boréal Art Loft

boréal Gifts & Goods will host an artist’s reception for Emily Chesick, its June Art Loft featured artist, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 2, at 2276 Como Ave.

The exhibit features landscape-inspired quilts and nature or botany-themed cloisonné enamel jewelry, which reflect Chesick’s interest and educational background in biology,botany and forest science. The exhibit runs June 2-29 during regular boréal store hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday.

4-H pie and ice cream social

The Northern Lights 4-H Club is bringing back its popular pie and ice cream social on Friday, June 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Luther Seminary grounds (corner of Como Avenue and Luther Place). Pie, $3; pie with ice cream, $4. Also, beverages, $1. The St. Anthony Park Community Band will provide music.

SAP Arts Festival

The St. Anthony Park Arts Festival kicks off summer fun with a celebration of community that includes art, music, family activities and an outdoor library storytime.

The St. Anthony Park branch library’s used book sale (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the St. Anthony Park Garden Club’s plant sale (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) are annual favorites. Food is available for purchase. Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Como and Carter avenues. Details at sapfest.org.

Conservatory senior stroll

Como Park’s Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at 1225 Estabrook Drive hosts two free senior strolls for ages 55 and older during June. Advance online registration is required with selection of either a 9 or 9:30 a.m. start times on Wednesdays, June 7 and 21, at comozooconservatory.org/como/senior-strolls.

Gibbs Farm

Summer Saturday hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., return in June to the Ramsey County Historical Society’s Gibbs Farm: Pathways to Dakota & Pioneer Life at 2097 Larpenteur Ave. W. Fridays, noon to 3 p.m., begin June 23. Guided tours are offered on the hour. Admission: $5-$10. Free for children ages 3 and under and RCHS members. For details, see Discover Gibbs Farm at rchs.com/gibbs-farm.

Summer music

Groovin’ in the Garden:

Free outdoor concerts are returning from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays during June and July to the grounds in front of Como Park’s Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive. Bring your own blanket and food or purchase refreshments there. The summer music series kicks off Wednesday, June 7, with the Innocent Reggae Band. The June and July schedule is online at comozooconservatory.org/como/groovin-in-the-garden-2023.

Como Lakeside Pavilion:

The Dock & Paddle hosts Dan “Daddy Squeeze” Newton and Elizabeth Rowan’s accordion, percussion and vocals performance of European and American folk music from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, June 29, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. Free. 651-300-4847.

Women’s Drum Center

The Women’s Drum Center, 2242 University Ave. W, will host two distinctive Brazilian music workshops on Saturday, June 17. The fee is $30 per session or $50 for the two sessions. Class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required at womensdrumcenter.org.

Introduction to Brazilian music: 9:30 a.m. to noon: In this hands-on beginner session, participants will focus, on, among other things, the style, playing techniques and specific rhythms for early samba patterns using pandeiros (tambourines) and congas.

Playing Brazilian music: 1 to 3:30 p.m.: In this hands-on session, experienced players will delve more deeply into Brazilian music. While some experience with percussion or music is required, taking the morning introduction session will fulfill this requirement.

St. Anthony Park Library

Special events and popular favorites are included on the June calendar at the St. Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave. Unless specified, registration is not required.

The library is closed on Monday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday. 651-642-0411.

June special events include:

Used book sale: Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, (during the SAP Arts Festival) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual event has built a reputation for being one of the best Twin Cities library used book sales. Look for books, DVDs, CDs, and audio books in the library basement area. Proceeds support the library.

Storytime in the park: Tuesdays, June 6 and 13, 10:30 to 11 a.m. College Park, 2223 Carter Ave. Stories, songs, rhymes and puppetry especially for children ages birth to 5, their caregivers and siblings. (No storytime on June 20 or June 27.) In case of inclement weather, storytime will relocate to the library auditorium. The decision will be made by 9:30 a.m. that day and posted to sppl.org/calendar.

Brodini Comedy Magic Show: Thursday, June 22, 3 to 4 p.m. The renowned Brodini skillfully blends humor and magic together. Suitable for all ages.

Popular favorites include:

Fun Lab: Wednesdays, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The STEAM drop-in program for ages 7 to 11 takes place in the library auditorium. Crafts, science experiments, engineering projects, video games and more.

Shake Your Sillies Out! Playtime: Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Story, stretching, movement and lots of fun for children ages 2 to 5 accompanied by an adult.

Paw Pals: Read with Enzo or Sadie: Saturday, June 10, 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Youth ages 5 to 12 are welcome to read to the two friendly dogs that will be in the children’s room. Registration is not required; however, each child’s reading session is limited to 15 minutes, which ensures that as many children as possible will have the opportunity to read to Enzo or Sadie.

Saturday Family Storytime: Saturday, June 24, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Join the St. Anthony Park Library on the last Saturday of each month for songs, stories, crafts/activities and social time with other families in the library’s auditorium. Best for toddlers and preschoolers, caregivers and siblings.

Adult Book Club: Monday, June 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join library staff and reading enthusiasts in the library’s auditorium for lively conversation and refreshments. Stop in or call the library at 651-642-0411 for more information or to pick up a copy of the book.

English Conversation Circle for Adults: Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Join the University of Minnesota Retirees Volunteer Center and the Partners in English program for free English practice at the library. All levels of English language skill are welcome.

SAP Garden Club

The St. Anthony Park Garden Club hosts two fundraisers in June that help support scholarships, speakers, and maintenance of the garden at the SAP Library.

Plant sale: Saturday, June 3 (during the SAP Arts Festival), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., west side of the St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Ave.

Garden tour: Saturday, June 24. Tickets, $15. Advance online registration required. Select start time between 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tour closes at 3 p.m. Details at stanthonyparkgardenclub.com

Tuesday with a Scholar series

The Ramsey County Library’s free Tuesday with a Scholar four speakers during June. Each Zoom session takes place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Registration required at 651-724-6001 or on the library website at rclreads.org. The sessions are:

June 6: Julia Steenberg, University of Minnesota geologist and researcher, will present “A Minnesota Meteor: What Can it Tell Us?” Steenberg will be sharing her experience as part of the U’s Minnesota Geological Survey team which discovered a meteor crater below the surface in Inver Grove Heights.

June 13: Doug Ohman, a well-known New Hope photographer whose work was included in the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit “Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon,” will present “Vanishing Minnesota,” a visual tour exploring abandoned barns, churches, libraries and other landmarks.

June 20: Lori Sturdevant, retired Star Tribune editorial writer, author and columnist who has written about Minnesota government and politics since 1975, will present “A Look at the Minnesota Legislature 2023,” an overview of the accomplishments and shortcomings of the recently concluded session.

June 27: Timothy R. Johnson, the University of Minnesota’s Morse-Alumni Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Law and a nationally recognized expert on U.S. Supreme Court, will present “A Look at the Supreme Court Term 2022-23,” providing insights and analysis of some of the most important issues of our time.

A confirmation email is sent to all registrants, and a Zoom link email will arrive on the scheduled Tuesday morning.

Age-Friendly University Day

The University of Minnesota’s Age- Friendly University Day will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, June 26, at the McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E. on the Minneapolis campus.

The agenda includes a keynote presentation, panel discussion, and mini-sessions. Learn about organizations and resources for older adults including the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (informal, non-credit) and the U’s Senior Citizen Education Program (curriculum), both offering some classes and courses on the St. Paul campus. Continental breakfast and lunch included. The event is free but registration required at sph.umn.edu/events-calendar/age-friendly-university-day/#sponsors.

Seniors activities

The St. Anthony Park Area Seniors will hold a mix of in person and virtual activities in June.

In person activities include:

Lake walk: Fridays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 10 to 11 a.m., Meet at the Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 N. Lexington Parkway. Registration required: 651-642-9052 or email sc@sapaseniors.org. Donations accepted, but not required.
Grief and loss study group: Wednesday, June 7, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at St Anthony Park United Methodist Church, 2200 Hillside Ave.
Senior self-defense: Krav Maga training: Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., meet on the lawn at St. Anthony Park United Methodist Church, 2200 Hillside Ave.
Sweet celebration: Thursday, June 15, 3 to 5 p.m., on the lawn at St. Anthony Park United Methodist Church, 2200 Hillside Ave.
Blood pressure clinic: Tuesday, June 20, 3 to 3:45 p.m., at Seal Hi-Rise, 825 Seal St.
Caregiver community gathering: Monday, June 26, 11 a.m. to noon, St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Ave.

June hybrid presentation:

• Senior legal planning with Liz Pierce: Thursday, June 22, 1 to 2 p.m., St. Anthony Park United Methodist Church, 2200 Hillside Ave, or stream on facebook.com/sapaseniors.

Virtual activities include:

• Caregiver Support Group: Thursday, June 1, noon to 1 p.m.

• Lunch Bunch: Wednesdays, June 7 and 21, noon to 1 p.m.

For more details call the seniors office at 651-642-9052.

Compiled by Bugle freelance writer Kathy Henderson.