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This weekend in St. Paul shopping, it’s all about that beloved (and sometimes detested) Black Friday. Here’s your guide to what’s what in St. Paul, from major retailers and shopping malls to smaller shops and salons.

Black Friday at H&M
What: In tears over the news that the Twin Cities aren’t getting the Lanvin for H&M collection? The fast fashion retailer’s Black Friday sale should help to dry your eyes. Deals start at $5 with printed dresses, jersey tops with lace details and shirt dresses for the ladies and fur hats and scarves for the guys; $10 for ladies’ printed dresses and cardigans, men’s checked shirts and denim for all; plus nearly 100 items reduced by 30 to 70 percent across the store. BONUS: H&M’s Maplewood store will open at midnight on Thanksgiving evening! -Jahna Peloquin
When: Beginning at midnight Thursday, November 25.
Where: 4 Metro area locations including Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave., St. Paul, 651-773-3773, hm.com

Thursday & Friday: Black Friday at Maplewood Mall
What: Maplewood Mall will hand out candy canes and coupons for free cookies on Black Friday. Forever 21 will be having deals starting at $4; Charlotte Russe will have 30 to 50 percent off, plus gifts with purchase and special giveaways for early customers; plus Old Navy, Express, Goldy’s Locker Room, Bath & Body Works, Pac Sun, Aeropostale, Gap & Gap Kids, Franchise Sports, Charlotte Russe, Victoria Secret, H&M and Journey’s will all be opening at midnight on Thanksgiving evening. -Jahna Peloquin
When: Beginning at midnight Thursday, November 25 & Beginning at 5 a.m. Friday, November 26.
Where: Maplewood Mall, 1793 Beam Ave., Maplewood, 651-770-5020, simon.com

Black Friday at Macy’s
What: At Macy’s, big deals are starting at the early bird time of 4 a.m. Jewelry will be priced as low as $19.99, jackets from $24.99, plus deals on homegoods, electronics and tons more on top free shipping on online purchases above $99. Visit blackfriday.info for the full list. -Lauren Gantner
When: Starting at 4 a.m. Friday, November 26.
Where: 5 Metro area locations including downtown St. Paul (411 Cedar St., 651-292-5222) & Rosedale Center (900 Rosedale Center, Roseville, 651-639-6600), macys.com

Black Friday at Rosedale Center
What: Rosedale Center is putting their own spin on black Friday, including cheap Screwdrivers and Bloody Marys from Ruby Tuesday, goodie bags in the East Court, flavored coffee from Border’s, guest appearances by carolers and the Timberwolves and so much more. -Lauren Gantner
When: Starting at 7 a.m. Friday, November 26.
Where: Rosedale Center, 651-639-0316, Rosedale, myrosedale.com

Saturday & Sunday: Small Business Saturday at Up Six & Succotash
What: What with all the Black Friday sales this weekend, it’s also a great time to celebrate small, local businesses. So after Friday, head to St. Paul vintage shops Up Six Vintage and Succotash for what they’re calling “Small Business Saturday.” Simply stop in to both shops between Tuesday, November 23 and Sunday November 28 to pick up a $5 off coupon to Succotash (at Up Six) and a $5 off coupon at Up Six Vintage (at Succotash), good for purchases over $10 only this Saturday and Sunday. Plus, Small Business Saturday is the kickoff of the Up Six Vintage’ Toys for Tots drive. Bring in a new unwrapped toy this Saturday to receive and additional 10 percent off your entire purchase. (The deal is one day only, but the toy drive runs through December 19.) -Jahna Peloquin
When: Pick up coupons between Tuesday, November 23-Sunday, November 28; coupons good between Saturday, November 27-Sunday, November 28.
Where: Succotash, 781 Raymond Ave., St. Paul, 651-603-8787; Up Six Vintage, 157 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul, 651-917-0470, upsixvintage.com

Black Friday at Picky Girl
What: Grand Avenue boutique Picky Girl is getting into the Black Friday spirit with all-day deals. Draw your discount and get 20, 30 or 40 percent off your total purchase of regular priced merchandise. Plus if you sign up for their email list, you can enter-to-win one of five $50 gift certificates with any purchase, not to mention marked-down sale items. Can’t make it Friday? There will be more deals throughout the weekend. -Jahna Peloquin
When: Friday, November 26.
Where: Picky Girl, 949 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-698-4107, pickygirlmn.blogspot.com

Friday-Sunday: Black Friday Weekend at Karma
What: Karma celebrates Black Friday weekend with 20 percent off all accessories and 30 percent off jewelry. Enjoy coffee and treats Friday morning, wine and cheese Saturday afternoon, chair massages and cider Sunday afternoon while you shop.
When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, November 26 & Saturday, November 27; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, November 28.
Where: Karma, 867 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-291-1997, www.karmashops.com

For more Black Friday sales from major retailers, visit www.blackfriday.info.

Ongoing: Handcrafted Holidays
What: The Grand Hand’s annual Handmade Holiday bazaar opens for the holiday shopping season just in time for Thanksgivin. Stock up on fresh finds and perennial favorites, including a wide selection of ornaments, jewelry, prints, and pottery as well as work in fiber, glass, metal and wood. We’ll be adding new goods throughout the season, with plenty of options under $60. -Jahna Peloquin (Pictured: Jewelry by Brittany Foster)
When: During store hours November 19-December 24.
Where: The Grand Hand Gallery, 619 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122, thegrandhand.com

November Deals at FiveTwoSix Salon
What: Every month, St. Paul salon FiveTwoSix – which was recently named one of the top 100 salons in America by Elle Magazine – has tons of ways to keep you pretty with great deals and promos. This month, get your winter hair fix with Bumble & Bumble’s Wear and Care Quenching Treatment; the line starts at $35, and you can take 20 percent off when you invest in all four treatments from the line. For your dry skin fix, take in a winter skin spa treatment from Dermalogica; get a 30 minute treatment for only $35, and take home its Smooth and Renew kit with free travel size samples for only $36 ($66 value). More deals running through the month: get a free 4 oz. Bumble & Bumble hairspray with a Messy or Dressy production collection purchase; free makeup touch-ups from Smashbox Cosmetics after any hair or spa appointment; and if you refer three people to your stylist, you’ll receive a free haircut, and they’ll receive a complimentary Bumble & Bumble product.
-Jahna Peloquin
When: Through November.
Where: 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-222-3839, 526salon.com

Content shared with l’etoile magazine.

With the end of summer drawing near and school just around the corner, a Minnesota State Fair trip is on many people’s minds right now.  The Minnesota State Fair is in it’s last weekend, so if you haven’t gone, you have until Monday!

The fair offers a variety of things to do and many are free, but the one attraction that gets everyone, is the food!

When you go, you must try the Fudge Puppies, which are chocolate covered Belgian waffles on a stick, then topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.  An old favorite, are the Luigi Fries; these fries are bread sticks covered with Italian red sauce with traditional pizza toppings.  Don’t forget to buy a refreshing beverage to wash everything down -- a freshly-squeezed lemonade perhaps?                                                                                                                              

If you enjoy rides and games, head to the Mighty Midway.  If you go Monday, September 6, all rides are reduced one ticket!  The Mighty Midway has 9 new rides this year:  Avalanche, Hard Rock, Magic Maze Glass House, Magnum, Rock-It and Windstorm.  Wind Storm is an amusement park-size roller coaster with a 30-foot drop that has sharp twists and turns that may make your stomach do a flip.

If your on a time crunch, definitely try to plan ahead on what to see/do/eat; it can get overwhelming with the large crowds.  Parking at the fair can get crowded, and expensive.  Check out the shuttles where you can park and ride for FREE!

Check out my fair fun and suggestions in this video:

So, rally up your friends and family (a little cash too) and head to the Minnesota State Fair!

Minnesota State Fair

1265 Snelling Avenue North

Saint Paul, MN 55108

Cost:  Adults, $11; Seniors, $9; Kids $8; under 5, FREE

Hours:  6am -- midnight, but some building do open later and close earlier, so check that out here

Have you visited The Dead Sea Scrolls at the Science Museum yet?  After exploring the Big Back Yard a few weeks ago, it was time to check out The Dead Sea Scrolls that everyone has been talking about, along with the other cool exhibits at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

For the Twitter enthusiasts, we thought it would be fun to tweet our way through the Dead Sea Scrolls and various other Science Museum exhibits.  It was a great way to learn about The Dead Sea Scrolls and a great way for others who have not enjoyed the exhibit to get a preview.

The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit is here through October 24, which contains a priceless collection of 2,000 year-old documents that contain original text from the Bible as well as  writing of laws and society of Jewish culture.  Right now, the Science Museum has the last set of scroll fragments on display.  These scrolls are:  Genesis, Leviticus, Apocryphal Psalms, Enoch, and Community Rule.

After almost two hours of enhancing our knowledge about Judaism and Christianity, The Dead Sea Scrolls (biblical and non-biblical), Qumran, and Archeology, we had limited time to go through the many other educational exhibits at the Science Museum. Although, we did wander through a few interesting exhibits.

At the Collections Gallery, we listened to a man speak about the Egyptian Mummy, how it was brought to Saint Paul and what scientists went through to learn about the Mummy.  We also discovered the Object of the Month a the Science Buzz kiosk – Volcanic Ash!

Being intrigued, we moved on to the Experiment Gallery, where you can learn about the science behind light, and the Human Body Gallery, where you can observe real body parts and learn why your body works the way it does.

Suggestion:  get your money’s worth and plan on staying at the museum for the whole day.  You will learn a lot and have fun doing it!

Tickets cost $28 for adults to enter the Science Museum and The Dead Sea Scroll exhibits and $22 for children.  Want to take it all in?  Include the Omnitheater for only $6 more.

Are you a student?  On a budget perhaps?  Every Thursday after 5 pm, through October 21, the Science Museum of Minnesota is offering discounted tickets for high school and college students, called Student ID-ology.  Simply present your school ID at the box office and you will be able to pick from a combination of exhibits to tour.

Science Museum of Minnesota

120 West Kellogg Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN 55102

(651) 221-9444

Hours:  9:30 am – 9:30 pm, Sunday through Saturday

Summer is sadly coming to an end, but just as fast as the leaves on the trees are changing, so are the styles!  At Rosedale Center, there are over 160 stores with a plethora of new styles to fit the season.  On Saturday, the651.com visited Fashion Bash 2010 at Rosedale Center.  Attendees were able to view the hottest men’s and women’s apparel trends for the fall back-to-school season.  Models displayed looks from Macy’s, JCPenney, Herberger’s along with specialty retailers such as aerie and Vanity.

At Aerie, a sister store of American Eagle, they carry active wear, apparel and lingerie.  Aerie is offering many cool deals for those back-to-school shoppers; they have 7 for $25 underwear, buy 2 bras and get 25% off your purchase, and more!  Searching for a cheaper fix?  Check out Vanity where you can buy new fall fashions for cheap!  All jeggings, jeans, accessories, select tops, jewelry, and footwear are buy one get one 50% off!  With deals like this, you can’t go wrong with back-to-school style.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but going back-t0-school for some, is in a matter of days!  We all need schools supplies, and we don’t want them to be boring…or expensive.  Let’s face it, we want to our school necessities such as notebooks, binders, and pens to be stylish.  To check off the list for less, Target offers some super cheep cool school items, such as patterned folders for $1.99, and Bic Ballpoint pens for .$99.

So, keep in mind when you head off to tackle your back-to-school shopping, don’t fall for paying full price, deals are all over!

Watch Hannah, our Teen Scene writer, guide us through Fashion Bash 2010 at Rosedale Center and show us some of the hottest trends and deals for the fall season!

This summer, take a trip to the Science Museum and check out the Big Back Yard!  Behind the museum, you’ll find the Science Museum’s own beautiful Big Back Yard, steps away from the Mississippi River!  The back yard features EarthScapes mini-golf; a 9 hole course with information about the Mississippi River dynamics at each par.  Also, there are activities where you can sift for gems, a prairie maze, or go into the Camera Obscura (Latin for “dark room”) room, where you can see the Back Yard upside down with a special camera!  The Big Back Yard is adorned with beautiful native and non-native plants/flowers along with fruit bearing trees.  A  The landscaping is beyond any other mini-golf course you will find in the Twin Cities. 

For mini-golf, it’s $4.50 for adults and $3.00 for kids.  To check out the Big Back Yard, you have to purchase a ticket to the Science Museum, so plan on spending the whole day there!  Cousins coming to town?  Take the whole family to the Science Museum where tickets run $17.00 for adults (including the Omnitheater show) or $14.50 for kids.  For museum admission only, it costs $11.00 for adults and $8.50 for children.  Your Best option – spend the whole day there and do everything!

The Big Back Yard is open from 10 am until dusk.  If you just want to play golf and not go to the museum, go to The Big Back Yard after 5 pm for $5.00!

Hannah, our Teen Scene writer, is doing a LIVE Tweet Chat at the Science Museum on August 18th @10:30 am.  Please follow us (use #teenscene) & chat with Hannah as we tour through various Science Museum exhibits such as their Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.

Follow us here, @the651

REMEMBER – Wednesday nights are Dead Sea Scroll Family Nights!  Bring your family in after 5 pm to the Science Museum and you’ll receive one FREE child (12 and under) admission with each full-price ticket.

See you there!

Saint Paul is full of secret gems tucked away in quaint neighborhoods.  Hmongtown Marketplace is one of them!  This indoor-outdoor, year round marketplace is located at 217 Como Avenue.  Opened in 2004, it features more than 200 indoor and outdoor vendors selling books, movies, clothing and exotic foods.  This former lumberyard is more than a place for Hmong Americans to shop, it’s a lifestyle, and a thriving and vital venue for Hmong Americans to form a community.

Upon entering the marketplace, you notice bright colored traditional dresses, exotic Hmong music floating through the air, and the smells of traditional Hmong cooking.  Don’t show up expecting any ordinary farmers market, you will find toys, trinkets, makeup, antiques and jewelry alongside the traditional Hmong foods.  You could try an authentic bubble tea, boiled meat soup, papaya salad or purchase a cooked chicken marinated in traditional Thai sauces.

Not sure yet?  Even if you are slightly curious, you have to go just to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of  a traditional marketplace in Southeast Asia.

Hmongtown Marketplace

217 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Phone:  (651) 487-3700

Hours:  8 am – 8 pm, Monday through Sunday

For more information, visit www.hmongtownmarketplace.com

Always wanted to learn the samba or tango?  Now is your chance!  Take a trip to downtown Saint Paul for some free dance lessons and a good time!

This free Summer Dance program is a weekly social event highlighting a different dance  every week on Thursdays through August 12.  Basic lessons are taught by professional dance companies and there is a live band to accompany you as you sway to the beat!  What could be better than dancing under the stars on a hot summer night in the heart of downtown Saint Paul.  Beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase, as well as food from restaurants such as Pazzaluna and the Saint Paul Hotel.  At 6 pm, the dance demos and lessons start, then, from 7:30 pm – 10 pm, there is live music from all different genres.

The Ordway Summer Dance teamed up with the Saint Paul Public Library to host a dance-themed movie every Friday night at 9:30 pm in the Central Library courtyard.

Get a group of friends together for a night of fun and creativity – don’t forget your dancing shoes!

Upcoming dance demos:

August 5th – Ballroom

6:00 pm – Dance instruction with Cinema Ballroom

7:30 pm – live music from Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra

August 12 – Reggae/Worldbeat

6:00 pm – Dance instruction with Kenna Sarge

7:30 pm – Live music by The New Primitives

Upcoming movies at 9:30 pm:

August 6 – “Mad Hot Ballroom”

August 13 – “Sabar”

For more information, go to www.ordway.org/summerdance

Central Library

Did you know there are fourteen public libraries in the Saint Paul area?  At these libraries, you not only can check out some of the hottest books, but there are many more activities that are teen-oriented if you want to escape the heat!

A recent visit to the Sun Ray Library revealed a plethora of activities geared towards teens.  Many teens look at the library as a place to study where your average talking voice will not be tolerated.  Oh, but the library offer so much more, especially when summer boredom hits! There are plenty of books targeted for a teen audience such as the Twilight series or L.A. Candy written by Lauren Conrad from The Hills. 

Sun Ray Library offers 11 public computers along with WiFi.  Homework help is available at the Sun SPOT (Study Place Offering Tutoring), where you can gain access to free tutoring or just have a quiet place to study.  In this study area, you also have access to computers, comfortable couches, cool books and magazines.  Teens have the chance to be involved with the Writing Club or the Teen Advisory Group.

If nannying is a summer job for anyone, taking the little kids to your local library may be the perfect idea if a cloud is hanging over your day or if the sun is just too hot!  The Sun Ray Library offers a children’s area with a playhouse and toys to keep them occupied while you search for that perfect book bedtime book.

Some cool programs the public libraries offer for teens are:   college preparation classes and the summer reading program.  College preparation classes to give soon-to-be freshman training on the how-to’s of college life and help with financial aid questions.  If you’re the kind of person that is always up for a challenge, the library offers a summer reading program where you can earn a free book for reading 15 hours this summer!

Upcoming Library Events:

-It’s Videogaming Day at the Hayden Heights Library on July 24 from 1 – 5pm.  You can play Wii and Playstation on the big screen in the auditorium!

-August 5 & 12 at 2pm, the Merriam Park Library is featuring an afternoon movie in the library complete with FREE TREATS!

-Hamline Midway Library is showing New Moon on August 5, from 2 – 4:30 in the Auditorium.

-Central Library is hosting a Poetry Slam event on August 5, from 12 – 1:30; also, on August 14, there is a Teen Read-a-Thon from 1 – 5.

Who said you have to be silent at the library?

Check out www.sppl.org for more information about which libraries are closest  to you, and other free activities the the Saint Paul Public Libraries offer!  Also, check out  Teensite for teen activities and resources at your local library.

Fringe

A fun night on the town in your future?  Need to spruce up an outfit with some glam accessories?  Us girls love to shop, and what better place to go than Grand Avenue!  Two stores have specifically put the focus on accessories – Stella Blu and Fringe.  Fringe, a newly opened jewlery and accessories boutique, carries chic clutches, flirty bracelets and stylish necklaces to jazz up any outfit! At first glance, you know this place is trendy with its hot pink sectioned walls and black chandeliers.

Hannah at Fringe

If you are a high school or college student, Fringe offers a student discount!  Bring in your student I.D. on Tuesdays and receive 15% off anything in the store!  Fringe is very reasonable too!  Most of the accessories ranged from $15 – $45.

Colorful Bangles

You can’t leave Grand Avenue without stopping at Stella Blu.  Stella Blu carries cute accessories such as bags, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and headbands.  Bracelets made from organic wool are a unique find at this trendy boutique! After you pick out that can’t-live-without piece, you can look for an equally glamorous outfit to match.   Clothing prices such as dresses, jeans and tees are definitely reasonable with a range from $20 – $58.  Stella Blu also carries an assortment of Minnesota apparel with shirts displaying “651″ and “Minnesota Nice”.

Next time your on Grand Avenue don’t forget about these great boutiques that offer some up-to-the-minute, affordable pieces that will surely suit your needs!

Fringe

1055 Grand Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55105

(651)  292-4943

Hours: 10am – 6pm,  Monday – Friday (Thursday until 7pm); 10am – 5pm, Sat.; 12 – 5pm, Sunday.

Stella Blu

1104 Grand Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55105

(651) 644-4830

Hours: 11am – 7:30pm, Monday – Saturday; 11:30am – 4:30pm, Sunday.

Summertime eating would not be the same without patios.  Who doesn’t like eating outside on a warm summer’s eve?

Patio at Moe's Burger Haven

Right across the street from the Downtowner, on West Seventh Street,  is Burger Moe’s (only a few weeks old).  Owner, Moe Sharif (who also owns the Downtowner Woodfire Grill just across the street) made the restaurant come alive with their huge patio!  The restaurant offers an extensive list of different burgers, wings, salads, malts and local micro brews.  Try the Beach Burger; this hand-patted burger is bun free, wrapped in lettuce, then topped with cheddar cheese and tomatoes.  There’s also the Denny Burger which is topped with a fried egg, applewood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese.  Most of Moe’s burgers will put you back $8.50, but are well worth it!  Moe grinds the meat in-house and serves hand-cut fries with every burger.

Don’t leave without trying a malt!  How about Moe’s Milky Way Malt, Fresh Mint, Toasted Marshmallow, or even…an Avocado malt?  Well, if you like pistachios, you’ll like the Avocado Malt!  Malt prices range from $2-9.50.

Patio at Salut Bar Americain

Now for the best part – the patio!  Splashes of color greet you as you walk out onto the patio filled with colorful umbrellas and mural-lined walls.  In the corner of the patio was a small brick house.  Moe himself pointed out that this was the oldest house left standing in Minnesota!  Built by Alexander Ramsey, this used to be the bunk house for workers at the J.J. Hill House.  Now, after a little re-decorating, Moe uses it as an inside bar for private parties.

Next time the sun is shining and your stomach is yearning for some juicy red meat on a bun – head to Moe’s!

Another spacious patio to explore is the one at Salut Bar Americain.  Salut’s patio is perfect for an afternoon hangout, but if your interested in more of an evening venture out, their patio is equipped with heaters for a cool night.  For an appetizer, try the famous French Onion Soup or Pommes Frites, which are hand-cut fries served with bearnaise sauce.  Enjoy happy hour specials daily from 3 – 6 pm on small plates, drinks and oysters!   Salut features great non-alcoholic mojitos!  Cheers…I mean, Salut!

Burger Moe’s                                       Salut Bar Americain

242 7th St. W.                                          917 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102                          Saint Paul, MN 55105

(651) 222-3100                                      (651) 917-2345