WBLAS Community Services & Recreation

Join the discussion about the history of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, how the Supreme Court makes its decisions; discuss some of the important cases and some fairly current cases that affect our lives every day.

How do we forecast the weather? What tools and data are used? What progress have we made in forecasting the weather? What are our limitations? What are the best Internet resources for you to get a forecast? Answers to all these questions and more in this presentation!

Specific events and climate episodes have had an ever-lasting effect on cultures, landscapes, and historical events. Weather has played a key role in shaping human history. We will discuss several examples as we explore how weather has shaped our history in this presentation!

Ben Franklin urged an end to immigration in Pennsylvania, especially by “stupid, swarthy Germans”. It has long been a contentious topic. We cover the waves of immigration over the years, from your own ancestors to more recent arrivals. Learn about past and present immigration laws, enforcement efforts, and the expectations and realities faced by the newcomers. You’ll understand the naturalization process and receive a copy of the test required for citizenship.

From 1854 to 1930, more than 200,000 children were put on trains to remove them from the poverty and danger of the city streets in the East. They were to be offered to morally upright farm families in the Midwest, many in Minnesota. The children were put on display and chosen by those willing to take them, with results that were sometimes great and sometimes horrible. Come learn about the process and the stories of the children who went through it, hoping for a home

What happens if a catastrophe or nuclear attack killed our president and government leaders? Who would be in charge? Where would they be located? How would the country function? We’ll be talking about the history of plans for such an event, beginning way back in 1776, through WWII and today. You’ll learn about the bunkers, the plans for succession (not always what you think), the practice drills currently held each year, who will be saved and who is expendable if the unthinkable happens.

Did you know that in the wild, less than 10% of eggs laid survive long enough to become butterflies? The survival rates for butterfly eggs are so low due to various threats like predators such as ants, bees, spiders as well as bad weather and pesticides. Learn how to collect eggs from Black Swallowtails and Monarchs and raise them indoors to increase their chances of survival. Raising butterflies inside is easy and educational as you watch the transformation life cycle from egg to a beautiful butterfly. It is a miraculous experience for people of all ages. Students ages 7-17 can attend with a registered adult

When was the last time you updated your makeup and beauty regimen? Has your skin changed over time? What about your hair color? Join this “boot camp” to update your look with tips and techniques for ageless beauty. Learn about a variety of products, some may be completely new to you, application, and the latest trends in makeup and skin care. Julie Sherman is a makeup artist with 30 years of experience. No products or services will be sold! This class is essential for busy, beautiful women who could use a little updating!

Do you have that patch of lousy soil where nothing seems to grow very well? There are plenty of tough MN native plants that will not only survive, but thrive in sketchy soil conditions. We will chat about all aspects of those tricky soil sites to get plants and blooms started for season to come including free soil testing. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, a native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Are you considering moving out of your home? If you're feeling uncertain about where to go next, we have a fantastic opportunity for you! Join us for a bus tour that will take you to local senior housing options plus lunch at one of the stops. This event is designed to help you explore your choices and gather valuable information. Engaging Speakers: During the bus ride, there will be speakers discussing various topics related to senior housing and living options. Networking Opportunity: Meet others who are in the same situation and share experiences. Explore Your Options: Visit different housing facilities and see what each has to offer. Schedule: 8:30-8:55am: Meet at White Bear Area Senior Center 9:10am: Depart for The Waters of White Bear Lake Bus Topic: Downsizing to prepare for your move 10:25am: Depart for Gable Pines Bus Topic: Moving with ease to your new community 12:10pm: Depart for Cerenity Senior Living Bus Topic: How to clear out your home with an estate sale 1:40pm: Depart back to Senior Center Bus Topic: Final Q&A This event is sponsored by Caring Transitions.

Once the snow melts, let’s get that lawn perked up and growing! When to dethatch, fertilize, seed, and treat those pesky weeds will be discussed, plus a ton more. Learn some simple tips and techniques that can help you get the best performance out of your yard while saving some cash and preventing pollution. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, a native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.