Area news briefs

A community forum on a single house legislature is set for 7 p.m. Friday at the Brainerd Public Library.

A representative from the Minnesotans for a Single House Legislature committee will discuss the issue and answer questions at the informational session.

The single house or unicameral system is expected to be one of the topics addressed in the news legislative session.

Chocolate lover's

extravaganza Feb. 10

The 11th annual Chocolate Lover's and Others Extravaganza is Feb. 10.

The fund-raising event to benefit the Crisis Line and Referral Service will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Central Lakes College food court in Brainerd.

Hour d'oeuvres, chocolate, baked goods, gourmet coffees and many other items will be on hand from the lakes area's restaurants, caterers, bakeries and food purveyors. A silent auction is also planned along with live music by Ted Fyder.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. Tickets are available at the door, or locations to be announced later.

The Crisis Line began serving Crow Wing County 12 years ago and has expanded to Todd, Wadena, Cass, Aitkin and Morrison counties. Call 800-462-5525 or 828-HELP.

Secretary of state to visit Pierz

PIERZ -- Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer will visit her hometown of Pierz on Friday to talk to students about her role in the state and about citizenship and running for political office.

Kiffmeyer's visit kicks off her news travel schedule.

She will visit Pioneer Elementary School, Healy High School and Trinity Holy School throughout the school day Friday.

Race for cure

The first Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure is coming to Brainerd.

A meeting about this 5K race/walk and one-mile family walk to eradicate breast cancer will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Brainerd Public Library.

The meeting will introduce the Susan G. Komen Foundation mission statement, as well as give details about the events to be held July 1 in Brainerd.