The Cafesjian’s Carousel operates in Como Park next to the new Visitor Center. Photo submitted by Our Fair Carousel.
Merry-go-round at Como Park
Cafesjian’s Carousel is now open for its 23rd season at Como Park.
The schedule for the historic ride now through Labor Day is 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Mondays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
From Sept. 4 to Oct. 31, the carousel’s schedule is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Infants under age 1 ride free. Tickets for all other riders are $3.
The carousel graced the Minnesota State Fair for 75 years and then was relocated to downtown St. Paul for a few years. Since 2000, the entertainment ride has operated in a $1.1 million pavilion next to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and the new Visitor Center at Como Park.
The carousel’s 68 horses and two chariots have been fully restored to their original 1914 appearance and a fully restored band organ plays waltzes, marches and popular tunes. About 100,000 people ride the carousel each season, according to carousel officials.
The carousel is owned and operated by Our Fair Carousel, the non-profit community group that saved it from being auctioned to collectors in 1988. More volunteers are needed to operate the ride, assist riders and sell tickets and merchandise. For information, call (651) 489-4628 or email
ourfaircarousel@outlook.com.
Coed drum circle class at Women’s Drum Center
The nonprofit Women’s Drum Center, 2242 University Ave., is offering a coed drum circle class from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 17.
Join facilitator Joselyn Specht for a fun, easy, free-spirited, facilitated drum circle. Her unique approach involves drumming along with recorded rock songs, and incorporating movement for a cardio-drumming experience. Cost is $10 per person. Teenagers and older are welcome. Drums will be provided. Register online at womensdrumcenter.org.
Tuesday with a Scholar Zoom Series continues
The Ramsey County Library’s free Tuesday with a Scholar virtual series continues with programs slated for 12:30 p.m., June 7, 14, 21 and 28.
On June 7, Augsburg University history professor Bill Green will talk about Nellie Francis, a Minnesota pioneer for gender and racial equality. He has published widely on topics on race and civil rights in Minnesota history, including most recently his book on Nellie Francis.
On June 14, retired Minnesota District Court Judge Bruce Peterson will lead a talk on “The Wisdom of Edward O. Wilson: Applying Sociobiology to Modern Life.” Wilson, the father of sociobiology, died recently at age 92. Peterson teaches the course Lawyers as Peacemakers, which applies sociobiology to conflict resolution, at the University of Minnesota Law School.
On June 21, University of Minnesota associate professor Keith Mayes will talk about “The History Behind Juneteenth.” Juneteenth marks the arrival of the news of Emancipation in Galveston Texas in 1865. Mayes, an expert on modern African American history, teaches in the Department of African American & African Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota.
On June 28, University of Minnesota political science professor Timothy R. Johnson will talk about “The Supreme Court Lays Down the Law.” Join Johnson, a nationally recognized expert on the Supreme Court, for insight and analysis of the court’s current decisions in areas from abortion, the Second Amendment and affirmative action, to disability discrimination and national security.
These are online programs offered remotely using Zoom communication software. You must register in advance for the event on the library’s website or by calling the library at 651-724-6001. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Seniors activities listed
The St. Anthony Park Area Seniors is planning a blood pressure clinic at Seal Hi-Rise, 825 Seal St., from 3 to 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21.
SAPAS has also scheduled virtual lunch bunch sessions from noon to 1 p.m. on June 8 and 22. Call the seniors office at 651-642-9052 for connection instructions.
Here are some other activities planned in June.
In-person:
Sippin’ Suds for SAP Area Seniors
Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St.
2-4 p.m., June 12. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on the sapaseniors.org website.
Paper Collage Art class
Fellowship Hall at the SAP Area Seniors office, 2200 Hillside Ave.
10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays (June 7, 14, 21 and 28). Registration required.
Virtual:
Tai Ji Quan
(Call to see if space is available)
10 to 11 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays on Zoom. (June 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30)
Caregiver and Bereavement Support Groups
Support groups continue to meet the first Thursday of the month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.
For further details on registering for the session or any of the other activities, please call the seniors office at 651-642-9052.
