Twin Cities north metro town briefs:

Anoka County Parks is offering a "Start Your Garden" program on Wednesday, April 23, at Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes. Topics will include garden design and layout, preparing soil, choosing vegetables, planting techniques, weeding, insects and diseases, and harvesting. The session will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Preregistration is required. The cost is $5 a person, plus tax. To register, go to www.ano kacountyparks.com.

The Anoka County household hazardous waste facility will switch to warm-weather hours beginning April 1. Those hours will be 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The facility, located at 3230 101st Av. NE. in Blaine, will be closed Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Accepted wastes include acids, aerosol cans with product remaining, drain cleaner, driveway sealer, fluorescent bulbs, liquid paint, liquid mercury, mercury thermometers, motor oil, oven cleaner, paint stripper, paint thinner, pesticides, pool chemicals, stains, varnishes and wood preservatives.

Wastes that are not accepted include ammunition, appliances, batteries, dried paint, electronics, empty containers, medical wastes, radioactive wastes, railroad ties and tires. For disposal options for unacceptable materials, call Anoka County Integrated Waste Management at 763-323-5730.

Residents dropping materials off at the site must provide proof of county residency, such as a driver's license. The facility accepts household waste from residents of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties. Businesses, organizations and schools may not bring hazardous waste to the facility.

Blaine residents have until April 15 to apply for financial assistance with sealing old wells.

Blaine has obtained a cost-sharing grant to assist residents. The city will pay the landowner 50 percent of the direct cost of sealing a well, up to $500.

Wells eligible for cost-share funding must be located within a drinking water supply management area or a wellhead protection area managed by the city. To see if your property is in a wellhead protection area, go to http://gis.anokacountymn.gov/dwsmas

For further information, contact Jim Hafner at hafner@ci.blaine.mn.us or 763-785-6188.

TPC ROSE and TPC Twin Cities are presenting "Chic With Chardonnay," a women's fashion and wine event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at TPC Twin Cities, 11444 Tournament Players Pkwy., Blaine.

Featured will be Dawn Stebbing, personal image specialist, and Jennifer Chou, a certified specialist in wine. An on-site shopping experience with local fashion and home style vendors will be included. Specially selected wine pairing will complement a buffet menu. Tickets cost $45; the public is welcome.

Households would pay $3 per month, and the fee would be included on utility bills. The meeting will be held at City Hall, 11955 Champlin Dr.

For more information, contact city administrator Bret Heitkamp at bheitkamp@ci.champlin.mn.us or call 763-923-7110.

The city of Coon Rapids will host a tree sale in honor of Arbor Day.

Tree varieties will include black cherry, prairiefire crab–apple, spring snow crabapple, autumn blaze maple, accolade elm, Japanese tree lilac, skyline honeylocust, quaking aspen, river birch, hackberry, swamp white oak and apple.

Most trees will be sold in bare-root form and must be planted the same day as pickup. Trees range from 6 to 8 feet in height and cost $15 to $70, depending on the species. Payment can be made on pickup day. The limit is four trees per household.

The trees will be available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at the Public Works Garage, 1831 111th Av. NW. For information and photos of the tree varieties, go to www. coonrapidsmn.gov.

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. For more information, call 763-493-8006 or go to www.hrg-recycling.com.

New Hope Parks and Recreation will offer a beginner's fencing course for children ages 6 to 13.

The course costs $43 for residents of New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale and Golden Valley, or $50 for nonresidents. The registration deadline is March 31. To register, call New Hope Parks and Recreation at 763-531-5151.

"The expo is a great resource for families," said Rhonda Sivarajah, chairwoman of the Anoka County Board. "We encourage seniors and their families to take advantage of this one-stop shop for information about healthy activities and options, protection against fraud and abuse, and opportunities in the community."

Seniors and their families can enjoy a free pancake breakfast and take advantage of blood pressure checks, mini-massages and entertainment, as well as finding out about health directives and other resources.

A lively conversation about Fridley Parks and Recreation's history will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Fridley History Center, 611 Mississippi St. You can hear stories from past and present from current parks and rec director Jack Kirk and first director Dick Donlin.

Light refreshments will be served at this free event.