LOCAL BRIEFS

CROSBY - The Black Dog Bar and Grill will host the third annual Great Northern Lakes Ride on Saturday. This is a 150-mile ride through the Brainerd lakes area to raise money for Guide Dogs of America.

Registration will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with coffee and rolls available for all riders. The ride leaves at noon and will start and end at the Black Dog Bar and Grill in Crosby. All riders will be treated to a home-smoked rib dinner after the ride and there will be prizes and games as well.

One-hundred percent of the $30 donation from riders ($20 for passengers) will be donated to Guide Dogs of America. For that donation, riders will get breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday for anyone camping overnight (free campsites available to all riders).

Get more details at www.blackdogbar.net or call Corey or Cari at 546-6878.

Early Childhood Coalition to meet

The Brainerd Lakes Area Early Childhood Coalition will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The Farm on St. Mathias. A light dinner will be provided.

For more information on becoming involved or to RSVP, contact Tammy at 828-1281.

DAV Crow Wing Chapter 22 and Auxiliary to meet

The DAV Crow Wing Chapter 22 and Auxiliary will have a brief meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday followed by a potluck dinner at the Brainerd VFW Post No. 1647. All veterans are welcome.

Fournier family picked as hosts for YFU student

David and Denise Fournier and family of Ironton are welcoming a new "daughter" for the 2007 academic year.

Mari Annaleena Leppajarvi is a Youth For Understanding USA (YFU) student from Finland. She will be a student at Crosby-Ironton High School.

Turtle race helpers sought for honors

NISSWA - The Nisswa Chamber wants to honor those who have contributed to the success of the turtle races by putting up a plaque in the chamber office.

If you have contributed five years or more as a broker, registrar, judge or announcer please give your name to the chamber office at 963-2620.