Town briefs

Lions Club plans annual smelt fry The Brooklyn Park Lions Club is planning to order more than 2,100 pounds of smelt for its annual smelt fry in late April. The group bills the annual event as the world's largest smelt fry and says 1,888 people showed up last year. This year -- its 46th -- the Lions are planning for 2,000 people.

Lions Club secretary Andrew Reinhardt said that the smelt fry used to draw heavily on an older crowd but that attendance has risen in recent years, with more younger people coming.

Tickets are $9 to $9.50 or $5 for kids 12 and under. Proceeds go to the Lions, which fund several causes including the youth outreach group Treehouse. The smelt fry is 5-8 p.m. April 23-25 at the National Guard Armory, 5500 85th Av. N, Brooklyn Park.

Mayor says he will run for a fourth term Blaine Mayor Tom Ryan has announced he will seek a fourth term in the fall. He called it a "family decision" and said it comes after looking back on the past four years and deciding he still loves "doing the work."

Ryan, who is retired, served on the City Council for 10 years before being elected mayor in 1996. He said priorities include a community center-senior center expansion and more code enforcement and "property protection" in light of the increase in home foreclosures in Blaine, which were more than 200 last year. He said the city has seen periods of slow growth over the years but "we've never seen a time like this. It's different."

Administrator search nearing a conclusion Arden Hills could have a new city administrator in place by the end of April. The City Council met March 31 to narrow the field of candidates to three: Jim Norman, Melinda Coleman and Ron Moorse.

Norman, formerly the city administrator of Ramsey, is the interim city administrator in Afton. Coleman, formerly the assistant city manager of Maplewood, is currently in the private sector. Moorse, until recently, was the city administrator in Orono.

The listed salary range for the position in 2007 was $85,200 to $106,500. Brull said the salary figure, adjusted for 2008, will be roughly 3 percent higher.

Earth Day celebration includes recycling Got a stack of those plastic flower pots piling up in your garage or potting shed and need a spot to recycle them?

That's among the recycling opportunities at Roseville's Earth Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center. A pot-munching machine will take care of the pots on site, and you can also bring fluorescent light bulbs, printer cartridges and prescription eyeglasses for recycling, the city said.

The day starts with a fitness walk with Mayor Craig Klausing and a pancake breakfast, but you can also browse Earth-friendly exhibits and do crafts and games. A limited number of free tote bags, seeds and tote-bag sewing patterns will be available.

The park is at 2520 N. Dale St., and it offers an interpretive center and paths through 52 acres of marsh, prairie and forest. For more information, call 651-792-7012.

With a theme of "celebrate healthy living," the event will feature free blood-pressure checks and mini-massages, along with resource booths provided by agencies that serve seniors.

The free event is sponsored by the Alliance for a Violence Free Anoka County and Anoka County Human Services. For more information, call Cindy at 763-422-6972 or Mary at 763-323-6042.

Help guide future of Northwest Quadrant Friday is the deadline for New Brighton residents to apply to be on the city's Northwest Quadrant task force. The city is looking to appoint up to seven residents who will serve on the task force for up to three years. The task force is charged with analyzing the project's finances and helping to guide its future.

Applications are available on the city's website at www.ci.new-brighton.mn.us. Interested people should submit applications to Schawn Johnson, assistant to the city manager. The fax number is 651-638-2044. Or, call 651-638-2041.