Twin Cities north metro town briefs

Andover is conducting its annual spring tree sale, with orders due by April 14 and pickup scheduled for May 3. The sale, open to Andover residents only, offers six species: American Plum, Blue Beech, Quaking Aspen, River Birch, Red Maple, and Princeton American Elm.

Prices range from $18 (American Plum) to $30 (Blue Beech).

For further information, go to www.andovermn.gov and click on "Spring Tree Sale," or call the city at 763-755-5100. Order forms are also available at City Hall.

The Anoka Conservation District is offering more than 25 varieties of seedlings and transplants, sold in bundles of 10 and 25 for a little more than $1 per tree. Preorders are being taken until April 10 or until sold out, with pickup on the morning of April 26 at the Anoka County Fairgrounds in Anoka.

Any remaining stock will be sold that morning at the fairgrounds, but the Conservation District says there isn't usually a lot left over.

To order or get further information, including descriptions of the offerings, go to www.anokaswcd.org. You can also call Anoka Conservation District staff at 763-434-2030.

You do not need to be an Anoka County resident to order.

Families and participants will learn about the tradition of gathering maple sap and cooking it down to make maple syrup and sugar. Other activities include maple crafts, a spring scavenger hunt and tasting maple syrup-inspired treats. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. and costs $4 a person, plus tax.

Advance registration is required. For information, call 651-429-8007 or go to www.anokacountyparks.com.

The Highway 169/101st Avenue Interchange Study will be the subject of an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Brooklyn Park City Hall, 5200 85th Av. N. The event will provide an update on developments since a previous open house in November. The six alternatives under consideration will be displayed, and feedback will be sought.

The partners on the study are the cities of Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Osseo and Champlin; the Minnesota Department of Transportation; the Metropolitan Council; Hennepin County; Metro Transit, and the Three Rivers Park District.

For additional information, go to: http://projects.srfcon sulting.com/hwy169and101st.

Auditions for this year's Heights Idol competition in Columbia Heights will begin Monday, March 24. Heights Idol is open to people of all ages. Call 763-706-3733 to set up an appointment. There will be two rounds of competition: May 15 and June 28.

Columbia Heights is asking residents to fill out an online survey about trash collection and recycling services. The city organizes residential refuse collection through a contract, currently with Advanced Disposal Services. The city is seeking feedback on current service as well as ideas to control costs and improve services. The 12-question survey is at www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us.

The city reminds residents that to help guard against oak wilt, oak trees should not be pruned or trimmed after April 1 through July 15. In fact, there's a city ordinance against it.

An article accompanying the reminder says that this period is when oak trees are most likely to become infested with the fungus if exposed.

New Hope's Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments have job opportunities for this spring and summer. Parks and Recreation has openings for part-time help with its baseball and softball programs, at the New Hope pool, and for tennis instructors. For some of the jobs, applicants should be college age or older.

Further information about the jobs, as well as application forms, are available at www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/jobs.

Applications should be submitted soon: The city plans to finish hiring its summer seasonal staff by the end of April.

The New Hope City Council has approved a $5,000 contribution to Off Broadway Musical Theatre toward its summer production of "Into the Woods" at the city's outdoor theater.

The city and Off Broadway Musical Theatre, a community-based performing arts organization, have been collaborating for more than 30 years to provide summer musicals in Civic Center Park.

"Into the Woods" will be presented in late July and early August. Open auditions for the production will be held at New Hope City Hall on April 26 and 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. For further information, call 763-592-6805 or go to www.obmt.org.

It will take place at 7 p.m. at Robbinsdale United Church of Christ, 4200 Lake Rd. The meeting, which is open to the public, will give an update on the project.

A group of residents and city leaders have been discussing starting a co-op to replace the city's only grocery store, a Rainbow Foods, which closed last April. The group is working to get the business licensed, establish members and raise funds.

They hope the co-op will eventually open in Robbinsdale and draw members from nearby cities like Brooklyn Park and Crystal. For more information, go to www.rob binsdalefoodcoop.org.

The city-owned Central Park Liquor Store will hold its Spring Wine Show on Thursday, March 20, at Bebops Opulence Room, 1009 109th Av. NE. in Blaine.

The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can sample wines from more than 50 wineries from around the world. Industry representatives will be available to answer questions. Complimentary appetizers will be served and special discounts offered at the event. The cost is $13 per person. Preregister at www.centralparkliquor.com.