Mixed Precipitation Theater Company will perform Dr. Falstaff and the Working Wives of Lake County: A Picnic Operetta, a new adaptation of Otto Nicolai’s German opera, The Merry Wives of Windsor, with a bit of Minnesota history and the music of Bruce Springsteen. Created by Producing Artistic Director Scotty Reynolds, Director Kym Longhi, Music Director Gary Ruschman, and the Mixed Precipitation team, this late summer harvest celebration offers local flavors with picnic bites for the audience. It’s fun for everyone!

An edible opera adventure for the whole family, A Picnic Operetta marks its 10-year tradition of celebrating the harvest with a unique blend of music, horticulture, food, and storytelling.

This production will take place at Monument Hill in the Upper Arboretum. Limited parking is available at the Recreation Center. If you are driving we suggest you park in other campus parking areas which can be found on the campus map. Follow the paved trail from in front of the Recreation Center to the grove of pine trees at Monument Hill, a few minutes walk. Bring your blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the show.

Meet at the parking lot near Carleton’s West Gym, along Hwy 19, near the Hwy 19 bridge over Spring Creek.
This event is held each year in conjunction with the watershed wide clean up sponsored by the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. We search the riverbanks for non-natural items like cans, bottles, fishing line, tires, sports equipment, you name it we have likely found it! Most of our work is done on foot, but if water levels allow some volunteers bring their own canoes or kayaks. If you are planning on bringing a watercraft please be in touch with site leader Nancy Braker (507-222-4543 or nbraker@carleton.edu) a few days prior to the event to discuss river water levels. In high water years the fast moving water makes use of boats unsafe and actually unhelpful since it is hard to stop and grab the trash when whizzing by at high speeds.

Wear clothing and close toed shoes that can get wet and dirty. Bug spray will be supplied.

Please consider registering ahead of time with the Cannon River Watershed Partnership so we can better plan for needed supplies.

Peter Kareiva is the Director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (or IoES) at UCLA. Prior to that, he was Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, Director of the Division of Conservation Biology at NOAA’s fisheries lab in Seattle, and a Professor at several universities, but most notably in terms of duration: University of Washington, Brown University, and Santa Clara University. Peter began his career as a mathematical biologist who also did fieldwork on plants and insects around the world. His early work focused on ecological theory and he gradually shifted to agriculture, biotechnology, risk assessment, and conservation. He now mixes policy and social science with natural science, and further believes that today’s environmental challenges require a strong dose of the humanities and private sector engagement. He has written or edited nine books and nearly 200 articles, including a conservation biology textbook. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Academy of Science. And now that he is in Los Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in the world, and teaching at a huge (a population of 70,000) public university where 40% of the students are “first generation”, one-third of the students are international, and only 1 in 4 of the students are “white”, he is asking what is the future of conservation and environmentalism in this new America? and what does Hollywood have to do with it?

Northfield has an opportunity to ensure Minnesota makes a just and equitable transition to 100% clean energy as soon as possible. Decades of burning dirty fossil fuels and years of fracked gas have worsened our climate and our health. We can’t wait longer to get to 100% clean energy because communities and ecosystems are suffering today.

Xcel Energy, largest energy utility in the state, is developing a 15 year energy plan for Minnesota. We believe all Xcel customers should help shape this plan and determine where our energy will come from. Join us on September 17th to reclaim our power as Xcel customers and weigh in on its plan for our energy future.

We want to hear your vision for what energy could look like in your community, and take actions to make those visions a reality. The Sierra Club envisions a future where Xcel commits to achieving fossil fuel free energy by 2030, articulates a path to 100% renewable energy, fully funds and supports community and worker transition, and ensures equitable access to all of clean energy benefits. What’s your vision?

Don’t miss out on this important conversation about clean energy! Your presence is crucial to show Xcel Energy that the community and its customers are invested in a clean and equitable future.

All ages welcome!