East metro arts briefs: 50 arts events planned along St. Croix River

Towns along both sides of the St. Croix River will host events to showcase the valley's visual and performance arts as part of "Take Me to the River 2012" on Saturday and next Sunday and Sept. 22-23.

Opening weekend highlights include the "Rhythms and Blues" exhibition featuring art work by Pat Casanova, Nicole Roberts Hoiland, Anne Labovitz and Jeff Ross at ArtReach St. Croix in Stillwater, the 39th Annual Marine Art Fair in Marine on St. Croix, and the Rustic 13 Potter Show in Hudson, Wis.

The more than 50 festivals, art fairs, theater, poetry and story slams continue Sept. 22-23 in Hastings, Franconia, Afton and Prescott, Wis.

Library to hold used book sale The Hardwood Creek Library will sell items withdrawn from the Washington County Library system as well as donations from the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Money will benefit the library, which is at 19955 N. Forest Road. Call 651-275-7300 for more information.

Wildwood Artist series tickets on sale The Wildwood Artist Series opens its 2012-13 season with a performance by the JazzMN Orchestra and guest Connie Evingson on Oct. 13. The Mahtomedi High School Jazz Band will open the show.

Future concerts include the Mahtomedi School District music faculty on Nov. 4, Cirko Cabaret with comedian Sean Emery on Feb. 1, and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra with Billy McLaughlin on March 3.

Gallery features works by Schuld Charlotte Schuld has a collection of landscapes inspired by her travels on view in a show called "Worth Remembering: Landscapes Found" in the River Room of the Stillwater Art Guild, 402 N. Main St. Schuld also specializes in acrylic on canvas, watercolor and mixed-media drawings. The show runs through Oct. 3. Call 651-689-0149.

Family fun fair added to 8K race The Jon Francis Foundation, in conjunction with Lakeview Health and PowerUp, has added a Family Fun fest as part of the Jon Francis Half-Marathon and 8K races on Sept. 22 at Square Lake Park.

Organizers are seeking sponsors and volunteers to help. Race registration is open at www.uptemporacemanagement.com.

David Francis founded the nonprofit Jon Francis Foundation in memory of his son, who fell to his death in the Sawtooth Mountain Range of Central Idaho in 2006.

TIM HARLOW