North metro town briefs

Northstar fares will be discussed at hearings Proposed fares for the Northstar line, the commuter rail service set to open this fall, will be discussed at three public hearings in April.

The Metropolitan Council is proposing the following fares to downtown Minneapolis: $8 from Big Lake; $6 from Elk River; $4 from Anoka and Coon Rapids, and $3.25 from Fridley. The 40-mile trip from Big Lake to Minneapolis is expected to take 45 minutes.

The public hearings will be held:

• Noon-1 p.m. April 8, at the Minneapolis Central Library Doty Room

• 7-8 p.m. April 8, at the Sherburne County Government Center Board Room in Elk River

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 14, at the Anoka County Government Center Board Room in Anoka

PAUL LEVY

Free tax assistance Free assistance with tax forms is being offered in Anoka County for seniors, disabled adults, and people from low- to moderate-income households through April 15.

The service is provided by Anoka County RSVP and AARP volunteers who have received training and certification by the Internal Revenue Service and the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

The service is offered at:

• Anoka Senior Center, 1500 6th Av. S., Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Blaine Human Services Center, 1201 89th Av. NE., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Columbia Heights Senior Center, 530 Mill St., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Coon Rapids Senior Center, 11155 Robinson Drive, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon

• Epiphany School, 1913 111th Av. NW., Coon Rapids, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Fridley Community Center, 6085 7th St. NE., Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Ham Lake Senior Center, 15444 Central Av. NE., Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Spring Lake Park Community Center, 1301 81st Av. NE, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon

Those looking for assistance should bring all records and forms received to prepare this year's taxes. For more information, call 763-422-6923.

PAUL LEVY

Cities selling trees to residents The cities of Mounds View and New Brighton are selling three kinds of trees this spring to residents only.

Cost ranges from $19 for a Prairie Fire Flowering Crabapple to $26 for an Accolade Elm tree to $28 for the Autumn Blaze Maple variety.

Orders are limited to four trees per property.

The ordering deadline is April 9. Pick-up is scheduled for mid-April at two locations:

• Mounds View's public works garage, 2466 Bronson Drive in Mounds View.

• New Brighton's public works garage, 700 5th St. NW. in New Brighton.

For more information, contact the Mounds View/New Brighton forester at 651-638-2125.

ALLIE SHAH

Time to sign up for kids' egg hunt Registration ends Friday for the Shoreview Egg Hunt.

The outdoor event, which will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on April 4 at the Shoreview Community Center Pavilion, is for children ages 3 to 8.

Cost is $10 per child and space is limited. For registration details and other information, call the city's parks and recreation department at 651-490-4750.

ALLIE SHAH

Student earns spot at Air Force Academy Emily Tholen of Arden Hills will take a coveted spot this June in the Class of 2013 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Tholen, a Mounds View High student, is a cadet master sergeant with the Anoka Composite Squadron, one of 25 squadrons in the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a volunteer organization that dates back to World War II. She has participated in a number of CAP missions, including flood relief in southeastern Minnesota in August 2007 for which she received a CAP Disaster Relief ribbon with a "V" for valor and service.

Tholen received an advanced appointment by U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, according to a news release. The Anoka squadron's deputy commander, 1st Lt Shelly Supan, congratulated Tholen at the squadron meeting on March 17, saying "your leadership is an example to the other cadets."

Last year the academy admitted about 15 percent of 9,001 applicants.

KATHLEEN CLONTS

Free, confidential help for homeowners Homeowners worried about making mortgage payments or foreclosure can attend two upcoming workshops.

They are offered by Hennepin County Taxpayers Services and the Minnesota Home Ownership Center. Participants can ask questions and get free, confidential advice from local nonprofit foreclosure counselors.

The first session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Brooklyn Park City Hall, 5200 85th Ave. N. The next one starts at 6:30 p.m. on April 20 at the Rockford Road Library, 6401 42nd Ave. N., in Crystal.

For more information call Jeff Strand, Hennepin County Taxpayer Services, at 612-348-7870. If you would rather watch a workshop video go to the Hennepin County website at hennepinmn.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=12.

JIM ADAMS

New romance writer finalist for publication Tamara Hughes, a first-time romance novelist from Brooklyn Park, has advanced to the finals of a national contest in the bid for a publishing contract.

Hughes, a stay-at-home mom of two daughters, called it "amazing" to have made it to the finals of the "American Title V" contest in the Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine.

Her murder-mystery historical romance called "Once Upon a Masquerade" is up against "Ancient Whispers," a paranormal romance by Marie-Claude Bourque of Seattle.

Voting is open until March 29 on the "Best Romance Scene" between the two at www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php. The winner of the publishing contract with Dorchester will be announced in April.

KATHLEEN CLONTS