SOLO SHOT SUNDAY: PROUD CITY

Just one more way Minneapolis lights up with PRIDE!


***Did you celebrate PRIDE this weekend?

SOLO SHOT SATURDAY: WHEEL OF PRIDE

I love the rainbow of colors that make up my collection of Sperry Top-Siders!


***What's your favorite color for Sperrys?

STRIPES AND SHIELDS

Between starting a new job, getting ready for a festival this weekend, and witnessing the historic decision from the Supreme Court today, this is a very late Bow Tie Friday post.  In the midst of all of the excitement, last week I stopped in at Brooks Brothers to order an item, and while I was there, I found this amazing bow tie.

I’m a great fan of reversible bow ties, and I especially love this one because it combines two of the most iconic patterns; stripes and shields.  One side boasts narrow navy and white stripes on a yellow background, while the other side features shields on a background of alternating wide navy and burgundy stripes.  The thing that makes this tie even more iconic for me, is that the Golden Fleece (Brooks Brothers’ logo) is displayed on each shield.  

Although this bow tie was new to their store, I wasn’t able to locate it on their website.  I do, however, strongly recommend checking out this bow tie even if you have to purchase it through one of their retail locations. The look is classic and timeless,

***Do you have a Brooks Brothers store near you?

AN HISTORIC DAY

Today we saw history being made in our great country, and so I am stooping to some shameless self promoting.  Even though we've had marriage equality in Minnesota for a few years now, I thought this would be a good time to remind everyone that I'm a licensed wedding officiant and able to officiate your wedding this weekend for PRIDE or any other time.  

I'm able to tailor your service so that it is personal to you, and it can be as simple or elaborate as you prefer.  I provide this service for both same sex couples and opposite sex couples, so please feel free to contact me.  

***How does it feel for you to witness history being made? 

OPEN STREETS

This year marks the fifth celebration of Open Streets, an annual event in Minneapolis that “allows people of all ages to experience their streets in a new way.”

I ran into my friends Carla and Marisa at the event.

During each of these celebrations, dozens of blocks of a particular street are shut down to car traffic, inviting people to explore the street on foot, by bike, by skateboard or however they choose.  In addition to the regular shops on the street, small booths pop up selling their specialty items, and activities such as yoga, take place in the middle of the street.  All of these components help people to experience the streets from a new perspective and in a whole new way.

The Nice Ride bikes were used by lots of people throughout the day.

A local theater group stage a play in one of the adjacent parking lots.

One of the many bands that played throughout the day.

Vera's Garden located on the Greenway, a walking and biking path 

that runs under Lyndale Avenue.

Nice Ride, which provides bikes throughout the city for people to rent, celebrated their fifth anniversary this year during the Lyndale Avenue Open Street (the first one of the summer) by giving out free cupcakes to attendees.  Needless to say, they gave out hundreds of cupcakes.

Nice Ride bikes ready to be rented.

Nice Ride gave out free cupcakes to celebrate their fifth anniversary.

Galactic Pizza, on Lyndale Avenue, was handing out free samples 

to people passing by.

It was fun watching yoga classes in the middle of  the street.

This is my size of coffee cup!

We ended the day with dinner at World Street Kitchen. 
(Photo: Robert VanZandt)

Open Streets has grown over the past five years from one event in 2011, to the eight events planned for this year.  More information, on these amzing events may be found here.

*** Have you attended anything similar to Open Streets in your area?

TIME FOR TIN FISH

In between the rain showers last week our weather was actually quite lovely.  For the most part our temperatures have been much cooler than the sweltering heat and humidity we often experience at this time of year.  My belief is that the many lakes within the city of Minneapolis, add to the humidity, which means summer can be quite sticky, but for now our weather is very pleasant.

This sailboat was taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

Fowl lunch guests.

Last week my friends Mary and Marion met me for lunch at Tin Fish Restaurant, in the pavilion at Lake Calhoun.  I hadn’t seen either of them for several months, so it was a great opportunity to reconnect.  As I mentioned, the weather was perfect, and we were able to eat on the patio while enjoying the sun and the view.

Lake Calhoun is truly lovely.

Lake Calhoun is only a few blocks from where I live and is my favorite lake in Minneapolis.  It’s also the largest lake in the city limits, which only adds to the beauty of the area.  Oftentimes, while dining, you will see boats sailing on the lake, and you are assured to be joined by several of the local waterfowl, who visit with hopes of sharing your meal.  The food at Tin Fish is always delicious, and I highly recommend the Lake Calhoun Lunch, which is my favorite. 

The line at Tin Fish is always long, but the food is definitely worth the wait.

As summer’s fun and activities increase, I suggest you take advantage of the lovely view of Lake Calhoun from the patio at Tin Fish Restaurant, and be sure to enjoy one of their entrees as you take in the view of the lake.  The experience is nothing short of wonderful.

***Do you have a favorite lakeside restaurant to dine at?

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU

The Jungle Theater's 25^th Anniversary is continuing on with another exciting show, You Can’t Take It With You, which opened last week and is truly delightful.  The madcap Kaufman and Hart comedy offers a little something for everyone - and I do mean everyone.

The cluttered and eclectic set designed by Tom Butsch suits the eccentric Sycamore family perfectly.  Each family member has their own little space to carry on with their hobbies and interests, which they do, all at the same time.  Ed’s xylophone and printing nook, Paul and Mr. DePinna’s fireworks workshop in the basement, Essie’s candy factory in the kitchen and dance studio in the dining room, and Penny’s desk for writing plays (which she took up because a typewriter was delivered to their home by mistake), all contribute to a wonderful mix of hilarity, with the shenanigans carefully watched over by sage Grandpa Martin Vanderhof.

The entire family is quirky, entertaining, and loved by all.  That is, until daughter Alice’s finance brings his wealthy parents to dinner on the wrong night.  From that moment on the stage is set for the play’s central message of, life is short, do what you enjoy, and live simply.  A message that eventually leads to a happy ending for Alice and her finance Tony.

I have been a fan of the Jungle Theater’s productions for several years now and have come to expect a lot from them.  Happily, I can say that they rarely disappoint, and this production of You Can’t Take It With You is a wonderful example of the quality shows that they are known for.  This production plays through August 9, and is selling out fast so you will want to get your tickets now.

***Have you seen a production of You Can’t Take It With You?

SWEATERS AND TIES

My father has been gone for a number of years now, but I still think of him each June on Father's Day.  From this early photo of him you can easily see where I got my love for sweaters and ties from.  While he never wore bow ties, even at the age of sixteen he had mastered the art of long ties and sweaters.  

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!!

Cyril John White

(January 21, 1924 - March 27, 1986)

***How did you celebrate Father's Day?

SOLO SHOT SUNDAY: REMNANTS

Last night was my annual Pink and Lavender Party.  It's my big summer party that I hold each June, and this year marked the twelfth year.


***Do you host any annual parties/events?

WEAR YOUR LILLY

Today is National Wear Your Lilly Day (this is celebrated on the first day of summer), and in celebration of the day, I'm remembering back to a year ago when Beatrix received her Lilly Pulitzer collar.  I knew that not just any collar would suffice for a cat with such refined tastes, so I was delighted when I found this beautiful collar on Etsy.  There were several collars to choose from and I chose the one that seemed to best fit her personality.


***Are you wearing your Lilly today?