Briefs: Stillwater pool proposal on table

The first of three "education sessions" to acquaint Stillwater residents with efforts to build a municipal pool will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Family Means, 1875 Northwestern Av.

The proposal by residents started after a second child's death was traced to a rare amoeba in Lily Lake. Health officials said swimmers should avoid shallow lakes with excessive warm water temperatures.

Mayor Ken Harycki will present the opening greetings and an overview of city projects. Robert Schunicht of Landform Engineering and Professional Services will talk about natural swimming pools, popular in Europe for the past 30 years and now being built in public settings and private residences. Next year, the company BioNova will install a public natural swimming pool park at Webber Park in Minneapolis.

Before Tuesday's meeting, a social begins at 6:45 p.m. The meeting is sponsored by members of the development team for a Stillwater municipal pool. For more information, call Shelby at 651-439-3262.

More church talks on marriage amendment Churches in Oakdale and Stillwater will hold "Respectful Conversations" on the proposed Minnesota marriage amendment this week.

The Oakdale event will be held Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6355 N. 10th St.

On Tuesday, First United Methodist Church of Stillwater's discussion will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the church at 813 W. Myrtle St.

Pre-registration is required online at www.mnchurches.org or at 612-230-3344.

Lutefisk dinner at Trinity Lutheran Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 N. Fourth St., is continuing its annual lutefisk and meatball dinner tradition, with this year's event set for Thursday, Nov. 1, with five seatings beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $5 for grade-school children and free for preschoolers. Tickets can be ordered at Trinity LCdinner@aol.com, at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., or before and after services.

Proceeds go to support the church's hunger missions.

Donations help family recovering from fire The Woodbury Fire Department Alumni Association has begun a fundraising effort to assist former Woodbury firefighter Tom Richardson and his family after a fire caused extensive damage to their home earlier this month.

Donations can be made during regular business hours at Woodbury's Public Safety Building, 2100 Radio Drive. The family is in need of gift cards -- gas, food, retailers, etc. -- and cash donations. Make checks payable to "Pat Edlund - WFDAA," with "Richardson Family" in the memo line.

City commissions seek new members Applications are being accepted through Friday for openings on the city's Environmental Advisory Commission.

The city also has vacancies on the Watershed District Board, Audit and Investment Commission, Economic Development Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission.

Citizens who serve on advisory boards assist the City Council by making recommendations regarding parks, development proposals, environmental issues and other concerns. They must apply for the positions and are appointed by City Council.

Woodbury residents who are interested in serving should call City Hall at 651-714-3500 to request an application. Or they can find more information at www.startribune.com/a1811.

The bureau "has a tradition of strong ties in the community," said Mike Huntley, its program director and a youth and family therapist. "This new partnership is another example of how we work to make our services accessible to families."

The bureau will provide counseling appointments at Central Pediatrics two mornings each week. Referrals for these appointments come from physicians, with families seen by bureau staff at the clinic or in the bureau's Woodbury, Cottage Grove and Stillwater locations.

Visit www.centralpeds.com to see a list of upcoming parent education topics or to register for a class. Learn more about the Youth Services Bureau at www.ysb.net.

Fire department has hiring open house The Lower St. Croix Valley Fire Department is holding an open house at 9 a.m. Saturday for anyone interested in becoming a member of the department.

Applications will be accepted for firefighter/EMT positions for paid, on-call employment. The open house offers an opportunity to learn about the process involved in hiring and training as well as the benefits associated with being a member.

JIM ANDERSON