North news briefs: Anoka Winterfest is coming Jan. 31

Anoka will hold its second annual Winterfest celebration on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Green Haven Golf Course and Event center. Indoor and outdoor activities are planned, including a fine arts show, live music, kids movies, a cross-country ski race, sledding, bonfires and more.

Artists interested in having a booth can apply by Jan. 10. Registration forms can be found at www.ci.anoka.mn.us, and further information is available at 763-576-2725.

Anoka County is accepting nominations through Jan. 30 for its 2015 Public Health Recognition Awards. The awards recognize individuals and groups who, in the county's words, "devote their time, energy and talent to improving public health in the community."

There are two categories:

• Youth-focused: recognizing an individual who is 18 years old or younger at the time of nomination, or an organization that is led by youth.

• Adult: given to an individual who is 18 or older at the time of nomination, or to a group.

The selection committee looks for nominees who "demonstrate leadership and success in creating solutions to public health problems."

Sharon "the Birdchick" Stiteler will be the featured speaker at Springbrook Nature Center's next Discovery Dinner. The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at the center, 100 85th Av. NW., Fridley.

Stiteler will share humorous stories from some of her birding ventures, in places ranging from a cornfield in Minnesota to a volcano in Guatemala.

The Discovery Dinner series pairs educational programs with catered meals. Tickets for the event are $25, or $22.50 each when more than one are being bought.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 763-572-3588.

Coon Rapids will launch its annual winter concert series on Thursday, Jan. 8, with the country group Gravel Roads. The performance is set for 7 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr. NW. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $5 for children. Dessert and coffee are included.

For more information visit www.coonrapidsmn.gov.

Health and fitness exhibitors will be on hand for this month's 10th annual Health and Fitness Expo at the New Brighton Community Center. The event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Admission is free, and free access to the fitness center will offered that day for people age 18 and over. More than 40 vendors will be present. Activities for kids, door prizes and mini-seminars also will be featured.

The community center is located at 400 10th St. NW., New Brigthon. For further information, go to www.ci.new-brighton.mn.us or call guest services at 651-638-2130.

New Hope Parks and Recreation is offering a baby-sitters training course for 11- to 15-year-olds Friday, Jan. 2. The course, developed by the Red Cross, includes activities, videos, role-playing and discussions.

An Adult CPR/AED class and a separate Pediatric CPR/AED class will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, at New Hope City Hall. The first class, teaching skills for responding to emergencies affecting people ages 12 and over, will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The second, for treating victims from infants to age 12, will go from 1 to 4:30 p.m. To register or get more information, call 763-531-5151.

A meeting Jan. 11 will discuss the next steps in a planned co-op in Robbinsdale.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Robbinsdale United Church of Christ, 4200 Lake Rd., Robbinsdale.

It will give an update on the efforts to start a co-op in the northwest suburb since the city's only grocery store, a Rainbow Foods, closed in 2013.

A group of residents and city leaders have been discussing a co-op, trying to get the business licensed, establish members and raise funds. The Jan. 11 meeting will include updates on fundraising and incorporating a co-op into Robbinsdale.