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The Chisago Lakes Middle School is currently trying to raise funds to purchase 57 solar panels. The panels, when purchased, will be installed on the south side of the school and hopes to produce 12.2 Kw of power. The project is to teach students that they have to think differently about energy because of our ever changing world. It is teaching the students that they can change the world, and those changes begin with themselves.

Now that we have that out of the way, here is where you come in. One of their many fundraisers is a 5K race called the Solar Saunter. It is a 5K and a walk, so everyone is encouraged to come. The Solar Saunter will be held at Ki Chi Saga Park in Lindstrom this Saturday. If you are worried about the temps, don't be. The race starts at 10 a.m. which gives Mother Nature time to warm us up. The fee for the race is $15 and if your family all races, the fee is $40. You are encouraged to call 213-2400 to register, but you can show up the day of the race.

If you needed one more reason to get out and get some exercise, how about the chance of seeing Pat Collins running the race in a pair of tight running shorts? That's worth the price of admission alone.

This Saturday, after you complete the Solar Saunter, take a short drive to your local fire station. This week is Fire Prevention Week and all of the local Fire Stations are having their open houses.

If there is one thing our community can really hang their hat on, it is the great services of all of our local fire departments. All of our great firemen have been extensively trained and certified to give our community fire protection that is second to none. The really impressive part is that they all are volunteers. They are your friends and neighbors who have regular jobs like you and me, but the difference is, they also risk their lives for you and me.

Let's make an effort to visit the fire halls this Saturday. While there, make sure you take the time to thank the firemen for their service and heroism.

The Chisago Lakes Lions Club would like to invite you and your family to the Chisago Lakes Senior High School this Sunday. They will be holding their annual Pancake & French Toast Breakfast. Always a huge hit locally, the breakfast will feature pancakes, french toast, eggs, sausage, coffee, milk & juice. The breakfast begins at 8 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. Proceeds will go the local food shelf.

If you would like to keep the memories about the Traveling Vietnam Wall that was in our area recently, you are in luck. Rich and Shari Bachman have compiled tons and tons of photos they took of all phases of the Wall experience.

You can now purchase a DVD with all of those powerful, moving memories. Look for the order form in the County Press and the Search Shopper, or call 651-257-9380. Supplies are limited.

I can't speak for you, but this past Tuesday morning was a pretty rough one. I along with many of you decided to stay up late and watch the entire Viking Packer game on television.

I can remember when I was younger, a Packer/Viking game would have me excited for five days leading up to the game. Now, I find myself looking outside on a Sunday afternoon and deciding that I would rather be out there than in front of a television. Wow, have I really gotten that old? I can remember a time in my life when my dad stopped watching the games with his boys to go out and do chores. We always teased him about getting old and not caring about sports. He always responded "There's more to life than just sports". Which I would mutter under my breath "What a moron".

Well, judging by the way I felt Tuesday morning, I think there might. Just maybe, be more to life than just sports. By that I mean sleep. I am slowly morphing into my dad.

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