West news briefs: Opening on Carver City Council

Carver is now accepting applications for an impending vacancy on the City Council resulting from the election of Council Member Mike Webb as mayor. Webb assumes the mayor's post Jan. 5, creating a vacancy for the rest of his term on the council, which runs through Dec. 31, 2016.

The opening will be filled through an application, interview and appointment process by the council. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who have a primary residency in Carver. They must be at least 18 years old.

Those wishing to apply must submit a letter of interest and qualifications to Carver City Hall by 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31. The council will interview applicants meeting minimum requirements for the position on Jan. 12.

For more information, contact City Administrator Brent Mareck at 952-448-5353 or at bmareck@cityofcarver.com.

A series of cross-country ski lessons is being offered this month at Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation, using activity numbers below.

Classic Beginner I — Basics: Sunday from 9:30-11 a.m. Cross-country skiing basics: proper equipment fitting, diagonal stride, stopping, turning, and a brief introduction to small hills. For novice skiers. Cost is $20, or $31 with ski rental. For ages 13 and up. Activity number 123188-03.

Family Classic: Sunday from noon-1:30 p.m. For kids and adults together. Putting on equipment, falling down/getting up, diagonal stride and stopping. Cost is $15 per person, or $22 for ages 6-12 with ski rental, $26 for ages 13+ with ski rental. For ages 6 plus. Activity number 123193-01.

Classic Beginner I — Basics: Dec. 27, from noon-1:30 p.m. Cross-country skiing basics: proper equipment fitting, diagonal stride, stopping, turning, and a brief introduction to small hills. For novice skiers. Cost is $20, or $31 with ski rental. For ages 13 and up. Activity number 123188-04.

Other upcoming events in Bloomington:

Critters Close Up: Sunday Dec. 21, from 3-4 p.m., Richardson Nature Center, in Hyland Lake Park Reserve. Meet critters up close; discover which native creatures call Minnesota home. Free and open to all ages; age 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Naturally Crafty with Ice: Dec. 27, from 1-2:30 p.m., at Richardson Nature Center. Investigate ice outside, gathering pieces for making ice art to take home. Bring thin gloves that can get messy. Cost is $5. For ages 5 and up; children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Santa and his live reindeer will be on hand to help the Hopkins Pet Hospital's third annual food shelf drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18. Please bring a donation — either cash or nonperishable food items. Santa in his sleigh and the reindeer will be available for pictures. The event will benefit the ICA Food Shelf. The pet hospital is at 8870 Excelsior Blvd.

The market will be open 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, and then, because of customers' interest and more vendors being able to extend the produce season, it will go into 2015, taking place on Jan. 15, Feb. 19 and March 19 at the Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd. All markets are held from 3-6 p.m. on Thursdays.

For information, go to www.maplegrovefarmersmarket.com or www.facebook.com/maplegrovefarmersmarket.

Applications are due Dec. 20 for the Freshwater Society and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's Master Water Stewards program.

The program, which is offering free tuition in 2015, gives residents training from top industry professionals on how to protect clean water in area lakes and streams. Applicants must have attended one of the hourlong informational sessions and must live in a city that is within the Watershed District.

Past certified stewards have installed rain gardens, rain barrels, cisterns, and water-permeable walkways that catch polluted rainwater before it makes it to a nearby lake or stream. The program is made possible by a grant from the state Clean Water Fund. For more information, go to www.masterwaterstewards.org.

On Dec. 19, 17 local businesses will participate in "Shop with a Purpose Day," offering specials or donating a percent of the day's revenue to promote the Sleep Out campaign, which started Nov. 8. The campaign raises money to help the nearly 2,000 west metro families IOCP helps with housing, employment, child care, food and transportation.

For more details or to see a full list of the businesses participating in "Shop with a Purpose Day," go to www.iocp.org.

Three Rivers Park District's natural resource department was recently awarded two state Conservation Partners Legacy Grants for 2015.

One, for $198,000, is for a prairie restoration project in Carver Park Reserve in Victoria. The other, for $110,000, is for a forestry management project in Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in Rockford.

"The Art of Dr. Seuss: A Retrospective and International Touring Exhibition," celebrating the art and life of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), will continue through Dec. 31 at Jean Stephen Galleries, 4811 Excelsior Blvd. The exhibit begins with early drawings in Life magazine, including editorial, advertising, military, and book illustrations, and finally, works from the Secret Art collection. For more information, go to www.jsgalleries.com.

The annual festival, which began in 2006, will be held Jan. 16-18. It 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.