Monday Outlook: Down by the riverside

pick of the week: Last year's River Fest at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park was such a success that the Three Rivers Park District has decided to do it again. And why wouldn't it be a success? It includes biking (bikes provided), hiking and rafting, all along the Mississippi River. There's face-painting for the kids, archery lessons for the adventurous and river-inspired art for the observant. Drop into the park, which is at 10360 W. River Road, Brooklyn Park, anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free, but there is a $5 charge for the raft rides (and, with space on them limited, reservations are recommended). More information, including links to the ride reservation site, is available at bit.ly/2uogo0n.

Recommended reading: The beer mile, a race in which participants both run and drink as fast they can, probably won't be an Olympic event any time soon. But it is catching on with Minnesotans. See the report in Wednesday's Variety.

Cheat sheet: The next time someone says we're in the dog days of summer, you can one-up them by announcing that you know the reason for the label. It has nothing to do with dogs. It's tied to the Sirius star, also known as the Dog Star because it's the most prominent component of the constellation Canis Major (Greater Dog). Ancient Romans noticed that during August, the Dog Star rose the same time as the sun.

Day by day: The firstborn child is the one parents use to figure out what to do, and the last-born is babied. But the middle kids get overlooked — or so they all insist. They'll be the center of attention on Saturday, however, because it's national Middle Child Day. Here's hoping you middle-borns enjoy it, because come Sunday, your siblings will rule again.

JEFF STRICKLER