North news briefs: Robbinsdale student 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.

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.

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.

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.

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;

• 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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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