MIA's podcast uncovers unique stories about its collection
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The Minneapolis Institute of Art has an expansive collection of 90,000 items, and each item has its own unique story. One way to explore these stories is through MIA?s podcast, The Object. Each episode focuses on the surprising history behind a single item in the collection. Host and writer of the podcast, Tim Gehring joined us to discuss some of his favorite episodes.

Artisan Home Tour opens the doors to exquisite Twin Cities homes
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The Artisan Home Tour, which typically takes place in June, will instead start up this weekend. It gives people the chance to step inside 14 notable new homes designed by some of the area?s most talented builders and 8 renovated homes. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, you can walk through them and get ideas for your own dream home. It runs for three weekends in October. Ticket info can be found at ArtisanHomeTour.org and a portion of the proceeds benefits the nonprofit, Housing First Minnesota Foundation.

HalloweenCostumes.com unveils 2020?s top kids? costumes
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Mankato is home to one of the largest Halloween costume retailers in the country, HalloweenCostumes.com and Fun.com. Despite questions about how people will celebrate the spooky holiday this year, sales are up for the company, and kids costumes are leading that surge. We got a look inside the warehouse to check out some of the bestsellers.

The Riverview Theater, open for popcorn and private screenings
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Movie theaters across the country are being faced with the tough decision of whether or not to reopen. Some are finding other ways to stay in business, like the historic Riverview Theater in South Minneapolis. They?ve opened their doors to popcorn sales Thursday to Sunday. They sell their pop, candy and slushies too. The theater has also started renting out the space for private party movie screenings. Merchandise has been a big hit as well and they continue to grow their online collection of retro Riverview branded gear. For more information and popcorn hours, visit: http://riverviewtheater.com/

New gym opens in Maple Grove
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There?s a new boutique gym in Maple Grove that fuses fitness and physical therapy. Viracity was founded by a physical therapist. The wellness center offers many different types of fitness classes, both in-person and virtual, but also massage therapy, infrared therapy and chryotherapy. Melissa Gill, the owner, says she had always wanted a space like this but it wasn?t until the pandemic hit and this location opened up that she moved on the idea. She felt like these specific services, offered together were especially important during this time. For more information visit: https://www.viracity.life/

Minnesota animal sanctuary takes in wildcats from all over the world
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Minnesota is home to a wildcat sanctuary that's been rescuing animals from all over the world for 21 years. ?The Wildcat Sanctuary? is just 90 miles north of the metro and is place of refuge for injured, abused or displaced wildcats. Currently, more than 115 felines call the facility home. It is a non-profit funded by private donors. It?s not open to the public so they don?t make money off of entrance fees or pictures with animals. Founder and Executive Director, Tammy Theis took us inside to meet some of the animals as they launch their ?Tigerthon.? Starting September 24th through October 1st, all donations will be triple-matched. To learn more visit https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/

Home tours go virtual
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Home tours have started up again, but with safety in mind, many have moved online. Starting this weekend, the AIA Minnesota Homes by Architects tour gets underway virtually. It?s your chance to look inside 17 grand homes across the metro with immersive 3D technology and live architect interviews. Tickets are available at: HomesByArchitects.org

Wendy?s House of Soul reopens in new location
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When you combine Soul Food and Egg Rolls you get SOULROLLS and that?s the signature item at a Minneapolis restaurant that?s celebrating it?s reopening in a colorful new space. Wendy?s House of Soul moved from its Broadway Avenue location to 1825 Glenwood Avenue in the Harrison Neighborhood. They offer takeout and curbside orders. Visit https://www.youvebeensouled.com/ for more information.

Minneapolis cat caf� looking for cat cuddlers
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Minnesota?s first cat caf� has reopened and needs more cat cuddlers. The Caf� Meow is part coffee shop, part cat lounge. The cats featured in the lounge are up for adoption. There is a small fee to hang in the cat lounge but that money goes toward caring for the felines. Since the shop opened in 2018, they?ve found homes for 308 cats. Follow their social media for up-to-date lists of their cat roster. Instagram: @TheCafeMeow

Monarch butterflies begin migration south
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This is the time of year Monarch Butterflies start their 2300 mile journey from Minnesota to Mexico. In year's past, that meant we'd be celebrating with the Monarch Festival. This year it is virtual, but there are important things you can be doing right now in lieu of the festival. We visited a certified monarch waystation at Lake Nokomis to learn more about supporting monarch conservation.

Twin Cities coffee roaster opening for tours and tastings
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Folly Coffee Roasters is making moves. They recently moved production from Silver Lake to St. Louis Park and now they?re opening their facility to tours and tastings. The idea came from seeing the popularity of brewery tours; but with a lot more energy. Rob Bathe, owner of Folly Coffee Roasters, says they blare music as they educate people on the process and move quickly to coffee sampling including cold brew, batch brew and espresso. The tours will start up Saturday, September 19th and run on weekends from 8am ? 2pm. For

New Winery Opens in Jordan
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There?s a new winery in Jordan highlighting locally-made sparkling wine. Mousse Sparkling Wine Company features house-made m?thode champenoise and charmat method sparkling wines made from Minnesota grapes. Owner Josie Boyle has been a winemaker for 12 years. She wanted to open her own winery so she could experiment with sparkling wines. The Mousse tasting room is inside a historic 1895 brick building. They also have a patio and Instagram-friendly mural that reads ?Bubbly for All.?

New restaurant opens in St. Paul?s Keg & Case Market
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A new wood-fired cantina has opened in St. Paul?s Keg & Case West 7th Market. Woodfired Cantina has taken over the space that once housed In Bloom. Brian and Sarah Ingram, who also run Hope Breakfast Bar and The Gnome, teamed up with celebrity chef, Justin Sutherland and barbecue enthusiast, chef Patrick O?Hare. The restaurant will feature woodfired meats and cantina cocktails inspired by the street foods of Southern California and Mexico.

Bad Wingz opens in Northeast Minneapolis
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The husband and wife duo behind Soul Bowl is opening a new pop-up concept that offers a completely customizable wing experience. B.A.D Wingz is located inside Northesast Minneapolis bakery, Glam Doll Donuts. The menu features chicken wings and a specially made vegan wing that was created through a partnership with the Herbivorous Butcher. There are multiple types of rubs and sauces plus unique sides like ?Hot Cheetos? Sweet Corn. The shop is open 11am to 8pm starting Tuesday, September 8th. For more information visit: https://www.badwingz.com/

Minneapolis seafood shop moves into new space
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There?s a new food destination in Minneapolis that also happens to be an old favorite. Seafood shop, Coastal Seafoods, has moved into a much larger space across the street from the original location. It?s also expanding its servicing with the addition of fresh produce and a caf?. The shop flies in fresh fish and seafood six days a week and supplies over 200 restaurants in the region. The new space is located at 2007 E. 24th St.

Minneapolis seafood shop moves into new space
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There?s a new food destination in Minneapolis that also happens to be an old favorite. Seafood shop, Coastal Seafoods, has moved into a much larger space across the street from the original location. It?s also expanding its servicing with the addition of fresh produce and a caf?. The shop flies in fresh fish and seafood six days a week and supplies over 200 restaurants in the region. The new space is located at 2007 E. 24th St.

Big League, Big Heads
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A local print shop is hard at work creating new big heads for the next Twins home game. The cutouts made their debut during the opener with the faces of 80 Twins? legends. Now fans will get the chance to see their likeness in the lower-level seats. And in some cases, their pets are getting a front row seat. Resolution Graphics in Arden Hills has printed everything from babies heads to cats and dogs. For $80, $40 for season ticket holders, fans could purchase a two-and-a-half-foot high likeness of their face. Each ?big head? will be returned to fans after the season as a keepsake.

Maplewood Mall zoo reopens with new name
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The Cock-a-doodle Zoo in the Maplewood Mall has reopened with a new name and mission. Sustainable Safari will focus on animal education and what needs to happen to keep their habitats sustainable. The zoo has kangaroos, capybarra, African porcupine, ringtail lemurs and new additions like wallabies and badgers. The zoo is open the same hours as the mall.

Twin Cities Company Brings Glamping Experience To You
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Pitched MPLS launched this new business venture this spring. The company brings an Instagram-worthy set up to customer’s backyards including large canvas tents, a bed and bedding, picnic tables, fire pits, and even a screen for watching movies. They do all the set up and clean up. Owners, Kenny and Autumn Young, weren’t sure what would happen with ‘Pitched’ given the pandemic, but with parties and vacations getting cancelled due to COVID 19, their business quickly took off and they’ve purchased more tents and opened up more glamping dates.