Safe alternatives to trick or treating for 2020
With the CDC not recommending traditional trick or treating this Halloween, families may need to get a little creative with their alternatives. Dr. Matt Witham from Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare joined the Buzz with important information for families and ideas to still embrace a spooky holiday.
Red Wing bakery’s election cookie poll seeing record turnout
Most people probably wouldn’t describe this election as ‘sweet,’ except maybe those at Hanisch Bakery in Red Wing. Since 1984, the bakery has hosted a cookie poll. They sell frosted sugar cookies with presidential candidates’ names on them. And they’re keeping track of the sales. The winning candidate’s cookie has consistently aligned with the popular vote since its inception. During the last election cycle, Hanisch Bakery sold around 3,000 cookies with Hillary Clinton winning by just four cookies. This year, they’ve already sold almost 14,000 cookies and there’s still 10 days until the election. And for the first time since 1992, there’s a surprising third party candidate, a red white and blue poop emoji cookie. It’s something the owner, Bill Hanisch, came up with after the first debate. If you want to see the latest cookie poll results you can visit the bakery’s Instagram, @HanischBakery.
Get into the Halloween spirit with skulls and flesh-eating beetles at the Bell Museum
The Bell Museum wants to help you enjoy Halloween with some "Spooky Science". This week they're rolling out special activities including meet and greets with flesh-eating beetles, extra skeletons, and a spooky planetarium show. Collections manager Jennifer Menken joined the Buzz with a preview.
"Clouds" stars chat with FOX 9 about honoring Zach Sobiech with new film
"Clouds" has become an instant hit for Disney+, telling the inspirational story of Zach Sobiech. Actor Fin Argus and director Justin Baldoni joined the Morning Buzz to chat about their personal connections with Zach and his family.
Smack Shack in the spotlight: The seafood hot spot to be featured on The Cooking Channel
A Twin Cities favorite, "Smack Shack" is about to become the envy of the nation. The seafood hot spot will be featured on the Cooking Channel during a special guilty pleasures episode of "Food Paradise." Owner and chef Josh Thoma joined the Buzz to talk about the show and share one of his own guilty pleasures.
Ruff Start Rescue working to save dogs from Texas
It's Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and Ruff Start Rescue is hoping you'll take that spirit to heart. The foster-based rescue has been working overtime in 2020 to save as many dogs as possible, with many dogs coming all the way from Texas. Founder Azure Davis joined the Buzz to talk about their work and how you can get involved.
Ballet Co. Laboratory plans drive-in performance
After a seven-month hiatus, the Ballet Co. Laboratory dancers are returning to the stage. But this much-anticipated show will take place outside, drive-in style. The professional ballet company’s dances will honor 50’s music legends and audience members will be able to tune into the show on their radios. They’ll also get a snack box and beverages as well. The shows are in the parking lot next to the St. Paul studio on Saturday, October 24th at 1pm and 4:30pm. For ticket information
Goats clean up Normandale Community College trails
One way to manage brush is with a mob of goats doing what they do best; grazing. Goats from the grazing program at Minnesota Native Landscapes just wrapped up a month-long clearing effort at Normandale Community College in Bloomington. The 30 goats ate their way through the invasive species, like buckthorn, on the campus hiking trails. Once the work is complete, Alex Nichols, director of Grazing Operations, and his dog Newt come in to round up the goats to head back to the farm.
Game day for NASA: the plan to touch down on an asteroid, grab a sample and fly home
NASA has a big mission in front of it, snagging a sample from an asteroid. NASA Scientist Jason Dworkin joined the Buzz with more on the ambitious plan to grab a sample and fly it home.
Cookie Cart celebrating with gourmet meals and virtual Chefs' Dinner
For more than 30 years Cookie Cart has helped employ and empower teens, all while baking cookies. This weekend they're holding their 12th annual Cookie Cart Chefs' Dinner. Co-founder Pat Weber joined the Buzz to chat about how everyone can support Cookie Cart during their virtual program.
Fall flavors with a helping of nutrition from Omaur Bliss
It's time to get cozy as we welcome a few inches of snow! Fitness guru Omaur Bliss stopped by the Buzz with healthy recipe ideas to embrace fall flavors. From roasted spaghetti squash to veggie chili, he's ready to make your next meal taste great. Spaghetti squash and veggie chili
Bringing back live music to the Twin Cities
The A440 FEST kicks off this week, featuring live and virtual performances full of Twin Cities talent. Local favorite Jill Mikelson joined the Buzz to chat about the lineup and how you can watch.
Helping everyone see themselves in the pages of a book
Little Free Library is launching a new program "Read in Color" that aims to encourage people to share diverse books in their free neighborhood libraries. Executive director Greig Metzger joined the Buzz with more on how the initiative will work and how you can get involved.
New Chanhassen gym focuses on stretching
One of the biggest fitness trends for 2020 is limbering up with a trained flexologist. Stretching labs are popping up all over the country and in the Twin Cities. StretchLab Chanhassen opened up last week and already has 200 members. The lab puts the emphasis on something most people skip, the post-workout recovery.
Psycho Suzi’s trading in tiki torches for holiday lights
Tis the season for transformation, and that’s the best way to describe what’s happening at Minneapolis tiki bar, Psycho Suzi’s. They’re embracing the chill in the air and going all in on the holidays. They’ve opened ‘Mary’s Christmas Palace’ for the season. Almost every surface of the restaurant is covered in holiday decor and that goes for the patio as well. They’ve even changed up their menus adding plenty of holiday cheer to their booze and bites. Psycho Suzi’s is open Thursday to Sunday.
Bell Museum unveils planetarium show that takes you inside the brain
The Bell Museum has created a groundbreaking new show for the planetarium and it has nothing to do with outer space. Instead, this show takes you inside one of the body's most important organs; the brain. Mysteries of the Brain is recommended for elementary and middle school age students. The immersive, animated adventure follows a curious girl and her crow companion. The content was created over a span of two years with help from science advisors at the University of Minnesota. The museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Visitors must get timed-tickets in advance of their visit. Check out https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/ for more information.
Decorating for fall on a budget: 3 easy tips to transform your home
There's no reason to spend big bucks on fall decor. Angie Felt from Adventures of Ang stopped by the Buzz with three easy tips to transform your home, without spending a ton of cash. Learn more on her blog, adventuresofang.com
Drive-in haunted attraction coming to Roseville Center
Last year, Rosedale Center brought the haunted house experience to the mall, specifically the space that used to be a Herberger’s department store. This year, they're improvising again with a drive-in haunted attraction that's even caught the eye of the New York Times. The new terrifying socially-distanced experience is called ‘The Deadly Drive-in’ and it's not for the faint of heart or those under 14. It’s created by Flip Phone Events. At last check the event was almost sold out.
Taking center stage online: Beloved "Corduroy" makes its virtual debut at CTC
The Children's Theatre Company is bringing the joy of live theater to your living room, debuting the beloved classic "Corduroy" online. Actor Reed Sigmund joined the Buzz with more on the virtual show and what it's like watching live theater on your own screen.
Celebrating our differences -- new book takes on bullying
October is anti-bullying month, and the experts at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare are taking on the issue with a new book, "It's Okay to Ask". Dr. Madeleine Gagnon joined the Buzz with more on the new book and also tips for families who are dealing with bullying.