West metro town briefs

Wood turnings that tower like trees at Arboretum The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's "Spring Trunk Show" will feature 18 large-scale wood turnings created by Edina artisan Virgil Leih.

Leih rescues whole tree trunks discarded from the "urban forest" that otherwise end up in landfill wood chippers or incinerators. From them he creates monumental works of art, some standing as tall as 7 feet and as broad as 3 feet in diameter, by turning an entire trunk of a tree to reveal a grain rarely seen.

Turning an entire log "shows the end grain inside to outside, revealing the tree's history," Leih says. The tools he uses include a 7,500-pound, circa-1917 lathe.

The works will be at the Oswald Visitor Center at the Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chanhassen, from April 10 through May 4. Leih will be on hand to discuss his artwork from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays April 19, 26 and May 3.

Admission to the Arboretum is $7 for adults, free for ages 15 and younger.

Learn about watercolors, gardening or landscaping Upcoming events at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum include:

• Creating a Landscape Plan for Your Home. Six sessions meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, April 16, 23 and 30 and May 7, 14 and 21. $110 for members, $130 for non-members. A chance to learn about design principles and how to develop a landscape plan that's right for your home.

• Watercolor Painting in a Day for Beginners. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 25. $80 for members, $95 for non-members.

For more information on these and other Arboretum classes and events, call 952-443-1422 or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu.

Loans and grants for repairs on foreclosures Up to $20,000 in loans and grants for needed repairs are being offered by the city of Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority to buyers of foreclosed houses within targeted areas of the city.

Homes must be owner-occupied to be eligible for the Foreclosed Home Improvement Program (FHIP). For more information on qualifying city neighborhoods, income guidelines and other information, go to www.bloomington.mn.us and search the keyword "FHIP" to download the brochure and the application form.

FHIP is a coordinated effort by the city Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Hennepin County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information, contact Brian Duerwachter at the HRA at bduerwachter@ci.bloomington.mn.us or at 952-563-8939.

Children ages 2 to 5 will line up around sides of the Great Hall of Edinborough Park, 7700 York Av. S., Edina. When the Easter Bunny blows the whistle, the children will race to collect candy-filled eggs laid out on the floor of the basketball court. Scrambles will be held at 9 and 9:30 a.m.

Each scramble is limited to 75 children, so doors will open early and tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Cost is $8, which includes the regular daily admission to Adventure Peak and the Playpark. Adults are free.

For more information, call 952-806-9060 or 952-826-0359.

Preservation award nominees sought Edina is seeking nominations for the 2009 Edina Heritage Award, which is given each year to showcase local historic preservation. Individuals and groups are eligible, but the historic resource or property must be located in Edina. Past awards have gone to owners of homes, churches and movie theaters.

The Heritage Preservation Board will select the winner, who will receive a commemorative plaque from the Edina City in May.

Entries should be sent to Edina Heritage Award, Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. Entries can also be e-mailed to edinamail@ci.edina.mn.us or filled out online at www.cityofedina.com.

Earth Hour to be observed Saturday The Edina Energy & Environment Commission is encouraging residents and businesses to turn off their lights and participate in "Earth Hour" at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Earth Hour 2009 is a global climate change event organized by the World Wildlife Fund in which millions of people, businesses and government leaders from around the world will turn off non-essential lights for one hour to make a statement about the need for action on climate change.

More than 950 cities in 80 countries, including Minneapolis, have committed to turning out for Earth Hour. For more information, visit www.EarthHourUS.org.

Jazz great in concert JazzMN Big Band will present "Ken Peplowski: Benny Goodman Protégé," along with guest vocalist Arne Fogel, at 7:30 p.m. April 4 at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka.

Peplowski has recorded nearly 20 albums with such artists as Mel Torme, Leon Redbone, Charlie Byrd, Peggy Lee, George Shearing, Madonna, Hank Jones, Dave Frishberg, Rosemary Clooney, Tom Harrell, James Moody, Cedar Walton, Houston Person, Steve Allen, Woody Allen and Erich Kunzel.

Tickets are $25 to $27 in advance and $27 to $29 at the door. Student tickets are $17 in advance, and there will be a $10 rush at the door.

For more information, call 612-242-4791 or go to www.jazzmn.org.

Christian art on display at Calvary Lutheran "For Glory & For Beauty," the 8th Annual Christian Art Exhibit of Calvary Lutheran Church, is scheduled for April 5-12 at Calvary Lutheran, 7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley.

The exhibit will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 6-10; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 10, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 12. It will feature photography, paintings, drawings, sculpture and calligraphy in a variety of media.

Watercolor Society sets annual juried exhibition The Minnesota Watercolor Society is planning its 2009 Annual Juried Exhibition, "Spring Light," April 2-30 at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, 2240 North Shore Drive, Wayzata.

An opening reception is set for 6-8 p.m. April 2, with awards at 7 p.m. The show and reception are free. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

For more information, call 952-473-7361, ext. 16, or go to www.minnetonkaarts.org.

Volunteers needed to help boys learn about manhood Boys Council, a new national program designed to build on boys' resilience and challenge what it means to be a "real man," is seeking trainers in the Twin Cities.

People working with boys ages 9 to 18 in juvenile justice, mental health, child welfare, public health, youth organizations and schools are invited to participate in the two-day facilitator training workshop Thursday and Friday at Brown College in Mendota Heights.

To register, go to www.boyscouncil. com or call 1-707-794-9477. Amicus and 180 Degrees, located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, respectively, are co-sponsors of the workshop.

Free, confidential advice for struggling homeowners Homeowners worried about making mortgage payments or foreclosure can attend two workshops offered by Hennepin County Taxpayers Services and the Minnesota Home Ownership Center. Participants can ask questions and get free confidential advice from local nonprofit foreclosure counselors.

The first session will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Brooklyn Park City Hall, 5200 85th Av. N. The second starts at 6:30 p.m. on April 20 at the Rockford Road Library, 6401 42nd Av. N., in Crystal.

For more information, call Jeff Strand, Hennepin County Taxpayer Services, at 612-348-7870. If you would rather watch a workshop video, go to the Hennepin County website at hennepinmn.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=12.

Local woman in finals of novel-writing contest Tamara Hughes, a first-time romance novelist from Brooklyn Park, has made it to the finals of a national contest in a bid for a publishing contract.

Her murder-mystery historical romance, "Once Upon a Masquerade," is up against "Ancient Whispers," a paranormal romance by Marie-Claude Bourque of Seattle.

Voting is open until Sunday on the "Best Romance Scene" between the two at www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php. The winner of the publishing contract with Dorchester will be announced in April.