North news briefs: Teams will be formed to get behind bees

The League of Women Voters ABC (Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids area) will be setting up teams to advocate with cities and residents in the area to protect bees and other pollinators and improve their habitat.

A program at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Andover City Hall's Senior Center will discuss the effort.

The meeting will look at the city of Shorewood's Bee Safe City resolution and identify resources that cities and residents can draw upon to be more pollinator-friendly. A panel will include a Shorewood resident who is a beekeeper and founder of Humming for Bees and representatives from the Anoka Conservation District and the USDA's natural Resource Conservation Service.

The Senior Center is at 1685 Crosstown Blvd. NW., Andover.

Cars for Neighbors, a Blaine nonprofit that provides donated cars and car repair services for people in need, is giving away its 900th car this week. The organization was formed in 1999 as Free to Be and recently changed its name to better reflect its mission ("Charity renamed Cars for Neighbors," North Extra, Oct. 15; http://www.startribune.com/local/north/279163741.html).

The cars often are used by people to get to work or to take kids to day care. Car 900 was to go to a woman with a 4-year-old son, a mom who Car for Neighbors said has been commuting to work in Richfield by bus each day, two hours each way.

Under the program, eligible recipients must complete a basic budgeting class and a vehicle maintenance class. The organization accepts all vehicle donations regardless of condition.

Kevin Lindsey, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, will speak on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Brooklyn Park City Council chambers. Lindsey will discuss a number of topics, such as changes in laws and new laws that have been passed aimed at reducing discrimination; recent instances of discrimination in employment and education that have occurred because of the Ebola crisis; updates in the legal requirement for diversity and inclusion in state hiring. There will also be a question-and-answer session.

Lindsey will speak at 6:30 p.m. A pizza buffet and social period will precede his presentation, starting at 6 p.m. The program is sponsored by Think Again MN, the Brooklyn Park Human Rights Commission, and the Brooklyn Park Diversity Team. Please RSVP to Carol Woehrer, at carolwoehrer@usfamily.net

"Christmas in the 1960s" is the theme of the Fridley Historical Society's third annual holiday exhibit, which opens Saturday at the Fridley History Center, 611 Mississippi St. NE.

The display includes room vignettes and artifacts from that decade, including a college dorm room, kids' games, a model railroad, and more. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Nov. 8-Dec. 20, and 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 11-Dec. 16. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

For further information, go to the society's website, www.fridleyhistoricalsociety.org

The session will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12. It is presented by New Brighton Parks and Recreation in partnership with HealthPartners/Regions Hospital.

The workshop is free, but preregistration is required. Go to www.newbrightonmn.gov/communitycenter or call guest services at 651-638-2130.

The center is located at 400 10th St. NW, New Brighton.

Separate classes focusing on adult CPR and pediatric CPR skills will be offered by the city of New Hope on Saturday, Nov. 15. They'll be held at City Hall, 4401 Xylon Av. N.

An Adult CPR/AED class is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon. It will teach skills needed to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for victims ages 12 and older. A Pediatric CPR/AED class is set for 1 to 4:30 p.m. It will cover skills needed to help pediatric victims from infants to age 12.

Students must be at least 16 years old. Everyone who completes one of the courses will receive a certificate valid for two years.

The fee is $60 for residents of New Hope and Golden Valley and $67 for nonresidents. To register or for more information, call New Hope Parks and Recreation at 763-531-5151.

The New Hope Parks and Recreation Department is offering a four-hour "Defensive Driving Refresher" class from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18. It is for drivers age 55 and older who have already taken the eight-hour defensive driving course.

The course enables older adults to renew their National Safety Council certification for a 10 percent discount on car insurance. Recertification is required every three years.

The course, co-sponsored by the Police Department, will be held at New Hope City Hall, 4401 Xylon Ave. N. Preregistration is required.

A community workshop on memory loss and dementia will be presented from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at Engel Haus, part of the Guardian Angel senior community at 5101 Kassel Ave. NE, Albertville. Amy House, a dementia trainer and educator, will lead the session. There is a $5 fee, but it will be waived for those unable to pay. Call Faith in Action for reservations: 763-263-4277. Sponsors include Guardian Angels Senior Services, Guardian Angels + Elim Home Care and Hospice, Faith in Action, the city of Elk River and Senior Helpers.

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