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April 5, 2011
The sap is running, the spring flowers are shooting up, and all manner of critter is emerging to see what's happening at the Arboretum this spring. Come see for yourself! (Thanks to Chase Wirth for taking this photo on a hike on Three Mile Drive-which opens to cars in mid-April- and sharing it on our Facebook page.)
Dwarf dutch iris are now in bloomoutside Oswald Visitor Center. Photo by Tracie Sheahen. For the latest bloom report, call (612) 625-9791.
Special Invitation: Evening with Artist Steve Tobin at the Arboretum!
We are thrilled to invite you join us Thursday, April 14, 7:30 to 9 p.m., for "Thursday Night with the Artist: Steve Tobin" in the Oswald Visitor Center. That's when artist Steve Tobin will tell us about his exhibition, "Steelroots," which he calls "a fusion of art and nature." The outdoor exhibition at the Arboretum, opening Saturday, April 16, is only the second appearance of the series worldwide and the first in Minnesota.
During this exclusive evening, Tobin will discuss his journey as an artist influenced by nature and how he draws from natural forms to create exquisite sculptures in glass, clay, bronze and steel. You will learn more about each particular piece--some of which soar up to 40 feet or weight as much as 20,000 pounds--and about the artist's intention in selecting each setting. There will be time for questions with the artist.
Cost: $20 member/$30 non-member. To register, click here or call (952) 443-1422.
The Arboretum is pleased to present the "Spring Trunk Show III - Tree Trunk Treasures," opening Wednesday, April 13, in the Great Hall of the Oswald Visitor Center. Talented wood-turning artisan Virgil Leih returns with 40 exquisite, new creations. This time, many of the pieces are smaller - between 10 and 18 inches - and range in shape from spheroids to ellipsoids -all precisely "turned" on Leih's lathes to bring out the hidden beauty of the wood grain. All pieces are for sale, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Arboretum. Stop by the Great Hall and visit with Leih every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. through the duration of the exhibit which continues through May 8.
Friday, April 8: Arboretum members, save up your pennies: Double Discount Days in the Gift Store for Arb members starts Friday, April 8, and runs through April 17. Members receive 20 percent off all purchases in the store. There is some great spring merchandise in the store right now. Bring your membership card. See you there!
Saturday, April 9:People, Plants and ... Food with Chef Jenny Breen, Oswald Visitor Center, 10:30 a.m. - noon. In this lecture/discussion, Breen will discuss her journey as a chef and how she created the recipes in the new book "Cooking Up the Good Life" (U of M Press), coauthored by the Arboretum's own Susan Thurston. Free for members: Email RSVP to Levx0002@umn.edu or call (952) 443-1440. Fee is $15 for non-members: Call (952) 443-1422 or click here to register online.Container Gardening class: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, $30/$40, Learning Center. Click here to register.
Weekend Family Fun (Saturday and Sunday): Squish of Spring, Noon-4 p.m. Learning Center. Learn how Mother Earth prepares soil to feed her plant family. Make a mud pie and watch worms compost trash. Free with gate admission. Arboretum Around Town this Weekend: Look for Arboretum staff April 9 & 10 at gardening events in Edina and Plymouth:
It's prime time for registering the kids for summer fun and learning at the Arboretum. Check out Peapods for Preschoolers Summer Daycamps and Summer Children's Garden.
Thursday, April 14: "Thursday Night with the Artist: Steve Tobin" in the Oswald Visitor Center. (7:30-9 p.m. (See details above.)
Thursday, April 14 or sooner: Three-Mile Drive opens for cars!
Saturday, April 16:--Plantcetera: Make plans for the 2011 Plant Information Fair, Plantcetera: Get the Dirt on Growing, set for Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a full-day educational event featuring plant societies, garden clubs, and horticulture educators. Browse information and display tables, ask gardening questions, and attend seminars throughout the day. For a list of participants and schedule of demonstrations, click here. --Steelroots Exhibition Grand Opening: Check out these amazing root-shaped sculptures by Steve Tobin. They are located near the Snyder Building and Oswald Visitor Center, in the nearby gardens and along a 1/2 mile "trail" to the Maze Garden. For more information, click here. --Master class with the artist: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Snyder Auditorium. An exclusive class with Steelroots artist Steve Tobin, especially for artists. To register, call (952) 443-1422.--Free guided tours of Steelroots sculptures led by artist Steve Tobin. Departs from Oswald Visitor Center. 1 p.m.--Robust Roots Give-Away: April 16 and 17, noon to 4 p.m., Marion Andrus Learning Center. Pot up a plant grown for its robust roots, while supplies last.
-- MMM...MAPLE SYRUP Beyond Pancakes: Adult cooking class with Kris James, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16. Click here to register.or call 952-443-1422. Sunday, April 17: --Concert Orchestra of Greater TC Youth Symphonies: Sunday, April 17, 2 p.m. Free with admission. MacMillan Auditorium. Looking Ahead: Plan to join us on Earth Day (Friday, April 22) and Arbor Day (Friday, April 29) for free activities and fee-based walks.
Travel with the Arboretum
Ireland (May 18-28 - with Belfast extension to May 30): There is still time to sign up for a trip to the "olde sod". The Ireland trip will be just the right time to see the late spring bloom in that wonderfully "green" land. The itinerary includes the following gardens and historic sites: Powerscourt and Muckross, Kilkenny Castle, Blarney Castle and Gardens, and Glin Castle, as well as smaller gardens, such as Annes Grove Gardens, the Garinish Island Garden (Ilnacullin) and more! We will also see, hear and taste the culture of Ireland with stops at the Guinness Storehouse, the Irish House Party for traditional music, The Waterford Crystal Factory, Jameson's Distillery, and Trinity College (homeof the Book of Kells). Plus the unusual and fantastic countryside of Ireland: part of the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher and more. Contact Jim Glad at gladtotravel@earthlink.net or 612-724-1915 for reservations. Only a few slots left!
Rhode Island and Martha's Vineyard (June 23- 30): We will fly into Providence and stay in famous and fabulous Newport to see many of the "cottages" of the rich and famous of the late 19th and early 20th century. Also: Blithewold Mansion, an estate garden and historic house, and Green Animal Topiary Garden, plus a boat cruise on Narragansett Bay; Brick's Market, historic Jamestown on Conanicut Island, Martha's Vineyard , Oak Bluffs (today's hangout for the rich and famous), Poly Hill Arboretum and Edgartown. June is the ideal time for Southern New England as the flowers and shrubs along the coast are in bloom and the salt air has warmed. Contact Mary Ryan at Macy's Travel (Carlson Wagonlit) mryan@macystravel.com or 763-852-8116.
All Arboretum tour brochures can be viewed in detail on the Arboretum website, www.arboretum.umn.edu under the travel drop down. Or click here. Read about Bavaria and the Alps, a Jim Glad tour, September 7 - 16, and Maine and New Hampshire, a Macy's Travel tour, October 11 - 17.
That's all, folks! See you at the Arb!
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