North metro town briefs

Nominations sought for health award Nominations are being sought for the annual Anoka County Public Health Recognition Award, which recognizes citizens in the county who devote time to improving public health in their communities.

There are two categories -- adults and individuals 18 years or younger at the time of nomination or an organization that is led by youth. The selection committee is looking for applicants who demonstrate leadership and creativity in solving public health problems

Nominations are due by Jan. 25. See www.anokacounty.us, or call Pat Robinson, Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services, at 763-422-7187.

Community Wellness Day set for Jan. 23 Anoka-Hennepin Community Education will host a Community Wellness Day on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Coon Rapids Middle School. Minnesota author Janice Novak is the keynote speaker. The event is free. For information, go to www.anoka.k12.mn.us/communitywellnessday.

Car-seat clinic available for parents The Blaine Police Department, the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department and Save Kids Anoka County will host a free car-seat clinic from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at SBM Fire Station No. 3, 11920 Ulysses St., Blaine. The clinic is offered by appointment only. To get your name on the schedule, call Connie Forster, fire and life safety education chief, at 763-767-4003, ext. 100.

Kindergarten info night set for Jan. 19 The Centennial School District will hold its kindergarten information night from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Performing Arts Center, 4707 North Road, Circle Pines.

The program is for parents only. It will deal with the three district kindergarten options open to parents and their students. Those are half-day kindergarten, all-day kindergarten, and half-day kindergarten augmented by a Kids Club program. Kindergarten registration packets will be available.

Applicants sought for boards, commissions The city of Circle Pines invites applicants for a number of panels, including the Utilities Commission, the Park Board, the Planning Commission and the Anoka County Blaine Airport Advisory Commission. Applications are available on the city website, www.circlepines.govoffice2.com. They are due by 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 6, in the Circle Pines city offices, 200 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines.

Mayors to sponsor snowmobile ride The mayors of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey are hosting the Mayor's Trail Ride, at 10:30 a.m., Jan. 30, starting at the Anoka County Fairgrounds, along the Rum River to McDuff's Eatery at Rum River Hills Golf Course, and back along the river to the new snowmobile parking area in downtown Anoka. Participation is $10 per person in advance, $20 the day of the event. Proceeds go to the Anoka Andover Ramsey Youth First program. For information, call 763-421-7130.

Advisory commission seeks new applicants The Rice Creek Watershed District Board appoints citizen members to advise watershed managers in the district, which includes parts of Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties. Members also are asked to inform managers of water-related issues in their home communities. The application deadline is Jan. 29. For information, call 763-398-3070.

Chess tournament for K-8 students The Spring Lake Park gifted and talented parent group will hold its annual grades K-8 chess tournament and clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Jan. 30, in the Westwood Intermediate-Middle School cafeteria, 711 91st Av., Blaine. Participants should register by Jan. 14 and should furnish their own chess sets, labeled with names. Donations of $7 will help the organizers defray the cost of the event. An adult must accompany elementary grade-age children. If there are too many registrants to be accommodated, a lottery will be held to select participants. For more information, contact Marianne Paulos, 763-795-6354, or at mpaulo@district16.org, or Matthew Lange, 763-792-0880, or at matthew.lange@slpgt.org.

City Council video now accessible online A St. Francis High School student is taking video of every meeting, the first and third Monday of each month. Visit the city website for a link: www .stfrancis.govoffice.com.