Local briefs

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency seeks public comment on a required five-year review of the Ritari Post & Pole Superfund site in Wadena County. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supports the site cleanup plan and is participating in the review.

This periodic review of the ongoing remedial action is required where hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants remain, which, at this site, is caused by wood treating preservatives.

The purpose of the five-year review is to determine if the ongoing cleanup activities are adequate and effective. The review also offers the opportunity to evaluate whether the cleanup goals in the Site Record of Decision, as amended, protect human health and the environment. The remedial action at this site included replacing a drinking water well, restricting additional wells, monitoring to assure contaminated groundwater does not migrate and cleaning up the contaminated soils and buildings. The review will be completed by Sept. 30.

The community can contribute by providing information based on observations at that site or ways that the community has seen the cleanup help the area. Residents are encouraged to bring information and any concerns related to the site or requests for more information by Sept. 17 to the attention of Michael Rafferty, Information Officer, or Maureen Johnson, Project Leader, at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155. Rafferty may be reached at (651)297-7710 and Johnson may be reached at (651)296-7353. They can be reached toll free at (800)657-3864.

League of Women Voters fall potluck

The League of Women Voters will meet and have a fall potluck on Thursday at the Brainerd Public Library. The informational part of the meeting will be from 10:30-11 a.m. The potluck lunch will be from 11 a.m. to noon. The lunch is provided by members. The program will be from noon to 1 p.m. Program: The 2003 Legislative Session-What Did and Did Not Happen. Speaker: Curt Yoakum, policy analyst, Association of Minnesota Counties.

Registration forms available for Fun 'N' Friends

Children in kindergarten through fifth-grade who are interested in the Brainerd Community Education after school program, Fun 'N' Friends, still have time to register.

Registration forms can be picked up at all the elementary schools in the Brainerd School District or the Brainerd Community Education office.

Fun 'N' Friends is a program that runs after school and on school vacation days. Lisa Stawarski, youth program coordinator, said the program is a safe place that offers positive relationships with caring, supportive staff members that guide and lead the children.

Children learn social and life long learning skills and enhance academic achievement through homework. Children are offered age-appropriate games, crafts, contests and tournaments. They also are given opportunities to volunteer in the schools and the community.

Red Cross courses offered

The Northern Lakes Area Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer the following courses this month: First aid basics, infant CPR, child CPR, adult CPR, babysitter training, AED essentials and preventing disease transmission.

Night and evening classes are available. Call Peggy at 829-4004 for more details or to register for classes.