Summer fun guide: Hello summer

Robert Sherwood's classic crime drama, "The Petrified Forest," will run May 5-6 and 12-13 at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on May 13. All performances will be at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church. Tickets can be purchased at the door 45 minutes prior to the start of the show by Classics Lost & Found Community Theater Company. Later this summer, on June 9-10 and 16-17, the company will present "Pirates in the Park" outdoors at Lake Nokomis (1610 E. Minnehaha Parkway).

Posted Thursday, April 27, 2023 12:00 am

ADVENTURES IN WALKING

One summer morning I passed a father who carried his son in a backpack. The little one moved his fingers at me, signing. What did he say? “You’re a monkey,” said the dad. On another walk, a huge dog raised a paw and shook my hand. Suddenly, his paws were on my shoulders. “He wants to give you a kiss,” said his owner. I was flattered. A man was at work on his retaining wall; I crossed to his shady side of the street. We chatted. Subsequently, my husband and I have a new a friend who introduced us to our first butterfly release and more.

The British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that a brisk walk of at least 11 minutes a day “significantly lowered participants risk for heart disease.” The benefits increase exponentially with longer walks. Legs are the pump of the heart. Keep pumping!

By Jane St. Anthony

Between winters, delight in the chance to leave home without mittens or money. Most of the activities listed below are free.

JUNETEENTH
Celebrate the Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival at Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., on Monday, June 19 from 1-8 p.m. This family-friendly event features live music, speakers, poets and a Local Black Owned Business Market.

BIRD WALK AND GARDEN TOOL SWAP
Join Urban Bird Collective at Longfellow Park for a bird walk through natural spaces in the Longfellow and Seward Neighborhoods. You’ll have the opportunity to learn and observe native bird species. Sign up to reserve your spot. Dates and times: May 21, 8:30 a.m., June 6, 5. p.m. Questions? Email jasmine@sng.org.
Longfellow Park will host a Garden Tool Swap on May 13 from 9 a.m. until noon. Bring your extra yard tools, planters, garden décor, books and seeds. Don’t have anything to trade? Come to find what other gardeners hope to leave behind.
https://longfellow.org/event/garden-tool-swap/

MINNEHAHA BANDSTAND
Bring a blanket and catch a free concert at the Minnehaha Regional Park bandstand on Thursday and Friday evenings. The South High Community Band kicks off this year’s series on Thursday, June 1. Music ranges from alt-country, upbeat and danceable music, craft pop and belly dance. Minneapolis-based musicians include Tyler Haag, Southern Resident Killer Whales and Harlow.

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/minnehaha-regional-park/

MINNEHAHA FALLS ART FAIR
This annual event is a Zero Waste Festival hosted by Homespun Gifts and Décor at Minnehaha Regional Park. This year’s festival is Friday, July 14, 3-8 p.m.,
Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m - 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The fair will host 100-150 artist booths as well as music, crafts, food and more.
www.minnehahafallsartfair.com

LIBRARIES
Nokomis Library
Cuddle up with a book-loving dog! Kids from grades 1-3 will relish reading aloud with a certified therapy pup or other four-legged bibliophile. Activities for the younger set include Storytimes and the new Play Space that features Science Lab, where kids experiment with color, sound and motion. Older kids will check out Nature Trading Space. Bookomis! All-Genres Book Club includes sci-fi, mystery thrillers, graphic novels and much more.
Pause at the glass display case to see historical children’s books. First edition Alice in Wonderland, anyone? The library offers new books, journals for writing and drawing, plus rotating Play Space with activities for kids of all ages, all free of charge. The ongoing Nokomis Community Seed Library offers free seeds to gardeners. Learn about more activities throughout the summer. https://www.hclib.org/about/locations/nokomis

East Lake Library
Do babies line up at East Lake Library? They might when they learn of a Petite Concert. Little ones from birth to 24 months and their grown-ups meet every Friday during summer for a lively time at Baby Storytime. Family Story Times is also a big hit.
In July, Art Camp opens for third and fourth graders, as well as teens. Curious kids and teens can drop in on “Chemistry in the Library.” There are zine workshops: “Writing and Drawing” as well as “Tools, Different Methods.” Adults, as well as teens, are invited to create these printed publications that the library collects to encourage creativity and discovery.
Choices for adults also include East Lake Mystery Book Club, Weekly Art + Craft Practice Group, Job + Career Resources with PPL, City of Minneapolis Small Business Support, Medicare 101, Club de Lectura and many, many more. Events at East Lake continue to be added to the calendar. For information about new events and times, go to:
https://www.hclib.org/about/locations/east-lake

Roosevelt Library
Young architects and their families will explore the world of fiber when they construct their own soft animals on Wednesday, June 28. (Courtesy of Silverwood Park: Exploring Fiber Arts and Anima Architects).
Connect and Play is open every Saturday in May from 10 a.m. to noon.
On alternate Saturdays from June 3 to July 29, the younger set will enjoy Family Storytime. Yard Games provide the ball, bubbles, chalk and fun every Saturday in August. Ages 10-12. Check out “Llamas at the Library” on Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 4-7 p.m. Roosevelt Library’s Teen Tech Squad will provide STEM programs for youths.
For the mature set: Mystery and Thriller Book Club, 1-2 p.m. on Saturdays. Other offerings: Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Effective Communication on July 22 from 2-3 p.m. and Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Healthy Living for your Brain and Body on Aug. 5 from 2-3 p.m.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AUG. 1
Neighborhoods are full of neighbors: those you’ve met and those you haven’t yet. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, reach out and connect at your neighborhood block party, which may feature cookouts, youth activities and more. Minneapolis leads the nation in National Night Out participation. To learn about your block club, contact https://www. minneapolis.gov/government/programs-initiatives/

NOKOMIS DAYS AUG. 4-6
Nokomis Days 2023 returns Aug. 4-6 courtesy of the Nokomis East Business Association. Nokomis Shoe Shop continues its long-time sidewalk sale all weekend, and will be joined by others. Music kicks off with a Friday night concert at Nokomis Tattoo, and things end with a parking lot party at Bull’s Horn on Sunday afternoon. There will be a beer collaboration between Venn Brewing and Bull’s Horn, food specials around the neighborhood, a maker’s market, Bossen Renter’s Party on Saturday, and more. www.nokomiseastba.com

FARMERS MARKETS
For your picnics, lunch bags or solo supper while watching the Twins, enjoy the fresh produce and abundance of choices when you shop at the community supported Midtown Farmers Market at 2225 East Lake Street. www.midtownfarmersmarket.org
Nokomis Farmers Market opens in June at 5167 Chicago Ave. www.neighborhoodrootsmn.org/nokomis

NOKOMIS MAKER MARKETS
Drop by the Shoreview Triangle (5342 25th Ave. S.) on Thursdays from June 1 to Sept. 28 from 4:30-7:30 to hear music, browse maker booths, and enjoy food trucks. www.NokomisMakersMarket.com