MINNETONKA

Nonprofit leader gets lifetime award

FamilyWise, a Twin Cities-based nonprofit, recently honored Arlene Nystuen, a Minnetonka resident and one of the founders of the organization.

She received its Lifetime Mission Award last month. Nystuen helped start the nonprofit in 1976, helping women make the transition from prison. Now, the organization serves nearly 2,800 vulnerable residents, with more than half of them children. For more information, go to FamilyWiseServices.org.

BLOOMINGTON

Media sale to raise money for BCPA

Book collection is underway for the 23rd annual Bloomington Crime Prevention Association sale in June. Donated used books, CDs, DVDs, games and puzzles will be sold in June to benefit the association's annual grants.

The annual Book 'Em sale is scheduled for June 6 to 20, with a preview night on June 5, at 1901 W. American Blvd. (the former Home Valu site between Savers and Kia).

Donations can be dropped off at the sale site through June 12 on Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. They also will be accepted at several locations through June 4, including Bloomington Civic Plaza, Bloomington elementary schools, Jefferson and Kennedy High School activity centers, and Southtown and Valley West shopping centers. A list of sites is at bcpamn.org. For more information, call 952-220-2537 or e-mail bookem@bcpamn.org.

MAPLE GROVE

Adaptive mountain bike open house

Explore the 2.2-mile adaptive trail at Elm Creek Park Reserve built specifically to accommodate wider and more stable arm-powered bikes.

a peace of my mind exhibit at the hennepin gallery through may 27 See story on page AA1 for details about the exhibit Jeff Kennedy says, “You talk about peace ... I’ve watched men in jail who have no common background ... they used to hand cigarettes out in the jail ... and they would give each other a cigarette ... when one was in need, another one gave.”

The open house for adaptive mountain bikes will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Meet at the trailhead for an open ride. This program, sponsored by Three Rivers Park District, is free and open to all ages.

CHASKA

Fire Department seeks volunteers

The Chaska Fire Department is looking to recruit new paid on-call firefighters for 2015.

Candidates must be 18 or older, be a high school graduate or equivalent, hold a valid Minnesota driver's license and live within 10 minutes of the fire station. Applicants also must pass a thorough background check and the department's stress test, pulmonary function test, physical exam and psychological evaluation.

The department offers a paid training program for recruits on basic firefighting techniques and emergency medical response procedures. Recruits are expected to complete Firefighter I and II courses within the first six months of acceptance, and emergency medical responder/CPR within 12 months. A weekly two-hour business/training meeting is held every Monday evening.

For information, contact Chaska Fire Chief Tim Wiebe at 952-227-7457 or Twiebe@chaskamn.com. Applications are available at www.Chaskamn.com and should be submitted by May 22 to the fire station, 285 Engler Blvd.

Crystal

Cemetery service set for May 17

A service for Memorial Day (May 25) and Holocaust Remembrance Day (May 17) will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 17, at Adath Chesed Shei Emes Cemetery, 3740 Winnetka Av. N., Crystal.

The service at the cemetery, which is that of the Adath Jeshurun congregation in Minnetonka, will honor the memory of Holocaust victims and survivors and local Jewish veterans. The service is free and open to all.

Keynote speaker will be Mort Naiman, director of the Jewish Community Foundation at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. Cantor Neil Schwartz, of Temple Aaron, will lead the singing of the national anthem and prayers and trumpeter Dave Haberman will play during flag-raising and taps. The Sabes JCC Boy Scout Troop 738 and Cub Scout Pack 738 also will participate.

The service will conclude with the mourners' Kaddish and memorial prayers. All veterans' graves will be decorated with U.S. flags, and Holocaust survivors' graves will be decorated with Shoah flags.

MEDINA

Hamel Lions Club flea market to open

The Hamel Lions Club flea market, one of Hennepin County's largest outdoor flea markets, will open Sunday, May 17, at the Medina Entertainment Center. The open-air market is open every Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon through September.

Antiques, collectibles, bargains, crafts, produce, plants, and treasures will all be present — as well as a concession stand with hot and cold choices — at this free weekly event. Vendors supply their own tables and rent space at $20 a spot.

Minneapolis

Prostate cancer group will meet Thursday

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet May 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE., Minneapolis. Susan O'Connor-Von, an associate professor at the U, will discuss spirituality and palliative-care topics related to prostate cancer. Family and friends are welcome. For more information, call 612-388-3588.

PLYMOUTH

New class teaches kids gardening

Plymouth is starting a new youth gardening program this month. The "Plant + Play" program is geared for children ages 6 to 10, with one phase starting May 21 at Prairie Ponds Park Garden, 5150 Dunkirk Lane N.

Participants can register for one, two or three phases. Phase 1 is on "Planning, Planting and Transferring a Garden," from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays May 21 to June 4; Phase 2 is on "Maintaining and Harvesting a Garden," from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 9 to Aug. 20; Phase 3 is on "Harvesting and Putting to Bed a Garden," from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays from Aug. 27 to Sept. 10. The first phase costs $20 for residents, $24 for nonresidents. Second phase: $120 for residents, $132 for nonresidents. Third phase: $20 for residents, $24 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 763-509-5200 or go to plymouthmn.gov/recreation.

Fire department hosts workshop

The Plymouth Fire Department will host a "Home Alone Workshop" from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday, May 28, in the second-floor training room of the Plymouth Public Safety Building, 3400 Plymouth Blvd. The program is geared toward children ages 8 to 10. Cost is $5. To register, call 763-509-5200 or go to plymouthmn.gov using course number 47796.

Imani Jaafar-Mohammad says, “I do presentations about women’s rights in Islam. … I’ve had times where … I’ll have some guy stand up and say, ‘Well, I think you are so oppressed.’ And I’m like, ‘You don’t even know me.’ ”

New softball league starting this summer

Plymouth will offer two new high-school-age slow-pitch softball leagues this summer. Deadline to register is May 29. The eight-week leagues include coed and boys leagues for students in grades 9 to 12. Games will be held Tuesday evenings from June 9 to July 28 at Elm Creek Playfields, on the west side of Wayzata High School. Each team must have an adult organizer and should supply bats and gloves. The city will supply balls, fields, field preparation and umpires.

Cost per team is $200. For more information or to register, call 763-509-5200 or go to plymouthmn.gov.

STAFF REPORTS