North town briefs

Human rights award nominees sought The Anoka Human Rights Commission has extended until Friday its nomination deadline for its Human Rights Award. The award recognizes the work of a person, group or business "that has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of understanding and cooperation" among people of different backgrounds.

Nominations can be sent in a letter or by nomination form to: Amy Oehlers, City Clerk, 2015 First Av., Anoka 55303. Nomination forms are available from the city clerk at 763-576-2712.

Library group to hold low-price book sale The Friends of the Rockford Road Library in Crystal will hold a used book sale this Saturday. Hundreds of titles will be priced $1 or less. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., a bag sale will offer "all you can carry" for $2. Funds raised will benefit the library, which is at 6401 42nd Av. N. Book donations will also be accepted.

Legislators want input as session gets started Four north-metro DFL legislators will hold a town hall forum from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Brooklyn Park City Council chambers. The legislators are looking for input as the 2008 legislative session begins.

The lawmakers holding the event are: Sen. Linda Scheid, Reps. Melissa Hortman and Mike Nelson, all three of Brooklyn Park, and Rep. Debra Hilstrom of Brooklyn Center.

Police department aims to educate newcomers In an effort to foster cooperation between police and residents who are new immigrants, the city of Brooklyn Park will begin its "New Americans' Academy" this month.

Starting Feb. 20, the six-week program covers topics such as police services, city codes, fraud, child abuse and domestic violence.

Classes meet every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration is free but space is limited. For more information, call community liaison Robin Martinson at 763-493-8125.

Women's history essay contest for teens The deadline is Friday for teens to submit an essay to their library about an influential woman in celebration of Women's History Month. The contest has categories for grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 and includes prizes of $100, $50 and $25 for the top three finishers. Essay entries will be accepted at any suburban Hennepin County Library.

Compiled by staff writers Eric M. Hanson and Paul Levy and Mitch Anderson, a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Star Tribune.