The local Venture Crew 370 recently took a high adventure trip in June to the Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, where they spent 10 days covering Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.

Of the Venture Crew 370, the three members that partook in this adventure were Stephanie Born, 15, of Chaska; Lauren Early, 15, of Chaska; and Katie Hirl, 14, of Minnetonka.

The group advisors were Julie Maher and Denise Hirl, according to a press release.

Mike Reiss, head writer and producer for "The Simpsons" for over 20 years, will speak at the Chanhassen High School Auditorium at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22.

Reiss’s presentation is part of the Club Book program.

Here’s Reiss’s bio, as submitted by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.

Last season, the Chaska Cubs had some key performers at the state Class B amateur baseball tournament.

They were just playing for other teams as draftees.

Cub ace Ryan Seifert went on to win the MVP honors for state-champion Shakopee, and former state tourney MVP Brad Keenan was in the lineup for second-place Prior Lake.

This time, the Cubs will do the drafting.

Chaska topped Shakopee 2-1 in the Section 3B playoffs on Tuesday to secure a spot in the state tournament, held in Willmar and Bird Island.

The CAP Agency Board of Directors has appointed Carolina Bradpiece as CAP Agency executive director, effective Aug. 2, according to a press release.

A couple years after leaving the Mall of America, it appears Snoopy is flying his doghouse back to Minnesota. However, instead of Camp Snoopy, the Peanuts gang is being reincarnated as Planet Snoopy.

Here's a press release from Valleyfair:

It’s a new look with an old friend as Snoopy and the Gang are finally coming home! Valleyfair is proud to announce it will be opening Planet Snoopy for our 2011 season.

Residents across the city gathered at more than 35 parties Tuesday to celebrate National Night Out. The event is designed to increase awareness for crime prevention in community neighborhoods.

Greg Swan organized his first National Night Out party at Hickory Park for residents in downtown Chaska. He was pleased with the turnout.

“It’s been great,” said Swan.

Clark Bandimere’s 1912 Case Steam Tractor was once a regular visitor to farms across Carver and Scott County.

Today, catching a glimpse of the 10-ton machine is a bit of a special occasion – one Bandimere is happy to participate in. He’ll next be out with his steam tractor at the 47th Annual Old Time Harvest Festival in Jordan, Aug. 6-8. He hooks his Case up to a threshing machine, used to separate wheat grain from husks and stalks.

The Chaska Cubs had to have a win on Wednesday, and they got it.

The Cubs edged Victoria 2-1 in the second of a three-game series Wednesday at Poppitz Field in Victoria in the first round of the Section 3 amateur baseball playoffs.

The Vics and Cubs are back at Chaska's Athletic Park for a 7:30 p.m. game on Friday, Aug. 6. The winner moves on to the next round of 3B play.

Victoria took the first game 6-4 on Sunday in Chaska.

The Chaska Cubs want to keep playing amateur baseball into late August and beyond.

But they'll have to win a couple crucial games to do it.

Victoria took the first game of the best-of-three Section 3B playoff series with a 6-4 victory on Sunday at Athletic Park.

The teams meet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night (Aug. 4) at Poppitz Field in Victoria to continue the series. A Cubs win sets up a deciding game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Athletic Park. A Vics win ends Chaska's season.