Local briefs

A Brainerd High School marketing teacher was honored with a 2002 Teacher of Excellence Award at BestPrep's annual luncheon recently.

Bonnie Cumberland was awarded the honor for using BestPrep's programs to educate students about business and economics in their classrooms.

Cumberland has worked with BestPrep for more than 15 years. She used the Classroom Plus program for guest speakers, articles and videos and urged students to attend Minnesota Business Venture.

"I would never have had time to prepare all of these opportunities on my own," said Cumberland. "It has been a great partnership spanning many years."

Cumberland has taught at the high school for 34 years and will retire at the end of this school year.

First Aid Basics course offered Thursday

The American Red Cross will offer a First Aid Basics course from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the chapter office, 521 Charles St., Suite 101, in Brainerd.

Cost is $41. Books will be available to use and may be purchased at an additional cost. Preregistration is required. Cash, checks and Visa and Mastercard will be accepted.

Participants will receive lectures, video demonstrations, discussions and hands-on training to learn to recognize emergency situations; check the scene and call for help; avoid bloodborne pathogen exposure; care for wounds, bone and soft-tissue injuries, head and spinal injuries, burns, and head and cold emergencies; manage sudden illnesses, stroke, seizure, bites and poisoning; and minimize shock.

Class size is limited.

For more information, call the Red Cross at 829-4004.

Free massage, Thai cooking classes offered

Crow Wing Food Co-op will host free chair massages and a Thai cooking class Friday at the co-op at 823 Washington St. in Brainerd.

Massage therapist Everett Churchill of Pine Village Acupuncture & Massage will be on hand from 1 to 3 p.m. that day to offer free chair massages.

From 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thai caterer Daeng Klaverkamp of The Emerald Elephant will show participants Thai cooking techniques and let them try Thai foods.

Class size is limited, so call and make a reservation. The classes are free and open to the public.

For more information, stop by the Crow Wing Food Co-op or call 828-4600.

Region 5 Commission to meet Thursday

STAPLES -- The Region 5 Commission will meet 7 p.m. Thursday at the Region 5 Office in Staples.

The public is invited to attend.

School finance committee to meet

The Brainerd School District's Finance Committee will meet at noon June 6 in the district office.

The committee will meet to adopt the 2002-03 budget.

Brainerd transportation panel to meet Tuesday

The Brainerd Transportation Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Brainerd City Hall council chambers.

District 12 DFLers to meet Wednesday

LITTLE FALLS -- District 12 DFLers will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in preparation for a June endorsing convention.

The meeting will be at the Royal Cafe in Little Falls.

Any DFLer seeking an endorsement for Senate District 12, House District 12A or House District 12B should attend.

For more information call Phinee Zak at (320) 632-2652.