Lake Street News Brief
www.lakestreetcouncil.org
November 25, 2009

Lake Street Council's mission is to build
a cohesive strategy to ensure the ongoing vitality
of the Lake Street Corridor business community.

The Latest on Lake:

We are pleased to announce that the Midtown area will be holding a Holiday Decorating Contest of its own. Participating businesses will be judged and awarded based on originality, use of space, integration of your product of service, and overall WOW factor. Three $100 prizes will be awarded. Download the postcard from our website for full details and to register.
New Italian restaurant Il Gatto is now open in Calhoun Square. Alexis McKinnis provides an enthusiastic recommendation and a good summary of her preview dinner there over at her blog.
City Pages did a nice write-up of Lyn-Lake newcomers Lyndale Tap House and Sauce Spirits & Soundbar, arguing that they fill two roles that had gone wanting in the area: a sports bar with good food in Lyndale Taphouse's case, and with Sauce, a good place to stop for food & local music now that the Uptown Bar has closed.
Nominations for Council Member Gary Schiff's Ninth Ward Awards are now open. Awards will be given for Citizen of the Year, Block Club of the Year, Neighborhood Project of the Year and Youth Leader of the Year. If you know any outstanding business or community leaders in the Ninth Ward, please nominate them to heidi.quezada@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.
Soderberg's Floral and Gift has introduced a new recycling program. Bring in four clean vases and receive a free bouquet of flowers. And while you're in, mention that you're a Lake Street Council member to get a 10% discount on any in-store purchase.

Lake Street Calendar:

November 26th: Thanksgiving Day Sale, at Magers & Quinn
12:00 - 9:00 PM, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S.
Everything at Magers & Quinn Booksellers will be 20% off. No coupons, no crowds. Come in while the turkey's in the oven or later when you're fighting off the tryptophan. Either way, you can get a jump on your holiday shopping. Beat the crowds during this very special sale.

November 27th: Black Friday Breakfast Specials, at Longfellow Grill
4:00 - 7:00 AM, 2990 W. River Parkway
Breakfast entrees are FREE from 4 - 5 AM. From 5 - 6, they're still a great deal at 60% off, and from 6 - 7, 50% off. A great deal for early risers on Black Friday.

November 27th: Black Friday Sales, at Drama and Covered
1203 Lagoon Ave. & 1201 Lagoon Ave.
>From 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Friday, guests will receive a fabulous 30% discount on all apparel and handbags. Guests will receive a 20% discount on the same items starting at noon and running through the rest of the weekend.

December 2nd - 23rd: Holiday Pageant, at Open Eye Figure Theatre
506 E. 24th St.
This family-friendly, joyfully amusing celebration of the Christmas season crackles with puckish sensibilities. Expect trumpets and tricks, angels and devils, shepherds...and a little lamb. You'll experience a whole lot of magical puppetry and holiday cheer. The one-hour show is served up with cookies and hot cider for all.

December 3rd: 3V: Video, Victuals & Vows, at Intermedia Arts
6:00 - 9:00 PM, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S.
Join us for a landmark celebration as Intermedia Arts and Phillips Community Television (PCTV) celebrate their recent, highly successful merger! View the most powerful youth videos created in PCTV history; learn more about the future of the programming; enjoy food and beverages with youth, friends and community members; and continue to support our work empowering young people to engage with their communities through learning, teaching and making media.

December 3rd - 19th: Almost, Maine, presented by Swandive Theatre
Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Red Eye Theater
On a cold winter night in the small town of Almost, Maine, the northern lights dance in the sky and the residents of Almost find themselves falling in and out of love in heart warming and often hilarious ways.

December 4th: Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl Book Discussion, at Magers & Quinn
7:30 PM, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S.
Magers & Quinn Booksellers is pleased to announce an evening of wine information you can really use. Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl will be in the store to talk about her new book Drink This: Wine Made Simple (available November 24).

December 4th & 5th: The Somehwat 90's Variety Show, at Patrick's Cabaret
8:00 PM, 3010 Minnehaha Ave.
Arturo Miles presents The Somewhat 90's Variety Show! An evening of hip-hop, comedy, singing, breakin', house dance, waacking, freestyle, and modern dance.

December 5th: Saami Day, at Ingebretsen's
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 1601 E. Lake St.
The Saami are the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia. Stop by and talk with members of the Saami community who will be at the store to share their culture, history, and art. There will be a lavvu, the traditional shelter of the Saami, on display.

December 5th: Franklin Frolic, presented by Seward Civic & Commerce Association
12:00 - 6:00 PM
Multiple activities up and down Franklin, including a park lighting ceremony at 5:00 PM. See http://www.sewardbusiness.org/ for more.

December 6th: Sunday Brunch, at Midtown Global Market
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 920 E. Lake St.
Each Sunday, a chef from a Midtown Global Market restaurant will prepare and sell brunch in the Market's Central Plaza. This week's brunch comes from Jakeeno's Trattoria.

December 10th - 20th: La Natividad, at In the Heart of the Beast Theatre
1500 E. Lake St.
This alternative holiday show combines street theatre, HOBT’s expressive puppetry, and an outdoor candle-lit procession. Much more than a straightforward enactment of the Christmas story, La Natividad unites evocative theater with an open-armed community celebration of inclusion and generosity. It has become a tradition for many in the Twin Cities who wish to push beyond the commercialism that abounds during this season and experience the essence of the holiday.

Saturdays & Sundays through December 19th: Letters to Santa...Postage Due!, at Bryant Lake Bowl
Sundays at 6:00 PM, Saturdays at 7:00 PM, 810 W. Lake St.
The slightest miscalculation or worse FORGETTING that precious few cents on a letter to Santa can have the direst of consequences for anyone! Ranek and Weiland return with an all-new installation of “Letters to Santa”.

Through December 20th: The Seafarer, at Jungle Theater
2951 Lyndale Ave. S.
A collection of Irish misfits lay their cards - and their souls - on the table in this tale of a poker game played on Christmas Eve. A wonderful exploration of passion, provocation, and the potential for redemption, The Seafarer showcases one of today's greatest storytellers, and an all-star cast of local favorites.