West news briefs: Tapping History event set for Nov. 10

The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society will host its next "Tapping History: Pints and Reflections on Lake Minnetonka's Past" event on Monday, Nov. 10.

The event, free and open to the public, will discuss the history of Excelsior's main street, Water Street. It will take place at 7 p.m. at Excelsior Brewing, 421 3rd St.

It will include presentations by the owners of Leipold's, a store that has been a fixture on Water Street for 43 years, showing historic photos of how Water Street has changed over the past century. For more information, go to facebook.com/elmhs or elmhs.org.

Dr. Henry Emmons will offer a free presentation on "Cultivating Resilience" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 322 2nd St., Excelsior.

Emmons is an integrative psychiatrist and author of "The Chemistry of Joy" and "The Chemistry of Calm," which describe strategies for restoring resilience in the face of depression, anxiety and other stress-influenced conditions.

Emmons' appearance is sponsored by Trinity Episcopal's mental health group. For more information, e-mail cathyrude@live.com or call 952-930-1922.

The Charles H. Burwell House in Minnetonka opened for holiday tours this month.

Tours are free, though donations are appreciated. Call 952-939-8207 or e-mail jlarson@eminnetonka.com for more information.

The Minnetonka Historical Society will also host its annual free holiday open house at the Burwell on Dec. 7. The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m.; participants can take a self-guided tour to view Victorian holiday decorations in the home.

The event is free, but donations to the Minnetonka Historical Society are appreciated. For more information, go to eminnetonka.com.

The Gillespie Center, a nonprofit community and senior center at 2590 Commerce Blvd. in Mound, will hold several fundraising events in the next month:

• Nov. 14: Gala event at 6:30 p.m. Cash bar with entertainment by Tony Sandler and accompanist Evan Mazunik. $25 per person.

• Nov. 15: Festival of Trees catered luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Entertainment by vocalist Bob Clark and pianist Mary Kopet. $25 per person.

• Nov. 16: Festival of Trees family fun day from noon to 2:30 p.m. Light brunch with finger food, music, arts and crafts for kids. $6 per person.

• Nov. 28 to Dec. 7: Holiday boutique, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. More than 40 crafters selling jewelry, household gifts, clothing, books, cards, artwork, knitted items, homemade jams and treat. Free admission.

For more information, call 952-472-6501 or go to www.gillespiecenter.org.

The Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, a nonprofit in Plymouth, was recently certified as a service enterprise from Hands­On Twin Cities, the Minnesota Association of Volunteer Administrators and Points of Light — one of the first in the country to receive the prestigious honor.

The nonprofit, which celebrated the award Oct. 29, had more than 1,700 volunteers who contributed more than 58,000 hours of service last year.

It provides emergency and long-term assistance to residents in eight communities in western Hennepin County.

"Safe Kids 101," a program to help children learn how to stay safe at home and in the community, will be held from 5:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Chaska Community Center.

The program is for children ages 8 to 12.

Topics include staying home alone, answering the door or the telephone, basic first aid, what to do in case of emergencies, and being aware of "stranger danger."

The program costs $38 for community center members, $50 for nonmembers. Register at www.chaskacommunitycenter.com/calendar/view/safe-kids-1013.

The holiday baking and cooking season is approaching — all the more reason to learn about the important ingredient of lard.

Three Rivers Park District is hosting a hands-on session to teach people about lard from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista.

Learn about the process of rendering ground pork fat to make it and how lard can be used to replace shortening and butter.

Discover the health benefits as well as other uses. Take-home samples and participate in hands-on cooking opportunities.

This program is for ages 12 and over.

Walker Methodist Health Center, at 3737 Bryant Av. S., will hold its semiannual jewelry sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-8.

The sale is sponsored by the center's auxiliary. All proceeds will benefit the center's residents.