anoka

It's showtime for 'Halloween Capital'

The centerpiece of the Halloween season in Anoka, the Grand Day Parade, will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and run along Main Street. Before the procession of floats, bands and marchers begins, there will be a plane show overhead by the North American Flight Team.

Numerous other activities are scheduled this weekend, including the annual Big Parade of Little People at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24. This parade of kids in costumes will also take place along Main Street.

Among other events on the schedule are Serum's Annual Halloween Block Party (7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, at Serum's Good Time Emporium Tent, 213 Jackson St,); the Spooktacular Carnival (10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Anoka Armory), Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale (7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, Anoka American Legion Post 102), the Monster Mash (8 p.m.-midnight, Friday, Oct. 31, at Legion Post 102; ages 21 and over and limited to 150 people).

For more about Anoka Halloween, go to http://anokahalloween.com

ANOKA COUNTY

Historical Society offers 'Ghost' tours …

The Anoka County Historical Society is offering Ghosts of Anoka walking tours through the end of this month. The tours, which go through downtown Anoka with a costumed guide accompanying participants, are scheduled twice each night from Thursday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 31.

Tours begin at 7 and 7:30 p.m. at the Anoka County History Center and Library, 2135 Third Av. N., Anoka, and last about 1.5 hours.

The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for youth, and reservations are required. Call 763-421-0600 or go to anokacountyhistory.org

… a look back at the Battle of Vicksburg

A "series of experiments" that led to the Union's capture of Vicksburg during the Civil War will be the subject of a presentation at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 by historian David Page.

The event will be held at Chomonix Golf Club, 700 Aqua Lane, Lino Lakes. It is part of the Anoka County Historical Society's Civil War Lecture Series and is free and open to the public.

Page is the author of "Ships versus Shore: Civil War Engagements along Southern Shores and Rivers."

… and at 'Anoka and

the Tornado of '39'

A screening of North Metro TV's new documentary "Anoka and the Tornado of '39" will be presented at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Anoka County Historical Society. Filmmaker Eric Houston will be on hand to discuss the 20-minute documentary, which recounts the summertime disaster that killed nine men and women.

The Historical Society is located at 2135 Third Av. N., Anoka. For further information, go to AnokaCountyHistory.org

Cambrige

Anoka-Ramsey holds diversity events

Anoka-Ramsey Community College is offering free public events this month intended to help "broaden awareness and engage in a meaningful discussion about diversity on its campuses and within the communities it serves." The events will take place at Anoka-Ramsey's Cambridge campus, 300 Spirit River Dr. S. Coming are:

• Wednesday, Oct. 22, noon to 1 p.m., Room G202. Book Club: "The Latehomecomer," by Kao Kalia Yang. The book tell of a Hmong family's move from Laos, to six years in Thai refugee camps, to St. Paul.

• Wednesday, Oct. 29, noon to 1 p.m., Room G201. Workshop on poverty. The event is intended to help people learn more about the issue and become more engaged.

For more information, go to http://AnokaRamsey.edu. Anoka-Ramsey's other campus is in Coon Rapids.

MINNEAPOLIS

Minnehaha Academy holding open houses

Minnehaha Academy will host two, open houses this month for parents and students interested in the school. The first will be at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, for pre-K through Grade 8 at the Academy's Lower and Middle School, 4200 W. River Pkwy., Minneapolis. The second will be at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, for Grades 9-12 at the Academy's Upper School, 3100 W. River Pkwy., Minneapolis. For more information, call 612-728-7756 or e-mail admission@minnehahaacademy.net

Ham Lake

Walk/run will benefit homeless youth

A Halloween 5K walk/run will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26, at Lions Park in Ham Lake, with proceeds going to Hope 4 Youth, a nonprofit that helps young homeless people. The event will begin at 11 a.m. at the park, 1204 157th Av. NE., Ham Lake. Participants are encouraged to dress in costumes.

Registration is $20. To sign up or get more information, call Kayla Groess at 763-269-8051 or go to physicaltherapyptc.com.

lino lakes

'Trunk or Treat' at Living WatersChurch

A Halloween event called "Trunk or Treat" will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Living Waters Church, 865 Birch St., Lino Lakes.

Trunk or Treat is free and open to any community family. It will begin with a spaghetti dinner, followed by games, crafts, spooky stories, a haunted house and more.

For further information, call the church office at 651-481-0220 or e-mail office@livingwaterslutheran.org.

New Hope

City to honor outstanding business

The New Hope City Council is accepting nominations for the Fall 2014 New Hope Outstanding Business Award.

The award recognizes businesses that contribute to the community. Extra consideration is given to businesses that have made property improvements, expanded on-site or relocated within the city, or done a good job of maintaining their property.

Winners receive a plaque, are publicly recognized and have their name engraved on a permanent plaque in New Hope City Hall. The deadline to is Oct. 31. Nomination forms are available on the city's website at www.ci.new-hope.mn.us or by calling 763-531-5196.

Robbinsdale

Prostate cancer group will meet Oct. 22

A prostate cancer support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at North Memorial Medical Center, 3300 Oakdale Av. N., Robbinsdale. A presentation on exercise as a means to cope with and help manage prostate cancer will be led by Allison Owings, physical trainer. A demonstration of various exercise movements and discussion will take place. The group will meet in the Vance DeMong classroom (Plaza level).

There is no charge, and family and friends are welcome. For more, call 612-388-3588.

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