West news briefs: 2013 Lake Minnetonka cruise season begins for Minnehaha

The steamboat Minnehaha is back at work plying the waters of Lake Minnetonka.

The Museum of Lake Minnetonka said that, after "eight long months" of maintenance and upgrades in its boat barn in Excelsior, the boat was ready to sail last weekend.

"Thanks to our incredible volunteers, after this winter's work projects the Minnehaha is in fantastic shape," museum President Jim Murphy said. "While we're a little late getting her back in the water this year because of the weather, we've had extra time to prepare for the 2013 season."

The Minnehaha will offer weekend cruises across Lake Minnetonka, sailing from docks in downtown Excelsior and the docks at the historic depot in Wayzata. The weekend cruise schedule features round-trip cruises between both ports, as well as lake cruises taking passengers to specific sections like Wayzata Bay, Carsons Bay and around the Lower Lake.

Ticket costs for standard lake cruises and round-trip cruises from Excelsior are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children under the age of 3. The Minnehaha maintains the weekend schedule through the end of September.

Also, special event cruises supplement the boat's weekend schedule. They include such events as Excelsior's Art on the Lake June 8-9 and the Wayzata Art Experience June 22-23.

The Minnehaha is owned and operated by the all-vounteer Museum of Lake Minnetonka, a nonprofit organization based in Excelsior.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 2 in Excelsior, showcasing rare classic cars such as a 1909 Ford Model T, a 1954 Jaguar and a 1959 BMW Isetta. John Birge and Michael Barone of Minnesota Public Radio will host the event, which will benefit the Courage Center Foundation, a charitable organization supporting rehabilitation programs and resources.

To buy tickets online go to 10000lakesconcours.com or in person at BMW of Minnetonka, JB Hudson Jewelers in downtown Minneapolis, Distinctive Homes Coldwell Banker Burnet Minnetonka, Jake O'Connor's Public House or Gary's First Class Car Care in Excelsior. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 on event day. Admission is free for kids ages 12 and under and for active members of the military.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Minnetonka will host its fourth annual Summer Block Party on June 1.

The event, which is free and open to the public, starts with a polka mass at 4:30 p.m., followed by polka and folk music, bingo, carnival games for children, a classic car exhibition, a beer garden and grilled food in the parking lot at 5:30 p.m. The church is located at 13505 Excelsior Blvd. For more information, go to www.ihmcs.org/parish.asp.

The Catholic church is also starting a new Catholic school for the west metro suburbs called Notre Dame Academy. For more information on the pre-K-through-eighth-grade school, go to www.nda-mn.org.

• Early childhood music camps like "Pop, Sizzle Bang!" for ages 3-5 years. They are offered June 24-27 and July 8-11 at MacPhail in Minneapolis.

• Animals on Parade for ages 4-6 years, offered June 10-14 at MacPhail Minneapolis and July 15-18 at Silverwood Park.

• Kids Rock for age 10-13 is offered July 8-12. Registration deadline is June 14.

• Rock Week for ages 13-18, is July 22-26 or Aug. 12-17. Registration deadline: July 6.

• Advance piano camp for ages 13-18 is July 8-12. Registration deadline June 14.

The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council has granted Maple Grove $15,000 to be used for a citywide public art installation called "Interactive Light: Seeing Maple Grove Thru Windows."

The installation will occur at the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, the Fountains at Arbor Lakes, the Maple Grove library, the Arbor Lakes Senior Living, the Maple Grove Government Center and the Maple Grove Arts Center.

The project will span seven weeks beginning June 11 and running through Aug. 6. The initial installation will begin at the Maple Grove Library, and is created by Los Angeles-based artist Cheryl Walker, formerly of Minnesota.

Maple Grove Arts Center Education Director Christina Hankins will direct Maple Grove Student Artists and volunteers at all other installation sites. Walker shares her inspiration for creating transparent vinyl cutouts in abstract shapes designed to temporarily adhere to a window surface, allowing light to illuminate the vinyl colors of overlapping pieces and creating free form designs.

The Maple Grove Arts Center is seeking volunteers from the community to participate in this art project. No experience necessary. If you are interested, fill out the "contact us" form on the website www.maplegroveartscenter.org or call 763-250-1016.

Stanek will discuss his experiences as a member of President Obama's Gun Control Conference in Washington, D.C. He also will cover the question of "sanctuary cities" and other law enforcement issues.

The seniors' meeting begins at 10 a.m. with a business session, followed by the guest speaker. A noon lunch is served from a menu ranging in price from $6 to $11 per person. There is a minimum basic charge of $3 for those not ordering lunch.

The meeting is held at Poor Richard's Commonhouse, 8301 Normandale Blvd. in Bloomington. For more information, call 952-828-1943.

A wine-tasting event will take place next month to support the nonprofit Wayzata Community Sailing Center.

The sixth annual "Wine on Wayzata Bay" will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28, at the Wayzata Yacht Club. It will include more than 150 wines, hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants, live music, a silent auction and sailboat rides.

Boy Scout Troop 345 will hold its 3rd annual rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 6-7 at St. Therese Church, 18323 Minnetonka Blvd. in Deephaven.

For early access to the sale items, a pre-sale will be available for $5 per person from 5-7 p.m. June 5.