West news briefs: Baseball exhibit at Central Library

Baseball exhibit at Central LibraryWhen the Twins take the field for their home opener at Target Field on Monday, the Hennepin County Library will be starting a new exhibit, "Baseball: America's Game," at the Minneapolis Central Library just down the street.

The exhibition of baseball photos, videos and artifacts will be on display through June 15. It covers the history of American baseball from its beginnings in rural farm fields and urban sandlots to the game today.

A panel discussion with local authors and baseball historians Stew Thornley, Dan Levitt and Tom Swift is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday and will cover memorable moments, players and personalities.

The library, located at 300 Nicollet Mall, is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and from noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, go to www.hclib.org.

One stoplight returns to 169 & 494 until fallOne of the hated stoplights at the Hwy. 169/I-494 interchange in Bloomington is being reinstalled -- for a while.

Motorists on northbound 169 in Bloomington and Edina are being warned to expect delays, but also assured that none of the other lights will return.

The signal, located on northbound 169 just north of I-494, is needed because of a change in traffic flow that's required as part of the construction project at the interchange. The signal is to stay in place through this fall.

All traffic has shifted to northbound lanes so southbound lanes can be reconstructed. The merge lane from westbound I-494 to Hwy. 169 north will remain out of use during the shift, and the signal will allow traffic heading in that direction to get onto northbound 169.

The overall project aims to turn an "expressway" into a "freeway," with smooth-flowing traffic and no stoplights.

To learn more, call the project's hotline at 1-877-563-4768, e-mail Hwy169-I494@rranow.com or go to www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/169/.

Job, education fair at Chaska HighBusinesses and schools will be on hand to meet with job candidates and students during the Southwest Metro Job and Education Fair scheduled for 3:45-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, at Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail in Chaska.

Counselors from the Carver County Workforce Services will review résumés and offer other advice for job seekers, including information on social networking. All ages are welcome to attend.

The event is sponsored by Carver County Workforce Services, Partners in Excellence and School District 112.

For more information, call Emily Mattran at 952-556-3545.

Workshop for women set for FridayWomen In Transition is planning an afternoon workshop Friday to help women figure out how to reach their full potential, personally and professionally.

Fee is $10. The session is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. April 6 at Women in Transition, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park. To register, call 612-752-8444.

STEP food shelf closed for workSTEP, St. Louis Park's emergency food shelf, will be closed this week because the building is being reroofed.

If the project finishes earlier than expected, STEP may reopen Friday. Users are asked to call 952-925-4899 before visiting, and to hold off on any donations until next the week.

City Council opposes marriage amendmentEdina has joined Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul and St. Louis Park in formally opposing the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban legal recognition of same-sex relations and unions in Minnesota.

The City Council passed its resolution on March 20. Minnesota voters will cast ballots on the measure on Nov. 6.

League plans meeting on clean waterSustainable water will be the topic of League of Woman Voters Edina meetings this week.

University of Minnesota Prof. Deborah Swackhamer, director of the U's Water Resources Center, will speak Thursday at the Edina Library. On Saturday, Jean Coleman, attorney and land use planner, will speak on water issues at City Hall.

Both meetings will run from 9:45-11:30 a.m. For more information, go to wrc.umn.edu/watersustainabilityframework/index.html. For meeting information, contact lwvedina@gmail.com or go to www.lwvedina.org.

Run the Valley planned on April 14It's time for runners and walkers to register for the April 14 Run the Valley, the biggest fundraiser for the Golden Valley Human Services Fund, which helps city residents who are in need.

Participants can register for a 5K run, a 5K walk or a 10K run on a certified chip-timed course at Brookview Community Center, 200 Brookview Pkwy.

Volunteers are needed to assist . Registration is $30 for those who register by 3 p.m. April 13 and $40 on race day, when registration begins at 7 a.m. Last year, more than $19,000 was raised, and organizers hope to beat that total this year.

For more information, call 763-512-2340 or go to www.goldenvalleymn.gov/events/runthevalley/index .php.

How to ensure safety of kids on computersKeeping children safe online is the topic of a free Hopkins Police Department event scheduled for 5:30-9 p.m. April 16 at the Hopkins High School Little Theater.

Internet crimes against children and computer security will be discussed.

Wood Lake benefit tickets now on saleThe 22nd annual Friends of Wood Lake Dinner on April 27 will feature guest speaker Peggy Knapp, former Freshwater Biological Society director and science reporter for CNN and "Newton's Apple."

Proceeds from the event, which will feature a silent auction and prizes, will benefit Wood Lake Nature Center.

Tickets are $40 for members and $45 for non-members and can be purchased at the nature center or online at www.startribune.com/a1167. Select "browse activities" and choose "Wood Lake Benefit Dinner."

E-mail items for Star Tribune West to sbarnes@startribune.com at least 10 days prior to the likely publication date.

14th Easter egg hunt to be held SaturdayA free community Easter egg hunt and puppet show will be held at Excelsior Commons Park beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, rain or shine.

The hunt, sponsored by Our Savior Lutheran Church and School, is for kids ages toddler to 11, with four age groupings: 2 and under, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-11.

Children will have a chance to hunt for more than 16,000 plastic eggs filled with candy scattered around designated areas of the park.

The First Light Puppets will entertain, and the Excelsior Fire Department truck will be on site for photo opportunities.

Free on-street parking will be available alongside Commons Park and in lots behind businesses on Water Street. For more information, go to www.oslcs.org or call 952-474-5181.