North news briefs: Civil war remembrance Sept. 29 in St. Francis

The Civil War battle of Chickamauga will be commemorated Sunday in St. Francis.

The sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) event will begin at 2 p.m. at Woodbury Park in St. Francis and include ceremonies honoring Anoka County's Albert Woodbury, who was mortally wounded during the battle waged Sept. 18-20, 1863, in Chickamauga, Ga.

The commemoration, hosted by the Governor's Civil War Commemoration Task Force and the Anoka County Historical Society, also will include presentations by dignitaries as well as historians on the Chickamauga Campaign and the role of Minnesota soldiers in the battle.

The event is part of this year's sesquicentennial ceremonies to commemorate the participation and sacrifices of all Minnesota Civil War soldiers.

The Northern Stars Celebration — an evening of entertainment that raises funds for the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation — will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Minneapolis Marriot Northwest in Brooklyn Park.

The event celebrates the education that students receive in Anoka-Hennepin schools and will feature live entertainment by high school bands and students, as well as silent and live auctions.

The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation supports students and schools across the district, backing such things as enhanced opportunities in early childhood education, talent development, and career and college readiness. Last year's celebration raised more than $34,000.

Registration is open for the new Herb Brooks XL Hockey League, designed for 13- to 18-year-olds who don't have time to commit to a full youth hockey schedule. The league will offer an organized, fun, no-check hockey game once a week.

The league is aiming to field 16 teams this fall across the Twin Cities. Games will be played at Mariucci and Ridder arenas on the University of Minnesota campus, with an end-of-the-season tournament at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine. The league is open to boys and girls.

To register, visit the programs section of the Herb Brooks Foundation website at www.herbbrooksfoundation.com. For more information, visit the website or call 763-458-0568.

The West Fire Station at 6250 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Center, will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.

Numerous activities are on the agenda. Among them: Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputy Barry Heikkinen and K9 partner Gabby; North Memorial Medical Center trauma helicopter and ground ambulance; auto extrication demonstrations; a H.O.M.E. (Household & Outside Maintenance for Elderly) information booth; and fire truck rides, free with a food item donated to CEAP.

The program, which will go from noon-3 p.m. that day, is for kayakers who are at least 15 years old and have paddling experience. The cost is $15 per person, and equipment will be provided. There's a limit of 12 participants; pre-registration is required.

For more information, call 651-429-8007 or go to www.anokacountyparks.com.

An Osseo Junior High School student has received Brooklyn Park's Good Citizenship Award.

Mayor Jeff Lunde presented the award to seventh-grader Kylie Kasprick at a City Council meeting last week. Kasprick's accomplishments in the past year have included trips to Washington, D.C., to discuss ending the childhood obesity epidemic with company executives and organizational leaders.

She also was a member of her school's wellness team last year and was featured in a promotional video in which she interviewed Minnesota Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier about the benefits of staying active and eating well. And she appeared on local television stations to promote healthy eating and exercise in Fuel Up to Play 60, a school nutrition and physical activity program.

It will feature displays that include coasters, krumkake, embroidery, bottle cap jewelry, Rosettes, digital photo books, greeting cards, knitting, soap-making, Rosemaling, scrapbooking and more. There will be demonstrations and hands-on opportunities, and some of the results will be offered for sale.

Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. For further information, call 763-537-3653.

A prostate cancer support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at North Memorial Outpatient Center, 3435 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale.

Dr. Christopher J. Weight, a urologic oncologist, is conducting research on the decision-making process after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Attendees will be asked whether they'd like to participate in this ongoing study.

Wives and friends are welcome. For further information, call 612-388-3588.