Briefs: Open house, plant sale at Big River Farms

The annual spring open house and plant sale for the Minnesota Food Association will be held from noon-4 p.m. May 12 at Big River Farms in the Wilder Forest at Marine on St. Croix.

The open house celebrates the new growing season at Big River Farms, which has a mission to train new farmers, promote local food systems and practice sustainable organic agriculture. Light food and beverages will be provided.

The plant sale will include certified organic flower bedding plants including violas, calendula, nasturtium, marigolds and bachelor buttons. Also sold will be certified organic vegetable and herb bedding plants such as basil, sage, thyme, sugar snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, broccoli, lettuce, fennel and Brussels sprouts.

Admission is free. Donations and volunteers are welcome. For more information, go to www.mnfoodassociation.org or call 651-433-3676.

Time to clean up: city plans event Heavy-Metal Day, Scandia's annual spring cleanup event, is scheduled for 8-11 a.m. Saturday in the Community Center parking lot.

Residents can drop off items, except for hazardous waste, that is not taken by their regular trash haulers. Items accepted include appliances, tires, furniture, mattresses, scrap metal and wood. There will be a fee for some items. The fee schedule is posted on the city website at www.ci.scandia.mn.us.

Hazardous materials, electronics and all other recyclables are accepted year-round at the Washington County Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove Drive in Woodbury.

Arcola Mills, about 8 miles north of Stillwater, is a lumber-era property with a Greek Revival house built in 1847. Trails lead to the adjoining forest and to the river.

The May 19 event, from 8 a.m.-noon, will include a continental breakfast. Some birders have donated "a buck a bird" for past fundraisers, but any amount is welcome, organizers said.

Species of birds observed in the past have included the Louisiana waterthrush, a relatively uncommon species because it favors the moving stream habitat at Arcola Mills.

Money raised will benefit the Arcola Mills Historical Foundation, which sponsors activities in the arts, nature, science and history. Those who attend are asked to contact Karen Eckman in advance at 651-483-8460 or at k.eckman@comcast.net.

Park ranger to lead river kayak paddle The public can join a National Park Service ranger in paddling the St. Croix River from Minnesota Interstate State Park to Osceola Landing on May 12 from 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kayaks and related equipment, including life jackets, will be provided. A mandatory 30-minute paddling instruction and safety session will be held before departure. Participants should have previous paddling experience and must be 18 or older. Paddling time for the 6 1/2-mile trip is about 3 1/2 hours. Shuttle service is included.

This program is co-sponsored by the St. Croix River Association. Cost is $25 per person. Space is limited to eight participants. To register, contact the River Association at 715-483-3300 or www.stcroixriverassociation.org. Registration deadline is Friday.

Roll up your sleeves, plant the city's future Help beautify the community by turning out on Saturday to help plant more than 300 trees, half of them at Colby Lake North Park and half at Ojibway Park.

The planting will begin at 9 a.m. at Ojibway Park and at 10 a.m. at Colby Lake North Park. Call 651-714-3583 to sign up.

Thousands expected at citywide garage sale The Woodbury Lions Club is holding its 35th annual garage sale May 10-12, an event that traditionally draws thousands of bargain hunters.

Not only do shoppers get good deals while residents clear out unwanted items, but the city's restaurants, hotels, gas stations, stores and other businesses stay busy during the weekend, Egerstrom said. Street crews do not do repairs during the event so traffic can keep flowing, he said.

Stone Soup holds bowling fundraiser The Stone Soup Thrift Store will hold its fourth annual Soup'er Bowl fundraiser Saturday at the Park Grove Bowl, 1020 Hastings Av.

Teams of four or five will collect pledges or donations, then come and bowl from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to come in costume to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Bowling balls, shoes, T-shirts and food will be provided. There will be door prizes and prizes for the best costumes.

All proceeds will go to Stone Soup, which serves about 1,700 individuals a month. For more information, call 651-458-2777.