There will be plenty of activities to fill the long Fourth of July holiday weekend in Chaska this year.

The Jonathan Association will hold its annual Jonathan Fourth of July Fun Run Friday. The run begins at 8:15 a.m. at the Early Childhood Center (110600 Village Road) and goes through Jonathan and along the shores of Lake Grace. Runners, walkers and strollers are welcome. Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Carver County Communicators Toastmasters Club is holding an open house at 7 p.m., Monday, July 14 at Chaska Community Center.

The group has invited our District 6 Governor Pat Croal as a guest speaker who will help participants disassociate with the fear of public speaking.

Carver County Communicators has members from Chaska, Mayer, Norwood/Young America, Victoria, Waconia, and Watertown.

Meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of every month at 7 p.m. for about an hour, at the Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Drive.

The Minnesota Valley Community Band (MVCB) will perform at 7 p.m., Friday, June 27, in front of the Gazebo in City Square Park. The concert, one of a series of concerts sponsored by the city of Chaska, features music of America in keeping with the upcoming Fourth of July.

 Selections from the Broadway musical Showboat: “Old Man River,” Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” and “Why Do I Love You,” headline the concert.

How’s this for a long-range forecast?

There will be a storm in Victoria on July 7.

That is, the Chanhassen High School’s booster club, the “Storm Chasers,” host its inaugural fundraiser on Monday, July 7 at Deer Run Golf Club.

Lunch and driving range session begins at 11 a.m., with golf – scramble format with no handicaps – beginning at noon with a shotgun start.

A dinner, awards and silent auction is set for 6 p.m.

Thousands of Ham Radio operators will be demonstrating emergency capabilities this weekend.

From June 28-29, the public will have a chance to meet and talk ham radio operators and learn about Amateur Radio Service. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even Morse code, hams from across the country will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities, according to a press release.

Entries are being accepted for the 36th Annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest.

A total of $7,445 in prize money will be awarded to the first- through third-place winners in three divisions. Entries are being accepted for all age groups. Age categories are: Open Division, for any age; Teen Division, ages 13-18; and Preteen Division, ages 12 and under.

Brad Hayes, a special education teacher at the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative, and Michelle Kelly, of Wayzata, were named The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s

The St. Francis Family Birth Place and Shakopee Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) will host a free Community Baby Fair Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Francis Regional Medical Center Care North Conference Center in Shakopee.

The event includes a morning of guest speakers, demonstrations, information and free gifts from south metro businesses.

Mini workshops, and demonstrations of upcoming classes in pre/postnatal yoga, baby sign language, car seat safety, and infant massage will be offered.

Nominations from county residents are now being sought for the 2008 Outstanding Senior Citizens of Carver County.

Candidates for the award are Carver County residents over the age of 65 that are known for going out of their way to help others, to volunteer, to organize, or help out with volunteer services.

The award recognizes outstanding community service and serves as an example to others in the county. The winner will be honored at the Carver County Fair in the Entertainment Center on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 2:30 p.m.

Magnifying Abilities participants are showcasing their artwork at the Chaska Community Center Art Gallery, June 9-July 3. Forty artists from 13 different communities exhibit paintings and drawings created at the Magnifying Abilities’ winter art class. An open house will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., June 19.

Magnifying Abilities is a social and recreational program for adults with disabilities. Art classes help the participants express their creativity, and teach them new skills.