boréal Art Loft

“Our Favorite Colors,” the Art Loft’s September exhibit, features paintings from 13 artists who are members of OT Artists, a studio artists’ cooperative located at 106 Water St. in the FOK Studio building near Harriet Island.

Discover the favorite colors of artists Sarah Boyle Carmack, Pat Cleary, JoAnn Frekot, Katharine Gotham, Vera J. Kent, Tom McGregor, Claire Stokes and Christine Tierney. An artists’ reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 2276 Como Ave.

The Art Loft is open during boréal regular hours: Monday–Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Blood drive set Sept. 2

The St. Anthony Park Community Blood Drive will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at St Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Ave.

You can sign up online for a time to donate at redcrossblood.org and use the code SAPL. Thanks for your consideration and Happy Labor Day.

Dock and Paddle

Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. Music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted

• The Everly Covers, Saturday, Aug. 30.

• Junior and the Jukes, blues trio, Sunday, Aug. 31.

• Legacy, traditional Irish music, Wednesday, Sept. 3.

• Café Accordion Orchestra, Sunday, Sept. 7.

• Big Woods Brass Band, Friday, Sept. 12.

• Riff Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 13.

Find the full entertainment schedule online at dockandpaddle.com.

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, Sept 15 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave.

Next Chapter Booksellers

The following book launches and author conversations take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at 38 Snelling Ave. nextchapterbooksellers.com.

• “Abducted” by St. Paul author Patrick Barb (true crime meets the paranormal), Thursday, Aug. 26.

• “Pushing The River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories” by Minneapolis author Frank Bures, Tuesday, Sept. 2.

• “Blue Earth River” author William Loving (former Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter) in conversation with James C. Nelson, Thursday, Sept. 4.

• “We Talked About New York” poetry collection from Twin Cities award-winning poet and master baker Klecko (Dan McGleno) in conversation with Patricia Hample, Sunday, Sept. 7.

• “Apostle’s Cove” by William Kent Krueger, the St. Paul author of the bestselling Cork O’Connor mystery series, Monday, Sept. 8.

Women’s Drum Center

Introduction to Washboard workshop led by Mikkel Beckmen from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, at 2242 University Ave. W. Discover why the washboard is the perfect percussive accompaniment for acoustic music. Learn through playing, listening and composing short percussion pieces.

Washboards provided, or bring your own. No experience necessary. Open to all genders. $35. Space is limited; register online at womensdrumcenter.org.

Gibbs Farm

2097 Larpenteur Ave. W., Falcon Heights. rchs.com/gibbs-farm.

Pathways to Dakota & Pioneer Life: Noon to 3 p.m. on Fridays ends on Aug. 29. Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. continue Aug. 30, Sept. 6, 13 and 20, and Oct. 4, 11 and 18. Guided tours available on the hour or independently view. Admission: $10-$5; free for children 3 and under and members.

Apple Festival: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. Crafts, treats, music, history and nature activities for all ages are included with regular admission. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase refreshments from the Trickster Taco food truck, a Native family-owned mobile unit featuring frybread tacos, sides and Tricksters dessert frybread fries.

Bell Museum

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

Curious Allies: Exploring relationships in fungi, parasites and carnivores runs from Sept. 27, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026. Learn about fungi, lichens and other fascinating plants and the relationships that sustain them.

Featuring 50 artworks, the show is a collaboration between the American Society of Botanical Artists and the New York Botanical Garden. Contributing artists represent the United States, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The museum also explores how University of Minnesota scientists collaborate with artists to document new species and showcase fungi, lichens and other specimens from the Herbarium and the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory.

Hands-on activities include a weaving project and a carnivorous plant touch-and-feel game for kids. Artists of all ages can test their skills by sketching real specimens in the gallery.

Spotlight Science: FungiFest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. Join researchers, students and special guests for conversations and hands-on experiences. Learn about Minnesota’s edible and common mushrooms with the Minnesota Mycological Society. Children can build take-home fungi dioramas and make paper crowns decorated with fungi-covered logs.          

“Finding Fungi,” a short planetarium show by the Minnesota Mycological Society, will be presented at 11:15 a.m., noon and 12:45 p.m. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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.

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.

Summer Flower Show: Brightly colored assortment of tropical annuals in the sunken garden ends Sept. 14.

Fall Flower Show: Two parts: Bright candy colors featured from Sept. 19 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 activities

St. Anthony Park Area Seniors offers a variety of activities. Unless otherwise noted, registration is not required. For more information, call 651‑642‑9052 or email [email protected].

Pound Fit: Full-body movements with drumsticks set to music. 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, at Centennial United Methodist Church. 2200 Hillside Ave. W. Limited class size. Call the office or email to register.

Walk with Ease: 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, and Thursdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 15. Meet at Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N. Call or email the office to register.

SAIL: Stay Active and Independent for Life: A fitness class for balance, strength and flexibility. 10 to 11 a.m. The next session runs Mondays, Sept. 15, 22 and 29 and Wednesday, Sept. 17 (no class on Sept. 24), 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 Friday, Sept. 5, and Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 2200 Hillside Ave. W.

Handiwork Group: 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 2200 Hillside Ave. W. Bring your own supplies and drop in to socialize with your neighbors.

Concert in the Park: “Swingin’ on a Star band” 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Lauderdale Community Park, 1885 Fulham St.

Equal Portions: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave. Catered luncheon and presentation, “Beyond Your Home: Basic Senior Living Overview for Preparing Your Search,” covering planning and understanding the current senior living landscape. $15. Register by Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Poetry Group: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, at 2200 Hillside Ave. W.

Chanhassen Dinner Theater: “Grease”: 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Free to attend; transportation, lunch and show included. Registration is mandatory due to limited seating. Priority given to people age 60+ in the St. Anthony Park Area Seniors service area. Email [email protected] to register.

Lunch Bunch: Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Socializing and BINGO. 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.