ANOKA

Home & Garden Tour is coming on Sunday

The annual tour of historic homes and gardens in Anoka will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 13. This year's tour focuses on homes near the Mississippi River east of the Rum River. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 on tour day. Advance and online sales will end Saturday, July 12, at 4 p.m. For information or to buy tickets, call 763-421-0600 or go to www.AnokaCountyHistory.org.

Brooklyn Park

Splash pads added at two city sites

Brooklyn Park is unveiling new splash pads at Central Park, 8440 Regent Av. N., and Zanewood Recreation Center, 7100 Zane Av. The splash pads hook up to fire hydrants and use recycled water.

Coon Rapids

Police, fire departments offer two-day safety camp

The Coon Rapids police and fire departments will hold a two-day safety camp July 22-23 for Coon Rapids students who will be entering fourth and fifth grades this fall. The camp will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd. Topics will include water, fire and electrical safety; basic first aid; and how to use 911.

The fee is $40, which covers supplies, a T-shirt, snacks and lunch, as well as transportation to and from the swimming pool. Scholarships are available for children in the free and reduced-price lunch program.

A registration form is available on the city website — www.coonrapidsmn.gov. Click on Community Events, then Safety Camp.

For further information, call the Coon Rapids Fire Department at 763-767-6429 or e-mail schapin@coonrapidsmn.gov.

City's 'Home II' program wins excellence award

Coon Rapids' Home for Generations II program has earned a City of Excellence Award from the League of Minnesota Cities. The awards recognize accomplishments that enhance the quality of life in cities in the state.

Home for Generations II offers grants, low-cost architectural consultations and building fee rebates to homeowners who invest in improvement projects worth $35,000 or more to homes at least 20 years old. Coon Rapids says that $70,000 in incentive money has generated $1.3 million worth of investment in city housing stock. For more information about Home for Generations II, go to http://www.coonrapidsmn.gov/housing/homeforgenerationsII.htm

Minneapolis

University prostate cancer group meets Thursday

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE., Minneapolis. Dr. L.C. Cho, radiation oncologist from the university, will speak to the group, and a question-and-answer segment will follow. Wives, family members and friends are welcome.

There is no charge to participate, parking is free and light refreshments will be served. For information, call 612-388-3588.

Ramsey

Farmers market season will begin on July 17

Ramsey's Farmers Market will kick off its season on Thursday, July 17, and continue each Thursday through Aug. 28. The market will run 3 to 7 p.m., adjacent to the amphitheater at the Draw Park.

Robbinsdale schools

Superintendent feted for equity, social justice work

The National Urban Alliance for Effective Education gave Aldo Sicoli, superintendent of Robbinsdale Area Schools, the "Leadership Award for Promoting Equity and Social Justice" this week in Minneapolis during its Summer Academy.

The award honors superintendents who have focused on equity and social justice through education.

The alliance promotes student-focused advocacy and organizational guidance to accelerate achievement for all students.

"Dr. Sicoli is a tireless leader for diversity and recognizes the importance of student learning in diverse schools and classrooms. He focuses on the strength of students' experiences and skills, rather than limiting student potential through remediation of weaknesses in learning and achievement," said Urban Alliance President Eric Cooper.

Sicoli has sought to embrace the large demographic shifts in the district, which has gone from 63.9 percent white in 2004 to presently 47.3 percent white, 30.3 percent black and 12.6 percent Hispanic.

The group also cites the increase in the number of students taking the ACT under Sicoli's leadership. The number has grown since 2007.

Sherburne County

Law enforcement to discuss heroin addiction

Sherburne County law enforcement and community groups will discuss heroin addiction at two forums in July.

The Sheriff's Office and Know the Truth will host the events, which are free and open to the public. The first forum will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Elk River High School. The second is 7 to 9 p.m. July 30 at Becker High School.

Each forum will include a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session. Members of the Sherburne County attorney's office; Elk River, Becker and Big Lake police departments; and the Drug Enforcement Administration will be on the panel.

STAFF REPORTS