North metro briefs: Blaine has openings for election judges

City has openings for election judges The city is seeking eligible voters age 18 and older to serve as election judges for the Aug. 14 primary and the Nov. 6 general election. Judges handle administrative duties at city precincts on Election Day.

Election judges must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. They cannot be a candidate in an election or be closely related to a candidate, and cannot be closely related to another election judge in the same precinct.

High school students age 16 and older can work as trainees with the permission of their parents and their school.

Election judges earn $9 per hour. Head judges and assistant head judges earn $10, while trainees receive $7.25.

To find a detailed job description and download an application, go to www. ci.blaine.mn.us/elections. For more information, call Blaine City Hall at 763-785-6122 or 763-785-6124.

Find recreation programs online Blaine's Parks and Recreation Department will have its fall "Recreation Connection" brochure online beginning July 30. To find the brochure and other information about city recreation programs, go to www.blaineparks.com.

A limited number of brochures will be printed and available at the Parks and Recreation office, 10801 Town Square Dr. NE. For more information, call 763-785-6164.

The hiring center, at 1200 Shingle Creek Crossing., is open and will accept applications from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. People also can apply online at www.ca reers.walmart.com.

Wal-Mart said the majority of employees will start work in August as the store prepares for its grand opening later this summer.

Community yard sale set for next week The annual Lexington area community yard sale will be July 26 through 29.

Residents who would like to be included on the sale list can call Becky Osborne at 763-784-1892 or Bob Cummings at 515-249-2553. Leave a voice mail with your name, phone number and address to be added to the list.

CEAP gearing up its back-to-school program For the 22nd year, the Community Emergency Assistance Program is gathering school supplies for kids in need in Anoka and northwestern Hennepin Counties. CEAP's Back to School program will distribute supplies to parents of students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Donations need to be dropped off by Aug. 17 at either of CEAP's offices: in Brooklyn Park at 6840 78th Av. N, or in Blaine at 1201 89th Av. NE., No. 130.

For further information, go to www.ceap.org/backto school.html. If you have donation questions or would like to help starting a drive, call 763-450-3664; for volunteer opportunities, call 763-450-3679; if you have other questions or know of someone whose children need school supplies this fall, call Annetta at 763-566-9600.

Two students earn Merit Scholarships A pair of students from Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids have earned National Merit Scholarships sponsored by the University of Minnesota. They are Jessica Sukharan, a graduate of Park Center High School, and Daniel Johnson, a graduate of Fridley High School.

This year, about 200 colleges and university sponsored 4,600 Merit Scholarships in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

In all, there were about 8,100 2012 National Merit Scholars. About 1.5 million students in 22,000 high schools competed for the awards.

Wives and friends are welcome. For further information, call 612-388-3588.

WILLIAM C. CRUM AND JIM KERN

Blaine offers paper shredding, recycling A city-sponsored free recycling service offers paper shredding from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at 9150 Central Av. NE.

While most paper can be recycled with curbside service at home, shredding provides secure recycling of sensitive documents.

A variety of papers are accepted, including office paper, letterhead, envelopes and Post-It notes. Not accepted: magazines, newspapers, carbon paper, laminated paper, telephone books, plastics, metal binder clips, and three-ring binders.