North metro news briefs: Andover Fun Fest parade to be telecast live

July 9 Fun Fest parade to be telecast liveQCTV community television will provide live coverage of the July 9 Andover Family Fun Fest parade.

The event, part of the city's annual celebration, will begin at 11 a.m., and QCTV will air it via webcast at www.qctv.org. QCTV will also rebroadcast the parade on channel 15 in the days following the parade.

The Fun Fest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 8-9. In addition to the parade, events and activities will include a car show, a baby crawling contest, a fun run and walk, fireworks, food, music and more. The activities, scheduled at the City Hall complex and several other sites, will begin at 5 p.m. July 8 and 10 a.m. July 9.

The 11 a.m. parade will follow Crosstown Boulevard NW. from Andover High School to Tower Drive. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. July 9 at Sunshine Park.

High school makes Newsweek listAndover High School pulled down the No. 364 spot on Newsweek magazine's annual list of the top high schools in the country.

Newsweek used the following criteria: four-year, on-time graduation rate, percentage of graduates who enrolled immediately in college, AP tests taken per graduate, average SAT/ACT scores, average AP/IB/AICE scores and AP courses offered.

Eight other Minnesota schools were among the top 500: Edina (76), Mahtomedi (158), Lakeville North (178), Rochester Century (210), Eden Prairie (213), St. Louis Park (248), Apple Valley (451) and Simley (478).

"This is a computer software program system that is used to keep track of all training and dog activities," said Sgt. Rick Boone. "The goal is to help protect our agency from civil liability."

The software will help insure that accurate records are kept on all events that involve the city's K-9 Unit.

'Nordic Choir' concert set for FridayThe Land of Lakes Choirboys' "Nordic Choir" will host a Homecoming Concert at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Central Lutheran Church in Elk River. The concert is free and open to the public. The church is located at 1103 School St. NW.

Braille transcription class offeredVolunteers are needed to help transcribe reading materials into braille for the blind, and Volunteer Braille Services of Golden Valley is offering training on how to produce braille books and reading materials.

Classes will taught at Volunteer Braille Services' offices at 1710 N. Douglas Drive in Golden Valley, beginning with an information session at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Those completing the course will be awarded a certification in Literary Braille Transcribing from the Library of Congress.

MacPhail Center plans Jazz CampThe MacPhail Center for Music is offering a Jazz Camp from noon-4:30 p.m. July 5-8 at MacPhail's Minneapolis center, located at 501 S. 2nd St.

The camp will cover improvisation and jazz history, and will include seminars for specific instruments. Jazz combos also will rehearse for a final performance. All instruments are welcome, but students must have a minimum of two years of playing experience.

MacPhail offers a total of 46 camps throughout the summer at its locations in Minneapolis, Apple Valley and White Bear Lake. For more information, call 612-321-0100. Financial assistance may be available.

'Live on the Drive' concert set for July 14The 10-piece band La Gran Charanga will play at 34th Avenue North and Victory Memorial Parkway from 6-8 p.m. on July 14.

The concert is free and is part of the Live on the Drive series presented by North Memorial Medical Center, the Cleveland Neighborhood Association, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, North End Hardware and the Lowry Cafe, Camden Music School, NorthNews, the COMPAS Community Arts Program with funds provided by the McKnight Foundation, the Capri Theater, Washburn McReavy and the Victory, Webber Camden and Folwell Neighborhood Associations.