Compiled by Kathy Henderson

St. Anthony Park Garden Club

The Seeds of Knowledge and Healing: A Hmong Botanical Garden

Guest speaker Zongxee Lee, who comes from a long line of Hmong herbalists and healers, is known for her “Seeds of Knowledge and Healing” exhibit at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, featuring 12 key Hmong chicken soup herbs, as well as other plants.

The Garden Club program with Lee starts at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Ave. Social hour and club meeting precede the program starting at 6:30 p.m.

Enter via the Luther Place door. To attend virtually, request a Zoom link: [email protected].

Community Sing

Join pianist, accordionist, storyteller and vocalist Dan Chouinard and singer-songwriter Ann Reed for a free sing-along at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave.

Next Chapter Booksellers

Saint Paul Almanac Reading Series: Illumination: 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 38 Snelling Ave. S. “Illumination” is an anthology of prose and poetry from Minnesota writers that illuminate the tenacity, grit, pleasure and grace of the human experience.

Women’s Drum Center

Celebrating Our Past, Empowering Our Future: Annual concert and celebration. Pre-show activities from 6 to 6:50 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Beutow Music Center Auditorium, Concordia University, 300 Hamline Ave.

The event features performances by Taikolaborative, Djembe Diyamu, Women Who Groove, Rhythm Connections, drumHeart and other special guests.

Two ticket options: Concert and Rockstar Experience (limited to 20 tickets): $100. Concert Experience with pre-show: $20 for adults, $10 for youth 16 and under. Both include access to pre-show activities, the percussion playground, the merchandise table and general admission seating. Details and tickets at womensdrumcenter.org.

Art

boréal Art Loft: The fifth annual “Dant Werks Family Art Show” opens with an artist reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, and runs through Monday, Oct. 29, at 2276 Como Ave.

The show features oil paintings by the late Esther Dant, along with oil paintings by Jack Dant, photography by Michael Dant, and jewelry by Janet Graham Dant.

Esther passed away unexpectedly in January and her children have selected a group of her paintings to be available at the fifth annual show, along with their artwork.

The Art Loft is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Larson Art Gallery: “The Human Condition” runs Sept. 25 through Dec. 12 at the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul Student Center, 2017 Buford Ave. A reception will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. Eleven local and four U student artists explore human feelings and connections through varied media and styles.

St. Matthew’s: “The Spirit of Marbling,” a Minnesota marbling exhibit, continues through Nov. 23 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave. Open during office hours from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. In addition, artists will demonstrate marbling techniques at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.

Mini Medical School

The University of Minnesota’s three-part Mini Medical School fall series takes place online at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 14, 21, and 28. The theme is “The Promise and Power of Genome Engineering”:

• Oct. 14: Genome Engineering — What’s Possible?

• Oct. 21: Rare Diseases, Real Hope

• Oct. 28: Reimagining Cancer Treatment (the groundbreaking world of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy)

The series will also be available online for future viewing. Register at clinicalaffairs.umn.edu/mini-medical-school.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Commemorative blessing for leashed and friendly pets at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5 at the front churchyard, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave. If your pet is difficult to transport or not well socialized, bring an image of your pet to be blessed and honored during this simple service.

Bell Museum

2088 Larpenteur Ave. W. See website for regular museum hours and registration: bellmuseum.umn.edu.

Star Party: International Observe the Moon Night: 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3. Weather permitting, telescopes available to observe the moon. Learn about moon geology, exploration history and future predictions. Short, free planetarium shows on a first come, first served basis. Free; museum galleries will not be open during this event. Registration requested.

Story Time: 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16. Engaging stories and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) hands-on activities for young children (ages 7 and younger) and their families. Included with regular admission.

Collectors Day 2025: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Community members share and showcase their own personal collections.

Curious Allies: Exploring Relationships in Fungi, Parasites and Carnivores, an exhibit of 50 artworks, runs through Jan. 4, 2026.

Minnesota History Center

345 W. Kellogg Blvd. mnhs.org.

North Star Voices: How Minnesota Sent a Generation on The Oregon Trail: 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11. An interactive program marking 40 years since the release of the first fully graphical edition of The Oregon Trail™ game. Free. Registration recommended: mnhs.org/events/29624851032. Also accessible virtually via Zoom: mnhs-org.zoom.us/j/81170612253.

Rooted in Resilience: Nourishing Our Spirits, Growing Our Futures: 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Food, exhibits, games, activities, music, showing of the film “Fifty” by Joua Lee Grande and theatrical performances written by Sunny Thao commemorate 50 years of Hmong Americans in Minnesota. Complimentary food samplings from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; program begins inside the 3M Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Free.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive. Free. A voluntary donation of $4 for an adult and $2 for a child is appreciated. comozooconservatory.org.

Fall Flower Show: Two parts: Bright candy colors continues through Oct. 19. Moody (dark colors with creamy accents) from Oct. 24 through Nov. 30. The garden will be closed Oct. 20-23 for the mid-show change.

Senior Strolls: 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Special time reserved for adults ages 55 and older.

Red Cross blood drive: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Register for a time slot at redcrossblood.org/give and enter sponsor code ‘comozoo’.

Como Quest: Scavenger hunt from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. An immersive Como Friends fundraiser with a family-friendly mix of hands-on activities, games and crafts. Create a team and follow the conservation clues to uncover new secrets about Como’s extraordinary animals and plants. $21.99. Register: comofriends.org/events/como-quest.

Creepy-Crawly Creature Awareness Weekend: Hands-on fun on the Porch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, with a creepy-crawly carnival of learning and fun highlighting Como’s bugs, snakes, spooky plants and wild discoveries. Each day “Face Your Fears… Up Close!” from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. with live bugs and a slithery snake.

USO Day of the Deployed: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, exclusively for military service members and their families in the Bullard Rainforest Auditorium. Families connect, create and enjoy time together with zoo, books, activities, root beer floats and snacks, plus Como’s Creepy-Crawly Creatures events. Registration required: register. tinyurl.com/y3xppdk9.

Senior activities

St. Anthony Park Area Seniors offers a variety of activities. Unless another location is listed, activities take place at Centennial United Methodist Church, 2200 Hillside Ave. W. Unless specified, registration is not necessary. For more information, call 651‑642‑9052 or email [email protected].

SAIL: Stay Active and Independent for Life: A fitness class for balance, strength and flexibility. 10 to 11 a.m. on Mondays, Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27, and Wednesdays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Call the office or email to register.

Walk with Ease: 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 7, and Thursdays, Oct. 2 and 9. Meet at Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. Call or email the office to register.

Pound Fit: Full-body movements with drumsticks set to music. 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Limited class size. Call the office or email to register.

Game Day: Coffee and board games. 10 to 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, and Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Handiwork Group: 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Oct. 9, at St. Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave. Bring your own supplies.

Equal Portions: Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave. Catered luncheon and presentation, $15. Register by Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Poetry Group: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct 17. Virtual: Call the office or e-mail for Zoom link.

Chair yoga: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Fridays, Sept. 12, 19 and 26. Virtual via Zoom. Contact office to register. 

Kathy Henderson lives in St. Paul and is a freelance writer.