North town briefs

Free tax assistance Free assistance with tax forms is being offered in Anoka County for seniors, disabled adults, and people from low- to moderate-income households through April 15.

The service is provided by Anoka County RSVP and AARP volunteers who have received training and certification by the Internal Revenue Service and the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

The service is offered at:

• Anoka Senior Center, 1500 6th Av. S., Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Blaine Human Services Center, 1201 89th Av. NE., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Columbia Heights Senior Center, 530 Mill St., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Coon Rapids Senior Center, 11155 Robinson Drive, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon

• Fridley Community Center, 6085 7th St. NE., Wednesdays, 9 to noon

• Ham Lake Senior Center, 15444 Central Av. NE., Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Spring Lake Park Community Center, 1301 81st Av. NE, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon

Those looking for assistance should bring all records and forms received to prepare this year's taxes. For more information, call 763-422-6923.

Share thoughts on county health issues Residents have until mid-March to pass on their thoughts about the most pressing health issues in the county. To take the survey, go online to www.AnokaCounty.us/ches, or call 763-422-7192.

The responses, combined with census data and other information, will be used to develop a five-year plan for the Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services Department.

"This survey helps us identify and better understand the health needs of our residents," Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah, chairwoman of the county's human services committee, said in a news release. "The data collected helps agencies strategize how to meet the changing needs of the community."

Series offers tips for living greener Curious about rain barrels? Want to cut down on the harsh chemicals used in your home?

Then you want to attend the next two Living Greener workshops sponsored by the city of Shoreview's Environmental Quality Committee.

A speaker from Preventing Harm Minnesota will talk about how to reduce chemical exposure from household cleaners, personal care products and foods at the "Low Chemical Living" workshop. That session will be held at 7 p.m. today at City Hall, 4600 Victoria St. N. in Shoreview.

While the "Low Chemical Living" session is free, there is a $50 fee for the rain barrel building workshop to cover the cost of materials used. Space is limited for that one. Call 651-490-4650 to reserve a spot.

Learn to shore up your shoreline A pair of conservationists will share tips at a special workshop next week on how to landscape around lake shorelines to stop erosion.

The "lakescaping" workshop will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Ramsey County Public Works Building, 1425 Paul Kirkwold Drive in Arden Hills. It's sponsored by the Ramsey County Conservation District.

Conservation specialists Shawn Tracy and Ryan Johnson will share examples of restored shorelines and explain how landscaping with native plants prevents erosion, deters geese and attracts desirable wildlife.

The session is free but pre-registration is a must. To pre-register, contact Ann Heyer at 651-266-7271 or ann.heyer@co.ramsey.mn.us

Hosted by the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, the expo will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the center, located at Hwy. 10 and Edgewood Drive in Mounds View.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The event offers 88 booths, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The chamber is charging $100 for member businesses to register for a booth; the cost is $150 for nonmembers. Chamber officials say a discount on the registration fee will be provided for local restaurants and caterers who provide an appetizer. They're hoping to have 250 people at the expo.

To register for a booth, contact the chamber at 763-571-9781 or melissa@twincities north.org. To register by mail, send completed registration form and check to: 5394 Edgewood Drive, Suite 100, Mounds View, MN 55112. Registration forms may be downloaded off the chamber's website: www. twincitiesnorth.org.