Twin Cities north metro news: Mayors' snowmobile ride is Feb. 1

The annual Mayors Trail Ride — a snowmobile outing led by the mayors of Andover, Anoka, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey and St. Francis — will take place Saturday, Feb. 1.

The event will start at the Anoka County Fairgrounds with rider registration at 10 a.m. After that, Ramsey Police Chief Jim Way will direct the group for the ride. The excursion will wrap up with a get-together at McDuff's Eatery and Pub in Ramsey at 3 p.m.

The cost is $10 per person if you preregister and $20 on the day of the event. Proceeds will go to the Andover Anoka Ramsey Youth First organization and to other nonprofits selected by each mayor.

For further information, go to http://tinyurl.com/ka9gnu8 or call the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce at 763-421-7130.

The Anoka County Bunker Hills Compost Site will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday for Christmas tree recycling. There is a $1.50 charge per Christmas tree, and trees must be free of tinsel, garland, ornaments and stands. The site is located at 13285 Hanson Blvd, Coon Rapids, near Bunker Hills Regional Park.

Anoka County is conducting a Community Health Survey as it develops a health assessment and plan for public health services for 2015-19. Residents can complete it online or on paper through Monday, Jan. 13.

The online survey can be filled out in English or Spanish at www.anokacounty.us/healthsurvey. Paper copies in Arabic, Russian, Somali, English and Spanish also can be obtained by calling Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services at 763-422-7427.

The Blaine Police Department is offering inspections of child car safety seats on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The inspections, by appointment only, will be done during normal business hours. To schedule an appointment, call the Police Department at 763-785-6168.

The inspections are free to Blaine residents and $25 for nonresidents.

Each inspection takes about 45 minutes, and you must bring the car seat owner's manual/instruction book and vehicle owner's manual to the appointment. You should also bring your child/children so that technicians can determine the best fit for them.

The city notes that additional information on car seats is available at various websites, including:

• carseatsmadesimple.org

• www.nhtsa.gov

Residents will have a chance to learn about the early days of Circle Pines and surrounding cities at an event at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.

The city and the Anoka County Historical Society will host a visual tour of the area's history at Circle Pines City Hall, 200 Civic Heights Circle. The free event will include a slide show of historic photographs, and guests are invited to share stories from growing up in the Circle Pines, Lexington, Blaine and Centerville area. Call 763-717-3294 for more information.

The 1950s rock 'n' roll cover band Holy Rocka Rollaz will perform Thursday, Jan. 9, as the Coon Rapids Arts Commission kicks off its Dessert and Coffee Concert series. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 11155 ­Robinson Drive. Admission, including dessert, is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and kids 12 and under.

The series will include three other concerts, by the City of Lakes Chorus

Springbrook Nature Center is launching a Discovery Dinner series for adult nature lovers later this month. The Saturday evening events will start at 5:30 p.m. and feature an educational presentation followed by a casual catered meal. The programs are:

• "Raptors in Minnesota, with the Minnesota Raptor Center," on Jan. 25;

• "An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt, America's First Conservation President," on Feb. 22;

• "Moths and Butterflies of Minnesota," on March 27.

Tickets are $25 each; multiple tickets can be purchased for $22.50 each. Pre-registration is required, and payment must be made in advance. Call 763-572-3588 to reserve a spot. For more information, go to www.springbrooknaturecenter.org.

The Transitway Health Impact Assessment analyzes how the line and its stations would affect the health of communities by looking at physical activity, access to jobs, housing and transportation costs and other factors.

The rail line would run from Minneapolis through Golden Valley, Robbinsdale and Crystal to Brooklyn Park.

Residents can read the report online at www.henn epin.us/bottineauhia. Copies are available at Hennepin County libraries at Brookdale, Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Rockford Road and Sumner.

A report that summarizes and responds to comments collected during the public review period is also available on the project website.

Registration is underway for spring classes at the Camden Music School in Minneapolis. The term runs from Feb. 3 to June 7. The school offers instruction for people of all ages and abilities, at two locations: Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Av. N., Minneapolis, and Grace Center for Community Life (formerly Holland Open School), 1500 6th St. NE.

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota admitted more than 9,000 animals in 2013, a new yearly high. The 34-year-old center said it also released more animals than ever before.

Among those recently released were more than a dozen bats, several songbirds, a trumpeter swan and a common goldeneye. For more information about the center, go to www.wrcmn.org or call 651-486-WILD. The center is at 2350 N. Dale St., Roseville.