West metro town briefs

Arboretum announces no-smoking policy The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum now is prohibiting tobacco products throughout its grounds, including outdoor areas.

The 1,137-acre facility operated by the University of Minnesota previously banned smoking in its buildings, but it has now extended the ban to outdoor spaces.

The ban "grew out of concern over the detrimental effects of secondhand smoke on the human body and a desire to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the arboretum's landscaping and gardens for all to enjoy," the arboretum said in a news release.

Said Mary H. Meyer, Arboretum interim director: "We expect the transition to be a smooth one. We appreciate the public's support in keeping the arboretum green."

Job fair planned at Normandale U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen will host a free job fair from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 8 in the cafeteria at Normandale Community College, 9700 France Av. S., Bloomington. Employers will have an opportunity to set up a booth and discuss opportunities for job seekers.

For more information or to participate, go to www.paulsen.house.gov or contact staff member Dan Wick at 952-405-8510 or at dan.wick@mail.house.gov.

Libraries host career, business workshops Hennepin County libraries are planning business and career workshops throughout February. Here's a sampling:

• Job Search Assistance, 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays Feb. 3-24, Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. One-on-one help looking for a job, filling out applications, writing résumés with a job search representative.

• Small Business Start-up Guidelines. 10:30 a.m.-noon Feb. 13 at Central Library. What should be considered before starting a small business and what resources are available. Presented in partnership with SCORE.

Similar programs are underway at other libraries in the county system. For more information, go to www.hclib.org.

Newcomers luncheon set in Plymouth The Newcomers Club of the Southwest Suburbs will hold its next luncheon at 11 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Creekside Cafe at the Radisson, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth.

The event is designed for newcomers to the area who want to get to know people and places in the metro area.

Sample and learn more about wines Wayzata Public Schools' Community Education program is offering an evening of wine tasting and a lecture on the subject from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Wayzata City Hall Community Room, 600 E. Rice St., Wayzata.

Cost is $34 per person, and participants must be at least 21. For more information or to register go to www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/ces and click on the "adult enrichment" link or call 763-745-5212.

Free H1N1 vaccines available at clinic Bloomington Public Health will hold a free H1N1 flu vaccination clinic for all Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield residents from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road.

No appointments are needed. Shots or nasal spray vaccinations will be available. Children can receive either their first or second shot at this clinic. Two vaccinations are needed for children younger than age 10, and they must be at least 21 days apart.

Those attending the clinic should wear a short-sleeved shirt and bring an insurance card if they have one. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information, call Bloomington Public Health at 952-563-8787, extension 2435.

Discussions will be led by Judy Elling, ResourceWest executive director, and Cathy Maes, Intercongregational Communities Association executive director.

For more information, contact Shirley Buehler at 952-279-0290 or shirley@icafoodshelf.org.

Chaska family theater presents 'Joseph' Chaska Valley Family Theatre will celebrate its 15 years with a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" Feb. 18-28.

Performances will be at the Chanhassen High School theater, 2200 Lyman Blvd., Chanhassen. Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 and 2 p.m. Feb. 21 and 28.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students 17 and younger, and all tickets will be half-price on opening night.

Normandale will host Writing Festival Normandale Community College will host a Midwinter Writing Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11, sponsored by the college's Writing Center and Reading Series.

The event will feature free hourly presentations on all aspects of writing, with more than 40 panel presentations throughout the day, plus a keynote discussion by Kao Kalia Yang, author of the award-winning memoir "The Latehomecomer," starting at 1 p.m.

Panel topics will include "Memoir: Writing Your Life Story," "How to Find a Poem Just About Anywhere," "Jane Austen Is Not Just for Zombies" and "Intercultural Communication."

For a full schedule go to midwinterwritingncc.blogspot.com or contact Thomas Maltman at thomas.maltman@ normandale.edu.

Foreclosure info sessions planned Free workshops on mortgage foreclosure will be offered over the next few weeks at Hennepin County libraries.

The scheduled sessions are:

• 10 a.m. Saturday, Hennepin County Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. The session will be held in the Doty Board Room on the second floor. 612-630-6000.

• 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16, Rockford Road Library, 6401 42nd Av. N., Crystal. 952-847-5875.

• 6:30 p.m. March 23, Augsburg Park Library, 7100 Nicollet Av., Richfield. 952-847-5300.

For more information, call the individual libraries or Ed Nelson of the Minnesota Home Ownership Center at 651-659-9336.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE,

HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA,