Local briefs

Feb. 1 is the early bird deadline for booth space at the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce's 22nd annual Commerce and Industry Show -- Your Lakes Area Marketplace.

This year's Commerce and Industry Show, the area's largest of its kind, is slated for April 14-16. Space for this event is limited and early bird reservations receive a discount. Call Mary Gottsch at 829-2838, extension 117, or e-mail her at mary@brainerdchamber.com with questions or to reserve space.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce represents more than 950 businesses and operates offices in Crosslake and Brainerd. The chamber's programs are dedicated to fostering business growth and prosperity for the Brainerd lakes area. For more information about becoming a member, contact Kathy Christensen at 829-2838, extension 121.

Brainerd School Board meetings scheduled

The Brainerd School Board has scheduled the following meetings.

The student activities committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 26 in the district office, 300 Quince St. in Brainerd. The committee will discuss Don Adamson Field and artificial golf links.

The curriculum committee will meet at 11 a.m. Feb. 3 at Nisswa Elementary School. It will discuss the children's library and take a tour of the building.

The building committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 9 in the district office. It will discuss the Nisswa children's library and the greenhouse farm building.

Other upcoming regular meetings include the Committee of the Whole at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 7 and the school board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14.

Grants available

to help beautify communities

Are you looking for a way to brighten up your community, neighborhood or park?

The Initiative Foundation may have a solution with the Minnesota Beautiful program. Through a collaborative effort with the Valspar Corp., grants are available to communities and nonprofit organizations to receive the paint and coatings necessary to complete a restoration project.

Selection for the program is based on the visual impact of the project, public benefit to the community, volunteer participation and support, intended use of the building and the benefit to the needy.

Projects that may qualify for a grant include but are not limited to historic buildings, senior citizen or handicapped facilities, community centers, public buildings, murals or other visual impact projects. Projects that do not qualify include denominational churches, city maintenance or privately owned facilities.

Applications are available from the Initiative Foundation and are due by March 1. To receive an application or more information, contact Catherine Stoch at the Initiative Foundation, 70 S.E. First Ave., Little Falls, MN 56345 or call toll free at 1-877-632-9255 or by e-mail at cstoch@ifound.org.