Updated Community events for April

04/13/2005

Here is an updated list of community events for April. New events have an * in front of the date.

I would especially recommend the Rochester World Festival and the Rochester International Film Festival. Also note the April 19 discussion on Social Security and the April 21 forum on the proposal for a University in Rochester. If you have any community events you would like mentioned on this list, you can send an email to

_Wednesday April 13 Olmsted DFL Day at the Capitol 7:45AM - 5:00PM
_Wednesday April 13 iFilm at Rochester Public Library 6:00PM
_*Thursday April 14 Peacemakers rally and pot luck 4:30PM
_Thursday April 14 ARC workshop on care for people with disabilities
_Friday April 15 Rochester World Festival Show 7:00PM
_*Saturday April 16 Eggs and Issues 8:30AM
_Saturday April 16 Rochester World Festival 10:00AM - 3:00PM
_Saturday April 16 Focus on the Children Conference
_* Monday April 18 How to talk to Teens about Drugs 7:00PM
_*Tuesday April 19 National Civic Dialog on Social Security 6:00PM
_April 21-24 Spring Thing: 35th Anniversary of Earth Day at Quarry Hill
_* Thursday April 21 Governor’s Proposal for a University in Rochester 7:00PM
_April 22-28 10th Annual Rochester International Film Fest
_Saturday April 23 Marriage Amendment Forum 2:00PM-4:00PM
_*Saturday April 23 Tsunami Benefit Concert 7:30PM
_Sunday April 24 John Hunziker presentation on History of Rochester 2:30PM
_Monday April 25 Post Bulletin Dialogs 7:00PM
_* Tuesday April 26 Festival for families 5:00PM - 8:00PM
_*Thursday April 28 Somali Motivations for Attending College 1:00PM
_Saturday April 30 Cinco de Mayo Walk and Celebration
_Thursday May 5 Garrison Keillor at Kahler Hotel - Olmsted DFL event
_Friday May 6 Lois Lowry, Rochester Reads author 7:00PM

Detailed information about events

***

Olmsted DFL Day at the Capitol
Wednesday April 13 7:45AM - 5:00PM

Join the Olmsted DFL and other members of the community to visit our new state representatives Tina Liebling and Andy Welti at the state capitol. We will leave at 7:45AM and return by 5:00PM. Please contact Diane Hellie 288-7616 or for more information. We still have a few spots available on the mini-bus.

***

iFilms - INTERNATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT FILMS AT RPL
Wilby Wonderful (Comedy - English)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2005 6:00 P.M.
ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
Free and open to the public

Wilby Wonderful is a bittersweet comedy about the difference a day makes. Wilby Island is just a few minutes by ferry from the mainland, but where a loyal Islander is concerned it might as well be years away from the fast-lane living of the mainland. Recently a scandal has rocked the town and it is only days before the details are to be published in the local paper, bringing shame and scorn to all involved.

The iFilm series is intended for mature adults. Please provide guidance to your children. Admission is free.

***

Peacemakers Rally and Potluck
Rally 4:30-5:30PM, Broadway and 2nd Street
Potluck and meeting 6:30PM - 8:30PM Government Center Room 104

The SE MN Alliance of Peacemakers is inviting Red Wing Peace group to demonstrate with them on April 14, 4:30PM - 5:30PM at Broadway and 2nd St. Red Wing has a banner with the names of the soldiers killed in Iraq. Members from Northfield People for Peace and Goodwill and River Cities Alliance for Peace will join. Afterwards there will be a pot luck meal at the Government Center Room 104 followed by a short meeting. To donate a salad or help with set up call Darlene at 252-5396

***

Workshop “Where there is a Will, There is a Way”
Thursday Apr 14, 2005
Arc Southeastern Minnesota, 903 W Center St., Rochester,

Arc Southeastern Minnesota will sponsor the workshop which will address planning for the future of a loved one with a disability. The Supplemental Needs Trust will be addressed. For information or to register, call 287-2032 or 1-888-732-8520

***

Rochester International Association World Festival
April 15-16
Century High School
Friday evening show $6 adults, $5 RIA members, $3 students
Saturday: Free admission

Ethnic dance, music and entertainment on stage at the Century Auditorium, Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets $6 for adults, $5 for RIA members, $3 for students, available at the IMAA/RIA office (300 11th Ave NW), at Hunt’s Silver Lake Drug, or at the door. Saturday: Cultural exhibits 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Parade of Nations at 10:30 a.m., children’s activities 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., ethnic food tasting 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., demonstrations and entertainment 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free admission. For more information call 288-1197 or 289-5960.

***

Eggs and Issues
Saturday April 16 8:30AM - 10:30AM
Ramada Hotel (Formerly Best Western Apache)
$15 for Chamber Members, $30 for non-Chamber Members.

This series provides you with an excellent opportunity to ask our
area state legislators about the issues that affect your business and
your community; and to hear the latest news from the 2005 legislative
session.

Please register with the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. The cost is
$15 for Chamber members and $30 for non-Chamber members. Please note
that if you work for a company that is a Chamber member, you can
attend Eggs and Issues for the member fee of $15.00.

The dates for the rest of the series are:

May 7

***

Focus on the Children Early Childhood Conference
Apr 16, 2005
Rochester Community and Technical College, Heintz Center, 1926 College View Road S.E., Rochester, MN
Workshop topics include infant and toddler care, activities for children from birth to age 12, nutrition, behavior concerns, autism/special needs, literacy and bullying. Pre-registration is required by April 12. For more information or a conference brochure, call Child Care Resource & Referral at 287-2020 or 800-462-1660, extension 1352.

***

Forum: How to talk with teens about Drugs
Monday April 18 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Mayo High School Cafeteria
Free and open to the public

Talking to teenagers about the dangers of abusing alcohol and drugs is not easy for most parents. The Parent Teacher Student Associations of Rochester’s 3 public high schools and Olmsted County Public Health Services will advise. The organizations will present “Talking to your teen about tough topics - alcohol and drugs”. Speakers will be Sgt. Dan Pulford of the Rochester Police Department and Victoria Koehnen, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the Mayo Clinic’s child and adolescent programs.

***

National Civic Dialog on Social Security
Tuesday April 19 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Rochester Public Library

Wellstone Action is having a National Civic Dialog on Social Security. Those interested in joining the dialog can register at http://www.wellstone.org.

***

Spring Thing: 35th Anniversary of Earth Day
April 21-24 Numerous events and times
Quarry Hill Nature Center

Quarry Hill Nature Center is planning many events to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Earth Day. See web page http://www.qhnc.org for additional information.

***

Community Forum: Governor’s Proposal for a University in Rochester
Thursday April 21 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Rochester Public Library Auditorium
101 2nd Street SE Rochester

Please attend a community forum to learn more about progress and plans for expanding higher education in Rochester. Hear what local advocates are doing and express your ideas. For more information contact Alison Good, GRAUC Executive Director, 507-281-7786 or . (http://www.GRAUC.org)

***

10th Annual Rochester International Film Festival
April 22-28
Chateau Theaters (sponsored by Rochester International Film Group)

4 theater companies, 2 different theaters, only a couple rainy days, and even the U Film Society changed into MN Film Arts, but amazingly enough, RIFG (Rochester International Film Group) is still around after 10 years! Yes, this is our 10th Annual Rochester International Film Festival! We think it is an event worth celebrating! This year’s Festival will begin on Friday, April 22 and continue through Thursday, April 28. On the opening night we plan to have a more festive opening than ever before. Of necessity, our film selections can only be known a week and half or two before our Festival begins so watch the http://www.rifg.org website for updates.

***

Marriage Amendment Forum
Saturday April 23 2:00PM - 4:00PM
RCTC Memorial Hall room 223
Free and open to the public

A panel presentation and a public conversation on the proposed marriage amendment and how it impacts unmarried couples, same gender couples and Minnesotans.Video and Discussion: The Marriage Amendment—This is a public event that will be held at RCTC. There will be a showing of the video “I Can’t Marry You” followed by a brief panel presentation and a discussion of the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. Together we can have a good discussion, explore options and weigh others views on this social issue to create a better tomorrow.

***

Tsunami Benefit Concert
Saturday April 23 7:30PM
Assissi Heights

Performances by the Center Street Singers of Lourdes High School, Anthony Cook, Gospel, Bellissima and an a cappella trio. Nish Gunawardena, a Sri Lankan relief worker, will speak of his experiences. Monies will go to a local boat builder to stimulate the economy and restore the livihood of local fishing families. Free will offering.

***

YAGGY COLBY HISTORY LECTURE SERIES: OLMSTED COUNTY - CELEBRATING 150 YEARS.
SUNDAY, ARPIL 24, 2005 2:30 P.M.
ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
Free and open to the public

John Hunziker, Director of the History Center of Olmsted County, will be presenting on the topic “Olmsted County - Celebrating 150 Years”.

***

POST BULLETIN DIALOGS
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2005 7:00PM
ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
Admission is free, and refreshments will be available.

***

Festival for Families
Tuesday April 26 5pm to 8 pm
Graham Arena at Olmsted County Fairgrounds

An annual festival for families in third grade or younger will be April 26 in Rochester. Child Care Resource and Referral’s Family Fun Nite will be from 5pm - 8 pm at Graham Arena at the Olmsted County Fair Grounds. Activities, exhibits, games and entertainment will be featured. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets are $5 per family at the door or may be purchased in advance at Child Care Resource and Referral, 126 Woodlake Drive SE Rochester. Proceeds benefit the programs of Child Care Resource and Referral.

***

Somali Motivations for Attending College: The Moment of “Epiphany”
Thursday, April 28, 1 p.m.
UCR Hill Theater

The UCR Faculty Lecture Series presents Mike Mutschelknaus with the
results of his dissertation on the Somali college experience.
Reception following at 2 p.m. in the Quiet Lounge.

***

Cinco de Mayo Walk & Celebration
Saturday, April 30 11:00AM - 4:00PM
Silver Lake Park, East shelter

(Boys & Girls Club in case of inclement weather)

The Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans, Olmsted County Public Health Department, IMAA, and Rochester Public Schools ESOL Department host this event. Come for a day of healthy fun, activities for children and families, good food, and important information for families and community members. For more information contact Pilar Duque at 273-3953 or .

***

MEET ROCHESTER READS AUTHOR: LOIS LOWRY
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2005 7:00PM
JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Free and open to the public

Lois Lowry, the author of The Giver will speak and answer questions. There will be signed copies of Lois Lowry’s books available for purchase and a brief signing will follow the talk.

The doors open at 6:00 PM; come early because seating is limited.