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Chances are at some point in your school-going life you were shushed at the library, or forced into silence by condescending looks and upraised eyebrows. But when the “Book It: The Party” series kicks off this Thursday at the James J. Hill Reference Library, you’ll finally be able to throw that social convention out the window.

Black Blondie kicks off "Book It: The Party"

The series, which runs four times through the beginning of March, includes music trivia from Books and Bars’ host Jeff Kamin (with prizes for the top three teams), socializing, and live music from a local band – plus if you bring your library card, you score free Summit beer. This Thursday’s music comes courtesy of hip-hop-infused R&B quartet Black Blondie, whose frontwoman Samahra Daly is like Amy Winehouse reincarnated as Joan Jett. Upcoming events include performances by Murzik (February 2), the Chastity Brown Band (February 23), and We Became Actors (March 8).

Best of all, proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and the James J. Hill Reference Library. Partying at the library for a good cause? Sure beats staying home with your nose buried in a book, we say.

Event details:
7-10 p.m. Thursday, January 26. Trivia at 7:15 p.m., music at 8:15 p.m. $10 members/$15 general. James J. Hill Reference Library, 80 W. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-265-5500, www.thefriends.org

When below zero temps fall and ice and snow coat everything in sight – including your car or bike – it’s easy to start doubting why you call Minnesota home. So, let me remind you of some of the perks: skiing and snowboarding; ice skating St. Paul’s gorgeous Wells Fargo WinterSkate outdoor rink; having an excuse to drink earlier – hey, it’s dark out, after all; mulled wine – drinking and making; the annual art shanties on Medicine Lake; the City of Lakes Loppet festival and – one of my favorites – the upcoming annual fest, the Beer Dabbler Winter Carnival.

Marking it’s third year, the Dabbler features a day-long celebration of the art of craft and micro-brewing, not to mention a full day of sampling fit for a beer lover and a beer newbie alike. This year, the festival has expanded its grounds to the St. Paul Farmer’s Market, making it the biggest outdoor winter beer fest in MN.

If you’re new to the Beer Dabbler, don’t worry. There’s plenty to do including a chance to show off your mixology and recipe talents in a home-brew contest presented by Northern Brewer boasting prizes and a opportunity to win the coveted Lord Dabbler’s Cup – a People’s Choice award for excellence in brewery. Watch on as St. Paul’s own Mayor Chris Coleman kicks off the carnival with the annual tapping of the Beer Dabbler Oak Barrel and sip down a special release ale from previous Dabbler Cup winners, Tallgrass Brewing Company, as well as samples from over 200 varieties and 60 breweries while you enjoy access to live music from Pink Mink,

Pink Mink

Romantica and others, strut your dance moves at Leinekugel’s Silent Disco and participate in awesome entertainment like St. Croix Casino’s “Best Dressed of the Fest” contest and minnow races. And – since you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach – make sure to visit some of St. Paul’s beloved food trucks including Fork in the Road, Potter’s Pasties, Simply Steve’s and GastroTruck who will be cooking up delicious hot treats. Long hail cold weather!

Visit The Beer Dabbler Winter Carnival online for a full list of all the beers set to be sampled at the Dabbler, updates and to snag advance tickets.

When: January 28^th, 4 – 8 p.m., doors at 3:30

Where: Saint Paul Farmer’s Market

Cost: $30 advance, $40 day of

Don’t forget to “like” The Beer Dabbler on FB and follow them on Twitter @BeerDabbler.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day seemed an appropriate time for our family to visit the Minnesota History Center, which currently features the acclaimed 1968 Exhibit through February 20, 2012.  Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis in June of 1968 and his death and the impact he had on America culture is one of the many seminal events of that year chronicled in the multimedia, interactive exhibit. As with all MHC’s displays, 1968 is a unique and effective blend of fascinating historical material for adults as well as a fun and meaningful way for kids to learn about our State and Nation’s past.

In wondering through the exhibit, it’s hard to imagine a more turbulent time in recent American history. In addition to Dr. King’s assassination and the subsequent riots that swept across the country, the Vietnam War, Tet Offensive and anti-war movement is well-documented,  both in terms of historical context and also the impact it had on everyday lives. To illustrate a classic MHC learning tool, the exhibit has a full-sized “Huey” helicopter on display, with a video projected inside the craft,  featuring archival footage and people from this area sharing their stories of the war.

Told within the context of a month by month timeline, the exhibit also tells the stories of the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, the Democratic National Convention, the rise of feminism and the 1968 Summer Olympics among other major events of that year.

In spite of the weightiness of these topics, lighter aspects of American life are also chronicled, such as the look of a common American living room, music, fashion, technology and other cultural imprints.  For children, there’s the chance to try their hand at a rotary telephone, typewriter, phonograph and other relics from the area. One highlight was the chance to create their own custom album cover, which can be emailed as a keepsake.

We had a chance to visit a couple of the other ongoing exhibits at the History Center. Weather Permitting is always a favorite. My kids can’t get enough of the “tornado house,” a  re-creation of 1960′s basement with a multimedia presentation of what it was like to experience a tornato that ripped through Fridley in 1965. Even Minnesota’s Greatest Generation offers kid-friendly displays and activities, including a period pinball machine and interactive drugstore soda fountain.

The 1968 Exhibit is around for another month at the MHC before it takes to the road for a national tour, check it out with your family, you won’t be disappointed. For more information on the exhibit, including timelines, a blog and videos, go to the1968exhibit.com. For more on the Minnesota History Center including tickets, hours and location, go to minnesotahistorycenter.org.

Looking for some mid-winter artsy fun? Look no further than this handful upcoming exhibits at area galleries. For more information on these and other art events happening around town, visit the Twin Cities Fine Arts Organization HERE.

Voyage

Locally-based, Chilean-born installation artist Alonso Sierralta exhibits his mixed media sculpture works at The Gordon Parks Gallery in January and February. Guest curator William G. Franklin speaks to the work as “a poetic struggle in which three-dimensional revelations are born.”

Free

January 26 through March 2
Lecture: February 9, 7 to 8 p.m.

Metropolitan State University, Library and Learning Center
700 East Seventh Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106

INFO HERE

Robyne Robinson: Hands and Heart

Robyne Robinson is both collector and artist. This February at the U of St. Thomas the former news anchor turned jewelry designer will showcase not only her own handmade creations, but will bring her eclectic private art collection into the spotlight as well.  She will also be hosting a lecture on “The Impact of Global Urbanism on Art and Design” on Friday, March 16.

Free

February 1 through April 13
Lecture: March 16, 6:30 p.m.

O’Shaughnessy Educational Center
2115 Summit Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105

MORE INFO

Illo Minn: Volume Three

It’s all about illustration this February at the College of Visual Arts. This biennial exhibition of regional illustrators will feature a printed illustration from each artist accompanied by its original artwork, an additional original artwork of their choosing, and a Moleskine notebook with an artist-designed cover. During the reception the Moleskines will be sold in a silent auction with proceeds benefitting the CVA Scholarship Fund.

February 3 through March 3
Reception: February 2, 6 to 8 p.m.
Panel Discussion: February 9, 6 p.m.

College of Visual Arts
173 Western Avenue North Saint Paul, MN 55102

MORE INFO

A Midwinter Night’s Dream

It’s an artful ladies’ shopping excursion at the AZ Gallery this February, where you can check out art and jewelry by female artists at “A Midwinter Night’s Dream”. Featuring work by Christy Johnson, Jen Hanlon Ash, Larissa Loden, Megan Moore, Emily Gray Koehler, Jennifer Merchant and more. While you’re there, pick up handmade beauty and home products by The Elixery, Simple Scents and Aromi.

February 10 through February 26
Reception: February 11, 5 to 10 p.m.

The AZ Gallery 308 Prince Street Saint Paul, MN 55101

MORE INFO

Though we were blessed with a few – shall we call them – surreal days of 50+ degree weather, winter’s frigid and gelid elements are flaring up again, and retreating indoors is on everyone’s mind. If your idea of a wonderful evening involves cuddling up with a good book, a movie or Skyrim – hey, geek’s get chilly too – sipping down a winter-themed cocktail and baking up something tasty, then you’ve come to the right place. This recipe creates the perfect “comfort” food dish without a ton of effort. Welcome to a foodie languorous winter.

Black Bean and Polenta Casserole –

Ingredients::
¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 4-ounce cans diced green chilies, drained
¼ cup canned salsa verde tomatillo sauce
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 16-ounce polenta roll, cut into 18 rounds (or make your own polenta following the recipe found here)
½ cup whipping cream
1 15-ounce can golden hominy, drained
3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, grated
garnish with fresh avocado

Prep:

Position rack in middle of oven and preheat to 450°F. Oil 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Mix 1/2 cup cilantro, chilies, salsa verde, garlic, and cumin in medium bowl. Arrange 9 polenta rounds in bottom of dish, spacing evenly. Drizzle 1/4 cup cream over. Top with half of beans, half of hominy, and half of chili mixture. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cheese. Repeat layering. Cover with foil. Bake 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 475°F; uncover casserole and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cilantro and serve.

Yields approximately 6 servings.

For a full meal, pair with an organic salad, an artisan baguette and a seasonally fruit tart from your local co-op.

Red Bull Crashed Ice is coming to St. Paul for its annual world championship this weekend, transforming the area surrounding the St. Paul Cathedral into an icey track. Say again? It’s an international “ice cross downhill competition” – think hockey players without the rink or the sticks, or bobsledding on foot. It’s taken place in various cities around the world since 2001, apparently, getting up to speeds of 40 miles per hour. Oh, and St. Paul is the first U.S. site of the annual championship, so it’s a pretty big deal. Check out the video to get a better idea of what to expect:

The weekend-long festivities are free to attend, but expect to take public transportation or park a jaunt away – downtown St. Paul is expected to be packed.

Event Schedule:
National Shoot Out: Thursday (1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.)
International Shoot Out: Friday (12:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Elimination Round: Friday (7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.)
Final: Saturday (4 p.m. Gates Open, 7 p.m. Race Starts)

Where: The Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Avenue, St. Paul. Visit www.redbullcrashedice.com for more info and web extras.

Clementine Truffles

I’ve always harbored a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory fantasy, a thought that somewhere hidden in the Twin Cities there resides a real life chocolate factory with delicious treats and edible décor. While you won’t find edible walls or chocolate rivers in St. Paul’s new shop, Blood and Chocolates, what you will find is just as delectable.

Owners Bo Wayne & Kerry D'Amato

Owned by Kerry D’Amato and chocolatier Bo Wayne, Blood and Chocolates’ innovative take on a sweets parlor highlights a European-inspired line of handcrafted chocolates, chocolate libations and artisan chocolate-focused products from all over the world. Take for instance Le Whif, a chocolate inhaler tube from France that gives you “the sensation of chocolate.” It’s the perfect answer to your daily chocolate fix sans the calories. With chocolates like bourbon & bacon, honey chai, and B&C’s odes to rock legends flavors like the Joplin – dark chocolate ganache with Southern Comfort and pecan – and the Cobain – blackberry and gunpowder green tea ganache – and don’t even get me started on their truffle flavors – Clementine! – there’s no way you won’t get addicted. And that’s just what Wayne and D’Amato are banking on. On food blog, the Heavy Table, D’Amato explains: “Our philosophy is that chocolate is a drug, and we are your pusher,” she said. “And so we really want to educate the public on the positive attributes of chocolate from a pharmaceutical background, because they are definitely there. There are many positive qualities to chocolate. Chocolate, like coffee, has caffeine-like properties to it, but not caffeine in a coffee sense because you get the high, you get the lift, but you don’t get the drawbacks.”

We are ready. Long live the thirst for chocolate.

Blood & Chocolates Metro Mag Ad

Catch a grand opening of Blood and Chocolates on Selby Ave later this month.

Blood and Chocolates, 495 Selby Ave, St. Paul, 651.492.4799

My recent blog regarding the Minnesota Transportation Museum piqued my interest in yet another Saint Paul-based, history of transportation-inspired attraction, The Twin City Model Railroad Museum. Taking advantage of our last day of winter break from school, my kids and I visited the museum on a Tuesday morning last week. Other than a couple of grandparents escorting their children’s children while their parents toiled away at work, we had the place to ourselves.

Founded by a club for model train enthusists that has been around for more than 75 years ago, the museum is an expansive model railroad exhibit that features detailed replicas of the Twin City’s railroad industry during it’s heyday in the 1930′s, 40′s and 50′s. There’s the Minneapolis water front complete with the flour mills, Stone Arch Bridge and St Anthony Falls among other recognizable features. Saint Paul’s railroad past is depicted in representations of the Mississippi Street Roundhouse, the Midway switching yards and the Northern Pacific Como repair shops, which is now Bandana Square, home to the Museum. Weaving its way through the exhibit is an electric street car line, modeled after the Twin City Rapid Transit Company’s street-car system, which operated in Minneapolis and Saint Paul from 1891-1954.

Every Saturday night, through February 25, the Museum’s popular Night Trains event affords the chance to view the exhibit in the evening with the lights turned down and the trains, buildings and streetscapes lighted in full glory. The Toy Train Division is a new attraction available on weekends and features rotating exhibits and interactive displays for kids, such as the Thomas the Tank and amusement park layouts.

In addition to the exhibits, the Museum offers a number of artifacts and archival photos from Minnesota’s railroad history. The Museum also includes a gift shop and children’s play area that will keep the disinterested and younger children occupied while the grown ups and enthralled kids explore the model trains. My children were pretty entertained for the hour plus that we were there, one shooting video of the various trains, the other playing with the wooden train sets.

Located on the second floor of Bandana Square (which is listed on the National Register for Historic Places), the Twin City Model Railroad Museum is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 1o a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. Admission fee is $6, children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, go to tcmrm.org.

If you’re anything like me, one of the resolutions on your New Year’s list was vowing to eat and buy more items locally. Not only is it a great way to keep Minnesota sustainable, but it just tastes better. A fun way to familiarize yourself with new local products is to cook one meal a month using as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible. Here’s a tasty recipe has been floating around food blogs recently that’s hearty, quick, and packed with Minnesota-made ingredients easily found at most co-ops (try St. Paul’s own natural foods co-ops, Mississippi Market located on Selby Ave and West 7th). And after the holidays, an easy recipe is most merited. Enjoy!

 Minnesota Local Lasagna:

Ingredients:

1 box of Dakota Grower’s lasagna noodles

For the Sauce:

24 oz. of tomato pasta sauce, try Sunrise Creative Gourmet Sauces from Hibbing, MN
2 cups of seasonally available mushrooms, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

 For the filling:

24 oz. small curd cottage cheese (try Westby Creamery small curd cottage cheese, ricotta is typical for lasagna but has been harder to source locally)
1 Tbsp. dried local basil
1 Tbsp. dried Italian Seasoning
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 bag of frozen chopped spinach (try frozen organic Sno Pac from Caledonia, MN), rinsed and well-drained
3/4 C. shredded local mozzarella, plus 1/4 C. for topping
1/2 C. finely grated parmesan, plus 1/4 C. more for topping
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste

1. Prepare lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles well and cool until able to handle them comfortably.
2. Meanwhile, add sauce ingredients to a medium pan and stir. Simmer on medium-low heat until warm, stirring occasionally. The sauce in this case is already cooked, so avoid boiling it again. While the sauce is simmering, combine cottage cheese, seasonings, mozzarella, parmesan, and spinach in a bowl. Add egg and gently mix until filling is combined.
3. When noodles, sauce, and filling are prepared, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and begin to assemble the lasagna. Lightly grease a 9 x 13″ baking dish. Spread 1/4 C. of the sauce on the bottom of the pan to avoid scorching the noodles to the bottom. Add a layer of noodles. Top the noodles with 1/3 of the filling mixture (about 1 1/2 cups). Add another layer of noodles. Top with 1/2 C. of the sauce mixture. Repeat layers in this order until all of the noodles are gone.
4. Top with remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake for 45 min-1 hour until sauce and cheese are bubbling.

New Year’s Eve with Communist Daughter & BNLX at the Amsterdam: Hot off their critically-lauded, life-affirming 2011 EP Something Wicked This Way Comes and a year of sobriety for their oft-troubled frontman Johnny Solomon, Communist Daughter certainly have a year worth celebrating, as they’ll do when they ring in the New Year at the Amsterdam. Also returning for New Year’s is Ed and Ashley Ackerson’s fuzz-rock duo BNLX, who played the venue’s “soft opening.” Eclectic group the Brian Just Band open. (9 p.m. $8. 21-plus. Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 6 W. 6th St., St. Paul, 612-285-3112, www.amsterdambarandhall.com)

New Year’s Eve cover band show at Turf Club: St. Paul’s finest rock establishment is celebrating NYE with its annual cover band show. Local bands STNNNG, Leisure Birds, Seawhores and CLAPS cover ’70s rockers AC/DC, garage rock pioneers the Troggs, ’90s faux-German punk band Zeigenbock Kopf and new wave legends New Order, accordingly. DJ TRL spins in between and there’s a champagne toast at midnight. (8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show. $10. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul, 651-647-0486, www.turfclub.net)

CAMP’s New Year’s Eve Black and White Ball: Cheeky gay bar CAMP is celebrating NYE with go-go boys Chris and Justin, DJ Logan Spencer, door prizes and a champagne toast. (10:30 p.m. Free. 21-plus. CAMP Bar, 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul, 651-292-1844, www.camp-bar.net)

Artists Quarter New Year’s Eve with Carole Martin & Friends: Jazz gem Artists Quarter is bringing back its annual NYE show with torch-song singer Carole Martin. Backed by Rick Germanson on piano, saxophonist Dave Karr, bassist Graydon Peterson and drummer Kenny Horst, plus special guest. (9 p.m. $45. Artists Quarter, 408 Saint Peter St., St. Paul. Call 651-292-1359 for reservations. www.artistsquarter.com)

NYE at Black Dog Cafe: Lowertown cafe Black Dog is hosting an early NYE night featuring live music from jazz quartet Open Season and champagne. (6-8:30 p.m. Free. All ages. Black Dog Cafe, 308 Prince St., St. Paul, 651-228-9274, www.blackdogstpaul.com)

Isaac Witty & David Harris: Celebrate the New Year with comedian Isaac Witty and comedian/magician David Harris aboard the Padelford Showboat. Enjoy dinner prior to the performance or come for just the show. Note, dinner requires pre-paid reservations. (7:30-9 p.m. $25-50. Padelford Packet Boat Co, Inc., Harriet Island, St. Paul, 651-227-1100, www.riverrides.com)

Happy Crazy New Year: The grassroots Gremlin Theatre hosts a NYE performance in which Colonel “Magnificent” Happy invites four friends to dinner to bring in 2012, and madness ensues. (7:30 p.m. $8-$16. Gremlin Theatre, 2400 University Ave., St. Paul, 651-228-7008. For tickets, visit happymn.com)

JoAnn Funk: Twin Cities jazz pianist and singer JoAnn Funk and her trio ring in the New Year in the Saint Paul Hotel’s lobby bar. (8 p.m.-midnight. Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market St., St. Paul, 651-292-9292.)

Minnesota Music Cafe’s New Year’s Eve Party: Twin Cities jazz band the Kurt Jorgensen Band perform. (9 p.m.-midnight. Minnesota Music Cafe, 499 Payne Ave., St. Paul, 651-776-4699, www.minnesotamusiccafe.com)