November 2014

This week I’ve asked a friend of the team to write a blog post about fancy dresses – it’s not a topic I’m particularly familiar with, but I do understand the need. So, please welcome her and find out where to go in Minneapolis to get that perfect holiday dress.

Company holiday parties, family get-togethers, dinner out with friends – fall and winter are full of events for which we like to get decked out in holiday finery. We went on the hunt in Minneapolis for fancy dresses, ideal for a variety of holiday soirees.

Whether your budget is luxuriously fat or it squeaks when you even peek at it, we think you’ll find something cute at any of the fabulous retailers listed below.

Boutique shopping is amazing. It takes a little longer because they’re

Families looking for a place to eat near Minneapolis should check out the restaurants that will let kids eat for free. Some restaurants are family-centered and believe offering free kids options will bring in more clientele.

This is a great way to make going out to dinner more affordable. While deals and offers change, these are the restaurants that typically serve free kids meals as long as you purchase an adult meal too. Most restaurants require children to be under 12 years old.

St. Paul Restaurants

Check out D’Amico and Sons at 975 Grand Avenue. Kids can eat for free after 2pm on Sundays. They serve food like soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and pizza, while kids can enjoy spaghetti, pizza, grilled cheese or mac n’ cheese.

Champp’s is the place

There comes a time in every host or hostess’ life where he or she just can’t take the thought of preparing another Thanksgiving feast for the multitudes of family that descend every year. Hey, it’s ok – nowhere is it written that YOU have to cook Thanksgiving dinner. All most of us expect is that it’s tasty and we spend the meal with those we love.

Read on for some alternatives to the crazy-making cooking marathon that will happen all over the country this November 27, 2014.

Take out Thanksgiving Dinner

Kowalski’s Markets are a local favorite and their Thanksgiving dinners fly out the doors. They have several options available for folks who want to pick up their turkey day dinner rather than cook it. Their most popular includes the following meal

The Minneapolis/St. Paul is lucky in that they have many big name national acts stop by for performances. The local music scene here is thriving too. Whether you are looking for a big name concert or want to check out a local newcomer performance, here are the top live music venues in the area.

The Varsity Theater

The Varsity Theater is one of the top spots to enjoy local artists and bands but they are the most likely to see national acts over any of the other small venues. You can find this venue located over in Dinkytown.

The Cedar Cultural Center & The Cabooze

Located over in Cedar-Riverside are both The Cedar Cultural Center and The Cabooze. The Cabooze is a place for underground acts to play both national and local. They see mostly

It’s Veteran’s Day 2014 – a time to honor those who’ve served this country in the U.S. military. The holiday, although under different names, has been with us since 1919. At that time, it was a holiday to celebrate the heroism of those who died while in service to the country. That changed, however, in 1945 when a soldier by the name of Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama took on the task of convincing General Dwight D. Eisenhower to support the idea that we needed a day to honor our living heroes as well.

Weeks got his Veteran's Day and led every national celebration from the first in 1947 until his death in 1985. President Reagan dubbed him the "Father of Veteran's Day." 

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about and respect

With plenty of coffee shops to choose from, it's not easy to know which ones are the top choices in the Minneapolis area. Whether it's all about the drink or the atmosphere for you, there's a coffee shop for your needs. Here are a few of the top coffee shops in Minneapolis.

Bob's Java Hut - 2651 Lyndale Avenue South

Bob's opens very early and stays open until very late. This is a great spot for those looking for a unique coffee shop with a motorcycle theme. It's also important to know that Bob’s is a dog-friendly choice for your coffee drinking pleasure.

Blue Moon Coffee Cafe - 3822 East Lake Street

This cafe is one of the best in the Seward neighborhood. They take quite a bit of care when brewing their coffee and provide an amazing atmosphere. The Blue Moon

You know that the condo has come of age when the most expensive home in Minneapolis is a penthouse. Listed at $8 million, it is currently the priciest home in the city.

1. Phoenix on the River

Located in the Phoenix on the River community in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood, this home is absolutely stunning with breathtaking views.

A 2-story penthouse, it features an elevator, eight parking spots and seven private terraces and balconies. Inside you’ll find three bedrooms and three full bathrooms and two partial bathrooms in 11,777 square feet of living space.

The aforementioned view is of the Mississippi River and the city skyline.

Phoenix on the River is situated along Main Street and the riverfront. The building is so architecturally