Thanks to a $21 million grant from the Department of Labor, nearly a dozen Twin Cities schools are offering free training on green construction, carpentry, weatherization, welding and heavy-equipment operation.

To qualify, a person must be at least 18, live in Minneapolis or St. Paul and be one of the following: unemployed or self-employed, a high school dropout, disadvantaged (low-income or laid off), disabled, a veteran or veteran's spouse, 55 and older, or American Indian; or have a criminal record or limited English proficiency. Some of the schools providing the training include Century College, Dunwoody, Hennepin Technical College, St. Paul College and M&J Environmental Institute. Applications and a list of agencies to contact for eligibility can be found at www.tinyurl.com/36hv7pj. For more information, call 612-659-6500 or go to www.renewmn.com.

Cheaper dental implants A reader who lacks dental insurance asked how much an implant costs if she has the work done at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Typically, dental procedures performed by students are at least one-third less expensive than at a private practice. Implants are performed by senior dental students or dentists in the advanced education program in prosthodontics. At the U's School of Dentistry (515 SE. Delaware St., Mpls., 612-625-3649), the cost of an implant and the crown starts at about $2,000. Prices depend on the complexity of the case, whether there is a fixed or partial bridge and the condition of the jaw, according to spokeswoman Claudia Kanter. It's a good idea to get more than one quote, because prices can vary among dentists. For a list of top Twin Cities dentists, check the July issue of Minnesota Monthly.

One more haircut deal After my recent column about cutting hair-care costs, several readers said they want to save money without going to budget salons or beauty schools. Appearances are everything in this business, so here's a way to walk into one of the toniest salons in the Twin Cities without paying full price. Buy a gift card of any amount at any Spalon Montage or online (Chanhassen, Edina, Woodbury, 952-915-2900, www.spalon.com), and get a certificate for a free haircut by one of the "new talents." Or skip the gift card and make an appointment with one of the "new talents" staff. The price for a haircut is $25 for men or women. Expect it to take longer, because an experienced staff member will check the work.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.