North metro town briefs: Lyric Arts Theater and Anoka County Library plan performance

The Anoka County Library and the Lyric Arts Theater are joining forces to present a "Page & Stage" performance of "The Red Velvet Cake War" on Sunday, June 8, at the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage in Anoka. Page & Stage participants will receive a copy of the script and a study guide to prepare for a preshow discussion that starts at noon. They then will watch the production, starting at 2 p.m., and stay afterward for a question-and-answer session with the cast and director.

"The Red Velvet Cake War" is a comedy set in the South around a family reunion.

The program is free and is limited to 40 people, ages 15 and older. Registration is required by this Friday, May 30. To register, call Lyric Arts' education director, Cassandra Proball, at 763-233-0804 or e-mail her at cassandra@lyricarts.org

Lyric Arts' production of "The Red Velvet Cake War" opens a three-weekend run at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Additional performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 1; 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 6-7; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8; 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12; 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 13, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14.

Tickets range from $13-$22 and are available online or by calling the box office at 763-422-1838.

Stepping Stone Emergency Housing of Anoka will hold a golf tournament June 2 at TPC of the Twin Cities in Blaine to raise funds in the fight against homelessness. "Par-Tee Fore a Purpose" will have a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

The fee is $250 per golfer and includes cart, greens fees, three-course dinner after the event and other perks. For those wishing to attend the reception/dinner only, the cost is $60 per person.

Stepping Stone is Anoka County's only adult homeless shelter. The goal of the golf tournament is to raise money for programs and services to help the people who use the shelter be able to thrive and live self-sufficient lives.

A comprehensive plan to overhaul school buildings in the Forest Lake district didn't persuade voters, who soundly defeated it.

The May 20 bond referendum proposal, seeking $176 million to renovate old buildings, improve security and merge two junior high schools, was rejected in every city in the district except Lino Lakes. Overall, only 39.9 percent of voters supported the measure.

Voters in Forest Lake, Scandia, Columbus, Linwood and Wyoming voted against the proposal by a wide margin.

The largest turnout was in Forest Lake, where 2,133 voters voted no and 1,413 voted yes.

Starting Monday, June 2, the Columbia Heights License Center will adjust its business hours. The center, located at 3982 Central Av. NE., will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; the hours have been 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on those days. Wednesday hours will be unchanged at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For further information on Anoka County's license centers, go to www.anokacounty.us/license or call 763-323-5777.

"Stompin' Out Hunger" — a wine- and beer-tasting event benefiting the Southern Anoka Community Assistance food shelf — will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Willow Tree Vineyard and Winery in Ham Lake. The event also will include live music, a silent auction and a grape stomp. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

The winery is located at 828 Constance Blvd. NE., Ham Lake.

The Ham Lake Lake Association will hold a fundraiser at Ham Lake Lanes on Saturday, June 7, with proceeds to be used to treat Eurasian milfoil and curly leaf pondweed recently found in Ham Lake.

Ham Lake Lanes is located at 16465 Hwy. 65 NE.

A prostate cancer support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at North Memorial Medical Center, 3300 Oakdale Av. N., Robbinsdale.

Dr. Neal Shore, a urologist from the Carolina Urologic Research Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C., will speak to the group about Provenge, an advanced prostate cancer treatment. A question and answer segment will follow his presentation.

There is no charge, and wives, family and friends are welcome to attend. For more information, call 612-388- 3588.