LOCAL BRIEFS

Ryan Goff, 18, son of Patrick and Beverly Goff, Brainerd, and senior at Brainerd High School, will be honored at an Eagle Scout ceremony 2 p.m. Saturday at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa.

• Photos

He began his scouting career at age 6 as a Tiger Cub in Pack 81 in Nisswa. After Cub Scouts, he joined Boy Scout Troop 36 in Baxter.

To earn Scouting's highest award, Ryan earned 27 merit badges, served as a leader in his troop and he planned and supervised the cleanup of an abandoned farmstead for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as his community service project.

He plans to attend Alexandria Technical College this fall where he has been accepted into the law enforcement program.

Alpha Chapter No. 23 OES

Alpha Chapter No. 23 OES will have an open installation of officers 2 p.m. Sunday at the Masonic Hall. Faye Brown will be installed as Worthy Matron and Glenn Brown as Worthy Patron.

Whittier Elementary School students host Hop-a-Thon

Whittier Elementary School students in Brainerd hosted a Hop-a-Thon March 8 to learn more about disabilities while raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

In this recreational group activity, kindergarten and first-grade students had a "hopping" good time while helping youngsters who are unable to hop or walk because of muscular dystrophy. The older students partnered with them and counted their hops.

Students in grades 2-5 participated in the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart later that day. Whittier students raised more than $1,200 for MDA and AMA.

Research points to need for a good night's sleep

Research is beginning to show the importance of a good night's sleep with a lack of sleep contributing to poor health and heart conditions, as well as dangers when driving or operating equipment.

The National Sleep Foundation designated this week as national sleep awareness week. The importance of diagnosing sleep apnea -- a sleeping disorder that affects more than 18 million people in the nation -- will be recognized by the American Sleep Apnea Association.

Brainerd Area AWAKE (Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic) is a health awareness group, formerly Brainerd Area Sleep Apnea Support Group, for people with sleep disordered breathing, and meets the third Tuesday of every other month at St. Andrew's Church in Brainerd.

The next meeting is 7:15 p.m. April 19. For more information, contact Carol at 825-7253. For information on the importance of sleep go online to www.sleepfoundation.org or sleep apnea at www.sleepapnea.org.

Cultural diversity and anti-racism initiative begins

Central Lakes College is supporting awareness of diversity and human rights issues in Crow Wing County through a cultural diversity and anti-racism initiative.

CLC and the Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission representatives are collaborating on a cultural diversity and anti-racism initiative for central Minnesota to strengthen efforts of the commission and to implement a training model for cultural diversity with a two-year plan.

They hope to accomplish their initiative through strategic planning, a public awareness campaign and a celebration of human rights, said Carol Rose, commission chairwoman. In addition, diversity training will be an important component of the project.

Other members of the commission are Melanie Quillin, vice chairwoman; Lindy Grell, secretary; Arlene Jones, treasurer; and Theresa Flinck, John Redding, Barb Osby, Don Wedll, Chris Ryan, Kathy Sauve and Nancy Paulson as volunteers.

The commission has set forth the following standards in its efforts to meet is goals:

* To continue the development of a multicultural community that will not tolerate acts of harassment and intolerance.

* To establish, communicate and encourage community standards that respect diversity.

* To promote acceptance and respect for individuals in an atmosphere of caring for others.

* To participate in and create opportunities to bridge cultural differences by accepting special roles and responsibilities in embracing diversity.

* To foster a community that welcomes diversity, mutual respect and the principles of equal opportunity.

* To oppose discrimination and prejudice of all kinds to ensure fair treatment of all citizens of Crow Wing County regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, handicap or sexual orientation.

CLC and the county human rights commission are making the cultural diversity and anti-racism initiative happen through a $46,166 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation.