Blaine

Friends near and far raising funds for AddyA Blaine family is getting help from a national fund-raising group -- and their north metro neighbors -- as they await costly but maybe life-saving surgery for their daughter.

Addison Brynteson, 3, has been diagnosed with aplastic anemia; with this blood disorder, her bone marrow doesn't replenish her platelets and red and white blood cells. Without transplant surgery, her doctors have told her family she may not live to her fourth birthday in February, said Aaron Sathre, a family friend. About 900 new cases of the disorder are diagnosed each year, according to the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation.

Addison's parents, Joe and April Brynteson, learned Friday that her brother Cayden, 1, qualifies to donate bone marrow to treat her disease. However, because treatment can cost more than half a million dollars, the family is getting help from the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding efforts to raise funds for transplant-related expenses.

Volunteers are working to raise $60,000. They are seeking donations, as well as items for a silent auction to take place at a benefit planned for 4 p.m. Jan. 19 at Mac and Chesters SRO, 18919 Lake George Blvd., Oak Grove. Tickets are $15 per adult and $2 for children under 12, and will include live music, kids' activities, food and an open keg.

Volunteers and prospective donors can contact coordinator Cheryl VanHorn at 651-216-5548 or cherylvanhorn30@ gmail.com. Donations made out to COTA and marked "In honor of Addy B" can be sent to the Children's Organ Transplant Association, 2501 West COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN, 47403. Donations also can be made at www.COTAforAddyB.com.

Pre-operation tests for Addy begin Monday. Her family hopes the surgery can take place in early December.

MARIA ELENA BACA

Anoka

Tree lighting is set for Dec. 1 at City HallAnoka will hold its annual tree lighting ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the City Hall Plaza. Features will include the lighting of bonfires, music, horse-drawn trolley rides, Santa's arrival at 5:15 p.m. and more. The tree will be lit at 6.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

Concession ends council vote recountAfter a partial recount vote last Thursday, Columbia Heights City Council candidate Catherine Vesley conceded the race to her opponent, Bruce Nowacki.

Only 13 votes separated the two, but after a recount of three precincts netted only one additional vote, Vesley ended the process, said Tori Leonhardt, Columbia Heights city clerk. Nowacki and Robert Williams were the top two vote-getters among council candidates; Gary Peterson was elected mayor.

Movie fund-raiser for Library FoundationThe Alfred Hitchcock film "Trouble with Harry" will be shown at the Heights Theater on Sunday, Dec. 2, as a fundraiser for the Columbia Heights Library Foundation.

First Four will perform at 1 p.m., and the movie will follow at 1:30. In addition, a silent auction will be held. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will go toward helping to build a new library.

The theater is at 3951 Central Av. NE, Columbia Heights. Advance tickets can be bought at Northeast Bank, Heights Theater, Columbia Heights City Hall, Columbia Heights Safety Building and from Cliff Shedlov (612-251-9557) and Marlaine Szurek (763-788-4506).

HENNEPIN COUNTY

City watersheds get project moneyThe Hennepin County Board has set a special 2013 levy of $986,000 for the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission.

The money will be used to build water treatment ponds and restore an eroding stream channel in Plymouth that leads to Northwood Lake in New Hope, and to build a storm water pond in Golden Valley.

The board also set a special levy of $125,000 for the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission to finance a stream stabilization project in Champlin.

Volunteers needed for advisory boardsThe Hennepin County Board is seeking community applicants to serve on seven citizen advisory boards.

Boards with vacancies are the Adult Mental Health Advisory Council, Community Action Partnership for Suburban Hennepin, County Extension Committee, Human Resources Board, Library Board, Three Rivers Park District Board and Workforce Investment Board.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 31. For more: www.hennepin.us/advisoryboards.

STAFF REPORTS