Happy Holidays

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Holly Jolly Shopping

I would label this week one of the best in local shopping, and sadly, I'm out of town. Which means there's more for all of you! So get out, enjoy and support by shopping or showing up to see all the good in what we have here in our hoods....The Commodore 1st MondaysA Shopper's Salon. Enjoy cocktails, piano player and conversation in the renowned Art Deco Bar while shopping for unique treasures. Nearly 35 vendors; selling...

Radar Recommends for Giving Thanks

Give local as well as thanks next Thursday, here's how....Bring a loaf of bread for your feast from one of the many bakeries in our hoods:Cafe LatteFrench MeadowLucia's To GoRusticaImpress the guests with coffee grown with care:Kopplin's CoffeeMorning StarPeace CoffeeGive a card made with care:LunaluxMitrebox FramingPaper Patisserie366 Selby Ave #100651-227-1398Thanks in advance for thanking locally....

Power-ful Shopping

Thursday night offers a fun and feel-good shopping event, Maiden MN. Yes, all things local, and all things to celebrate the power of women in business.A Maiden MN ticket alone gives you entry to the new W Hotel, the opportunity to shop, socialize, have a drink and donate to make a positive impact for local women-owned businesses. Oh and if you're one of the first 200? They'll toss in a free gift b...

Elect one of these this weekend

So what if it's snowing, there's way more to do inside:ArtSeward Art CrawlFriday Nov. 7th 7-9pm preview night partySaturday Nov. 8th 11-7pmNE Art AttackFriday Nov. 7th; 5 - 10pmSaturday Nov. 8th; Noon - 8pmSunday, Nov. 9th; Noon - 5pmMusicSolid Gold at The VarsityLittle Man CD Release Party @ 7th St EntryAlison Scott CD Release Party @ The Dakota - MN musician covers!ShopCorsetMention "AliShops" and receive 20% off through Sat, Nov 8th715 MainstreetHopkins, MN 55343Phone: 800-580-0359Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. or by...

Va Va Vote!

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The Tricks and Treats This Week

For those in the masquerade mood....Spooky Spots:The Soap Factory's Haunted BasementTrail of Terror Nightclub Party Stops:Twin Cities NightclubsNo Cover Costume Contest and Entertainment - 331 ClubCostumes and Props:Buffalo ExchangeRagstockTwin Cities Magic and Costume CompanyWhatever or whoever you're going to be this week, be scary safe!...

Spaaaah Week

Massages, mani's, pedi's, facials - all luxury treats that, lately, may seem tough on the wallet to justify - but Spa Week is here!! And like a super hero, ready to save the day, it brings with it, a week of services at 50% off at the following locations:Ava's On GrandNew ReflectionsreVamp SalonThe Wellness CenterZhen ReflectionsSo be doubly kind to yourself this week. One, for yourself and the other, your pocket-book. Now, you're a super hero too...

Barrio - Bravo!

Mexican/America made by Tim McKee with many options under $7? What more do you need? Oh throw in a hip, romantic goth decor and your night is set at Barrio.Who is Tim McK...

Take Your Pick

Fall seems to be here, and in MN that means apples rule. Embrace the gratification that comes with hand-picking a food source right from the land. And the local land around is is plentiful. So get your nit-pick on, hit one of the following orchards and enjoy the fruits of your labor:Aamodt's Apple Farm - StillwaterAll About Apples - Regional mapAfton Apples - Hastings, MNMN Harvest - Jordan, MNMinnetonka OrchardsAnother local apple I recommend you pick - Happy App...

If I had 4 days in St Paul...

I would dine at the following :128 Cafe - Neighborhood simple with excellent food.Luci - Italian with a homemade touch.Heartland - Thoughtful food made from our local land. Stunning, simple wine bar.Mickey Diner - the server and food provides a mouth full of St Paul old-school culture. 6 7th St W,651-222-5633The Strip Club - Meat and fish done right in a warm, casually elegant and lively atmosphere.And shop til I dropped here:Flirt Boutique - luxurious items all about the lady. 1330 Grand Ave, 651-698-3692Heimes Haberdashery...

Sale Away

Hello,This is the weekend to take in some mighty fine discounts at a few local boutiques.  Two of which have spawned and spread to additional locations.  Local growth = good.   Talk about local, this option is all about it.  And, check out these deals - Design CollectiveThe sweet, sophisticated Stephanie's - and with all profits this weekend going to Breast Cancer Research (St Paul location only), why wouldn't you make a purchase for yourself and an amazing cause.Heavy on hip...

Dog-On Good Deals!

Grab your dog and head to NE this Friday night, August 15th for the NE Dog Days of Summer. There's so much to share - a parade, a pub photo shoot and strolling through stores, restaurants and spas catering to you both! Yes, your furry friend can enjoy an outdoor lavender-scented spa compliments of SPOT.Anyone would agree, this all sounds like a walk in the park, so do a dog a favor and treat them to a night out in ...

Take Me Out(side) To the Ballgame

My husband, Tim, has been a Twins fan his whole life, and being from Chicago proves his love is true. From May to September, his vocabulary oozes Twins - from players names, daily stats, to trades, wins, loses, standings, to the locker room antics. Although he loves his Twins, he loathes the Dome. And I have to agree.This past Friday, Tim brought his son Max and me to our first Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Now I have...

Slow Food MN

In 1986 a McDonald's opened in Rome, how sad. But as a result, Slow Food, an international non-profit organization began, and ever since has been defending the biodiversity of our food.The local root of this organization has several events each year celebrating and introducing local and regional farmers, producers and artisans to an audience hungry for this type of enlightenment. Some recent events have provided benefit to local farmers and food shelves that have been victim to arson and the 07 floods. A Slow Food MN Event...

Free, Free, Free as a summer's breeze...

There's so much free going on, I had to pass it on:MN Orchestra 2 Day Music Celebration - Age-less music for all! Friday and Sat, July 11th and 12thRed Bull Illume Exhibit Tour - Never before has the Stone Arch Bridge been turned into a museum, but the marketers behind Red Bull are changing that for 10 days. The Red Bull Illume Tour features 28 foot glass and metal cubes that will be lit from dusk to midnight with some of the finest action, adventure, and sports photography in the world. Red Bull sponsored a photography contest,...

Simple Summer Secrets

I spent a day with my God-daughter and her lil' sis this past weekend, and for 24+ hours we did a summer day in Mpls right. We, not once, but twice went to the Elf house on Lake Harriet. If you are a parent, you know of it. If you aren't a parent and know of it, then I like your wise wonderment of this local sweet secret. This appropriately small piece of prime real estate is tucked on the south side of the lake....

7 motives for leavin' early today...

Azia:Daily 3-6:$3 Tap Beer, 1/2 priced Sake, Specialty cocktails, & $5 AppetizersBarbette:Happy Hour 3-6: $3 Taps, $4 Select Wines, Champagne, $5 Select AppetizersIndio:Daily 3-6:$2.50 Taps, $3 Wines, $4-5 Cocktails/Margaritas, and $3-5 AppetizersJoes Garage:Mon - Fri, 4-6:Happy Hour: 1/2 Rails, House Wine, ALL Taps, & most AppetizersRed Stag:Mon - Fri, 3-6:$3 Wines, $3 Select Taps, $4 CocktailsTown Talk:Tues - Sat, 4-6:$2 Domestic Beers (includes Summit), $1 off Wine, $3-4 Small platesVincent:Mon - Fri, 4:30 -...

Calling all stylish kids

Oh to be under 12 again, if I were, I'd drag my Mom to the clearance sale at Siji Kids in St Paul. The clothes are a standout, as well as the assortment of accessories for the youngest of hipsters - like a newsboy cap fit for a 2 yr old.This retail space is also one that impresses - simple, airy, open and modern. The space also doubles as a children's photo studio. And by the quality of their offerings and the attention...

Kids, Art, Giving, Chocolate?

Now that's a de'lish mouthful. The St Paul chocolate company, Chocolat Celeste invited local grade-schoolers to submit drawings of pets for an art contest. Four winning drawings became edible art! The chocolates come in four flavors - Chocolate Cream, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter and Raspberry.A portion of the proceeds go back to the schools of these talented little Picasso's. If only I would have learned of these...

Free music, outside, MIll City Museum - what more do you need?

I'll answer that, nothing. If you've never been to the Mill City Museum, now there's no excuse. The museum, indoors and out, is a visual impact of industrial sensations - edgy, raw, exposed, and educational like a museum show be. And set along the mighty Mississippi of DT Mpls.Then toss in free music?!Mill City Live's line-up this summer starts strong with The Owls - the local, indie foursome that deliver sweet and soft harmonious sound. A few others on the line-up, Romantica - June 19th, Roma Di Luna - July 17, Little...

A few options to get your wheels turning...

Imaginary Bags is a silent auction and fundraising event, June 2- 7, featuring unique Crumpler messenger bags created by artist and designers from the MN biking community. All proceeds benefit the Mark Loesch Memorial Fund. Location: One On One Bicycle Studio. Closing night party, Saturday June 7, with live music by The Haves Have It and DJ Millions Billions.Can't make it to Imaginary Bags? Steer yourself to some...

So this is Spring?

Not sure what we did to deserve this volatile season, especially with the winter we suffered through. But it's time to beat it and get out.Check out what you can rent at Lake Calhoun .National Geographic's, Walks of a Lifetime Podcasts. Head down to the river near the Guthrie and let the the soothing voice of travel expert Rudy Maxa guide you through a tour of the Twin Cities.Treat yourself after you take in or ever pronounce the "Sesquicentennial" 150th celebration of MN, with a local St Paul fave, Grand Ole Creamery.It's...

Do your Mother (and me) proud...

Don't let Sunday morning get here and there you are empty handed in front of Mom. From simple to savvy, please do or give her something that she'll love...A card she will never forget - Letterbox, or make one from your heart - Paper Source or Wet Paint.A brunch that will make her feel like a queen - Jax Cafe, The Lexington, Nicollet Island Inn or one that surrounds her with simple comfort - Birchwood Cafe, Modern Cafe, Crema Cafe (3403 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls, 612-824-3868) or Wilde Roast Cafe.Go for the one-of-a-kind gift this...

Super Tuesdays, hold the politics

Tired of the candidates? Here's other topics to take in on Tuesdays:Triple Rock Social Club, The Weekly Triple Double, 2-4-1's and no cover.Half-price Wine:Amore VictoriaBirchwood CafeDowntowner Woodfire GrillDuplexHighland GrillLa Bodega Restaurant and Lounge: 3005 Lyndale Ave S, 612-823-2661La Cucaracha, 36 Dale St S, 651-221-9682 Metro Magazine's Twin Cities Supper Club, One Tuesday a month $35 equals 2 drinks, appetizers, several family-style entrees, networking and conversation with other locals all while exploring some...

Love Our Local Earth

The Earth clearly can't be celebrated in just on one day, so on behalf of today, Earth Day, here are a few ways to make merry locally over the next few :Climate Change Film FestivalBell Museum, University of Minneapolis, University Ave. & 17th Ave., SE Minneapolis, MNApril 24 – 27, 2008612-624-7083$3-$5 The first Science on Screen Film and Video Festival will focus a lens on climate change and global warming. Highlights include an opening night reception at the Bell Museum, a local “Green Shorts” short film showcase and...

NY, Milan, Paris and MPLS

OUR Fashion Week(end) is here! And it begins with the Voltage Fashion Show at First Avenue on Wednesday, 4/16, a powerhouse event of fashion merged with music. The week continues with activities through Sunday, 4/20. For all the mania, click below:Designers and BandsEvents, like a fashion bike ride.Supporting our local fashion industry, here's where to donateChannel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and go support or buy local fashi...

Wake up and smell and see the coffee

It seems tea, with its magical health-promoting, fee-radical fighting powers, is the hot drink these days. But let's not forget what really provides the buzz, the get-up-and-go, the zip, the zing to our mornings - coffee.If you look at coffee as your main-squeeze, then you and your cup need to runneth over to St Paul for two reasons:Kopplin's Coffee, 490 Hamline Ave S, a truly dedicated and serious coffee cafe, giving...

$1 dollar, can mean a million to others..

I just found out, we are in the midst of World Water Week, 3/16-3/22. And a few local restaurants are doing something about it.A national organization launched this week, Tap Project, which celebrates the clean and accessible tap water available as an every day privilege to millions, while helping UNICEF provide safe drinking water to children around the world.Participating restaurants invite their diners to donate a minimum of $1 for the tap water they would normally get for free. For every dollar raised, a child will have...

39... and 40

I celebrated 40 years of life on March 2nd. The week approaching the "big one" I reflected on my 30s by snowshoeing at Theodore Wirth Park with my friend, Nicole:We ran across this headless snowman, and I wondered how old he was???We then lunched at Common Roots Cafe, and ate all things good and local.Said goodbye to Nicole, and I was off to have my, 39 almost 40 year old, hair done at Salon Rox, by Roxanne Laqua. ...

The Dual of The Design

This event is like no other:2 Event Designers2 Chefs2 Florists2 HoursCurious, huh? Put on by event wizards with The Style Laboratory, and in the new EPIC Event Center, the space formally known as The Quest. Not only is the "challenge" going on, but also seminars, cooking classes AND event trend runway shows! What a creative way to spend a Sunday! I am still so curious, it's like walking into a reality show with...

Restaurant Week is here, restaurant week is here!

Really people, this is a great way to take in the tastes of our towns. Participating restaurants generously provide lunch fares that include two courses and is either $10 or $20, and dinner that includes three courses and is either $15 or $30.Details here: Mpls/St Paul Magazine Restaurant WeekNeed help with the list? Here's where I plan to partake:Upscale experience:D'Amico Cucina, my second favorite lounge in the Mpls, and that's where I choose to chow. If you go on the weekend, a little jazz trio plays! I get hearty...

Music, time to listen up.

We have ourselves scores of musically talented locals. Have you been out to support one? Here's a couple to catch.New on my list - Makeready, playing this Friday at the Terminal Bar, 9pm, with The Melvilles and The Slacks.Then the sweet steady sounds of Quarter Arce Lifestyle, playing Tuesday, March 4th, 8 pm at The Fine Line. And then you have another chance at their CD Release Party, Nomad World Pub, Friday, March...

New Music Venue: The Hollow

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Nyo way? Or way? An ancient dining art form arrives in Mpls...

I saw in the Strib this week and just received my email blast below from Temple Restaurant, here’s what’s going on in local sushi:Temple has been noted for its unique and beautiful presentation of Sushi. Now Temple continues in its pursuit of presenting sushi as a true form of 'Art.' Nyotaimori and Nantaimori are accepted traditions in Japan of serving sashimi and sushi off of the body of a woman or a man. It has been...

Things I love this Valentine's Day

I'm a sentimental, romantic mush. So Valentine's Day is a holiday I love. So cliche I know, which I don't love, but whaddya do...Here's my list of lusts:• Skyways - no other city has 'em like we have 'em, they are true angels this time of year aren't they?• Monte Carlos wings - hands down the best in town. If you've never had them, go get your love-affair started...• The city lakes - As I walk Lake Harriet, often...

Warm up with a Cookie...

This is a smart one too. She's Cookie Coleman, her talent shines by day as a local event planner, and, if lucky, about twice a year you can eat up her sweet singing side.Tomorrow night at The Dakota, she will be pouring out her specialty, jazz standards, and they go down like a fine wine. So go drink her up, and grab dinner too, the food is a match to the talent. Oh and joining Cookie will be world class musicians! Another oh, the price, ...

How Lucky are we!

Mega shopping mag, Lucky, gave the Twin Towns a shout-out in their February issue. Local stores they found worthy:Bella LanaBluebirdClutch BoutiqueCoveredDesign CollectiveHunt & GatherIvyLetterboxLuehmannSalon RougeSeleil Brule'Walker ShopKudos to a...

2008, what are you going to do with it?

Resolutions are everywhere, you have 362 days ahead, pick a few to do something different:You want to read more this 08. Here's a book club that expands your mind and your brew buds. Check out: "Books and Bars", a monthly reading club that shares view and brews at a local fav, Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St, Mpls, booksandbars.comIt's not a resolution without exercise, but here's a trainer that comes to you, homfit.comNeed...