The Colby Lake trail loop in Woodbury is closed until late July as the city widens the trail to 10 feet in most areas to better accommodate foot and bike traffic. The project also involves replacing retaining walls and other work.

For more information, send an e-mail to ahoward@ci.woodbury.mn.us or call 651-414-3486. For questions about parks and shelters in the area, e-mail parks@ci.woodbury.mn.us or call 651-714-3583.

Newport

Parks photo contest has June 30 deadline

Residents of Newport can participate in the city's most recent photo contest. Photos will be judged in adult or youth (under 18) divisions in two categories: Best Color Photo and Best Black and White Photo.

Winning photos will be displayed on the city website and at various venues in the city. Cash prizes will be awarded in December for Best Juried Photo and People's Choice Photo.

Photos must be taken in, or from, any of Newport's parks. More information is available online at http://ci.newport.mn.us/ParkPhotoContest.php

Submission deadline is June 30.

Woodbury

Water lessons with free puppet show

The water cycle will be brought to life for kids during "Are You Thirsty?", a puppet and mask show on Wednesday, June 10, in Woodbury.

The professional puppet troupe In the Heart of the Beast presents the free show at the Central Park indoor amphitheater from 7-8 p.m.

The aim is to "help us see ourselves as a vital part of the water cycle and explore the many questions contained in a glass of drinking water," city officials say.

The show is sponsored by the city of Woodbury's Smart Water Use Education Program. For more information, visit www.ci.woodbury.mn.us or call 651-714-3583.

Stillwater

Art Guild offers abstract paintings

The Stillwater Art Guild Gallery is presenting the work of German-born St. Paul artist Eva F. Cross this month. The gallery is at 402 N. Main St, and the show, called FUSION on 402 N. MAIN, runs through June 29.

Cross will be showcasing expressionistic abstract work: about 60 colorful and textural abstract paintings dating to 1970.

Many are landscapes from Minnesota and the Oro Valley in Arizona, where she spends her winters.

White Bear Lake

Ten-minute plays featured for June

It's the 11th year for 10-minute plays. The Lakeshore Players in White Bear Lake are presenting their 10-Minute Play Festival, with shows today and Thursday-next Sunday, June 14. Hundreds of new plays are submitted, from which 10 are chosen for world premiers. Among the plays in this year's lineup:

• "940 Feathers," by Tim J. Brennan, Austin, Minn.: Hayden is writing her memoirs but can't remember clearly; Casper wants to help her, but there are a few things he'd rather forget. A short play about the onset of Alzheimer's.

• "The Full Washington," by Amy Hanson and Michael Johnson, Racine, Wis.: The official portrait session for the one-dollar bill.

• "Senior Coffee," by Stanley Toledo, Richmond, Calif.: A young waitress has a fight on her hands when she tries to serve free coffee to a senior citizen.

The Lakeshore Players Theatre is at 4820 Stewart Av., White Bear Lake. Tickets are $15-$19 and may be reserved in advance. Purchases may be made online (http://lakeshoreplayers.org) or by calling 651-429-5674.

Find out more about the show and how Lakeshore brings a story from page to stage at a discussion with cast and crew after the matinee performance today, June 7.

David Peterson