Things to Do

Senior artist debuts watercolor exhibit at library

Water color artist Mary Janet Krauska is exhibiting her paintings through March 31 at the Wauwatosa Public Library, 7635 W. North Ave.

The 77-year-old Milwaukee resident participates in Hart Park Senior Center art classes and this is her first solo show.

Tour guests can see wild side of the zoo

Learn what happens after hours and in areas often hidden from the public during Behind the Scenes weekend at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road, from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. March 12 and 13.

See the underground, heated area where the African animals keep warm during winter, talk to train engineers about how they take care of the locomotive and check out the kitchen where food is prepared for the small mammals.

Tours are included in the regular zoo admission fee.

For information, call (414) 256-5466.

Group will collect food at holiday parade

The Friends of St. Patrick-Milwaukee Chapter will collect nonperishable food items during the Bluemound Road Business Advancement Association St. Patrick's Parade at 3:30 p.m. March 13.

Volunteers will push grocery carts to collect donations of food and cash for Hunger Task Force along the parade route, which moves east along Blue Mound Road from 65th to 50th streets.

Sound of music can improve health

A therapist will demonstrate the social, physical and mental benefits of music at 1 p.m. March 14 at Hart Park Senior Center, 7300 Chestnut St.

The program is free, but registration is required by calling (414) 471-8495.

Poet to share writing experiences at Mount Mary

Poet Meg Kearney will discuss writing at 6:30 p.m. March 16 in Helfaer Hall at Mount Mary College, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway.

Her first book of poetry, "An Unkindness of Ravens," is about becoming an adult in an Irish-American home. Her poem, "Home By Now," will be included in Garrison Keillor's next "Good Poems" anthology due out in fall. Kearney also is author of "The Secret of Me," a novel in verse for teens.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by calling (414) 258-4810, Ext. 287, or sending an e-mail to siegelkr@mtmary.edu.

Chess players looking for a few playmates

Chess enthusiasts came participate in games organized by the Trinity Chess Club at 7 p.m. Thursday nights at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1717 Church St.

To get involved in the free program, contact Bob at (414) 774-6894 or rjnicol@gmail.com.

Design seminar to give home remodeling tips

Remodeling company S.J. Janis Co. will hold a free seminar on kitchen and bathroom design trends at 6:30 p.m. March 16 at the Wauwatosa Public Library, 7635 W. North Ave.

Attendees may bring photos of their kitchen and bathrooms to discuss their remodeling potential.

Admission is free, but reservations are appreciated. Call (414) 259-0300 or e-mail nathan@sjjanis.com.

Lent gets started with St. Jude fish fry

The Home & School Association at St. Jude the Apostle, 800 Glenview Ave., will serve a fish fry from 4 to 8 p.m. March 11 in the parish hall.

A three-piece dinner costs $9; a two-piece dinner costs $7. Meals include fries, coleslaw and bread. Kids' meals - a choice of macaroni and cheese or a hot dog - are available for $4. Beverages and sweets will be available for purchase, and takeouts will be offered.

Concert to raise money for butterfly habitat upkeep

Listen to the sounds of Ceol Cairde Irish music during a benefit concert for the Monarch Butterfly Trail on the County Grounds in Wauwatosa at 7 p.m. March 13 at The Coffee House, 631 N. 19th St., Milwaukee.

Donations will be taken for admission.