West news briefs: Fields, Lillie to speak to GOP seniors group

Chris Fields, a retired U.S. Marine major, former U.S. House candidate and current deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, will speak to the Republican Seniors of Minnesota on Tuesday, Jan. 6. His talk is entitled "How Liberal Policies Have Failed Communities of Color."

Also appearing will be Ted Lillie, president of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota, who will present the league's scorecard from the last Minnesota legislative session.

The group of Republicans aged 50+ meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Poor Richard's Commonhouse, 8301 Normandale Blvd., for a 10 a.m. discussion and coffee, a speech and a noon luncheon. For more information, call 952-828-1943 or e-mail repseniorsmn@gmail.com.

The Carver County Board is seeking to fill vacancies on county advisory committees whose purpose is to advise, consult with, or make recommendations to the board.

The following committees have vacancies for 2015: Arts Committee, two at-large vacancies; Community Development Agency, one vacancy each in districts 1 and 3; Library Board, one vacancy each in districts 4 and 5; Minnesota Extension Committee, one vacancy each districts 1 and 4; Park Commission, one at-large vacancy and another in district 1; Planning Commission, one vacancy each in districts 1 and 4; Personnel Board of Appeals, one at-large vacancy, and Water, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, one vacancy each in districts 1 and 4 and another representing the Crow River Watershed.

For more information regarding a specific committee or districts or to download an application, visit the Carver County website at www.co.carver.mn.us or call 952-361-1503. Please note that some of the vacancies have incumbents who are eligible for being reappointed for another term.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is offering a class on working around the state's challenging weather in "Fundamentals of Seasonal Garden Maintenance" a class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 24.

The class is limited to 22 participants and costs $41 for members and $55 for nonmembers. To register go to arboretum.umn.edu/gardeningclasses.aspx.

The Minnetonka Fire Department will host a free family day event Jan. 10.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Minnetonka Fire Station 1 located at 14550 Minnetonka Boulevard. It will include a tour of the fire station, a 20-foot inflatable slide and Sparky, the fire safety dog. For more information, call 952-939-8331.

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is seeking applicants for its Citizens Advisory Committee, a group of citizens who assist the watershed district's board of managers and provides input on projects and programs.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 5. The committee, which is appointed by the board, meets once per month, but may also attend community events or help distribute watershed educational materials.

Registration for the 2015 Minnetonka Police Citizen's Academy is due by Jan. 9.

The free program takes place over eight Tuesday evenings from Feb. 3 to March 24 at Minnetonka City Hall and teaches residents about the police department such as crime scene investigations, school resource officers and dispatch. Anyone age 21 and older who lives or works in Minnetonka can apply. Applications may be downloaded at eminnetonka.com.

The Federated Garden Clubs of Minnesota will host a free event open to the public next month in Minnetonka.

The nonprofit will host a program on succulents and house plants from 1-2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Tonkadale Garden Center, located at 3739 Tonkawood Rd., in Minnetonka.

Attendees should RSVP by Jan. 9 to Betty Beck at 763-473-7183 or beflower@comcast.net.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Robbinsdale United Church of Christ, 4200 Lake Road, Robbinsdale.

It gives an update on the efforts to start a co-op in the northwest suburb since the city's only grocery store, a Rainbow Foods, closed in 2013.

Since then, a group of residents and city leaders have been discussing a co-op, trying to get the business licensed, establish members and raise funds. The meeting will include updates on fundraising and incorporating a co-op into Robbinsdale.

Organizers hope the co-op will eventually open in the city and draw members from nearby places like Brooklyn Park and Crystal. For more details, go to robbinsdalefoodcoop.org or facebook.com/BirdtownFood.

Nominations for the annual Caring Youth Award for residents and volunteers in Minnetonka, Hopkins or Golden Valley are due Feb. 2.

The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. Feb. 2. The award, which will be presented at 7 p.m. March 19 at the Minnetonka Community Center, is organized by the cities of Minnetonka, Hopkins and Golden Valley, the Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts and the Glen Lake Optimists. Nominees must be nominated by the organization they are serving. For more information and the nomination guidelines, go to eminnetonka.com or call 952-939-8207.

Arctic Fever, the free winter festival hosted by the cities of Shorewood, Tonka Bay and Excelsior, will take place Jan. 16-18.

The annual festival, which began in 2006, includes events each day in each of the three cities, including human bowling on the ice, dog sled rides, ice skating and bonfires. The events will take place in Freeman Park in Shorewood, Manitou Park in Tonka Bay, and Excelsior's downtown and Commons park. For a schedule of events and details, go to arcticfever.net.

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