MidCity Farmers Market

4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday until Sept. 24, at 693 Raymond Ave. (MidCity Kitchen parking lot). Features locally grown produce, artisanal foods, handmade goods, ready-to-eat food trucks, live music, and more. EBT/SNAP and Market Bucks accepted.

Neighbors of Alden Square

Alden Square Park, 1169 Gibbs Ave.

Dunquin (Celtic heritage music) and summer potluck: 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 11, at Alden Square Park, 1169 Gibbs Ave. Bring a dish to share and a personal beverage and chair or blanket, plus a tip for the band.

Women’s Drum Center

Drum Basics: 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 14, at 2242 University Ave. W. Explore both hand and stick drumming utilizing easy, energizing exercises to build skills. The focus is on having fun. Instructor: Jo Klein. Drums provided. $15. Register at womensdrumcenter.org.

Gibbs Farm

Pathways to Dakota & Pioneer Life: 2097 Larpenteur Ave. W., Falcon Heights. Noon to 3 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Guided tours available on the hour, $10-$5; free for children 3 and under and members. Free parking. Details at rchs.com/gibbs-farm.

Community Sing

Join pianist, accordionist, storyteller and vocalist Dan Chouinard and singer-songwriter Ann Reed for a sing-along at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 21 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave, St. Paul

Transition Town – All St. Anthony Park

Westgate Commons Volunteer Day: As part of the ongoing Plant & Pedal Days, neighbors are invited to help garden and care for the community from 10 a.m.–noon and 1–3 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, at Westgate Commons Park, 717 Berry St. Additional volunteer days are planned for Aug. 23 and Sept. 27.

Bell Museum

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

Solar observing: Noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, July 12, 19 and 26. Drop in to safely observe the sun at the museum’s outdoor solar station.

Minnesota Unearthed: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. Explore Minnesota’s geology, Indigenous stories, atlatl demos, canoe building, and the planetarium show “Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge.”

Star Party: Hands-on activities, demonstrations, special planetarium shows: 9:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, and 9 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. Free with regular museum admission; registration required.

Hot Magma Summer: Tuesday, July 15, through Saturday, July 20. Drop by during regular museum hours to find out how volcanic activity shaped Minnesota — and the Earth — into what is seen today. Planetarium show “Supervolcanoes” recommended for ages 8+.

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.

Sunset Affair: 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 17. Reservation deadline July 1. Reception, tours, silent auction and dinner. $250.

Senior Strolls: 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, and 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22. Special time reserved for adults ages 55+. Online registration is no longer required.

Groovin’ In The Garden: Outdoor concerts and activities from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays in front of the conservatory. Free. Refreshments available for purchase.

• Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir, Belfast-born singer-songwriter fronting a three-piece rock band, July 2.

• Salsa del Soul, high-energy Latin dance music. July 9.

• Jellyjacket, all-star Minnesota rock ‘n’ roll band, July 16.

• Favourite Girl, Katy Vernon leads a female-powered rock band, July 23.

• School of Rock, St. Paul and Plymouth student house bands, July 30.

Music Monday: 9:50–10:30 a.m., 10:50–11:30 a.m., and 12–12:40 p.m on Monday, July 7. Jack Brass Band leads a second-line jazz parade through the zoo.

Orchard Odyssey: 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 27. Explore orchards in the greenhouse. A horticulturist will share insider tips. Register. Adult program: $30.

Wildlife Rescue: Tales of Conservation: The interactive outdoor exhibit of 12 life-sized, climbable animal sculptures continues through Labor Day. Each sculpture represents a species that was once on the brink of extinction but made a comeback due to conservation efforts.

Sunken Garden: Summer Flower Show continues through Sept. 14. Bromeliads, hibiscus and citrus featured among an assortment of tropical annuals.

Como Town: Rides and attractions at this family-friendly amusement park next to Como Zoo are open for the season. Find details online at comotown.com.

Dock and Paddle

Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N.

• Community Band, Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29.

• Capri Big Band, 7–8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8.

• Initials Game Live, 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday. A free weekly trivia game with prizes.

Find the full summer music and entertainment schedule online at dockandpaddle.com.

Senior activities

St. Anthony Park Area Seniors offers a mixture of in-person and virtual activities during July. Unless otherwise noted, registration is not required. For more information, call 651‑642‑9052 or email [email protected].

In-person activities include:

Pound Fit: A full-body drumming workout from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at Centennial United Methodist Church. 2200 Hillside Ave. W. Limited class size—call the office or email to register.

SAIL: Stay Active and Independent for Life: exercise class for balance, strength and flexibility: 10 to 11 a.m. on Mondays, July 14, 21 and 28; Wednesdays, July 16, 23 and 30; and Fridays, July 18 and 25, at 2200 Hillside Ave. W. Call the office or email to register.

Game Day: Coffee and board games: 10 to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22 at 2200 Hillside Ave. W.

Handiwork Group: 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, July 10, at 2200 Hillside Ave. W. Bring your own supplies and drop in to socialize with your neighbors.

Lunch outing: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2. Meet at La Casita, 1925 Perimeter Dr., Roseville. Call the office or email to register.

Equal Portions: Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave. Catered luncheon and presentation. $15. Register by July 11.

Poetry Group: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, at 2200 Hillside Ave. W.

Lauderdale “Day in the Park”: 5–8 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, at Lauderdale Community Park, 1885 Fulham St. A community celebration featuring a 4‑H pie social fundraiser, kickball game, outreach by St. Anthony Park Area Seniors and opportunities to sign up as a volunteer.

Virtual:

Lunch Bunch: Socializing and BINGO. Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23. Call the office or email for Zoom link.  

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

Photo cutline: Foxtail Farm has organically grown vegetables and plant starts. Photo by Reba Batalden.