North metro town briefs

A Mexican celebration in Brooklyn Park The city of Brooklyn Park and the Joint Community Police Partnership are hosting the city's second annual Cinco de Mayo event on Saturday. Free food will be provided by Chipotle and pinatas will be available for children every half-hour. Entertainment includes dancers, singers, a magician and a clown. The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Zanewood Recreation Center, 7100 Zane Av. Attendees are asked to contribute $1 toward the cost of the festivities.

Meeting on Douglas Drive reconstruction The city of Champlin and Hennepin County are holding an informational meeting tonight on the reconstruction of Douglas Drive. The proposed project would reconstruct Douglas Drive from Douglas Court North to West River Road. Work will also be done on West River Road from Edgewood Court to west of Adair Avenue.

The meeting is set for 6-8 p.m., with a presentation at 6:30 p.m., at Champlin City Hall, 11955 Champlin Drive. For more information, contact Tim Hanson with the city at 763-421-1955.

Test your well water Well, well, well. It's time for Anoka County residents to check the safety of their private well water.

The county's Health and Environmental Services Department will sponsor its ninth annual Well Water Wise promotion May 5-9. Residents are encouraged to pick up well-water test kits at Room 360 of the Anoka County Government Center, 2100 3rd Av. in Anoka, or at participating town and city offices. The kits are available in Andover, Blaine, Burns Township, Centerville, Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Linwood Township, Oak Grove, Ramsey, St. Francis and the Anoka Conservation District in Ham Lake.

Water samples can be submitted, for a $30 lab fee, to the county's Environmental Services Unit for analysis from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

Electronic trash day Residents of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope are invited to drop off electronic trash and other special materials on Saturday Appliances, electronics, used oil, batteries, tires and scrap metal will be accepted for free or a minimal charge.

Spring cleanup day For a minimal cost, New Brighton residents can dispose of household items not regularly accepted as curbside garbage during the city's Spring Clean-Up Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Items accepted for disposal include appliances, furniture, car tires, batteries and electronics such as computers and TVs. Large items will be priced out separately, such as a couch ($12) or a box spring ($12). Mixed trash and debris will be priced by the load, such as $9 for car trunk load or $40 for trailer load. A complete list of prices is available at City Hall and online at www.startribune.com/a4294.

Proof of New Brighton residency, such as a valid driver's license, is required. The event is at the New Brighton Maintenance Garage, 700 NW. Fifth St.

Apply for city council The city is accepting applicants for the City Council vacancy due to the death of Council Member Larry Morrisette earlier this month. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. May 8.

The council will interview applicants in May and announce the appointment in June. The new member will serve until November, when a special election will be held for the remainder of the term, through December 2010.

Sales everywhere Shoppers won't have to look far for sales this weekend, with the Bargain Hunter's Opener running from Thursday through Sunday. Events include garage and yard sales, church sales, the American Cancer Society Spring Gift Sale in Brooklyn Park and DIVA Days in Anoka.

Free guides are available at the Anoka Area Chamber Office, the Brooklyn Center Community Center, the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, East Side Neighborhood Services in Minneapolis, the Fridley Community Center, the Maple Grove Community Center, the Metro North Chamber Office, the Mounds View Community Center, the North Hennepin Chamber Office, the Twin Cities North Chamber Office and the Visit Minneapolis North Office.

Or go to www.startribune.

com/a4300 to find links to sales information.

Walk for animals The Animal Humane Society will sponsor its 34th annual Walk for Animals this weekend at two locations -- one in the west metro area and another in the east. Both events are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with registration beginning at 8:30 and post-walk events continuing until 2 p.m.

The annual walks are fundraisers as well as festive events for pets and owners alike. Walkers raise pledges to support the more than 36,000 animals served each year by the society's five locations in Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul and Woodbury. For more information, go to www.animalhumanesociety.org.