Local briefs

Vegetables and fruits in season will be available, as well as buffalo, pork, chicken and beef. There will be homemade jams, jellies, bakery items and crafts, honey, maple syrup, cut flowers, bedding plants, potted flowers, herbs and more.

Pony Express ride re-enactment scheduled

The Northwest Saddle Club will conduct a 200-mile Pony Express Ride May 21 as a fund-raising benefit for Camp Courage in Lake George.

The authentic Pony Express ride will begin in Hugo, go through Brainerd and end at Lake George at Camp Courage.

Fifty riders will carry the mail in four segments, riding full-tilt for one mile before passing the mailbag to the next rider.

Those interested may have a letter carried by receiving special stationery and envelopes at select businesses along the route or by contacting Jim Charpentier, president of Northwest Saddle Club, at (651) 462-1900 or nwsaddleclub.com. Suggested donation to Camp Courage is $5.

Race for Cure adds online registration

The Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure, set July 2, added online registration from its Web site -- www.brainerdlakesrace.org.

The Brainerd affiliate is one of 113 in the nation. It granted more than $45,000 in breast health grants in Cass and Crow Wing counties for 2005. Another $6,000 went to the Komen Foundation for its award-winning research grant program.

Flower show set Saturday in Little Falls

LITTLE FALLS -- The Variety Garden Club's spring flower show will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the Great River Arts Association's Arts Center Gallery.

The plant and bake sale will include perennials and homemade baked goods.

The show is in conjunction with the GRAA's floral art show, which will be on display through June 25. It will include more than 150 pieces of artwork created by more than 45 area artists.

Both events are free and open to the public.

The GRAA Arts Center is at 122 S.E. First St. in downtown Little Falls.

Koering named to conference panel

ST. PAUL -- Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, has been named to a conference committee aimed at helping the Leech Lake walleye population.

Koering said he and two DFL legislators were named to the committee to settle differences between the House and Senate on a bill authored by Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, that gives the DNR authorization to use silencers on guns in their efforts to thin the cormorant flock on the lake.

The fish-eating birds are being blamed for hurting the fish population. Silencers would be used so the birds aren't scared away to other area lakes.

Gas tax hike nod irks Gazelka

ST. PAUL -- Calling it an exercise in futility, state Rep. Paul Gazelka, R-Brainerd, was upset that the House passed a transportation package that includes a 10-cent gas tax hike.

Gazelka said Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he would veto a gas tax hike.

Gazelka said the increase would give Minnesota the third or fourth highest gas tax in the nation.

Gazelka said he favors giving voters a chance to vote on the gas tax proposal. He said he would be open to higher fees on license tabs.