The Northfield Arts Guild announces auditions for its production of the beloved Meredith Willson musical THE MUSIC MAN. This classic show tells the story of Harold Hill, a traveling salesman who cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying band uniforms and instruments for a band he has no intention of actually starting!  Fortunately, Marion, the librarian, is able to see through him and may even convince him to have a change of heart. 

The MUSIC MAN is being directed by Twin Cities director Christine Brandt.  The cast size will be around 30, with roles  available for men, women and children.  Those auditioning should prepare their best sixteen bars of music to showcase their skills.  It is acceptable to sing from the show.  There will also be a dance portion of the audition and comfortable clothes for movement should be worn.

NORTHFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL DISCUSSION

When: Thursday, April 25th, 6:30—8:00 PM

Where: Weitz Center for Creativity, 320 Third Street South

Larson Meeting Room (Room #236)

Paul Miller of the Haiti Justice Alliance of Northfield announces that Rea Dol, Director and Co-Founder of the SOPUDEP School in Port au Prince, Haiti, will be in Northfield for a number of public events: Wednesday, at 7:00 p.m. in the Black and Gold Ballroom, Buntrock Commons on the St. Olaf Campus, and 6:00 p.m. in Room  236 of the Weitz Center on the Carleton Campus.  At the latter event,  Soup Joumou!, Haiti’s Independence Day meal, will be featured. The Northfield community is welcome to any and all of these events.

A community contra dance featuring the music of Contratopia and led by dance "caller" Robin Nelson.

Friday, April 19, 7-10:30pm

No contra dance experience needed: contra dance lesson provided from 7:00 - 7:30, and contra dance instructions are "called" throughout each dance. Contra dance is  easy to learn ... if you can walk fast to music, you can contra dance. No dance partner required. All ages welcome, but contras move fast so participation is recommended for youth ages 10 and up.

Northfield Hospital’s Breast Care Center is inviting women to combine an important Spring Screening with their seasonal Spring Cleaning.

  Those who schedule mammograms on eight select days in May --- May 1, 8, 9, 13, 14, 22, 23 and 28 --- will receive a complementary potted plant and treat. Appointments are available Monday, Wednesday, Fridays 7:30-4 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-4 p.m. Evening appointments are available until 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 28. For an appointment, call 507-646-1143.

Saturday, April 20 Is Earth Day 2013 and will be celebrated here in Northfield with a variety of events, including a Friday evening contradance at Carleton's West Gym, and on Saturday,  a rain barrel workshop, tree planting, and a showing the the documentary movie "Bidder 70." These and many more events are cosponsored by over a dozen local organizations.  To see a schedule of events and their locations, go to:  http://transitionnorthfield.org/earthday/ or contact:  northfieldearthday@gmail.com. or call 651-208-8301.

Arcadia Charter School Presents The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman and Members of the Tectonic Theater Project

Friday and Saturday, May 3, 4, 10, 11, 7:30 PM

Arcadia Charter School (formerly ARTech), 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield

Tickets: $6 Adults, $4 Students. For ticket information call 663-8806.

The Westhuizen Duo, a pair of critically acclaimed pianists who have delighted audiences throughout the United States and their native South Africa, will appear at Carleton College in a special performance on Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. in the Concert Hall. The programwill include Franz Schubert’s piano duet “Fantasia in F Minor,” Percy Grainger’s “Fantasy on George Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’” and works by Francis Poulenc and Ástor Piazzolla. The concert is free and open to the public.  Learn more and hear samples online at www.westhuizenduo.com/.

More than 10 full-time AmeriCorps positions are available in Northfield for next school year working with youth and/or families.

CLICK HERE to see the descriptions and application processes for positions that are currently accepting applications.

Application review for many of the positions is underway so APPLY TODAY!

Positions are available with the Northfield Public Schools, Growing Up Healthy, the Northfield LINK Center, the Northfield Union of Youth/The Key, the Northfield Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes (TORCH) program, and Accelerate Northfield.

Questions?  Contact the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative.

The brand new River Bend Nature Center Outdoor Adventures Programbegins in June. This exciting program seeks to engage both youth and adults in a variety of outdoor recreation activities. There will be programs on camping, fly-fishing, archery, slack lining, canoeing, and rock climbing. Many of the programs are designed for those with limited experience who are looking to try something new outside. 

This article was written by Joan Janusz, a member of the Northfield Mayor’s Task  Force  on Youth  Alcohol and Drug Use. 

It’s spring says the calendar.  Really? you say--with snow still around. But there are signs.  Ask those high school juniors and seniors who will be going to prom in a month (May 4).  And talk with parents who are planning the After-Prom party.

At their February and March 2013 board meetings, the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Board approved grants to support eight projects and activities designed to benefit Northfield youth.  The projects are funded through HCI’s Investing in Youth grant program.

Funded projects included:

Grab your binoculars and come to River Bend Nature Center on Saturday, April 13th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. for a bird walk!

Seven of Minnesota's nine species of woodpeckers can be found at River Bend. At this public program you'll find out more about this interesting group of birds. The program will start inside, discussing identification, calls/sounds, and basic life history. Then we will head outside to look for woodpeckers and signs they have made.

This program is geared for adult audiences, but all ages are welcome.  The program is free for members, $2.00 for non-members. River Bend is located at 1000 Rustad Road in Faribault. Questions? Call 507/332-7151

Zalmay Khalilzad, a foreign policy expert and former diplomat who has served as the ambassador of the United States to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations, will deliver Carleton College’s convocation address on Friday, Apr. 12. Khalilzad’s address, entitled “U.S. Global Leadership,” will take a worldwide look at the challenges faced by the U.S. in the world, their implications for the American people and what effective American strategy in the future could look like. Convocation is held from 10:50-11:50 a.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel, and it is free and open to the public. Convocations are also streamed live and can be viewed online at go.carleton.edu/convo/.

A SPECIAL “K” EVENT! The transition into Kindergarten can be difficult for children and their caregivers, this event aimed to help make the process go smoother. All incoming Kindergarten students and a parent!  You are invited to the school your child will attend Kindergarten: Sibley,  Bridgewater or Greenvale!

Due to the crazy, late snow storm the new date is Tuesday, April 30 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

You will be able to do an activity in a classroom, take a school tour and learn about bus safety. School district staff and community early childhood professionals will be there to help you and your child transition into Kindergarten . Each child will get to take home a book. 

Sponsored by the Northfield Early Childhood Initiative Coalition, the Northfield Public Schools and SMIF.

Please call 507.645.1232 or email Sara.Line@nfld.k12.mn.us with questions.