Twin Cities north metro town briefs: Anoka's recycling day

Spring recycling drop-off day for the city of Anoka is 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.

Runners and walkers, youth and adults can participate in the 5K Fun Run/Walk and 2-mile walk. All proceeds will go toward supporting 4-H Youth Development programs and scholarships.

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.

The Brooklyn Center police department and Crime Prevention Program will host the 24th annual Police & Citizens awards ceremony on April 16 at the community center, 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy.

For further information, call 763-569-3333.

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.

Parents can bring kids 12 and under to the Zanewood recreation center on Thursday, April 17, for a family "bunny hop" featuring inflatables, games, music, crafts and food.

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.

Financial contributions of $10 per person or $20 per family will be accepted at the event or at www.paypal.com or www.razoo.com.

For more information, call 763-789-2444.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College will offer a free suicide prevention workshop today, Wednesday, April 16.

Two one-hour sessions will be offered, starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Legacy Room on the Coon Rapids campus, 11200 Mississippi Blvd. W.

Presenters include licensed psychologist Davin Maijala and Nikki Jagodzinski, a suicide-prevention coordinator. Both are from St. Cloud State University.

Participants will learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and learn skills to intervene to help a friend or relative. The public is welcome to attend.

New Hope will hold an open house on Thursday, April 17, so residents can see the concept plan for a Hy-Vee grocery store on the former Kmart site at 4200/4300 Xylon Av. N. The event will take place from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at New Hope City Hall, 4401 Xylon Av. N.

The City Council recently approved a preliminary development agreement for the site with Anderson Cos. and Hy-Vee. Anderson Cos. proposes a 90,000-square-foot Hy-Vee store that would include a sit-down restaurant, deli, liquor store, pharmacy and organic food section.

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 to the group, 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.

The event, which featured rock and jazz music, raised more than $3,000 for Instruments 4 Kids, which helps buy new and used instruments for students in Robbinsdale Area Schools. Guest musician Randy Sabien and his group Fiddlehead performed with the students.

It's been a busy period for Cooper musicians. The school's High School Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras gave three performances in New York City over spring break last month.

One was an interactive concert at the Concordia Learning Center at St. Joseph's School for the Blind. Students described and demonstrated each instrument in between pieces.

Fridley will host a recycling drop-off and paper shredding event for city residents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 3 at the Public Works Garage, 400 71st St. People should be prepared to show proof of residency.

Drop-off items accepted include air conditioners, appliances, electronics, small engines (drained), scrap metal, bicycles, fluorescent bulbs, vehicle batteries, carpeting and carpet pads, mattresses and box springs.