Z Puppets Rosenschnoz bring lessons, fun to library

The Stillwater Public Library and St. Croix Valley Foundation will play host to Minneapolis artists Z Puppets Rosenschnoz as they perform three shows and lead three puppet-making workshops highlighting the connections between the arts and science.

Described as "½ Monty Python + ½ Sesame Street", Z Puppets Rosenschnoz delights children and adults with feats of imagination. Their shows and workshops mix handcrafted puppetry and zany comedy with live music to lead people to the power of playfulness.

Schedule is as follows:

• "Minnesota Aha!": 1 p.m. July 16. A puppet and ukulele singalong of Minnesota's greatest inventions.

• Puppet Lab: "Recycled Object Inventions": 1-2:30 p.m. July 17. Using recycled objects and scraps of art materials to make fantastic creations.

• "The Amazing Gnip Gnop Circus": 1 p.m. July 21. A glow-in-the-dark Ping-Pong ball spectacular.

• Puppet Lab: "Glow-in-the-Dark": 1-2:30 p.m., July 22. Exploring the curious world of black light.

• Puppet Lab: "Sock Puppets": 1-2:30 p.m. July 30. Discover what makes an ordinary sock come alive with character.

All performances will be at the Stillwater Public Library, 224 Third St. N. Stillwater. All performances and workshops are free, but space is limited to 30 children for each Puppet Lab, so register ahead of time. Recommended ages 4-plus for shows, 5-plus for puppet labs.

To register or for more information about this and other programs at the Stillwater Public Library, call 651-275-4338 ext. 111 or visit the website: www.stillwaterlibrary.org.

Stillwater Community Theatre will present four performances of the classic musical "Peter Pan" from Thursday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13, at Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N., Oak Park Heights.

General admission tickets are now on sale. Adult tickets are $15, seniors/students are $10 and children (5 and under) are $5. Tickets can be ordered online at stillwaterschools.org/tickets or in person during business hours at the Community Education office through Wednesday, July 9, at 1875 S. Greeley St., Stillwater. Tickets may be available at the door. However, seating is limited.

Urdahl will discuss the conspiracy and theories surrounding one of the most famous murders in American history: the assassination of President Lincoln.

Before becoming a member of the Minnesota House, Urdahl was an American history teacher for 20 years. John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln in Ford's Theater on April 15, 1865, but that isn't the whole story. At this free presentation, Urdahl will detail the network of co-conspirators involved in the plot and delve into their cloak-and-dagger activities.

Auditions for the Washington County Fair talent shows will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, and 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12 at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 40th St. N., in Baytown Township, in the Park Pavilion. There is no fee or preregistration required to audition.

There are three divisions of competition: Preteen, ages 12 and younger; teen, ages 13-18; and open, all ages.

Finalists from the auditions will perform at the Washington County Fair, July 30-Aug. 3.

The dance will be located one block east of Main Street (Lake Elmo Ave.) on Laverne.

An antique train ride will be offered from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at William O'Brien State Park, 16821 O'Brien Trail N., Marine on St. Croix.

After a mile walk to the train tracks, a naturalist and a train conductor will rove the train cars and take participants on a tour of the history and landscapes of the St. Croix Valley, where they will learn some of the natural and cultural features of the valley and early history of the train era there. Participants can hop off the train at Osceola, Wis. for lunch or antiquing or continue on to Dresser, Wis. The train turns around at Dresser and makes another brief stop at Osceola before heading back to the park.

The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for kids under 16. Children under 4 ride free. Call 651-433-0500 for more information.

In a tradition that dates back to the department's founding in 1953, the Newport Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual Booya celebration on July 13 at Fire Hall #1, located just west of Hwy. 61 at 155 20th St.

For more information, visit the city's website: http://www.ci.newport.mn.us/index.php.

As part of Oakdale's summer concert series, the Brio Brass Band will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, at the Walton Park Band Shell, 15th Street and Hadley Avenue.

Comprising more than 50 adult musicians, Brio Brass is a nontraditional, rockin' brass band. Admission is free.

The first phase of Cottage Grove's new bike park has opened, though the rainy weather has created some soft spots or forced brief closures in the first week of operations.

A grand opening celebration, sponsored by the city and the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC), was held June 26 at the 2.4-acre bike park in West Draw Park, 7050 Meadow Grass Av..

The project, scheduled for completion by fall 2016, will be paid for, at least in part, with a $33,000 grant the city received from Bell Helmets earlier this year. Once completed, it will be the biggest bike park in the state.

Jim Anderson, Libor Jany