Briefs: Say 'I Love You' with a song on Valentine's Day

Looking for that last-minute Valentine's Day gift for that special somebody in your life? Several Twin Cities area ensembles, including the Lake Country Chorus of White Bear Lake, will deliver singing greetings on Monday.

The Sing4me promotion includes two options: A "Sweetheart Package" with a four-hour delivery window for $49, or the "True Love Package" with a one-hour delivery window for $69. Both packages come with two love songs, candy, a personalized card and a live performance by a men's or women's quartet decked in formal attire.

To order a singing valentine, call 651-342-7464 or go to sing4me.net.

Bachmann plans mobile office hoursU.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., will be holding mobile office hours in two Washington County cities on Feb. 28. Constituents can meet with her staff at these sessions to share their concerns on issues or to receive help on an individual case.

Office hours will be 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Washington County Library's Hardwood Creek Branch, 19955 Forest Lake Road N. in Forest Lake; and 2 to 3 p.m. at Stillwater City Hall, 216 N. Fourth St. in Stillwater.

How science relates to democratic valuesThe relationship of science to democracy, progress and economic growth is the topic of the next Conversations of the Valley speakers series on Tuesday at the Grand Banquet Center in Stillwater.

Shawn Otto of Marine on St. Croix, cofounder and CEO of Science Debate 2008, will deliver the keynote address, "Science, Politics and Democracy in America: A Hollywood Screenwriter's Campaign to Restore Facts in U.S. Policy Making."

The 90-minute lunch program will begin at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $17 and available by calling 651-430-3830.

I-94 transit plans topic of open houseThe future of public transit along the Interstate 94 corridor between the Twin Cities and the Wisconsin border will be the subject of an open house in Woodbury on Feb. 24.

The Gateway Corridor Alternatives Analysis study group has reviewed approximately 20 possible transit routes. These routes, as well as an analysis of different modes of transportation, will be presented from 5 to 7 p.m. at Woodbury City Hall, 830 Valley Creek Road.

Residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions and give feedback, which will help guide the group in making recommendations on transit routes and modes.

For more information about the Gateway Corridor, the study and the upcoming open houses, go to www.thegatewaycorridor.com.

Troop 50174, whose members are primarily from Woodbury and Cottage Grove, exceeded its goal by collecting 660 items from Jan. 17-31.

The 310 pairs of pajamas, 350 books and $100 in cash will be given to Minnesota charities that work with children in crisis. The collection effort was part of the troop's effort to earn the Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve.

City listed as No. 5 on best home-buying betsWoodbury has made yet another top 10 list, this time ranking No. 5 in the nation among best places to buy a home in 2011 by WalletPop.com, an AOL-affiliated website on personal finance.

Austin, Texas, was ranked the best place to buy a home in the coming year by the website.

On Woodbury, the site says: "There are so many great places to raise kids, but this suburb 10 miles from St. Paul has a lot going for it. Yes, winters are cold (not a small thing), but it's Minnesota -- we're talking thousands of lakes. Woodbury has 100 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and is a stone's throw from thousands of acres of parkland. The schools are great, including the Math and Science [Academy] charter school. 3M employs multitudes, as does state government. What's not to like? OK, the winters. Deal with it."

Help wanted packing meals for the hungryIndividuals, families, school and church groups, as well as sports teams and clubs, are needed to pack meals that will be sent to residents of earthquake-torn Haiti and to local food banks in Washington County.

The Kids Against Hunger campaign runs Feb. 19-27, and volunteers will work assembly line-style to pack nutritious meals during two-hour shifts at Andersen Windows Corp. headquarters in the St. Croix Mall at 5909 Omaha Av. N.

The effort is being coordinated by Tom Thiets, missions director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater. A $15 donation per participant is requested to defray the cost of the project. To register, call Chuck or Joan Newman at 651-436-8609.

Applicants sought for Planning CommissionApplications are being accepted by Denmark Township for two three-year-term vacancies on the Denmark Township Planning Commission.

Application forms are available from the town clerk/treasurer or at www.denmark-township.org. Mail completed applications to Denmark Township, 14008 90th St. S., Hastings, Minn. 55033, or fax them to 651-436-1704. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Feb. 24.