North metro news briefs: Anoka Sheriff Stuart hosts open house Sept. 18

Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart will host an open house at his office and the Tri-County Regional Forensic Laboratory.

The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, 13301 Hanson Blvd. NW. in Andover.

The open house will feature displays of sheriff's 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.

Anoka County Historical Society's "Ghosts of Anoka" tours will be offered every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening in September and October.

The week of Halloween, tours will be Oct. 28, 29, 30 and 31. Tours start at 7:30 p.m.

Advance registration is required. Call 763-421-0600 to register or to www.anokacoun tyhistory.org to purchase tickets online. Tours are limited to 24 people.

The city of Blaine will hold the 6th Annual Blaine World Fest on Sept. 21.

The one-day event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at Town Square Park and includes food, entertainment and cultural arts.

More than 1,300 people attended 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.

Trackside Dog Park on Hummingbird Street will close permanently on Sept. 15.

Dog owners can instead use a newly opened dog park at Bunker Hills Regional Park. The new dog park is a joint venture between Anoka County and the cities of Coon Rapids and Andover.

The 15th annual City of Ramsey Happy Days this Saturday will feature a chili cook-off, go-cart/ lawn tractor races and fireworks.

Family-friendly festivities start with a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and a 5K run at 8 a.m. Events run throughout the day. Evening festivities include live music and fireworks at 9 p.m. Most events will be held at 7550 Sunwood Drive NW. in Ramsey.

For a complete list of events go to www.cityoframsey.com/happy-days.

The city of Golden Valley is asking residents to help design a new playground to replace 18-year-old equipment in its largest community park.

Brookview Park, located off Winnetka Avenue just south of Hwy. 55, is one of the more heavily used playgrounds in the city. The new playground equipment will use the same footprint as the old and will likely be split into two sections, one for kids ages 2 to 5 and another for kids ages 6 to 12.

The public is invited to an open house on Monday on the preservation and renovation of the Franklin Avenue bridge.

The meeting, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 1500 Franklin Av. SE., will give people a chance to talk with Hennepin County staff and consultants who are working on the project. Planning will consider the needs of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and the historical significance of the bridge.

For more information, go to www.hennepin.us and search for "Franklin Bridge."

The second annual Taste of Epiphany is set for 1-7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Church of the Epiphany, 4900 Nathan Lane in Plymouth.

Kids' games including a bounce house will be available, and for adults there will be beer, wine, a raffle and bingo, plus grilled burgers and brats for sale.

For more information, go to www.epiphany-episcopal.org.

The Lupus Walk for Hope and 5K Run is open to all walkers and runners 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 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 12650 County Road 9, between Interstate 494 and Hwy. 169.