Things to Do

Blood drive scheduled

in Menomonee Falls

Menomonee Falls - As flu and low outdoor temperatures keep people away from blood drives and donor centers this winter, BloodCenter of Wisconsin urges healthy individuals to make a blood donation.

BloodCenter is hosting a drive from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Menomonee Falls Community Hospital, N8085 Town Hall Road. To make an appointment online, visit bcw.edu/mflions.

College wind orchestra performing

Germantown - Gustavus Wind Orchestra from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., presents a free concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Germantown High School auxiliary gym, N11501 River Lane.

Conducted by Douglas Nimmo, the wind orchestra is on a nine-day concert tour to selected cities in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. The wind orchestra's concert program includes music that is familiar and contemporary. The program includes works by renowned American composers Aaron Copland, Percy Grainger and John Philip Sousa, as well as contemporary compositions by David Holsinger, Jack Stamp and David Gillingham.

The event is open to the public and tickets are not required. Freewill donations will be accepted to help defray expenses for the ensemble's visit.

Sweetheart Party for Tots

scheduled in February

Germantown - Grown-ups should bring their little sweetheart to celebrate Valentine's Day from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Germantown Public Works Department, W17001 Mequon Road.

Participants will make valentines and share a snack.

The cost is $13.

For information, call (262) 250-4710.

Children can learn

to stay safe from bullies

Menomonee Falls - Geared for all children between the ages of 4 through 14, this one-day class scheduled for 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Menomonee Falls Community Center, N8645 Margaret Road, will help children their confidence.

Participants will learn several self-defensive skills, karate techniques and strategies to help keep them safe from bullies. The cost is $9.

Call (262) 250-4710 to sign-up.

Christian Women's Club

hosts February brunch

Menomonee Falls - The Milwaukee West Suburban Christian Women's Club is hosting brunch from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at Davians Banquet and Conference Center, 16300 Silver Spring Drive in Menomonee Falls.

For the Christian Women's Club Program there will be the annual Gifts from the Heart Brunch, which is a time to celebrate each other. There will be gifts and those who wish can bring a small gift or two to add to the celebration.

Lynn Lilja from Antioch, Ill., will give a presentation called Goldilocks and the Three Wishes. Lilja is a former rock band singer and speaker, she tells us how she faced life when everything wasn't just the way she thought it should be.

The cost is $15 with tax and tip included. Call Lois at (262) 251-3841 no later than Feb. 11 to make a reservation. Free child care will be provided if arranged at the time of the reservation.

February Movies slated

at Falls Library

Menomonee Falls - The Menomonee Falls Public Library offers two romantic films for its February Monthly Movies.

The films are "Somewhere in Time" and "The Lucky One" in the library's community room, N8436 Pilgrim Road.

"Somewhere in Time" plays at 2:15 p.m. Feb. 12 and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14.

"The Lucky One" shows at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 and 2:15 p.m. Feb. 14.

For information, visit home.mf.lib.wi.us or call Karen at (262) 532-8912.

Wild Ones program

scheduled in February

Menomonee Falls - The Menomonee River Area Chapter of the Wild ones, a nonprofit environmental education and advocacy organization which promotes environmentally sound landscapes, is hosting Prairies are Grasslands: The Evolution, Biology and Ecology of Grasses at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Menomonee Falls Public Library, N8436 Pilgrim Road.

The program is presented by Jim Reinartz, director of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station. It is free to attend

For information, contact plantlarkin@gmail.com or call (414) 881-4017.

Digital photography classes

offered in Germantown

Menomonee Falls - Bring a digital camera and instruction manual to this hands-on photography workshop scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Menomonee Falls Community Center, N8645 Margaret Road.

The class covers common photography problems, useful features and functions, and surefire tips and techniques for making better photos.

Call (262) 250-4710 to sing-up.

Falls Chilly Fest

around the corner

Menomonee Falls - The Menomonee Falls Village Centre will heat up downtown with its sixth annual Chilly Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 in Mill Pond Park located at Main and Mill streets and throughout downtown Menomonee Falls.

The family-oriented event features chili and ice carving competitions, live entertainment, outdoor games, a "Warm Up to the Arts" art sale, a raffle with items for adults and children and a variety of booths featuring information and goods from area organizations. Food and beverages, including chili, pizza and baked goods, are available for purchase

For information, contact Barb Watters, (262) 251-8797, vcmenfalls@wi.rr.com or visit menomoneefallsdowntown.com.

Dodge ball offered

for individuals, families

Germantown - Grades four through eight can gather for dodge ball from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Friday through Feb. 22 at Kennedy Middle School, N11836 Crusader Court.

The fee is $20.

Families and their children ages 6 and older can participate in dodge ball on Fridays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Feb. 22 also at the Middle School. The fee for family dodge ball is $9.

Call (262) 250-4710 to sign up.

Class teaches basic

first aid to children

Germantown - Children can learn the basics of what to do in case of an emergency including bandaging, to burn care and calling 911.

Parents are encouraged to stay for the class scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. March 4 at the Germantown Fire Station No. 2, W18752 Edison Drive.

The program is free, but preregistration is required by calling (262) 250-4710.

Pass benefits all Wisconsin

veterans injured in service

Milwaukee - In honor of national Purple Heart Day, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele recently announced the Milwaukee County Purple Heart Pass.

The PHP is a first-of-its-kind pass that allows Purple Heart veterans from Wisconsin free admission into a number of private and public Milwaukee County venues including the Milwaukee County Zoo and Discovery World.

All 1,900 Purple Heart veterans from across Wisconsin are eligible for this pass.

The Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World and the Harley-Davidson Museum will provide free, yearlong admission to PHP holders and one guest. The Milwaukee County Parks will offer free admission to the Boerner Botanical Gardens and the Mitchell Park Domes. The value of the pass is more than $200 and goes into effect Jan. 1. The Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office will administer the pass, verifying eligibility through military service records.

Purple Heart veterans can contact MCVSO Director Jim Duff at (414) 266-1235 or email jduff@milwcnty.com for information.