North metro town briefs: Class aims to help seniors avoid scams

At the next session of the "Donut Make You Wonder?" program, Karri Zallar of MoneyGram International will talk with local seniors about common types of fraud. The event is scheduled for 10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 20.

Zallar will give tips on how to keep from becoming a victim of a scam and discuss steps to take if you do become one. Donut Make You Wonder? is cosponsored by New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Center and Senior Services of District 281. The program is held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Dr.. The fee is $2, which includes a continental breakfast. To reserve a space for Fraud Prevention, call the New Hope Parks and Recreation Department at 763-531-5151. Register by Nov. 15.

African Immigrant Services is hosting an African Community Appreciation & Awards Dinner on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Minneapolis Boulevard Hotel, 2200 Freeway Blvd., Brooklyn Center.

The evening will have a theme of "Investing in Civic Engagement & Equity," with the keynote address given by Lawrencina Mason Oramalu, director of equity and diversity for Minneapolis Public Schools.

In addition to cuisine, music and a chance to network, the event will include a fashion show and spoken words; cultural performances; project updates, and entertainment, as well as the appreciation and awards portion.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The official program will run from 7-10:30 p.m., followed by extra social hours from 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Tickets are $20 for students and $35 for adults ($30 per person for couples), with patron options available. They can be ordered online at https://aisafricandinner.eventbrite.com. For further information, send an e-mail to info@aisusa.org or call 612-388-4767.

Among the items on sale will be cookbooks, Christmas cards, baskets, knickknacks, home decor items, bake sale items and more. Proceeds will benefit local charities, including the food shelf, high school scholarships and elementary schools.

President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and the lasting impact of the momentous battle will be the subjects Thursday when the Anoka County Historical Society presents the next installment of its Civil War Lecture Series. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Anoka County History Center, 2135 3rd Av. N. in Anoka. It is free and open to the public.

John Cox, a former certified Gettys­burg battlefield guide, will discuss Lincoln's speech as well as the battle, in which the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment helped turn the tide at great sacrifice.

"It's a Wonderful Life," the classic holiday story made famous by filmmaker Frank Capra, will begin a six-weekend run at the Lyric Arts theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15.

The show will run through Dec. 22, with performances each Friday, Saturday and Sunday and on three Thursdays. Showtimes will be 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays; there also will be 2 p.m. Saturday matinees on Nov. 16, Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. The three Thursday shows will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19.

A Veterans' Day Concert will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at St. James Lutheran Church, 6700 46th Pl. N., Crystal. Gary Heil, a Vietnam veteran and musician, will present sacred and secular tunes with singing, sing-alongs and instrumentals. Heil has worked as a volunteer in music therapy at the Veterans Administration and currently teaches at Mount Calvary Music Academy in Excelsior. A free-will offering will be taken. For further information, call 763-537-3653.

The City Council has approved three improvement projects at the New Hope Ice Arena: a 3,000-square foot dry-land training area; new sound systems for the north and south rinks; and an outside monument sign with an electronic reader board.

The Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey Association has committed to covering two-thirds of the $33,000 cost of the dryland training area. The ACYHA also has agreed to fund one-third of the $30,500 cost of the new sound systems. Money also has been set aside in the city's Capital Improvement Program.

The city said the $42,480 sign will be paid for primarily through New Hope's Park Infrastructure Fund.

The city of New Hope will offer a Pediatric CPR/AED class on Saturday, Nov. 23, at which participants can learn skills needed to help infants and children up to age 12 suffering from breathing and cardiac emergencies. The class, scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m., will give people hands-on experience with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED). Everyone completing the course will receive an American Red Cross certificate valid for two years.

Maple Grove issued an alert last week after three home burglaries of jewelry that have happened in the last two months.

The burglaries all occurred in the area of Fieldstone Boulevard N. and Shadyview Lane N. after a suspect or suspects forced open a rear sliding glass or patio door and stole jewelry.

Police are asking residents to report any suspicious activity, vehicles or individuals.

The Robbinsdale Police Department will host a crime prevention meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Robbinsdale Police Department.