Twin Cities north metro town briefs: Anoka County sheriff's blood drive on Thursday

The Anoka County Sheriff's Office is hosting a blood drive as part of Memorial Blood Centers' Battle of the Badges event.

Fire and law enforcement agencies across the metro are helping to promote blood donation.

The blood drive will be from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the sheriff's department, 13301 Hanson Blvd. N. in Andover.

To schedule a blood donation, sign up online at www.mbc.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code 3820, or contact Kelly Haigh at 763-323-5020 or kelly.haigh@co.anoka.mn.us.

Anoka County Parks and Recreation is offering free admission to Bunker Beach Water Park after 4 p.m. Thursday to celebrate 50 years of the county parks system.

Guests will receive free admission to Bunker Hills Regional Park and the water park from 4-7 p.m. Free entertainment will include Dazzling Dave, Yo-Yo Master and the band Shakedown.

Kevin Martineau, a lifelong Minnesotan with a 30-year career in nonprofit organizations, was recently named executive director of Stepping Stone Emergency Housing in Anoka. Stepping Stone provides shelter as well as support for people experiencing homelessness.

The St. Anthony Village Police Department will conduct its annual citizens academy from Sept. 5 through Nov. 7. The academy is taught by full-time officers and offers people a chance to see the inner workings of the department. Topics will include patrol procedures, use of force/defensive tactics, K9/crime lab/SWAT and more. Classes will be held 6:30 to 10 p.m. each Thursday during the two months, except Oct. 31.

The academy is free. Participants must be at least 21 years old and live or work in St. Anthony, Falcon Heights or Lauderdale. Applicants must also submit to a background investigation and sign a waiver. For further information, contact Officer Tressa Sunde at 612-782-3371 or tressa.sunde@ci.saint-anthony.mn.us, or Sgt. Jon Mangseth at 612-782-3366 or jon.mangseth@ci.saint-anthony.mn.us.

The city of East Bethel has formed a Chamber of Commerce. The chamber meets at 8 a.m. the second Thursday of every month. The locations of meetings will vary.

"Anyone who is a business owner, individual, or part of a nonprofit organization is encouraged to attend our meetings; we are actively seeking members and are ready to work with the city to attract new businesses to our community and help our existing business community grow and prosper," states Daree Selby, president of the East Bethel Chamber. For more information, call 763-286-0272 or e-mail secretary@eastbethelchamber.com.

Jaguar/Land Rover of Minneapolis is hosting a free classic car event on Saturday.

It's sponsored by JLR Classics, Brits Pub, Via's Vintage, Crispin Cider and Automoto Performance Studio. Also, a Twiggy Look-Alike Contest will be held, with prizes of $100 gift cards to Via's Vintage and Brits Pub (RSVP for the contest via e-mail to vintage@viasvintage.com).

Sunshine Factory General Manager April Hanson wants to clear up any confusion regarding the restaurant's pending move. Business will continue as usual at its New Hope location until its move to Plymouth, which is projected to happen in late November.

Construction started on the new Plymouth building on June 17, and owner Randy Rosengren anticipates that the New Hope location will stay operational until the launch of the Plymouth location.

The Sunshine Factory opened in 1976. The move will take it 31/2 miles west, from 7600 42 Av. N. to the intersection of 42nd Avenue and I-494.

The annual Nowthen Threshing Show begins Friday, Aug. 16, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 18. The show takes place at 7415 Old Viking Blvd. in Nowthen.

Admission is $10 for one day, or $20 for all three, with kids 12 and under free. For further information, go to http://www.nowthenthreshing.com/node/2.

The city of Blaine will host the sixth annual Blaine World Fest on Sept. 21.

The family event at Town Square Park will feature entertainment including ethnic dance, music and cultural arts. In 2012, more than 1,300 people attended the one-day event. For more information or to volunteer, call Nate at 763-785-6151.

Former students, staff, teachers and community leaders associated with Robbinsdale High School from 1936 until its closing in 1984 are invited to attend an all-school reunion Oct. 18-20.

Events include an Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday, a dance at the Medina Ballroom Saturday night, and a car show and pancake breakfast Sunday.