Night to Unite, Excelsior Brewery Request, Fabled Wayzata Community Church Rummage Sale and Author Talk

National Night to Unite is today, and dozens of block parties are planned in the Lake Minnetonka area. The evening is intended to get neighbors outside and talking with each other over some BBQ and family-friendly activities. Block parties in the cities of Maple Plain and Independence, for example, will be visited by the Maple Plain and Loretto Fire Departments—who will give fire safety tips.

Other news and notes:

Today begins the big, two-day event at the Wayzata Community Church. The WCC Rummage Sale wants you to come see them on Aug. 7 and 8 for the biggest rummage sale in the area! Great deals, food and fun!

Bookmark this page: Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce Events.

Azusa Pacific University student Rachel Quinn, from Excelsior, made the academic Deans' List at APU. Quinn is honored for a spring semester 2013 academic standing of a 3.5 or better grade-point average. Quinn is joined by 1,678 other students receiving the same honor.

From the Excelsior Brewing Company: If you have been to tap room, you have seen that we love nostalgic gear that fits the garage/boat house theme. You got something that would look cool hanging from wall or ceiling? Let us rent it and display for a couple months. Worth a pint or even a growler and we will put your name on it so you get all the credit! Need cool bikes! What else you got? Skurfer?

Author Talk:
Jonathan Odell
Today, Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 7–8:30 p.m.
Location: Southshore Center, 5735 Country Club Road, Shorewood

For the ninth "One Book, One Community" author event, Odell will speak on his masterfully written novel centered on a mysterious and charismatic healer. Filled with strong, vivid female characters and inspired by true-life events, "The Healing" brilliantly brings the pre-Civil War South to life. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Sponsored by Friends of the Excelsior Library; Presented in collaboration with Excelsior Bay Books and Southshore Center.

DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: What causes many lakes, rivers and ponds to turn green by mid-summer? Some even have an odor.

A: By mid-summer many waterbodies turn green due to the growth of small microscopic plants in the water called algae. Algae grow in all bodies of water when light and nutrients levels are sufficient.

In many lakes, algae abundance is determined by the amount of phosphorus dissolved in the water. The more phosphorus present, the more abundant algae become and the greener the water gets.

There are many different types of algae. During mid-summer one particular group of algae, called blue-green algae, are often particularly abundant. When this algal group becomes abundant, a strong musty or earthy odor many occur. Algae that have died and are decomposing cause the odor. Because algae abundance strongly depends on the amount of phosphorus available, the best long-term strategy is to improve land-use practices to prevent phosphorus and other nutrients from getting into our lakes and ponds.

- Dave Wright, DNR lakes and rivers unit supervisor