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: youth-focused -- an individual 18 years or younger at the time of nomination or an organization led by youth; adult-focused -- individual 18 or older or a group. The selection panel 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 at 763-422-7187.

1,150 books donated to food shelves Anoka County Library users donated more than 1,150 new books to area food shelves during the holiday season. The books were then distributed to food-shelf clients. Food-shelf workers reported that the books "put smiles on the faces of lots of children and their parents!"

Moonlight skiing at Chomonix course The Anoka County Parks system is offering people a chance to ski the cross-country trails under a full moon and have dinner around the fireplace at Chomonix Golf Course in Lino Lakes. Preregistration is required for the Jan. 30 event. The cost is $12 for adults and $8 for children. Call 651-429-8007. The golf course is located in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve.

Cross-country ski lessons offered Cross-country ski lessons will be offered at several sites in Anoka County on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Coon Rapids and from 2 to 4 p.m., at Bunker Hills Campground Visitor Center, Coon Rapids. The fee is $15 for adults and $10 for kids 8 to 12 years old.

'Snow Day' is coming The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department will present its 10th annual Snow Day event, featuring a variety of activities, animal displays and crafts, on Jan. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes.

'Blue Jean Ball' to be held Jan. 22 The annual "Blue Jean Ball" fundraiser to support north metro youth activities will be held Jan. 22 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Brooklyn Center.

The event, supporting the Brooklyns Youth Council, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature a silent auction, caricature artists, a "Build-A-Van" donor tree and other activities hosted by youth. A "Diamonds and Denim" teen dance with DJ Bob and Party Unit is scheduled until 10:30 p.m.

The Brooklyns Youth Council is a 21-member group of high school students who live in Brooklyn Center or Brooklyn Park and attend high schools in the two cities, Osseo or Totino-Grace High School in Fridley. For more information call 763-488-6388.

Taste of Asia set for Friday The second annual Taste of Asia will be held Friday evening in the south gym at Brooklyn Junior High School in Brooklyn Park.

Activities will include Asian dances, singing, a fashion show and a Hmong play. Asian food and beverages will be available for purchase. The event, at 7377 Noble Av. N., will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door or $4 in advance. The event is presented by Asian students at the junior high and Champlin Park High School.

Wynfred Russell, a member of the city's Human Rights Commission, received the league's Commissioner's Award for his work in promoting equality and justice in the city.

Learn about options for kindergarten 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.

There will also be information relating to readiness skills, costs, timelines and kindergarten registration dates.

Open volleyball, basketball on tap New Hope is offering evening adult open volleyball on Thursdays and basketball games on Tuesdays at Cooper High School's community gyms.

Tot Gym Time New Hope also offers Tot Gym Time at the same location from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Bring your children ages 1 to 5 to play with balls, cars, scooters and more. No instruction is provided. The cost is $3 a visit or $20 for a 10-visit card. Call the parks office above for more information.

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.

Signup deadline nears for K-8 chess tourney 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 Thursday 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-school-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.