North news briefs: Civil War exhibit opens Thursday in Anoka

A new exhibit presented by the Anoka County Historical Society — "All for the Union: Anoka County Faces the Civil War" — will open at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the Anoka County History Center and Library.

Opening night will be free to the public and will include refreshments. The History Center is located at 2135 3rd Av. N. in Anoka.

Brooklyn Center residents are asked to take part in a study about biking and walking that will be used to help develop a pedestrian and bicycle plan for the city.

Information from residents will help assess current conditions and identify where people walk and bike, as well as safety concerns. The study is intended to identify ways to increase biking and walking.

An online survey is available through July 1 [www.startribune.com/a2258]. The survey also can be completed using a kiosk at City Hall, and hard copies and surveys translated into Hmong and Spanish are available on request.

For further information, contact Steve Lillehaug, city engineer and public works director, at 763-569-3340 or e-mail him at publicworks@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us.

A 5K run and walk will be held Saturday, June 15, in Ramsey, with proceeds going to benefit the Fisher House near the Minneapolis VA Hospital. The Flag Day run/walk, sponsored by the Minnesota chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, will begin at 8 a.m. at the Northwest Metro VA Clinic, 7545 Veterans Dr., Ramsey. Registration is $25 through June 13 or $30 on the day of the event. The Fisher House is a place where patients and family members can stay while a veteran is receiving major medical care at the VA hospital. It is one of 60 in the United States and Germany, offered by a private-public partnership.

For further information on the Fisher House program, go to www.fisher house.org.

Phase II of Coon Rapids' Home for Generations program will be the subject of an open house from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the Coon Rapids Civic Center.

The program encourages large home projects such as building an addition or doing a major remodeling. Home­owners may be able to get grants, rebates and low-interest loans for such projects.

The open house will offer a chance to talk with contractors about cost estimates and with city staff members about how to apply for the program, as well as other information.

The Civic Center is located at 11155 Robinson Drive. For further information, call Kristin at 763-767-6517 or go to www.coonrapidsmn.gov.

The free concerts, starting at 7 p.m., will be on Thursday nights, except July 4, at the park pavilion. The last concert on Aug. 8 will be at Sand Creek Park.

Registration is underway for summer classes at the Camden Music School. Classes are available for people of all ages and abilities. Participants can sign up for a full eight-week term, from June 24-Aug. 15, or one of two four-week terms: June 24-July 18 or July 22-Aug. 15.

Musikharten classes are offered for ages birth to 8. There are individual, team and group instrumental and vocal lessons for people ages 8 and up, and ensembles for all ages.

Camden has two locations: 3751 Sheridan Av. N., Minneapolis (Luther Memorial Lutheran Church); and 1500 6th St. NE (Grace Center for Community Life), Minneapolis.

For information, go to www.camden musicschool.com or call 612-618-0219.