West news briefs: U prostate cancer group to meet Jan. 8

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE, Minneapolis. The session will feature an open discussion among those attending. Dr. Sean McAdams, a University of Minnesota urology resident, will attend for clinical insights and questions. Wives, family and friends are welcome. There is no charge, parking is free, and light refreshments will be served. For further information, call 612-388-3588.

Four commissions have openings for three-year terms in the city of Chaska beginning Jan. 31: the Planning Commission, the Park and Recreation Board, the Human Rights Commission and the Heritage Preservation Commission.

To inquire about specifics and get an application, call Margo Steffel at 952-227-7511 or e-mail Msteffel@chaskamn.com.

The deadline for applications is Friday, Jan. 9. Candidates will be asked to interview with the City Council on Jan. 26.

The League of Women Voters of Edina will hold two programs in January about homeless youth in the suburbs.

• Presentation by Andrea Knoll of Oasis for Youth, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, Edina Senior Center.

• Presentation on the 66 West project by Ann Mavity of the Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Edina City Hall Community Room.

The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society's next "Tapping History" program will take place Jan. 12 about Tonka Bay's history.

The event, "Tales from Tonka Bay," will feature historian Paul Maravelas and take place at 7 p.m. at the Excelsior Brewery, 421 3rd St., Excelsior. The event is free and open to the public.

"Tapping History: Pints and Reflections on Lake Minnetonka's Past" is a monthly series featuring a history expert on the second Monday of each month at the Excelsior pub.

For more information about this event, contact info@elmhs.org or 952-221-4766.

The Women's Club of Hopkins will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Mizpah United Church of Christ, 412 5th Av. N. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by a short business meeting and a 1 p.m. program.

The program will feature a presentation by a representative of Sojourner, an organization that provides emergency shelter for women and children; legal advocacy and support to victims of domestic violence, and information and education to prevent such violence.

For more information about the Women's Club of Hopkins, call 952-933-6325.

Kids, it's time to leave the adults at home and join the Minnesota Young Birders Club.

Three Rivers Park District in hosting the program from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Lowry Nature Center, in Carver Park Reserve, Victoria.

Come and discover which birds call Minnesota home in the winter and begin the annual bird count contest.

Hennepin County has extended the public comment period on its pedestrian accessibility plan through Jan. 16.

The plan document details the county's evaluation of its road network and details how it will bring itself into full compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The county said it has made significant efforts to improve pedestrian accessibility along sidewalks and at intersections. Accessible pedestrian signals have been installed at some sites, most recently along Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis, and pedestrian ramps that were difficult for disabled people to navigate have been rebuilt. The county also has replaced more than 250 pedestrian ramps in 2014.

After the comment period ends, a revised plan will be presented to the County Board.

The plan can be viewed online at www.hennepin.us/adaplan, and paper copies are available at all 41 Hennepin County libraries, the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis, and at the county's public works facility in Medina.

The Citizens' Climate Lobby will hold meetings across the west metro area this weekend.

It will feature a presentation by a national conference call with David Hone, the climate change adviser for Shell, discussing why businesses should embrace putting a price on carbon.

The meetings will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Maple Grove Library located at 8001 Main St. N., in Maple Grove, Immanuel Lutheran Church located at 16515 Luther Way in Eden Prairie, the Wayzata Library located at 620 Rice St., in Wayzata, the Edina Library located at 5280 Grandview Square in Edina and the Linden Hills Park Building located at 3100 W. 43rd St., in Minneapolis.

There also will be Citizens' Climate Lobby meetings Jan. 10 elsewhere in Minnesota.

For more information or locations, go to www.citizensclimatelobby-mn.org