North metro town briefs

Activities for all ages at Earth Day event The Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes is holding a Family Earth Day Celebration on Saturday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The event will include animals, activities such as a climbing wall, art projects and canoeing, and refreshments. Local groups and businesses will also provide information and activities about earth-friendly practices and products at an Earth Day Fair. The nature center is at 7701 Main St.

Exercise class to raise awareness and money A special exercise class set to Latin music is being held Saturday as a fundraiser during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"Zumba with a Purpose" is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Andover Community Centar at 15200 Hanson Blvd. The fee is $10; registration starts at 12:30 p.m. The fundraiser will benefit the Sexual Assault Action Team of the Alliance for a Violence-Free Anoka County. For information, call Donna McDonald of the alliance at 763-422-7047.

Guidelines for building fences, retaining walls The city has made available a set of guidelines for residents who are planning to build fences or retaining walls inside or near a drainage and utility easement on the property, near an environmentally sensitive area, such as a wetland or storm water pond, or if the proposed retaining wall is taller than 4 feet.

Information is available at City Hall, or at www.ci.andover.mn.us. For more information, call the Andover Planning Department, 763-755-5100.

Help clean up park and enjoy nature walk The city, along with the Natural Resource Conservation Board and Friends of Open Space, will hold its second annual Earth Day celebration 1-3 p.m. on April 25, at Pioneer Park, 2491 125th Av. Families are invited to help clean up the park, then go on a nature walk. Bags, gloves and refreshments are provided. For information, call 763-785-6151 or visit www.blaineparks.com.

Benefit to build tribute to safety officers Columbia Heights will hold a pancake breakfast April 25 to raise money for a bronze statue to be erected as a tribute to police and firefighters in front of the public safety building to be ready in October. The breakfast will be 8-10 a.m. at the Applebee's at 5277 Central Av. in Fridley. Tickets are $5.

"It has been a great effort on the part of the Police and Fire Departments, as well as many Columbia Heights volunteers to get us to this point," said Mayor Gary Peterson.

Benefit to raise funds for festival and float Brooklyn Park is having a fundraiser Thursday at Sweet Taste of Italy to support its annual Tater Daze festival and improve a city parade float.

If you eat at the Sweet Taste of Italy, 9576 Noble Pkwy., from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and say you are supporting Tater Daze, 10 percent of your bill will be donated to that cause. If you bring a nonperishable food item for a community food shelf, $1 will be deducted from your bill.

Pledge or volunteer to help Walk for Animals The Animal Humane Society is planning its 35th annual Walk for Animals for the first Saturday in May.

The May 2 fundraising event will begin at the society's Golden Valley facility, 845 Meadow Lane N., kicking off "Be Kind to Animals Week."

The day's events will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will start at 10:30 a.m. The society's goal is to raise $1.1 million to help support its five facilities in Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul and Woodbury. For more information, call 763-432-4841.

Free, confidential help for homeowners Homeowners worried about making mortgage payments or foreclosure can attend a workshop on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockford Road Library, 6401 42nd Av. N. in Crystal.

The workshop is offered by the Hennepin County Taxpayers Services and the Minnesota Home Ownership Center. Participants can ask questions and get free, confidential advice from nonprofit foreclosure counselors. For more information, call Jeff Strand at 612-348-7870.

Business and community expo The St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce and School District 15 Community Education are sponsoring the 2009 Business and Community Spring Expo, to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 25 at St. Francis High School, 3325 Bridge St. For information, visit www. stfrancischamber.org.