The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will be holding a kick-off event for the traveling exhibit “We Are Water MN” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“We Are Water MN” focuses on the connections between humans and water through an exhibit, public events and educator resources. Visitors can hear local stories and the meaning and experiences of water in Minnesota with space to add their own stories. The goal of the exhibit is to promote a shared vision for and participation in water stewardship.

The exhibit will run from April 27 through June 16 at the Nature Center.

Future events planned in conjunction with the “We Are Water MN” exhibit include:

• May 18: Canoemobile Community Day, 10a.m. to 2 p.m. at Austin Mill Pond

• May 23:  Lunchbox History Series  – “Our Water Story – History of the Cedar River Watershed,” noon to 1 p.m. at the Mower County Historical Society

• June 8:  Take a Kid Fishing Day, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Side Lake

• June 10: History Happy Hour Walking Tour of Austin Mill Pond – “Flood Walls in a Former Swamp,” 6 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home

• June 10-15:  Jay C. Hormel Nature Center’s annual Water Festival

“We Are Water MN” is hosted by the Cedar River Watershed District with participation from the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, Austin Utilities, Mower County Historical Society, Hormel Foods Corporation, and more.

For more information, call Tim Ruzek at 507-434-2603 or email tim.ruzek@mowerswcd.org.

 

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Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale

Looking for a good book (or several) to read this spring and summer? The Friends of the Library will have plenty of options for you this weekend during the Spring Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Austin Public Library.

Book enthusiasts can choose from multiple gently used books from many genres at low prices. There will be a $5 bag sale from 3:15-5 p.m. on Saturday.

All money raised will go toward the Austin Public Library.

A special pre-sale will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. today at the Austin Public Library. This pre-sale is for Friends of the Library and AAUW members only; however, if you are not a member, you may become one tonight and participate in the pre-sale.

For more information, call 507-433-2391.

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Ninth Annual Taste of Mower County

Those who have bought tickets are reminded that LIFE Mower County will be hosting the ninth annual Taste of Mower County from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center.

Participants can enjoy unlimited tastings of signature items from the finest home and restaurant chefs in Mower County and the surrounding area. The evening includes food and wine tasting, live and silent auction, door prizes, entertainment, and cash bar.

All money raised will go towards helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Tickets for this event are sold out.

For more information, call 507-433-8994 or go to www.lifemowercounty.org.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

• Growing Acres Presents “A Place at the Table,” 6-9 p.m. at the Ruby Rupner Auditorium, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Screening of the film “A Place at the Table,” which addresses food insecurity, its impact and an exploration of solutions. Pre-screening reception begins at 6 p.m. with the movie screening beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be an 8 p.m. post-screening discussion. Free and open to the public.  For more information, email danela@growingacres.org or call 507-279-2787.

• Javier Trejo in Concert, 7-8:15 p.m. at Austin Congregational UCC. Spend an evening with singer-songwriter Javier Trejo as we listen to the sounds of this amazingly gifted guitarist. He covers the gamut in a range of genres. You truly haven’t heard pure fire until you have caught him doing his original “Buscando La Gente.” Free and open to all ages. For more information, call 507-433-3258.

• “Camelot,” 7 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges, Riverland Community College. Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot brings the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table to life with an extraordinary score boasting such gems as “If Ever I Would Leave You,” “I Loved You Once in Silence,” “The Lusty Month of May,” and of course, “Camelot.” Arthur, a young, ambitious, idealistic King dreams of creating a just society inspired by his vivacious Queen Guinevere. Together, they create a kingdom where might works at the service of right and the King serves at a round table with no head–a symbol of collaboration and unity. But just as this utopian vision starts to become reality, everything begins to unravel. In a world of human realities, can Camelot achieve the utopia of which Arthur dreams? Season tickets $50 or $16 for this show. For more information, go to www.riverland.edu/theatre or call 507-433-0595.

Saturday

• Mower County Historical Society Clean-Up Day, 9 a.m. to noon at the Mower County Historical Society. Bring your rakes and wear your gloves – help us clean up the grounds to get ready for the new tour season. For more information, call 507-437-6082.

• Book Arts for All Ages – Origami, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Kids’ Studio – Canvas Painting, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Krystal Lennie. Cost $5; for kids ages 4 to 14. For more information or to sign up, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Independent Bookstore Day, 11 a.m. at Sweet Reads. Hourly drawings, treats and photo ops. The first 50 children receive “Create Your Own Little Golden Book” from Sesame Street. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• Presentation – John Duren, Photographer, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Come learn about John’s successful journey as a professional photographer and traveler. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter, Awards Banquet, 1 p.m. at Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. Social hour from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., silent auction from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., banquet at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 507-433-1000.

• “Camelot,” 7 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges, Riverland Community College.

• Sola Fide Observatory Viewing, 9-11 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory. Come out and discover fascinating facts about the night sky during our free observatory open house hours. For more information, call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org.

Sunday

• “Camelot,” 2 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges, Riverland Community College.