The Arboretum presents "Curried Flavors," an after-hours tasting, presentation and book-signing with chef Raghavan Iyer on Monday, May 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Oswald Visitor Center. Come and celebrate the release of Iyer's new cookbook "660 Curries: The Gateway to Indian Cooking" (Workman Publishing, $32.50) and sample East Indian appetizers, teas & complementary wines. $25 per person. Call 952-443-1422. Free Family Program: "Blooming Baskets" is the theme for May. Learn all about spring flowers and weave a May basket. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays in May. Andrus Learning Center. Wildflowers, Birds & Frogs! Join us for the following free nature walks/events with Arb naturalists: Wildflower Walk, 10:30 a.m. Saturday from Ordway parking lot; Birding Walk, 8:30 a.m. May 14 (Ordway lot) & Frogging Rendezvous, 7:30-9 p.m. May 15 (Spring Peeper Meadow off 82nd St.; bring flashlights!).  Treeology: Mark your calendars! The 'Treeology' Summer Exhibition opens May 24 (Memorial Day weekend). This salute to the wonder of trees in our lives includes a 1.5-mile Art 'n' Trees Trail with 18 art installations, a Tree-mendous Trees walk of notable Arb trees; a Tree Discovery Zone & more! 'Treeology' sponsors are Bailey Nurseries, Toro Company, Xcel Energy & Lake Minnetonka Garden Club. Free with Arb admission. 'Timeless Beauty': Award-winning photographer John Gregor will display images of the Arboretum through the seasons in 'Timeless Beauty' June 11-Aug. 17 in the Oswald Center's Reedy Gallery. Part of our 50/100 anniversary celebration, the exhibit features some of Gregor's photos from t he new book "Northern Treasure: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Horticultural Research Center" (Afton Press; $40). An artist reception with Gregor will be part of the June 13 "Toast & Taste" garden party. For ticket info, call 952-443-1400, ext. 7046.  The coffee-table book will be available mid-June in the Arboretum bookstore. Call Mary Cheleen at 952-443-4409 to reserve a copy.

Finally, Nature Notes from Arb staff member Peter Moe:
Spring has been slow to arrive this year, but, on a positive note, it's reassuring to know that flowers last a long time in the cool weather. The Arboretum's magnolias and daffodils are at their peak blooom now, and every day, more wildflowers, early perennials and tulips come into bloom.  It is difficult to predict a date for the peak flowering crabapple bloom, but one helpful indicator is that trees closer to the center of Minneapolis and St. Paul will normally be in full bloom two or three days earlier than the trees at the Arboretum.  Trees are leafing out slowly, but this preserves beautiful views through the Arboretum forests and makes it easier to spot birds during this peak migration season.  Arboretum gardeners are planting trees, shrubs and roses this week. Cool weather with frequent rain showers is not applauded by most people but much appreciated by new transplants.

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful." - e.e. cummings

That's all for now! See you at the Arb!