Girl Friday

Goings On

If you're planning to go to the vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show tonight, keep your fingers crossed for dry skies.  I have a hunch they'll remain clear, but in the event they don't, the show's rain date is next Thursday.

Rock The Garden is on Saturday and you're kinda S-O-L if you didn't score tickets already.  The event has been sold out for a while, but I do keep getting emails from friends saying they've managed to find a ticket.  There are a handful for sale on Craigslist as of today.

Northeasters and all lovers of barbecue, cocktails and good tunes take note: Next Wednesday night, Mill City Cafe launches their "Hot Summer Nights" series.  The cafe will be open from 6pm-9pm (they are usually only open days*) and $20.00 gets you two drinks, food--including veggie barbecue options--and live music by The Mill City Grinders.

*Mill City Cafe does private parties at night, and I highly recommend the space if you've never been there.  The room is cozy and elegant and there's a great bar, as well as a pretty outdoor patio.

The Magic of Christmas

My sister emailed this photo yesterday (along with several others) with the message "I am forwarding these because Mom doesn’t like you and didn’t send them."

I say only a mother who truly loves her daughter could capture such a beautiful image.  From Christmas 2007:

Thanks, Mom!

Friday... Four

- The Rosedale Sephora opens today.  They're not offering any sweet grand opening discounts, so I'm refusing to go until I need something.  Besides, I just got an Ulta coupon in the mail and their Roseville store will be a ghost town this weekend.

- The Mill City Farmers Market opens for the season tomorrow, 8:00am sharp.

- The Top Valu Liquors Grand Opening Sale also commences tomorrow.  Both new and very improved Columbia Heights locations have been open for a while, and both will be running the same specials: 10% off all liquor, 5% off all beer, 15% off all wine, 15% off all liqueurs, mixers and bar supplies, and 15% off all 375, 200, 100 & 50 mls (isn't that liquor?).  There are also a ton of wine, beer and liquor tastings going on, so click here for all the info.

- Yesterday kicked off the Eastside Food Co-op's special plastics recycling effort.  Now every recyclable plastic item that the city doesn't accept with your trash (like dry-cleaning bags, plasticware, plant pots, yogurt tubs and various kinds of lids) can be brought to the Co-op on Thursdays and Fridays for recycling, 7:00am to 4:30pm.

Friday Five: What People I Know Are Up To Edition

1. Amber is making a prediction about who dies in the Sex and the City movie.

2. Reetsyburger is letting go of polka dots and redesigning her blog.

3. Christian is realizing why it's sometimes a bad idea to buy drinks for strangers in Northeast bars.

4. Leif is discovering Mexican Coke for the first time, starting a love affair he quite possibly won't be able to stop.

5. Cherish is moving to Chicago, where the cost of living is going to seriously cramp her shopping style.

I have to confess that I've never actually met Cherish in real life, but we've been reading each other's blogs for a long time.  In the spirit of not really knowing someone but still wanting to share useful information about something, here's a bonus link:

6. LJ Twin Cities is on a quest for latte art, and wondering what the tipping etiquette is for this fancy extra.

Northeast Restaurant News

- Don't freak out, Chiapas Mexican restaurant is only closed for remodeling, not for good.  I was kind of wondering when they'd get around to taking down the ducks-and-pheasants wall paper borders; it doesn't exactly play up the otherwise appropriate sombreros-and steer-horns decor.  The sign says they were supposed to reopen March 12th but as of tonight, paper still covers the windows. [One day later, the sign now says "abierto despues de jueves," so "open after Thursday."]

- Unfortunately, Guyanese-Asian restaurant Palm Court is totally closed.  And not just for remodeling.

- The Sample Room will be closed for renovations this Sunday the 23rd, but is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday the 25th.

- The owners of pale Udupi replacement Nala Pak are planning to open a "4-star" Indian-French restaurant in the former Willie's Wine Bar space downtown.  I've been saying for years that this city needs an upscale Indian spot (Bombay Bistro does not count), but I really wish someone else was doing it.  Like those ladies at Bombay 2 Deli.

- Mill City Cafe is throwing a Spring Fever Party next Friday the 28th for any and everyone who's sick of the winter that won't die.  $15.00 gets you "food, fun, music, drinks, friends and dancing girls (and boys)," as well as automatic entry into an art raffle featuring some of Minnesota's best local artists.  6pm-2am.

Sexy Gay Man Wanted

Next Wednesday is the third installment of Singled Out at The Saloon, presented by vita.mn and hosted by me.  We're basically ripping off the MTV dating game show of the same name, but with sexy gay bachelors instead of slick-haired straight dudes, and copious amounts of alcohol instead of Jenny McCarthy's huge rack.

Being a bachelor is easy and fun; you just sit in a chair and look pretty while a crowd of available men compete for a date with you.  We even write the questions for you!

Here's a video of the original to show you how it works:

Unfortunately, we can't send you on a cruise, but we will send you to dinner at a swanky Minneapolis restaurant. 

If you want to be a bachelor on Singled Out, just email Gretchen at vita.mn.  We're playing the game every last Wednesday of the month, all the way through the Pride Festival.

If you want to compete for a date or just watch all the fun, come to The Saloon next Wednesday at 10:30pm, or every last Wednesday through June.

Schnappshot

Amber captures my enthusiasm judging the Mpls Drunken Spelling Bee at the 331 Club last month.

SINGLED OUT at The Saloon Tomorrow Night

Come down to The Saloon tomorrow night (Wednesday) for Singled Out!

If you're gay, you might be persuaded--and probably bribed, with alcohol--to participate.

Starts at 10:30pm.  See you there, cutie pants.

I drank with Ian.

FYI, I was two beers and a shot into it by the time the interview started.  Also, while I'm glad I never threw that dress away (purchased at Ragstock in 1998 for a PJ Harvey Halloween costume) I have to wonder why I occasionally insist on wearing my hair like that.

Happy Valentine's Day & Stuff

Be sure to watch Drinking With Ian tonight, because I'm on it.  Cable channel details (which vary by your location) are on the site.  I'm told you will also be able to watch it there on the site, sometime tomorrow at the latest.

If you didn't already see it here or here, I'm looking to buy a new bed.  I was leaning heavily towards the Sleep Number, but now I might have to check out the Tempur-Pedic.  Anybody have any other suggestions?

Random press release: Operation Glass Slipper is accepting donated prom dresses through March 15th.  The Anderson Cleaners stores are major drop-off points, and they'll also be offering free dry-cleaning and bagging of the donated dresses.  Operation Glass Slipper also accepts shoes, jewelry, wraps and other prom accessories.  I'm sure I have a few garters lying around here...