N ews Briefs

‘The Best idea’ applications

The Mendota Heights Community Foundation is accepting applications for its first community grant, offering up to $3,000 for “The Best Idea” to enhance life in the city. Applications must be received by May 1 and will be evaluated for ideas that improve quality of life, strengthen community connections, use innovation, leave a lasting impact and build community pride. To apply, pick up an application at City Hall. Winners will be announced June 1.

Rummage sale

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 700 Wesley Lane, Mendota Heights, is hosting its annual rummage sale 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, April 29. Proceeds will be used to fund mission projects. For more information, call 651-452-5683.

Arbor Day event

The City of Mendota Heights is hosting an Arbor Day event 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 29. Residents are invited to participate in a citywide cleanup, clean storm drains and volunteer to plant a Pocket Pollinator Garden at Valley View Heights Park. They may also register to win prizes, including a 10-gallon container tree and a compost bin or rain barrel. For more information, visit mendotaheightsmn.gov.

Plant sale

Ramsey County Master Gardeners will host their annual plant sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, May 20 at Church of the Holy Childhood, 1435 Midway Pkwy., St. Paul. The sale includes a large selection of native plants, vegetables, several varieties of tomatoes, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, houseplants, quality garden gloves, and more. Proceeds support Master Gardener community and youth education programs in Ramsey County. For more information, visit RamseyMaster Gardeners.org/plantsale.

Parks and Rec

The Music in the Parks concert series returns to Market Square Park, 720 Main St., Mendota Heights, in May with three Wednesday evening performances. Each begins at 6 p.m. Concerts are: Patience Band on May 3, Diane Zilverberg Duo on May 17 and Timeless on May 31.

A pickleball tournament will take place 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, May 20 at the Marie Park courts, 1780 Lilac Lane. Player levels are self-assigned and games are not officiated.

Touch a Truck is held

Letter to the Editor

Unfair treatment for Alzheimer’s patients

In March I had the privilege of going to Washington D.C. with the Alzheimer’s Association to meet with the office of my congresswoman, Angie Craig. I advocate for all people with dementia, but especially for my late husband, Ralph. I wish I’d had more time with him. Ralph lived with Alzheimer’s for nine years.

Thanks to our bipartisan champions in Congress, we’ve made great progress advancing research on Alzheimer’s and other dementias, providing hope to families like mine. And now with FDA approval of Alzheimer’s treatments that slow its progression, our hopes have been lifted even higher. However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that runs Medicare, is blocking access to these and future treatments. This is unfair. This drug is too late for my husband but should be available to other families. I am calling on Rep. Craig to tell CMS to change this inhumane policy. Delays are unacceptable. Every day without access to FDA-approved drugs, more than 2,000 people nationwide transition to a more advanced stage of Alzheimer’s where they are no longer eligible for treatment. This class of treatments has clearly proven to delay progression, extending time in the early stage of Alzheimer’s when individuals can still participate in daily life. Please don’t allow people living with dementia, and their families, to be treated like this. I ask Rep. Craig to speak out on this injustice so that others have more time than I had with Ralph.

Kae Lovaas Jewell Mendota Heights

10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 13 at Mendakota Park, 2111 Dodd Rd. Explore fire trucks, police cars, commercial mowers, plow trucks and more. The event also features games, photo opportunities, refreshments and food trucks.

Bike Rodeo

West St. Paul Parks and Recreation is holding a bike rodeo 1-3 p.m., Sunday, May 21 at Garlough Park, 1800 Charlton Ave. This all-ages event includes bike safety instruction, youth helmet giveaways (while supplies last), and a short bike ride. Free.

Appliance pick-up day

Curbside appliance pickup is available to residents of Mendota Heights and West St. Paul 8 a.m.-noon, Monday, May 8. Call J.R.’s Advanced Recyclers at 651454-9215 by May 5 to make a reservation. Cost is $25 for the first appliance and $10 for each additional appliance.

TPAC events

Unless noted, all activities take place at Thompson Park Activity Center, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul. To register, call 651-403-8300.

Watercolor Painting Introduction, 1-3 p.m. Mondays, May 1-22. $66 for four sessions.

Nature Sense with Eloise Dietz: Spring Birding Hike, 10-11:15 a.m., Tuesday, May 2. $12.

British History: James I, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 9. Register at least five days in advance. $8.

Dakota County 101, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursday, May 11. Content includes the top 10 historical things residents should know about Dakota County. $3.

Dakota County Historical Society Tour, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m., Monday, May 15, at the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 3rd Ave. N, South St. Paul. $3.

Paint Like Bob Ross , 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, May 22. $50, includes materials.

Mystery Book Club , 10:30 a.m.- noon, May 9. $10 annually to participate in the monthly discussions.

WSP K-9 grant

The West St. Paul Police Department K-9 unit is competing with other K-9 units in the state to see who can get the most votes on Aftermath Service’s social media platforms in one week, May 25-June 5. Aftermath Services, a national biohazard remediation and trauma cleanup company, will award a grant ranging from $250$2,500 depending on how the department places. If the West St. Paul Police Department wins it will use the grant to purchase a vest, toys, food and training supplies for its two K-9s. People can vote by commenting the name of their police department on Aftermath’s daily K-9 unit grant posts. Votes can be submitted once every 24 hours on Aftermath’s website, and Facebook and Instagram pages.

DARTS programs

DARTS 9th Annual Fundraising Breakfast is held 7:30-9 a.m., Wednesday, April 26 at Mendakota Country Club. All are in- vited to this free event. Register at DARTSBreakfast. givesmart.com or by calling 651-455-1560.

Cycling enthusiast Rick Anderson is hosting his 15th annual bike sale noon4 p.m., Saturday, May 13 at Superior Service Center, 14580 Glenda Dr., Apple Valley. Proceeds benefit DARTS and Kids ‘n Kinship. The sale will feature 450 bikes ranging in price from $20-$500. For more information, visit www. ricksbikesale.com.

DARTS is seeking volunteers for its Tech Buddies program, which pairs volunteers with older adults to provide technology assistance with laptops, smart phones, tablets, smart TVs and other devices. Volunteers are also needed to provide spring cleanup for seniors. For more information, contact DARTS at info@darts1.org or call 651-455-1560.

Mortgage help

HomeHelpMN offers mortgage assistance to homeowners who have missed payments due to reduced hours, layoffs, business closures and other causes related to the pandemic. HomeHelpMN can provide up to $50,000 to pay eligible past-due expenses. The money does not have to be paid back. To find out if you’re eligible, visit https://homehelpmn.org or call 800.388.3226.