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Nominations are due Thursday for the “Champions for Children” Awards.

The North Star Imagination Library is sponsoring the awards, which are to be presented to three champions Nov. 4 in a dinner at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, thanks to the support of Rep. Jay Ramras.

Candidates for this award should have a “remarkable and consistent record of achievement in making a positive difference for children in Fairbanks,” the Imagination Library says.

They should also be people who lead by example, inspire others and have helped improve the community.

I can think of several people who deserve to be nominated for this award.

The nomination form can be found at www.northstarimaginationlibrary.org.

For more details, call Sue Hull at 479-5729 or Emily Vockeroth at 451-0234.

Ramras is donating everything for the dinner, a contribution to the Imagination Library that will help its mission of introducing kids to books.

There are already 3,000 children receiving books every month from the North Star Imagination Library, at a cost of $7,500 per month.

Tickets to the Imagination Library Champions for Children dinner are $50 per person or $400 for a table of 8. It starts with a social half-hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m.

Susan Stitham will be the MC, and she will conduct the auction.

Nomination forms can be faxed to 474-0465 or sent to: North Star Imagination Library, Box 84292, Fairbanks, AK 99708.

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POLITICAL MEET: Alaska Democrats held their quarterly State Central Committee meeting over the weekend in Fairbanks. Kyle DeBeer, the Western Region Political Director of the Democratic National Committee, gave an update on health care reform and other issues.

Among those in attendance were Sen. Mark Begich, three Democrats running for governor — Bob Poe, former Rep. Ethan Berkowitz and Sen. Hollis French — and U.S. House candidate Harry Crawford, an Anchorage representative.

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CHOW TIME: Help the Fairbanks Community Food Bank generate some extra chow and get a Go-Kart ride in the process.

The “Ride for Food” takes place at Go-Karts of Alaska on Oct. 23. For every five cans or boxes of food donated to the bank, you will get a free ride.

Go-Karts of Alaska is at 10.5 Mile Badger Road. For more details, call 490-2672.

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JROTC AWARD: The son of Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Mitchell says winning a major JROTC award is “a great honor and one of the best moments of my life.”

Lathrop student Blaine Mitchell, 17, earned the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement. About one in 4,000 JROTC students earn this award.

The award recognizes leadership and scholastic excellence. Mitchell has a 3.96 GPA, serves as the JROTC battalion commander and one of the football team captains.

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HOLLY DAYS: The Fort Wainwright Community Spouses’ Club is hosting the 27th annual Holly Days Bazaar on Oct. 23-24 at the Physical Fitness Center on the post.

More than 65 vendors are expected. The club supports various projects to benefit people at Fort Wainwright and in the surrounding community.

There will be signs from the main gate, so that no one will get lost.

The bazaar is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 23 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 24. Admission is $3 and kids under 12 are free.

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BOOK BARGAINS: Stop by the main lobby of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital today or Tuesday for a used book sale, organized by hospital volunteers. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds go toward the purchase of medical equipment.

Please submit column items to cole@newsminer.com or call 459-7530.