Andover/Anoka

Andover's recycling day is Saturday...The city will hold its spring recycling day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Andover Public Works site, 1785 Crosstown Blvd. NW.

In addition to regular recyclables, the following items will be accepted at no charge: antifreeze (no oil mixed in); batteries (lead acid and rechargeable); bicycles (any condition; they're repaired and given away); scrap metal (metal only); usable household items (no junk or items needing repair); used eyeglasses (collected for an ongoing Andover Lions project).

Items for which a fee will be charged include: appliances, carpeting, car seats, electronics and tires.

Fees also will be charged for fluorescent lamps, although Andover residents, but not businesses, may recycle up to five per household for free. Don't tape them together because they may break.

No garbage or household hazardous wastes will be accepted. For further information, call 763-767-5175.

...And so is Anoka'sAnoka's spring drop-off recycling day will take place from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at the city's Public Works Facility, 501 Pierce St.

Among the items accepted free will be refrigerators and freezers (no gas units); bicycles (any condition); cardboard and single-sort materials; ink cartridges, eyeglasses, hearing aids, cellphones; paper shreddings; scrap metal (all non-metal parts and fluids must be removed); lead-acid auto batteries; household goods and clothing in good and salable condition (bedding, books, clothing, kitchen items, small appliances and the like); computer speakers (pairs), keyboards, home phones; computer towers; notebook computers; wires, cords and cables.

In addition, up to 30 fluorescent lamps per vehicle will be accepted free; a charge of 50 cents each will apply thereafter. Fees will be charged for appliances, carpeting, TVs and computer monitors; mattresses, box springs, futon cushions and sleeper sofas; and tires. For more information, call 763-576-2725 by noon Friday.

ANOKA COUNTY

Clothing exhibit opens at History CenterA new exhibit -- "Clothing the County: Fashion for Every Occasion" -- will open at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Anoka County History Center and Library, 2135 3rd Av. N. in Anoka.

The exhibit will look at the history of fashion and will feature dresses, gowns, uniforms and more. On opening night, models dressed in period clothing will discuss women's fashion in earlier times.

The center is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission will be free on opening night, as well as on the first Tuesday of every month. Admission on other occasions is $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-17. Reduced prices also are available for groups of 15 or more.

For more information, call 763-421-0600 or go to www. ac-hs.org.

COON RAPIDS

Bauer memorial race will be run May 5Registration is open for the Randy Bauer Memorial 5K Run/Walk, held in memory of the Crossroads Alternative High School science teacher who died of cancer in 2007. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to fund cancer research and provide science-related experiences for students at Crossroads.

The run will follow a loop from the school and through Coon Rapids Regional Dam Park. Registration is $25 until May 3, and $30 on the day of the race. Participation is $15 for current and former Crossroads students. For information or to register, visit www.randybauer5k.org.

NORTH METRO

QCTV to do webcasts of area sports gamesQCTV community television is planning to show live webcasts of ballgames this spring involving prep teams from Anoka, Andover, Champlin and Ramsey.

The schedule for the coming week includes Wayzata at Champlin Park softball today; Coon Rapids at Anoka baseball on Thursday; and Andover at Champlin Park baseball on Monday. All of the games start at 4:15 p.m., and the webcasts 10 minutes before that. The games also will be shown by tape delay on QCTV Channel 15.

For more information on scheduled programs, go to www.qctv.org/sports.

OSSEO

American Indian culture gets spotlightThe 17th annual American Indian Education Day and Wacipi will take place Saturday from 1-6 p.m. at Osseo Junior High School, 10223 93rd Av. N. The event is free.

Artisan exhibits, demonstrations, dance and more will give attendees a chance to explore Indian culture and heritage. A traveling exhibit, new to the event, will be on display: "Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations."

For more information, call Ramona Stately at 763-391-7093.

ROBBINSDALE SCHOOLS

2 teams from district reach DI global roundDestination Imagination teams from Neill Elementary School in Crystal and Plymouth Middle School won their categories at the recent state competition and will advance to next month's Global Competition in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Plymouth Middle School team, the Pink Ladies, is coached by Heidi and Todd Roston and includes Mia Hanson, Alyssa Egstad, Ciarra Fagerlie, Kelly Mikkelson, Leah Baker, Julia Roston and Alexa Johnson.

At Neill Elementary, Ken Strand coaches the Ostriches' team of Ali Roston, Natalia Kohn, Amya Enna, Abby Sobol, Henry Hubred, Simon Hanson and Ben Egstad.

The teams are planning fundraisers to help pay for the trips. Destination Imagination is an extracurricular activity in which students team up to try to solve challenges and present their solutions at tournaments.

HENNEPIN COUNTY

Medicine collection nets 540 lbs. of drugsAbout 540 pounds of unwanted medicines collected by Hennepin County were shipped to an incinerator outside the metro area for disposal last week, officials said.

They were collected through a drop-off program started last month by the county Sheriff's Office and Environmental Services Department. The program allows residents to get rid of medicines free of charge without flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, where they can pollute water and harm wildlife.

Accepted medicines are prescription drugs, including controlled substances, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, and pet medicines. No needles, syringes or liquids are accepted, nor will medicines from businesses be accepted.

Medicines can be left in green drop boxes in the lobbies at three Sheriff's Office locations: at the Public Safety facility at 401 4th Av. S. in Minneapolis (anytime of the day or week); at sheriff's patrol headquarters at 9401 83rd Av. N. in Brooklyn Park (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday); and at the sheriff's water patrol, 4141 Shoreline Drive in Spring Park (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday).

No ID is required. Medicines should be in the original container or package, or short of that, in a clear plastic bag.

Property tax auctions planned by countyPublic auctions for tax-forfeited vacant lots and buildings will be held Friday and May 4 in the A Level Auditorium of the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. 6th St. in downtown Minneapolis.

Open houses on many properties are going on through today. More information is available at www.hennepin.us/tflauctions.

STAFF REPORTS