West news briefs: Edina residents can weigh in on neighborhood names

Residents can weigh in on neighborhood namesEdina's project to identify and name city neighborhoods has reached its final stages, and the city is asking residents for feedback before the City Council votes on the map in February.

A public hearing will be held Jan. 22, and online comments can be logged at speakupedina.org/projects/name-your-neighborhood. E-mails can be sent to mail@edinamn.gov.

Maps and the final report can be seen at bit.ly/TTe0J7.

General manager named for Art CenterThe City of Edina has named Michael Frey the new general manager of the Edina Art Center.

Frey has been the interim manager for a year and has worked there for 15 years.

The Art Center is part of the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

'Century of Quilts' on display at Government Center"A Century of Quilts" -- an exhibit examining historic quilts from the Hennepin History Museum's Permanent Collection -- will be on display from now through Jan. 30.

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Hennepin County Government Center, A Level, 300 S. 6th St., Minneapolis.

Snowmobile safety training sessions set for early JanuarySnowmobile safety training -- required for licensing for anyone born after 1976 -- will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 9 and 10 at the Hamel Legion Hall, 75 Hamel Road in Hamel.

The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Hamel Snowrunners snowmobile club. Cost is $5.

Participants must be 11 years old by Jan. 8 to take this class. For more information, contact Wally Etzel at 763-478-6974 or go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/snowmobile/traditional.html.

MacPhail Center selects students for string quartetThe MacPhail Center for Music String Quartet for 2012-13 has been selected. Named were Benjamin Brashear, 15, of Bloomington on violin; Harris Bernstein, 16, of Bloomington on violin; Mariel Kieval, 16, of Medina on cello, and Madeline Warner, 16, of Shoreview on viola.

This weekend is your last chance for arts center saleSaturday and Sunday mark the conclusion of this year's Minnetonka Center for the Arts holiday gift sale at the center and its Ridgedale Mall location.

More than 120 artists are selling handmade arts and crafts. The arts center at 2240 North Shore Drive in Orono is open through Saturday. Hours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and until 8 p.m. on Thursday.

The satellite center at the Ridgedale Mall is open through Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday.

Metropolitan, Hopkins ballets present 'The Nutcracker'The Metropolitan Ballet and the Hopkins Youth Ballet present "The Nutcracker" at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hopkins High School Auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive in Minnetonka.

Tickets are $19-$59 and can be ordered at www.metroballet.org or by calling 866-811-4111.