Girl Friday

Gourmet Donuts, Please

When are we going to get an awesome late-night, or even 24-hour donut shop in the Twin Cities?

I think it's quite safe to say that gourmet donuts are about to be the new cupcakes. If you've ever been to (or even just heard of) Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon or Psycho Donuts just outside San Jose, California, then you know what I'm talking about. Heck, even Omaha, Nebraska has the all-night Donut Stop.

Seriously, gourmet donuts in the Twin Cities. Someone should really get on that.

Still Alive

Wow, I haven't updated this blog since last week? For shame, Alexis. For shame.

I haven't died or anything. Rather the opposite, as this week I've been busy obsessing over obese flight attendants on vita.mn and Chris Shaffer on Twitter. He has amazing hair.

I want to give a belated shout out to Nintendo for throwing a party for my friends and me a few Sundays ago, and especially for giving everyone a free DSi. And for catering it with awesome food and for being cool with the fact that we drank every last drop of booze in under three hours.

Also, big ups to Cirque du Soleil for the gratis tickets to Kooza last week. I'd never seen a CDS show before and I was totally blown away. Highly recommended, for all ages.

Alright, my inbox is full of great stuff, so here we go:

- The Uptown Market will hold its second event this Sunday. Check out wares from local artists, crafters, farmers and food vendors from 11:00am-5:00pm. They're on 29th Street between Lyndale and Dupont.

- If you loved the antics of my fellow 10 Second Film Festival judge, the misguided philanthropist Mrs. Smith, head to Patrick's Cabaret this Friday and Saturday night. Local actor and musician David Hanbury will be performing as Mrs. Smith for "Queer Boyz Nite," starting at 8:00pm both nights.

- Minneapolis Picks has launched Minneapolis Picks Perks. Take advantage of great monthly specials at all the best local shops and boutiques in the metro area.

- Arc's Value Village is having a storewide summer clearance sale next Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th. All merchandise (except white-tagged items) will be 50% off.

-The Living Room at the W Hotel is now hosting Martini & Mani Mondays. Every Monday from 5:30-8:00pm, just $17 will get you a martini and a manicure (courtesy of Denny Kemp Salon) or a martini and a massage. That, as you know, is a great deal.

- No more confusion, it's definitely this Saturday, July 25th: Blacklist Vintage is having a Digger's Sale from 11:00am-7:00pm. Owner Vanessa Messersmith says she's lining the sidewalk with $1-5 bins full of vintage textiles, clothing and housewares, and the shop's entire inventory will be 10% off. There will also be free cupcakes and drinks, $1 regular and veggie hot dogs and Transmission DJ Jake Rudh spinning from 12:00-4:00pm. Sounds like a party!

[Or is it August 22? Or 29? Or, and this is most likely, is it really this Saturday, July 25th? Stay tuned for a correction. The email I got last week definitely says "Saturday, August 25."]

News You Can Use (Promise)

I hate to pull a Chandrew here and unload a bunch of press releases on you, but I'm just getting back to my inbox after 5 days and things are a little backed up. If it makes you feel any better, I do cherry-pick what I share here to bring you the best of best. (And to the PR peeps whose emails don't make the cut: keep trying, you're getting warmer.)

HEALTH/BEAUTY/FASHION

-Aurora Spa in St. Louis Park is offering three great deals now through the end of June. Product details can be found on the services page of Aurora's website:

• Get a free spa pedicure ($35 value) with purchase of a spa pedicure ($60).
• Get your first acupuncture face lift ($120 value) at half-price ($60).
• Purchase a spring cleaning kit ($92) and get a colonic ($80 value) at half-price ($40).

- The first 100 people in the door at Level Salon on Wednesday, May 27th will receive a free shampoo and blowout. The event will be staffed by AVEENO to promote their new NOURISH+ product line.

- Arc's Value Village is bringing back Thrifty Thursdays for the month of June. All merchandise is 25% off, excluding white-tagged items.

- Tickets are still available to tomorrow night's RetroRama at the Minnesota History Center. A vintage-inspired fashion show, clothing for sale from Via's Vintage, mid-century trivia from Chuck & Sean, chow from Chowgirls Catering and classic mixology from Bradstreet. $15/$12 members.

ARTY STUFF

- While Phantom of the Opera is in town, the cast will be giving a special 90-minute performance to benefit the Minnesota AIDS Project. Phantom Fights AIDS promises to be fun, "get-out-of-your-seat entertainment," hosted at BAR FLY by the fabulous BeBe Zahara Benet. $15 advance/$20 door.

FOOD

- Tour de Farm will host its 5th event on the grounds of the Walker Art Center on Thursday, July 30th. Why am I telling you now? Because the last three sold out. Join Mike Phillips (Craftsman), Asher Miller (20.21), Jim Grell (Modern Cafe), Alex Roberts (Restaurant Alma), Zoe Francois (Zoe Bakes) and Michelle Gayer (Salty Tart) for a 5-course meal using local, seasonal ingredients. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased on the Tour de Farm website.

BONUS BOOKMARK

- Because you'll need it in a month: A listing of all the pick-you-own berries, vegetables, apples and tree farms in Minnesota.

Three Links That Matter

MyParentsJoinedFacebook.com.  Because the horrific has happened.  Mom's friend request remains in limbo while I decide how to handle the situation.

The Smithsonian's livestream video of cupcake artist Zilly Rosen creating a 5,600+ cupcake installation of Presidents Obama and Lincoln.  Because cupcakes are fun, delicious and now arty.

Scientists report that various animals make and use tools, perform mathematical functions and are capable of planning for the future (all things previously thought to be unique to humans).  Because some people, even people who read this prestigious blog, still won't acknowledge what the rest of us already know.  To paraphrase Mark Bittner: "people do horrible things to animals because they refuse to believe that they have feelings and a consciousness."

Valentine's Day (But Not Really)

Why should we have to celebrate Valentine's Day on Valentine's Day?  Scrambling to make dinner reservations, flower deliveries, cupcakery orders, buy gifts of significance, all on one of the most frantic days of the year.  And for some poor bastards, the future of their relationship hinges on their V-Day performance.  Really, who needs that kind of pressure?  Here are two great options, not on Valentine's Day, with something for everyone.

Fugaise is booked for Valentine's Day but, because it falls on a Saturday this year, they're offering two special menus for Thursday, Friday and Saturday (February 12th-14th).  One is an elegant a la carte menu ($9.00-$32.00) and the other is an extravagant six-course tasting menu ($75.00, with optional $55.00 wine pairing).  Click here to see these special menus and to reserve your table.

On Sunday, February 15th, the increasingly popular Gastro Non Grata presents their 8th installment at the Triple Rock.  Sample Duvel beer, snack on samples from the Modern Cafe, nosh on cupcakes from Miel y Leche, throw a number in the Clancy's meat raffle and rock out to 4 local bands, including Gospel Gossip.  FREE, 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Rachel Kramer Bussel in Minneapolis

If you're looking for a sexy party this weekend, Miss Rachel Kramer Bussel is visiting Minneapolis for the first time to teach a sex writing workshop and read from a few of her new erotica anthologies. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel for this week's issue of vita.mn, and I look forward to spending some time with her this weekend.  Time which will be spent eating cupcakes!  (If you recall, a little over three years ago, Rachel interviewed me on her fabulous cupcake blog.)

Rachel will be at the Smitten Kitten Saturday evening to teach the workshop ($15) and again on Sunday for her reading (free).  Event details are here.

Cupcakes, Mostaciolli, and Cheap Used Sweaters

- Reetsyburger has started up a second blog, this one on sustainable eating: You Are Where You Eat.  She's looking to "open a dialog on the many complex issues surrounding the concept of sustainability in food production and preparation....from the garden to the table."  Coolio.

- Northeast Beat interviewed the owner of Totino's and got the scoop on the restaurant's reopening.  It's slated for "early next year" and the lease has already been signed for the new space at 2535 Highway 10 in Mounds View.

- I read this on LiveJournal Twin Cities but [caveat] have yet to confirm it elsewhere: Unique and Valu Thrift Stores are having a half-price sale on Monday, Columbus Day.

- vita.mn's one-year anniversary is coming up.  To celebrate, they're giving a $500 Macy's shopping spree to the user that racks up the most karma points during the month of October.  Day-um.

- Pears are officially in season, and if you can mix them with alcohol for an original cocktail, you can win $1000.  Check out USAPears.org/cocktails for details; contest deadline is October 10th.

- Local legend, sex symbol, and gifted playwright Max Sparber gets a sparkling review for his play, "Minstrel Show or the Lynching of William Brown."

- Favored Girl Friday reader and entrepreneurial guard/forward Mike Kraabel sent this to me today: vegan cupcakes decorated with marzipan candy in the shape of yarn balls and knitted items.  Absolutely amazing!

Thursday Three

- I glanced at the Pioneer Press while having lunch at Eli's today (why does a Downtown restaurant stock a copy of the St. Paul paper?) and noticed this foreclosure story.  Is any of this really news to anyone?  Also, I love how the only comment at the time of this blog posting is from someone complaining that the author placed the Phoenix on the River development in Downtown.

- "(Rethinking) Gender: What Makes Us Male or Female?" From Newsweek two weeks ago; I was reading Em & Lo tonight and they linked to it recently.  I was just trying to explain transgenderism to a friend on Friday and couldn't quite articulate my crossed wires explanation after three pineapple upside down cake martinis, but the article sums it up nicely.  There's also a great episode of The Tyra Banks Show about transgendered youth that aired in February, but I couldn't find any video.

- This month's vita.mn karma contest prizes are the best ones yet:

1st: an 80-hour TiVo DVR

2nd: 2 tickets to see Prince on 07/07/07

3rd: a $50 Target gift card

Racking up karma points on vita.mn is so ridiculously simple that anyone can do it and have a chance at winning.  (Except me, since my independent contractor status prevents me from being eligible.)  Write mini-reviews, tag venues and events, create and edit guides, start or add to lists... seriously, it's so easy.  I'm telling you this because I'm tired of seeing the same people win all this cool stuff month after month, since no one else even tries.

Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday, Rexie!  Hope it's a good one.  I'll be purchasing and eating a chocolate cupcake at some point today, just for you.

Town Talk Diner Anniversary Party

Or, "How I Spent My Sunday (In Photos)." Click on the cupcakes to view the set: