West news briefs: Learn how to help besieged pollinators

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is offering a three-part course, "Pollinators: What You Need to Know and How to Make a Difference" in conjunction with the State Master Gardener program on Nov. 6 and, in 2015, March 26 and May 21. All classes will meet from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the MacMillan Auditorium of the Oswald Visitor Center.

You can attend one or all sessions. The cost per session is $20 for arboretum members, $25 for master gardeners/ master naturalists and $32 for nonmembers. Bundle all three for $48, $60 and $77 respectively. Register at www.arboretum.umn.edu/Pollinators3.aspx or call 612-301-1210.

Session One will provide information on what's affecting honey and native-bee populations and how to to make your landscape a pollinator haven. Session Two will cover pesticides and research on impediments to pollinator health. Session Three will focus on policies and politics surrounding pollinator issues.

The Corcoran Lions Club's "wicked haunt" at the Hennepin Fair Grounds in Corcoran, which began Oct. 17-18, will continue on Oct. 24- 25 and 30-31 from 7 to 10 p.m.

The cost is $10 (cash) per person; food donations also are encouraged. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The event features concessions, a bonfire and bone-tingling thrills waiting for Halloween lovers. For more information, go to www.hamellionshauntedacres.com.

A report outlining possible scenarios for Edina's future is available for the community to review and comment on.

"If there are 10 or more residents who are willing to come together for the workshop or share part of their meeting time, we will find a facilitator," said Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt. Groups that have already scheduled workshops include the League of Women Voters, Edina Senior Center, Edina Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Edina and five neighborhood associations.

For more information, contact Kurt at 952-826-0415 or kkurt@EdinaMN.gov.

Eden Prairie residents can share their feedback until Nov. 9 on a pedestrian and bike plan that aims to create safer, more navigable ways through the city.

The city and Hennepin County have been developing the plan by analyzing regional and national research, hosting several public-input sessions and collecting data from a community survey and website. The updated plan, which is in the final-review stages, will be presented to the City Council in November or December. Public comments will be accepted through Nov. 9. For more information or to share input, go to edenprairiebikeplan.org.

Excelsior's Library will host a public art celebration Oct. 25 after the installation of new art at the new library.

The Minnetonka Planning Commission recently approved plans for a mid-rise near Ridgedale Center.

The Highland Bank redevelopment project got unanimous approval from the seven-member commission, recommending the City Council's approval for rezoning the area as a planned unit development as well as approve the development plan, the final site and building plans.

Plans call for tearing down the three-story bank on the 2-acre site off Cartway Lane and Plymouth Road, and building a six-story building with 120 apartments, underground and surface parking, and 16,000 square feet of retail that would include a coffee shop, bank, restaurant and retail.

A group of nearby residents spoke out against the project, saying that it's too dense, too tall and would bring too much traffic to the area, among other concerns. The City Council is expected to discuss the project and possibly vote Oct. 27.

Nominations for Minnetonka's 2015 Reflections Award are due Nov. 14.

How much exercise is too much? That will be the topic of a free, community event Nov. 6 at Plymouth Creek Center.

The event on exercise and heart health, put on by the Minneapolis Heart Institute and WestHealth, will take place from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 6 at 14800 34th Av. N., Plymouth. It will include two, senior consulting cardiologists discussing the risks of exercise, especially distance running, on how to avoid harm to the heart. Heart-healthy appetizers and light refreshments will be served. The event is free, but registration is recommended at allinahealth.org.

Three Rivers Park District is hosting an event where people can learn geocaching basics and search for the delicious treasure of yummy s'mores.

Reservations are required for the event at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at French Regional Park. The cost is $8 per person, with a 20 percent discount for groups of four or more. Register at threeriversparks.org/events/G/geocaching-for-s-mores-under-the-full-moon--.aspx.

A veterans community event will take place Nov. 9 in Rogers.

It will include a presentation on Rogers working to become designed a Yellow Ribbon Community, which supports veterans and active-duty military members and their families. The event will also include recognition of veterans, resources and a brief prayer and remembrance.

The Mental Health Consortium of Carver County, in collaboration with NAMI Minnesota and the Make-it-OK Campaign, will host a free, public forum from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, to talk about ways to better address the needs of children and adults living with mental illnesses and their families.

The event will be held in the Ridgeview Medical Center Auditorium, 500 S. Maple St., Waconia. It will feature a speaker sharing personal experiences, followed by a group discussion about mental health. Anyone from the community who has an interest in mental health is welcome.

Participants are asked to preregister through Ridgeview Medical Center's website www.ridgeviewmedical.org/events. Walk-ins are welcome the evening of the event.

For more information on the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), go to www.namihelps.org or call 651-645-2948, extension 118. For more information on the Mental Health Consortium, please call Melanie Warm at 952-442-7613.