BSC agribusiness reunion planned

The Bismarck State College Agribusiness Department will hold its first reunion of alumni and faculty Jan. 28 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel. The event marks the 35th anniversary of the program's first graduating class.

Alumni and faculty will gather for a social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. A live auction begins at 8 p.m., followed by dancing to a country band. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the BSC Agribusiness Club, which sponsors the reunion. Some auction items include half a beef, wood carvings, and a year's worth of oil changes.

Pre-registration is requested by Jan. 6. Cost is $22.50 per person, payable in advance by check or credit card. To register, call Evelyn Morrell at 224-5402. Send checks to BSC Agribusiness Club, 1500 Edwards Ave., Bismarck, N.D. 58501.

For more information, contact Lyle Warner at 701-224-5419 or e-mail Lyle.Warner@;bsc.nodak.edu.

Educational heart events planned

The Dakota Medical Foundation awarded $10,000 to the American Heart Association for Go Red For Women educational events in Fargo and Jamestown in February.

The events are part of a nationwide event to focus on women's heart health. The Jamestown event is 5:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at the James River Community Center. It will feature educational speakers, style shows, health screenings, health information, entertainment and refreshments.

Admissions is courtesy of the Dakota Medical Foundation, but event participants must pre-register. For more information, call 888-MY-HEART (694-3278) or visit www.americanheart.org/women.

State mailing fewer tax booklets

The number of tax booklets mailed to North Dakotans will decrease by about 5 percent this year as more residents are filing their tax returns electronically, according to Tax Commissioner Cory Fong.

Fong said the tax department began to mail about 109,000 tax booklets on Tuesday, compared to 114,000 a year ago.

"Because so many taxpayers have started using electronic filing, or e-file, the tax department has been able to cut back on the number of forms that are printed and mailed,"Fong said.

Only taxpayers who filed a paper return last year will receive a booklet in the mail.

Fong said about 45 percent of taxpayers completed their 2004 tax returns electronically, and that he expects that percentage to increase.

Taxpayers are able to file their returns electronically with a tax preparer or by using computer software.

It takes about a week to process an electronic return, while a paper return can take up to four weeks to process.

Taxpayers who want a tax booklet sent to them can call the tax department at 328-3450 or pick one up at banks, post offices and tax preparers across the state.

'Snow Search' fundraiser Jan.10

A fundraising team scavenger hunt called "Snow Search" is set for Jan. 10 to benefit the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way.

Besides the scavenger hunt, the event includes a silent auction, food, music and prizes.

Teams of four are invited to participate for a cost of $25 per person and are asked to furnish one silent auction item valued at $25 or more.

During the competition, each team has two hours to get as many items or points as they can on the official Snow Search list, which is not revealed until the day of the hunt. Teams work together to determine what items are possible and strategize to locate items with more points.

The team with the most points wins the Snow Search. In case of a tie, bonus points will be awarded for style and themed or costumed teams. Judges' decisions are final. A traveling trophy will be awarded to the winning teams.

The headquarters for the hunt is the Elks Club on South Washington Street, Bismarck. Hours are 3:30 to 7 p.m. Food and music will be provided.

Teams will check in at 3:30 p.m., when the silent auction opens. Teams leave on the Snow Search at 4:15 p.m. and return with their score sheets at 6:15 p.m. The silent auction will close at 6:55 p.m. Winners will be announced and trophies awarded at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Brenda Stone at United Way at 255-3601.