North news briefs: Anoka Sheriff's Office hosts blood drive Thursday

The Anoka County Sheriff's Office in Andover will hold a blood drive from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. The event is part of the Memorial Blood Centers' "Battle of the Badges," which challenges law enforcement and fire agencies across the metro area to encourage people to donate blood.

To schedule a donation, go to www.mbc.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code 3820, or contact Kelly Haigh at 763-323-5020 or Kelly.Haigh@Co.Anoka.Mn.us

Carwashes this weekend and next will raise money for a prospective summer youth employment initiative in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center.

The Brooklyn Bridge Alliance is teaming up with Minneapolis-based Youthprise to create programs aimed at increasing high school graduation rates, decreasing youth crime and improving pathways to college and careers for young people in the two Brooklyns.

Youthprise has set up the Brooklyns Campaign for Youth with the summer jobs initiative as a major objective. Youthprise says it will match donations received, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.

Fundraising carwashes will be held

• From 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16, and from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17, at Zanewood Recreation Center, 7000 Zane Av. N., Brooklyn Park; and

For further information, call Rebecca Gilegen or Kelsey Schuster at the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth at 763-398-0785.

Residents have until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, to nominate a neighbor or neighbors for a city RAVE! Award, which recognizes "the efforts of New Hope residents who put a lot of time and energy into maintaining or improving their homes to make them special." Awards are presented in a number of categories, including: landscaping, gardens, general property maintenance and improvements; remodel, ­renovation or addition; and environmentally sensitive improvements (e.g., rain garden, green building).

Any residential property can be nominated, including owner-occupied or rental single-family homes or multifamily dwellings, and any New Hope resident can submit a nomination or nominations. You can nominate yourself.

RAVE! honorees receive an engraved garden stone or plaque, have their name and address engraved on a plaque at City Hall, and are recognized at a City Council ­meeting and in the In Touch city newsletter.

For more information or to get a nomination form, go to www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/rave or call 763-531-5114.

New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Golden Valley and St. Louis Park are teaming up to offer a flag football league for kids in grades 3 and 4. It will run from Aug. 21 to Oct. 12, with players practicing Thursdays at 6 p.m. and playing on Sundays. The fee is $73 per player for residents of New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Golden Valley and St. Louis Park and $80 for nonresidents. For further information or to register, call 763-531-5151.

The Twin Cities Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will host its annual Habitat Banquet on Aug. 20 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center, 6155 Earle Brown Dr., Brooklyn Center. Proceeds will be used to enhance habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife.

The event will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 7. Individual membership and dinner tickets are $85. There is also a membership and spouse package for $135 that includes two dinners, as well as a junior membership and dinner ticket for $45 (17 and under). For information or to buy tickets, call Tim Tordoff at 605-670-8360.

Staff Reports