Briefs: Anoka County Historical Society dinner marks anniversary for WCCO tower

The Anoka County Historical Society will celebrate the 90th anniversary of WCCO-AM Radio, which has its tower and transmits its signal from Coon Rapids.

The society will host a dinner and program on Oct. 1. The dinner will feature WCCO personalities Dave Lee, John Hines, John Williams, Mike Lynch, Jordana Green and Denny Long.

WCCO-AM began broadcasting from the former studio and antenna of the defunct WLAG on Oct. 2, 1924. The station was transmitting its signal from a location in the old Anoka Township, now Coon Rapids, by March 1925. WCCO-AM activated a 654-foot tower in 1939, which is still in use today.

The dinner will be at Courtyards of Andover, 13545 Martin St. NW. Tickets, including the cost of dinner, are $40 each. Discounts are available for Historical Society members. Eight-person reserved tables are available for $315. Tickets can be purchased online at www.anokacountyhistory.org, in person at the Anoka County History Center, 2135 3rd Av. N., Anoka, or by phone at 763- 421-0600.

Anoka County Community Development is conducting an online survey to determine how to use federal funding.

Respondents are asked to classify how they prioritize 25 different government services including youth services, neighborhood cleanup, crime prevention and tree planting.

Residents can take the online survey until Friday, Sept. 12, at http://www.anokacounty.us/2098/Citizen-Survey.

The TrebleTones, a women's chorus celebrating 50 years of singing three- and four-part harmony, will hold its guest night from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, 3900 Winnetka Av. N. All are welcome to come learn about the group and join in singing.

The chorus sings at community events, nursing homes, senior events and other venues. Practices are from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays during the school year at Holy Nativity.

for more information, go to www.facebook/trebletones or e-mail joan2stmartin@yahoo.com.

The city of New Hope has a record number of entries for the 2014 In Focus photo contest.

There are 69 entries submitted by 27 residents. The amateur photographers focused on nature and life's simple pleasures: birds, butterflies, puddle jumping and dog walking.

A panel of volunteer judges will choose winners in four categories: people, places, nature, and youth. Online voting is now underway for the People's Choice category. Voting closes on Sept. 30. The winning photos will be announced at a City Council meeting in October.

All 69 photos can been viewed online at http://www.ci.new-hope.mn.us.

About 50 Champlin Park High School staff members dumped buckets of ice water over their heads Aug. 28 in the "Ice Bucket Challenge," in support of former staff members who have ALS.

The challenge was done to honor two former CPHS staff members. Former teacher Nancy Stafford was diagnosed with ALS more than five years ago, and former boys soccer head coach Gavin Pugh was diagnosed in 2013.

Champlin Park High School staff have now nominated Jackson Middle School to host the next ice bucket challenge.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge started in 2012 by a 29-year-old diagnosed with ALS. It has evolved into a social media sensation.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a disease of the nervous system that causes muscles to weaken and become nonfunctional, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

ALS is also called Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the New York Yankees baseball player who died of it in 1941.

The nonprofit Compassion Action Network of Anoka County will host a session on "Social Media Trends and Internet Safety for Kids."

The session runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Unity Hospital Auditorium, 550 Osborne Av., Fridley.

Attendees should go to the West Side, Door #10.

Karina Hedinger, training and education coordinator with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, will speak about strategies to keep children and teens safe and how parents can manage their online access.

Hedinger is a 14-year veteran of the BCA and has a bachelor's degree in criminology and psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

STAFF REPORTS