North metro town briefs

ANDOVER

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 website, www.ci.andover.mn.us.

ANOKA

The public is invited to the dedication of an enhanced local history reference library on Tuesday in Anoka.

The county library system added 300 titles to the collection, which will be housed at the Anoka County History Center, 2135 3rd Av. The collection focuses on local history, genealogy and other subjects of regional interest.

The dedication begins at 7 p.m. with the History Center's annual holiday tree ornament presentation and features a new exhibit called "Tell Me a Story," which highlights unique stories from Anoka County's history.

ANOKA COUNTY

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

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.

BROOKLYN PARK

Brooklyn Park residents are invited to attend Community Cafe meetings on Dec. 5 at City Hall to help develop a plan to improve livability and ensure stable neighborhoods.

Attendees are asked to register for one of three 2.5-hour sessions that begin at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. You can register by calling 763-493-8013 or visiting brooklynpark.org and clicking on Community Cafe.

The goal is to begin developing a plan focused on livability and built on shared community values. Afterward, a planning team of residents, elected officials and city staff will be formed.

An Open House and Tribute to Veterans will be held Dec. 6 by the Brooklyn Historical Society at its new headquarters on the upper floor of the Community Activity Center in Brooklyn Park.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5600 85th Av. N., with the tribute to the veterans taking place at 12:30 p.m. around the flagpole outside.

The Brooklyn Historical Society was founded in 1970 to preserve the history of the Brooklyn Township -- largely comprising the present-day cities of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. For more information, go to www.thebrooklyns.com.

An old-fashioned farm Christmas with Norwegian traditions will be held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6, at the Brooklyn Park Historical Farm, 4345 101st Av. N. The event, which will run from 1 to 4 p.m. each day, will feature dancing, carolers, gift-making, cooking, hayrides, children's activities and a visit from St. Nick. Admission is $5, and $3 for children 3-12 years of age.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

Doug Dawson of Columbia Heights won the $5,000 grand prize in the 2009 QuitCash Challenge, a contest intended to encourage people to quit smoking. Dawson, 31, quit a 17-year habit, with a big part of his motivation the upcoming birth of his and his wife's first child.

The challenge called on participants to quit smoking during the month of October.

Dawson received his award at the Mall of America during last Thursday's Great American Smokeout, an annual event to promote quitting tobacco.

QuitCash is presented by QuitPlan Services, a part of the anti-smoking group ClearWay Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS

The Hennepin Overland Model Railroad Club, 2501 E. 38th St., Minneapolis, is offering an evening viewing of its train layout for families and kids from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday .

The society builds and runs a 29-by-65-foot HO model train layout.

It also has open houses for visitors from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from September through April.

Admission is $4 per person or $9 per family. For more information, go to hennepinoverland.org or call 612-276-9034.

RAMSEY COUNTY

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, St. Paul.

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

ST. FRANCIS

Dec. 1 is the submission deadline 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.stfrancis chamber.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.