North news briefs: Fire department offers smoke, CO alarms

Fire department offers smoke, CO alarmsThe Brooklyn Center Fire Department together with the Firefighters Relief Association and H.O.M.E. (Household and Outside Maintenance for the Elderly) are offering smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms for city residents age 60 and older. One alarm of each kind will be provided per household with proper identification.

In addition, one smoke alarm per household will be provided to people under age 60 who need one, free of charge.

For questions, call or e-mail the Public Education Division at 763-549-3639 or fire@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us

Business forum sets date for 1st gatheringThe inaugural Business Forward Forum will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at Edinburgh USA, 8700 Edinburgh Crossing.

The event, aimed at Brooklyn Park business owners and representatives, will feature Chris Lower of Sterling Cross Communications as its keynote speaker. He specializes in traditional storytelling using today's communication.

In addition, there will be city updates from Mayor Jeff Lunde and Brooklyn Park staff, and a chance to network with other business people.

Business Forward is a city initiative that is part of Brooklyn Park's efforts to be a thriving city. It is also part of the city's civic engagement project.

Open house planned for Fire Prevention WeekThe Coon Rapids Fire Department will hold open houses at three fire stations on Oct. 13 as part of Fire Prevention Week.

They are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon at Station One, 1460 Egret Blvd.; Station Two, 1199 121st Av., and Station Three, 2831 113th Av.

Fire department staff members also will visit Coon Rapids elementary schools during the week, and Domino's Pizza will partner with the department to promote fire safety. Anyone who orders a pizza from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 7 or Oct. 11 may be randomly selected and met at the door by a crew of Coon Rapids firefighters.

Firefighters will check to see whether the homeowner's fire alarms are working. If they are, the pizza will be free. If the alarms are not working, firefighters will replace the batteries or install a fully functioning alarm.

For further information, call the fire department at 763-767-6429.

Admission is free, but registration is required and begins this Saturday. Register online at www.hclib.org or call 612-543-KNOW(5669).

Featured seminars include:

• "CSI in Genealogy: Solving Family History Mysteries," with speaker Lois Macklin of the Minnesota Genealogical Society;

• "Putting Grandpa on the Map," tips for finding ancestral homes in the old country with speaker Jay Fonkert, director of the Association of Professional Genealogists;

• "The 1940 Census," a discussion of how to use the census in genealogy, with speaker David Suddarth of the Minnesota Genealogical Society;

• "What's New in Internet Genealogy?" Information on databases, indexes and family history websites with speaker Trudi Campbell, librarian;

• "Finding the First Communities in the U.S. Where Your Family Settled," with speaker Mary Wickersham, co-president of Midwest Ancestor Research.

In addition, more than a dozen organizations will have resource tables at the fair, including the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International, Irish Genealogical Society, Norwegian-American Genealogical Association, Romanian Genealogy Society, Rusin Association, Daughters of the American Revolution -- Minnesota, St. Paul Family History Center, Park Genealogical Books, Friends of the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery, Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Minnesota, Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota and others.

For more information, go to www.hclib.org.

Stories of the autumn skiesBy popular demand, a talk about the stars in the fall skies is making a return engagement at the Golden Valley Library at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

Kids ages 8 and older are welcome. Refreshments will be served at 6:15 p.m. Registration with the Golden Valley Seniors is required by Oct. 18 at 763-512-2339.

NASA global warming champion to speakJames Hansen of NASA will speak via a conference call on global warming on Saturday at Minneapolis' Linden Hills Park warming room, 3100 43rd St. W. The discussion runs from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Sunday, University of St. Thomas climate scientist John Abraham and Macalester College psychologist Christie Manning will talk about creating respectful dialogue on climate change. The discussion is at Edina Community Lutheran Church, 4113 W. 54th St., from 2 to 5 p.m.

Conquering cancer before the diagnosis"Rev It Up: Conquering Cancer," scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, will feature Dr. Charles Majors speaking about his personal story and lifesaving steps to prevent and conquer cancer naturally.

The session will be held at the Rush Creek Golf Course in Maple Grove. Make reservations at 763-425-4577 or revolutionwellnesscenter@ gmail.com. Cost is $29 for one person or $39 for two and includes lunch and materials.