Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce officials welcomed more guests than usual to their Business Essentials luncheon for November, with many attending Thursday's event at The Seasons at Bunker Hills for the opportunity to see and hear from Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs and stadium development for the Minnesota Vikings.

In addition to celebrating the team's successes this season with the others in attendance, Bagley spoke on Nov. 19 about the team ownership's issues with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. He spoke of what the owners would like to see happen with a stadium plan to ensure that the Vikings remain a part of Minnesota after 2011, which is when the team's current lease at the Metrodome will expire.

Looking ahead to next month, the Twin Cities North chamber will host a Holiday Charity Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the New Brighton Family Service Center. For more on this and other chamber programs, visit their website. (www.twincitiesnorth.org

Fourteen people were sentenced last week for their roles in a cocaine and crack cocaine distribution operation. A Mounds View man was among those sentenced.

Deon Leshawn Holmes, age 32, was sentenced to nine years in prison. Other defendants, between 23 and 40 years old, were from Minneapolis and Chicago. Their sentences ranged from two years to 15 years in prison.

The defendants, in their plea agreements, admitted to conspiring to distribute drugs, and several also admitted to transporting drugs from Chicago to Minneapolis.

Tomorrow night is Hamburger Nite at the Fridley VFW (VFW Post 363, 1040 Osborne Road, Fridley). Serving hours are from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and the menu includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken strips, French fries and more.

And if you're looking for a treat, the Junior Unit will also hold a bake sale at the Post.

Proceeds from this week's Hamburger Nite will go toward a new van for the V.A.

Visit online or call ahead for more information. (www.vfw363.org or 763-780-3694)

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