Twin Cities north metro town briefs: '3W' week promotes well-water testing

Anoka County residents who rely on private wells are urged to test the safety of their water supply.

The county and participating cities and townships are sponsoring the 15th annual "Well Water Wise" (3W) event.

County residents may pick up a well-water test kit at participating city and township offices or at the Environmental Services Unit, Suite 360 of the Anoka County Government Center, 2100 3rd Av., Anoka.

Water samples can be submitted to the county's Environmental Services Unit for analysis every Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon.

During 3W week, May 5-9, samples can be submitted from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.

The testing kit includes details about water collection and submission. A laboratory fee of $30 will be charged for coliform-bacteria and nitrate-nitrogen analysis. The lab can also provide analyses for arsenic, lead, fluoride, iron, chloride and total hardness.

The testing of private wells used for drinking water is the responsibility of individual owners. There are an estimated 25,000 private wells in service throughout Anoka County. Annual testing is recommended.

For more information about well-water testing, call the Environmental Services Unit at 763-422-7063.

Spring recycling drop-off day for the city of Anoka is Saturday, April 26. Residents can bring recyclables to the city's Public Services Facility at 501 Pierce St. between 8 a.m. and noon.

Accepted items include clothing, household appliances, bicycles, batteries, cellphones, scrap metal and other materials. The city will take car seats, TVs, mattresses and tires for a fee.

For further information, call 763-576-2725.

Anoka County will hold its fourth annual 4-H Clover Dash on Saturday, April 26, at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover.

The first three men and women to finish will receive medals, and there will also be prize drawings. The event will start at 9 a.m. Participants can register online at ­midwestevents.com or call 763-755-1280.

Volunteers will gather to clean up Great Shingle Creek on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Cleanup supplies and refreshments will be provided at the city's community center at 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy.

For further information, call 763-585-7100.

An upcoming class will give people a chance to learn how to attract and nurture butterflies and moths in their gardens and why it matters. Master Gardener Dave Knapp will host the class from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Blaine City Hall.

The session costs $7 and will be held in Cloverleaf Room A.

The Columbia Heights police and fire departments and community partners will hold a "fun raiser" on Wednesday, April 30, to help out local children in need.

The Clean, Fed and Warm event will run from 5 to 8 p.m. that day at the Columbia Heights Public Safety Center, 825 41st Av. NE.

Proceeds will be used to buy clothes, personal care hygiene items, canned and nonperishable foods.

The event includes live music, police and fire department demonstrations, a silent auction and a casual dinner of hot dogs, chips, soda or water.

Donated items can be dropped off at SACA Food Shelf, 627 38th Av. NE. in Columbia Heights, or the Public Safety Center.

For more information, call 763-789-2444.

The Elk River Lions Club will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Lions Park Center, 1104 Lions Park Dr. A freewill offering will be taken, with all proceeds going to Elk River Boy Scout and community projects. Homemade buttermilk pancakes will be served with chocolate chip, walnut or warm blueberry topping with whipped cream.

Skaters from Coon Rapids and nearby communities will take the ice this weekend to present "Silver Jubilee: A Tribute to 25 Years of Ice Shows."

Performances of the 25th annual Ice Fantasy Show are set for 7 p.m. Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Coon Rapids Ice Center, 11000 Crooked Lake Blvd. Skaters range in age from 4 to adult.

A prostate cancer support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at North Memorial Medical Center, 3300 Oakdale Av. N., Robbinsdale.

Dr. Christopher Weight, a urologist from the University of Minnesota, will speak, and a question-and-answer segment will follow. There is no charge, and wives and friends are welcome to attend.

For further information, call 612-388-3588.

Students from Robbinsdale Cooper and Armstrong high schools were honored this month for community service under the Students in Action portion of the national Jefferson Awards program.

The Jefferson Awards were begun in 1972, with founders including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Sen. Robert Taft Jr.

"We congratulate our Cooper in Action and Falcons in Action teams for their awards," said district superintendent Aldo Sicoli. "They are leaders in service-learning in our district," said Dr. Aldo Sicoli, superintendent of Robbinsdale Area Schools. "Their volunteer service and leadership development is certain to make a positive impact on the greater community."