North metro town briefs

Wargo Nature Center will host preschoolers The Wargo Nature Center will serve as the site of preschool classes focused on nature, beginning Sept. 14. The preschool will be on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Children must have been 4 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll. The tuition is $125 per month. Call 651-982-8300.

Get to know your associates in a hurry The Anoka Area Chamber is hosting a "speed networking" luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Courtyards of Andover, 13545 Martin St. Registration and an hors d'oeuvres lunch will run from 11 to 11:30 a.m. It will be followed by speed networking, during which members will have a minute and a half to talk about their business with another member one on one. Things will move quickly so members can talk to as many businesses as possible. Call the chamber office at 763-421-7130 or e-mail mail@anokaareachamber.com to make reservations.

Bring bicycles to Recycling Day Bicycles of any condition to be fixed up and given away are welcome at the Fall Recycling Day event, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 12 at the Public Works garage, 1785 Crosstown Blvd. NW. Other items, including tires, scrap metal, eyeglasses, fluorescent bulbs and more, can be recycled. Document shredding will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a complete list of recyclable items, visit the city website, www.ci.andover.mn.us.

ARDEN HILLS

Wanted: Ideas for 2010 city celebration The 2010 Celebrating Arden Hills Event Committee is looking for ideas for the annual festival. Residents are invited to weigh in by completing an online survey. To participate, go to www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us and click on the survey link on the home page. The celebration is scheduled for September 2010. For more information contact Michelle Olson at 651-792-7848.

Peripheral vascular disease screening Mercy Hospital's Wellness Program is offering screening for peripheral vascular disease next Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the hospital, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd. The cost is $10.

Peripheral vascular disease clogs blood vessels in the legs and sometimes the arms. Screening takes about 30 minutes and includes a risk factor questionnaire, an ankle-brachial index measurement, review of results, education and physician referral, if necessary. Common symptoms of peripheral vascular disease include frequently rubbing legs to relieve pain, or sitting down often because it hurts to walk.

For more information or to schedule a screening appointment, visit allina.com/classes or call 866-904-9962.

Golf tournament takes aim at CMD A golf tournament to raise funds in the battle against congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13, at Tanners Brook Golf Course in Forest Lake. The event is being held by the organization Cure CMD, founded last year by a Minnesota dad, Rich Cloud, and two other parents of children with CMD. Cure CMD aims to advance research and treatment of the genetic disease. Sign-in for the tournament begins at noon, with golfing at 1 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m. A short program follows dinner. The donation for an individual golfer is $100, and includes golf, dinner and a shared cart. For information, go to curecmd.org/events or e-mail Rich Cloud at rich.cloud@curecmd.com

Participants sought for WorldFest The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking volunteers, vendors and sponsors for its second annual WorldFest, scheduled for noon to 5, Sept. 26. Attractions include dance and cultural arts performances, food, music and informational booths. Last year's event, showcasing Blaine's diverse communities, drew more than 700 visitors. For information, contact program supervisor Tom Godfrey at 763-717-2723 or tgodfrey@ci.blaine.mn .us.

Author Gary Chapman will head conference Christian author Dr. Gary Chapman will discuss how to have great relationships during a Sept. 12 conference at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 61 Mississippi Way. Anyone age 14 and up is invited. Therapists can earn four continuing education credits as the course has been approved by the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. Cost is $55 per person or $75 for couples for the conference, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. Registration forms and payment must be sent to the church by Aug. 30. Forms can be found at redeemerfridley.org/registration/registration.jsp. For more information contact Becca Benson at 763-242-9766 or beccablue722@msn.com

Residents urged to sign up for blood drive The city's public safety department is hosting a community blood drive for the American Red Cross from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Sept. 9. Eligible donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.givebloodgivelife.org. The blood drive will take place in the training room of the public safety center, 785 Old Hwy. 8 NW. For more information, call 651-288-4100.

Plan now to unload your household junk Got household junk? Bring it to the annual Fall Clean-Up for residents of Shoreview and Arden Hills. Electronics, brush and tree waste, appliances, tires, remodeling debris and other items will be accepted at the clean-up, to be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3. Items should be taken to the Shoreview Maintenance Center, 4665 Victoria St. N. Hazardous waste, such as paint, pesticides and solvents, also will be accepted that day at the Ramsey County Ice Arena's parking lot, next door to the maintenance center. Charitable donations, including clothing and furniture items, will also be collected during the Fall Clean-Up, at the Shoreview Community Center parking lot.

Designer to speak on green remodeling Green remodeling -- how it can save money and improve health in the home -- will be discussed by Cindy Ojczyk, owner of Simply Green Design, at 7 p.m. today in the Shoreview Community Center, 4600 Victoria St. N., Shoreview. The regular monthly meeting of the Shoreview Green Community will follow. For further information, call 651-486-8594.

Tennis lessons added to parks programs The city's Parks and Recreation Department is offering tennis lessons this fall for people of all ages and skill levels.

The lessons will be offered at several times and days, starting Sept. 14 and ending Oct. 17.

Group lessons cost $43 for Shoreview residents and $53 for nonresidents.

Networking event for young professionals Searching for solutions to your business problem?

The Young Professionals committee of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce is meeting next Wednesday, Sept. 9, to network and talk about solutions to common business issues faced by members.

The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Green Mill, 1000 Gramsie Road in Shoreview. For more information, go to www.northyp.com.

MARIA BACA, JIM ADAMS, ALLIE SHAH, PAUL LEVY, STAFF REPORTS