Earth Day Doings

The Chinese Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with China Insight, presents the fifth annual A Passage to China at the Mall Of America in Bllomington, MN. This free family-oriented event will provide ‘armchair' travelers with a wonderful opportunity to journey through Chinese culture, history, and geography. Guided by members of 40 local Chinese organizations, travelers can learn their fortune, have their name translated into Chinese, or meet with historical figures. Children will be issued special ‘passports' that will be stamped as they journey through different interactive games such as paper folding, musical instrument making, Chinese calligraphy lessons, or lion dancing. A completed ‘itinerary' will qualify them for a prize. The passage will be completed with authentic sights and sounds of Chinese music and dance in Sears Court. The Chinese Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission "...to preserve and promote the understanding of Chinese history, culture, and heritage among all Minnesotans." China Insight is a monthly newspaper printed in English to foster U.S. and China cultural and business understanding.

 Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, MN will celebrate Earth Day with a three-day Party for the Planet sponsored by Xcel Energy on April 20-22. Visitors will find a myriad of free activities focusing on fun, creative ways to save energy, money and the planet with plant and animal ambassadors, interactive games, creative crafts and more! Plants and animals are experts at conserving energy. Visitors to Como’s Party for the Planet will be encouraged to follow their lead by visiting themed energy stations learning ways to reduce energy use at home while preserving habitats near and far. Xcel Energy will premier its new Polar Bear video providing a sneak peak inside the Polar Bear exhibit that includes energy efficiency tips and information. “We’re happy to partner with the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to show people not only how easy it is to save energy and money but how big the environmental impact of small improvements can be,” says Crystal Manik, Xcel Energy senior marketing business consultant. Party for the Planet is a nation-wide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level. Hey party animals, it’s cool to conserve!