Arts briefs: Washington County groups win arts grants

Several Washington County arts organizations recently received grants from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Commission.

The St. Croix Valley Chamber Chorale in June was awarded a $10,000 Arts Activities Support grant for "Postcards Along the Way," a series of three choral concerts to be held from December to April at the Historic Washington County Courthouse and Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater.

In May, MRAC awarded the White Bear Center for the Arts a $10,000 Arts Learning program grant that will be used for the center's Imagine Arts summer camps for ages 6 to 14.

Earlier this year the non-profit organization, committed to supporting and stimulating the development and diversity of the arts, gave Community Arts grants of $5,000 each to the Forest Lake Park Board, the Grand Symphonic Winds, Masquers Theatre Company, Music St. Croix and the Washington County 4-H Federation.

New races replace Lumberjack eventsLumberjack Days is defunct, but the tradition of running races associated with the festival will continue.

Registration is underway for the Stillwater 10-mile and 5K Log Run, which begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. The 10-mile run will start at Square Lake and finish near Lowell Park in downtown Stillwater. The 5K race will begin at the Historic St. Croix Boom Site north of town on Hwy. 95.

Both courses are certified by USA Track and Field. For more information, see www.stillwaterlongrun.com.

Artists will be given colored chalk and a square to create their masterpieces that will be judged by two local artists. Winners in three age categories will win trophies, ribbons and other prizes.

Chicago Dogs is at 402 N. Main St. For more information, e-mail bkchotel@aol.com.

Nature center offers cemetery hike todayCarpenter Nature Center program director Mayme Johnson will lead a hike through the nearby Point Douglas Cemetery at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Johnson will talk about a few of the people who lived and died in Point Douglas, and what caused the tiny city of about 200 to disappear from the map. She also will show photographs and share from her years of research.

The cost is $6, or $4 for nature center members. For more information, call 651-437-4359.

Entrants will compete in the "Friendly Fair" competition during the fair, which runs Aug. 1-5 at 12300 N. 40th St. Exhibits will be accepted at the front gates from 4 to 9 p.m. July 30 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 31.

For details, see instructions at www.washingtoncountyfair.org or call 651-436-6009.

Museum holds teas for girls and their dollsThe Gammelgarden Museum continues its 40th anniversary celebration with the first of seven Girls and Dolls tea parties from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday.

Girls and their dolls are invited to take part in games, dances, stories, music and crafts centered around the history of the mid 1800's. Tickets are $15.

Future dates for Girls and Dolls teas include Aug. 19, Sept. 15-16 and Oct. 20-21. For more information, call 651-433-5053.