North news briefs: Maple syrup session on tap at Lino Lakes nature center

The Anoka County Parks system is hosting a maple syrup celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes.

Participants will learn about gathering maple sap and the cooking process to make syrup and sugar.

Preregistration is required. The cost is $4 a person. Register online at www.anokacountyparks.com or call 651-429-8007.

Anoka County offers an online "Budget Explorer" that allows users to look at the annual budget in detail. It includes a breakdown of funds by program, for example, as well as how the dollars have been allocated year-by-year.

You can use the Explorer by going to http://budget.anokacountymn.gov/ .

Outside consultants are now reviewing 46 applicants for the Fridley city manager position and will narrow the list to as many as eight finalists later this month.

The City Council is expected to certify that list in late March or April and make those names public. The city hopes to start interviews in April.

Fridley's longtime city manager, William Burns, retired in February after 24 years of service.

The city once again is offering community garden plots for vegetable or flower gardens. The plots are 15 feet by 20 feet and are in Locke Park.

Returning gardeners who live in Fridley have until March 15 to reserve the plot they had last year. New gardeners who live in the city or returning resident gardeners who would like a change of plot may begin registering March 18. Returning gardeners who do not reside in Fridley may rent plots beginning March 25, and new non-resident gardeners may begin renting plots beginning April 1.

Cost for a 15-by-20-foot plot is $28 for residents ($22 if over 55) and $45 for non-residents.

In an effort to reduce crime, illegal drugs and nuisance activities in rental communities, Anoka police will host a training session this month for landlords and property managers.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will host an open house early next month to discuss the 2014 Hwy. 65 resurfacing and safety improvement project.

The event is scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on April 9 at the Fridley Community Center, 6085 7th St. NE. The resurfacing project will affect the roadway in Spring Lake Park and Fridley.

Brooklyn Center is accepting applications for seats on its housing and planning advisory commissions. There is also a vacancy on the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council advisory commission.

The mayor, with the council's consent, appoints residents to those commissions. The city also has an opening on its charter commission, which is filled by court appointment. For more information, contact Brooklyn Center City Clerk Sharon Knutson at 763-569-3306.

Three teams from Robbinsdale Area Schools have qualified for the state Destination Imagination tournament next month. They are: the Ostriches, from Neill Elementary in Crystal; Dangerous Pie, from Lake view Elementary in Robbinsdale; and the Pink Ladies, from Plymouth Middle School.

Destination Imagination is a national program in which teams of students solve problems and present the solutions at tournaments.

The North Metro regional tournament is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, at Blaine High School.

The state tournament will be held April 23 at Champlin Park High School in Brooklyn Park, and the "global finals" are scheduled for May 22-25 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Registration is underway for spring classes at Camden Music School in Minneapolis. Spring term will run from April 8 through June 15.

Vocal and instrumental lessons are available for people of all ages. Spring scholarship applications are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 28.

The North Suburban Home Improvement Show is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, at the Andover YMCA Community Center fieldhouse.

The show is sponsored by the cities of Andover, Anoka and Coon Rapids, which expect more than 100 exhibitors who deal with such topics as construction, decorating, electrical and mechanical work, financing and landscaping. Local mayors and city staff also will be there.

There will be a chance to talk with city building officials about home improvement projects. Demonstration sessions, door prizes and a kids' workshop will be offered.

The show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 15200 Hanson Blvd.