ROBBINSDALE SCHOOLS

Senior takes 3rd at debate nationals

Graduating senior Celisia Stanton of Robbinsdale Cooper High School finished third in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate part of last month's National Forensic League National Speech and Debate Tournament. Stanton earned a scholarship from Lincoln Financial Group.

Cooper student Claire Peavy also competed at the national tournament, and the Cooper team was awarded a Debate School of Honor Award. The tournament took place June 16-21 in Birmingham, Ala., and is billed as the largest academic competition in the world.

ANOKA

Home and garden tour is coming July 14

The 10th annual Anoka Heritage Home and Garden Tour will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 14, featuring 11 historic sites and gardens.

The event includes open-house tours of homes and gardens in the Whiskey Flats and surrounding neighborhoods. The homes range in age from 1858 to 1977, four of the sites are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The event is presented by the Anoka County Historical Society and the Anoka Heritage Preservation Commission.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the tour. Advance tickets can be bought at the Anoka County History Center, 2135 3rd Av., or by calling 763-421-0600. Or go online at www.anokacountyhistory.org.

On the day of the tour, tickets can be bought at the Artique at 1900 3rd Av.

Civil War exhibit will be free July 13

In conjunction with the city of Anoka's Riverfest celebration, free admission will be offered July 13 to "All for the Union: Anoka County Faces the Civil War," an exhibit at the Anoka County History Center.

In addition to free admission to the galleries from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors will be able to interact with costumed interpreters.

People portraying the Second Minnesota Battery of Light Artillery will be on the front lawn and talk about the unit. The History Center is located at 2135 Third Av. N., Anoka. For further information, go to www.anokacountyhistory.org.

PLYMOUTH / MEDICINE LAKE

No-wake rule lifted for Medicine Lake

A "slow, no wake" rule that had been in effect for boaters on Medicine Lake in Plymouth was lifted Monday.

Hennepin County sheriff's deputies began enforcing the rule last week. Signs were posted at public access areas on the lake.

The order remained in effect as long as the lake's water levels were above 889.4 feet.

The cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake adopted the rule in 2001 to help protect the shoreline when water levels are unusually high.

PLYMOUTH

'Entertainment in the Parks' continues

Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department's "Entertainment in the Parks" is offering free events throughout the summer,.

They continue next week with the Percolators performing at 7 p.m. Monday, July 8, at the Hilde Performance Center's small stage, 3450 Plymouth Blvd.

Other July events include:

• A Summer Carnival and Kids Koncert at 7 p.m. July 9 at Par­kers Lake Park off County Road 6 and Niagra Lane;

• Grease and the Muppets at sunset July 10 at Hilde;

• The Minneapolis Commodores at 7 p.m. July 11 at the Hilde Amphitheater;

• Prairie Fire Children's Theater presents Robin Hood at 7 p.m. July 12 and 2 p.m. July 13 at the Hilde Amphitheater;

• Flute Cocktail at 7 p.m. July 15 at the Hilde Small Stage.

For more information, go to www.plymouthmn.gov.

BLAINE

Free admission again for 3M golf tourney

The 3M Championship, a staple of the Champions pro tour, will take place July 29-Aug. 4 at the TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine. For the fourth straight year, general admission will be free.

Public parking will be available at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport, and shuttles will be offered.

The tournament will donate $1.3 million to benefit healthcare programs at Allina Health.

For more information, go to www.3mchampionship.com.

Family Fun Night is coming July 16

Aquatore Park in Blaine will be the setting for a Family Fun Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 16.

Carnival games, music, inflatables and a vehicle fair will be among the features and activities. The park is located at 9191 Lincoln St., Blaine.

COON RAPIDS

Five-day celebration of 4th starts today

Coon Rapids will mark the Fourth of July with a celebration running today through Sunday at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd.

Midway rides, food vendors, bingo and nightly bands will be featured through Saturday, with crafts only on Sunday.

A fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m. Thursday.

The bands begin at 7 p.m. nightly and include the Splatter Sisters, Arcades and Shag.

The fest is sponsored by the Coon Rapids Fire Social Group, the North Star Lions Club and the Coon Rapids Community Strength Foundation. For further information, go to www.ci.coon-rapids.mn.us and look under the "Events" column.

EAST BETHEL

Free kids movies on Wednesdays

"Alvin and the Chipmunks, Chipwreck" is the feature today, July 3, at the free summer movie series at East Bethel 10 Theatre, 18635 Ulysses NE. No tickets are necessary.

Upcoming movies are: "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," July 10; "Ice Age, Continental Drift," July 17; "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days," July 24; "Happy Feet 2," July 31; "Hotel Transylvania," Aug. 7; "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," Aug. 14.

ELK RIVER

K-9 demonstration scheduled for July 25

Zeus, a four-footed member of the Elk River Police Department, will be part of a "Dog Days of Summer K-9 Demonstration" on July 25. He'll be with his handler, officer Adam Bebeau.

The event will take place from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Activity Center 55yrs.+, 413 Proctor Av.

Zeus is a native of the Czech Republic and is trained in apprehension and in narcotics detection. The event is free and open to people of all ages, but seating is limited, so call to pre-register at 763-635-4500.

MINNEAPOLIS

Chastity Brown will be 'Live on the Drive'

The "Live on the Drive" concert series on Victory Memorial Drive returns next week with gospel-jazz-blues singer Chastity Brown.

The free outdoor concert is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Victory Memorial Drive at 34th Avenue North.

Brown, who moved to Minnesota from Tennessee seven years ago, is regularly featured on The Current, at the Dakota Jazz Club, and other clubs and events.

RAMSEY

Grand opening set for 'On the Go' library

A grand opening event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, for a new Library on the Go site at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW.

The site, part of the Anoka County Library system, will offer services including a vending machine that dispenses books and DVDs to card-holders, and secured lockers at which patrons can pick up requested materials.

The operation will be accessible when the Municipal Center is open. For further information, call 763-427-1410.

The Anoka County system also has an On the Go library site in Andover at the YMCA/Community Center building, 15200 Hanson Blvd. NW. It is accessible when that building is open. For more information, call 763-767-5100.