Did Someone Say Dunkin?

Source:  huffingtonpost.com

If you love yourself some sweet donuts and somehow-better-than-anywhere-else coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, then you're dreams may have just come true.  Dunkin' Donuts has recently signed a deal to expand into the Twin Cities after a failed attempt to do so in 2008.  And the best part....they are looking for real estate in the west metro.

While the search is on-going between Big Lake down to the Minnesota River, they aren't overlooking smaller and outer suburbs like Wayzata, Chaska, Chanhasen, Victoria and Waconia.

They are looking for areas on heavily commuted roads with leaseable space between 1,700 and 2,000 square feet.

While the chain already has a store in Rochester and has deals in the works for Brainerd and Duluth, this will be the first franchise location in the Twin Cities Metro.

Source:  Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

Hard Work Pays Off

Yes, it was unusual to have Minnetonka's Coldwell Banker Burnett morning team meeting at the Excelsior Brewery.  But there was much to discuss and much to celebrate.

Stafford Family Realtors were honored when they were told they were ranked 10th in sales in the 2,500+ Coldwell Banker Burnet (CBB) company.  They also hold the #1 spot as top agents in the Minnetonka office and have joined the ranks of CBB's International President's Elite Circle.

Additional honors awarded to Eric and Sharla include Presidents' Club, 100% Club, and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine Super Agents.

With a constant attitude towards offering the best service to their clients and working as hard as they can, they have been able to accomplish much.  Congratulations to a great team!

We're Number 1! We're Number 1!

Source:  politico.com

What makes a state a great one?  Well, according to at least one source, attributes like education, health and wealth of it's citizens make it good while things like crime, unemployment, and death make it not so good.

This year Minnesota worked its way to the number one spot (sharing the honor with New Hampshire) because of improvements in employment, infant mortality and the obesity rate.  And while this is not the last word on what makes a great state, it's still a reminder that here in Minnesota we always work to improve our lives in the best ways we know how.  Plus it's pretty.

Which state came in the lowest, you may be wondering?  That dubious honor falls to Mississippi which has been in this lowest spot more than once.

If you want to read all the statistics for each state and how the rankings were compiled, you can find the original article here.

Source:  Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors.

Day Trip: Waconia Wineries

If you're looking for a great way to spend some of these beautiful fall days that are coming up, why not spend a day at some of the wineries in Waconia.  This quaint lake town boasts three different wineries that all offer up a unique wine list, great ambiance and attractions.  So grab a designated driver and head west.

Parley Lake Winery
8350 Parley Lake Road, Waconia

952.442.2290

Hours: Fri-Sun, Noon to 6:00 pm

Located on 125 acres of rolling hills and woods, you'll be mesmerized by the beauty of this land and the flavor of the wines produced there.  Parley Lake Winery's hand-crafted wines have won 84 medals including eighteen Gold in National competitions.  Although the winery is only open on weekends, there are plenty of things to do.  They host food trucks, have bands playing and local artists working on-site.  For $5 you can taste 4 of their wines (and you get to keep the glass).  Wine prices range from $15 to $25 per bottle.

Sovereign Estate Vineyard and Winery

9950 North Shore Road, Waconia

952.446.9957

Hours:  Tasting & Wine Sales Only on Tues & Wed, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tastings, Sales, & Bistro Thurs - Sat., 11:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sun 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

This beautiful vineyard on the shores or Lake Waconia is a beautiful place to spend the afternoon.  With an on-site bistro where all the food pairs perfectly with their wines, you really wouldn't have to leave!  Musicians, artists, wine pairings and tastings, Friday Night Supper Club, and special in-house events will keep you busy at any time of the year.  You can taste 5 of their wines for $5 or try all of them for $10.  But they are best known for their pairings experience ($25) where and experienced staff member guides you through pairing different foods with their wines.  The cost includes a tour through their winery and you get to keep the glass.  You can purchase wines on-site or call to have them shipped to you.

Schram Vineyard

8785 Airport Road, Waconia

952.442.5105

Hours:  Thurs., 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Fri., 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Sat. & Sun., 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Wine tastings, food trucks, live bands, bocce ball, cigars, and special events like the Scottish Highland Games make this a place to visit weekend after weekend.  Offering both wines and small-batch brewed beers, this beautiful vineyard is a great place for having fun with friends.  The tasting area overlooks the vineyard and the bocce ball court offering you the chance to relax and take in the view or get up and get moving.  Wines range from $15 to $24 per bottle.  Eight small-batch brews are available on draft Thursdays through Saturdays.

Go See A Movie

There's nothing quite like the feeling you get when you walk into a cineplex and smell the fresh popped popcorn, see the big posters of the current showings and all the flashing lights.  There's just something about going to the movies.  It's a time for families to be together.  A way to forget all your worries and submerge yourself in pure entertainment for a couple of hours.  Whether you like documentaries or science fiction, romances or dramas, there's always something for everyone at the movies.

And the southwest metro is teaming with theaters so that you should be able to find exactly what you're looking for at exactly the time you want to watch it.  So we've compiled a list of all the local theaters so that when the movie urge hits you, you'll be fully prepared.

Chanhassen Cinema

5-Star Cinemas
570 Market Street, Chanhassen, MN
8 Theaters available

Seating:  one theater with stadium seating
Prices:
Everyday Matinees 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm: $7.25, Friday Seniors (59+) $6.75
Tues - Sun Evening Shows:$8.75 (Adult 13+); $7.25 (Senior 59+); $7.25 (Child 4-12); $7.50 (Military ID required): Free (Child under 3)

Monday Madness Evening Shows:  $7.25
All 3D movies will include a $3.00 Premium Event charge

AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18

AMC Theaters

8251 Flying Cloud Drive Eden Prairie, MN
18 Theaters available

Seating: Stadium seating
Listening Devices available
Accessible to Disabled Audiences
Prices:

Matinees before 5:00:  Adults $8.00, Children $6.25

Evening shows:  Adults $10.75, Children $8.00

Excelsior Dock Cinema 3

5-Star Cinemas

26 Water Street, Excelsior MN 55331

3 Theater's available

Seating:  Stadium

Prices:

Matinees before 5:30:  $7.00

Evening Shows:  Adults $8.50, Seniors (59+) $7.00; Children 3-12 $7.00, Military $7.50, Children under 3 Free

Marcus Shakopee Cinema

Marcus Theaters

1116 Shakopee Town Road, Shakopee, MN

11 Theaters

Seating:  Stadium seating

Prices:

Matinees before 5:30:  Everyone $5.00

Evening shows:  Adults $7.00, Children and Seniors $5.00

Tuesdays all movies $5.00 and Free popcorn for Magical Movie Rewards members

Waconia 6 Theaters

Muller Family Theaters

101 West 1st Street, Waconia, MN

6 Theaters
Seating: Stadium
Listening Devices available
Accessible to Disabled Audiences

Prices:  

Matinees before 5:30:  Everyone $5.00

Evening Shows:  Adults (12+) $7.00, Children (3-11) and Seniors (65+) $5.00

Saver Tickets are sold in blocks of 50 at $6.50 each and carry no expiration date. 

Local Farmer's Markets

We are blessed to live in a part of the Twin Cities that has great produce at our fingertips!  In fact, a few of the towns in our area are surrounded by fields so it makes sense that we would have some great Local Farmer's Markets.  And September and October are the best months for collecting a bountiful harvest!

From fresh picked green beans, to locally harvested honeys, you can find a ton of great things at a farmer's market.  It's a great way to buy healthy, organic, locally grown food for your family.  And it's a lot of fun, too.

Chanhassen Farmer's Market
Saturdays, 9:00 am to Noon
Location:  City Center Park Plaza Parking Lot (lower level east side of City Hall)



Offering bedding plants, fresh cut & dried flowers, fruits & vegetables, fresh breads, sweet corn & more. Wonderful, fresh fruits & vegetables, as well as fresh baked bread & handcrafted products.

Hopkins Farmer's Market

Saturdays, 7:30 am to Noon

Location:  9th Avenue, one-half block south of the Main Street clock tower.

For almost 30 years, the Hopkins Farmers' Market has offered a seasonal opportunity to choose from an abundance of just picked, locally grown produce, and a wide variety of free-range meat, poultry, and eggs. Enjoy artisan roasted coffee, fresh baked European breads, jams, jellies, honey, and baked goods. Select from canned goods, pickles, plants and cut flowers, soap and other items hand-crafted by local artisans.

Plymouth Farmer's Market

Wednesdays, 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Location:  Plymouth Ice Center, 3650 Plymouth Blvd.

Here are some things to keep in mind when attending Plymouth Farmers Market:

• More than 20 vendors providing fresh, locally grown produce and foods.
• Every week, be sure to check out great local musicians.
• Children's activities and theme nights will be provided throughout the season.
• Enter your name in for our weekly drawing for a Farmers Market basket-located at the information table.
• Bring cash, please. An ATM is located inside the Ice Center.
• Bring reusable bags and help keep the market a green place.
• Please, no dogs at the market, with the exception of service dogs.

Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners will accept perishable and nonperishable food donations at the Plymouth Farmers Market. To donate, bring nonperishable items from home, or perishable/nonperishable items purchased at the Plymouth Farmers Market to the information table.

Chaska Farmer's Market

Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location:  Carver County Government Center

At the Chaska Farmers Market, you will find an assortment of fresh produce and other locally produced foods and products. Please remember the vendors accept cash or checks only; they do not take credit cards.

Excelsior Farmer's Market

Thursdays, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Location:  Water Street in downtown Excelsior between 2nd and 3rd Streets.

With over 40 vendors, Excelsior's Farmer's Market has everything you could want.  Besides fresh veggies and fruit, they offer maple syrup, jams and jellies, homemade candies, olive oils and vinegars, dog treats, annuals and perennials, cheeses, whole-bean coffee, handmade soaps, grass-fed beef, and so much more.  You won't want to miss this market.

Minnetonka Farmer's Market

Tuesdays, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Location:  Minnetonka Civic Center Campus

Subscribe to their e-newsletter to get the low down on all that's happening at this great farmer's market.  Over 30 vendors offer their locally produced goods.  There's also entertainment at every market.  It's definitely a fun time for the whole family.  Be sure to stay for Music in the Park after the close of the market.

Minneapolis and St.Paul Rank High In Quality Of Life

People who live here in the Twin Cities know that its a great place to live.  But it appears others have declared it a great place to live, too.

Source:  Minnesota Monthly

According to Nerdwallet, a financial website, both Minneapolis and St. Paul Ranked in the top five of US cities that offer the best quality of life.  In fact all of the top 5 cities are in the midwest.

So where did we net out?  Minneapolis came in 3rd and St. Paul came in 4th behind Madison, WI and Lincoln, NE.

The financial website looked at  income and health benefits, local economic strength, as well as work-life balance to find the best places for quality of life.

Here's what Nerdwallet had to say about Minneapolis:

"Workers in Minneapolis enjoy a healthy work-life balance, a relatively low cost of living and high rates of health coverage. The city also boasts a vibrant culture with a strong arts scene: Minneapolis is home to the second-highest number of live theaters per capita in the U.S. after New York City. The University of Minnesota, one of the largest public universities in the nation, is located in Minneapolis, which helps boost the local economy."
And here is what they had to say about St. Paul:

"St. Paul offers the same attractive qualities to workers as Minneapolis, its twin city, scoring especially highly in the income, affordability and health insurance coverage factors. Outside of the office, people here can enjoy many cultural and outdoor amenities, including performing arts centers, parks and more. The city also boasts 26 miles of Mississippi riverfront, the most of any city on the river."

Give yourself a pat on the back for choosing to live in one of the greatest metropolitan areas in our country!  To read more about the other cities listed and pour through the data you can link to the article at Nerdwallet, HERE.

Source:  Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors 

'Manhattanization' Hits US Downtowns

Driven by young professionals and empty-nesters, high-rise apartments are sprouting up across the country.

It would be hard to confuse Minneapolis for Manhattan, but the Nic on Fifth might just make it possible.

The Nic on Fifth is a new 26-story apartment building that sits smack on a light-rail stop and boasts amenities like a pool deck and a private dog park. From the top floor you can see miles of the Mississippi River and the field where the Minnesota Twins play.

When the building opens in August, it will be one of two new rental towers that are stretching this city's skyline and — with monthly rents ranging from $1,450 for a studio to $9,000 for a penthouse — charging prices rarely seen in the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis isn't the only place building upward. While the U.S. housing market as a whole may still be creeping back from recession, downtowns around the country are seeing a veritable boom in high-rise apartment buildings.

This year, some 74 rental towers are on pace to be completed, and there are 81 on the books for 2015 — the highest number since at least the 1970s, according to Axiometrics, a Dallas apartment-research firm that defines a tower as 15 stories or more. At the same time, strong apartment rents and sluggish demand for office space have resulted in some high-rise buildings being converted to apartments.

Overall, the growth has been largest in denser and pricier markets like San Francisco, New York and Chicago. But in percentage terms, the increase has been most dramatic in smaller cities like Minneapolis, which is building apartments, including high-rise apartment buildings, at the fastest pace in decades.

In Austin, Texas, the seven apartment towers that will be completed between 2013 and 2015 compares with four from 2005 to 2012, according to Axiometrics. Houston has eight apartment towers set to be completed in 2014 and 2015, compared with six from 2005 to 2012.

This past week in Kansas City, Mo., developers broke ground on the One Light building, which will be 25 stories tall and the first new apartment tower in the city's downtown since 1976.

"It's the Manhattanization of America and it's happening in cities that never had rental high rises," says Mark Humphreys, chief executive of Dallas-based Humphreys & Partners Architects, which specializes in apartments and condominiums.

The growth in new rental towers — which are usually woven into downtown office centers — is being driven largely by young professionals starting their careers, along with empty-nesters who are in some cases downsizing from bigger homes in the suburbs. Together, they are helping downtowns evolve from places centered mostly on working and entertainment to more complete neighborhoods, with grocery stores, community centers and community services.

Minneapolis resident Dan Born, who moved to the city from San Francisco to work for a software firm called Code42, pays about $1,800 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in a building close to downtown. Mr. Born, 29, said he travels a lot for work and doesn't know how long he will be in Minneapolis, so he doesn't want to be tied to a property. He also likes being close to downtown, he said.

"At some point I'm going to have to bite the bullet [and buy a home]," Mr. Born said. "But I don't feel like I'm stable enough for that investment,"

The influx of new residents has brought Dan Collison's church back from the brink. He is pastor of First Covenant Church, which has been in downtown Minneapolis since the late 1800s.

Over the past half century, as parishioners fled to the suburbs, Sunday attendance dwindled to as low as 50. Today, helped by more people living downtown, Sunday attendance has jumped to around 300, Mr. Collison said.

Rising demand for rental apartments across the country reflects a confluence of trends. Mortgage-qualificati​onstandards are easing, but home loans remain hard to get for people with low credit scores. With most Americans seeing slow growth in their paychecks, many who want to buy a home either can't get a loan or are still saving for a down payment.

As a result, rents are setting new records. Despite the new supply, Minneapolis's downtown rents rose 9 percent last year, and the vacancy rate was a 4 percent at the end of 2013, according to Marquette Advisors, a real estate research firm. That is up from 1.9 percent in 2012, but the city has added close to 1,000 units over the year. With rents going up and only a limited amount of space, developers are building skyward.

For developers like Minneapolis-based Opus Group, the apartment boom has helped to offset a weak market for high-rise office construction. Tim Murnane, chief executive, notes that apartment buildings have accounted for about half of the company's business over the past three years, compared with just a fraction of that in previous years.

The risk for developers is that they overdo it, building too may apartments and causing rents to fall. But with thousands of new residences now in the area, the evolution of downtown is likely to continue.

Steve Cramer, president of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, notes that in the late 1990s he was appointed by the city's then-mayor to head Minneapolis's community redevelopment agency. One of the group's goals was to get a single grocery store to open downtown, but it failed.

"We could not offer enough subsidies," he said. "Today there are three within a mile of each other, and it's because all these people are living downtown."

Source:  MSNRealEstate.com, Article By Conor Dougherty, The Wall Street Journal

Be A Giver On Give To The Max Day

Returning for it's fifth year, Give To The Max Day is a 24-hour online fundraising campaign for non-profit organizations and schools.  Donations started rolling in at midnight today (Thursday) and will continue through 11:59 pm through the website givemn.org.  While you may be saying to yourself that you already give to your favorite charities, you may want to reconsider giving on this day each year because of matching grants.  In order to boost donations there are up to $6 million in matching grants including some special prize grants and "power hours" where your money can stretch even further.

The site also boasts a leaderboard, an interactive map showing where donations are coming it, a listing of all the different organizations that you can contribute to, the current level of donations as well as the remaining amount of matching grants available.

At the time of publishing this article, with over 14 hours left, the donations were totalling just over $6 million with about $5 million left in matching grants available.

Your dollars will benefit schools, shelters, food shelves, community foundations, faith organizations, parks, art foundations and many more.  The beneficiaries are located in the metro area as well as throughout rural Minnesota.  No matter where your passions lie, there is a group that could benefit from your generosity today.

Be a Giver!  Give To The Max today!

For more information on how to give you can follow this address:  http://givemn.razoo.com/giving_events/GTMD13/home?

Donate Deer Meat To Local Food Shelves

Deer hunting is a Minnesota fall tradition.  And it can serve a good cause as well.  Food shelves will gladly accept venison for distribution to those who find themselves in need of food.  And now, deer donated to food shelves can be processed at no cost to hunters thanks to a program coordinated by the Minnesota departments of natural resources and agriculture.

Hunters will need to follow some guidelines when donating deer:

• Only whole carcasses with hide on can be donated.
• You will need to provide the DNR number and permit area of harvest.
• The carcasses will need to be free from signs of illness, visible decomposition or contamination and be properly tagged.
• Processors will reject deer for the donation program that appear to have been mishandled in any way.

Hunters should contact the processor prior to any donations.  A list of processors who accept deer for the program is available online at http://go.usa.gov/WDk3.  More details on the venison donation program are available online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/deer/donation.

Source:  Herald Review of Grand Rapids, MN

Weekend Happenings: Fight Hunger and Get Techy

The Hunger Initiative
Various Locations
Saturday, January 25, 2012
9:00 am start, register for specific times
Cost:  Free but registration is required

In the Horn of Africa twelve million Somalis, Kenyans, and Ethiopians are starving due to the worst drought since the 1950s. On February 25, 2012; eleven churches, three packing organizations and thousands of volunteers will join together to pack one million meals for the Horn of Africa.

The Hunger Initiative is partnering with three Minnesota organizations and World Help to provide over 1 million highly nutritious meals to the Dadaab Refugee Camp. Your time and financial support of this project will save thousands of lives.


Sign up to pack food at one of 8 locations: 

Clover Ridge Elementary School      SOLD OUT
114000 Hundertmark Road, Chaska
Hosted by: Westbrook Church

Hope Academy        SOLD OUT
2300 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis
Hosted by: City Church partnered with Wooddale Church

Maple Grove Community Center
12951 Weaver Lake Road, Maple Grove
Hosted by: Northwood/New Life Community Church

Nisswa Elementary School
5533 County Road 18, Nisswa
Hosted by: Timberwood Church

Shakopee Junior High School
200 10th Avenue East, Shakopee
Hosted by: Brookwood/Bridgewood/Oakwood Churches

Westwood Church
3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen

Woodcrest Church
525 Cliff Road, Eagan

Wooddale Church     SOLD OUT
6630 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie

Monetary donations can be given to one of three organizations that help fight hunger:  Kids Against Hunger, Impact Lives, Feed My Starving Children.  Additional donations will be accepted on site the day of packing.

Thousands of volunteers will gather together to package one million meals on Saturday. It’s a great event for the entire family. Join in and make a difference!


Tech Fest 2012
The Works
9740 Grand Ave. S
Bloomington, MN 55420
Saturday, February 25, 2012
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost:  $5

It's a festival of hands-on engineering fun for kids ages 5-12 and their families and celebrates National Engineers Week. Make fun, educational take-home projects, see exciting science, space, and chemistry shows, and explore hands-on engineering activities like Tech Take-Apart and Circuit Play.

Events include a live Space Show and a live Chemistry Show.  Activities include circuit play, magnets, mini flashlights, silly putty, chemistry experiments, papermaking and robots.  This event takes place at our new facility in Bloomington (map).

Weekend Happenings: February Festival and City of Lakes Loppet

19th Annual February Festival
Lake Ann
1456 West 78th Street, Chanhassen
Saturday, February 4th, 2012
Festivities start at 12:00
Cost:  Free, Ice Fishing Contest $10/ticket

There's plenty of fun to be had outside this weekend in Chanhassen.  Come enjoy sleigh rides, bonfires, s'mores cookout, food concessions, door prizes, ice fishing contest (with live bait being sold by the boy scouts), ice skating, sledding, bingo, and the culmination of a city-wide medallion hunt (with a $750 prize)!

The weather is supposed to be perfect for being outdoors this weekend.  Enjoy!


The City of Lakes Loppet
Wirth Park, Minneapolis
Sat./Sun. February 4th and 5th, 2012
Race times and events vary
Cost:  Free to the public, registration costs for racers

The City of Lakes Loppet is a cross-country ski festival featuring the beautiful trails and lakes of the Twin Cities.  Join us on the first weekend in February for this celebration of winter in Minnesota!

A loppet is loosely defined as “any long endurance race or athletic event which occurs across varied terrain.” Cross-country skiing is the name of the game, and as for the terrain? The beautiful and (currently!) snow-dusted trails around Theodore Wirth Park.

Highlights include a snow sculpture contest, several fun and challenging Loppet races (including shorter courses for children), and a “Luminary Loppet” featuring a beautiful night-time ski around Theodore Wirth Park, lit up with thousands of ice luminaries. And don’t forget to take a break from the festivities and enjoy good food and beverages at the Surly Beer and Vendor Village (hours vary by day).


For a full listing of events and course maps, visit the City of Lakes Loppet event page.  Like City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation on Facebook.  Follow @Loppet on Twitter.

Donate Pillows to Needy Families

Plan Ahead: Winter Break Happenings

Winter break can pose a challenge for some parents.  If you work, you need to either take the time off or find something for your kids to do.  Even if you have the time off, you may be hearing way too much "I'm Bored!" coming from your kiddos.  We're here to help!  Check out some fun things for your family to do during winter break or send the kids off and take a break for yourself!

Winter Adventure Camp
Carver County Parks
December 27-30
9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily
Boys & Girls grades 4-6
Cost:  $100

Learn and develope your outdoor skills indoors and out!  Activities include:

• Cross Country Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Geocaching
• Archery
• Winter Hikes
• Birding
• And much more!

Given the nature of this camp, participants will need appropriate outdoor clothing for programs which will be taking place outdoors for extended periods of time.  Space is limited to 20 students, so sign up fast!  To register visit the city of Chanhassen’s website http://www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/ or they can call the Chanhassen Rec Center 952-227-1122.


Fee includes activities, materials and snacks. Lunch is not provided.
 
Way-Cool Cooking School, Inc.
16544 W. 78th Street
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
(Highway 5 and Eden Prairie Road near Kowalski’s)
December 27-29
Cost:  $55/class

Way-Cool Cooking School is a seriously fun Cooking School specializing in custom events and entertainment for all ages. The Way-Cool Cooking School believes cooking as a family is important, and want to get families excited about spending time together in the kitchen. They have created a space that is friendly and inviting to both children and adults with locations in Eden Prairie and Woodbury.

The Way-Cool Cooking School in Eden Prairie is offering four different classes for kids ages 7-15. $55 gets your child a morning or afternoon with an experienced chef (and some quiet time for you), and skills that they can put to good use at home!


Winter Wonderland – December 27, 9:00am to 12:00pm
Create a wonderland of goodies. Kids will have a Way-Cool time making: Snowman cupcakes, Snowflake cookies, Holiday Yule Log cake, and Homemade Hot Cocoa.

Cooking Skills Challenge – December 28 1:00 to 4:00pm
Students will plan delicious dishes created to their own tastes while sharpening cooking skills and mastering fundamentals. Chef instructors will take them through essentials such as knife use and kitchen safety, following recipes, measuring, mixing, and monitoring time and temperatures. Parents are welcome to join at the end of the day as the winner is chosen!

Baking and Pastry Extravaganza – December 29, 9:00am to 12:00pm
Kids will enjoy a fun-filled day of baking with a chef instructor to walk them through the fundamentals of baking. They will create Chocolate Pâté à Choux, Vanilla Pastry Cream, and Glazed and Flaky Mini-Scones.

Appetizers from around the World – December 29, 1:00 to 4:00pm
Just in time for New Year’s parties, learn to make fun and fantastic appetizers from Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Register for classes online or call (952) 949-6799. Classes are also offered in their Woodbury location. Find out more by visiting Way-Cool Cooking School’s website at waycoolcookingschool.com. And since they are “way-cool” of course you can find them on Facebook.


Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Hwy 5 & Hwy 41
Chanhassen
December 30 & 31
Cost:  Free

Arboretum Outdoors with Hoigaard's
Dec. 30, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Oswald Visitor Center. Try snowshoes and Nordic walking, with equipment compliments of Hoigaard's. Free lessons!
Ar-brrr-etum
Saturday, Dec. 31. Free admission for skiers and snowshoers all day.

The Arboretum has more than 10 miles of cross-country ski trails and 3-plus miles of snowshoe trails. Snowshow rentals are available at the Visitor Center Information desk.

Trees for Toys Event - Success!

This year, as we do every year, we co-chaired the Trees for Toys event at our Minnetonka Coldwell Banker Burnet offices.  Each year we collect toys for the Toys for Tots program and in exchange we give our clients either a Christmas Tree or a Wreath.  We serve yummy treats, have fun things for the kids to do and of course Santa is there to take down all the kids' requests.  And it's a great time to catch up with all of our clients/friends. 

This year we broke a record for the most toys collected!  We were able to collect 670 toys with 600 families participating!  What a great achievement!  We want to offer our heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped make this a super fun and very successful charity event.

Because of our great success, we were contacted by KARE11.  Eric will be on TV tonight (Tuesday, December 6) during the Toys for Tots segment to present our donation to the program!  Be sure to tune in and watch him freeze in the cold weather.

Weekend Happenings: All Things Christmas

Each weekend in December, we'll highlight all the fun happenings related to Christmas.  Take a look at what's going on in your area this weekend.

Tree Lighting Ceremony
City Center Park - Chanhassen
West 78th Street & Market Blvd.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost:  Free

Don't miss this annual Chanhassen Celebration! Come and enjoy the lighting of the holiday tree, refreshments, live reindeer, gingerbread house displays and, of course, a special visit from Santa Claus!
This event is FREE and co-sponsored by the City of Chanhassen and Buy Chanhassen. Special thanks to The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center for their generous contributions.

Hometown Holiday
City Square Park, Chaska
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Cost:  Free

Visit Chaska's historic downtown for a day filled with old fashioned holiday spirit.  Downtown merchants will offer shopping and dining enticements, hospitality, and good cheer all day long.   Santa and other jolly holiday characters will greet visitors and shoppers throughout downtown.  Enter to win a valuable shopping spree.  Events include an indoor farmers market, horse drawn wagon rides, and spagetti dinner/fundraiser. Tree lighting ceremony in downtown's beautiful park will light the night at days end.

Carver Village Christmas
Carver Gymnasium, 316 Broadway
Saturday, Dec 3, 2011
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Cost: Free

Visit Santa, Cookies, Crafts, Wreath Silent Auction and Much More!

Breakfast With Santa
Chanhassen Rec Center
Sunday, Dec 4, 2011
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $8 adults, $4 seniors and kids 12 and under

Pancakes, live reindeer, and photos with Santa.

Holiday Sale Weekend
MN Landscape Arboretum
December 3 & 4, 2011
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost:  Admission price to Arboretum

Auxillary Holiday Sale:  Browse a wide array of exquisite handmade gifts and decorations created by talented Auxiliary crafters. Treasures include arrangements and wreaths, potpourri, hand-knitted and felted items, gift cards and ornaments, plus fresh greens from the West Coast. Prices are affordable and proceeds benefit the Arboretum.

Artistry of Nature - Student Fine Art & Photography Exhibit and Sale*:  Shop for handcrafted greeting cards, original artworks in watercolor, oil and pastels and photographs. Available framed or unframed. Vote for your favorites in People's Choice Awards.** Come try out cameras and gear at the Tamron and National Camera Exchange display tables.
*Created by students in Arboretum adult art and photography classes.
**People’s Choice Awards and prizes sponsored by Tamron and National Camera Exchange.

Minnesota Herb Society Holiday Sale:  Shop for potpourri, scented ornaments, teas and more.
 

 

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker

Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis

Friday, Dec 2, 7:30 pm

Saturday, Dec 3, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Cost:  $24 to $350, available through Ticketmaster

Moscow Ballet is best known for its annual Great Russian Nutcracker holiday productions. The company evolved out of the all-star Russian cast "Glasnost Festival Tour" (1986-92), created by award-winning Juilliard alumnus, composer/conductor and theatrical producer, Akiva Talmi. Moscow Ballet made its debut in 1993, with an all-star Russian cast presenting the Great Russian Nutcracker, directed and choreographed by Stanislav Vlasov (soloist, Bolshoi Theatre).

Top Ten reasons to Buy Local This Christmas

While you're planning out all the gifts you're going to give this year, why not give a gift to your community as well by shopping locally. 

Top Ten reasons to Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local

1.Buy Local -- Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.

2.Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.

3.Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust

4.Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5.Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.

6.Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.

7.Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

8.Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

9.Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

10.Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Source:  Sustainable Connections
 
For a listing of local retailers in your area, see the following links:
 
SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce - Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria
South Lake Excelsior Chamber of Commerce - Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay
Waconia Chamber of Commerce
Wayzata Chamber of Commerce
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
 

Blood Drive At Minnetonka CBB Office

Think Dracula is the only one who likes to suck your blood?  The blood mobile will be making a stop at our office on Wednesday, October 26th between 1:30 and 4:30.  To make the process easier for you, Memorial Blood Centers has given us a web link to help our donors sign up for their preferred time slot. 

Please click on the link to choose from the available time slots: http://www.mbc.org/searchdrivesWe hope you'll join with us in making sure there is enough blodo for those who need it.

You will need to enter sponsor code 1242 and hit submit. You will then click on the October 26th, 2011 link on that page. You simply need to enter your email address and birth date and select a time slot. The process only takes a few minutes.


 
Best Regards,
Eric & Sharla

Weekend Happenings: Fire Department Open Houses

Fall is the time for Fire Department Open Houses!  There are several happening this weekend and one happening tonight (Wednesday) if you just can't wait.  Check them out below for tons of family fun!

Carver Fire & Rescue Open House
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
County Road 11 and 6th Street

Meet the local firefighters, take a ride on a fire truck, and watch them in action during safety demonstations. Free food & beverages provided.  Play in the Dalmation Jumper.  Enter the Kid’s Coloring Contest!

Eden Prairie Fire Dept Open House
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
14800 Scenic Heights Road


Entertainment - Tours - Refreshments - Demonstrations - Fun - Information

Chaska Fire Dept Open House
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
285 Engler Blvd

Fire Truck Rides - Medic Helicopter - Fire Demonstration - Safety Trailer - Free Food

Chanhassen Fire Dept Open House
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
7610 Laredo Drive



Come meet the members of your Fire Department and shake hands with Sparky the fire dog! There will be lots to see and do including fire truck rides and demonstrations of extrication and the proper use of fire extinguishers. You'll also be able to spray water at the house of fire. The Carver County Sheriff's Department, the Mounted Posse, City of Chanhassen Community Service Officers and Crime Prevention Specialist, and CenterPoint Energy will also have demonstrations and exhibits. Food and refreshments will be available. So kids, grab your parents and come to the Fire Station for this big event! Don't forget your camera because Sparky loves to have his picture taken!   Find us on Facebook!

Fall Waterfront Home Tour This Weekend

As we mentioned HERE, this weekend is Coldwell Banker Burnet's Fall Waterfront Home Tour held on October 2nd.  You won't want to miss all the beautiful homes surrounding Lake Minnetonka, especially since we're close to or at peak fall colors!  Hope to see your around the lake.

Sharla and Eric