Here is a selection of brief news items from this week's paper edition.

Poker run planned to fight breast cancer

A 125-mile poker run is in the works for Saturday, July 12, starting at the Hawg Pasture motorcycle shop in West Salem.

The event is a fundraiser for breast cancer research and is open to all vehicles, not just motorcycles. Registration will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hawg Pasture, where participants will get a map of the scenic route and stops along the way where they can pick up the cards that will make up their poker hands.

The ride ends in Mindoro at Cindy’s Entertainment Center, where there will be a chickencue with live music and refreshments starting at 11 a.m.

Cost of the poker run is $15 or $25 per couple. Advance registration is not required.

Both the poker run and the chickencue were organized by Mary Lynn and Rich Sinclair of Mindoro, who together plan to raise at least $4,400 to fight breast cancer as part of the Breast Cancer 3-Day. The event involves them walking 60 miles over three days, with proceeds of the event going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest grassroots effort fighting to end breast cancer, and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

More details on the Breast Cancer 3-Day are available online at www.the3day.org and at http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/TampaBayEvent?px=1716174&pg=personal&fr_id=1190”>Mary Lynn and http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/TampaBayEvent?px=1749933&pg=personal&fr_id=1190”>Rich’s Web site.

Memory Walk event volunteers sought

Volunteers are needed to help organize the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk 2008, the largest fundraiser to help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Next fall, the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Wisconsin will join more than 600 communities across the United States in a 2- to 5-mile walk to remember those with Alzheimer’s disease.

The 33 walks are organized by teams of local volunteers who are assisted by staff from the Alzheimer’s Association. The planning committees are forming now. Anyone interested in volunteering for a walk near them is encouraged to call Lori Bagniewski at 784-5011.

Gateway Academy offers high-tech fun

La Crosse County 4-H and the La Crosse School District are partnering to offer the 4-H Gateway Academy, an educational day camp for teens who will be an eighth- or ninth-grader in the fall.

Participants will work together in a fun, exciting environment using cutting-edge technologies to learn about robotics, aeronautics and computer design. They also will participate in a field trip to a local manufacturing company, learn about high school courses in engineering and work with other La Crosse County youths on engineering and team building activities.

The Gateway Academy will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 7-11 at La Crosse Central High School. Cost is $15. Space is limited, so early registration is advised.

For more information or to enroll, contact the La Crosse County UW-Extension office at 785-9593 or lacrossecounty4h@co.la-crosse.wi.us.

Coulee calendar

July 5 — NASCAR racing including Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox and novelty race, gates open at 5:45 p.m., races start at 7:30 p.m., La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, $10, $3 for children 6-11, free for kids 5 and younger.

July 5 — Urban Entertainment karaoke with Toni, 9:30 p.m., Crazy Horse Saloon, West Salem, 786-0977.

July 6 — Live music, Zetus Deamos, 3 to 6 p.m., Riverfest, South Stage, Riversdie Park, La Crosse.

July 12 —Friends of West Salem Baseball’s third annual Golf Outing & Banquet to benefit baseball field renovations; golf at 3 p.m. at Maple Grove Country Club, banquet at 5 p.m.; golf and banquet ticket is $45, banquet ticket only is $20; to register or to sponsor a hole, call Tom Holven at 780-7026.

July 20 — St. Joseph Ridge Parish, W2601 Highway 33, La Crosse, will hold its summer picnic at noon at St. Joseph Ridge ballpark; chicken dinner $8, music, games and baseball tournament.

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