North news briefs: Anoka County hazardous waste collection on Aug. 24

Anoka County will collect hazardous-waste from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Rum River Elementary School parking lot in Andover.

Residents of six counties will be able to dispose of such things as leftover paint, household cleaners, fluorescent bulbs and automotive fluids at no charge. The items must be secured so they don't tip over or leak.

Among items that will not be accepted are appliances, asbestos, batteries, electronics, garbage, medications, medical sharps (such as needles and syringes) and tires.

Driver's license or other proof of residence will be needed. The event is open to residents of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties. It is not open to businesses, organizations and schools.

The school is at 16950 Verdin St. NW., Andover. For further information, call Anoka County Integrated Waste Management at 763-323-5730.

Classes on transcribing reading materials into Braille will be offered at Volunteer Braille Services in Golden Valley, starting with an informational meeting on Sept. 17. Weekly instruction will begin the following week.

Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certification in Literary Braille Transcribing from the Library of Congress. For more information or to sign up, call Volunteer Braille Services at 763-544-2880 or e-mail vbsmn@comcast.net. All training materials and equipment are free.

The city has several parks and recreation facilities to accommodate instruction. Contact Ryan Gunderson, Recreation Coordinator, at 763-767-6513 or e-mail rgunderson@coonrapidsmn.gov.

A new Wal-Mart store opened last week in Blaine at 11505 Ulysses St. NE.

The store, open 24 hours a day, will provide about 300 jobs. It offers groceries, general merchandise and pharmacy services.

"We are very excited for the opening of our new Wal-Mart," Mayor Tom Ryan said in a news release. "Wal-Mart has great prices on groceries for our residents, will create new jobs and is a great addition to our tax base."

Fridley City Council meetings will now start at 7 p.m. In July, the council passed a resolution moving up the meeting times; they used to start at 7:30 p.m. For further information, contact Roberta Collins, administrative assistant to the city manager, at roberta. collins@fridleymn.gov or 763-572-3500.

Robbinsdale Area Schools invites all families with children from birth through 5 years of age to our Early Childhood Open House on Thursday, Aug. 22 at New Hope Learning Center, 8301 47th Av., from 6-7:30 p.m.

Meet with staff to learn about the many learning opportunities available.

Former students, staff, teachers and community leaders associated with Robbinsdale High School from 1936 until its closing in 1984 are invited to attend an all-school reunion Oct. 18-20.

Events include an Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday, a dance at the Medina Ballroom Saturday night, and a car show and pancake breakfast Sunday.

Visit robbinsdalehighschool.com or call Mark Sorenson at 612-669-0082 for more details.