North metro news briefs: Civil War exhibit opens next week in Anoka

A new exhibit presented by the Anoka County Historical Society — "All for the Union: Anoka County Faces the Civil War" — will open at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the Anoka County History Center and Library.

Opening night will be free to the public and will include refreshments. The History Center is located at 2135 3rd Av. N. in Anoka.

Brooklyn Center residents are asked to take part in a study about biking and walking that will be used to help develop a pedestrian and bicycle plan for the city.

Information from residents will help assess current conditions and identify where people walk and bike, as well as safety concerns. The study is intended to identify ways to increase biking and walking.

An online survey is available through July 1 [http://www.startribune.com/a2258]. The survey also can be completed using a kiosk at City Hall, and hard copies and surveys translated into Hmong and Spanish are available on request.

For further information, contact Steve Lillehaug, city engineer and public works director, at 763-569-3340 or e-mail him at publicworks@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us.

A prostate cancer support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at the North Memorial Outpatient Center, 3435 W. Broadway in Robbinsdale.

For further information, call Steve Rocklein at 612-388-3588.

Phase II of Coon Rapids' Home for Generations program will be the subject of an open house from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the Coon Rapids Civic Center.

The program encourages large home projects such as building an addition or doing a major remodeling. Homeowners may be able to get grants, rebates and low-interest loans for such projects.

The open house will offer a chance to talk with contractors about cost estimates and with city staff members about how to apply for the program, as well as other information.

The Civic Center is located at 11155 Robinson Drive. For further information, call Kristin at 763-767-6517 or go to www.coonrapidsmn.gov.

The Iowa State News Service gave this account:

Donato, a kinesiology and health major, was driving from Minnesota to Ames on Interstate 35 when a rear tire fell off the vehicle in front of her and flew into her windshield. Her car and the other vehicle collided and went off the road.

Although she suffered a concussion and minor lacerations and bruises, Donato checked on the other driver, who was unconscious and not breathing. She began CPR until police arrived. The EMT on the scene told Donato she had saved the man's life.

"I didn't realize what I was doing. We get so much training in ROTC that I automatically knew what to do," Donato said. "We learn real-life skills."

Donato is a 2011 graduate of Champlin Park High School.

Participants will learn about animal habitat, recycling, insects, trees, energy conservation, gardening and water.

The event will include the International Wolf Center, the University of Minnesota's Bee Lab and the Minnesota Zoomobile. The zoo will bring Minnesota native animals, including the great horned owl, bull snake, Blanding's turtle, western hognosed snake and opossum, as well as foreign species such as the African millipede.