderland JR" this month.

The Wayzata theater company will hold shows at 7 p.m. March 20 and 2 p.m. March 21 at the Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins. The show features 38 third- through-eighth-grade actors.

STAFF REPORTS