North town briefs

County seeks views on topic of mental health The Mental Wellness Campaign for Anoka County, a group of consumers, family members, community leaders and human services professionals, wants to know what county residents think about the topic of mental health.

The campaign is collecting information through the beginning of 2010, in the hope that the public's responses will provide a snapshot of current perceptions of mental illness in Anoka County. Call 651-280-2800 to complete the Anoka County mental wellness survey. Or complete the survey at www.wildersurveys.org/anoka.

Those who complete the survey by Dec. 22 are eligible to enter a drawing for one of several prizes, including $50 or $25 cash awards and passes to Anoka County Parks' attractions, such as Bunker Beach and Chomonix Golf Course.

For information on county mental health services, call 763-712-2911. For information on mental health services for children, call 763-712-2703. Crisis services are available at 763-755-3801.

Rum River Library offers teen program Teens are invited to a free winter-break program on Dec. 30 at which local author Chad Corrie will present an introduction to graphic novels. The program will take place at the Rum River Library in Anoka.

Corrie will share tips about creating graphic novels, the writing process and getting such illustrative novels published. He will talk about books and materials that might be useful to those interested in creating their own graphic novel. There will also be time for questions from the audience.

Corrie has written several fantasy novels, including "Tales of Tralodren: The Beginning."

The 1:30 p.m. program is sponsored by the Friends of Anoka County Library. Autographed copies of "Tales of Tralodren" will be given as door prizes.

For more information about the program or the Friends of Anoka County Library, go to www.anoka.lib.mn.us

Women's hockey team hosts poster contest Members of the U.S. Women's National Hockey Team Fan Club are invited to submit designs for posters that will be displayed in the team's home arena at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine. Entries must be received or delivered at the National Sports Center before 5 p.m., Jan. 4. The winners will receive a hockey stick autographed by the team and a personal locker room tour. For information about the fan club, as well as contest guidelines, visit www.nscsports.org or call 763-717-3243.

City anniversary ornaments available Crystal holiday ornaments commemorating the city's 50th anniversary are available for $12 at Coon Rapids City Center, 11155 Robinson Drive.

Free open skate on New Year's Eve A chance to ring in 2010 at the East Bethel Ice Arena will be offered from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve.

No alcohol is allowed, but the concession stand will be open.

All children age 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult family member. For information, contact wendy. warren@ci.eastbethel.mn.us.

Rugby information meeting coming up The Mounds View Rugby Club, also known as the North Suburban Rugby Club, will hold its annual kickoff meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Mounds View High School Forum, 1900 Lake Valentine Road, Arden Hills.

Participants should be ages 12-19 and do not need to be students at Mounds View High School. For more information, visit www.moundsviewrugby club.org.

Reception will honor outgoing mayor A reception will be held Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., at the New Brighton Family Service Center in recognition of outgoing Mayor Steve Larson's 22 years of service on the New Brighton City Council. Larson served five terms as mayor. There will be a brief program at 6:30 pm.

Watershed boards looking for members New Hope is seeking residents to serve as alternate representatives for the city on the Bassett Creek and Shingle Creek Watershed Management commissions.

The primary role of the commissions is to maintain and enhance the quality of surface and groundwater resources within the watersheds. Alternate representatives will serve a three-year term. Meetings are held monthly during daytime business hours.

The Shingle Creek watershed encompasses a 43 1/2-square-mile area that contains all or part of nine communities, including the portion of New Hope generally north of 42nd Avenue N. Bassett Creek watershed encompasses about 40 square miles and contains all or part of nine communities, including the southern portion of New Hope.

Applications are available on the city's website at www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/commission_applicant, or by calling the city clerk at 763-531-5117. Applicants with an environmental, planning or engineering background or experience with surface water drainage issues are preferred. The deadline for applications is Friday. The New Hope City Council will make the appointments.

Give a tribute tree in honor of a loved one Trees are available for gift order to be planted in a park in the spring. The Friends of the Parks will send a seasonal gift announcement to each recipient during the holidays and, in the summer, a map showing the location of the tree.

For information, call 651-698-4543 or visit www.friendsoftheparks.org.

MARIA ELENA BACA, JIM ADAMS, PAUL LEVY

Recycle used strings of holiday lights Old strings of holiday lights, extension cords, and spare pieces, such as copper wires and light bulbs, can be recycled at the Andover Recycling Center, 15200 Tower Drive, through January. The program is made possible by the Recycling Association of Minnesota's Recycle Your Holidays program. For information, call 763-767-5175.