In honor of the first day of spring – Saturday, March 20 – the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has come up with its Top 10 reasons to celebrate the season.

1.

Spring Equinox Stroll, Saturday, March 20, (free for members; $5 others) and Wildflower Walks, April 24, May 1, 15 and 22, ($10 member; $12 others). All walks at 10:30 a.m. No reservations needed for March 20; for others, call 952-443-1422.

2.

By Forrest Adams

During a morning interview from Tucson, Ariz., where he was signing books at the Tucson Book Festival, Scott Simon came across every bit as relaxed as his radio personality.

“I was told the interview would be at 9 a.m.,” said the reporter, who waited dutifully until 10 a.m. (Center Standard Time) before calling the award-winning journalist’s cell phone number for a 9 a.m. interview, as instructed by Simon’s agent.

“So was I. The time here is 8 a.m.,” replied Simon.

The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual Home, Landscape and Garden Everything Spring Expo is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Grace Church. The show is set to include more than 100 booths.

“This show is totally free to attend and has free parking,” according to a news release. “Kids activities will be provided by KidCreate Studios, Underwater World, Kid’s Potting with The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center, and The Home Depot.”

Tony Szczepaniak’s charity cribbage tournament will benefit the ABC Foundation this year. In addition, the event is accepting donations of food items for PROP.

Join Szczepaniak for men’s night at Eden Wood Center, 6350 Indian Chief Road in Eden Prairie, from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, March 19. The tournament starts promptly at 7 p.m.

The cost benefits the foundation. Cost at the door is $30. Dinner will be served and a cash bar will be available.

For more information, contact Szczepaniak at 952-250-6937 or e-mail tony.szczepaniak@gmail.com.

About 300 people jumped into Round Lake Saturday to raise funds for Special Olympics. All told, they brought in $55,500. Click below to see a slide show of the Polar Bear Plunge.

Wings of the North has announced that AirExpo 2010 will be held July 17 and 18 at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie as part of the nonprofit group’s mission to preserve and present aviation history. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend this year’s show, featuring more than 40 aircraft and 60 aviation dignitaries, according to a news release from the group.

Tony Szczepaniak’s charity cribbage tournament will benefit the ABC Foundation this year. In addition, the event is accepting donations of food items for PROP.

Join Szczepaniak for men’s night at Eden Wood Center, 6350 Indian Chief Road in Eden Prairie, from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, March 19. The tournament starts promptly at 7 p.m.

The cost, a $25 donation, benefits the foundation. Mail checks payable to ABC Foundation to 9139 Briarglen Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Cost at the door is $30. Dinner will be served and a cash bar will be available.

Eden Prairie residents are invited to the 29th Annual Eden Prairie Foundation Ball, which will take place on March 27, 2010, at the Minnetonka Southwest Marriott. The theme for this year’s event is “One Enchanted Evening.”

“And this is definitely not your grandfather and grandmother’s quiet, dour gala. This is a ‘let your hair down’ and ‘boogie the night away’ event that celebrates the best about living and working in Eden Prairie,” according to a news release.