West news briefs: Barns of Carver 2013 calendar for sale

Barns of Carver 2013 calendar for saleThe 2013 Barns of Carver County calendar will be on sale for the holidays, marking the fifth year for the calendar.

The calendar features 12 Carver County barn photographs by Waconia photographer and artist Ruth Tremblay, with historical text about the barns and the families that settled each farm.

This year the cover shows the barn of Randy and Lynette Wehnert of Cologne. The barn was built in the 1890s; the farm dates to the 1850s, when the first settlers began arriving in Carver County.

Each year 50 percent of the proceeds is donated to a local charity. Last year, $3,000 went to Carver County Food Shelves and Mary's Wish.

The calendars are available at Klein Bank locations in Carver County and St. Bonifacius, Mackenthun's County Market in Waconia, the Carver County Historical Society, Watertown Pharmacy, Mill House Gallery in Chaska, Frost & Steam Coffee House and Ice Cream Parlor in Waconia, Premier Custom Apparel in Waconia, Who's on First? Saloon and Eatery in Waconia and Diva Dog Pet Grooming in Waconia.

For more information, go to www.barnsofcarvercounty.com or call 952-442-2308.

Arboretum hosts 'family friendly' Halloween eventThe Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will have a "family friendly" Halloween event this weekend, with its "Ghouls & Goblins in the Gardens" event.

Visitors are urged to dress up in their cleverest costume and take a short "Trick or Treat Trail" past the "Cabin in the Woods" where a cauldron-stirring witch can be found. Then they can meander by the haunted graveyard and Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

Call 612-625-9456 for details.

Forum features candidates for commissioner, judgeThe League of Women Voters of Golden Valley on Thursday is sponsoring a candidates forum for the District 2 seat on the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and for two Hennepin County District Judge seats. The session is at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Golden Valley City Hall.

First up will be judicial candidates Elizabeth Cutter and Steven Antolak, followed by judicial candidates Lois Conroy and Marc Berris. The session wraps up with county commissioner candidates Blong Yang and Linda Higgins.

More information is available from Mary Anderson at 763-588-8578 or at maryanddon3030@aol.com .

Individuals and groups are welcome at the event, which begins at 8 a.m. at Calvary Church, 7520 Golden Valley Road.

For more details and to register online, go to www.goldenvalleymn .gov/community/neighborshelping .php.

International Festival is set for FridayVisitors will experience different countries, their crafts, music and dance at the International Festival scheduled for Friday at Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping on Hwy. 12 in Long Lake.

The event, supported by the Discovery Arts Council and Orono Community Education, is free and open to all ages. Hours are from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information, contact Eleana Bann at 763-479-8156 or e-mail her at eleanabann@yahoo.com.

The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. at the church, 4900 Nathan Lane N.

To pre-register, go to www.mn churches.org or call 763-559-3144 or 612-230-3344.

Home improvement loans availableThe city of Bloomington is accepting applications for up to $35,000 in home improvement loans from people who occupy a home they own and who meet income guidelines.

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority's Home Improvement Deferred Loan Program is repaid when a home is sold or no longer is occupied by the owner. Interest of 4 percent is charged on the principal for the first 10 years, and the loan can be used to replace roofs, electrical and heating and plumbing systems, gutters, windows, doors and other work.

For more information, contact Tom Holman at 952-563-8941 or at tholman@ci.bloomington.mn.us.

The agency wants coats that are clean and in good condition, in children's, teen and adult sizes. Boots and snow pants are also needed, and cash donations are accepted to purchase sizes not collected through the donations.

The nonprofit organization serves communities in the western suburbs including Greenfield, Independence, Loretto, Maple Plain, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Rockford, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, Tonka Bay and Orono.

Containers are available at Bethel Methodist Church, Crow River Bank, Christopher Banks, Culvers in Navarre, Freshwater Church, Gillespie Center, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Grandview Middle School, Hilltop School, Jubilee, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Mound Westonka High School, Minnetonka Mud, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, River Valley Church, Shirley Hills School, St. John's Lutheran Church, St. Martin's by the Lake Episcopal Church and at WeCAN's office.

Those who need a winter coat can come to WeCAN from 2-7 p.m. on Tuesday or 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday.

For more information go to www.wecan-help.org or contact Lisa Floeter at 952-472-0742.

The boutique, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., features two floors of handcrafted items, food treats and door prizes every two hours. Proceeds benefit the craftspeople, the Richfield Garden Club and the community center.

For more information, go to www. richfieldrecreation.com or call 612-861-9363.

Morningside session with council, mayoral candidatesCandidates for Edina mayor and City Council will be available to talk with residents at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Weber Park warming house, 4015 Grimes Av.

At 5 p.m., the Morningside Neighborhood Association will have its annual meeting. On the agenda are election of the 2012-13 steering committee, discussion of residential remodeling, a new Weber Park improvement committee and neighborhood updates.

Residents or property owners age 18 and above may participate and vote at the meeting. Children are welcome.

Used book sale is Saturday and MondayA used book sale by the Friends of the Edina Library is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The sale will be followed by a "Bag Sale" event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; all the books you can stuff in a bag will be sold for $5.

The Edina Library is located at 50th and Eden Avenue.

Buckthorn dumpThe Edina Parks and Recreation Department will hold buckthorn dumps on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. on Ikola Way across from the Braemar Golf Dome site.

Residents must show a picture ID with a current Edina address and bring loose buckthorn brush that is not bagged, boxed or bundled.

For additional information, visit www.EdinaParks.com or call city forester Tom Horvath at 952-826- 0308.

Residents who turn in thermostats, thermometers, jars of mercury, blood-pressure cuffs or other items containing the harmful material will receive a $5 Menards gift certificate as a thank-you.

County drop-off facilities are at 1400 W. 96th St. in Bloomington and 8100 Jefferson Hwy. N. in Brooklyn Park. Hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is a limit of one gift certificate per address, and the offer is available only while supplies last.

'Halloween at the Creek' is for elementary kids"Halloween at the Creek" is set from 5:30-8 p.m. next Wednesday at the Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Av. in Plymouth.

Carnival games, live entertainment, prizes and treats will be available. Costumes are encouraged, but no scary or gory costumes.

The cost is $8 for ages 4-adult and free for kids ages 3 and younger. Door registration is limited and will cost $10. Preregister for the event to be sure of a spot by calling the Parks and Recreation office, 763-509-5200.