Como Conservatory Flower Show - Bask In Sun, Warmth, and Flowers

Flowers - and lots of them! Head over to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park this weekend to see the special Winter Flower Show. This is the last weekend for the display; so if you are craving a taste of spring, this is a great place to visit. Soon the trees, bushes, and flowers around Lexington Heights will be blooming as spring finally arrives - but for now you can go bask in sun, warmth, and take in the sight of hundreds of beautiful flowers at the Conservatory.

Sunken Garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Source: http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/sunken-gardens/#/info

Seasonal Shows

The Sunken Garden is a special room at the Como Park Marjorie McNeely Conservatory that features changing displays throughout the year - so you can keep visiting and see something new! Here's a description of the Winter Flower Show from the website:

The Winter Show will have a mixture of the purple, red, pink and yellow.  Plants highlighted will be various Cyclamen, Pansies, Viola, Cineraria, Amaryllis, Primula from the Touch me Midi series, Azaleas, Camellias, and Velthemia with their pink flower spikes.  Fragrance to the show will be supplies by various Oriental lilies and Paperwhite Narcissus. 

The Spring Flower Show begins on March 22. You could visit this weekend and the next and see how the Sunken Garden is transformed from one theme to the next.

For more information visit the Como Park Conservatory website here:

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/sunken-gardens/#/info

Sunken Garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Source: http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/sunken-gardens/#/info

Holiday Lights and Wonders

Here at Lexington Heights Apartments several of our residents have put up some great holiday lights and decorations which are putting us all in a festive spirit. Around the the Twin Cities there are some great places to see holiday displays and cheerful lights.

Macy’s Santa Land Holiday Display

Located on Nicolett Ave in Minneapolis the Macy’s store has an amazing Holiday display that is free to the public. You will find window displays, animated characters, Santa’s Workshop, music, and you can even visit Santa. This has been a Holiday Tradition for 50 years. The display is up through December 24th. Visit www.macys.com then click on events for hours and details.

Holidazzle Parade

Head to downtown Minneapolis on Nicolett between 12th and 4th Streets to check out this amazing parade of lights. Despite the fact that we're in the heart of winter, in Minnesota we like to have a parade in cold and snow. That’s just how we celebrate the season here! Bundle up and head down early to see some floats with Disney characters and Minnesota Twins, plus dancing snowflakes and trees. The parade is free and takes place on Friday and Saturday nights through Dec 21st. This is the last year for the Holidazzle, so don’t miss your chance to witness a tradition that has been in going on since 1992. Visit www.holidazzle.com for additional information about the parade.

Rice Park Lights

Rice Park in St. Paul has an enchanting scene to behold. You can see over 20,000 lights strung throughout the park, look at beautiful sculptures, and ice skate for free. Visiting this wonderland is free and open to the public. Rice Park is located in downtown St. Paul at 109 West 4th Street. You can enjoy the lights from sunset until 10:00 pm nightly.

Lake Phalen Holiday Lights In The Park

If staying a bit warmer is your cup of tea, drive around Lake Phalen in St. Paul. Here you can take a tour through the park with over one million animatronic lights. There is a charge per vehicle but all of the proceeds from the entry fee go to local charities. Lights are illuminated every night through January 1st, from 5:30 to 10:00 pm. Enjoy a variety of light displays, some music and even carolers. Visit www.lightsinthepark.org for more info.

Awesome Lights at Private Homes 

Here are some enterprising citizens from the area that have outdone themselves with their displays and have been mentioned by local news outlets.

6451 Beckman Court
Inver Grove Heights, MN.
Thousands of lights and displays are in the cul-de-sac and Santa even makes a special appearance the 21st and 22nd.

239 Dessa Lane
South St. Paul, MN.
There are more than 15,000 lights and over 120 figurines and 15 inflatable displays. Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and Elves are present to collect money and food donations for local charities.

8450 Ann Marie Trail
Inver Grove Heights, MN.
You can see more than 15,000 lights and a lit up playground that includes a teeter-totter, swings and carousel. There is also a mailbox there for children to put their letters to Santa in.

Sign Up For The Winter Evergreen Container Workshop

Next Thursday we are having a fun workshop on how to transform your garden containers into decorative holiday evergreen displays. Meet your neighbors, have fun, and be creative! You will learn tips for decorating your holiday patio pots during this hands-on workshop. We will provide all the materials you will need, plus you get to take home the patio pot you decorate.

Time and Place

Lexington Heights Party Room

Thursday, November 21

7:00 to 7:45 p.m.

Sign Up

Contact the office at (651) 452-8826, or register on our Facebook event.

Cost: $15.00

Please make checks payable to Lexington Heights Apartments. We are excited to offer this workshop and to defray some of the cost of materials so that you can go home with a beautiful pot that you have decorated.

Safety Tip

Never place cigarette stubs in a flower pot containing potting soil or evergreens... it could catch fire!

Cool Running November Style

November is the perfect time for a run, right? Well there are some fun runs coming up this month that will certainly keep you moving, smiling, and hopefully warm.

You + Fitness Room Treadmill = 5K Training

Do you wish you were a runner or do you want to get in shape for these events? We have two treadmills in the fitness room at Lexington Heights Apartments where you can work toward your fitness goals even when it's cold and snowy outside! If you are starting out as a new runner it is a good idea to have a plan to work up to your goal. A popular program is a training regimen call Couch to 5K which helps you prepare over the course of a number of weeks to be able to run a 5K, or 3.1 miles.

November 10 - Veteran’s 5K Run/Walk

Como Lake Park

1360 Lexington Parkway  St .Paul MN 55103  http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/veterans_day_usa.html

November 16 - Touring Beer Run 5K

Get a guided running tour through Minneapolis. You will stop and visit local restaurants, bars and pubs along the way. Your reward at the end is… yep, you guessed it, BEER!  http://www.cityrunningtours.com

November 23 - 5K Cherry & Spoon Group Run

Enjoy a run starting at the Mary Tyler Moore statue in downtown Minneapolis and finish at the Cherry & Spoon in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. http://www.cityrunningtours.com

November 28 - St Paul Turkey Trot

Burn those calories before you devour the BIG feast. This is a scenic run along Sheppard Road looking over the Mississippi River in St. Paul. You are encouraged to have your turkey swag on as you run & have fun. www.turkeytrotsaintpaul.com

November 30 - Moustache Run

This is an 5K run event for the fight against prostate cancer. Make sure you wear your mustache and blue with pride. This run starts and finishes in the City of Minneapolis. www.moustacherun.com

November 30 - Ugly Sweater Run/Walk

This is the Original fun run. If you enjoy being silly, like hot cocoa, enjoy a lager or 2 and running is your thing this is a great way to wrap up November and start feeling festive for the holidays. This event is held at Harriet Island. www.theuglysweaterrun.com

Lexington Heights Staff Dish On Their State Fair Favorites

Last week we asked our residents what they loved most about the Minnesota State Fair. We thought it only "fair" to share with you some our highlights from the Fair that we're looking forward to. Check out our blog post guide to the Minnesota State Fair for tips on purchasing tickets and getting to the Fair.

Also, don't forget about our MN State Fair Drawing - we are holding a name-drawing contest for two tickets to the Minnesota State Fair, plus a coupon Bargain Book for the fair, and $20.00 spending money to help you buy some yummy fair food! All you have to do to get your name into the drawing is leave a comment on this blog post or on our Facebook page about what you are looking forward to most about the Minnesota State Fair.

Here’s a list of all the things that we love about the fair…

Patty: Loves the roasted corn on a cob and going to see all the animals.

Charity: Funnel Cake with Strawberries & checking out all the vendors and crafts

Kirsten: Looking forward to trying many foods as a first time MN Fair goer and also looking forward to the trampoline show

Jaime: Ribs on a stick and checking out the cars

Jason: Cheese curds & music/concerts

Sara:  Roasted corn on the cob and going down the giant slide with the family

We can hardly wait!

Going To The Fair? Here's The Lexington Heights Guide To The Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is just nine days away and we're all getting excited about making our annual pilgrimage to the fairgrounds for some great food and entertainment. The festivities begin August 22 and run through September 2; read on for tips on free events at the Minnesota State Fair and how to purchase tickets and get there.

Minnesota State Fair Tickets Drawing

Now you have a chance to make your Minnesota State Fair experience a little cheaper - we are holding a name-drawing contest for two tickets to the Minnesota State Fair, plus a coupon Bargain Book for the fair, and $20.00 spending money to help you buy some yummy fair food! All you have to do to get your name into the drawing is leave a comment on this blog post or on our Facebook page about what you are looking forward to most about the Minnesota State Fair.

Free Activities

• Lumberjack Show at the North Woods Lumberjack Arena: Daily at 11 am, 1:30 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm
• 2 pm: Daily Parade
• Kemps Little Farm Hands Exhibit- kids can ride tractors, plant crops and milk cows
• “Flippenout” a high-energy trampoline/acrobatic show performing four times daily at the X-Zone
• Laser Light Show Nightly at 9:15 pm

Horse Shows at the Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum:

• English Horse Show: August 22-27
• Western Horse Show: August 30- September 2
• High School Rodeo: August 28-September 2

Leinie Lodge Bandshell Tonight Concerts at 8:30 pm:

• August 24 & 25: Blue Oyster Cult-known for their songs “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”, “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ for You”.
• August 26 & 27: Hanson-known for their song “MMMBop”

Buying Tickets And Getting There

Purchase tickets at Cub Foods

2001 South Robert Street
West St. Paul, MN 55118
(651) 451-2877

Make sure to check out Cub Foods or the State Fair website to get your tickets ahead of time at a discounted price. If you buy your tickets in advance they are $9 (reg. $12) and you can get the bargain book for $4 (reg. $5).

Metro Transit Shuttle Locations 
www.metrotransit.org/StateFair

Don’t feel like driving to the State Fair? Take the bus! For $5 you can park and ride Express Buses to the State Fair: buses run daily during the fair, from 8:00 am  to Midnight.

Here's the top 3 closest State Fair Park and Ride locations:

1. Eagan Transit Station - Every 30 minutes on weekends and Labor Day. Yankee Doodle & Pilot Knob Rd at I-35E 

2. Signal Hills Shopping Center  - Service every 30 minutes. South Robert St. & Butler Ave. (near Kmart) 

3. Bloomington State Fair Express Lot  - Service every 15 minutes. 82nd St. & 24th Ave. S. - Across from Mall of America East parking ramp

Looking For Some Exercise? There's A Bike Tour In Mendota Thursday Evening

Thursday looks like it's going to be a beautiful day - all the more reason to pick out a fun costume and hop on your bike for The Athleta Esprit de She Mendota Cycle Tour. Spin your wheels along the bluffs overlooking the beautiful Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers or ride on the road route, both begin at Axel's on Sibley Memorial Highway. Don't miss out on the costume contest, scavenger hunt, photo stations, and a market place.

Here's the events schedule, from the website:

Schedule of Events
August 14
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Packet pickup at the Athleta store on 50th & France 

August 15 - Race Day!
5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Day-of registration and packet pickup at Axel's
6:30 p.m. Race begins at Axel's
7 p.m. Post-race rendezvous and market 

Get Jazzed For This Free Festival - This Saturday On The Nicollet Mall

One of the wonderful things about living at Lexington Heights is our proximity to so many great events happening in the Twin Cities, such as the Dakota Street Fest in Minneapolis this Saturday. There's no end of interesting things to do! Here's the scoop on the Dakota Street Festival:

Need something jazzy to do this Saturday, July 27th? Head over to the Dakota Street Fest! This event is FREE and runs from noon to midnight taking place on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. There will be four music stages with over twenty bands, fantastic food, drinks and activities for all ages. Come celebrate and listen to some local, Minnesota tunes.

For your kids, the event will have instrument demonstrations by the MacPhail Center for Music, instrument building for kids to take home, a goody bag of Del Monte gifts, face painting, Mr. Fun the clown and much more.

According to the festival's website, finding parking on Saturday near the festival is fairly easy. Follow the link below for more info, and have an amazing time! http://www.dakotacooks.com/home/dakota-street-fest/

Wondering Where To Celebrate The 4th of July? Here's Some Area Celebrations

It's Independence week and the celebrations are starting up! How will you spend Independence Day? Below we have a list of some special events, festivals, and fireworks in surrounding communities where you could partake in the patriotic festivities. Not all of these events are on the Fourth, some start early before Independence Day, so take note of the dates listed.

From all of us here at Lexington Heights, Happy Independence Day, and may you have a fun and safe holiday!

4th of July Celebrations:

BLOOMINGTON: 
July 3
84th and Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN

Bloomington will have fireworks during its annual Summer Fete Celebration on July 3 at Normandale Lake Park. Fireworks will be held just after dusk. There will also be a Kids Carnival at 3 p.m. and music starting at 3:30 pm.

EAGAN:
July 4th Funfest
1501 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: (651) 675-5546
July 3 - July 4
A star-spangled party is in store for you during the Funfest Celebration! Enjoy the parade, Miss Eagan Funfest Ambassador Program, a carnival, live entertainment, and a fireworks display! FREE admission and parking.

MINNEAPOLIS:
"Red, White, and Boom"
July 3-July 4
420 Main St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 230-6400

July 3: The celebration on the Minneapolis Downtown Riverfront begins Sunday with a 5K Fun Run at 6:30 p.m. at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park. You can also listen to live music and watch movies in the Nicollet Island Pavilion starting at 7:00 p.m.

July 4: The day begins with a Half Marathon at 6:30 a.m. on Main Street. Then the live music starts at 3:30 p.m., family activities and entertainment start at 6:00 p.m. at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, and finally, fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

APPLE VALLEY:
Military Family Week
July 1-July 7
Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: (952) 431-9200
Free admission for Military Personnel along with half price admission for Military Family Members to the Minnesota Zoo.

APPLE VALLEY:
July 4
Johnny Cake Ridge Park East, 5800-140th Street West.
Freedom Days features everything from a carnival, Kids Fishing Derby to a Family Fun night. On Monday, July 4th, there's a Fun Run, parade and Fireworks Pre-Party starting at 5:00 p.m. at Fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

MENDOTA HEIGHTS:
July 4
2075 Mendakota Drive
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
(651) 454-2822
The Mendota Heights City Council is partnering with Mendakota Country Club to sponsor a fireworks display for the community. The fireworks will be launched from the Mendakota Country Club beginning about 10 p.m.

WOODBURY:
July 4
Ojibway Park, 2695 Ojibway Dr., Woodbury, MN
Fireworks will start at 10:00 p.m. There will be music and entertainment beforehand, starting at 7 p.m. with country band Darlene & the Boys. Ojibway Park is adjacent to Woodbury High School, located at 2665 Woodland Drive.

COTTAGE GROVE:
July 4
9195 75th St. South, Cottage Grove, MN, 55016
Celebrations start at 6:00 p.m. with a picnic, games and food on Thursday, July 4th. The Cottage Grove Lions will be selling Cold Stone ice cream, candy, hot dogs, brats, plus pop and water.
Fireworks are scheduled for 10:00 p.m.

ST. PAUL: 
July 4Watch fireworks at dusk on the 4th of July launched from Harriet Island. City officials say that can be anytime between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

ST. PAUL/FORT SNELLING:
July 4
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Independence Day Celebration
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave.
St Paul, MN 55111
Phone: (612) 726-1171
$11 adults/$9 seniors/$6 children; Minnesota Historical Society members FREE
Spend the day celebrating our nation’s independence just like they did during the 1800s!

STILLWATER:
July 4
Lowell Park, Downtown Stillwater, 101 Water Street, Stillwater, MN 55082
Phone: (651) 351-1717
Come for an old-fashioned July Fourth celebration in Lowell Park on the St. Croix River. Fireworks start at 10:00 p.m.

Container Gardening Fun - Check Out The Photos From The Class

We would like to thank our Lexington Heights residents who came out to the container gardening class this past Monday night - it certainly was a lot of fun! 

Attendees had a good variety of sun or shade loving plants to choose from to fill the patio pot or hanging basket they selected. Jeremiah, a horticulturalist, shared a few tips on design ideas and how various plants would interact with each other to create a beautiful visual effect, plus some tips on caring for the plants. The class was a hands-on experience as participants designed and planted their arrangements.

We're excited to see all those beautiful flowers gracing the balconies and patios around Lexington Heights. And remember, this August we'll be conducting our blooming balcony and patio contest - so whether you could make it to the class or not - if you decorate your outdoor space you'll automatically be entered into the contest with the chance to win the $25 prize. Enjoy the growing season and all those flowers!

Here's some of photos from the container gardening class:

Grand Old Day - The Largest One-Day Festival In The Midwest

In need of some fun? This festival is just a short trip from Lexington Heights!

When: Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm

Where: Along Grand Avenue in St. Paul MN from Fairview Ave to Dale St.

Cost: Grand Old Day is FREE to attend.

Whether you are looking for great music, delicious food, or just some good old family fun, St. Paul’s Grand Old Day is a great festival for people of all ages. Grand Old Day has four areas along Grand Avenue stretching from Wheeler Avenue to Dale Street: Family Fun Activities District, the Entertainment District, the Home & Garden District, and the Sporting District.

Avoid the stress of looking for parking and click here http://www.grandave.com/grand-old-day/general-info/getting-grand-old-day for your printable pass for a free ride to/from Grand Old Day on Metro Transit buses & light rail trains.

Free Shuttle Rides:

From 9:30a.m. - 7 p.m. free shuttle rides will be available along Summit Avenue between Cretin & Dale. Shuttles will pick up at the University of St. Thomas parking lot at Grand & Cretin, and will stop along Summit on the corners of Cretin, Fairview, Saratoga, Syndicate, Oxford, Victoria, Grotto, & Dale.

Calling All Plant Lovers - Container Gardening Class Next Monday

Love plants and like making your patio beautiful? Then come to our container gardening class by our horticulturalist, Jeremiah, as he shares tips and tricks for making your patio pot or hanging basket look its best. This is a hands-on session, so come ready to play with dirt and plants.

Plus, you will be able to take the container you create home with you!

Time: Monday, May 20, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Cost: $15.00 - Please make checks payable to Lexington Heights Apartments. We’re excited to offer this class for our residents and to defray some of the cost of materials so that you can go home with a beautiful basket that you've planted, for less than the cost of a planted container from the typical garden center.

Location - picnic tables by the pool. (If there is inclement weather the class will be in the Party Room.)

To register you can stop by or call the office at (651) 452-8826 or sign up on our Facebook page here.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Is Today!

Stamp Out Hunger is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, collecting more than 70 million pounds of

food for food banks and food shelves across the United States. Here in the Metro Area , Second Harvest Heartland is the proud partner of Stamp Out Hunger with the National Association of Letter Carriers Minneapolis Branch 9 & Saint Paul Branch 28. Since the goal has been met every year the bar has been raised this year to collect 1.3 million pounds of food. That is enough for 1 million meals for our agency partners in Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

Do Your Part!

1. Look for a blue bag in your mailbox or grab one during your next grocery run at Cub. Fill it with non-perishable, non-breakable food items and set it by your mailbox on Saturday, May 11. Your letter carrier will do the rest!

2. Stop by one of the participating Cub Foods locations on the day of the drive and drop your food off with

our volunteers.

3. Donate online from May 1-14, 2013 & TCF Bank® will match $1:$1 up to a total of $25,000!

Pink Power

The staff at Lexington Heights is joining the battle against breast cancer by participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on May 12 at the Mall of America. Sara and Patty are walking to celebrate Sara's five year milestone as a breast cancer survivor.

If you would like to help in the effort to find a cure for breast cancer, consider joining the Lexington Heights staff by making a donation at the team's web page here: http://www.active.com/donate/komentc13/EMaltby5. We greatly appreciate and are thankful for any help you can give.

Sara's Pink Power team at the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure five years a

Before You Plan Your Weekend, Check Out These Fun Events

There's plenty of events in the Twin Cities each weekend; here's a few you may want to check out. One of the wonderful things about living at Lexington Heights is how close we are to all the events that the Twin Cities offer.

"Crime and Pun-ishment" A Murder Mystery Dinner
Friday, Apr 19 7:00 PM
The Old Spaghetti Factory, Minneapolis.
Tickets are $60.00/ Person.
For additional information or to purchase tickets visit http://www.grimprov.com/Murder-Mystery-Dinner-Minnesota or call (888) 643-2583.

"Step back in time to the era of gangsters and their molls. Minneapolis, grab your beaded frocks and pin striped suits and brace yourselves for our"roaring twenties" style murder mystery. Un-organized crimes prevail in The Murder Mystery Company's award winning show, "Crime and Pun-ishment". Bring your friends, family and don't forget your detective skills to help solve the case!"

57th Annual GSTA Rod & Custom Spectacular (Car Show)
Saturday, Apr 13 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Sunday April 14 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Minnesota State Fair Coliseum, St Paul.

"See over 100 of the area's finest Hot Rods, Antiques, Customs, Street Machines and Motorcycles on display at Minnesota's longest running motorized extravaganza. This year featuring the Battle of the Brushes, pin-striper's competition, live 60's music on Saturday from 6 to 9 PM. www.gstarod-custom.com"

Lance Armstrong's Steroid-Pumped Comedy Revue

A Brave New Workshop, 824 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis.
7:30 PM every Thursday, until June 29
8:00 PM every Friday, Saturday, until June 29

http://theatre.bravenewworkshop.com/NowShowing.aspx

"The Brave New Workshop takes on liars and cheaters in all their forms and continues the theatre's long tradition of taking on the hot-button issues of the day with a mix of hilarious original sketch comedy and biting satire. With four of BNW's best and brightest actors taking the stage, "Lance Armstrong's Steroid-Pumped Comedy Revue" will be an all-guts, all-glory production sure to cross the (finish) line."

Nachito Herrera, Stunning Cuban Pianist
Saturday, April 20, 8:00 PM
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

http://dakotacooks.com/event/nachito-herrera-62/

"Nachito is one of the world’s great Cuban pianists. His jaw dropping technique and the rich, powerful soulfulness of his playing blend in what is often an amazing display of musical power and emotion."

Looking For Some Fun? Visit The Macy's Flower Show!

Spring is here! The snow is melting and the sun is shining. What better way to celebrate spring than by

visiting Macy's Flower Show at the on the 8th floor of Macy's in downtown Minneapolis. Navigate a bucolic landscape lush with bright, floral colors at your own pace. Discover exciting designer landscapes and Macy's dazzling bouquet of the day series. The breathtaking blooms are sure to set your mind to thinking about spring.

Don't delay, however, because the show only lasts until April 7th! For more information about the event visit http://www.macys.com/store/event/

Happy Spring!

Slam Dunk Deal For Lexington Heights Residents

Lexington Heights Apartments residents are eligible for discounted tickets and a buy-one-get-one offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The "Renter Appreciation Nights" promotion lets you get a free ticket when you purchase another, just for being a resident of Lexington Heights Apartments. Plus, the ticket you purchase is already discounted!

In order to get this special deal you'll need to contact Timberwolves Acccount Representative Kate LaFerriere at (612) 763-1686 or laferriere@timberwolves.com. You'll need to contact her directly, as this deal can't be accessed online through the Timberwolves ticket website. Mention "Lexington Heights Renter Appreciation Nights" for the special offer.

Getting to the game downtown is made easy as well. When you show your game-day Timberwolves ticket you can ride Metro Transit buses and light rail for free. Simply show your ticket to the driver and you can ride for free up to two hours before and after the game. Consider parking at the Mall of America or Fort Snelling and riding the light rail into downtown Minneapolis.

For more information check out the flyer below.

The MOA Ice Castle Is The 'Coolest'

You have heard the adage, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Minnesotans have this advice beat by miles. Here in the cold, frozen north we say, "If life gives you winter - make an ice castle." The coolest ice castle you can see right now is at the Mall of America in Bloomington. 

You still have time to check it out - but hurry! The Ice Castle was originally scheduled to close yesterday, however with the spectacularly cold weather we've been having the Ice Castle's season has been extended until March 2nd.

Here's a description of this amazing structure, from the Mall of America website:;

It all starts with an icicle. Unlike typical ice structures that are built with ice blocks, the Ice Castle is made of icicles organically grown from 4 million gallons of water and then fused together. The castle will join 50 large ice towers together to create a series of shimmering archways, tunnels, walls and caverns. In the center courtyard looms the largest frozen tower, reaching more than 40 feet high. Latticed icicles connect the icy columns to the tower, creating roomy caverns. Inside the Ice Castle, there will be several “Throne Rooms” with a chair large enough sit several people. At night, the castle will take on a magical look as thousands of LED multi-colored lights illuminate the ice from within.

 Here's a link for more information on visiting the Ice Castle at the Mall of America.

Free Admission To Children's Museum On February 17

These cold winter days can leave you looking for something to do with the kiddos that is fun, free and indoors. Check out the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Did you know that the Children’s Museum offers free admission on the 3rd Sunday of every month? The next free Sunday is February 17th. Everyone gets in for free from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. Three-hour parking is available for only $4.00 when you park at the World Trade Center parking ramp, simply bring your parking ticket stub to the museum to get your discount.

The Minnesota Children's Museum is a wonderful place for children to explore many topics and learn while they play with hands-on, interactive exhibits and displays. For more information visit www.mcm.org.

Howling At The Moon And Snowshoeing

When's the last time you took a moonlit walk with snowshoes strapped to your feet? Next week you'll get your chance if you sign up for the Full Moon Snowshoe Hike at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Lebanon Hills Park is a hidden gem in Dakota County, with miles of cross country, hiking and snowshoeing trails. The park is located at 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN.

On Friday, January 25th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM there will be a guided snowshoe hike under the full moon. There's also a beginner cross-country ski lesson for adults scheduled for Sunday, January 20, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Registration is required for both events, and equipment is included in the registration fees. Can't make the sessions? You can rent equipment at Lebanon Hills and explore when your schedule allows.

So, if you're tired of feeling cooped up inside this winter, get some warm clothes on and head out to Lebanon Hills to make the most of this season.

Learn more about the programs offered at the park by visiting their calendar here.