North new briefs: Columbia Heights spaghetti dinner to benefit library

The Columbia Heights Public Library Foundation is holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser today, Sept. 11, to benefit the library. It will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St. NE., Columbia Heights. There will be a silent auction.

Tickets are $8 for those age 13 and older and $5 for children 5-12. Tickets will be available at the door; you can also call Cliff at 612-251-9557 or Marlaine at 763-788-4506.

Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart will host an open house next Wednesday, Sept. 18, at his office and the Tri-County Regional Forensic Laboratory. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sheriff's Office, 13301 Hanson Blvd. NW. in Andover.

It will feature displays of vehicles and specialty units, including the SWAT team, dive team and crime-scene unit. There will be tours of the sheriff's office and the forensic lab. Several of the sheriff's public safety partners also will have displays and representatives on hand, including the North Memorial Ambulance Service. A helicopter is scheduled to arrive at 5 p.m.

Blaine will hold the sixth annual Blaine World Fest on Sept. 21. The one-day event will run from 1 to 5 p.m. at Town Square Park and include food, entertainment and cultural arts.

More than 1,300 people attended the 2012 World Fest. City parks and rec staff tout the event as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Blaine's growing cultural and ethnic diversity. For more information or to volunteer, call Nate at 763-785-6151.

Fall ice skating lessons at the Coon Rapids Ice Center will begin Saturday, Sept. 21, and Monday Sept. 23, and run for 12 weeks. Lessons are offered for figure skaters, hockey players and adults and follow the Basic Skills graded program.

The ice center is at 11000 Crooked Lake Blvd., Coon Rapids. Go to www.coonrapidsicecenter.com/skateacademy.htm for more information, fee schedule and registration materials.

Trackside Dog Park on Hummingbird Street in Coon Rapids will close permanently on Sept. 15. Dog owners can instead use a newly opened dog park at Bunker Hills Regional Park. The new site is a joint venture between Anoka County and the cities of Coon Rapids and Andover.

The annual Kids' Garage Sale is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Crystal Community Center gym. The event offers children ages 6 to 15 a chance to sell old toys, games, books, sporting goods or other items. Kids can reserve a table for the event by calling Crystal Recreation at 763-531-0052 by Friday, Sept. 13. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

For those who simply want to shop, the event is free. The community center is located at 4800 Douglas Dr. N.

Showtime, a chorus for men and women age 55 and older, is inviting new voices to join.

The chorus enjoys old favorites, show tunes and some newer pop tunes. It performs about twice a month for senior residences, community centers, church groups, care centers and community events.

No experience is required — just a love of singing. For further information, call 612-250-1417.

The Lupus Walk for Hope and 5K Run is open to all walkers and runners on Saturday, Sept. 14, at French Regional Park in Plymouth.

Sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of Minnesota, the events will begin registration at 9 a.m., with the walk and the 5K to begin at 10:30. Also, 2013 Lupus Ambassador Chris Cronick will tell her story of the daily trials and triumphs over this disease. Online registration is available. Go to www.lupusmn.org.

French Regional Park is located at 12605 County Road 9, between Interstate 494 and Hwy. 169.