West news briefs: Wayzata raising money to renovate Sailing Center

Katherine Kersten, opinion columnist for the Star Tribune and founding director of the think tank Center of the American Experiment, will speak at the Republican Seniors of Minnesota's luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Kersten will talk about what she views as flaws inherent in the Metropolitan Council's 30-year plan.

Also present will be Michele Tafoya, sideline reporter for NBC's "Sunday Night Football"; Scott Newman, the Republican-endorsed candidate for state attorney general, and Dan Severson, the party's endorsed candidate for secretary of state.

The Republican Seniors meet starting at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Poor Richard's Commonhouse, 8301 Normandale Blvd. For more information, call 952-828-1943 or e-mail repseniorsmn@gmail.com.

The Bloomington Human Services Division is seeking volunteers for its senior dining program and Fare For All Express food distribution. Volunteers are needed to serve lunch to seniors, during the week from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers may choose one or more days per week. Volunteers are also needed for Fare For All Express food distribution on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All positions will be at Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Av. S. A volunteer application and criminal background authorization form are required. To apply or for more information, call 952-563-4944 or e-mail humanservices@ci.bloomington.mn.us.

Theatre 301 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior will host performances of "Lost in Yonkers" Oct. 10-12.

The play will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 2 p.m. Oct. 12 at the church, 301 County Road 19. Tickets cost $15 for adults or $5 for students 18 and younger. Group tickets are $10 per person for groups of 10 people or more. To buy tickets or get more information, go to www.mountcalvary.org or call 952-474-8893 x301.

The Deephaven Historical Society will sponsor its annual fall cruise on the paddle wheel Lady of the Lake from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. The public is welcome; the cost is $15 ($10 for members); snacks and soft drinks are included. Fred Johnson, the author of "Big Water: Lake Minnetonka and Its Place in History," will talk during the cruise. For more information, call Nan Nicolle at 952-473-3682 or e-mail nan-nicolle@cargill.com.

In addition, county taxes on average-valued commercial and agricultural property will see a decrease.

The preliminary budget calls for a 2015 levy of $49.8 million, an increase of $2.3 million or 4.9 percent over the 2014 levy. It limits the 2015 levy increase to capturing the new construction tax base, as well as a new tax base from decertifying a large tax increment financing district in Chaska.

The proposed budget of $94.4 million is a significant decrease over the 2014 budget of $162.2 million, which included $58.8 million for the Southwest Reconnection Project. Carver County is the lead agency on the project funded by local and state funding. It is expected to be completed in 2016.

The County Board plans to hold a public hearing on the 2015 budget at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Government Center in Chaska. The board is expected to adopt the final 2015 levy and budget and its 2016 long-term financial plan Dec. 16.

The second annual Let's Not Be Still! Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Run/Walk will be held at Purgatory Creek Park on Saturday, Oct. 4. The event will raise funds for the Star Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing stillbirth and fostering understanding of its causes and effects.

The event will include a 10K, a 5K, a one-mile walk, and children's races, along with other activities and entertainment.

Golden Valley's Human Rights Commission will present a mental health awareness program on Thursday, Oct. 9, featuring Ken Barlow, KSTP-TV meteorologist.

Barlow will share his experience with bipolar disorder and lead a discussion about mental health issues as part of National Mental Illness Awareness Week.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Golden Valley council chambers at City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four adults and one in five children and teens experience a mental health problem every year.

The center launched the fundraiser in early September and has raised more than $5,000 toward the $50,000 the center hopes to raise by Oct. 20. It's part of a larger $2 million capital campaign for the sailing center, a nonprofit and one of the largest community sailing centers in the Midwest.

Its building on Wayzata Bay houses offices and storage, but has broken widows, peeling paint and rafters infested with critters, and organizers say it's too small and unsafe for its programs. The center plans to renovate and expand the building into a larger building that organizers hope could host year-round programs.

To donate to the fundraiser this month or get more information on the renovation, go to http://igg.me/at/itslaunchtime.

A quilt exhibit is on display at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts through Oct. 24.

The exhibit, "Eye Candy: Crazy Quilts," a display of crazy quilts and related textiles both historic and modern, opened Sept. 25 and runs through Oct. 24. The exhibit is sponsored by the Minnesota Quilt Project, a standing committee of Minnesota Quilters Inc., a nonprofit formed in 1978 to promote quilting.

Maple Grove has earned high marks in Money Magazine's national "Best Places to Live" list.

The suburb ranked No. 2 on the magazine's Top 50 list of U.S. cities with populations of 50,000 to 300,000. Great bike paths, housing prices, ample outdoor space for recreation and a thriving arts community helped propel the city to its top ranking.

"The heart of the city is Town Green, a lakeside park and amphitheater that hosts music, dance, theater, and outdoor movies," Money Magazine's report said. "The nearby library, opened recently, and community center are other hot spots."

The article goes on to say that while the suburb doesn't have a classic, historic downtown area, "its Main Street shopping development and nearby Shoppes at Arbor Lakes are a good proxy, with a mix of local and chain shops and restaurants."

Maple Grove city leaders believe a wide range of factors earned the honor, including housing, jobs and general quality of life.

MINNEAPOLIS

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE., Minneapolis. Progress in prostate cancer research will be the discussion topic; Scott Dehm, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, will be the featured guest. For further information, call 612-388-3588.

A fundraiser called "Hay There 2014" will be held from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, for the Hold Your Horses nonprofit, in partnership with the Child Neurology Foundation and Vitality Chiropractic.

Hold Your Horses helps people with disabilities through individualized equine-assisted therapy. Its team includes licensed clinicians in occupational therapy, physical therapy and psychology. Adaptive riding instructors, horse trainers and horse handlers also help out.

The evening will include a hoedown with square dance caller Ann Carter, a petting zoo, bingo, a silent auction, food, beer and wine, and a chance to meet the equine team of Hold Your Horses — Jack, Ghost, Lily, Yosi and Whisper. Tickets, which include food, beer and wine, are $60 each or $100 for you and a dance partner. Children 14 and younger are free.

The Robbinsdale Police Department will host a crime prevention association meeting Oct. 1. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at police headquarters, 4101 Hubbard Av. N., and is open to the public. Police Chief Jim Franzen will give information about crime prevention in the community.