About three quarters of the way through his poetry collection How to Be Perfect, Ron Padgett describes his “method”: “. . . my method I guess I’d call it / is to start and go / wherever the poem seems to lead”. That is, in fact, how many of these poems read, with a rhythm and play of words that tumble along with surprising fluidity.

John Diers and Aaron Isaacs will discuss their book, Twin Cities by Trolley, this Saturday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m., during a Fireside Chat at the Hennepin History Museum in Minneapolis. Craig Cox reviewed the book for MOQ this summer, so we thought we would share that with you here.

The St. Paul-based Laurel Poetry Collective was formed in late 2002 with a four-year charter to publish a book for each of its 20 poet members and an annual anthology with contributions from all members. As they near the end of their fourth season, we thought this would be a good time to find out how they are coming along with their publications and where they will be going from here, so we contacted co-founder Deborah Keenan and member Eileen O’Toole, each of whom have a Laurel book coming out this fall. Keenan and O’Toole will be reading from their books at Micawber’s bookstore in October, check with the store for date and time (2238 Carter Ave., St. Paul. www.micawbers.com, 651/646-5506). The entire collective will hold a reading on Nov. 4, 2 p.m., at the Central Library in Downtown St. Paul. www.laurelpoetry.com

There’s no need for chemicals when growing these ancient flowers
By Sharon Parker
There is something about roses. Their lure and cultivation goes back to the ancient Sumerians some 5000 years ago, Greek and Roman poets associated them with the goddess of love; they are traditonally so wonderfully fragrant that you can probably smell them in your mind even as you read this, and may be the source of the earliest perfumes.

Just because the weekend’s past doesn’t mean there aren’t still interesting things to do around town. Herewith, a revised Happenings with only the events occuring today through Thursday. How about meeting internationally reknowned photographer Lennart Nilsson at the Swedish Institute on Wednesday, or attending a reading, movie, or performance this week yet?

As long as the weather is making that spring yardwork you haven't yet gotten to look less and less urgent, why not head off to a nice warm indoor art gallery this weekend? In an effort to make Happenings a little easier to navigate, I've put the essential facts at the top of each listing, with descriptions to follow. I do hope you find something here to pique your interest. As for me, I know this much: I'll be at the Midtown Public Market again this Saturday, with our arty new quarterly to sell and swell stuff to give away. Don't you want a bumper sticker declaring yourself a member of the local intelligentsia? And don't worry about the chill, the market's offerings include delicious hot fair-trade coffee from Fireroast Mountain and tasty scones from Real Bread company. But the scones sell out early, so you might want to come before noon. Read on for arty events around town, have fun, and put on a sweater.--sp

By Sharon Parker
A couple of years ago, about this time of year, I had the opportunity to take my daughter, Nora, to Western Wisconsin to look in on a couple of horses for her riding teacher who was out of town. After Nora had reacquainted herself with the horses and seen that they were adequately provisioned, we were about to head back, but then I noticed little white and pink flowers scattered in the unmowed lawn nearby. I had to go investigate. There were two different flowers, both about 5-6 inches tall, and with similar five-petaled blossoms about a half-inch across. One had white flowers and three-part leaves; the other’s blossoms were pale pink with darker pink pinstripes, and that one had grass-like leaves. The overall effect was utterly charming.

By Lydia Howell
Jazz. The music defined elegance for decades. The lyrics still resonate with romance. Our age of often overdubbed pop stars singing more of lasciviousness than love makes the local jazz vocalist scene a delightful alternative.

By Sharon Parker
Rosalux Gallery is always good at pairing compatible artists in its two-person shows, and in the case of Stitch, featuring the works of Ingrid Restemayer and Marilyn Stevens, which opened on April 7, it may be even more true than usual.

On a chilly Monday night in early April, the empty historic Grain Belt Office Building in Northeast Minneapolis is dark except for dim lights emanating from the second floor windows. The doors are locked, the bell doesn’t seem to work. Then a robust young man who introduces himself simply as Tyson appears in a pickup truck, and with the confidence of someone who knows he is expected, bangs on the door. Soon, we are inside.