North news briefs: 'Try Hockey for Free Day' is coming Nov. 8

Boys and girls ages 4 to 9 are invited to a free hockey clinic on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Andover Community Center Ice Arena. The event will run from 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. and is being offered by the Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association.

The intent is to let kids experience hockey and learn the basics in a "fun, safe environment." Helmets and gloves are required. Skate rental is available.

To register or get further information, go to www.tryhockeyforfree.com or call Kelly at 651-230-0083.

Try Hockey for Free events will also be offered that day at a number of other places, including Anoka, Brooklyn Park and East Bethel. You can get more information for those events at www.tryhockeyforfree.com

The League of Women Voters ABC (Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids area) will be setting up teams to advocate with cities and residents in the area to protect bees and other pollinators and improve their habitat.

A program at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Andover City Hall's Senior Center will discuss the effort.

The meeting will look at the city of Shorewood's Bee Safe City resolution and identify resources that cities and residents can draw upon to be more pollinator-friendly. A panel will include a Shorewood resident who is a beekeeper and founder of Humming for Bees and representatives from the Anoka Conservation District and the USDA's natural Resource Conservation Service.

The Anoka County Historical Society is offering Ghosts of Anoka walking tours this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which is Halloween, of course. The tours go through downtown Anoka with a costumed guide accompanying participants and last about 1.5 hours. They begin at 7 and 7:30 p.m. at the Anoka County History Center and Library, 2135 Third Av. N., Anoka.

The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for youth, and reservations are required. Call 763-421-0600 or go to anokacountyhistory.org

Officials from several cities, including Ramsey, Bethel, Nowthen and St. Francis, are discussing a shared fire services plan. The plan could mean a joint department or a formalized agreement on sharing resources.

The Ramsey Fire Department already provides full-time service to Nowthen and administrative support to St. Francis.

There are 16 fire departments covering the 21 cities in Anoka County. The Anoka County Fire Protection Council is continuing to develop a joint powers agreement to share resources within the county.

It can be found online at www.ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us and is available through Dec. 31.

Brooklyn Park is planning to introduce a new marketing campaign for the city.

Last year, Brooklyn Park hired the Minneapolis-based Carmichael Lynch Spong agency to create a brand identity so businesses and potential residents would not misperceive the city as having too much crime or offering nothing distinctive. The PR agency's proposed theme, "Unique. United. Undiscovered." would help change these perceptions.

The theme would replace the city's current slogan of a "thriving community inspiring pride where opportunities exist for all." The company came up with several ideas, including changing the logo on water towers and walls in city offices.

The new marketing campaign's budget and release date have not been determined.

Tekiela will talk about a variety of birds, including some that "people love to hate" and common ones found in the yard. Starlings and crows will be among the subjects.

The event runs from 5:30-8 p.m. and the cost is $25, including dinner, or $22.50 each for multiple tickets. Call the Nature Center at 763-572-3588.

The nature center is located at 100 85th Av. NW., Fridley.

A karate class for adults will begin on Monday, Nov. 17, and be held most ensuing Mondays through Jan. 26 at Spring Lake Park High School. The class will teach basic karate moves, defense techniques and forms and is open to adults and teens. Lessons will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the KH Community Room; there will no sessions on Dec. 1, Dec. 22, Dec. 29 and Jan. 19.

The fee is $37, and participants are asked to register by the class start date. For more information, call 763-427-0208

The fee is $42. For more information, call 763-427-0209.

The New Brighton Parks and Recreation Department is offering a trip to the Target Sports Minnesota indoor gun range in Rogers on Monday, Nov. 3. The trip is for adults and will take place from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., with round-trip van transportation provided from the New Brighton Community Center. The cost is $38 and includes eye and ear protection, targets, rental of a .22-caliber handgun, ammunition and instruction with a staff member. A valid driver's license is needed.

For information or to register, call 651-638-2130 or go to www.newbrightonmn.gov/communitycenter. The community center is located at 400 10th St. NW.