North news briefs: Afrifest celebration is set for Saturday

The third annual Afrifest, a multi-cultural outdoor festival, will take place Saturday in the parking lot of North View Junior High School, 5689 69th Av. N., Brooklyn Park. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is free.

Features will include an east-vs.-west soccer tournament, vendors and many displays about African cultures. There will aso be a "kidz zone" for children.

For information, call 612-568-2195 or email organizers at info@afrifest.org.

The front counter at the Brooklyn Park Police Department's North Precinct is open again after a temporary closure because of construction.

The counter had closed in early June. The precinct is located at 5400 85th Ave. N.

The city of Andover will hold a free tour of pollinator-friendly gardens on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Five properties will be featured, and hosts, including master gardeners, will be on hand at each site. Organizers say the tour will offer a chance to learn about landscapes and plants that benefit pollinators and other wildlife, are visually appealing and help storm-water quality.

The sites include lakeshore habitat, shade gardens, a natural habitat at a beekeeper's home, a rain garden and native and prairie plantings. Also on the tour will be Kelsey Round Lake Park's native prairie. A map of the locations is posted at http://www.andovermn.gov/407/Andover-Pollinator-Awareness-Project. Maps can also be obtained at Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Blvd NW, during business hours Monday through Friday,

The Fridley Historical Society is hosting appraiser Mark Moran on Aug. 9. The event will take place from 2-7 p.m. at the American Legion, 7365 Old Central Av.

If you'd like to have something appraised, the cost is $15 per item and a reservation is required. Call and leave a message at the Fridley History Center at 763-571-0120. The event is free and open to the public.

The Off Broadway Musical Theatre company continues its run of "Oliver!", with performances this Thursday, Friday and Saturday and again on Aug. 6-8. The show, a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," will be presented at 8 p.m. each day at the New Hope Outdoor Theatre, 4401 Xylon Av. N. That's just west of city hall.

Performances are free, but a donation of $4 per person is suggested. For further information, go to obmt.org

Communities across Minnesota will celebrate this year's Night to Unite on Tuesday evening, Aug. 4. Night to Unite is designed to help build strong communities and prevent crime by bringing neighbors together. A variety of activities are organized at the events. For information about Night to Unite in your area, go to your city's website or call your city.