North news briefs: Home and garden show is Feb. 28

The annual Mayors Trail Ride that had been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, has been canceled because of a lack of snow. The event, a snowmobile trek with the mayors of several north metro cities, had already been postponed once this year, also because of conditions. The event is a fundraiser for the Andover Anoka Ramsey Youth First organization and other nonprofits decided by each mayor.

Cars for Neighbors, an Anoka County nonprofit, will hold its annual fundraiser, "The Taste," on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the National Sports Center in Blaine. It will run from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and feature food from more than 30 restaurants, as well as entertainment by Crooner, Gary LaRue and "The Chef."

Cars for Neighbors aims to help people become economically self-sufficient by providing donated cars and car repair to families to help them get to work and do other day-to-day activities. It has given away more than 900 vehicles.

Tickets for the Taste are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. For more information, call 763-717-7755 or go to carsforneighbors.org.

The Sports Center is at 1740 105th Av., Blaine.

Students ages 6 through 18 are invited to enter the contest to design the 2015 Tater Daze button. The theme for this year's city festival is "Brooklyn Park — Unique, United, Undiscovered," and artists are encouraged to keep the theme in mind when designing their entry.

Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 28. Other rules:

• Art designs can be done in any media, but must be submitted on white paper

• Designs must be original and created between December 2014 and Feb. 28

• The use of color is encouraged

• Designs should be drawn on a form available online (www.brooklynpark.org) or on an 8½-x-11-inch sheet of white paper

• Entries can be dropped off at City Hall or mailed to: City of Brooklyn Park, Attn.: Tater Daze, 5200 85th Av. N., Brooklyn Park MN 55443.

The 17th Annual North Metro Community Home and Garden Show will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The show, which is free, will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the NSC's Sport Expo Center, 1740 105th Av. NE. It's sponsored by the cities of Blaine, Fridley and Mounds View.

A variety of exhibitors will be on hand, and seminars and other activities are scheduled. Staff members from the sponsor cities also will be present to answer questions about housing, development and city planning.

Coon Rapids is recruiting candidates for its 2015-17 Paid-on-Call Firefighter Eligibility Roster and will hold an informational event on March 11.

Paid on-call positions do not require training or experience. Candidates who are hired will be trained through the Anoka County Fire Training Academy.

A candidate cannot be a city employee or an active member of another fire department. In addition, candidates must live within a 10-minute response time of fire stations, have a valid driver's license and good driving record. The salary is $12 per hour.

Here are some other dates and events noted by the city:

• Saturday, April 11. A multiple-choice written exam will be given at 9 a.m. at Coon Rapids Middle School.

• Monday, April 27. Candidates who move forward beyond the exam will be required to meet physical agility standards, and a practice agility test is scheduled on this date from 5 to 7 p.m. The actual test will take place Monday, May 11, from 5 to 7 p.m.

• An interview with the Civil Service Commission will be held, at a date to be determined.

Those interested in a position must submit an application by 4:30 p.m. March 20. Go to www.coonrapidsmn.gov/employment/jobs.htm or call 763-767-6486.

Experienced teaching artists will engage students in activities designed to spark their interests and help them discover talents they have in dance, theater, music, the spoken word, visual arts and other areas.

The program is open to students in grades 5-8. To register, go to www.thecapritheater.org. For further information, contact Camp Capri Company Manager Kiana Batteau at kbatteau@pcyc-mpls.org or Capri Theater interim director James Scott at jscott@pcyc-mpls.org, 612-643-2024.

An annual Vehicle Fair sponsored by New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley and Robbinsdale is scheduled for May 16, and the planning committee is seeking new entries for the event.

Presenters can specify whether their vehicle is for display only, or if visitors can sit inside. For more information, contact Sarah Hansen at shansen@ci.new-hope.mn.us or 763-531-5153 by April 1.

"Techniques for Successful Dementia Care," a workshop on memory loss and demntia, will be presented on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut S., Monticello.

The cost is $5 (includes a snack). To register, call Faith in Action at 763-263-4277, or go in person to the Monticello Community Center or email info@gra-fia.com. Free on-site respite care is available by reservation.

Several students at Cooper High School have received statewide honors in choir. Sophomores Nathan Ausk, Andrew Geller and Hannah Toutge, and freshmen Hannah Ruple and Maggie Seaton were selected to sing with the 2015 America Choral Directors Association's Ninth and Tenth Grade Honor Choir. Seniors Sally Baker, Shelby Mielke, Eva Nisswandt and Graham Remple are members of this year's Minnesota Music Educators Association All-State Choir.

Both groups performed over the weekend at the MMEA Mid-Winter Classic in Minneapolis.

Two seniors from Cooper High School and two from Armstrong have been nominated for the Minnesota State High School League's "Triple A" awards. The awards recognize achievement in academics, arts and athletics.

The nominees are Aliza Beverage and Corey Loken of Cooper and Matthew Holten and Kelsey Sather of Armstrong.

MSHSL officials will announce the recipients at a ceremony this spring.

STAFF REPORTS