FACTS: Information Literacy for Kids Monday, Feb. 23, 6-7:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Six week class for kids aged 8 to 12. Work on skills including thinking critically about what we see online, understanding how news works, staying safe online and using AI responsibly. Registration required.

Tuesday Afternoon Chess Every Tuesday, 1-3 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Sponsored by the East Side Chess Club, for all levels of play and players of all ages. Free.

Hamm’s Bear Wednesday, Feb. 25, 4-5 p.m. Tamarack Tap Room, 8418 Tamarack Village. Photo Ops from the land of sky blue waters.

State of the City Thursday, February 26, 6 p.m.,Woodlands Room Central Park. Meet with the mayor, city council, and some staff members for presentations on city projects and status updates.

Blood Drive Sponsored by Memorial Blood Centers, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., M Health Fairview-1925 Woodwinds Drive. Donate blood during a time of shortage and save the life of someone in your community. 

Women’s Self-Defense Seminar Friday Feb. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Kahn Martial Arts, 1850 Weir Drive. Build confidence, strengthen awareness, and learn practical skills with high‑intensity karate techniques, standing self‑defense and ground self‑defense. Participants must be over age 12. Free.

NorthStar Trail Travelers’ Snowshoe/Walk Saturday, Feb, 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings. Join members of The NorthStar Trail Travelers Folksports Club for a 7km, 4km, 2km and 1km naturalist walk. Register on-site or with the club.

Free entrance to all Washington County Parks  Tuesday, Mar. 3.

Creatures of the Night Saturday March 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings. Start in the visitor center to learn about animals of the night and then bring your flashlight to a search for the creatures.

K’Nex Racing Monday, March 9, 2-4 p.m., RH Stafford Library. Drop-in, build and test K’Nex racers. Free.

Hula Hoop Hooray with Hooperina Wednesday March 11, 2-2:45 p.m., Central Park Woodlands Room. Demonstrate the power of play with spinning, tossing, twisting and rolling hula hoops all around the room. Glow-in-the-dark finale with LED hula.

Track Tales Saturday, March 14, 9:30 -11:30 a.m., Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings. The naturalist table in the visitor center is the place to learn about the tracks that animals make in the snow.

Skulls and Bones Saturday March 14, 1-2 p.m., Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings. Examine animal bones and skulls and let them teach you about the creatures they came from and their environment.

Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue presented by East Metro Symphony Orchestra, Sunday, March 15, 3 p.m.,  St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 2499 Helen Street N, North St. Paul. The program includes Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Antonín Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Free, but donations welcome.

Fantastic Fossils Saturday, March 21, 1-2 p.m., Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings. Check out ancient Minnesota fossils from brachiopods to mammoths.

The Janzen Boys  presented by Musicians Corner House Concerts, March 21, Potluck Dinner at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m., At the home of Libby and Matt Johnson 8821 Acadia Bay. This Canadian father and sons country-folk group combines classics, original songs, and story-telling. Basket passed for performers with $20-25 donation suggested. RSVP requested.

Woodbury Community Expo Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., M Health Fairview Sports Center, 4125 Radio Drive. Sponsored by the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce. Over 125 local businesses and organizations, food by local restaurants, entertainment on stage, vehicle fair, kid zone, and gift card giveaways. Free.

Main Stage & Community Stage Entertainment- Experience high energy shows throughout the day!

Vehicle Fair- Feel like a kid again and climb inside police cars, a fire truck, City trucks from large and small to construction equipment and more!

Kids Area- Entertain the kids for FREE with a bounce house, face painting, science experiments, animal zone, giveaways and more!

Food Area- Stop by the food area to satisfy your craving with a variety of food options from the Woodbury area.

Enter to Win – Gift cards from a variety of local businesses given away at the main stage throughout the day!

Motifs and Mascots; Minnesota’s State Symbols Saturday March 28, 10 -11 a.m., Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings. Minnesota claims things as small as the rusty patch bumblebee and as large as the Urse Minor constellation as symbols of our state. Learn about them and other mascots in between.