StoryWalk

by Jennifer Alys Windholz on January 27, 2012

Ezra Jack Keats’ Caldecott Award-winning children’s book, The Snowy Day

Experience winter with the same wonder and joy as Peter, a young boy, did five decades ago in Ezra Jack Keats’ Caldecott Award-winning children’s book, The Snowy Day.

Join library volunteers for a StoryWalk™, and read the book page-by-page as you walk with family and friends along the scenic paths of Como Park and Phalen Lake. Afterward, warm up by a cozy campfire.

Sunday, January 29 2:00 to 3:30pm at Como Park (begins at Fire Rings on Horton Avenue).
31 County Highway 27
St. Paul, MN

Sunday, February 19 2:00 to 3:30pm at Phalen Regional Park (begins at Lakeside Center parking lot).
1530 Phalen Blvd.
St. Paul, MN

The Snowy Day celebrates 50 years in 2012. First published in 1962, it has been considered the first full color picture book to feature an African American boy as the primary character.

For more information, visit the City of Saint Paul website or connect on Facebook and Twitter. Programs are subject to cancellation for extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, zero degree temperatures (including wind chill), and unsafe driving conditions. Check your local news if the weather is questionable.

StoryWalk™ is brought to you by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, and the Saint Paul Public Library. The original StoryWalk™ Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.

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Stella’s Fish Cafe

by Angela Anderson on January 23, 2012

To quote Stella’s Words of Wisdom, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will still prefer to be given a fish.” Fortunately at Stella’s, there’s plenty of fish (and lobster, king crab, and oysters, steak, ribs and pasta) to go around.

The options are practically endless here: happy hours early and late, nightly specials (namely Lobster Lovers Sunday and Crab Lovers Thursday), seating at the oyster bar, the liquor bar, downstairs and upstairs dining rooms, or channel your inner Tom Collichio and book the kitchen table. In season, enjoy On Top of Stella’s for the city’s best rooftop deck, book a corporate event, join the Big Tuna Club to get special perks for birthdays and anniversaries.

Online: http://stellasfishcafe.com
On your mobile: http://stellasfishcafe.com/mobile
Call: 612-824-TUNA or book a table online.
Like Stella’s Fish Cafe and Prestige Oyster Bar on Facebook.
Follow @Stellasfishcafe on Twitter.

Hours of Operation:
Sun. thru Thurs. 11:30am to 1am, kitchen open till 11pm
Friday & Saturday11:30am to 2am, kitchen open till 12:30am
Lunch Served Daily
Dinner Menu Starting at 4pm

Conveniently located in Uptown (view map):

Stella’s Fish Cafe
1400 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408

1/23/2011 – Get 50% off Whole Maine Lobster Dinner for Four at Stella’s at http://bit.ly/365dealstork

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Hudson Hot Air Affair 2012

by Jennifer Alys Windholz on January 23, 2012

Face it, February in the northern latitudes can be dreary and bland. White snow, gray skies, lifeless trees. Where do you go to get a desperately needed pop of color to satisfy your weary eyes?

How about a sky filled with brilliant silks in hues of red, blue, yellow, pink and orange? As in hot air balloons of every color of the rainbow?

Make plans to attend Hudson Wisconsin’s Hot Air Affair the weekend of February 3-5. In addition to multiple opportunities to view balloon launches and a twilight torchlight inflation, there will be geocaching, fireworks, a chili cook-off, a 5k run, craft shows, live music, and a parade featuring the event’s “Year of the Dragon” Chinese New Year theme.

Visit hudsonhotairaffair.com for a complete listing of events, schedule, activities, and sponsors.

Like Hudson Hot Air Affair on Facebook.
Follow @hotairaffair on Twitter.

EP Rock School
340 13th St S
Hudson, WI
Map and Directions (bottom of the page)

Hudson, Wisconsin is just a few minutes east of the Twin Cities on I-94. Just cross the St. Croix river and you’re there!

Since 1990, The Hudson Hot Air Affair is the premier winter ballooning event in the Midwest. Thousands of visitors head to the St. Croix Valley in west central Wisconsin to see about 40 colorful hot air balloons launch in mass ascensions on Saturday and Sunday mornings and light up the night at the Saturday evening Moon Glow or Field of Fire.

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Aurora25 Trunk Show and Vault Denim Sale

by Christina Kalinowski on January 19, 2012

Looking for mile-high style? Check out the Aurora25 Trunk Show and Vault Denim Sale at the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing on Friday, January 20th for unique fashions inspired by CAF Aircraft. Presented by Twilight Soaps & Gifts, the trunk show runs from 4 to 8pm.

You will feel good about adding style to your wardrobe as a generous 50% of each piece of the Aurora25 line sold at the show will benefit the CAF Museum.

The designer, Amy Lauria, describes the line as “represent(ing) my love of natural beauty from
growing up in Alaska and my love of WWII Aircraft and what they represent.” (To get the full
story on the inspiration behind the Aurora25 line, read Aurora25 Collection: Ready to Launch).

Admission to the CAF Museum is free. Check out what the Aurora25 line has to offer, tour the
museum and view the aircraft while enjoying snacks and beverages.

Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing
310 Airport Road Hangar #3 Fleming Field
South Saint Paul, 55075
Phone: 651-455-6942
http://www.cafmn.org

Not sure where the Commemorative Air Force – Minnesota Wing is? Check out this handy map.

Like Twilight Soaps & Gifts on Facebook
Like the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing on Facebook

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Café Scientifique at Bryant Lake Bowl

by Christina Kalinowski on January 16, 2012

A typical night out on the town can be less than intellectually stimulating. If you crave cerebral conversation with your cocktails, join Bryant Lake Bowl once a month for Café Scientifique, described as a “happy hour exchange of ideas about science, environment, and popular culture featuring experts from a variety of fields on diverse and often provocative topics.”

Presented by the Bell Museum of Natural History and BLB Theatre, Café Scientifique is designed to educate and stimulate conversation on a variety of scientific phenomena in a casual atmosphere. This month’s topic? Between Earth and Sky: Indigenous Star Lessons from Turtle Island.

It’s easy to forget how amazingly beautiful the night sky is with the city’s light pollution muting the stars’ scintillation. And as you may remember from high school science class, the night sky appears differently across locales. As Minnesotans, we experience and understand the night sky in ways that differ from other sections of the globe. Dakota science educator Jim Rock and Bell Museum Planetarium Education and Outreach Coordinator Sally Brummel will enlighten attendees on how Minnesota natives see and understand the night by using the Bell Museum’s new ExploraDome program.

Café Scientifique hosts Between Earth and Sky: Indigenous Star Lessons from Turtle Island on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 pm (doors at 6:00 pm).
Tickets: $5-$12 (pay what you can)
Purchase tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com or by calling (612) 825-8949

Next month’s (February’s) topic: Cosmic Catastrophes: Apocalypse When? Visit the Bryant Lake Bowl website for more information on upcoming Café Scientifique topics.

Bryant Lake Bowl
810 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: (612) 825-3737
http://www.bryantlakebowl.com

Like Bryant Lake Bowl on Facebook.
Follow @BryantLakeBowl on Twitter.

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Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention

by Christina Kalinowski on January 12, 2012

If you are a fan of permanent art, check out the Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention happening this weekend at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Minneapolis.

Running from Friday, January 13th through Sunday, January 15th, the 2012 Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention will feature over 200 tattoo artists showcasing their talents, suspension acts, live music, contests for best tattoo and more! 

Whether you are looking to show off your own body art, add to your epidermal collection, or are just curious about the world of tattooing, the Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention is a great place to meet renowned artists and immerse yourself in tattoo culture. For more information on this event, check out the details below.



Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention

Show Times


Friday, January 13: 2pm – 12am

Saturday, January 14: Noon – 12am

Sunday, January 15: Noon – 8pm



Tickets Prices


$20 per day $40 for the weekend

Children under 12 are free

Tickets are only sold at the show



Got a sweet tat? If so, enter it in the tattoo contest! There will be daily tattoo contests with a variety of categories including best portrait, best traditional tattoo, most unusual, best tattoo of the day and more. For more information on contest registry, visit Tattooed Kingpin’s Tattoo Contest page.



Click this link for a listing of tattoo artists attending this year’s Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention.



Several informational seminars will also be held during the convention on Saturday, January 14th. For more information – including seminar topics and registration information – visit Tattooed Kingpin’s Seminar page.



*For all other information please call 1-800-541-8239 or email tattooedkingpin@yahoo.com



Like Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention on Facebook.

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 370-1234

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Dating for Nerds New Year’s Resolutions Party Twin Cities

by Jennifer Alys Windholz on January 6, 2012

I have some single friends who are frightened, frustrated and confused by the world of dating and looking for love. There’s Raj, a sensitive astrophysicist who is literally speechless in the presence of women. And Howard is a diminutive engineer who comes on stronger than the rocket fuel that propels his inventions into space. Neurobiologist Amy dates only once a year to keep her mother from nagging her to death. Bernadette is cute and sweet, but too busy working as a waitress and finishing up her Ph.D. in microbiology to find Mr. Right. Leonard, an experimental physicist, has the propensity to find love, but his inept friends tend to hold him back. Lastly, Sheldon, a theoretical physicist and certifiable genius, but not crazy, is singularly devoted to science, the only lady he needs.

It’s a shame they don’t have somewhere they can meet people who share the same interests and intellect. People who can discuss particle physics and Doctor Who in the same breath. A place where interaction is facilitated in an organized and structured way so they’re not left to approach potential mates on their own. Otherwise they’ll be doomed to spending their evenings ordering in and playing Klingon Boggle and three-dimensional chess.

If only they lived in the Twin Cities, they could fulfill their “Nerd Year’s Resolutions” and attend a singles mixer at 508 Bar in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 21 from 4:00 to 6:00pm, sponsored by Nerds at Heart.

They could loosen up with a complimentary cocktail, flirt with other unattached brainiacs over board games, trivia and a themed icebreaker. And score prizes like Isaac Newton action figures, Spider-Man wristwatches, Pride and Prejudice paper dolls, and zombie finger puppets.

If you want to mingle with other nerderati at a friendly, inclusive and low pressure party, register in advance online for $25. Sign-in begins at 3:30, and activities get underway no later than 4:15. And if you don’t meet anyone interesting, you can still make it home for The Big Bang Theory on TBS at 8:00.

508 Bar and Restaurant
508 1st Avenue N
Minneapolis, MN 55403

For more information, e-mail twincities.info@nerdsatheart.com or call (855) NERD-LOVE. You can also find Nerds at Heart on Facebook.

Nerds at Heart thinks brains matter as much as beauty and that “nerd” is the new sexy! Nerds at Heart makes matches for brainy singles. Mingle and find love at our Dating for Nerds parties and Nerderati mixers.

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St. Paul Winter Carnival 2012

by Christina Kalinowski on January 4, 2012


The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is almost here, a full eleven days dedicated to the celebration of winter wonders and local talent. Running from January 26 through February 5, this multi-day celebration is designed to “foster a sense of community, pride, belonging and connectedness by celebrating Saint Paul’s unique history and emerging heritage through fun and educational experiences.” 



There is much to see and do at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival so check out some of 2012’s highlights:



The Beer Dabbler – previously featured on our site, The Beer Dabbler is a beer lover’s paradise! This year’s Beer Dabbler features more than 200 different craft brews from more than 60 breweries; that’s a lot of beer! Try out some new brews, enjoy live music, and snack on deep-fried goodies from some of St. Paul’s favorite food trucks. 



Saint Paul Winter Carnival Art Show – If you have an appreciation for local art, or are an artist looking for a great venue to showcase your creations, check out the Annual Art Show. Entries are being accepted through January 15th, so if you’ve got an artistic interpretation of St. Paul you would like to enter, get more details here. The art show runs the duration of the winter carnival (January 26th – February 5th).



Light up Rice Park – Help light up Rice Park by purchasing a Luminary to put on display in Rice Park! A fee of $20 covers an individual luminary which can be personalized (it must be family friendly and include no logos). Dedicate your luminary to someone or something important to you or include a meaningful quote, a picture, anything! Weather permitting, the luminaries will be on display all eleven days of the Winter Carnival. For more information on purchasing a luminary visit http://www.winter-carnival.com/_asset/hgzp6j/Luminaries.pdf.

27th Annual Securian Winter Run-Half Marathon, 10K, 5K – On the morning of January 28th, join fellow runners and compete in one of Securian’s three distance runs. If interested in participating, there is still plenty of time to register! For registration information, course maps, and more, visit http://www.andersonraces.com/events/events-detail.php?intResourceID=30.


There are many, many more events and activities going on at this year’s Winter Carnival – including snow sculptures and an ice palaces display, live music, sled dog races, and more – so be sure to view the Saint Paul Winter Carnival calendar for a full listing.

Looking to volunteer? The Saint Paul Winter Carnival needs you! To get involved email Info@Winter-Carnival.com for more information today!

St. Paul Winter Carnival
75 5th St W # 404 Landmark Center
Saint Paul, MN 55102-1438
(651) 223-4700
http://www.winter-carnival.com/

Like Saint Paul Winter Carnival on Facebook.

Follow the @StPaulWinter on Twitter.

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Winter Trails Day

by Christina Kalinowski on January 3, 2012

Now that we finally have snow on the ground it’s time to take advantage it! As Minnesotans are well aware, there are tons of great outdoor activities to participate in during the winter months (that is, if you dare to brave the cold!). If you are looking to engage in some familiar outdoor activities or maybe try out some new ones, head to Fort Snelling State Park this Saturday for Winter Trails Day.

From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 7, REI will be providing outdoor equipment so that attendees may try out a bevy of winter activities including snowshoeing, ice fishing, cross country skiing, and geocaching. Attendees can also enjoy learning about skijoring and dogsledding, cold weather camping, keeping warm in winter, how to build a quinzee, and more! Should the snow decide to disappear this weekend, there will still be plenty of fun activities!

A large bonfire and hot cocoa will keep you warm, and don’t forget to sign up to win a pair of snowshoes!

The event itself is free to attend, but State Park vehicle permit fees apply ($5 per vehicle for the day or $25 for an annual permit).

Fort Snelling State Park
101 Snelling Lake Road
St. Paul, MN 55111

For more information on the event or for general Park inquiries call (612) 725-2389 or try the Visitor Center at (612) 725-2724.
Website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html

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Jungle Red Salon to Appear on Bravo’s “Tabatha Takes Over”

by Christina Kalinowski on January 2, 2012

One of Minneapolis’s own local salons, Jungle Red, is going to be featured on Bravo Network’s “Tabatha Takes Over” on its upcoming season premiere. Now entering its fourth season, the series follows host Tabatha Coffey – co-producer, salon owner, and reality TV star – as she enlightens fellow salon owners on what it takes to run a successful business. Tune in to Bravo on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 9 p.m. (CST) to see what sage, brutally honest advice Tabatha had for Jungle Red owner, Suzanne Erickson.

To celebrate the shows fourth season premiere, Jungle Red will be hosting a viewing party on January 10th at Seven Sushi Ultralounge and Skybar in downtown Minneapolis beginning at 7 p.m. Radio personality Miss Shannan Paul of 96.3 NOW will be hosting the event, which will feature a runway show produced by M3 Productions, scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. During the festivities Jungle Red will reveal their patent hairstyle, dubbed The Sex Kitten, which they created with the help of Ben Mollin and Tabatha. The televised season premiere of Tabatha Takes Over will air at 9 p.m. with a special introduction by Tabatha Coffey herself!

When queried about what it was like to have an salon business expert and reality star invade her salon, Suzanne Erickson had this to say about the experience: “I saw this as an opportunity of a lifetime to get one-on-one advice from an industry guru and very successful business woman. It was quite an experience and it turned my world upside-down. Tabatha drilled me and my staff, and exposed our issues and weaknesses. Was it worth it? Absolutely! You can’t grow without taking an honest look at what’s going on. Tabatha also connected me with some invaluable resources that have aided in business development already.”

Seven Sushi Ultralounge and Skybar
700 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612-238-7777
Website: www.7mpls.com
Like Seven Sushi Ultralounge and Skybar on Facebook.

Jungle Red
1362 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612-870-0653
Website: www.jungleredsalon.com
Like Jungle Red on Facebook.
Follow @JungleRedSalon on Twitter.

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