North news briefs: Grand opening set for athletic complex in Blaine

A variety of activities will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 18 to mark the grand opening of the $7 million Lexington Athletic Complex in northeast Blaine. The 38-acre site is at 4286 121st Av. NE., near the corner of Lexington Avenue and Woodland Parkway.

The evening will give visitors a chance to tour the complex, which includes baseball fields, multipurpose athletic fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, a park building, lighted trails and more. In addition to a ribbon-cutting, there will be chances to participate in the various activities, and free burgers and brats will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

Work on the complex began last summer. It will be open for business starting with the grand opening, but the city wants grass fields to continue to take shape during the fall, and organized athletic activities on them won't be offered until next spring.

As part of the yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary as a city, Blaine will hold a Back to the '60s party on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Aquatore Park. The event will take place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will feature games, other activities and music by the Rockin' Hollywoods.

There will also be a pig roast from 5:30 to 7:30, which requires advance purchase of a $5 ticket. Tickets can be bought at the Blaine Senior Center (9150 Central Av. NE.) or City Hall (10801 Town Square Drive)

"Kayaking: The Next Level" — a second-level but still introductory class designed for people with some previous paddling experience — will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 15 at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, 9750 Egret Blvd., Coon Rapids. Among the skills covered will be wet exits and entries, draw and sweep strokes, bracing and more. Participants can bring their own kayak, or one will be provided.

Preregistration is required, you've got to be at least 15 years old, and the fee is $25 plus tax. To register, go to anokacountyparks.com or call the Wargo Nature Center at 651-429-8007.

Car seat inspections are offered by numerous operations around the state, including Safe Kids Anoka County (Safekidsanoka.org). You can check buckleupkids.mn.gov

An Elk River resident is the winner of one of 10 honors given nationally by the National Recreation and Park Association. Dave Anderson has earned the Robert M. Artz Citizen Advocacy award, which recognizes a citizen, elected or appointed official, or volunteer "who has made outstanding efforts to forward public parks and recreation through education and activating the public in their community, state or at the national level."

Anderson has served on Elk River's Parks and Recreation Commission since 1987. The city says he has played an instrumental role in helping its parks system grow to 44 parks with more 1,300 acres of park and conservation land. He volunteers nearly 1,000 hours a year, the city said, and leads a volunteer network that has built play fields and maintained trails, prairie and woodlands.

He will be honored at the NRPA annual conference in Las Vegas next month.

The NRPA is a nonprofit based in Ashburn, Va., that says its mission is "to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people." Robert M. Artz was an NRPA official who also held several other parks positions, including executive director of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. He died in a plane crash in 1979.

Officer Silvera served the city of Lino Lakes for eight years before he was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 6, 2005, leaving behind his wife, Jennifer, and two young children. The race has been held in other locations in past years.

Activities will begin at 8 a.m. with a 5K run, a children's 50-yard Daisy Dash and a Splash and Dash Swim Event at the YMCA. The 5K course is certified and the race is chip-timed.

All who work in public safety are invited to participate in the Public Safety Challenge, a team competition incorporated into the 5K run. This event has generated friendly competition between departments throughout the metro.The reigning champion is the team from the New Brighton Department of Public Safety.

Throughout the morning, children and families can enjoy musical entertainment, bouncy-house mazes, face painting, crafts and YMCA demo classes such as "Little Lotus Yoga." Donated items will be featured in a silent auction and raffle drawing.

Proceeds will benefit the Centennial School Scholarship Fund, the Police Explorers scholarship fund and MN C.O.P.S. Go to www.shawnsilvera.org for additional information and to register.

Camp Capri students are junior-high age and learned a variety of arts during the five-week summer program. Thursday's performance is directed by Greta Oglesby, who said in a release: "From hip-hop to African drums, to comedy and puppetry, there's something for the whole family to enjoy in this show."

The play is free and open to the public.

For further information, contact James Scott, director of the Capri, at 612-643-2024 or JScott@pcyc-mls.org

The New Hope City Council gave the final signoff for construction of a primary care medical clinic that will be operated by North Memorial. The 14,740-foot clinic, coming along with the arrival of a Hy-Vee supermarket, will be at 8100 42nd Av. N., on the southeast corner of Hy-Vee's site. The city said North Memorial plans to finish construction this fall and open for business in early 2016.

The Hy-Vee grocery store is to open in September. North Memorial will offer medical services inside the Hy-Vee starting this fall, the city said.