THE WITCH’S HAT REMEMBERED

Each year on the Friday after Memorial Day, Pratt School holds its annual Ice Cream Social.  The highlight of this event is the Witch's Hat Water Tower, located across the street in Tower Hill Park.  This is the only day of the year that the tower is open, and people are able to climb to the top.

This year it rained during the Ice Cream Social, and although the tower was open, it was difficult to get decent photos.  Since I wasn't able to get any photos, I’m reposting the link (here) to an article I posted last year when the tower celebrated its 100^th Birthday!  This post gives lots of great background and history to the Witch’s Hat Water Tower which has become a Minneapolis landmark!  I hope you enjoy it.

(Photo from our archives.)

***Do you have fun water towers in your area?

ENTERING THE ATMOSFERE

This has been a busy spring for Atmosfere.  Last month Minneapolis City Pages Magazine announced their 2015 winners for the "Best of the Twin Cities" and Atmosphere was awarded the prize for Best Men’s Clothing Store.  What an incredible decade this has been for owner Dan Capetz, who opened the store in 2005.  Now joined by his son, and co-owner, Damon, the duo are already envisioning what the next decade will look like.

The Uptown store offers classic and casual styles for all ages.

I live two blocks from their Uptown location, and have been watching them over the years, and I must say that I like what I see happening there.  When I first moved here my initial impression of them was that they were just another “trendy” men’s clothing store, but I was very mistaken.  Atmosfere provides a much needed and vital bridge for men’s clothing here in Minneapolis.  

It can be very difficult for fashion conscious guys to find quality items that won’t break the bank, and even more difficult when trying to shop locally.  While thrift stores can be a good source from time to time, they are often, as the City Pages article pointed out, unreliable because you are never sure what you will find at any given time.  Additionally, many men’s clothing stores carry price tags out of reach for the average guy - thus the need for Atmosfere.

The Grand Opening for the North Loop location was a huge success.

"Bowlets" for the ladies, and pocket squares for the gents 

from The Bow Tie Shoppe.

Damon Capetz was the perfect host.

They offer a variety of high end and reasonably priced items guaranteeing that there is something to fit everyone’s budget without sacrificing style.  Step inside their Uptown store and you’ll find suits, shirts, jeans, T-shirts, and accessories in every price range.   I also love that they carry products from a number of our local small artisans as well.  You’ve heard me sing endless praise for my two favorite local bow tie manufactures, The Bow Tie Shoppe and Mill City Fineries, and now I can find both of their products in one location – YES I’m in heaven!  They also carry leather goods from Marked Leather, which is fast gaining the respect it deserves.  Their products are amazing!

The sushi disappeared as quickly as it was brought out.

Renee Larson from The Bow Tie Shoppe and Scott Loeser from Marked Leather 

enjoying the evening.

And speaking of Marked Leather.

In addition to the City Pages honor, Atmosfere has just opened a second location in the very “happening” North Loop area downtown, and last night they held their Grand Opening.  What a great evening it was.  I really like the new store and how well it fits the locale.  The energy, look, and vibe of the store is fantastic, and perfect for the North Loop, while offering the quality clothing people expect from them.  Another point to note is that now both locations have added women’s clothing as well, making the shopping experience there even better.

Dan Capetz (right) looking forward to their next decade.

Amazing bags from Marked Leather.

Pocket squares and bow ties from Mill City Fineries.

More game winning ties from Mill City Fineries.

It truly has been a busy few months for Atmosfere, but so many good things are coming from that.  If you haven’t checked out their stores, I highly recommend that you visit either location – or better yet, visit both.  I promise that you will definitely be going back again and again.

***Where do you shop for quality, fashionable clothes at reasonable               prices?

A DYNAMITE EVENING

This year’s Cocktails at the Castle series at the American Swedish Institute started off with a “bang.”  Well not literally, but the event was entitled “Dynamite Night.” 

Waiting for the festivities to begin.

Dynamite in the trees.

Dynamite and earplugs.

Selma watched as people wrote what an ideal world would look like . . .

. . . and hung them in the trees.

The physics of "Blinky Bling."

Fashion inspired by the Nobel Prizes.

Guardian.

Cocktails at the Castle began two years ago and is one of the most amazing series that the ASI offers.  The event, offered twice each summer, always has a central theme, and is always first rate.  This month’s sold-out crowd of 2200 people enjoyed an evening inspired by the Nobel Prizes, with areas of the campus dedicated to six prize categories – Medicine/Physiology, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Economics, and Peace.

I love all things fox related, so I'm always drawn to this painting.

The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals 

handed out Swedish Fish candy . . . 

. . . which were used to gamble in the Economics area.

Sebastian Bergstrom on the piano.

A little something to wear around the house.

Dosh.

I loved the fire juggler.

Food was once again provided by FIKA, the ASI’s restaurant, and was delicious (I had the Chorizo Dog with Honey Lime Aioli and Chicharones), but I think my favorite food area was the S’mores Smorgasbord.  There, guests could choose from chocolate chip, caramel. Mocha, or vanilla flavored homemade marshmallows, which were then added to your choice of chocolate square, and placed on graham crackers (or gluten free crackers if you preferred).  I chose to mix the mocha and caramel flavors, and the result was heavenly. 

The Chorizo Dog from FIKA.

I spent WAY too much time at the S'mores Smorgasbord.

The people kept coming.

Music happened in three areas of the museum.  The mansion’s veranda played host DJ Jake Rudh early in the evening, and later to my friend Dosh, who provided the perfect ending to this wonderful night.  DJ Jake Rudh also provided the closing music for dancing at FIKA which was a big hit,  In addition, guests were serenaded throughout the evening by Sebastian Bergstrom, who played piano pieces in the alcove by the music room.

The Literature area.

Selma by night.

Making the world a better place.

My friend Andrew having fun on the Swedish Horse ride.

2200 guests attended the evening.

The American Swedish Institute’s Cocktails at the Castle series is only in its third year, but has become one of the premier summer events.  The evenings are always creative and fun, and offer something for everyone.  If you haven’t attended a Cocktails at the Castle event, don’t worry, there is still one more evening scheduled for this year, so be watching on their website for more information.

***Have you attended a Cocktails at the Castle evening?