Briefs: Woodbury Fire Department plans big 50-year celebration

The Woodbury Fire Department will mark its 50th anniversary on June 7, 2011, and plans are underway for a big celebration involving current and past members.

"We are still collecting names and contact information for past firefighters and others, such as members of the women's auxiliary, who had any connection to the department," said Ladd Miller, fire commander. "Even if that person is now deceased, we would love to hear from a family member."

An exhibit focusing on the department's 50 years of service in Woodbury is planned. In addition, an induction ceremony will be held for founding members, fire chiefs and others who will be remembered on the "wall of honor" in the Public Safety Building.

Other activities in the works include a golf tournament and dinner. Miller noted that Fire Department cookbooks and 50th anniversary coin sets are for sale.

Former members or family members of someone who served in the department, are asked to contact Miller, Mike Richardson or Patty Cowell at 651-714-3600.

I-494 work ends, I-694 not done yet Drivers along Interstate 494 through Oakdale and Woodbury should see three open lanes in each direction beginning this week, the state Department of Transportation said. All ramps at Tamarack Road, Valley Creek Road and Lake Road also will be open.

Continuing work on I-694 will include concrete paving on southbound I-694 and at the Hwy. 5 ramps. Backups and delays will continue through mid- to late September northbound on I-494, as drivers approach the I-694 project.

Physical activity makes a 'Playful City' Ranking with the likes of St. Paul and 116 other cities nationwide, Oak Park Heights was recognized as a 2010 Playful City USA community in a recent promotion by the nonprofit KaBOOM!

The cities were cited for finding ways to emphasize parks and physical activity for children despite difficult budgetary situations, with park and recreation funding at its lowest level in decades, KaBOOM! said.

According to a report from the National League of Cities, seven in 10 city officials are responding to the economic crisis by making personnel cuts, while a pre-summer National Recreation and Parks Association survey found that 60 percent of its members expect budget cuts in 2011.

Labor Day concert benefits city museum The new "Afton Fest in The Square," a benefit for the nonprofit Afton Historical Museum, will feature music, food and drink on Labor Day.

The purpose of the first-ever gathering on Sept. 6, which Afton hopes to make a tradition much like its Fourth of July parade, is to make people aware of the museum and attract new members and volunteers, said Stan Ross, an organizer.

Admission to the event, which will be held at Afton's Town Square Park, will be $5. For more information, call 651-430-3500.

Residents invited to 5K benefit walk Walkers from Washington County are wanted to join "Team Washington County" for a 5K walk on Sept. 25 to bring attention to mental illness in Minnesota.

Check-in for the walk, at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the walk to start at 1 p.m.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-Minnesota (NAMI-MN) will host the walk.

"NAMIWalk is the largest anti-stigma event in Minnesota with over 2,300 walkers," said Team Washington County co-captain Roshell Heckendorf. For more information on the walk or to join Team Washington County, see www.nami.org/namiwalks/mn/ and select "join an existing team." For more information on NAMI: www.nami.org or www.namihelps.org.

County parks have campfire programs scheduled for Saturday Washington County Parks will feature the Minnesota Zoomobile and Remarkable Reptiles in separate campfire programs set for Saturday in Washington County Parks.

The Minnesota Zoo naturalist is bringing the Zoomobile to Lake Elmo Park Reserve at 7 p.m. Using animals, props and activities, the Zoomobile naturalist will lead students through discovery to recognize the relationships that connect all life on earth.

Remarkable Reptiles will present a campfire program at 7 p.m. at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Audience members will have a chance to "meet" a boa constrictor. Also included in the showing will be a timber rattlesnake and a Blanding's turtle.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10, one mile north of Interstate 94 in Lake Elmo. The program will be in the campground amphitheater. The program is free, with a $5 vehicle fee.

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park is along the St. Croix River on County Road 21, between County Road 76 and County Road 78, in Denmark Township. The program will be in the campground amphitheater. The program is free, with a $5 vehicle fee.