LOCAL BRIEFS

Rural Minnesota CEP was awarded $2.5 million in stimulus funding from the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The emphasis for this funding will be on summer employment for youths. The primary activity will be work experience.

According to Dan Wenner, director of RMCEP, "Summer jobs not only provide young people with a chance to earn money, but also provide them a chance to develop skills, learn responsibility and develop a sense of pride that can only be accomplished through work."

In addition to work experience, components of the program will include outreach, assessment, orientation to the youth program and to RMCEP, the development of an individual service strategy, a world of work orientation, community involvement and leadership training, short-term prevocational skills training, worksite supervisor training and mentoring activities, regular progress reviews and the required follow-up.

For information, contact a youth coordinator at a WorkForce Center in Brainerd, Little Falls or Wadena.

Hearing loss event planned

Diane Leonard, east central consultant with the Minnesota Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division, and Joanie Robinson, telephone equipment distribution specialist, will share information about assistive technology and resources that are available for people with hearing loss at noon April 28 at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center in Brainerd.

The event is presented by DHHS East/West Central in St. Cloud. RSVP to Lutheran Social Service, Senior Nutrition, 803 Kingwood St., Brainerd, or call 824-6026.

Nisswa City Council plans special meeting

A special meeting of the Nisswa City Council has been scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nisswa City Hall to discuss the following items:

A. Appointing Ron Bialke as the manager of the Spirits of Nisswa.

B. Awarding construction contract to Hy-Tec Construction for the Pickle remodeling project.

C. Liquor revenue bond for Pickle remodel.

D. COPS Hiring Recovery Program grant for the Nisswa Police Department.

Second Thursday event to raise funds for library

Second Thursday, a fundraising event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. April 9 at Prairie Bay, is an appetizer and wine tasting for the Brainerd Public Library Technology Fund - public Internet computers.

Special guest will be author Douglas Wood. He is an award-winning author of such children's classics as "Old Turtle" and "Grandad's Prayers of the Earth" as well as being a musician, storyteller and illustrator. The event celebrates National Library Week and the Brainerd library.

A $15 minimum tax deductible donation to the library's technology fund is requested. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Brainerd Public Library.

The event is hosted by Prairie Bay and Baxter Cash Wise Liquors. RSVP is requested to 824-6444 or by e-mail to events@prairiebay.com.

Brainerd Warrior dance team members earn awards

The Brainerd Warrior dance team recently conducted its awards banquet at Timbermist north of Brainerd.

Awards for the 2008-09 varsity team included most valuable dancer, Kelsey Villwock, and rookie of the year, Ali Speiker.

Awards for the 2008-09 junior varsity team included most valuable dancer, Sammy Gonnion.

Brittany Schubert was named captain-elect. Dancers earning academic all-state awards with at least a 3.8 grade-point average were Emily Holland, Sara Gardner, Brittany Hanson and Bailey Gerats.

The dance team also earned the Team Academic Achievement Award for having an average GPA of 3.25.

Hobby Fair for Seniors planned April 18

PIERZ - The Morrison County Senior Task Force members are looking for talented individuals wanting to display their hobbies or share their ideas.

The Central Minnesota Hobby Show for Seniors will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at the Pierz Healy High School Gym. Admission is free and there will be prizes and lunch available.

People who would like to display talents and ideas at the Hobby Show for Seniors may contact Bridget Britz at (320) 468-6451 or (800) 224-6451.

Airport commission to meet Tuesday

The Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the airport conference room.