North news briefs: Coon Rapids Dam walkway is reopening

The walkway at the Coon Rapids Dam is scheduled to reopen at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, after being closed since 2013 while major work was done on the dam.

The walkway crosses the Mississippi River and connects the Anoka County side of Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park (in Coon Rapids) with the Hennepin County side (in Brooklyn Park).

An event marking the reopening will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Hennepin County side of the park, 10360 W. River Road, Brooklyn Park. Three Rivers Park District, which operates that area, will give out free ice cream (while supplies last) to visitors who cross the walkway and take part in a brief survey on the future of the park.

Three Rivers and the city of Brooklyn Park are developing a joint master plan for the regional park and the Brooklyn Park Environmental Nature Area. Three Rivers says the long-term plan will look at such things as recreational amenities, natural and cultural resource protection, and the costs involved.

Here's a look at some of the coming week's municipal music offerings in the north metro:

Ramsey: Two Hicks and a Chick perform Thursday at The Draw weekly event series in Ramsey. 6:30-8 p.m., 7401 E. Ramsey Pkwy.

Anoka: The North Suburban Concert Band plays from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at George Green Park in Anoka. 1498 Sixth Av.

Blaine: Tim Patrick and His Blue Eyes Band perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Town Square Park in Blaine. 10802 Town Square Drive NE. It's the week's Performance in the Park.

The annual Anoka Heritage Home and Garden Tour is coming up on Sunday, July 12, from 1 to 5 p.m. This year's tour will feature the Dunham Oaks Neighborhood just north of the Anoka County Fairgrounds on the Rum River. The tour is presented by the Anoka Heritage Preservation Commission and the Anoka County Historical Society.

Tickets are $12 in advance and can be bought by phone at 763-421-0600 or online (through 4 p.m. July 11) at http://tinyurl.com/nqmldj2.

"Learn Together," a series at the Brooklyn Park library for parents and kids entering grades K-3, will focus on the jungle at the session next Wednesday, July 8. Kids will have a chance to design a jungle and creatures using craft materials provided by the library. The event is free, but registration is required. Go to https://apps.hclib.org/events/register.cfm?SessionNo=32935

An award-winning yo-yo artist will bring his skills to the Centennial Branch of the Anoka County Library system next Wednesday, July 8. Britton Pankratz will perform from 2 to 2:45 p.m. in the meeting room of the library, 100 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines. Admission is free, but seating is limited.

Later in July, a pair of concerts will be given at the Capri during the 10th anniversary FLOW Northwise Arts Crawl. At 7 p.m. Friday, July 23, the Capri Adult Choir will perform under the direction of J.D. Steele. At 7 p.m. Saturday, July 24, the Capri Big Band will play, directed by Faye Washington. Admission to both concerts is free.

For further information, go to www.thecapritheater.org

Gideon, a New Hope Police Department K-9, will receive a protective vest from a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that provides law-enforcement agencies with body armor for their canine officers. Gideon and Officer Andy Lamers have been on duty together since 2007, and Gideon's current vest is past its usable life span, the department said.

New Hope learned it will get the $950 vest from the nonprofit Vested Interest thanks to a donation from the New Hope Lions. Vested Interest, founded in 2009, has provided vests for more than 1,450 police dogs across the country, including a number in Minnesota.

The Ramsey Lions Club is sponsoring a two-part, eight-hour 55+ Driver Improvement Program on July 20-21. It will take place from 5:30-9:30 p.m. each day at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Dr. NW, Ramsey. To register, call St. Cloud State University at 1-888-234-1294.