North news briefs: Anoka home and garden tour is this Sunday

The 10th annual Anoka Heri­tage Home and Garden Tour will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 14, featuring 11 historic sites and gardens.

The event is presented by the Anoka County Historical Society and the Anoka Heritage Preservation Commission.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the tour. Advance tickets can be bought at the Anoka County History Center, 2135 3rd Av. N., or by calling 763-421-0600. Or go to www.anokacountyhistory.org.

On the day of the tour, tickets can be bought at the Artique at 1900 3rd Av.

In conjunction with Anoka's Riverfest celebration this weekend, free admission will be offered Saturday, July 13, to "All for the Union: Anoka County Faces the Civil War," an exhibit at the Anoka County History Center.

In addition to free admission to the galleries from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors will be able to interact with costumed interpreters.

The History Center is located at 2135 3rd Av. N., Anoka.

The musical "Hairspray" opens Friday at the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, 420 E. Main St., Anoka. The show, the final production of Lyric Arts' 2012-13 season, runs through Aug. 4.

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. this Sunday. After this weekend, performances will be given at 7 p.m. Thursdays (July 18 and 25 and Aug. 1); 7:30 p.m. Fridays (July 19 and 26 and Aug. 2); 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (July 20 and 27 and Aug. 3), and 2 p.m. Sundays (July 21 and 28 and Aug. 4).

Tickets range from $16 to $26 and can be bought by calling the box office at 763-422-1838 or by visiting the Lyric Arts website at www.lyricarts.org.

This Friday, there will also be an "Opening Night Gala" with appetizers and drinks before the show, a VIP line at intermission, and dessert with the cast and crew afterward. The cost of the gala is $18 above the ticket price. It is not necessary to buy a gala admission to attend Friday's show.

Lyric Arts' 2013-14 season opens in September with "The Laramie Project."

"It was a pretty critical link to get completed," said Coon Rapids City Engineer Bob Moberg. He said the 1,400-foot stretch, including a bridge over Coon Creek, cost $114,000, half of which was covered by a grant from the state Department of Natural Resources.

The city's $57,000 came from its park and trail fund, he said. The project was done in June.

"Almost as soon as the paving was done, people were using it," Moberg said.

The Coon Rapids police and fire departments will offer a safety camp this month for Coon Rapids students entering fourth and fifth grades this fall.

The two-day camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23-24, a Tuesday and Wednesday, at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd.

There is a $40 registration fee, which covers supplies, a T-shirt, snacks and lunch, and transportation to and from the swimming pool; $15 scholarships are available to children based on their eligibility for the free and reduced-price school lunch program.

There will be a graduation ceremony on July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Coon Rapids High School Auditorium.

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After a one-week break for July 4th, the "Live on the Drive" concert series on Victory Memorial Drive returns this Thursday, July 11, with gospel-jazz-blues singer Chastity Brown.

The free outdoor concert is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Victory Memorial Drive at 34th Avenue N.

A variety of classes are offered for students of all ages and abilities. The school has two locations in Minneapolis: 3751 Sheridan Av. N. in the Camden neighborhood and 1500 6th St. NE. in northeast.

For more information or to register, go to www.camden musicschool.com or call 612-618-0219.

New Hope police investigator Marty Williams has received the Timothy Bowe Memorial Award from Metro Transit, honoring him as its part-time officer of the year.

In addition to his full-time duties with the New Hope Police Department, Williams has worked part-time for Metro Transit for 12 years.

He was recognized for showing exceptional professionalism and dedication while often working overnights and special events for the agency.

A show featuring the Shakopee-Prior Lake Water Ski Team is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Parkers Lake Park in Plymouth. The park is at 15505 County Road 6. The show will include music and a variety of water skiing. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner if you like. Popcorn and ice cream vendors will be available.