MINNEAPOLIS

MacPhail names teen advisory council

The MacPhail Center for Music has named its new teen advisory council for the 2011-12 school year to help identify and organize music programs for teens and get them involved in all styles of music.

The council has 14 members ages 13-18 from schools all across the Twin Cities.

Members are Carter Roland, Austen Fisher, Dylan Perese, Cyus Safinia, Julia Summers, Jonathan Curoe, Madeline Roen, Carah Faggétt, Amirah Ellison and Shruthi Rajasekar.

SPRING LAKE PARK/BLAINE

Open houses at fire stations

The Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department has two more open houses scheduled the weekend of Oct. 8-9.

Activities will include spraying a fire hose, demonstrations of extracting people from vehicles, fire extinguisher training, home safety information and more.

Safety devices such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and flameless candles also will be available for purchase.

Here's the schedule:

• Saturday, Oct. 8, Station 3, 11920 Ulysses St., Blaine, 1-4 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 9, Station 1, 1710 County Hwy. 10, Spring Lake Park, 1-4 p.m.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

Sock hop is coming to Murzyn Hall

Murzyn Hall will be the site for a 1950s vintage sock hop from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 7. The event is presented by the Anoka County Historical Society and will feature '50s and '60s music by the TC Cats, as well as food, beverages, a silent auction and other activities. Murzyn Hall is located at 530 Mill St. in Columbia Heights.

Tickets are $20 in advance and can be bought at the Anoka County History Center and Library, 2135 3rd Av. N., Anoka. Tickets also will be available at the door for $25.

For more information, go to www.ac-hs.org .

ELK RIVER

Taiko drums open performance series

The taiko drumming of Mu Daiko will open the 2011-12 Performance Series presented by the Elk River-based Arts Alliance. Mu Daiko will take to the Zabee Theater stage at Elk River High School at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8.

Mu Daiko is a 15-year-old Twin Cities ensemble. Taiko drumming was a part of daily life and rituals in early Japanese communities and today is a performance art form that's "loud, strenuous and pulsating with adrenaline," in the Arts Alliance's words.

Elk River High School is located at 900 School St. Tickets for the Mu Daiko performance are $20 for adults, $15 for Arts Alliance members and seniors, and $10 for students. They're available at the Arts Alliance Gallery, 716 Main St., Elk River; at Coborns, 19425 Evans St. NW. in Elk River; or online at www.elkriverart.org. They'll also be available at the door.

HENNEPIN COUNTY

Solar energy seminars underway at libraries

Seminars on solar energy for homes and businesses are being offered at Hennepin County libraries over the next two months, presented by Blue Horizon Energy.

Experts will discuss the technology available and how it can save on costs and provide other benefits.

The next one is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Sumner Library, 611 Van White Memorial Blvd., Minneapolis.

To register for this program or to see others in the county, go to www.hclib.org. And for more on Blue Horizon Energy, go to www.bluehorizonsolar.com.

MINNEAPOLIS

Camden Music School still has openings

Camden Music School in Minneapolis is still taking registrations for fall classes. Tuition will be prorated to students' start date. Classes run through Nov. 19.

The school is open to all ages. Offerings include vocal and instrumental lessons, early childhood music classes for ages newborn to 8 years, ensembles (hand drums, rock 'n' roll, choir) and more.

Classes are offered at two Minneapolis locations: 3751 Sheridan Av. N. and 1500 6th St. NE.

Further information is available at 612-618-0219 or at www.camdenmusicschool.com.

ROBBINSDALE

Cancer support group to meet today

A free prostate cancer support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. today at North Memorial Outpatient Center, 3435 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale.

Dr. Kurt Nisi, radiation oncologist, will discuss current and future radiation treatments and how they might be used with prostate cancer patients.

Refreshments will be served, and wives and friends are welcome. For more information, call 612-388-3588.

STAFF REPORTS