North metro town briefs

Reading program features local writer Local author MaryJanice Davidson will speak on Saturday as part of the Anoka County Library's annual winter reading program for adults. The free event will be held at 2 p.m. at the Northtown Library, 711 County Road 10 NE., Blaine.

The event is co-sponsored by Metropolitan Library Service Association. For more information, call 763-717-3267 or visit the library website at www.anoka.lib.mn.us.

Home and garden show set for Saturday The Metro North Home and Garden Show will be held Saturday in Blaine. The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Schwan Center at the National Sports Center, 1750 105th Av.

Women's Heart Health event set for Saturday Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids will hold a Women's Heart Health event on Saturday to help participants learn about cardiovascular disease and how to keep a heart healthy. Among the offerings is a cardiovascular screening. Participants will receive a fasting full-lipid profile, blood sugar and blood pressure tests, and their body mass index (BMI) and ankle brachial index (ABI). They'll be able to review their results immediately with a health care professional. And they will receive a personalized health improvement plan and educational materials.

The event will run from 7-11 a.m. at the Mercy Heart & Vascular Center, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd., in the lower-level conference room. Cost is $30 and participation is by appointment only. Appointments last about 30 minutes.

For more information, call 763-236-8041. To register, call 1-866-904-9962. Or register online at www.allina.com.

City seeks nominations for Citizenship Award Citizenship Award nominations are being accepted for Mounds View residents, business owners or landowners who in their leadership exemplify values of courage, initiative, time commitment, effectiveness and unselfishness.

Neighborhood meetings scheduled The city of New Brighton is hosting a series of neighborhood meetings to discuss updates on the 2010 budget and the Northwest Quadrant and sewer backup/maintenance. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.

They are scheduled for Thursday at Hansen Park, March 18 at Totem Pole Park and March 25 at Freedom Park.

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

Pickup games run from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. The cost is $3 a visit or $20 for a 10-visit card.

The open gym play will continue until late May at the school, located at 8230 47th Av. N. in the north end of Cooper.

Choirboys to hold breakfast fundraiser The Land of Lakes Choirboys will hold a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7 at the Land of Lakes Choirboys building at 6437 Norris Lake Road, 4 miles southwest of St. Francis.

For more information, call 763-213-8105.

Author to speak on Hmong memoir Kao Kalia Yang, author of the Hmong family memoir "The Latehomecomer," will speak at Century College at 7 p.m. March 3 in the West Campus Theatre. Yang also will address students at 10 a.m. March 4 in the theatre. Both events are free and open to the public.

Yang's book tells of her family's struggles while weaving in Hmong folklore and culture. It won a Minnesota Book Award for Creative Nonfiction in 2009.

Yang was born in Thailand's Ban Vinai Refugee Camp and immigrated at age 6 with her family to St. Paul. They lived in the McDonough housing project. Books from the St. Paul Public Library bookmobile fed her imagination. She's a graduate of St. Paul schools, Carleton College and Columbia University. Yang wrote her book as a tribute to her grandmother.