Education & Community

The Woodbury Community Foundation celebrates 10 years of serving the city of Woodbury with a fundraising gala that goes beyond the typical dinner and auction. The event will feature a walk-through photo display of the city’s history, interactive historical performance vignettes courtesy of the Woodbury Community Theatre, and a sit-down dinner. Guests will get to take home a commemorative photo book that illustrates the history of Woodbury, starting with its establishment in the 1840s. $125/person. 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner/program.

The MacPhail Center for Music presents “Water Makes Music,” an opportunity for tots to learn through musical play. The theme of the program is water: oceans, rivers, lakes and even water creatures. Guide your tot’s imagination and explore water and rhythm together. Limit 20 people. Registration required. For kids ages 0-5. Free. 1 p.m. R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place; 651.731.1320 co.washington.mn.us

Each year, the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce partners with local businesses of all shapes and sizes in an expo fashion. The event is celebrating its fifth year in 2014 and is the largest business expo in the East Metro. Browse booths relating to business, home improvement and design, health and medical, sports and fitness, local nonprofits, government officials and retail. 651.578.0722.

They’ve got gadgets and gizmos aplenty. Learn the mechanics of everyday concepts including energy, gravity and motion. The city of Woodbury hosts a stellar class for any and all budding young scientists. Children ages 5-11 are welcome to attend. 651.714.3583.

Despite the chill, ice cream is delicious year round. Create your own ice cream sundaes while playing a variety of bingo games. Pre-registration is required; children of all ages are welcome to attend. 651.714.3500.

Give back and learn about a local organization and its efforts at the same time. Woodbury Women of Today is looking for new members and invites all to attend their monthly meeting. Discuss the value of giving back with a group of women dedicated to good causes. Food for local food shelf, The Helping Place, old electronics for New Life Academy, clothing, toys and toiletries for a local battered women’s shelter and old purses for Clutch for a Cause are collected at each meeting. Snacks are also provided.

Portable sewing kits were a necessity and lifeline for soldiers and housewives during the Civil War. As part of its historical craft series, the library invites history buffs to create well-known items from different moments in history. To pay homage to the Civil War, participants will create a modernized version of the sewing kit. Woodbury Conference Room A and B. 651.731.1320.

Pet lovers unite. For fans of cats, dogs and birds, Central Park is barking up the right tree with its newest program, the Central Bark Pet Expo. Visit with local businesses and fellow pet owners. There will be a Woodbury K-9 demonstration, Humane Society pet display and a pet-training demonstration. Pets are not allowed at the event for safety reasons. 651.714.3500.

It’s a hot air affair! Hudson’s well-known event takes to the skies this February for its 25th celebration, rolling out the red carpet for this year’s theme “The Silver Screen” and celebrating movies. Events include hot air balloon launches, a parade, smooshboarding, store sales and food vendors. Experts launch balloons at EP Rock School. Check the website for a full schedule of events. 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday. 888.247.2332.