The weekends are limited and the campground at Baylor Regional Park will be closing Oct. 17 for 2010, so now is the time to make your fall camping reservations.

During the last weekend of the season, participate in the 7th Annual Baylor Campground Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Oct. 16.

The campground at Baylor Park has many large shade trees that provide protection from sun and wind while creating a natural camping environment, according to a county press release.

By Unsie Zuege

Jeremy West has a farmer’s market right outside his front door. Creating inventive, tasty and fresh-from-the-garden meals this summer has been effortless and a lot of fun for West, who in addition to being a gardening enthusiast, loves to cook.

West, 32, of Chanhassen, has re-imagined his suburban lawn. Instead of cultivating a lush fairway of clipped green turf, set off with landscaping standbys like hosta and arborvitae, West’s lawn is an edible garden of plenty.

Poor diet contributes to four of the six leading causes of death (heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes), and it is estimated that healthier diets could reduce $71 billion per year in medical costs, lost productivity and lost lives, according to a Minnesota Landscape Arboretum press release.

One approach to improving the American diet, as recommended in the 2010 USDA guidelines, is that we eat more plants—vegetables, fruits, seeds, whole grains and legumes.

A new exhibit displays 15 works of art by students in the District 112 Community Education course “Working with Acrylics & Water Mediums,” taught by Sara Hanlon.

The exhibit is on display at Auburn Manor, 501 North Oak Street, through the month of September. The hours of the show are Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-4 p.m.; and Sundays 1-4 p.m.

The artists of this exhibition, as submitted by Hanlon, are:

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) in partnership with the Chaska Human Rights Commission, the Carver County Library and the Beacon Council presents a Training Showcase on the Minnesota Human Rights Act in the workplace on Thursday, Sept. 23.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the conference beginning at 8:20, and ending at noon.

The Chaska Lions Club is conducting an eyeglass and cell phone drive.

The club is asking that the public donate used eye glasses and inactive cell phones (no accessories or chargers) at its drop sites at the Chaska Library on Fourth Street or Cooper’s County Market at 710 Walnut Street.

The Chaska High School Homecoming is just around the corner.

A few of the key events include:

Coronation:

What: The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned. Hot chocolate will be available for sale.

When: 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 20

Where: City Square Park gazebo in downtown Chaska

By Forrest Adams

Frewoine Nerea said she came to the United States from Ethiopia in 1998 for a better life.

“There’s a lack of opportunity where I came from,” she said.

After living in Florida and Michigan, she came to Minnesota in 2005, moved into an apartment in St. Paul and got a job in that city as a family worker for a non-profit organization.

Chaska artist Sarah Hanlon has a new show under the working title “Aesthetic Latitudes, Part 2” showing through the month of September at the Waconia Library, 217 South Vine Street.

The show, which comments on consumerism and the environment, features found items and traditional art techniques.

Pictured is her work “Glitz,” employing items such as foil food wrappers, bottle and jar lids and thrown-away plastic necklaces. Hanlon will give a talk on her artwork at the library 6:30 p.m., Sept. 21.

Calling all foodies, cooks and would-be cooks: whatever your skill level in the kitchen, become a master just in time for the holidays at the Taste of Home Cooking School show, presented live at Prior Lake High School in Savage on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Taste of Home has been hosting cooking schools since the 1950s. This event is the first time the national company has presented the cooking school in the Twin Cities area. It is sponsored by Southwest Newspapers and Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education.