Twin Cities north metro town briefs: Anoka County health survey continues

Anoka County is conducting a Community Health Survey as it develops a health assessment and plan for 2015-19. The survey of residents helps the county prioritize public health services.

Residents can complete the survey online or on paper, though Jan. 13. The online survey can be done in English or Spanish at www.anoka county.us/healthsurvey.

Paper copies are available in Arabic, Russian, Somali, English and Spanish and can be obtained by calling Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services at 763-422-7427.

For further information, call 763-422-7030.

The city is collecting nonperishable food items for Community Emergency Assistance Programs and new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots through Sunday, Dec. 22. Items can be left in the lobby bins at the Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Av. N., during building hours.

Items also can be dropped off at these other Brooklyn Park locations: • Zanewood Recreation Center, 7100 Zane Av. N.; • City Hall, 5200 85th Av. N.; and • Police Station - North Precinct, 5400 85th Av. N.

Circle Pines residents are being asked to weigh in on their city's appearance, snowplowing and other public services as part of the 2013 citizens' feedback survey. Residents can take the 14-question survey online at www.ci.circle-pines.mn.us.

The Coon Rapids Arts Commission will host four live shows as part of its Dessert and Coffee Concert series.

The 1950s rock-n-roll cover band Holy Rocka Rollaz will perform Jan. 9. The City of Lakes Chorus

Concerts begin at 7 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 ­Robinson Dr.

Admission, including dessert, is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 12 and under.

Tickets can be purchased at Coon Rapids City Hall. Call 763-767-6432 for additional information.

The Crystal Community Center will take on a futuristic look with a "Star Wars Droid Builder" class on Monday, Dec. 23.

The class, for kids ages 7 to 12, will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the center, 4800 Douglas Drive.

Participants will use the Star Wars Lego Mindstorms robotics kit to ­create a simple droid mechanism and then more-ambitious droids that move and walk. At the end of class, kids will take home a nonrobotic Lego droid or starship.

The fee is $34 for residents of New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley or Robbinsdale and $41 for nonresidents.

For more information or to register, call New Hope Parks and Recreation at 763-531-5151.

"Art is Primary," an exhibit featuring works by Robbinsdale school district elementary students, is on display at the Robbin Gallery, 4915 42nd Av. N., Robbinsdale, and will run through Dec. 26. This is the second annual exhibit; it features works by students in grades 1-5 from all 10 elementary schools in the district. Hours for the exhibit, which is free and open to the public:

• Wednesday, Dec. 18, noon to 8 p.m., with a reading by Darion Harding from his book "Henry's Best Christmas" at 6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 19, noon to 8:30 p.m., including an open house reception from 4:30 to 6:30

• Friday, Dec. 20, noon to 8 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 21, noon to 4 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 26, noon to 4 p.m.