ANDOVER

Home Improvement show set for March 23The North Suburban Home Improvement Show will be held March 23 at the Andover YMCA Community Center fieldhouse.

The sponsoring cities of Andover, Anoka and Coon Rapids expect more than 100 exhibitors who specialize in a range of home improvement topics, including construction, decorating, electrical, mechanical, financing and landscaping. Local mayors and city staff also will be there.

There will be a chance to talk with city building officials about home improvement projects. Demonstration sessions, door prizes and a kids' workshop will be offered.

The show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 15200 Hanson Blvd.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

Thursday night is Music Night"Music Night in the Heights" will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St., Columbia Heights. The event features an open mic for participants. Others are invited to take in the entertainment.

Friday night is Fish Fry nightA day after Music Night, Murzyn Hall will be the site of a Fish Fry to help raise funds for the planned Columbia Heights Community Heritage Tower.

The event will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and children 12 and older, and $6 for kids under 12.

Tickets are available at City Hall and from Columbia Heights Recreation. For further information, call 763-706-3607. The Community Heritage Tower is to be dedicated in May of this year.

ROBBINSDALE SCHOOLS

High schools present musicals this weekendRobbinsdale Cooper High School will wrap up its run of "The Wiz" with performances at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Reserved-seating tickets are $6 for students and adults over age 62 and $8 for other adults. To buy tickets or get box office information, call 763-504-8535 or e-mail chs_boxoffice@rdale.org

Also this weekend, Robbinsdale Armstrong High School will open a five-performance run of its winter musical, "Annie."

Shows will be staged at 7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. March 1-2, and a matinee for senior citizens will be presented at 3:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Seating is reserved, and tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults. The matinee for senior citizens is free. Call 763 504-8852 for reservation information.

NORTH METRO

Home and Garden Show is SaturdayThe 15th North Metro Community Home and Garden Show is scheduled for Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The event is sponsored by the cities of Blaine, Fridley and Mounds View and will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Sport Expo Center. Admission is free. The Sports Center is located at 1740 105th Av. NE, Blaine.

The show will feature exhibits and seminars as well as a Kids Activity Center. In addition, door prizes will be presented periodically.

For further information, go to www.startribune.com/a2065 or www.northmetrohomeandgarden.com

Mayors Trail Ride snow tour is SaturdayThe annual Mayors Trail Ride, a snowmobile outing hosted by the mayors of Andover, Anoka, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey and St. Francis, will be held Saturday, dependent on weather.

The ride will start at the Anoka County Fairgrounds in Anoka, with registration at 10 a.m. Ramsey Police Chief Jim Way will be the trail boss and will direct the group.

The cost is $10 per person if you preregister or $20 on the day of the event. All proceeds will go to the Andover Anoka Ramsey Youth First organization and other nonprofits decided by each mayor.

For further information, go to www.startribune.com/a2066.

JIM KERN AND JIM ADAMS