Newsletter available
The Community Education Winter Newsletter with new class listings is now available. Offerings include courses for youth and adults. Call Community Education at 283-2571, ext. 186, to receive a copy. The newsletter can be mailed directly or stop by the office at 1515 11th St. (door No. 5 of Falls High School). It is also available online on the Independent School District 361 Web site www.isd361.k12.mn.us (click on Community Education at the top of the screen).

Phone recycling
Borderland Humane Society is currently participating in a cell phone recycling program. By recycling old cell phones, the humane society can receive money for the old phones, with all proceeds going to BHS. The community is urged to help by donating phones to help animals in need. Phones may be dropped off at The Daily Journal, Radio Shack or K-104/KGHS Radio Station. Anyone with questions may call 218-324-2313.

GED testing
Participants will receive their GED certificate after completing the test. Testing is done by appointment only. Pre-register through Adult Basic Education at 283-9575. Testing takes place at Falls High School. Photo ID is required. Cost is $100; retests, $20; $140 Agency fee.; copy of GED records, $5. Instructor is Blanche Halvorson.

Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers will meet Thursdays at Zion Lutheran Church for weighs-in at 11:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., with meetings at 12:15 and 5:45 p.m.

Peace Is The Way event
The community is welcome to gather with The Peace Cell of International Falls between 11:45 a.m. and noon Wednesdays at the City Flagpole. The purpose is to raise collective consciousness with a five-minute silent intention for peace within ourselves, our families, our community, our country and in our world. In case of inclement weather, the group will meet by the memorial inside the courthouse.

Animal welfare
The following are animal welfare contact numbers for International Falls and the surrounding areas: Borderland Humane Society: 218-324-2313; Animal Pound: 218-283-9276; International Falls and surrounding areas non emergency police: 218-283-4416 (to report animal abuse/neglect/animal control issues, lost/found animals). Borderland Humane Society Address: P.O. Box 543, International Falls, MN 56649. When in doubt about who to call, contact Borderland Humane Society.

Soup Supper
The public is welcome to attend the “First Thursday Soup Supper” at Backus Community Center reception room from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The supper is sponsored by Duty Free Americas. Suggested donation of $5 includes soup, salad, bread and crackers, beverage and cookies. Backus “Dinner Value Packs” for Soup and Top the Tater suppers are for sale — six-pack tickets are $25 and 12-pack tickets $50. Tickets for “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” and Chicken Kiev Dinner Dec. 16 will be available; cost is $15 for performance (at 7 p.m. in Backus Auditorium) and $10 for dinner (at St Thomas Aquinas Hall - 5 to 6:30 p.m.). All tickets may also be purchased in the Backus office.

Great North Greetings
Residents who are new to the area and would like to receive a Great North Greetings bag filled with helpful information on local businesses and services, may contact Community Education at 283-2571, ext. 186. All area organizations and businesses are welcome to include brochures, coupons, or other items in the bag. Those interested in participating should contact Community Education.

USDA Rural Development
Office day for United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the basement conference room of Koochiching County Courthouse. Rural Development provides a 1 percent interest rate home repair loan to very low income homeowners and a subsidized home purchase program to very low and low income households.

Christmas luncheon
AARP, Ice Box of the North chapter, will have their Christmas luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Holiday Inn. RSVP and cancelations should be directed to Charlotte Saari, 283-2382, by Friday. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Shelf. All interested seniors are welcome.

‘Women in Winter’
The public is welcome to join a Voyageurs National Park naturalist for the second annual “Women in Winter” program Sunday. Participants will learn about the history of snowshoes and the purpose of different snowshoe styles. Afterwards, if snow conditions permit, snowshoes will be provided for a two-mile hike on the Oberholtzer Trail. The program starts inside at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and runs from 2 to 4:30 p.m.