West news briefs: Make a Thanksgiving centerpiece

Ashley Fox, a floral designer and former horticulture educator at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, will teach a class on creating a memorable Thanksgiving table centerpiece from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Participants will learn how to arrange artichokes and pears, along with fresh-cut flowers and trailing vines, to create a low, dramatic and inviting design. Students also will learn how to freshen and extend the life of their arrangements.

All materials will be provided. The class will be held at the arboretum's Learning Center. Class size is limited to 24, and the cost is $89 for members and $99 for nonmembers. For more, go to http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/comingsoon.aspx or call 952-443-1400.

The Chaska City Council has approved a streetscape plan for its downtown that will help guide street reconstruction projects in the city's central business district.

The plan's goals include improving walkability and enhancing the area's historic character but at the same time creating zones for parking.

In addition to recommended materials for sidewalks and crosswalks, the plan recommends amenities such as benches, planters, bike racks and decorative archways.

The League of Women Voters-Golden Valley, the Hennepin County Library's Golden Valley branch and the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission are sponsoring their third community conversation about the U.S. Constitution. This one will focus on the 14th Amendment and the quest for equality. It will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Brookview Community Center, 200 Brookview Parkway in Golden Valley.

Preregister by Monday, Nov. 17, by emailing lwvgoldenvalleymn@gmail.com or calling 612-543-6390.

The Women's Club of Hopkins monthly luncheon meeting will be held at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Mizpah United Church of Christ, 412 5th Av. N., Hopkins. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by a short business meeting and a 1 p.m. program.

The program will feature Cindi Scheffler, who has been performing in both theater and cabaret since she was 18.

To reserve a spot, call 952-936-9113.

The club is a service and social organization that has been in existence for more than 100 years. In October, it collected winter clothes for the Hopkins Resource Center and volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. This month, it will support Resource West in its toy drive. For more information, call 952-933-6325.

Speakers will include James Garborino, a psychologist and expert on children and violence; Jerry Moe, national director of children's programs at the Betty Ford Center, and Ken C. Winters, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

The $125 cost includes lunch. For more information, call 651-213-4204.

Gale Woods Farm is hosting three programs on fiber art, all on Nov. 22:

• "Twined Knitting," from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will explore the basics of Swedish two-ended/twined knitting, a technique that dates back to the 1600s. Students must know how to knit, purl and work on double-pointed needles. Yarn and pattern included. Cost is $45 and reservations are required by Nov. 18. This program is for ages 16 and over. Reference activity number #437425-07. A supply list is provided upon registration.

• "Felted Hat," from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will allow participants to meet the sheep the yarn comes from, learn how to process wool, and make a warm, durable, felted hat. Materials included. Cost is $45 and reservations are required by Nov. 18. This program is for ages 12 and over. Reference activity number #437425-06.

Breaking Free, a Minnesota-based organization that helps women and girls escape sexual exploitation, will hold a presentation for the public on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The program, "Stop Human Trafficking: Minnesota Girls Are Not For Sale," will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. at New Hope City Hall, 4401 Xylon Av. N. The event, which is being presented by the League of Women Voters of Crystal, New Hope and East Plymouth, will discuss how to be involved in the prevention and intervention of sex trafficking. The FBI ssays the Twin Cities is one of the nation's 13 largest centers for sex trafficking of children.

The annual Plymouth Arts Fair will take place this weekend. The fair, which is free and open to the public, takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Av. N. Up to 30 artists from all over the state will display and sell their artwork.

There will also be a children's activity from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and live music throughout the event. It is sponsored by the City of Plymouth, Allina Health-Abbott Northwestern, Park Dental and TCF Bank.

"Mount Sinai: Looking Back, Moving Forward," a multimedia exhibit chronicling the history and work of Minneapolis' Mount Sinai Hospital, the Mount Sinai Auxiliary and today's Mount Sinai Community Foundation, will open on Nov. 13. The exhibit will highlight the people who helped build, support and sustain the Minneapolis institution that served and employed, among others, those not accepted elsewhere because of their race or religion.

The event, which will take place at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, will kick off the Mount Sinai Community Foundations ' annual Giving Circle funding cycle.

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE, Minneapolis. Coping with the treatment side effects of urinary incontinence/erectile dysfunction will be discussed with Dr. Sean Elliot, a U of M urologist. Family and friends are welcome, there is no charge and parking is free. For more information, call 612-388-3588.

An annual "fun"raiser takes place Nov. 15 to support Home Free, a west metro program that helps women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 15 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 155 County Road 24 in Wayzata. It includes a spaghetti dinner, wine pull, silent and live auctions and a show by magician Matt Dunn.

Contact Jan Stumpf at jan1dave2@usfamily.net or 763-473-3470 for details about the event or to make a financial contribution to Home Free.