Holiday Children First! Itasca County Area Events 2012

  
Events for all ages for the Holidays!
Children First! events for children and families in the Itasca Area in December:

Santa at the Library  12/3/12, Monday ~ 5:00pm Calumet Library
Santa is coming to Calumet! Say hello to Santa, enjoy cider, cookies and fun activities – every child will receive a book to take home.  Hope to see you there! Call Library to register at 218-247-3108

 Santa Lights the Lights   12/7/12, Friday ~ 5:00pm - 7:00pm   Grand Rapids Central School Grounds
Celebrate with Santa when he "comes to town" to light the Christmas trees and decorations at Central School. Visit with Santa and his friends, Pooh, Frosty, Cat in the Hat, Clifford and more. Sip hot chocolate and enjoy treats!  Explore the art galleries and businesses open for First Friday too!  For more info call 218-326-2500.

Ho-Ho-Ho Down Country Christmas   12/8/12, Saturday ~ 3:00 - 6:00pm Children's Discovery Museum
Fun-filled afternoon for young and old with a country hometown Christmas theme, including games, food, crafts, entertainment and hay rides. Register by calling Eileen  218-259-9509 or online at www.getlearing.org

Family Movie Night   12/8/12,  Saturday ~ 7:00pm - 9:00pm  Bigfork School-Edge Center Theater
Giving families a night out that they won't forget! Snacks & treats provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register online at www.getlearing.org. More info at – 218-743-3444 Ext 2503

Family Bowling Night   12/9/12, Sunday ~ 4:00pm - 6:00pm Deer River Blueberry Bowl
Family Bowling is happening at the Deer River Blueberry Bowl! Fee is $1.00 per person, per game.
More info-call 218-246-8241 x 227.  Register online at www.getlearing.org

Snowflakes of Winter   12/15/12, Saturday ~ 10:00am - 12:00pm Nashwauk Library
Discover how to create snowflake images in watercolor, fold a winter star book ornament, and make snowflakes pendants in clay! Open to all ages. Children 0-6 must be accompanied by adult.  Register online at www.getlearning.org or
call 218-885-1280 Ext 51112.

Year End Concert at Ground Floor 12/29/12, Saturday ~ 6:00pm - 12:00pm
Wrap up the year with a FREE CONCERT at Ground Floor. Music (Local and Touring Bands), prizes and lots of fun! For Youth ages 13-College Age  More info - Ground Floor 218-327-0344 or Youth for Christ 218-326-9079

Coleraine Family New Year's Eve Party   12/31/12 Monday, 4:00-6:30pm Longyear Park, Coleraine
Everyone is invited to this annual family and community event.  Enjoy skating and a bonfire. Hot dogs, brats and hot chocolate served from 4-5pm. Join the sing-a-long and view the FIREWORKS at 6pm! This is an alcohol/drug free family event. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More info-call 218-259-4455


Sober New Year's Eve Party   12/31/12, Monday ~ 7:00pm - 1:00am Ground Floor, Grand Rapids
Come enjoy a sober alternative for the New Year's Eve - A FREE party at the Ground Floor. Bring your friends and enjoy pizza, soda and goodies. Plenty of games and fun to usher in the New Year. For Youth ages 13-College Age.               More info:  Ground Floor 218-327-0344 or Youth for Christ 218-326-9079

Children First! Flyers will be coming home with students from area schools. Flyers can also be picked up at area libraries, Community Education offices, YMCA, Itasca Civic Center, & Itasca Resource Center.   For more information on these events and other Community Education offerings check out us out online at www.getlearning.
 
All Children First! events are funded in part by the Blandin Foundation and by the organizations that are hosting the events.  Most events are free or unless stated in the class description.    

Like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/childrenfirstitascacountyminnesota

Be Creative & Share a Moment.

Free Children First! Events in October

  Events for all ages in October
FREE Children First! events for children and families in the Itasca Area in October:
Harvest Moon Ball Oct. 13th Saturday 4-8pm Children's Discovery Museum Class #3181024                                                 
Youth bring a senior citizen to the Ball, with food, dancing and entertainment, you'll have a blast!             
Must register-call 218-259-9509

Tape it! Oct. 17th Wednesday 2:30-5pm  Coleraine Public Library Class #316300       
Early Out at school and you can create anything with duct tape with the Creativity Tank Artists  
Register online or 218-245-6232

Explode! For Teens  Oct. 18th Thursday 2-4pm Grand Rapids Area Library  Class #1017      
Explode stick bombs!  Try out kinetic engineering-build them & explode!   FREE Must register-call 218-327-8823

Things that Go Bump in the Night in the Northwoods!
Oct. 19th Friday 5:30-7:30pm Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center, Marcell  Class #MC00015  
Discover night creatures and more in the woods!  

Family Movie night in Deer River  Oct. 26th Friday 6-8pm  King Elementary School  Class #317230
Enjoy a movie and treats with family and friends. Bring a blanket and pillow to lie on.

Storybook Theater Oct. 27th Saturday 11am-1pm Grand Rapids Area Library  Class #1016
Create a book that becomes a stage!   FREE Must register-call 218-327-8823

Halloween Bash  Oct. 31st Wednesday 4-7pm Marcell Family Center Class #MC0001
Bring the whole family for a frightfully good time. Activities, Food, Treats, Hayrides, Bouncy Tent, DJ and Games
218-832-3444 for any questions
 
For more information on these Free events and other Community Education offerings check out www.getlearning.  
All Children First! events are funded in part by the Blandin Foundation and by the organizations that are hosting the events.  
             On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/childrenfirstitascacountyminnesota

                               Be Creative & Share a Moment.

Itasca Area Community Education offering some completely new classes in October!

Itasca Area Community Education is offering some completely new classes in October!
Be Creative and Share a Moment!   Try one of these new classes created just for you!  
Oct. 2 – Oct 30th – Tuesdays 5:30-7 pm iBienvendios a la Clase de Espanol! Spanish for Teens and Adults Experience the language of Spanish in a whole new way via Telepresence in your local school.  With Telepresence, you'll feel like you are in the same room as the instructor.  This is NOT your old TV class.    Gain Spanish Language Skills for travel and home. Explore the language and the culture. Rachel Pierce is back to teach her fun Spanish immersion classes. Be the first in your community to experience Telepresence and learn Spanish too! Choose from Grand Rapids, Bigfork or Nashwauk locations and register for that session.
Fee- $ 65.00 for 4 sessions. No class on 10/16/12.
Oct. 6th  - Saturday - 1-3pm Bread Making with a Stand Mixer  Discover the easy way to make fresh, healthy yeast bread  using a stand mixer. You'll have recipes and samples of fresh bread from the oven when class is finished! Grand Rapids High School  Fee-$20 paid at time of registration, plus $5 materials fee paid to instructor at class. Class #318949
Oct. 8th – Monday – 3-5pm Fair Isle Mittens at The Yarn Gallery Make warm and wonderful snowflake mittens out of your color combinations, while learning Fair Isle techniques and color work!  Fee $25 plus materials Class #318933

Oct. 8th – Monday – 6:30-8:30 pm Let's Make Toys! It's a HANDS-ON, DO-IT-YOURSELF Toy Workshop for all Dads, Moms, Grandparents, teachers and caregivers of kids.    We'll show you how to make all kinds of Toys out of everyday items in time for Christmas. Your kids will have fun playing for years with these toys.
ISD 318 Administration Building, Grand Rapids   Fee - $25 Class #318947

Oct 13th – Saturday –10am-1pm Socks 101 at the Yarn Gallery Make a mini sock while learning the techniques in basic sock knitting. Fee - $25 plus materials Class #318934

Oct. 19th – Friday – 3-5pm Unraveling Ravelry.com at The Yarn Gallery Discover with Carissa the features on Ravelry.com and take your knitting experiences to a whole new level. Fee - $15 Class #318935

Oct. 20th and 27th – Saturdays – 10am-12pm Felted Slippers at The Yarn Gallery Discover how to knit and then felt a cozy pair of slippers! Fee - $35 plus materials Class #318936 plus materials

Oct. 29th-Nov. 19th – Mondays – 6-8:30pm Spinning Workshop at The Yarn Gallery Improve or master your spinning techniques using a variety of fibers and types of yarns. For students of all levels experience. Fee - $100 for 4 sessions  Class #318938

Register with a friend, family member, or meet new people at every class.   Hurry because classes fill up quickly.  Visit the website at www.getlearning.org  to register for these and other classes offered.  View the Fall catalog and all of the exciting opportunities that await you too. You can contact us also at 218-327-5730 with questions or to register.  

Grand Rapids Great Decisions Discussion Group 2012

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2012


Great Decisions Discussion Group is reconvening for Fall 2012 to explore and discuss topics of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans today. Great Decisions provides background information, current data and policy options for each issue and serves as the focal text for discussion groups. After a short presentation, attendees participate in a lively discussion about the topic of the day.

Our first topic for discussion this Fall is Promoting Democracy. Join us Wednesday, Sept. 12th 11:30 am-1:30 pm at Independent School District 318's Administration Building Board Room, 820 NW 1st Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN, for our first topic.

We will be discussing 3 more topics this Fall at the same time and place on the following days.

Cyber Security – Wednesday, Sept. 26th  11:30 am-1:30 pm ISD 318's Administration Building Board Room

Indonesia – Wednesday, Oct. 10th 11:30 am-1:30 pm ISD 318's Administration Building Board Room

Energy Geopolitics – Wednesday, Oct. 24th 11:30 am-1:30 pm ISD 318's Administration Building Board Room
 
For more info and to register for Great Decisions Discussion groups for reminders and updates go www.getlearning.org or call 218-327-5730.  Also more information on the program is available online at http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/ Great Decisions briefing books are available at the discussion groups for $22 each.  Great Decisions Discussion Group is offered at no charge through ISD 318 Community Education.

Grand Rapids Archery Classes this Fall

   Rich Will and "Grand Rapids Archers" club members are teaching Archery again this Fall.  They will instruct 2 classes on Saturday, September 8th at the Forest History Center.   The first class, 12-2 pm is "Archery for Beginners – Class #318525".  This beginning class will cover proper, safe shooting techniques with the expert coaches of Itasca Archery Club. You will have opportunities to aim and shoot at traditional targets and 3D style targets.  All equipment is provided. Come dressed for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.  The "Archery for Beginners" is for Youth ages 8 and older.  Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

   "Archery-Intro to Competitive Team NASP –Class #318526" will be 2-4pm on Saturday, September 8th.
This class is an introduction to competition archery through the NASA program.  The only requirement is that you have completed NASP Archery training through your Physical Education class at school. (5th graders and older) You can discover team archery, improve your skills and learn about competing for your local NSAP team from team coaches.  If you are already a member of a school team, feel free to register and attend to polish up your skills and share your experiences.  

   Registration for these classes is required and the classes are small for individual attention, so register early to secure your spot.  Class fee must be paid at the time of registration to guarantee your space in the class.  You can register and pay the fee ($15 per class) online at www.getlearning.org or mail in your registration to Community Education, 820 NW 1st Ave., Grand Rapids, MN.  This class is offered by ISD 318 Community Education.

United Way of 1000 Lakes Announces $239,000 in Grants

GRAND RAPIDS - United Way of 1000 Lakes Board of Directors announces
investments into 37 health and human service programs through 27 partner
agencies. The program allocations represent the second year of a 2-year
funding cycle and will be distributed beginning on July 1, 2012 and ending
June 30, 2013, United Way's fiscal year.

Allocations totaling more than $239,000 were awarded to programs across the
county. This represents more than $213,000 in community donations that will
be invested directly into United Way's focus areas: Education, Income and
Health, and $26,000 in donor designations to specific agencies.

"We're so thankful for the donors who make all this possible," said Madelen
Schuemann, board member and chair of this year's fundraising campaign. "We
are committed to getting the most out of every donor investment and helping
agencies meet the rising demands they face."

United Way has aimed to target programs addressing basic needs, wellness,
thriving children, adult independence and financial stability, adding
Project Care and Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) to its partner
agencies. Project Care was among the 26 agencies requesting allocations and
was awarded $7,500. The clinic provides free health outreach services to
Grand Rapids area residents who are uninsured and can't afford access to
health care.

Other agencies receiving funding include: Advocates for Family Peace,
$25,000; Baby Steps Boutique, 5,000; Bigfork Valley Day Stay, $3,000; Boy
Scouts Voyageurs Area Council, $1,000; Bridges Kinship Mentoring, $9,700;
Campus Life/YFC, $14,000; Cooperative Solutions, $10,000; Elder Circle &
R.S.V.P, $13,500; First Call 2-1-1, $15,000; Friendship Haven Adult Day
Stay, $3,000; GRACE House, $3,000; Grand Rapids Food Shelf, $10,000; Home
Visitor Program, $6,500; Hope House, $4,500; Itasca County 4H Federation,
$6,890; Itasca County Family YMCA & Bruce Bauer Center, $31,370; Itasca
County Food Shelf Coalition, $10,000; Itasca County Long Term Care
Transportation Coalition, $2,000; Itasca Wellness Court, 5,000; Kootasca,
$10,000; Project READ, $5,000; and Support within Reach, $12,250.

Community members from various backgrounds and professions make up the
United Way's volunteer Community Investment Council. The Council is
responsible for reviewing agencies applying for United Way funding by
evaluating programs, visiting agencies, interviewing staff and board
members, and reviewing financial records to develop an understanding of the
agencies community impact. The council then provides the United Way board of
directors with their funding recommendations for approval.

United Way's rigorous allocations process ensures that contributions are
fulfilling our mission of changing our community by helping people in need
through responsible use of donations. United Way's allocation process also
helps its partner agencies to leverage additional funding from state,
federal and private grants.

The 2012 fundraising campaign kicks off Sept. 15 with a Community Pancake
Breakfast in downtown Grand Rapids. The breakfast, from 7 to 10 a.m., will
feature civic leaders, businesses and volunteers whipping up delicious
hotcakes for the community and competing in United Way's first Pancake
Cook-off and Pancake Flip Relay. For more information, call United Way at
(218) 999-7570.

United Way of 1000 Lakes is improving lives by mobilizing the caring power
of community. Our focus is on the basic building blocks for a good life:
education, income and health. United Way of 1000 Lakes partners with 27
agencies and invests in more than 37 local programs to create positive
change across Itasca County. For more information on how to join the United
Way and its partners to build a stronger community, visit
www.unitedwayof1000lakes.org <http://www.unitedwayof1000lakes.org/> or call
(218) 999-7570

Free Forum Addresses Collaborative Business Strategies for Nonprofits: July 31

The United Way of 1000 Lakes together with the Blandin Foundation and the
Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation will host a free live stream
leadership forum, "New Structures for New Times: Leadership for a Strong
Nonprofit Sector
<http://minnesotanonprofits.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7edeeaf000d49
b689fe3b0f5&id=1b918e146a&e=c47c71f959> " on Tuesday, July 31, from 8 a.m.
to noon at the Timberlake Lodge Hotel.

Designed for non-profit board members, directors and staff, foundations,
schools, government officials and community leaders, the free forum will
explore collaborative business strategies to maintain our strong nonprofit
community in the challenging times ahead, in light of growing need and
declining resources.

The United Way of 1000 Lakes is one of five United Way's across the state
partnering with the Greater Twin Cities United Way to host the forum via
Live Video Streaming from the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with a light breakfast, followed by keynote
speaker, release of a new study by MAP for Nonprofits and Wilder Research on
success factors in nonprofit mergers; a panel discussion by nonprofits and
business leaders; followed by a focused conversation about increasing the
collective impact of the Itasca County areas nonprofit community.

Keynote: Paul Grogan, president and CEO of The Boston Foundation, will share
his thoughts on how each of us can be a catalyst for a collaborative future.

Panel Facilitator: Luz María Frias, Vice President of Community
Philanthropy, The Minneapolis Foundation

Panelist: Armando Camacho, President, Neighborhood House; Jon Campbell,
EVP & Director of Social Responsibility, Wells Fargo; Linda Keene, CEO, Girl
Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Valleys; Jennifer Martin, retired SVP,
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans & Board Chair of Children's Home Society.

For reservations contact the United Way at 218-999-7570 or
info@unitedwayof1000lakes.org.
For more information about the event, visit www.unitedfrontmn.org.