BLAINE
Woodcarving show set this weekend The Minnesota Wood Carvers Association will hold its 44th annual woodcarving show this weekend at Northtown Center in Blaine, sponsored by the Metro Woodcarvers Chapter. The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
This event is for showing carvings and other items that the members have made. This is not a selling show. The show is free.
Contact Roger McCullough at 763-427-8822 or e-mail rogermc@family.net.
ANOKA-RAMSEY
Community college enrollment rises Enrollment at Anoka-Ramsey Community College continues to rise. Spring 2010 headcount increased 15.9 percent compared with spring term 2009 at the 30-day mark.
Historically, higher education enrollment increases during times of economic stress. However, the need for an increasingly educated workforce may also be a factor.
More information about Anoka-Ramsey Community College is available at www. AnokaRamsey.edu or 763-433-1100.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
Fundraiser planned to aid food shelf A family event will be held Tuesday at the Columbia Heights Police Department to raise funds for an area food shelf.
The event will include tours of the police and fire departments, crime scene demos, food and drinks, mock police bookings, child fingerprint kits and other family activities. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the new public safety building, 825 41st Av. NE.
The event is sponsored by the police department and the Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA) agency, whose food shelf is short on goods.
The suggested donation is $10 per person and a maximum of $20 per family. Tickets are available at the door or by contacting Officer Joseph Sturdevant at joe.sturdevant@ci.columbia-heights.mn.us or Rick Johnson of SACA 763-789-2444.
Food shelf use increased 25 percent in 2009. Most users are seniors, families with children, and the working poor.
Reading Buddies available at library Need help reading? Find the English language difficult? Looking for a friend to help you read or to listen while you practice reading
A new program from the Columbia Heights Public Library -- "Buddy up with a Friend & Read" -- might be for you. Under the program, volunteer "Friends" will be available to share their time reading with you.
The program aims to help youth and adults improve literacy skills. Volunteers will provide one on one mentoring sessions for those looking to improve their reading skills.
If you're interested, you can sign up at the library by completing a registration form. A volunteer will follow up with a phone call to set up the first Reading Buddy session. All sessions will be held at the library.
Buddy Up and Read with a Friend, offered through the Friends of the Columbia Heights Library, is scheduled to begin April 1. Contact the library at 763-706-3690.
BROOKLYN CENTER
Robbinsdale students' art is on display Art by students from throughout the Robbinsdale Area Schools will be on display at the Spring Art Show at the Brookdale-Hennepin Area Library through April 6.
The annual show is put together by art and classroom teachers in Robbinsdale Area Schools and includes work by students in grades 1-12.
Works include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, drawing, mixed media and computer-generated drawings. For more information, contact Paul Preimesberger at 763-504-8106.
CRYSTAL
Opportunity Fest ahead for grades 5-8 Kids in grades 5 to 8 can learn about sports, scouting and other activities in the northwest suburbs at Opportunity Fest on Thursday at the Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive.
Representatives from about 30 local youth sports and other organizations will be available from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to explain their programs and offerings. The free event will also feature carnival games, inexpensive refreshments, D.J. music and door prizes. Parents are welcome.
Volunteer opportunities will be explained by officials of the Police and Fire Explorers, American Red Cross and Off-Broadway Musical Theatre.
Program information will be offered by the YMCA, Three Rivers Parks and others.
The event is sponsored by the New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley and Robbinsdale parks and recreation departments and the Robbinsdale Area Schools Community Education department.
For more information, call New Hope Parks and Recreation at 763-531-5151.
NEW HOPE
Film set on first woman in Congress Northwest Neighbors for Peace is presenting the film "A Single Woman," on the life of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rankin, a co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, was a lifelong pacifist and the only person in Congress to vote against entering both World War I and World War II.
The film will be shown at 6:45 p.m. Thursday at the Parish Community of St. Joseph's, 8701 36th Av. N. in New Hope.
Clair Dulgan of North Peace will lead a discussion after the film. The program is free.
NORTHWEST AREA
Effects of homelessness on education, business The Changing Face of Homelessness will be the topic Tuesday at the fourth annual Business and Community Roundtable.
Business and community members in northwest Hennepin County are invited to the event at the Osseo Area School District office, 11200 93rd Av. N., Maple Grove.
Speakers will talk about how homelessness affects the education system as well as the business community. The session goes from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Roxanne Smith at 763-425-6505, ext. 226.
The roundtable is sponsored by Housing for All, a coalition advocating for stable housing for people of moderate incomes in the northwest suburbs of Hennepin County.
WHITE BEAR LAKE
Century seeks alumni award nominations Century College is seeking nominees for the 2010 Century College Outstanding Alum Award. Nominees must be individuals who have attended Century College, the former Lakewood Community College or Northeast Metro Technical College.
To be eligible, a nominee must have completed at least one credit class at one of the schools. A person must be nominated by someone other than themselves, and current Century College employees are not eligible for the award.
To nominate someone, write a letter explaining how the nominee demonstrates excellence in the following areas: leadership, lifelong learning, community contributions, noteworthy accomplishments in an occupation or inspirational behavior and activities.
Send the letter to Nancy Livingston, executive director of the Century College Alumni Association, at nancy.livingston@century.edu, 651-779-3222, or mail it to her attention at Century College, 3300 Century Av. N., White Bear Lake, MN 55110. Typical letters range from one to three pages, or 250 to 750 words.
JIM ADAMS, MARIA ELENA BACA, NORMAN DRAPER AND PAUL LEVY
