West news briefs

EXCELSIOR

Library planning gets underway Plans for a new Excelsior library will be discussed during a community meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the SouthShore Center, 5735 Country Club Road in Shorewood.

The budget for the new library is $6.1 million. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has authorized purchase of a site at 337 Water St. for the new facility, which will be part of the Hennepin County Library System. Construction is expected to begin late next year and should be completed in time for the library to open in 2012.

An Excelsior Library Community Advisory Committee will help guide the project's design, acting as a liaison between library staff, architects and the community. Hennepin County is seeking volunteers to serve on the Advisory Committee. Anyone interested may pick up an application at the Sept. 30 meeting or at the Excelsior Library beginning Oct. 1. Application deadline is Oct. 11.

The current library at 343 Third St. was built in 1965 and has 3,746 square feet of space. The new library is proposed to have 7,200 square feet, allowing more room for reading areas, meeting spaces and a refreshed collection of books, DVDs, CDs and computers.

Architects for the project are the 292 Design Group, which conducted a feasibility study on the project in 2009.

Interim city manager takes Ramsey job After four years as Edina's assistant city manager, Heather Worthington is leaving to take the job of deputy county manager in Ramsey County.

"It was a job that I was always interested in," she said. "I'm really excited about it."

Worthington previously was city administrator of Falcon Heights. Her last day in Edina is Oct. 6, and she starts her new job Oct. 18. It will be an easy commute -- she lives in St. Paul.

Water main flushing planned The city plans to flush water mains this fall in Plymouth, and while residents might find water discolored afterward, it is still safe to use, the city says.

"Water could be discolored throughout this time, but it is more likely on the day crews are flushing your area," the city said in a news release. "Avoid doing laundry on that day. If you have discolored water, let your outdoor water faucet run until the water is clear."

The fall flushing will follow this schedule:

• Next Tuesday-Oct. 14 in the residential areas west of I-494, except for the areas along both sides of County Road 47 west of I-494.

• Oct. 18-Nov. 1 in the residential areas east of I-494 and areas along both sides of County Road 47 west of I-494.

To find out which day a specific area will be flushed, go to www.plymouthmn.gov or call 763-509-5950.

Trail work session set next Wednesday The Edina City Council and Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners will hold a joint work session on Sept. 29 to discuss possible routes for the proposed Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail.

The public is invited to the 7 p.m. meeting in the auditorium at South View Middle School, 4725 South View Lane, but public testimony will not be taken. A public hearing will be held at a future date.

Downsizing seminar at RidgePointe A free seminar on downsizing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at RidgePointe in Minnetonka.

Diane Bjorkman of Gentle Transitions, which specializes in working with seniors on downsizing moves, will lead the discussion.

To RSVP, call May at 952-540-6280. RidgePointe is located at 12600 and 12800 Marion Lane W., Minnetonka.

Voters forums set for city, legislative races The League of Women Voters is sponsoring several forums in the west metro in preparation for November's elections:

• The League of Women Voters-Edina is sponsoring three candidate forums at Edina City Hall. At 7 p.m. next Tuesday, voters can hear candidates for the Edina City Council. On Oct. 4, a forum will focus on candidates for state House District 41A beginning at 7 p.m. and District 41B beginning at 8:15 p.m. And at 7 p.m. Oct. 14, a forum will feature candidates for the District 41 state Senate race. For more information, go to lwvedina.org.

Candidates for state Senate and House candidates in District 42 are invited to a forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, in the City Council chambers of Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd. Senate candidates for District 42 are David Hann and Ron Case. House candidates for District 42A are Maria Ruud and Kirk Stensrud; candidates for House District 42B are Ray L. Daniels and Jenifer Loon.

• The League also will sponsor a forum for Eden Prairie mayor and City Council candidates at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road. Candidates for Eden Prairie mayor are Jon Duckstad and Nancy Tyra-Lukens. Candidates for city council are Donna Azarian, Dan Kitrell, Scott Pollino, Jeremiah Pilon, Kathy Nelson and Sherry Butcher Wickstrom.

AngelFest is back this weekend AngelFest, a celebration at Guardian Angels Church and School, is set for 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at Guardian Angels, 218 W. 2nd St. in Chaska. The day's events will include the "World's Shortest Parade" at 11:30 a.m., an all-school reunion, programs on the St. John's Bible at noon, 1 and 2 p.m., a Festival Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m., and music, craft booths, food, games, raffles and other activities throughout the day.

Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $6 for kids in advance. Call 952-227-4000.

For more information on the festival, go to www.angelfest.org.

Advance tickets are $6.50 per person and available at the Lenox Center, or $7 at the door. Children under 5 may eat free, and carry-out is also available.

For more information, call 952-928-6444.

Register by Oct. 1 for Knights' dance Registration for the Knights of Columbus Harvest Community Dance on Oct. 15 is due by Oct. 1. Tickets are $13 for the dance, which will feature the big band music of Paul Heffron. It will be held at 1114 American Blvd. West in Bloomington.

The event will feature swing dance lessons from 6 to 6:45 p.m. with the dance from 7 to 10 p.m. All ages are welcome.

Tickets will not be available at the door. To register, go to www.bloomingtonrichfield communityeducation.com or call 612-243-3000.

Guests may pick up a "Ladies' Night Out" signature pink bag at the outdoor water fountain on 50th Street, and at more than 45 participating stores, get discounts, giveaways, gift card drawing and more.

Gypsy Mania will perform from 5-8 p.m. Free parking will be available in three on-site parking ramps.

The association also will collect used nylons to send to a nonprofit called Matter of Trust, to be used in cleaning up oil spills. A box for donations will be located by the W. 50th Street table for the event. To learn more about the effort, go to www.matteroftrust.org.