Not Six, Seven for the Calendar

My calendar is filling up with events that allow for local community support and local (I'm gonna say it, holiday) shopping, Radar encourages you to add them to your calendars...

Starting tonight, the greenest of green events, Free - Eco Boudoir at Twin Cities Green.



The most unique line-up of green offerings I've seen, such as:

• Live Eco-Sleepwear/Underwear/Lingerie Fashion Show
• Workshop from Smitten Kitten - Uptown's own progressive adult toy and equipment shop!
• Local decadent treats and organic cocktails courtesy of our sponsors!
• HOT HOT HOT Organic mattress demonstrations!
• Make your own underwear from reclaimed fabric workshop - sponsored by the Do It Green! Resource Center

Opening tomorrow, Fri, Oct, 9 - StyledLife's new FlagShip store in the Galleria. if you are a Radar follower, you know I am a huge fan of this retailer, Kevin Quinn and his team do everything right. For some insight on this fashion, trend and brand ultra-forward thinking new store, read AliShops blog.

Sat, October 10th, 10am-Noon,Free. If you're a modern lover, this home tour supports conservation, it's a national organization I've been following, Docomomo (DOcumentation and COnservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the MOdern MOvement)


Sat, October 10th, 6-9 pm, Free. Art at 801, art too risky to purchase as a gift? Just getting out and supporting it gives our art community a lift.

Wed, Oct 14th, 6-8 pm - "A Men's night of Distinction"



Monday, Nov, 2th & Dec 7th - First Mondays at The Commodore - No formal site or invitation for this hidden two time holiday shopping event in the classic 1940s space of the Commodore Hotel in St Paul. One vendor I highly support is VintageWearsWares, Sheila will be there with her stellar vintage steals.

Thurs, November 5th, 5-9 pm, Maiden Minnesota - A celebration of Minnesota-based, women-owned companies, many that have been recognized as leaders in creative design. The fun, socializing and charitable shopping event will feature goods and services by leading women-owned businesses, as well as help support and raise awareness for Free Arts Minnesota, dedicated to bringing the healing powers of artistic expression into the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families.


Have something on your calendar Radar should know about?

So many food events, so little time!

Ok, the MN State Fair food fest is over, now let's focus on food from our local farm land. Here are a few events that offer nothing on a stick, but do offer more meaning to what you're eating.

Tomorrow, get it while you can:

Celebrating Local Food, Creating Permanent Community Spaces - Gardening Matters and the Midtown Farmers Market host a two-part film event: “Celebrating Local Food, Creating Permanent Community Spaces”

Who: Gardening Matters and Midtown Farmers Market
What: Movie screenings of Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s The Garden and Chris Taylor’s Food Fight (Twin Cities’ premier).
Both film showings will include a post-film discussion panel.
Where: The Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406-3504
When: The Garden: Wednesday, Sept 9th, 7-9pm
Food Fight: Wednesday, Sept 16th, 7-9pm
Ticket Information: $10 at the door, no advance sales. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Cheese lovers!
Lucia's is proud to present a special free cheese tasting from Shepherd's Way Farms . The tasting will take place in the Wine Bar with a selection of their award winning cheeses, each of which are handcrafted just outside Northfield, Minnesota. Come support a great local farm and enjoy a glass of wine and some delicious food.
When: This Friday, Sept 11th, 5:00-7:00 pm


This Sunday, local food org, Simple, Good, and Tasty will hold it's September local food dinner a little bit different - "the biggest, best, funnest local food Pot Luck that the Twin Cities has ever seen. SGT will provide the pig - you bring your family, friends, and a dish to share. This is a great, inexpensive opportunity to meet local food enthusiasts, cook up your CSA/farmshare bounty, and eat great food."

The meal will be held at Minneapolis' Boom Island Park. Boom Island is conveniently located near downtown, and features a playground and great views of downtown Minneapolis.

Tickets for the event cost only $10 (to cover the cost of the pig and the park shelter), and kids are free.Because this event requires an upfront investment on the part of SGT, we're asking attendees to pay in advance.
When: Sun, 09/13/2009 - 5:00pm

Also on Sunday, the Black Dog Café pairs up with innovative St Paul Chef, Shelagh Connolly, from the infamous Mildred Pierce restaurant, to bring you market dinners at the Black Dog Cafe. To ensure the freshest quality, Shelagh will purchase ingredients on Sunday morning at the St Paul Farmers Market located across the street from the Black Dog Café. Come and join us as Shelagh accepts the challenge of what is fresh andhow to cook it in the limited kitchen available at the Black Dog.

The Black Dog Café has long been a supporter and regular user of the St Paul Farmers Market. Look for daily specials using market produce and products. As a long time patron purchasing produce and products from the Market over the years The Black Dog has decided to take this one step further and prepare a full wine dinner.

Vegetarian and Meat options are available. Reservations are highly recomended. Seating is limited and tables may be shared. $40 includes dinner and wine. Tax and Gratuity not included.

When: Sun, 09/13/2009 - 6:00pm

Have T.O.T.E. will travel in eco-friendly style

If you missed the Urban Junket Sample Sale this weekend, owner, Tracy Dyer offered advance and discounted ordering of their new T.O.T.E. Bag. I got mine, which will arrive in 3 weeks!

T.O.T.E. (To Observe The Earth)Convertible Tote Bags are made from water resistant coated and lined with fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Each bag can change in to three different shapes with the use of strategically placed snaps. An adjustable strap accompanies every bag and allows you to wear the bag right where you want it. A small business card holder hangs from the outside of each bag and comes in handy for electronic cards as well.

So if you are in the market for a cool, smart and stylish 3-in-1 bag, they are available online.

Dad Done Right

Dad's day is coming, June 21st, here are some unique touches on the traditional manly gifts.

Instead of the expected tie, socks, or a baseball hat, how about kickin up his look with a fedora? Several options like the below found via Ebay. Radar E-Tail Retail is happy to handle ordering and gift wrapping for you.






Cook's of Crocus Hill is having their 4th Annual Garage Sale this weekend, bound to be a gadget there for Dad:



He likes to grill? Cook? I highly encourage you to go the extra step and buy local direct from the farm. The products are better for you, help our farmers and this action adds to the local movement, it just takes one person to make a difference, be that person. Several MN farms have easy shopping right on their site:

Hidden Stream Farm - specializing in grass-fed pork and beef.

Cedar Summit - dairy farm offering - milk, handmade cheese, ice cream and yogurt.

Grass Roots Farm - root says it all, fresh seasonal veggies.

Another option for family picnics, how about a Grill on the Go?

Mini Boss:


Classic mini Weber:
Then there's the Kamado, for the serious:


Dad's that like to bike - Recycled Tire Journal, Radar E-Tail Retail Find, $40



Duck Tape Wallets, Radar E-Tail Retail Find, $32





For the Dad that truly rocks, a personalized message Sterling Silver Guitar Pick for him to carry with him. Radar E-Tail Retail find, $40


Or is he a Super Hero? Radar E-Tail Retail find, $25 keychain


Sterling Silver Golf ball Marker. Radar E-Tail Retail find, $40


On a simpler note, Radar E-Tail Retail finds, under $15:

Manly soap: scent of Drakkar Noir, sexy I hear!


Bike Parts bracelet:


Personalized Coffee Sweater:


Leather initial keychain:


Bike Coasters:


Lego Cuff Links:


Those items marked Radar E-Tail Retail: The Unexpected for Less Than You Expected can be ordered, but act fast in time for Dad! Please email Jen@radar-msp.com with your order.

Need more personalized help? Radar offers personal shopping, let Jen help! Jen@radar-msp.com


Thanks for your support of Radar and local businesses.

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Whether if it's with your graduate, your daughter, your dad or your BFF, there are special ways to celebrate the special day to the everyday:

Tomorrow at Mitrebox Framing Studio & Gifts, a Frosted Inspiration art opening:



The Walker's summer-only Garden Grill, eats for $5 or less:


Don´t forget about Live Lobster Sunday at Jax Cafe. Be sure to reserve your 1 ½ lb. Whole Maine Lobster with soup or salad, potato, and vegetable for $30!! Order by phone, in person, or online.


Grab a patch of grass and celebrate summer with a new book, Abby Sunshine, with a little one in your life. A talented friend did the charming illustrations.


Celebrate yourself with a new concept, Split Rock Urban Retreats. What are urban retreats? Local and regional outings that let you do something good for yourself and indulge in the good life, all while featuring homegrown businesses and attractions... like, say, an afternoon yoga and wine tasting retreat at Saint Croix Vineyards in Stillwater.

Business owners, Alissa and Amanda are offering a Friends and Family Inaugural Event, on Saturday, June 20, here's the day's line-up:

-Noon vinyasa yoga class in the vineyard, led by Alissa
-Napa Valley style lunch, prepared by Chef Jason (Amanda's husband and Culinary Wizard)
-2:00 Private tour of the vineyard and winery
-Wine tasting featuring complete Saint Croix Vineyard Selection

To get up and running,they're offering this inaugural event at $50 (full value $100).

HURRY ONLY 3 SPOTS left - To Register: Simply email Alissa - alissamjohnson@gmail.com

In the Future: Split Rock Urban Retreats will launch a full business, complete with other urban retreats (yoga play for mom and kiddo, anyone?) and customized retreats for bachelorette parties, showers, corporate retreats... you name it! Watch for developments and a website soon!

Celebrate dinner out with your tiniest one and order Sweet Cheeks organic baby food right off the menu!

Restaurants catering to these mini munchers:

128 Cafe in St Paul:

Or Birchwood Cafe in the Seward Mpls neighborhood:


So there ya have it, from big to small, now go and celebrate.

This Weekend - Art, Beer, Fashion, Pony Rides, Theater, Architecture, oh and more Art!

ART:
Art-A-Whirl - Northeast's gallery and studio tours of more than 600 artists. May 15 - 17th


Fox Tax Studio is hosting More Is a Four Letter Word, Opening Reception: May 15, 6-11 pm
On View: May 15th – June 12th, 503 1st Ave NE, Mpls

Minneapolis College of Art and Design MFA THESIS Exhibition 2009 , Reception at Soo Visual Arts, May 15, 6-9 pm, 2640 Lyndale Ave S, ride the reception shuttle: MCAD > Soap Factory > SooVAC, departing MCAD every 45 minutes.

ALL ABOUT BEER:
Into micro and craft beer? Then Saturday, beginning at 1 pm, you should check out The Beer Dabble, in (my hometown!) Burnsville, 1128 Burnsville Center. They'll be bands too, E.L.nO and Dewi Sant. Sun, beer, tunes and toss in easy parking and that's a fine Saturday.


FASHION:
Stephanie's - Recession Obsession Sale, 80% off everything beginning today at 10:00am - May 17th. 758 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul. And according to Sara Glassman's PopFizz, "Wait till you see the jeans...They go on forever."


HOME:
ASID Home Tour, Saturday May 16 - Sunday June 14 . This year it's a mid-century modern and green renovation theme.

KIDS:
FUN FEST, Sunday, May 17th. It is from noon to 6:00 p.m., Stillwater
A close friend, Erin Lisle, chairs this family-filled event at the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater. Check out all the the fun - inflatables, climbing wall, pony rides, petting zoo, games, crafts, etc. for the kids. (An all day wristband is $8 with a family cap of $25). For the adults there is a Silent Auction, beer garden, meat raffles, bake off contest, Are you smarter than a St. Michael's 5th grader game and lots more. The Men's Club is grilling and the Lisle's favorite restaurant, Acapulco, will be serving tacos, etc.

And another reason to head east, the Stillwater Art Fair is going on downtown by the River.


THEATER:
Red Eye Theater will celebrate its 25th anniversary by throwing an "All Tomorrow's Parties" gala at Fallon, $25, May 16, 7-11 p.m., 901 Marquette Ave., Mpls.


MISC:
The M Party honors The Basilica's French architect, Emmanuel Masqueray, and features socializing, cocktails, dancing, an after party at The Chambers, and live music by Stuart D'Rozario and the Gear Daddies. And if you want to go black tie, pony up for the coinciding Masqueray Ball ($250). Both events benefit The Friends of the Basilica of Saint Mary Foundation. $50, 8 p.m.-midnight, The Depot, 225 3rd Ave. S., Mpls.


Whatever you may choose, lap it up!

Hop To It!

Some Radar local finds for your Easter baskets:

Vosges Chocolate Bunnies at Whole Foods and Kitchen Window


Local Chocolate Celeste has their Easter-on with these sweet treats:


It's a perfect time for Foat arm warmers:



Along a 9 block stretch in So Mpls, here's are some one-stop options:


Vintage finds at Hunt and Gather:


How about an Easter Bonnet!






Turtle Bread:


Order pies, cakes from your local bakery, they'll love you for it:


Rick Rack:




Victory, also find inspiration on store owner, Kerry's blog:






Brown & Greene:



I love the idea of bringing a lettuce plant to a party, it transforms into a yummy salad, very eco:


Or go to Storm Sisters Spatique Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday!
Stop by from 10-2 and pick one egg out of the Storm Sisters Spatique garden. Inside each egg is a discount ranging from 20-50% off of your entire purchase. You may use it immediately or bring it in at a later date. You may use your certificate on regular, sale or clearance priced items as well. Bring in a friend and they may share in your spoils or grab an egg for themselves.
Whether you have time to shop or not, pop in for some yummies too.

And for my own quick ideas to Easter-up your home:

Spray-paint a lonely tree branch that made it through the winter:


Or wrap it in pretty yarn:

Spray paint something you would never think of buying (let's say, some figure at Pier One):



I got lucky last time I made chocolate chip cookies and found a deformed chip that looks like a bird (he sits by me all day):


So get out a look around and find something small for the bunnies in your life!