Twin Cities north metro town briefs: Class for new gardeners

The Anoka-Hennepin School District and Columbia Academy in Columbia Heights are among three Minnesota educational entities honored by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

Anoka-Hennepin and Minnetonka Public Schools received the Best Communities for Music Education designation for 2014. Columbia Academy received the Support Music Merit Award, which recognizes extraordinary music education programs in individual school buildings.

The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host a free youth coaches workshop on April 14. Coaches and booster club members are invited to attend the session, titled "Why We Play." It will run from 5:45 to 9 p.m. at the Coon Rapids High School auditorium, 2340 Northdale Blvd. NW., Coon Rapids.

The district is teaming up with the Anoka-Hennepin Education Foundation and the Minnesota State High School League to organize the event.

Presenters will discuss the importance of responding to mistakes positively and defining success by more than the numbers on the scoreboard.

Coaches may register to attend online through Anoka-Hennepin Community Education at www.discovercommu nityed.com.

The Isanti County Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6, and after a short session will hear from state legislator and author Dean Urdahl.

Urdahl has written several historical fiction novels about the U.S.-Dakota Conflict, which started near the location where Urdahl's ancestors settled in the 1850s.

Urdahl represents Meeker and parts of McLeod and Wright counties in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is a retired history teacher and high school coach.

Sunday's meeting is free and open to the public. The Historical Society is located at 33525 Flanders St. NE., Cambridge.

Comedy, live music and dinner will be served Saturday at the Coon Rapids American Legion as part of a benefit for the Daniel Jaeger family.

Jaeger, a 58-year-old truck driver, suffered a stroke last fall followed by bleeding into the brain cavity that required surgery.

The event starts at 2 p.m. Musicians Kevin James Pertinen and Tony Comeau will perform from 5-7 p.m., and a comedy show featuring Tammy Nerby, Rox Tarrant and Bob Larson will follow at 7:30.

A $20 donation at the door will cover the entertainment and a spaghetti dinner.

For further information, go to www.facebook.com/ danieljaegerbenefit. The Legion is located at 11640 Crooked Lake Blvd., Coon ­Rapids.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College will offer a free suicide prevention workshop on 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.

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.

Nationally, suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds.

New Hope and Crystal residents can get rid of unwanted rubbish, including old furniture and appliances, during a curbside cleanup April 4 to 11.

The Hennepin Recycling Group is coordinating the event. Single-family through eight-unit homes that pay for city curbside recycling are eligible. Crews will pick up old couches, chairs and furniture, appliances, scrap metal and household junk up to 100 pounds per item.

Residents will receive a reminder postcard informing them when their neighborhood is scheduled for pickup. Items must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on cleanup day. Tires, electronics, paint and chemicals will not be accepted.

Brooklyn Park residents and business owners will have a chance to ask questions about their home and property valuations at an open house Tuesday, April 8. The event is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. in City Council chambers at City Hall, 5200 85th Av. N.

Valuations for 2014 are expected to be mailed on Thursday, April 3.