Local briefs

Sixth- through ninth-grade choir students at Mississippi Horizons will perform a spring concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Middle School, Brainerd.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Baxter, Brainerd adopt tobacco-free policies

The cities of Baxter and Brainerd both passed tobacco-free policies for outdoor youth recreational facilities.

"Our goal is to demonstrate to youngsters that tobacco use is not a part of a healthy lifestyle and we believe that this policy can play a part in reducing youth tobacco use in our community," Bud Reponen, Baxter park and recreation director said in a news release.

Crow Wing County statistics show that 12 percent of ninth-graders and about 30 percent of 12th-graders are daily tobacco users.

The Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation program, a statewide program of the Minnesota Youth Tobacco Prevention Initiative, and the Crow Wing County Health Department assisted the cities in the policy development process.

Free child safety program offered in Sebeka

SEBEKA -- The DNA LifePrint Child Safety Program will be available Saturday in Sebeka to take free DNA samples of children.

The program, offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Central Telephone Association in Sebeka, will give parents the chance to take a non-invasive sample of their child's DNA, which will be preserved for 80 years. The program is designed to promote awareness and education for parents and education for parents and children in an effort to protect children against violence.

The procedure involves rubbing the inside of a child's cheek for several seconds with an applicator from the kit. The applicator is then inserted into a fixation solution contained in a vial. Studies have shown that unless fingerprints are taken by a trained technician, they can be unreliable as a means of identification. DNA LifePrint eliminates inaccuracy and provides parents with the FBI's preferred method for instant help in an investigation.

After each child goes through the line, the parents are handed the DNA sample. The only record of the visit is handed to the parent. No records are kept on file by the sponsor of the event. The parents are then given child safety tips and instructions on the DNA sample.

Raptor Center to present program in Little Falls

LITTLE FALLS -- The Pine Grove Park Zoological Society in Little Falls will host a representative from the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center for a free educational program with live birds Saturday.

The program will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Pine Grove Park Zoo in Little Falls.

The presentation will be a highlight of this year's Teaming Up for the Animals event sponsored by both the Pine Grove Park Zoological Society and the Morrison County Humane Society.

The Raptor Center's educational programs are designed to provide a factual understanding of birds of prey and their role in the environment.

The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, conservation and study of eagles, hawks, owls and falcons. Established in 1974, the internationally known program treats more than 800 birds a year.

The open house event will include a 5K Tiger Trot race at 8 a.m., dog agility demonstrations, arts and crafts for children and refreshments.

For more information, call the Pine Grove Park Zoo at (320) 616-5595.

Oberstar to lead June 2 bike ride

The fifth annual Ride with Jim, a bike ride on the Paul Bunyan Trail with Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., is set for June 2.

This year's ride will start at the Marathons Center in Merrifield. The Merrifield Marathons Snowmobile Club will offer riders coffee, juice and rolls starting at 8 a.m.

The bicyclists' 50-mile route will travel through Hackensack and includes a new seven-mile section that was paved in October.

Riders will leave Merrifield at 9 a.m. with rest stops in every community along the trail. The ride will be conducted rain or shine. Bunyan Bike Shuttle will haul bicycles back to Merrifield for a fee on a first-come, first-served basis.

A lunch stop will be conducted at the Pine River Trailside Information Center with the Pine River Chamber of Commerce hosting lunch.

The ride will conclude at about 3:30 p.m. at Arthur's Ten Mile Inn near Hackensack.