Holiday Art Crawl set Saturday
The Holiday Art Crawl, featuring 20 local artists and musicians, will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Locations include Bruno Press, 154 Fifth Ave. S.E.; Bad Habit Brewing Co., 15 E. Minnesota St.; Local Blend, 19 W. Minnesota St.; and Minnesota Street Market, 27 W. Minnesota St. Visit all four locations and be entered to win gift baskets. facebook.com/BrunoPress.
St. Joseph Chamber hosts annual ‘Winterwalk’
The St. Joseph Chamber invites all to celebrate the holiday season from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. A tree lighting will kick off the evening at Bello Cucina followed by various activities at Heritage Hall including a photo-op with Santa, a visit from Mrs. Claus, treat bags, craft making and refreshments. Heritage Hall is located inside the Church of St. Joseph. Also, be sure to look for luminaries outside of businesses offering treats and deals. We’ll see you there.
Boy Scout Troop 84 holds Christmas wreath sale
The St. Joseph Boy Scout Troop 84 is holding its annual Christmas Wreath sale from 8:30 a.m. until sold out on Saturday, Nov. 26 at the St Joseph Fire Hall, 323 Fourth Ave S.E. The Boy Scouts will sell both the Country Deluxe with special features as well as the Classic Wreath with a red bow. This year, the Boys Scouts will also have Balsam swags for sale. Proceeds from the sale support the local troop and camping programs.
Fire department to host Toys for Tots drive
The Sauk Rapids Fire Department will hold its annual Toys for Tots drive from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Toys can be dropped off at the Sauk Rapids Fire Hall, 408 N. Benton Drive.
Pine Country Bank requests submissions for video contest
Pine Country Bank is requesting submissions for its Lights, Camera, Save! video contest. The contest is a national, bank-driven competition that encourages teens to use video to communicate the value of saving and inspire others to become lifelong savers. To participate, students (ages 13-18) must create a 90-second video on saving and using money wisely and submit a link to the video along with a completed entry form to the bank by Thursday, Dec. 1. Videos will be judged on their quality, message, content and the criteria set forth by the contest’s official rules. This year’s contest is generously sponsored by Discover Debit. To learn more about Lights, Camera, Save!, visit lightscamerasave.com.
Metro Bus revises holiday hours
Metro Bus Fixed Route and Dial-a-Ride will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It will close early on Christmas Eve. Getting around in the winter requires extra planning for everyone. Riders should anticipate slight delays during poor weather conditions and times of high-traffic congestion, such as shopping at Crossroads Center between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and consider taking an earlier bus to keep themselves on time. Those who drive are reminded to yield to buses merging in traffic.
Dial-a-Ride Last Pick-Ups Christmas Eve
Metro Bus Dial-a-Ride is not scheduling any rides after 5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Weather-Related Closings
Riders can stay informed about weather-related closings on KCLD (FM 104.7), KNSI (AM 1450 & FM 103.3) and WJON (AM 1240) radio stations. Notifications will be posted on the Metro Bus Facebook and Twitter accounts. Route-specific detours are posted online at ridemetrobus.com. For more information about Metro Bus routes visit ridemetrobus.com or call 320.251.RIDE(7433).
Northstar Link announces holiday service schedule
Northstar Link Commuter Bus will operate a holiday schedule based on the Northstar Commuter Rail train schedule. This results in no bus service for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day holidays, modified schedules for the Friday after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas, and only Vikings service for New Year’s Day on Route 887V. Route 887F will not operate on Nov. 25, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Complete schedule and fare information is available at www.CatchTheLink.com for the bus and www.metrotransit.org/northstar for the train.
Catholic Charities in need of holiday donations
Catholic Charities Emergency Services is in need of donations for the holiday season. Their needs include the following: new toys, gift cards for teens, personal-care items, food-shelf donations, coats/boots for children, XL coats for men and women and new socks/underwear (all sizes). Volunteers are needed throughout the year helping with the clothing and food program. Contact Kathryn, Catholic Charities Emergency Services, at 320-229-4560.
St. Croix Hospice seeks companionship volunteers
St. Croix Hospice is looking for volunteers to provide care and support through companionship. Our companion volunteers do a variety of activities including reading, hand holding, card games and reminiscing. Within the companion volunteer role, we are looking for veterans to volunteer with our veteran patients. Certified Pet Therapy teams are also needed to assist in reducing physical and emotional pain, and reducing anxiety and the sense of isolation. St. Croix Hospice provides services throughout Central Minnesota, wherever our patients call home. We offer flexibility with scheduling, specialized training that will fit your schedule and volunteer interests, and provide an opportunity to learn new skills and expand your knowledge and experience. Our volunteers are an integral part of providing emotional support to St. Croix Hospice patients and their families. Contact Jen Lahmann, St. Croix Hospice, at 320-252-2803 or volunteer@stcroixhospice.com.
Tri-Cap seeks tax preparers, assistants
Tax preparers, return reviewers and tax-site assistants (no tax prep involved with this position) are being sought to help Tri-CAP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which offers free tax preparation and e-filing services to low- to moderate-income people (individuals < $35,000, Families < $55,000 per year) who need assistance in completing their tax returns. Volunteers receive free IRS-certified training to prepare basic tax returns in our local communities, which is also a great asset on a resume. For CPA’s, the volunteer time also provides continuing professional education credits from the IRS. The Tri-CAP VITA sites are located in St. Cloud, Elk River and Cold Spring. Contact Tri-CAP at 320-257-4510 or tricaptaxes@tricap.org.
Volunteers needed to take Sisters to appointments
Volunteers are needed to assist Sisters who need help to get to and from their physical and occupational therapy, foot-care and hair-care appointments in a timely manner. All appointments are inside our building. Volunteers need to be able to push wheelchairs, walk with Sisters using walkers and follow a schedule. Volunteers are also needed to help with pouring beverages at noon meals on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Contact Marina Schlangen OSB, volunteer coordinator, at mschlangen@csbsju.edu.
