Thursday, July 29th, it’s Mark Mraz, 8 to 11 p.m., at the Tavern Lounge and Karaoke at Froggy Bottoms.

Friday, July 30th, it’s the Farmers’ Market, 11:45 a.m., Riverside Park, Multe, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Contented Cow, Tim Freeland, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Brothers Burn Mountain, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, and D J Music at the Rueb’n'Stein.

Saturday, July 31st, it’s the Farmers’ Market, 9 a.m., Riverside Park, Riverwalk Market Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Riverwalk, Wendy Russell, 6 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Norwegian Cowboy, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, Marty Anderson and the Goods, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, and D J Music at the Rueb’N'Stein.

Sunday, August 1st, it’s Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow.

Wednesday, July 21st, Northfield Noontime Organ Recital: Lawrence Archbold, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Music and Drama Center on the Carleton College Campus, and Books and Stars: Splatter Sisters, 7 p.m., Way Park.

Thursday, July 22nd, CRAZY DAZE, 7 a.m., Downtown Northfield, Sam Daly, 5 p.m., Contented Cow, Charlie Parr, 7 to 10 p.m., Hogan Brothers Acoustic Cafe, The Options, 8 p.m., The Contented Cow,  Kim Bloom, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, and Karaoke at Froggy Bottoms.

Friday, July 23rd, Northfield Farmers’ Market, 11:45 a.m., Riverside Park, Big Strong Men, 5 p.m., Contented Cow, Tim Freeland, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Marty Anderson and the Goods, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, and D J Music at the Rueb’N'Stein.

Saturday, July 24th, Northfield Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m., Riverside Park, Riverwalk Market Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Riverwalk, Carey Langer, 5 p.m., Contented Cow, Wendy Russell, 6 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, RCAs, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Son of a Gun, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, and D J Music at the Rueb’N'Stein.

Sunday, July 25th, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow.

There are special, one-day deals all around town, with prices being slashed on items such as clothes, books, and furniture, as well specially-priced offerings at restaurants.  In addition, there’s a wide variety of entertainment all day long throughout downtown.

Activities include a Costume Contest, Face Painting, a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, a Newspaper Throwing Contest, Arts Activities, Design Your Own Button, a Beanbag Toss, a Hula Hoop Contest, a Waiters Race, a “Wing Off” Competition, a Classic Car Show, and ‘50 -’60s Dance Music.

For more information, see the Chamber Retail Committee’s Event Poster or visit the Convention and Visitors’  website.

Friday, July 16th, Tim Freeland, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Bonnie and the Clydes, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Jeff Ray, 8 to 11 p.m., and D J Music at The Rueb’N'Stein.

Saturday, July 17th, Wendy Russell, 6 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Dime-Store Watch, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Todd Thompson Trio, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, and Bohemian Duo at The Rueb’N'Stein.

Sunday, July 18th, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7 p.m., and Quiz Night , 8 p.m., all at Contented Cow.

Pictured with owner Pai Yang are board members Mark Quinnell, Greg Kneser and Keith Covey.  One of them (to remain unidentified) said, “Hurry up with the picture, Ross…I’m hungry”.

Pai warmly greeted the long-time customers in our group and seemed optimistic that the construction work would soon be completed.  There were a number of full tables, with customers of all ages, as well as a number of “to-go” pick-ups, during our time there, and the place was a quiet oasis compared to the world outside.

Mandarin Garden has been located in downtown Northfield for 29 years.  After a few early years on the 500 block of Division Street, they’ve been in their present location for over two decades.

The 4th Street reconstruction is now scheduled for completion by the end of July.   Until then, like I said, good times and great food.

This recently completed trail segment connects Riverside Park with the Sesquicentennial Legacy Plaza.  The segment is part of the Mill Towns Trail that will eventually connect Northfield with Faribault and Cannon Falls, and a larger trail system that will run from Mankato to Red Wing.

The event will also celebrate Maggie Lee.  A long-time resident of Northfield, Maggie’s vision and leadership helped create the downtown Riverwalk.  This latest segment of trail also links the Mill Towns Trail with Northfield’s Riverwalk.

After the event, we encourage you to stroll along the Cannon River, visit the Farmers’ Market, and explore the Riverwalk Market Fair.  Then stop in our historic, scenic and authentic downtown and experience our mix of one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.  It’s all part of the heart of our community.

The event is free and open to the public.  Brief tributes, local treats, and live music will be served.

Wednesday, July 7th, Noontime Organ Recital with Richard Collman and Elinor Niemisto, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., United Methodist Church, Books and Stars with the New Riverside Ramblers, 7 p.m., Odd Fellows’ Park, Summer Film Series: Encounter Point, 7 p.m., Just Food Co-op, and Jeff Litman, 7 p.m.,  Goodbye Blue Monday Coffeehouse.

Thursday, July 8th, the final Northfield Community Band Concert of the season, 7 p.m., Bridge Square, Mark Mraz, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, and Karaoke at Froggy Bottoms.

Friday, July 9th, New Moon Trio, 5 to 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Tim Freeland, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Area 51, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Lonesome Dan Kase, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, and D J Music at the Rueb’N'Stein.

Saturday, July 10th, Bike Trail Celebration, 9:30 a.m., at the north end of Riverside Park, Free Tours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northfield Historical Society, Luke Redfield, 5 to 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Wendy Russell, 6 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Multe, 7:30 p.m., Northfield Carnegie Library, Norwegian Cowboy, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, Chance Meeting, 8 to 11 p.m., Contented Cow, and D J Music at the Rueb’N'Stein.

Sunday, July 11th, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7 p.m., Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow.

However, this week Northfield is serving, and I say this with sincere appreciation and anticipation, musical hors d’oeuvres.  We’re preparing our community’s cultural palates with the Noontime Organ Recitals.  Most exciting, it all starts this week.  I offer a summary schedule below:

Wednesday, July 7th, Richard Collman, Organ, and Elinor Niemisto, Harp, 12:15 p.m., United Methodist Church.

Wednesday, July 14th, Andrew Schaeffer, 12:15 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Wednesday, July 21st, Lawrence Archbold, 12:15 p.m., Music & Drama Center on the Carleton College campus.

Wednesday, July 28th, Sue Walby, 12:15 p.m., Skinner Chapel on the Carleton College campus.

Wednesday, August 4th, Dan Fenn, 12:15 p.m., Boe Chapel on the Carleton College campus.

Wednesday, August 11th, Mike & Susan Powell, 12:15 p.m., Christian Hall of Music on the St. Olaf College campus.

And then there are the Vintage Band Festival recitals…

Friday, August 6th, Kentucky Baroque Trumpets & Organ, 12:30 p.m., First Congregational UCC Church.

Saturday, August 7th, Gargoyle Brass Ensemble with Organ, 1:30 p.m., First Congregational UCC Church.

Thursday, July 1st, New Beginnings – A Farewell Exhibit, 4 to 7 p.m., ArtOnWater Gallery, Young People’s Theater: History/Misstory, 5:30 p.m., ARTech School, Northfield Community Bank Concert, 7 p.m., Bridge Square, Chris Herriges, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, Study Hall, 9 p.m., Contented Cow, and Karaoke at Froggy Bottoms.

Friday, July 2nd, YPT: History/Misstory, 10 a.m., ARTech School, Farmers’ Market, 11:45 a.m., Riverside Park, New Beginnings – A Farewell Exhibit, 4 to 7 p.m., ArtOnWater Gallery, Tim Freeland, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, The Favourite Child, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Carey Langer, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, Observatory Open House, 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., Goodsell Obeservatory on the Carleton College campus, and D J Music at the Rueb’N'Stein.

Saturday, July 3rd, Farmers’ Market, 9 a.m., Riverside Park, Riverwalk Market Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sesquicentennial Legacy Plaza and Riverwalk, New Beginnings – A Farewell Exhibit, 4 to 7 p.m., ArtOnWater Gallery, Brothers Burn Mountain, 5 p.m., Contented Cow, Wendy Russell, 6 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Spruce Top Review, 7 p.m., Contented Cow, Jon Manners, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, and D J Music at the Rueb’N'Stein.

Sunday, July 4th, Northfield Criterium Bike Races, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Downtown Northfield, Yankee Doodle Kiddie Parade, 6 p.m., Yankee Doodle Kiddie Carnival, 6 p.m., Bridge Square, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow, Fireworks, 10 p.m., Ames Park, and Fireworks, 10:15 p.m, Sechlar Park.

Habitat builds modest, affordable homes in  Rice County for low-income, working families.  Our families labor along side us to build their homes and they buy them from us at a zero percent mortgage.

On July 14th in Lonsdale and on July 15th in Faribault, we are hosting women-only build days for women in a non-threatening environment to:

- Learn a new skill
- Bond with friends
- Contribute to the costs of constructing affordable homes
- Create a lasting legacy and lay the foundation for a family’s future.

We need women owned, women managed businesses to help us end the cycle of poverty by making affordable homes available in our county.

Come Join Us for Habitat’s Women’s Build 2010

Contact Gina Franklin, Rice County Habitat for Humanity Development Director at: ricehabitatdevelopment@gmail.com or by calling: (507) 330-0740. Call today, for you and your business to become a part of our county’s housing solution.   Thank you.