Briefs: Holiday Train collects $116,000 for food shelf

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Committee for South Washington County has presented a check for $116,000 to Michelle Rageth, director of the Friends in Need Food Shelf serving Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud Island, Newport and St. Paul Park.

The goal of the Cottage Grove stop on the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train cross-country trek was to raise $70,000 for its local Friends in Need Food Shelf. With "Pre-Stop" Fundraisers and the generosity of local businesses, individuals and fraternal and religious organizations, the goal was exceeded by $46,000.

In addition to the funds raised, the drive collected 11,900 pounds of non-perishable food, toiletries and toys, including 6,000 pounds donated at area schools.

Since 2003, when the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train first included Cottage Grove in its cross-country trek, more than $518,327 has been raised and more than 107,800 pounds of food and toiletries have been collected. By the end of 2012, the food shelf will have served more than 39,000 people.

Chamber invites new members to eventThe Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an after-hours networking event, "The Chamber Connection," from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, at River Oaks Golf Course, 11099 S. Hwy. 61 in Cottage Grove.

Current chamber members, their employees and business people interested in learning more about the chamber are welcome. There will be appetizers and a cash bar.

The event offers an opportunity for existing chamber members and prospective members to meet potential new clients and customers.

Call or e-mail the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce for additional information: 651-458-8383 or office@ cottagegrovechamber.org.

City's accountant is new administratorDeb Hill, who has worked for nearly two years as an accountant with Newport, has been named the city's new administrator following a unanimous vote of the City Council earlier this month.

She is replacing Brian Anderson, who is leaving after four years after being named city administrator in Faribault. Anderson's last day with Newport was on Jan. 27.

Under the terms of her contract, Hill's performance will be evaluated in six months, then annually after that. Her salary was set at $84,250.

Volunteers on hand to help with taxesTrained AARP volunteers offering assistance with income tax preparation will be on site at Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W., three days a week beginning Monday, Feb. 5.

Assistance is free and by appointment only. To schedule an appointment and for more information on required documents call 651-439-7434.

Lakeview takes steps to stop spread of fluStillwater Medical Group is taking several precautions as the number of flu-like cases surges, said Julie Johnson, a registered nurse and clinical educator. The clinic and Lakeview Hospital have sufficient flu vaccine on hand and are doing the following:

•Evening and weekend urgent care waiting areas will have designated space for patients with flu-like symptoms and a separate area for patients with other medical concerns.

•Toys have been removed from lobbies and exam rooms.

•All patients and family members exhibiting flu-like symptoms are being asked by receptionists to wear a mask.

•Employees are asked to wash their hands, cover their coughs, stay home if sick and disinfect personal workspaces.

For more information, see www.lakeviewhealth.org.

Writing job résumés on library's agendaThe Stillwater Public Library is offering a class on how to use Microsoft Word to create job résumés from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the library, 224 3rd St. N.

The class is presented by the Minnesota Work Force Center of Washington County, and will show how to technology can aid job searching.

For more information about this and other programs at the library, call 651-275-4338, ext. 111, or go to www.stillwater library.org.