West news briefs: Candidate's forums in Edina races

Candidate's forums in Edina racesThe League of Women Voters in Edina is sponsoring a candidates forum for Minnesota House of Representatives candidates tonight in room 349 of the Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Road.

District 49A candidates Bill Glahn, a Republican, and Ron Erhardt, a Democrat, will speak at 7 p.m. District 49B candidates Terry Jacobson, a Republican, and Paul Rosenthal, a Democrat, will speak at 8 p.m.

Candidates' forums in October to be tapedThe League of Women Voters in Wayzata and Plymouth will host candidate forums throughout October that are open to the public. At each forum, written questions will be accepted from audience members or through e-mail at lwv.wayzata.plymouth@gmail.com. The League will videotape the forums and broadcast them on Ch. 12 for Plymouth residents and Ch. 21 for Orono and Medina residents.

The first forum will take place Oct. 2 at Plymouth City Hall featuring Ward 2 candidates Ned Carroll and Jeff Wosje from 7-7:30 p.m. and at-large candidates Dan Waltenberg and Jim Willis from 7:40-8:10 p.m.

On Oct. 4, Plymouth City Hall will be the site of a forum for Minnesota Senate District 44 candidates Terri Bonoff and David Gaither from 7-7:30 p.m., Minnesota House District 44A candidates Sarah Anderson and Audrey Britton from 7:40-8:10 p.m. and Minnesota House District 44B candidates John Benson and Mark Stefan from 8:20-8:50 p.m.

On Oct. 9, a forum will be held at Orono City Hall with Minnesota Senate District 33 candidates David Osmek and Judy Rogosheske as well as Minnesota House District 33A candidates Jerry Hertaus and Todd Mikkelson from 7-8:10 p.m. followed by Orono City Council candidates Kristi Anderson, Doug Franchot, Lizz Levang and Dennis Walsh from 8:10-9:10 p.m.

On Oct. 15, a forum will be held at Hamel Community Center in Hamel for Medina mayor candidates Tom Crosby, Karl Hanson and Darrell Johnson from 7-7:45 p.m. followed by a Medina City Council forum with John Anderson, Jim Dailey and Elizabeth Weir from 7:55-8:55 p.m.

Registering now will save time on Nov. 6, the day of the general election, according to Edina City Clerk Deb Mangen. For more information, visit www.EdinaMN.gov or call 952-826-0363.

Great Decisions Discussion SaturdayEleven years after Sept. 11, 2001, with the country winding down its military commitment in Iraq and Afghanistan, what exit strategy helps the United States continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals?

That is the subject of a Great Decisions seminar from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd. in Chanhassen.

Speaker will be Todd Lefko, president of International Business Development Council, an import-export firm, with homes in Minnesota and Moscow, Russia. He has taught urban affairs and sociology at the University of Minnesota, and political science, international relations, political philosophy and public administration at other Minnesota colleges. He also has lectured at universities in Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

For more information, call 952-227-1500 or go online at www.carverlib.org.

Cities are chosen for their commitment to helping develop healthy and successful children. Northfield was the other Minnesota city among the 100. For more information, go to www.americaspromise.org/.

Coats for Kids campaign slatedSTEP, St. Louis Park's Emergency Program, is joining with Pilgrim Cleaners to collect clean and gently used coats of all sizes through Oct. 24. Hats, gloves, scarves and boots also will be accepted.

People who need winter clothes can visit STEP once from Oct. 18-Oct. 24 and select one coat for each person in their family. Hours for coat distribution will be Thursday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; Friday from 9-11 a.m.; Monday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Recipients need not live in St. Louis Park.

Anyone who is interested in serving as a volunteer should call Allison at 952-925-4899, ext. 11. STEP is located at 6812 W. Lake St.

Old Walker Library to close SaturdayThe old Walker Library building at 2880 Hennepin Av. will close for the final time on Saturday with a ceremony that includes a presentation about the new library that will be built on the site. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.

Mission Festival this weekend at TrinityTrinity Lutheran Church of Long Lake is hosting a Mission Festival from 1-7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-noon Sunday.

Featured will be Spanish bingo, South American animals from the Minnesota Zoo, a market of artisan handcrafted items, and a salsa demonstration and Latin American dinner for $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Trinity Church is located at 2060 6th Av. N. in Long Lake. For more information, go to trinitylonglake.org or call 952-473-8577.