North metro town briefs

City docks go in early on the Rum River The warm spring has allowed early installation of the Anoka City Hall docks on the Rum River, where boaters can tie up and walk a few blocks to downtown shops.

City workers installed the docks above and below the dam by City Hall about three weeks earlier than usual, said Greg Lee, public services director.

Last week, workers installed boards on the dam to raise the upstream pool about 3 feet. They also rolled in an aluminum L-shaped dock by Riverfront Park above the dam for upstream boaters from Ramsey and Andover.

Boaters on the Mississippi River can cruise about half a mile up the Rum to moor at the larger docks by City Hall, which can accommodate about five boats.

Earth Day Expo and city cleanup Saturday Brooklyn Center High School will host an Earth Day Expo on Saturday, with more than 40 exhibits to show residents how to make sustainable lifestyle choices with tips on home remodeling, energy savings, landscaping and more. The 40th Earth Day celebration also will offer free items and activities for kids.

The expo will run from 1 to 4 p.m. at the high school, 6500 Humboldt Av. N. For more information, call Diane Sannes at 763-560-8893.

The city also is holding a spring cleanup day on Saturday. Join other volunteers for pastries, juice and coffee from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Brooklyn Center Community Center, 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway. Then trash bags, litter pickup sticks and other materials will be handed out for the cleanup effort. Anyone interested in helping may call Jenny at 763-585-7100 for details.

The event is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Gloves, bags and refreshments will be provided.

First-time home buyer's class Anoka County Community Action Program will offer a first-time home buyer's class from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lexington City Hall, 9180 Lexington Av.

Preregistration is required. Call Carin at 763-783-4868.

Recycling events set for appliances, waste Residents of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope will be able to drop off old appliances, computers, used oil, batteries, tires and other items on Saturday.

Televisions and other electronics are recycled free, and the Vietnam Veterans of America will collect usable household donations. Appliances cost $10 to recycle, and nominal fees are charged for other items.

For more information about the Special Material Drop-Off Day or other recycling information, go to www.brooklynpark.org or call 763-493-8007.

Lions' smelt fry today through Saturday The Brooklyn Park Lions will hold their 48th Annual "World's Largest Smelt Fry" today through Saturday.

Besides breaded, deep-fried smelt, fixin's will include coleslaw, chips, dinner rolls, coffee and milk or pop. Beer costs extra.

The all-you-can-eat fundraiser will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park National Guard Armory, 5600 85th Av. N.

Tickets are $9.50 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. Advance tickets for $9 may be bought from Lions members.

Call Andrew Reinhardt at 763-607-6770 for more information.

Park cleanup and tree planting on Saturday New Hope residents can help plant trees in Northwood Park and clean up winter debris around the park's lake beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Volunteers will meet at the east parking lot at the park entrance on Boone Avenue, about two blocks south of 39th Avenue. The cleanup and planting should take a couple of hours. Participants are encouraged to wear boots and work gloves.

Trash bags and tools will be provided. For more information, call city forester Shawn Markham at 763-592-6763.

Realife Senior Coop plans open house Realife Senior Cooperative, a 77-apartment complex in Osseo, is hosting an open house and tours from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

2010 Awakenings concert is April 25 Twin Cities musicians are participating in the annual "Awakenings" benefit concert for Park Nicollet's Struthers Parkinson's Center in Golden Valley at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Performers will include soprano Maria Jette, cellist Mina Fisher, Minnesota Orchestra violinist Kristin Kemper, Park Nicollet neurologist Martha Nance and pianist Charles Kemper.

For information about tickets, call 952-993-6176 or go to www.parknicollet.com/ awakenings.

Walk for Animals set for May 1 The 36th annual Walk for Animals, sponsored by the Animal Humane Society, is scheduled for May 1 as a fundraiser for the society.

Participants raise pledges for their walk. Money raised will help support the nearly 35,000 animals that the Animal Humane Society takes care of each year at its five Twin Cities locations. Last year, about 8,000 walkers with 4,000 pets participated and raised more than $1 million.

The walk begins at the society's Golden Valley site at 845 Meadow Lane N. It will proceed north into Theodore Wirth Park and back, covering 5 miles total, though walkers may turn back at any time.

For more information or to register, go to www.animal humanesociety.org/walk .