In honor of the first day of spring – Saturday, March 20 – the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has come up with its Top 10 reasons to celebrate the season.

1.

Spring Equinox Stroll, Saturday, March 20, (free for members; $5 others) and Wildflower Walks, April 24, May 1, 15 and 22, ($10 member; $12 others). All walks at 10:30 a.m. No reservations needed for March 20; for others, call 952-443-1422.

2.

Click here
to see updates on Minnesota River flood outlook.

Prepare to use the Bloomington Ferry Bridge.

According to an update from Chaska Superintendent Tim Wiebe, Highway 101 and Highway 41 will both close between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. today.

"Things are changing by the minute," said Wiebe, who just estimated earlier this morning that 101 would close on Saturday, and Highway 41 would close on Sunday or Monday.

With the Jordan crossing closed, that leaves the Bloomington Ferry Bridge as the closest alternative.

- Mollee Francisco

By Forrest Adams

During a morning interview from Tucson, Ariz., where he was signing books at the Tucson Book Festival, Scott Simon came across every bit as relaxed as his radio personality.

“I was told the interview would be at 9 a.m.,” said the reporter, who waited dutifully until 10 a.m. (Center Standard Time) before calling the award-winning journalist’s cell phone number for a 9 a.m. interview, as instructed by Simon’s agent.

“So was I. The time here is 8 a.m.,” replied Simon.

Nominations for this year’s Eden Prairie Schools Legacy Awards are due March 19. The awards were established in 2008 by the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) to honor outstanding employees, students, volunteers and alumni.

“The Legacy Awards will honor individuals who have contributed to the success and reputation of Eden Prairie Schools,” according to a news release.

Awards will be presented for:

* Teacher of the Year
* Staff Employee of the Year
* Alumnus of the Year
* Volunteer of the Year

The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual Home, Landscape and Garden Everything Spring Expo is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Grace Church. The show is set to include more than 100 booths.

“This show is totally free to attend and has free parking,” according to a news release. “Kids activities will be provided by KidCreate Studios, Underwater World, Kid’s Potting with The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center, and The Home Depot.”

Flood warnings have been announced throughout the metro.

Click here
for an update on the river levels around Shakopee.

Click here for an update on the City of Carver

Click here for info on Savage.

Tony Szczepaniak’s charity cribbage tournament will benefit the ABC Foundation this year. In addition, the event is accepting donations of food items for PROP.

Join Szczepaniak for men’s night at Eden Wood Center, 6350 Indian Chief Road in Eden Prairie, from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, March 19. The tournament starts promptly at 7 p.m.

The cost benefits the foundation. Cost at the door is $30. Dinner will be served and a cash bar will be available.

For more information, contact Szczepaniak at 952-250-6937 or e-mail tony.szczepaniak@gmail.com.

After years of delays, it appears funding is in place to fix the traffic-clogged intersection of Highway 169 and Interstate 494. Reconstruction of the interchange will likely start in spring 2011.

Wednesday, the Met Council’s Transportation Advisory Board voted in favor of allowing the Minnesota Department of Transportation to use $34 million owed to TAB for improvements to 169/494. The money had been loaned to MnDOT for the Crosstown project.