West news briefs: Trace ancestry at library's annual family history fair

Trace your ancestry at library's annual family history fairLearn about genealogy resources at Hennepin County Library at the third annual Family History Fair from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Minneapolis Central, 300 Nicollet Mall.

Admission is free but registration is required and begins 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 as a gateway to the past with speaker David Suddarth of the Minnesota Genealogical Society;

• "Finding Family History in Military Records," with speaker Tom Rice, full-time professional genealogy researcher and a director of the Irish Genealogical Society;

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

There will also be more than a dozen organizations represented with 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.

NASA global warming champion to speakJames Hansen of NASA, via a conference call, will speak on global warming on Saturday at Minneapolis' Linden Hills Park warming room, 3100 43rd St. W. Drive. 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.

League of Women Voters forum tonightThe South Tonka League of Women Voters will host a candidate forum from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday at Shorewood City Hall including all Shorewood candidates for public office.

The candidates include mayoral candidate Scott Zerby and council candidates Kristine Sundberg, Mark Sylvester and Dick Woodruff. The event if open to the public and will be videotaped for cable access.

A Senate District No. 33 forum will also be held from 8-9 p.m. Oct. 9 at Orono City Hall in Long Lake.

New group wants end to divisive politicsA group called "No Labels," whose slogan is "stop fighting and start fixing," is holding a meeting Oct. 15 at the Ridgedale Library.

Former U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad and Nate Garvis will be guest speakers at the meeting, which will be in the main community room at 6:30 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.

For more information go to revolution-chiropractic.com.

Free flu shots available SaturdayA free flu shot clinic will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at United Methodist Church of Peace, 6345 Xerxes Av. S. in Richfield.

No appointment is necessary. Children more than six months old and adults can receive shots. Pertussis, or whooping cough, vaccine also will be available for children.

Fire department open house plannedThe Plymouth Fire Department will host its annual open house from noon-3 p.m. Oct. 13 at Fire Station 3, 3300 Dunkirk Lane.

There will be demonstrations, displays and hands-on activities.

Those attending will be able to buy new bike helmets at prices ranging from $5-15; try out the department's thermal imaging cameras used in search-and-rescue operations; shoot water from a fire hose; and see North Memorial's Aircare Helicopter.

For more information, call the Plymouth Fire Department at 763-509-5198.