North metro town briefs

Tree lighting set for SaturdayAnoka's holiday street lights and Christmas tree will be lit on Saturday. The event, from 6 to 8 p.m., will take place in front of Anoka City Hall, 2015 1st Av. S., and will feature horse-drawn hayrides, carolers, music and bonfires.

Monetary or nonperishable food donations are being accepted for an emergency food shelf, the Anoka County Brotherhood Council.

History exhibit looks at funeral traditions"In Memoriam," an exhibit examining funeral practices in Minnesota back to the mid-1800s, will open next week at the Anoka County Historical Society, 2135 3rd Av. N., Anoka.

The opening will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday and will coincide with the city of Lexington's presentation of the 2010 Ornament for the County for the county Christmas tree. Admission to the museum will be free that evening.

Girls invited to holiday teaThe annual American Girl Holiday Tea will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday and at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday at the Anoka County History Center and Library, 2135 Third Av. N., Anoka.

Tickets are required, and can be purchased at $10 for adults and $7 for girls, at the center, or by phone, at 763-421-0600.

Percussion group to perform at libraryThe Minnesota Percussion Trio will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday at Northtown Library, 711 County Rd. 10 NE., in Blaine.

Holiday community celebration comingBlaine's holiday celebration will be held Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at City Hall. It will include live music, holiday bingo, a candy cane hunt, crafts, coloring contest, refreshments, a marshmallow roast, and hayrides, weather permitting. The event is free. City Hall is at 10801 Town Square Dr.

Volunteers still are needed. Call 763-785-6164.

Seniors club extends an invitationThe Champlin Seniors Club invites senior citizens to consider joining. The club meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Champlin Community Center, 12450 Gettysburg Av.

The first monthly meeting starts at 1 p.m. and is a business session followed by games and other activities. The meeting on the third Wednesday is usually a potluck that starts at noon and is followed by games. For further information, call Gerry Winship at 763-421-6312.

This month, club will host a Christmas Dinner on Dec. 15 at 11:45 a.m. Nonmembers as well as members are welcome but please RSVP to Winship at 763-421-6312. The fee to participate is $12 and is payable at the door in cash or check.

If you do it before Dec. 31, you'll receive a $5 Menards gift card from Covanta Energy (while gift cards last).

The drop-off facilities are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information, go to www.hennepin.us/dropoffs, or call Hennepin County Environmental Services at 612-348-3777.

Bike giveaway aims to help 1,500 kidsFree Bikes 4 Kidz, organized by the G-Force Cycling Club of Minneapolis, hopes to provide bikes to 1,500 kids this holiday season by collecting and refurbishing bikes people have stashed in garages all over the Twin Cities area.

They've done it the last two years, giving away 250 bikes in 2008 and 450 in 2009.

Anyone with a bike to donate can drop it off at any Bachman's location in the Twin Cities or at Otten Brothers Nursery in Long Lake. In the north metro, there's a Bachman's at 8200 University Av. NE in Fridley.

Bikes will be picked up and delivered to one of the group's "bike shops" for any needed work, then given to a needy child along with a brand new helmet.

Donors can get a receipt for tax purposes; Free Bikes 4 Kidz is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Monetary donations are also needed. For more information, go to www.free bikes4kidz.com.

Comedy performance to benefit cat rescue"Catastrophe," a comedy show featuring the Minneapolis Comedy Allstars, will be presented Sunday to support SCRAM, an organization whose mission is to help care for and place stray cats in Minnesota. "Catastrophe" features Wild Bill Bauer, Craig Allen, Cathy Ladman, Tammy Nerby, Bryan Miller, Alex Cole and Danny Cole. The event will be at 7 p.m., at the New Hope Cinema Grill and Comedy Club, 2749 Winnetka Av. N., New Hope. Tickets are $10. All of the proceeds will go to help cats.

Classes aim to help elderly avoid fallsSenior Helpers of the Twin Cities is offering classes called a "Matter of Balance" to help elderly residents learn how to prevent falls.

It consists of classes that teach skills and exercises seniors can use to improve their physical strength and reduce their risk of falling in their own homes.

The program is free, though a small donation is suggested to cover expenses.

For more information, call Senior Helpers of Bloomington at 952-392-1999 or go to www.seniorhelpers.com.