Twin Cities North metro town briefs: LGBTQ Youth Pride celebration is Aug. 13 in Coon Rapids

The third annual Anoka LGBTQ Youth Pride celebration will be held Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Coon Rapids.

The event, which is open to everyone, will include raffles, food, beverages, kickball, theater games, face-painting and more. Though most of the activities will be focused on middle school- and high school-age youth, all ages are welcome.

The event stems from Justin's Gift, created to establish safe environments and a bully-free zone for young people. For more information, go to www.anokayouthpride.com or www.justinsgift.org.

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 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.

There will also be a kids' fun run.

Participants who sign up by Aug. 23 will receive a technical race T-shirt.

This year Anoka County Parks and Recreation is partnering with Up Tempo Races to provide professional race timing.

For questions, call 763-757-3920. For information or to register online, go to http://www.anokacountyparks.com/.

Brooklyn Park opened its second pickleball court last week at Norwood Park, 8100 Newton Av. The game is played with wiffle balls and hard paddles on a section of a restriped tennis court.

Brooklyn Park residents have two farmers market options, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Discover Church Farmers Market runs every Tuesday at 1400 81st Ave. N. The Brooklyn Park Farmers Market is held Wednesdays at Zane Sports Park, 8717 Zane Av N.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, crafts and more are available until early October.

The Columbus Police Task Force is seeking citizen input on law enforcement services.

The task force, created by the City Council, is asking residents to fill out a questionnaire that can be found at http://www.ci.columbus.mn.us/. Paper copies of the survey are also available at City Hall, 16319 Kettle River Blvd.

Coon Rapids has extended the deadline for submitting sealed bids for old ­computer equipment until Friday, Aug. 9. It originally was July 26.

The city bought the equipment between 2000 and 2007. All items will be sold "as is" with no warranty. Buyers must pick up purchased items.

Items available include ­desktop and laptop computers, tube monitors, laser printers, fax machines and copiers.

For more information about the equipment, send e-mail to mail@coonrapidsmn.gov and reference "Obsolete Computer Equipment."

The Coon Rapids Arts Commission is hosting an amateur photography contest.