West news briefs: Cars will rev up at James J. Hill Days

Cars will rev up at James J. Hill DaysThe 4th Annual Charity Motorsports show, an automobile show featuring hundreds of vintage, custom, foreign and specialty vehicles, will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 9 on Lake Street in downtown Wayzata as part of the James J. Hill Days celebration.

"Beginning with the earliest cars built to the latest current models," the organizers say in a news release, "these are machines that have changed the course of history, from a few miles by horse and buggy to cross-country travel. A look into the future with the solar car developments at the University of Minnesota is also available."

The cost of entry is $20 per vehicle, but spectators are admitted free. Contact Marty Schneider at 612-237-3843 for more information. The event is sponsored by the Wayzata Rotary Club and the Minneapolis Club, and proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club's charities.

Truck and tractor pull at Lions Park SaturdayThe Corcoran Lions Truck and Tractor Pull is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Corcoran Lions Park.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children and will be available at the gate.

Corcoran Lions Park is located at the intersection of county roads 10 and 101 in Corcoran.

City names its new assistant city managerThe city of Minnetonka has a new assistant city manager and director of administrative services.

How to 'haze' coyotes to prevent problemsThe Edina Police Department is encouraging residents to attend its presentations on proper ways to haze coyotes to discourage them from hanging around homes and near pets.

The program will be held in the council chambers of Edina City Hall at 4801 W. 50th St. from 7-9 p.m. on Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 and from 9-11 a.m. on Aug. 25, Sept. 1, Sept. 8, Sept. 15 and Sept. 22.

City officials say hazing has lowered the presence of coyotes in other metropolitan areas. Presentations are free, but registration is recommended.

To register, visit www.edina mn.gov or call 952-826-1610. For more information, call animal control officer Tim Hunter at 952-826-0494.

Rotary Club seeks host families for studentsThe Rotary Club of Edina is looking for families to host a Rotary exchange student for the coming school year.

For more information or to apply to host a student, contact Heather Hansen at heather@parkwood.net or call her at 612-366-0051.

Development offers tours of luxury homesEden Prairie Woods, the newest and final piece to the Hennepin Village project in Eden Prairie, will host a public hard-hat tour of the luxury homes this weekend.

The 52 homes in the southwest side of the city are still under construction by Toll Brothers and priced in the mid-$600,000s and up.

The public can take the tour to see the progress from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Refreshments and activities for kids will be included.

The development is located on the east side of Eden Prairie Road, north of Flying Cloud Drive. For more details, go to www.edenprairiewoods.com.

From 6-9 p.m. Sept. 6, Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley will host the event, "A Respectful Conversation on the Marriage Amendment." The event is put on by the church as well as House of Hope Lutheran in New Hope, Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran in Robbinsdale and Holy Nativity Lutheran in New Hope, and is part of a program of the Minnesota Council of Churches.

Pre-register at www.mn churches.org or call 763-588-4611. Valley of Peace Lutheran Church is at 4735 Bassett Creek Drive in Golden Valley.

Arboretum calling all scarecrows for exhibitThe Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will celebrate "Scarecrows in the Garden" with an exhibit Sept. 8-Nov. 4 as part of the Arboretum's "Autumn Adventures" fall season.

This display will consist of handmade scarecrows created by the public. Individuals, families, organizations and design professionals can enter. Here are the entry guidelines:

•Scarecrows must be made from materials found in nature. Plastic and artificial materials may be used for stuffing, but the exterior should be natural, dried or fresh materials.

•Awards ranging from $100 to $50 gift cards will be presented for first through third prize, and there will be a People's Choice winner. Winners will be announced on Halloween, Oct. 31.

To enter, fill out an application form available at www.arboretum.umn.edu/scarecrows.aspx.

Call 952-443-4401 for more information.

Latino and Somali information fairsBloomington's Human Services Department will present two free informational fairs on services available to Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Richfield residents on Sept. 8 at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road.

The Latino Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the Somali Fair will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. City, county and state government agencies and nonprofits will talk about their programs.

'Happy Feet 2' is Friday Movie in the ParkA free screening of "Happy Feet 2," a computer-animated movie featuring Mumble the penguin and his family, will be presented at dusk Friday at Central Park.

The park is located at 8440 Regent Av. N. in Brooklyn Park.

'Homespun' events at Eidem Homestead"Homespun on the Homestead," an afternoon market followed by an evening concert, will be held at the historic Eidem Homestead this Thursday and next Thursday, Aug. 30.

The market runs from 3-7 p.m. and is accompanied by old-fashioned children's games and crafts, among other things. The concert will begin at 7 p.m.

The homestead, which dates to the 1870s, is located at 4345 101st Av. N. in Brooklyn Park.