West news briefs: Time to talk about taking the car keys?

Talking to a loved one about giving up the car keys can be a difficult conversation. Bloomington's Human Services Department and AARP are offering "We Need to Talk" seminars with tips on how to get the conversation started. The next seminar will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Av. S. Registration is required. For more information, call 952-563-4944, TTY 952-563-4933.

The Carver County Veterans Service Office has launched a pilot transportation service with rides to the new Shakopee Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outreach Center. The pilot program will offer rides every Tuesday and will be used to test whether there is interest among Carver County veterans in transportation to the Shakopee facility, which opened last June.

The clinic offers appointments for primary care, mental health, foot care, and many other types of services. It also has a pharmacist for those using VA Healthcare.

To make an appointment with the Shakopee clinic, call 952-445-4070.

A panel of three administrative judges has ordered newly elected Mayor Denny Laufenburger to pay a $100 fine after determining that he violated state campaign laws last fall. The complaint was brought by Mark Senn, a former City Council member who lost to Laufenburger in the mayoral election.

The panel found that Laufenburger violated campaign laws when he submitted materials with images from his campaign, including its signs and T-shirts to be displayed at a fundraising event for a community nonprofit organization without an appropriate disclaimer.

Edina is seeking candidates for the city's 10 citizen boards and commissions. Applicants must be at least 18 and Edina residents; applications are due by Jan. 30. Interviews will be held in February, with terms beginning in March. Most terms are three years.

To learn more or to apply, go to EdinaMN.gov/advisory-boards-commissions.

Hennepin County has started accepting applications for two openings on the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District board.

The positions — Jeff Casale's and Sherry Davis White's, both of whom are seeking reappointment — start in March. The deadline to apply is Feb. 19.

The watershed district, one of Minnesota's largest financially, is run by a district administrator and governed by a seven-person board of managers. Hennepin County commissioners appoint six managers and Carver County appoints one manager. The openings, which are three-year terms, are part of broader leadership changes in the watershed, including a new district administrator and citizens advisory committee.

Applicants may not be a public officer of the county, state or federal government, but must live in the watershed district, which covers parts of Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, Orono, St. Bonifacius, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata, Deephaven, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Independence, Maple Plain, Medina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Minnetrista, Plymouth, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Shorewood and Woodland.

The city of Minnetonka will host a meeting Wednesday, Jan. 21, to discuss future changes expected around the Ridgedale area.

After a controversial redevelopment project of the former Highland Bank, some residents were upset. As a result, the city is holding a community meeting to revisit the vision plan from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr.

The city started putting together a plan two years ago, aiming to make the area more walkable and a community gathering spot to draw people for more than just shopping.

Between now and 2035, the city envisions the area could include things like dense apartments, an upscale movie theater, restaurants, a parkway, and more trails and green spaces.

A workshop on memory loss and dementia will be presented from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut St., Monticello. Amy House, a dementia trainer and educator from Senior Helpers of Big Lake, will be the presenter. The cost is $5. To register, call Faith in Action at 763-263-4277 or email info@gra-fia.com. You can also register in person at the Community Center. Free on-site respite care is available by reservation.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the church, 3900 Winnetka Ave N., New Hope. It includes stars of Midwest Wrestling Entertainment.

It's the seventh year the church has hosted the wrestlers for the fundraiser, which will support youth trips this summer. Tickets cost $12 ($2 off with a canned food donation); tickets for a family of four or more costs $35. Children ages 7 and under are free.

For more information about the event, go to facebook.com/events/1564639267082442.

Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) will host a "Welcome Baby Celebration" to honor the dreams it holds for children on Martin Luther King Day.

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at 1605 County Rd. 101 N., Plymouth. IOCP staff, volunteers, board members, clients and community members will gather to honor the ways in which various cultures welcome babies into the world.

For a list of most needed items, go to www.iocp.org/events/mlk-day-welcome-baby-celebration.

All are welcome, but please RSVP by e-mailing swilliams@iocp.org or calling 763-489-7515 with the number of attendees and age of any children.