WBLAS Community Services & Recreation

What is more relaxing than paddling along the shoreline of White Bear Lake? Take part in an adventure with other people interested in kayaking and admire the beauty of nature. This adventure is suitable for a beginner with experience paddling 1-2 times or an expert paddler. All related kayaking equipment provided including kayaks, paddles, PDFs and dry bags. Wear comfortable clothing that can get wet including shoes. Students under 18 must be registered with an adult.

Did you know that hand embroidery has been practiced around the world for centuries and includes over 300 different stitches? Join us for this introductory class where you’ll learn 10 basic stitches including the Running, Chain, and Back stitch, a French Knot, eyelet and more. Leave class with a project to practice on and the confidence to tackle hand embroidery on your own. Bring to class: A 6” embroidery hoop Scissors $5 supply fee paid to instructor

Social Security is a vital income source for many retirees. But it can be a confusing topic and making the most of it can have a lot to do with timing it right. This workshop can help you get answers to your questions and learn what Social Security can mean for you. When should I apply for Social Security? How can I maximize my benefits? How will this affect my spouse? This class is a learning opportunity only. No products will be sold.

Have you ever been up close to the iconic ‘Spoonbridge and Cherry’ sculpture at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden? This is a great opportunity to tour one of Minnesota’s most popular outdoor museums and see the iconic landmarks for yourself. Join us on a fun day trip to explore more than 60 sculptures from the Walker’s collection on 11 scenic acres in the heart of Minneapolis. We will spend an hour exploring the museum grounds, then head to Brit’s Pub for a catered buffet lunch on their well-known patio. For over thirty years Brit's Pub has been Minneapolis's own little corner of the UK. The pub is known for nights by the fireplaces in the winter and lawn bowling on the rooftop deck in the summer - with a whole lot in between including legendary TV football (soccer!) and rugby events. Class fee includes school bus transportation, tour and buffet lunch Bus leaves Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi Departs: 9:30 AM Returns at approximately 2:00 PM

A death has occurred... now what? Who do I call? Who should my family call? Do I have to be embalmed? Can I be placed in a cemetery if I choose cremation? Navigating the steps involved with the passing of a loved one can be difficult. Join us for a discussion and dialogue about the next steps after the final days.

Enjoy a 2-hour immersive and meditative forest bathing walk. We will slow down and connect our senses to the healing, stress-reducing beauty of the forest. We will slip away from our phones and revive our relationship with nature and ourselves via unique, experiential invitations. We will share what we notice with each other, incorporating our experiences into our memory to tap again when we may need them. We will re-enter the tame world, renewed and refreshed. Guests should wear boots/shoes, clothing/gear appropriate for weather. Walk will be held in the rain and snow, but not thunderstorms or negative temperatures. Please wear/bring mosquito/tick repellent and sunscreen if desired. Please bring water if you would like to have some available throughout the walk. NOTE: The June 2nd Forest Bathing Class Has Been Cancelled.

Spend the morning at FOX 9 KMSP Broadcast Center in Eden Prairie to be a part of the live studio Audience of The Jason Show. After the show we will have lunch at Scoreboard in Minnetonka with their special of the day. After lunch we visit the Pavek Museum with over 12,000 square feet of antique radios, televisions, and broadcast equipment on display. Learn how pioneers in electronic communication created enormous impacts on the evolution of our society. We will have a brief welcome and then a self-guide experience. NOTES: The studio requests we wear solid, bright colors photograph best. The studio is usually kept at a cooler temperature so please bring a sweater or dress in layers. Fees include coach bus, show tickets, museum fee, and lunch. Departure / Return from: Mahtomedi Education Center. 1520 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi Bus Departs: 8:15am sharp Bus Returns: 3:45 pm

Suminagashi is the Japanese method of paper marbling. In this class we will learn about the supplies needed and how to apply ink to the surface of water to create beautiful patterns similar to marble or agates. Each student will get the chance to create their own work to take home.

Come join our instructor, Melinda Colwell, to learn this interesting and challenging game of arranging tiles for a winning hand. Mahjongg is a fantastic game for giving our brains some great exercise and bringing players together for sociability and fun! Melinda teaches with enthusiasm and compassion, striving to bring everyone along together. First, by learning the basics, then finish with the ability to play together with confidence and enjoyment. Come join us!

Create your own succulent garden! You will design a living work of art with colorful living succulents, plus an adorable mushroom figure that adds a whimsical touch. Not only is it fun - you can proudly show off your mini living masterpiece at home or give it as a special gift for someone close.

Learn about the many ways to save, store, and preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables so you can enjoy the best flavors and highest nutrition for as long as possible. This class introduces participants to best practices for storing fresh produce and the many different methods of food preservation. The Ramey County Master Gardeners recommend visiting their website to find reference tools, including handouts, websites, and book suggestions that can help you take the information from the class to the next level. The link for the website is: https://www.ramseymastergardeners.org/sb-food-saver

If you're 55 or older, get a discount on your personal auto insurance and improve your driving skills. The course, developed by the National Safety Council, teaches basic crash prevention techniques and has a proven record of reducing traffic violations and incidents. It's taught by experienced, professional traffic safety instructors, including officers of the Minnesota State Patrol. The class consists of lecture, films and discussions. There is no behind-the-wheel driving and there are no tests. According to Minnesota state law, people age 55 and older who complete a state-approved defensive driving course are eligible to receive a 10%, three-year discount on auto insurance. After you complete the course, you will receive a certificate of completion to give to your insurance company. Instructor: Minnesota Safety Council. Their Mission: To strengthen individuals, families and organizations by helping prevent injuries and support safer, healthier lives. The Minnesota Safety Council is a member-based, private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries - a leading cause of death, disability and economic loss. We offer traffic programs for the workplace and the larger community, including defensive driving classes for mature drivers and interactive online programs for teens. Since 1928, our sole focus has been to make Minnesota a safer and healthier place to live. The Minnesota Safety Council is a chapter of the National Safety Council.

The biggest fear for most baby boomers is how to pay for the nursing home and still leave an inheritance for the next generation. We will walk through the following questions and more including: How will I meet my nursing home goals? Is Long Term Care Insurance for me? What about home healthcare? Should I gift my money away? Would I qualify for Medicaid? What about my current Trust, does it protect my assets and avoid the nursing home? What is the 60-month claw back? What if my spouse goes into the nursing home and exhausts our money? Get the answers to these and other questions and learn how to create an effective plan to deal with these uncertainties.

Hear the stories behind inventions that we use daily, from electric lights to duct tape to Viagra - how the ideas occurred (or were stolen), how they were marketed and how they changed the way we live. Learn of the friendship that turned into bitter rivalry between inventors Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, about the widely admired inventor who unwittingly slowly killed thousands of people, and then himself with another invention, the women killed by paint and much more.

Take me out to the Ballgame! Field Trip to St. Paul Saints Baseball Game. What's better than spending a summer day watching a baseball game with friends? Join us for a fun afternoon watching the St. Paul Saints play at CHS Field in St. Paul. Game starts at 1:00 pm NOTE: Transportation and game tickets are provided with registration. Bring a credit card for any refreshments you would like to purchase at the game. Bus leaves Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi Departs: 11:30 AM Returns at approximately 4:30 PM

Join us in creating our handsome 12 x 12 Llama acrylic painting. Learn basic acrylic painting skills or brush up on some old ones. No experience necessary, as we guide you every step of the way! All materials included.

This is a relaxed and friendly open-forum seminar for participants with a seasoned Will & Trust attorney. Questions like: Should I avoid Probate? Is a Will good enough? Do I need a Trust? How does my plan deal with the nursing home? How do we gift the assets of husband and wife? What about separate assets not of the marriage? If I am alone, what tools protect me best? How do I decide who should serve in my estate plan? What is the death tax? How do I avoid leaving a mess for my children? Which Trust is best for my needs? Can I use a Transfer-On-Death Deed? How do my retirement assets operate in my Will or Trust? All questions will be answered!