The651.com

As we are on the cusp of a classic, long, mid-summer heat wave, families looking for ways to cool off may want to consider the recently renovated Highland Aquatic Center in Saint Paul.  As a 12-year resident of Saint Paul, I had not ventured to the notorious Highland Pool, but the new incarnation is impressive and a kid’s water haven and, I assume, much more convenient the parents.

The $2 million in improvements, completed in time for the 2011 season, are substantial: a 200 foot long, 25 foot high water slide and landing pad, new locker rooms, showers and family changing rooms, refurbished box office with additional admission windows and shade from the sun, new concessions area with a spacious kitchen and seating area, and a new parking lot and landscaping.

In addition to these improvements and the Olympic-size swimming pool (I noticed teenagers hangout in the deep end!) the Center features a children’s activity pool with “age appropriate” children’s slides, interactive water geysers, and a water basketball area.  There’s a whale bone splash pad. For more advanced swimmers, try the state’s first aquatic climbing wall in the diving well that also has two, one-meter diving boards and two drop slides.

Admission fees are reasonable, $4.50 and $5 for kids, $6.50 for adults, $6 for seniors. Family rates and season memberships are also available.

Keep in mind, the Highland Aquatic Center is not for the faint of heart. My kids and I visited mid-day during the week and it was packed. The pool side reclining chairs were taken shortly after the pool was open to the public. As a result, there was nowhere to sit to watch my kids swim, the only other option was the picnic tables baking in the sun. In spite of the new digs, there was still a long wait at the concession stand, and the lifeguards are rather stern regarding who can swim where and with what.

None-the-less, my kids have had a great time at the Center and I expect a couple more return visits this summer.

In spite of my petty criticism of the lifeguard crew, a huge kudos is due for their great and important work in keeping the swimmers safe. On one of our visits, a young kid unknowingly jumped off the diving board into the diving well area (experienced swimmers only, no swim vests, no goggles!) and was clearly drowning. The quick, calm and efficient work of the lifeguard in that area and the others who rushed to the scene, turned a scary situation into a routine event. Thank you!

Whether you suffer from celiac disease or you are cutting down on carbs, St. Paul has a whole host of gluten-free options to get you covered.

Pizza Luce offers gluten-free pizza Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Gluten-free pizza

After a summer weekend spent carb-loading, mid-week is a good time to eat something healthy. Before you cringe at the thought of healthy food, hear me out: I’m talking carb-free pizza. That’s right – Every Tuesday and Wednesday, everyone’s favorite pizza hangout Pizza Lucé offers a gluten-free menu. Whether you can’t eat gluten or are just watching your carb intake, gluten-free at Lucé is the way to go. Check out the full gluten-free menu here. (1183 Selby Ave. 651-288-0186.)

Gluten-free beer

Gluten-free Bard's Beer is brewed locally

You may not know it but beer is a no-no for those suffering from celiac disease because of its wheat content. Fortunately, St. Paul has a ton of gluten-free beer options. Pizza Lucé carries Redbridge and New Grist.

Another great gluten-free beer option is one made right here in Minnesota: Bard’s Beer. It’s available at a number of St. Paul liquor stores as well as Supatra’s Thai Cuisine (967 W. 7th St. 651-222-5859).

St. Paul’s gluten-free beer retailers:
Chet’s Liquor: 974 Sibley Memorial Hwy. 651-454-3227
First Grand Avenue Liquors: 918 Grand Ave. 651-227-7039
Thomas Liquors: 1941 Grand Ave. 651-699-1560
Midway Liquors: 1944 University Ave W. 651-644-7900
Big Discount Liquor 333 N Concord Exchange. 651-451-2186
Sharrett’s Liquor: 2389 University Ave. 651-645-8629
Haskell’s: 2221 Ford Pkwy. 651-698-8844
Liquor Village: 2289 Ford Pkwy. 651-699-7070

Gluten-free baked goods

Get your gluten-free baked goods fix at Cooqi

If you’re looking for something sweeter, check out the Twin Cities’ premier gluten-free bakery, Cooqi Gluten-Free Delights. Everything in the shop are gluten-free and primarily organic, and they also happen to taste pretty darn good. They carry everything from cakes, bars, cookies, breads, frozen pizza dough, and wheat-substitute baking mix (2186 Marshall Ave. 651-645-4433). Two Smart Cookies at Selby & Snelling use all organic ingredients and have one gluten-free option, their delicious peanut butter cookie (181 Snelling Ave. N. 612-384-1069).

Also look for St. Paul’s first Trader Joe’s, which carries a huge variety of gluten-free offerings, to open by the end of the month at Lexington and Randolph.