Has anyone seen the movie "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl?" I'm curious about it. Can you enjoy it even if you don't own an American Girl doll or haven't read the fictional story about the Depression-era girl who helps save her family?

1. RIVER CITY DAYS
Enjoy live music Saturday, July 26 during Chaska River City Days. Saturday events include karaoke 3 – 4 p.m.; Chaska Middle School Jazz Ensemble and Garage Band 4 - 4:45 p.m.; Keith Benson 5 - 6 p.m.; Blue Steel 6 - 8 p.m.; teen dance 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.; and Brittany Lee 8 p.m. – midnight.
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Chaska
Info: www.chaskarivercitydays.com

2. JAZZ ON THE PRAIRIE
Enjoy big band music in the park.
Time: 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3
Cost: Free
Location: Purgatory Creek Park, 13001 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie
Info: 952-949-8449

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Fundraiser for the Breast Cancer 3-Day includes bake and rummage sale, silent auction, raffle, children's carnival and refreshments 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26.

Well this is it. As I write this, I am smack in the middle of my last work day as a single woman. Yikes - even reading that back sends a shiver through my spine.

Yes folks, the time has come to get married. All of the plans are in place. The caterer has been paid. The DJ has our song list. Flowers are waiting to be tastefully arranged. And our dining room is overflowing with presents.

• Big Fat Bridal Blog

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The following obituaries are from the July 24, 2008 print edition of the Chaska Herald newspaper:

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The Chaska River City Days Triathlon attracted nearly 300 athletes to Firemans Park in Chaska on Saturday, July 19, 2008.

Enjoy this selection of photos from the event.

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Catie Ladner and Danielle Williams

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You Can’t Get There From Here
By Greg Snow

“You can’t get there from here.” You don’t have to speak Minnesotan to hear the frustration that comes with this common phrase used particularly during the warmer months for those of us who live in the western suburbs. We’ve become accustomed to seeing the bright orange detour signs that remind us all too frequently, “you can’t get there from here.”

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Stories in the dailies report that Mary Jo Copeland’s orphanage in Eagan has been taken off the table. Copeland’s Sharing and Caring hands hasn’t been able to raise the $30 million necessary for the project.

Chaskans who have lived in town a few years may remember the great orphanage debate that raged from November 2001 to January 2002

The city of Chaska invited Gift of Mary Children's Home to consider Chaska as a site.

The proposed $30 million facility, in northern Chaska, was slated to house and school 160 children in foster care.

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The Chaska/Chanhassen American Legion Post 57/580 baseball team begins its Sub-District 3 playoffs with a best-of-three series against Hutchinson Post 96 at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Athletic Park.

Hutchinson then hosts the second game at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Field. Chaska hosts the third game, if necessary.

Chaska/Chan is seeded seventh in the 32-team district, while Hutch is No. 26.

A double-elimination tournament begins on July 30 for the Sub-District winners.

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In order to begin practice for fall sports on Aug. 11, all Chaska High School athletes in grades 7-12 must have three forms completed and turned in to the activities office by the morning of Aug. 4.

The Chaska Activities fall form and fee, the Minnesota State High School League ethics code must be read and signed by the athlete and a parent, and an up-to-date physical must be on file with the high school activities office.

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Southwest Newspapers has a really cool opportunity for a college student: Help create a vibrant, interactive Web site devoted to covering high school sports and adult and youth recreational sports in a fast and engaging manner. The intern will assist in obtaining scores, stats, quotes, photos, videos and user-submitted content and posting it to the site. The intern will also participate in telling sports and recreation stories via writing, photography, and audio and video recording.

Southwest Newspapers is a group of weekly community newspapers, Web sites and other news and information products in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis.

Requirements:
• Valid driver’s license and current auto insurance.
• Intern must earn academic credit for the internship. Registration and payment is the intern’s responsibility.
• Experience with shooting photos, videos and creating multimedia projects.
• Work 15 – 20 hours per week.

Pay: $500 stipend.
To apply: Submit résumé, cover letter and work samples (including print and multimedia) to mgilman@swpub.com.

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Take a crash course in juggling at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 at the Savage Library.

Kara Ann Galuska, 20, of Victoria, died Thursday, July 17, 2008 in Billings Mont. due to complications from an automobile accident.

Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m. at St. Hubert Catholic Community, 8201 Main Street, Chanhassen.

Funeral arrangements were with the Bertas Funeral Home of Chaska, 952-448-2137.

Jerome Dauwalter Jr., 61, of Carver, died Saturday, July 19, 2008 at Auburn Manor Care Center, Chaska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 200 West Third Street, Chaska.

Funeral arrangements were with the Bertas Funeral Home of Chaska, 952-449-2137.

Chaska High School graduate Spencer Tollackson has spent his summer playing basketball.

What else?

Tollackson finished his senior season with the University of Minnesota mens basketball team in March, and continued his quest for the next step: pro ball.

Tollackson worked out for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers in June, in hopes of landing a spot on a roster or catching on with an NBA summer-league squad.

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Dear Mayor and Council,

Effective Aug. 4, 2008 I will be retiring from my position as Chaska city administrator.

It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Chaska community over the past 24 years. In particular, it has been professionally and personally rewarding to work with City Council members who have been committed to making Chaska the best it can be.

I am both proud of and humbled by the fact that Chaska is viewed by many as a better small town today with 24,000 residents than it was in 1984 when 8,000 people called Chaska home.

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Chaska City Administrator David Pokorney announced his resignation Monday night. He will be leaving his position with the city as of Aug. 4.

Pokorney told the council that he wanted to leave while the city was at its peak. His departure will be on good terms.

The council voted reluctantly to accept Pokorney's resignation Monday night. Matt Podhradsky was subsequently appointed interim city administrator. Pokorney will remain on the city payroll as a part-time employee while the city seeks his replacement.

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East Union Lutheran Church, in conjunction with the Nordic Heritage Club of Carver County, will be sponsoring a community concert at the church on Sunday, August 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. 

A 14-member youth fiddle group visiting from Sweden will be performing. Refreshments will be served in the parish center following the concert.

A free-will offering for the group is requested.