North news briefs: U prostate cancer support group will meet Jan. 8

The University of Minnesota prostate cancer support group will meet from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Hope Lodge, 2500 University Av. SE, Minneapolis. The session will feature an open discussion among those attending. Dr. Sean McAdams, a University of Minnesota urology resident, will attend for clinical insights and questions. Wives, family and friends are welcome. There is no charge, parking is free, and light refreshments will be served. For further information, call 612-388-3588.

The Andover/Ramsey Moms Club will host a Preschool Fair on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Andover Community Center. The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and offers a chance to learn about various preschools throughout Anoka County. It will also include prizes, food and activities.

The fair is free, but attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the ACBC Food Shelf. For each food item you bring, you'll be entered into a drawing for gift certificates.

The Community Center is located at 15200 Hanson Blvd. NW., Andover. For further information, e-mail Susan Wintz at swintz762@hotmail.com.

Anoka will hold its second annual Winterfest celebration on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Green Haven Golf Course and Event Center. Activities will include a fine arts show, live music, kids movies, a cross-country ski race, sledding, bonfires and more.

Artists interested in having a booth can apply by Jan. 10. Registration forms can be found at www.ci.anoka.mn.us, and further information is available at 763-576-2725.

The board of directors of the Brooklyn Park Development Corporation (BPDC) has two openings, one for a resident representative and the other for a banker representative.

Members of the board are volunteers appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. The board meets on an "as needed" basis throughout the year, typically about six times. The meetings are held at 7:30 a.m. and last one to two hours.

An application is available at www.brooklynpark.org/businessforward or by calling 763-493-8145. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 16 and should be sent to: Alisha Gray, Brooklyn Park City Hall, 5200 85th Av. N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. She can be reached for questions at 763-493-8145 or Alisha.Gray@brooklynpark.org.

Sharon "the Birdchick" Stiteler will be the featured speaker at the Springbrook Nature Center's Discovery Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 10. The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the center, 100 85th Av. NW., Fridley.

Stiteler will share stories from some of her birding ventures, in places ranging from a cornfield in Minnesota to a volcano in Guatemala.

The Discovery Dinner series pairs educational programs with catered meals. Tickets are $25, or $22.50 each when more than one are being bought.

"First Show," an exhibit featuring works by six artists, is on display through Jan. 31 at the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, 6666 E. River Rd., Fridley.

The artists are all first-place or best-in-show winners from the 2013 Banfill-Locke Member Exhibition. The name of the show also marks the start of the new year of shows.

They are Cynthia Waltho, Bob Astrup, Sylvia Carsen, Elna Goodspeed, Layl McDill and Scott Spinks.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and admission is free.

Hennepin County has extended the public comment period on its pedestrian accessibility plan through Jan. 16.

The county said it has made significant efforts to improve pedestrian accessibility along sidewalks and at intersections. Accessible pedestrian signals have been installed at some sites, and pedestrian ramps that were difficult for disabled people to navigate have been rebuilt. The county also replaced more than 250 pedestrian ramps in 2014.

After the comment period ends, a revised plan will be presented to the County Board.

The plan can be viewed online at www.hennepin.us/adaplan, and paper copies are available at all 41 Hennepin County libraries, the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis, and at the county's public works facility in Medina. Comments also can be e-mailed to adaplan@hennepin.us or by mail to Jason Pieper, 1600 Prairie Dr., Medina.

Coon Rapids will launch its annual winter concert series on Thursday, Jan. 8, with the country group Gravel Roads. The performance is set for 7 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr. NW. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $5 for children. Dessert and coffee are included.

The other concerts will feature Straighten Up and Fly Right on Feb. 12, Locklin Road on March 19, and Holy Rocka Rollaz on April 9.

Starting this year, all dogs must be licensed with the city every year. In the past, licenses were valid for two years.

Proof of rabies vaccination and a $10 fee is required. There's no fee for certified service dogs.

Licenses are available at City Hall between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For further information, call the City Clerk's office at 763-767-6432.

A meeting Jan. 11 will discuss the next steps in a planned co-op in Robbinsdale.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Robbinsdale United Church of Christ, 4200 Lake Rd., Robbinsdale.

A group of residents and city leaders have been discussing a co-op, trying to get the business licensed, establish members and raise funds. The Jan. 11 meeting will include updates on fundraising and incorporating a co-op into Robbinsdale.

Organizers hope the co-op will eventually open in the city and draw members from places like Brooklyn Park and Crystal. For more information, go to robbinsdalefoodcoop.org or facebook.com/BirdtownFood.

Staff reports