North news briefs: Blaine soccer game will benefit food shelf

The SACA Food Shelf will receive $5 for each ticket bought online, using the promo code SACA, for this Saturday's soccer game between Minnesota United and FC Edmonton. The link to buy tickets is www.mnunitedfc.com/tickets. Tickets are $15. The Aug. 9 game begins at 7 p.m. at the National Sports Center, 1700 105th Av. NE., Blaine. SACA — Southern Anoka Community Assistance — says it will be getting together between 4 and 4:30 p.m. for tailgating.

Blaine Police K-9 Gunner, who with his handler, Officer Greg Rowe, responded to more than 700 calls, has retired. The German shepherd was imported from Slovakia, and put in 6½ years of service. He retires at age 8 and will remain with his handler. The City Council recognized his service on July 10.

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. It will feature a live and silent auction, games, drawings and door prizes.

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 more information or to buy tickets, call Tim Tordoff at 605-670-8360.

The Washington County Board has approved changes to the Broadway Avenue "mega project" in Forest Lake, bringing the total project cost to $18.9 million.

The project rebuilt Broadway Avenue, or County Road 2, through Forest Lake, and included a new bridge over Interstate 35E, a County Road 83 overpass and a "backage" road on the north side of the new road to serve area businesses. It also included biking and walking bridges in downtown Forest Lake to carry Hardwood Creek Regional Trail users.

Money for the project came from the federal government, county bond sale proceeds and the city of Forest Lake.

The family movie "Despicable Me 2" will be shown at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd., Coon Rapids. The screening is free. Family activities, including face painting, balloon art and bouncy houses, will precede the movie starting at 6:30 p.m. Fees will apply. The event is sponsored by the city of Coon Rapids and the Coon Rapids Community Strength Foundation.

Attendees are encouraged to help "Fill the Bus" by bringing school supplies that will benefit students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District.

A Golden Valley car dealership will host a free show on Aug. 16 featuring classic British cars.

Participants can drive their classic British car or see the vintage cars. Includes a live band, free food, rides in classic cars, a period dress-up, photos with the cars and a raffle.

The Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Generation Acres development project in Hugo was approved for county funding recently. Habitat for Humanity will buy nine townhouse lots where Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity CHDO, Inc., will build nine townhouses for households with income at or below 80 percent of area median income. Money will come from the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment programs.

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE., Minneapolis. This session will be an open discussion forum. Wives, family and friends are welcome. There is no charge, parking is free, and light refreshments will be served. For further information, call 612-388-3588.

Three more performances of the musical "Into the Woods" will be presented on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the New Hope Outdoor Theater, 4401 Xylon Av. N. Show time is 8 p.m. each day, and a free will donation of $4 per person is suggested.

Seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to arrive early. For further information, go to www.obmt.org