West news briefs: Bird-watching's great at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Explore the open fields and woodland edges of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to observe bobolinks, meadowlarks and other birds with naturalist Matt Schuth.

The guided walk will take place 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 13.

You'll learn about more than birds, and hear stories about the flora and fauna in their spring glory. Discover details about the arboretum's bluebird program and perhaps even get close-up view of baby bluebirds.

Dress for the weather and bring your binoculars! The cost is $12 for arboretum members and $24 for nonmembers. Attendance is limited to 40. Register online at http://www.mnarbonline.com/Walks-with-Matt-Bobolinks-and-Meadowlarks-960-06-13-15-P1621C189.aspx.

Capt. Rob Stock recently retired from the Chaska Police Department after serving on the force for 25 years.

A native of Cannon Falls, Stock began his law enforcement career as an officer with the City of Garden City, Kansas in 1988.

In Chaska, Stock served as a patrol officer, investigator, firearms instructor, trainer and field training officer. He also represented the police department on the Carver County Sheriff's SWAT/CERT Unit, the Metro Region Peer Counseling/Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team and the county's Justice Advisory Team.

Seniors are invited on a fishing trip to Lake Riley in Eden Prairie on Monday, June 8. The morning pontoon cruise is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Let's Go Fishing. Cost is $10, and those under 90 need a Minnesota fishing license. Life jackets, fishing rods, gear and a snack will be provided. The group will leave at 9:15 a.m. from Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Av. S., and return at 12:45 p.m. To register, call 952-563-4944 or visit Creekside Community Center.

Hennepin County will host a health and safety fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, on the North Plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center. Exhibit topics will include emergency preparations, bike and pedestrian planning, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department and local fire departments.

This event is the first of many Summer on the Plaza events. The series runs June through August during the lunch hour on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. A schedule can be found at www.hennepin.us/summerontheplaza. Other June events will include:

Thursday, June 4: Singer/songwriter Jesska. Friday, June 5: Tower Bell Foundation. Wednesday, June 10: Rock of Ages band. Thursday, June 11: Jazztronauts. Friday, June 12: New Ulm Summer Band. Wednesday, June 17: Second annual Black Expo. Thursday, June 18: Master Gardeners presentation. Friday, June 19: Wayzata Summer Band. Wednesday, June 24: Fairlanes, an a cappella quartet. Thursday, June 25: Hennepin History Museum. Friday, June 26: HubCap, a two-person band.

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE, Minneapolis. This session will be an open discussion at which participants can discuss their experiences with prostate cancer to help each other. Family and friends are welcome to attend. There is no charge, and light refreshments will be served. For further information, call 612-388-3588.

Join other biking and history buffs 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 10 at the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, Wayzata.

Experience the story of Lake Minnetonka during its heyday as one of Minnesota's premier destinations and "ride the rails" along the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, a former Great Northern Railway roadbed. The trip also includes Crystal Bay, where grand hotels once stood, and the opportunity to visit the estate gardens at Noerenberg Memorial Park.

Cost is $5, and reservations are required one week before the program. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number 388802-00. This program is for ages 13 and older. Bikes and helmets are required.