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Literature with Lederhosen

Party like a librarian? Jawohl!

Come to

Presented by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

There will be books and beer, food and wine, German music and dancing,
scavenging and tours, and games of brawn & skill. Oh, and librarians.

September 23, 2010 / 7–10 p.m.

$25 per person (advance) / $30 at the door

(bring your library card the night of the party for a chance to win prizes)

Saint Paul Central Library
90 W 4th St. Saint Paul

Attention, Herr Bookkopf and Fraulein Learnsalotten: Join us for Book It: The Party - this time we celebrate the 200th birthday of Oktoberfest! In the front courtyard of Central Library we will have two lighted tents – just like Oktoberfest in Munich. There will be German food (brats, sauerkraut, pretzels – what else?), wine, and beer from micro- and popular breweries.

Challenge yourself and your team in three games: hammerschlagen, tug-of-war (between individuals standing on stumps), and a beer stein relay. Central Library will also host a cell-phone-scavenger-hunt and tours.

James J. Hill Library will be the venue for author readings: Norah Labiner(German for Travelers: A Novel in 95 Lessons, published by Coffee House Press) and John Jodzio (If You Lived Here You'd Already Be Home, published by Replacement Press). Doug Hoverson, Minnesota Book Award-winning author of Land of Amber Waters (University of Minnesota Press) will be discussing the history of brewing in Minnesota and guiding us through beer tastings. His beautiful yet scholarly book offers “an intoxicating history of brewing in the North Star State.” —Minnesota Monthly

We are thrilled to announce that Patrick Harison will be roaming through the libraries and beer tents, playing his accordian for us. Patrick grew up in a home full of art, music and dance. His father encouraged him to pick up the accordion at age 13. Patrick learned how to turn the bulky and boisterous machine into a sensitive instrument by listening to and imitating the masters from every corner of the world. By 14, Patrick's professional career had begun. The heart of his musical education took place on the bandstands of Minnesota's bustling music scene working with artists as diverse as Connie Evingson, Coach Said Not To, Zeitgeist New Music Ensemble, Mandragora Tango Orchestra, Parisota Hot Club, John Devine, Sam Miltich, Mark Kreitzer and countless others.

Follow The Friends on Twitter or like us on Facebook and stay up-to-date as plans for Book It: The Party - Oktoberfest! develop. With Books & Bars moderator, Jeff Kamin and other spirited characters, this isn’t your usual library event.

After the author readings we will have dancing to German-themed music. Wear your dirndls and lederhosen and be eligible for a special prize.

Make your own pretzel necklace with our friends from Yelp. And if you discover you're just not that crafty, you can eat the evidence!

Book It: The Party! provides a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, music, good food and drinks - all within a framework of supporting the Library.

Spaces are limited - please reserve early!

Food Fight!!!!

Fair Food Fight Night: A Spectacle of Beef and Beer

Friday, July 23, 6pm till we drop
Rau + Barber Bldg, 4244 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis

GREAT FOOD * FURIOUS DEBATE * LOCAL BEER * MAD DANCING * BIG PRIZES

DEVOUR A bonanza of local foods
Bring cash! Great local, sustainable, and organic fare from: Corner Table, The Modern Cafe, Magic Bus Cafe, Fulton Beer, Equal Exchange Coffee and Chocolate, Nature's Prime Organics.

GET IN THE RING: FOOD Forum with Stephanie March
Enter the squared circle as we discuss real food, ethically raised meat, and animal welfare.

DJ: Danny Sigelman
Formerly of Radio K and The Current, Danny Sigelman has helped cultivate the local Minnesota music scene for years. Music starts at 8:30pm.

It's a Date in a Dress!

My favorite "movement" this summer is the viral site that allows you to simply share with the world a photo of you in a dress. Click below and look through all the photos, have you contributed? Radar has...

And one sweet, little local photo gallery, le Tiny Galerie is offering tonight, July 13 complimentary photo shoot of local ladies in their frocks...



An example of their sweet and soft photo style...

4th of July in the Metro - lots of Boom, Bang!

I just passed along some 4th of July information and thought I'd share all that the metro has going on for you and your family.

Some of the biggest Independence Day events happen in Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul.

Minneapolis: Red, White and BOOM celebrates Independence Day with music, entertainment and family fun on the Minneapolis Riverfront on July 3 and 4. Fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 4.

Saint Paul: A Taste of Minnesota runs from July 2 - July 5 at Harriet Island, downtown St. Paul. Fireworks every night at 10.15 p.m., with the biggest bangs reserved for July 4. Entry to the festival is ticketed and even more expensive than last year, starting at $20. But Harriet Island is on the west bank of the Mississippi, across from downtown St. Paul so you can get a great view of the fireworks for free from the east bank in downtown.

Cities and communities across the Twin Cities metro area hold Independence Day celebrations, and fireworks displays.

Here's a list of fireworks, festivals and other Independence Day events in cities across the Metro Area. All events are on July 4 and have free admission unless otherwise noted.

Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis is the venue for the second of two firework displays in the city of Minneapolis. An especially family-friendly event with live music, children's activities, and local food vendors.

Excelsior/ Lake Minnetonka The only official firework display over Lake Minnetonka is the finale to a day of Independence Day events at the lake. Fireworks over a lake are especially pretty with the reflections from the water.

Woodbury: Ojibway Park hosts the celebrations, with live music playing and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Oakdale: Tanner's Lake Park hosts the July 4 celebrations with fireworks at dusk.

Richfield's 4th of July: A free, multi-day community event from July 1 - July 6. A car show, music, parade, pie eating contests and many other festivities. Fireworks on July 4 Veteran's Park at 10 p.m.

Bloomington: The Summer Fete on July 3 celebrates Independence Day with fireworks at dusk, around 10 p.m. at Normandale Lake Bandshell.

Apple Valley: incorporates Independence Day celebrations into the annual Apple Valley Freedom Days, June 25 - July 4. The Apple Valley fireworks are one of the biggest displays in the Twin Cities. Fireworks at 10 p.m. at Johnny Cake Ridge Park.

Lakeville: The Panorama of Progress, the Pan-O-Prog, is in its 43nd year. Over a week of celebrations including a car show, parade, sports tournaments and more. Pre-dusk fireworks, followed by the main firework show after dusk. at Lakeville North High School.

Eden Prarie: The Hometown Celebration at Round Lake Park culminates in fireworks at 10 p.m.

Edina: has a parade instead of fireworks. The Edina Independence Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Edina City Hall on July 3.

Afton: The 4th of July Parade starts at noon. Afton House Inn also offers river cruises to watch the Hudson fireworks on July 3 and Stillwater fireworks on July 4.

Blaine: Blaine's Blazing 4th has celebrations and entertainment on June 25-27, and on July 4 at Aquatore Park. The fireworks will be at the National Sports Center at 10 p.m. on July 4.

White Bear Lake: The annual Manitou Days festival ends on July 4 with fireworks at 10 p.m. at Memorial Beach.

Chanhassen: Chanhassen celebrates Independence Day on the 3rd and 4th with a packed family-friendly event schedule. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. at Lake Ann Park.

Eagan: 4th of July FunFest in Eagan runs from July 1 - July 4. On Independence Day, there's the Funfest Parade at 10 a.m., and fireworks at 10 p.m. at Central Park.

St. Louis Park: Fireworks at 10 p.m. at Aquila Park.

Hudson, WI Hudson's Booster Days festival runs from July 1 - July 4. Plenty of free music and entertainment, a carnival, parade, waterski show, and fireworks on 3 July.

Fort Snelling: cannons firing and other period military themed Independence Day festivities from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., admission charge.

Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake A free outdoor concert followed by fireworks on the casino grounds.

Prior Lake: The annual Prior Lake Boat Parade in on Independence Day afternoon, and then there wil be fireworks over the lake at 10 pm.

Early Summer Highlights

Modern Love!

Radar's kind of event!
Local art, local food ( A sneak peak of Tour de Farm's farm fresh food), local music - all at a local venue:

See you there!

· Radar Member Exclusive ·
FREE LUNCH* at "The Talent Show"
to those Members who buy Tour de Farm tickets
(just show you Radar card)

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What is Walker Open Field?

Celebrate the creative assets and collective knowledge that abound in the Twin Cities, and help the Walker transform its big green back yard into a cultural commons. Open Field is a summer-long series of programs and activities organized by the Walker and by you. The field is open--and your ideas are welcome.

Visit the Open Field website at walkerart.org/openfield.

30-70% off June 1st-5th
ID-Inside Design

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Nice Ride Launch Celebration -

June 10th Nicollet Mall

World Cup Fans: Watch all the action at Brits ··············

Family Photogs! Capture your family this summer and share: Summer of Family ··············

Fathers Day is coming Are you ready?No? Then let Radar help, email me, I've got you covered, and... here's a gift Radar highly recommends: ··············

Next "French-themed" party is Wed, July 14th! Lawn games, crepes, mimes and more! ··············

Like Groupon? Living Social? Have you signed up for PazaBella Perks? ··············

Yard work just not getting done? Landscape Love to the rescue! ··············

Oh My, May...

Three Radar Members Doing Stupendous Things in May...

I first met Amy Gattie on a local photo shoot - she now is a friend, Radar supporter/Member & a talented documentary filmmaker. She has been working tirelessly on this mostly self-funded, powerful documentary she began 4+ years ago. This is her first public screening...

"Too Cold Out There Without You"

Bryant Lake Bowl Theater - Wed, 5/5, 6-9 pm

"We are having a work-in-progress screening/fundraiser for "Too Cold Out There Without You," a documentary film about the Rev. Christopher Fike."

"When the Rev. Christopher Fike was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1999, he was a straight, married mother of two children named Sarah. By 2004, amidst a crisis in the Church over gender and sexuality, Chris completed his transition and now identifies as a man. "Too Cold Out There Without You" looks at how to manage the anger, fear and resentment that arise when someone you love changes unexpectedly."

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You'll have to guess which Caskette is a talented, powerhouse of a business woman in her "day job", a Radar Member and friend who happened to marry Tim & me and perform at our wedding...

The Amazing Caskette's!

The Fitzgerald Theater on May 8th, 8:00 pm

(more details here)

Delna: "The feather shrugs are finished, the gowns properly bedazzled, butterflies are ready, and our hearts are a flutter! The big show at The Fitzgerald Theater on May 8th is coming! We Caskettes sure hope you can join us for the show, after party at the St. Paul Hotel and breakfast at Mickey's Diner too!"

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~ Radar Exclusive Event ~
Here's yet another Radar Member and friend doing her own thang, April Mueller a mom to Martha, Prudence and Penny for 7 months now. And here they are:

Born in Connecticut, these cool chicks are Silver-laced Wyandotte Hens, and have just begun to lay their eggs at April's S. Mpls home. I've been curious to witness this new way of bringing a bit of farm fresh living to an urban setting. Curious also to learn what's involved in urban chicken care? What their living arrangements are? How often they lay? Does what they eat really affect how the eggs taste? And how to keep them safe in our extreme seasonal conditions?

If you're curious too or just wonder if fresh laid eggs really do taste better, then join me for Radar's First Urban Field Trip! Thanks to April, Martha, Prudence and Penny, we are welcome to hang out, see how they live and maybe witness an egg-laying. And a 1/2 dozen of their eggs will be given away!

"Meet The Chicks Field Trip"! Saturday, May 15th, 11:00 am

Email Jen to sign up for this free outing (bring the kids too!)
(address to come via email)

Please forgive me followers, for I have...

ah, I'm not even Catholic, but feel the guilt of not blogging in some time! My apologies, vacation came and went and here I am.

Ok, back at it and tonight there is a fantabulous truly under-the-Radar (my favorite type) jewelry event that I must share. It's so underground that it's a paper, real paper invite....





It's the creative creations of Heidi B (B Designs), I've blogged about her before, so that's two, two Radar stamps. Why? Her offerings range from modern, simple to romantic and Victorian. All our presented so sweetly and professionally throughout her French cottage-like home in So Mpls. Then? She has her friends and Mom serving springy drinks and delicate nibbles which are also displayed amongst her goods. Lastly, her prices are so reasonable, I feel like sliding a few bucks in her authentically restored bread box.

See you there? 7 sharp is my plan and I'll say hi after I've made my way through! Sorry, it's Mother's Day and bridal shower season, time to focus!

5453 Dupont Avenue South

Happenin' Hair

Usually when I spot a trend that I like, I can't get it out of my head. And I tend to keep it to myself. The latest trend that I have been obsessing over is Hair Pieces/Accessories and this time I'm sharing.

It began with this magazine shot I've had in my office, dreaming of getting married all over again. My God-daughter did ask, "Which one is you Auntie?", so that made it somewhat real...

And since then, all I see is "Hair Wear"...







Last night at The Varsity Theater, 2 red hair bows...



This I pulled from Nylon magazine, I thought it was darn cute, subtle and screams fun...


So I made some. Modeling a couple of my creations are, Kate...


And Grace...
And the one you'll be seeing me in around town...



So who's in on this trend with me? To give you a start, I'm giving away one, Radar "Hair Wear" below, (your choice) to the first person to email me, jen@radar-msp.com, the answer to: "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" HA, kidding.

Ok, answer first correctly: "How many calories in one piece of Peep candy?"

Then tell me which one you'd like below...

The "Kate " w/gems

The "Hi Top" w/gems

The "Have a Ball" (w/one gem)
The "Grace"

The "Green Day"

Missed out? Radar "Hair Wear" available for $10

Connections of the Fabulous Kind

In the last few months I have experienced an explosion of connections. Correction, cool connections. And cool connections with locals, who happen to be women doing kick-ass things. I have always been a connector, it's what gives a concierge clout. But this recent pool of cool, are such a magical match to my local love of - art, photography, fashion, music, food, culture, cooking, technology, social media, events and true entrepreneurial spirit. I've been lucky to meet, eat, talk & toast with these talents & wanted to share what a few of them are up to...

First up, an event that combines local music and a local photographer's passion for her craft. Brought to you by two fantastic new friends: Eli of paperlily design + Kate of O'Reilly Creative who present:

The Jennefit: A Benefit for Jenn Barnett
When: Friday, March 26, 2010
Where: The Turf Club, St Paul, MN
Time: 9pm
Cost: $10


Then, cupcakes! An opening of the sweetest kind, involving again great Kate of O'Reilly Creative and another sassy lass, Sheela, who's sweets I've been seeking for years. But most recently via that simple birdie called, Twitter, I have connected with her again. By first meeting, you know Sheela's an individual, and she does what she wants and bakes what she wants. Who else would think up, Grapefruit Champagne, Vegan Chocolate Whiskey & Shamrock Shake cupcake flavors & have tatoos of a stand-up mixer & other bakery icons? Sheela's partnering with Emily and opening Cake Eater Bakery a coffee, cupcake, neighborhood spot, complete with CSA pick up and a Kids Happy Hour.



The salty side of Emily & Sheela...

The sweet...
And the goods...
Also part of the Cake Eaters plan - a rotating assortment of locally designed Cake Eater t-shirts! With the amount of creative talent in this town, I predict a battle of cupcake vs t-shirt to consume me! Click on photo to purchase the first design...


Cake Eater Bakery Opening!
When: Sat, April 3, 8-6
Who: For the neighborhood and families
Open for business - April 5th open to Public

Where: 2929 E 25th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55406

Another true entrepreneurial spirit is one I've blogged about before, Geri Wolf of StyleLaboratory - which most recently has evolved from a high-end event planning business to the first of it's kind, an Event Lab. I recommend visiting and test-driving the Style Stations on big-screen technology.

Here's another FREE reason to visit.

What: Learn How To "Take a Bunch of Flowers & Turn in into Art"
When: Wed, 4/14, 5-6 pm
Where: Gaviidae Commons II, Skyway Level
Register: http://ezregister.com/events/1391/


Another wizard-like woman I've connected with is Meghan Wilker of Geek Girls Guide and Clockwork. She is a geek girl and proud of it! On our first meeting, I kept thinking, this girl's left-brain powers trump mine by a mile. I was writing notes frantically while she provided me social media advice. She also gave me her time and advice on my site - check out Radar's recent "up-do". Annnnd, my blog will be updating too per Meghan's advice, but that's on my to-do list for my IT dept - which is me, myself and I.

Shortly after our first meeting, I received a Tweet from Meghan, "I have an idea for an event. Could be a radar PR/ marketing thing. Will email you tmrw with deets!"

Then came the email about a Glee Party, Meghan's second annual and she wanted to bring Radar in, "to promote and give you exposure". I'll do just about anything to someone who wants to shine a light on my little engine that could, Radar.

So together with Meghan out came the Glee Party Second Season Premiere Party!

Join Meghan Wilker (@irishgirl) and Nancy Lyons (@nylons) to celebrate the return of Glee, presented by Radar Concierge

Lastly, these connectors are also supporters, involvers, seekers and givers of information and knowledge. All balancing their other roles of busy Moms, Singles, Volunteers, Wives & Girlfriends.

Radar hopes you can hit some of these events, so you too can surround yourself with their spirit.

Another event Radar has to mention is, "Book It, The Party". Hope to see you all there next Thursday, April 1st, 7-10!

Perceive the world as good to you and it comes back.

Nice of Jax