ANDOVER

ANDOVER

Share thoughts about Community Center The Andover Community Center Advisory Commission has asked families to complete a survey about their use of the center. The online form is available by link from the city Web page, www.ci.andover.mn.us. Residents who respond by Nov. 23 will be eligible for a prize drawing.

ANOKA COUNTY

Talking wild turkey at Wargo Nature Center Youngsters ready to gobble up information about wild turkeys can head to the Wargo Nature Center today from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Preschoolers ages 4 and 5 can play games, enjoy a story and make crafts. The fee is $4 and preregistration is required. Call 651-429-8007.

New books sought as gifts for needy kids Anoka County libraries are accepting new books as gifts for needy children during the annual Project Bookshelf in November.

New, unwrapped books for children and young adults may be brought to any Anoka County library, or the Anoka County History Center in Anoka. Donated books will be given to Anoka County food shelves, including ACBC, CEAP, Centennial Community Food Shelf, NACE and SACA for distribution to kids in need.

For further information about the library or Project Bookshelf, visit your local Anoka County library, call Ava Larsen at 763-576-4695 or visit www.anoka.lib.mn.us.

BLAINE

Volunteers sought for commission posts Residents are invited to step forward to fill open positions on the Blaine Planning Commission, Park Advisory Board and Natural Resource Conservation Board. For a description of responsibilities, as well as city contacts and deadline dates, visit the city's website, www.ci.blaine.mn.us.

BLAINE

Park-and-ride ramp open at 95th Avenue The new ramp at the 95th Avenue park-and-ride lot is open; the lot now has space for 1,500 commuters' cars. The $6.5 million project was funded by the Urban Partnership Agreement, a federal-state partnership aimed at reducing traffic congestion.

Coon Rapids

Vikings exec to speak at business luncheon Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs/stadium development for the Minnesota Vikings, will speak this week at a lunch sponsored by the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce.

The Business Essentials Luncheon is open to all chamber members and prospective members.

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Season's restaurant at Bunker Hills Golf Course, 12800 Bunker Drive in Coon Rapids.

Cost is $16 and includes lunch.

For more information, contact the chamber at events@ twincitiesnorth.org.

Ramsey, Shoreview

Agency upgrades cities' bond ratings The cities of Ramsey and Shoreview have received bond rating upgrades from Standard and Poor's Rating Services, with each rising to AA+. That is one short of the best rating, which typically is given to large cities.

Standard and Poor's cited Ramsey's good financial practices and "exceptionally strong financial position," said finance officer Diana Lund.

The stronger rating makes city bonds more attractive to investors, which lowers borrowing costs, Lund said. The rating was obtained for $1.3 million in bonds the city will issue to help pay for recent improvements to Sunfish Lake, including a median and turn lanes at Hwy. 10. Lund said the new rating will save the city about $10,000 in interest payments over the bonds' 10-year life.

In Shoreview's case, the upgrade was based on the city's strong income and wealth characteristics; strong financial reserves and financial flexibility, and low-to-moderate debt burden. Shoreview officials say the rating is for the city's planned $1.4 million general obligation bond issue. The bonds will fund street and utility improvements and will be repaid from special assessments and the city's surface water utility.

RAMSEY COUNTY

Volunteers needed to tutor children The Ramsey County sheriff's Literacy Plus program is looking for volunteers to help tutor at-risk children after school.

Students in the program meet from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at McDonough Recreation Center, 1544 Timberlake Road in St. Paul.

Volunteers also are needed to help middle and high school kids with their homework. They meet from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same center.

A minimum time commitment of two hours a week is required of volunteers.

Training sessions for volunteers will be held Jan. 20 and 21.

For more information or to sign up for training, contact Literacy Plus program coordinator Susan Vang at 651-266-9391 or at Susan.Vang@co. ramsey.mn.us.

ROGERS

Workshop: Coping with Alzheimer's The Wellstead of Rogers will host "Coping with Alzheimer's/Dementia," a workshop for caregivers, professionals and the community, on Tuesday from 9:30 am to 3 p.m. Speakers will include Dr. Joe Gaugler, from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and Center on Aging; Deanna Soukup, a registered nurse at Fairview Home Care/Hospice, and Ashley Brooks-Danso, of the Alzheimer's Association of Minnesota/North Dakota. The Wellstead is at 20600 S. Diamond Lake Road in Rogers. For information, call 763-428-8181

ST. FRANCIS

Chamber hosting family holiday events The submission deadline is Dec. 1 for the St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce's second annual Children's Holiday Coloring Contest. The contest is open to children ages 4-12, and will be judged in three age categories. For a PDF file of the coloring page, and more detailed rules, visit www.stfrancischamber.org.

The Chamber also is hosting the Lighting of the Park event, at Woodbury Park on Dec. 5. Daytime events include a visit from Santa Claus and hayrides at County Market. The lights on the Woodbury Park pavilion will be lit at dusk. Also at the park will be a 4 p.m. performance by the St. Francis High School Madrigal Singers, refreshments and more.

JIM ADAMS, MARIA ELENA BACA, PAUL LEVY, ALLIE SHAH