West news briefs: Edina has free dump site for tree debris

The city of Edina has opened a free tree branch dump site at 7420 Braemar Blvd. for residents affected by recent storms.

The site, across from the Braemar Golf Dome, will be open through July 10 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The site will be closed July 4th.

Residents with tree branches must present a valid proof of residency, and contractors can use the dump site as well. No stumps are allowed.

For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 952-826-0376.

Edina's Independence Day parade theme this year is tied to the city's 125th anniversary, or "quasquicentennial."

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. July 4th behind Edina City Hall at Eden Avenue and Willson Road, just east of Hwy. 100, and proceed one mile east on 50th Street to the U.S. Bank parking lot at Halifax Avenue.

This year's grand marshal will be former Parks and Recreation Director John Keprios, who retired last year after 35 years.

For more information on the parade route and parking, visit www.edinaparade.org.

Residents can top off their Independence Day celebration with an 8:45 p.m. concert by the First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band followed by a fireworks display at 10 p.m. at Rosland Park.

For more information, visit www.edinamn.gov or call the Parks & Recreation Department at 952-826-0367.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Auxiliary will sponsor tours of four private gardens in the west metro July 14-17.

Guests will travel to the private gardens in air-conditioned buses. A homeowner and auxiliary representative will be on hand to answer questions. The tour experience also includes a brunch accompanied by music.

A "slow, no wake" rule that had been in effect for boaters on Medicine Lake in Plymouth was lifted Monday.

Hennepin County sheriff's deputies began enforcing the rule last week. Signs were posted at public access areas on the lake.

The order remained in effect as long as the lake's water levels were above 889.4 feet.

The cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake adopted the rule in 2001 to help protect the shoreline when water levels are unusually high.

Plymouth residents can buy low-cost bike helmets from the city throughout the summer.

Helmets range in size from toddler to extra-large adult and come in a variety of styles and colors. Traditional helmets cost $5-13; multisport helmets are $15-23.

For more information, call 763-509-5198.

Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department's "Entertainment in the Parks," offering free events throughout the summer, continues next week with the Percolators performing at 7 p.m. Monday, July 8, at the Hilde Performance Center's small stage, 3450 Plymouth Blvd.

Other July events include a Summer Carnival and Kids Koncert at 7 p.m. July 9 at Par­kers Lake Park off County Road 6 and Niagara Lane; Grease and the Muppets at sunset July 10 at Hilde; the Minneapolis Commodores at 7 p.m. July 11 at the Hilde Amphitheater; Prairie Fire Children's Theater presents Robin Hood at 7 p.m. July 12 and 2 p.m. July 13 at the Hilde Amphitheater; and Flute Cocktail at 7 p.m. July 15 at the Hilde Small Stage.

For more information, go to www.plymouthmn.gov.

Fresh, locally grown produce and plants are available, along with locally made breads, jams and honeys. Plans are in the works to also offer locally raised meats and eggs.

Begin the Fourth of July with a "Revolutionary" breakfast at the Historic Wayzata Depot from 8 a.m. until noon.

The "Flying Pancake Breakfast" will feature pancakes "tossed from the grill," along with sausage, coffee, a cold drink and a free U.S. flag.

Also watch the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment of revolutionary actors tell tales and demonstrate the loading and firing of their powder muskets.

Cost is $6, but veterans eat free. The Historic Wayzata Depot is located at 402 Lake St. E. in Wayzata.

The open house will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, at Lake Community Bank, 1964 W. Wayzata Blvd. in Long Lake.

Crews plan to make improvements to make the boulevard safer and more efficient from County Road 6 to Hwy. 12.

Attendees will be able to speak with staff from Hennepin County and its consultant, SRF Consulting Group, about the proposed roadway and streetscape concepts.