Perhaps I have spring fever from watching the icicles melt outside my window. Regardless of the cause once it really is spring and not just a warm February day, I’ll head to the Mississippi below the U of MN and check for new graffiti. Until then last year’s photos we’ll have to suffice.
Archive for the ‘Cool things in Minneapolis’ Category
Graffiti Around the Mississippi River
Posted in Cool things in Minneapolis, tagged Graffiti, Mississippi River, river walks on February 16, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
So Cool: What to do in St. Paul-Minneapolis (An Occasional Series): Sever’s Corn Maze
Posted in Cool things in Minneapolis, Mobile Computing, Small Business, tagged Camera+, Camera+ Clarity, Downloading Instagram Photos, Family Fun in Minneapolis, hipstamatic, Instagram, MN State Fair, Sever's Corn Maze, Smart gloves, St. Paul Photos, Talbot's, Talbot's tech gloves., Teresa Boardman, Twin Cities, Weekend Fun in the Twin Cities on October 21, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Saturday dawned foggy and cool, but turned Minnesota Perfect after lunch: sunny and breezy in the 60s.
This is the THE weekend to be outside.
If you’re not interested in traveling far, consider a drive to Shakopee to visit the Sever’s Corn Maze. Honestly, I’d never been to one until Social Media Breakfast-MSP (#SMBMSP) invited me–unless you count the 2 days I detasseled corn one summer and got lost trying to find the bus home.
Unfortunately, the day I went to Sever’s was freezing–upper 30s with a biting wind. But it was a great day to test my tech-friendly gloves from Talbot’s and take pictures free of frostbite. The Thumbs and forefingers have a special covering that works on touch screens.
While I had my “big camera” with me, I had a lot of fun playing with photography apps and my smart gloves. My Canon Rebel photos can be stunning, however I can’t share them until I download them at home (which I still haven’t done).
Taking Photos and Sharing Them
With my iPhone4, I have the native camera app, Camera+, Hipstamatic, and Instagram.
I take much better photos with Camera+ than I do with Instagram. It’s not only the cool special effects and touch exposure–the photos are clearer–even without the new 99¢ Clarity function. I don’t think it’s operator error either.
My method is the same with each app: Open, Aim, and Click.
It’s easy to share my Camera+ photos to Twitter, Facebook, or via email to my dad, but Instagram is a social network. As soon as I snapped and shared the photo of the maze entrance (above), my friend Teresa Boardman of St. Paul Photos liked it! Plus I could look for other friends lost in the maze (or the corn pit that I somehow missed) by their photo maps and hashtags.
When my fingers aren’t freezing (and I have time to kill) I take pictures with Camera+, save them to my Camera Roll and upload them to Instagram. But it’s a lot of work just to share photos with my friends.
Tech Gloves, Typing, and Snapping
My gloves performed beautifully. In fact, I think I type more accurately with them–especially when aiming for an “o” and not an “i.” Oddly they worked better with Instagram than Camera+. I’m not sure why, though. While functional and fashionable, my bright red gloves are wool and slippery, which means driving with them is dangerous. This winter I’ll have to invest in lined leather ones, so I can answer my phone in the car.
Other than Taking Pictures,What Can You Do at Sever’s Corn Maze?
Just Imagine the State Fair with a lot of corn and pumpkins and you’ll get the idea. Here’s a few of the fantastically fun attractions:
- Mini Donuts
- Giant Slide (from the Fair)
- Corn Pit
- Pumpkin Shooting
- Straw Bale Mini Maze
- Camel AND Pony rides
- Exotic Animal Petting (watch out for the Ostriches)
- Farm Animal Feeding (the goats are cute)
- Pumpkins for Purchase
- Much Appreciated ATM
By the way, if you don’t automatically save your Instagram photos to your iPhone Camera Roll, read here for Mac or here for PC to learn how to download them.
Have a Super Sunday!
Minnesota Blogger Conference – Speaker Notes
Posted in Blogs, Cool things in Minneapolis, tagged #MNBlogCon, Albert Maruggi, Arik Hanson, David Hedrick Skarjune, Grant Landram, Minnesota Blogger Conference, Mykl Roverntine, Patrick Rhone, Steve Borsch, Teresa Boardman, Trent Kays on September 25, 2012 | 1 Comment »
I love to Tweet during conferences–it helps me remember and share the cool stuff I’m learning. However, even I can’t type fast enough to catch everything. So today I’m sharing the posted notes of Saturday’s speakers. Prefer photos or simply curious what the conference looked like? Take a peak at co-founder Arik Hanson‘s post, The Minnesota Blogger Conference recap–in photos.
NOTE: The links are not complete. I’ll re-Tweet this post as I collect the speaker notes.
Session Speakers
- Behind the Scenes: Brands and Blogger Relations Programs -Lauren Melcher
- Blogging to be Found and Hired – Sara Kerr
- Connecting: Blogging for a Strong and Diverse Community – Erik Hare
- Google+? The social network as a blogging platform. – Julio Ojeda-Zapata
- 10 Steps Bloggers Should Take to Avoid Getting Sued –Steven Aggergaard
- Moving your blog to WordPress – Grant Landram
- Content is a Banquet: Is Your Audience Being Served? – David Hedrick Skarjune
- 15 Essential WordPress Plugins (and 5 that will blow your mind) – Mykl Roverntine
- Not Just for Words: Make Your Blog More Powerful with Images – Teresa Boardman
- Building Credibility with Audiences Through Writing – Trent Kays
MN Blogger Conference Podcast Panel Notes
- Moderator: Kate O’Reilly
- Panelists: Steve Borsch, Albert Maruggi, Patrick Rhone
Making the Most of Email by Rewarding your Followers: First Avenue
Posted in Cool things in Minneapolis, Getting the word out, Music, tagged Fast Company's Co.Design, http://www.stpaulrealestateblog.com/, Teresa Boardman, trampled by turtles on September 20, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
I love First Avenue. It’s my downtown danceteria even if I don’t dance. But this is not a fangirl post. It’s about email marketing.
Like you, my email inbox clogs up with messages I’ve opted in to. I subscribe to Teresa Boardman’s real estate blog just because I like her photos. Business news comes from Fast Company’s Co.Design, and concert news from First Avenue. You get the picture. I get a lot of email.
Admittedly, I scan them from my preview pane. Most I delete.
I opened today’s missive from First Avenue, On Sale This Week because I saw the word “December.” No that’s not a band. It just means local band holiday shows are coming soon. I’m hoping Trampled by Turtles will play in town because the Dakotas (and the U.K.) are just too far away.
Tomorrow everyone can buy tickets to Mason Jenning’s December 22nd show. But today, me–I’m special. I have the secret code. I could buy tickets at noon today!
Well maybe I’m not all that special, because I’m sure I’m not the only email subscriber of First Avenue’s concert preview. But I still feel special. I feel important. I feel thankful and appreciated. Why? In addition to the value of the news; I’m getting first dibs on tickets to a concert that will surely sell out.
So what’s the point?
Your opted-in customers are loyal and valuable; don’t take them for granted.
Reward your brand advocates.
Test messages in your email campaigns. Do you get more clicks due to placement? or does content rule? What do your customers value? What offer will make them act?
Is this new? Not at all, but it works
What does “Sold Out” mean?
Posted in Cool things in Minneapolis, Cool Things in St. Paul, MKTG 3350: Buyer Behavior and Marketing Research, Music, Word of Mouth, tagged Bob Mould, Dessa's lipstick, Hüsker Dü, Java Meetup 612, Jeremy Messersmith, Juicy Lucy, Mattock's Park, Minnesota Blogger Conference, Mumford and Sons, the Current on September 17, 2012 | 4 Comments »
I realize that’s an odd question, but one that pertains to how we buy and value products and services.
Here are some examples:
- You see a house go on the market in a great neighborhood and it’s sold in 3 days.
- You hear a song on the radio and think, “Cool band, I’d like to go see them.” Then you find out the show sold out in 2 hours at First Avenue.
- You attend an awesome networking breakfast that sells out in 20 minutes with 3 ticket drops.
- Your favorite band is in town, but there are still tickets the day of the show–how can that be?
- You just need a cheesy hamburger, but the line’s 30 feet out the door and it’s only 20 degrees out.
What do these experiences (all real) say about value?
- You want to buy a house near Mattock’s Park in St. Paul? Get in line. It’s one of the most popular micro-neighborhoods in St. Paul.
- The first time I heard Mumford & Sons on the Current, I was intrigued, but too slow to buy tickets in time.
- The Java Meetup 612 group is entertaining and educational even if it’s at 8 in the morning–but maybe I shouldn’t tell you about it if I ever want a ticket again?!
- Bob Mould played First Avenue Saturday night. I’ve followed his music since I was not-so-sweet 16. I couldn’t believe the show didn’t sell out until Friday. Doesn’t everyone know how brilliant he is?
- And the storied, Juicy Lucy. You can buy them all over town, but if you go to the Blue Door in St. Paul, expect to wait.
As consumers, our value perception changes based on product availability. Are Mumford & Sons any better than Jeremy Messersmith just because its slightly harder to get tickets to them? No. But then music is subjective. How do we think differently when everyone’s talking about something? Despite Bob Mould’s stunning show on Saturday night, most of the buzz I heard last week was about Dessa’s sold out lipstick unveiling. I really like her, too, but Bob, well Bob takes precedent and he doesn’t play here that often anymore. Was the buzz shining for Dessa because she’s local and Bob moved away a long time ago? Does she have better public relations? And, oh, Dessa Red is sold out…
My point really is when something is continually sold out, when do we lose interest? How much hype is too much?
If you have an answer, find me Saturday at the Minnesota Blogger Conference — that is if you have a ticket. It’s been sold out for weeks!
So Cool: What to do in St. Paul-Minneapolis (An Occasional Series): Twin Cities River Rats
Posted in Cool things in Minneapolis, tagged Family Fun, Free fun in the Twin Cities, Moving to Minneapolis, twin cities river rats, Visiting the Twin Cities on August 18, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Last week, I wrote about introducing the Twin Cities to someone new. Since then I’ve thought of hundreds of other cool things I could recommend. Welcome to my occasional series, So Cool: What to do in St. Paul-Minneapolis.
Circle a boat on water skis?
Impossible right? Nope! I saw it myself Thursday night at the Twin Cities River Rats water ski show in Minneapolis.
With Spanish cousins in tow–who’d just learned to water ski–my family packed a picnic and headed to the Broadway exit on I-94. By 6:20 the park grounds were full of happy folks with blankets, chairs, and sweatshirts. We munched on French bread and olives in awe of the development team skiers who performed at 6:30. Candy and snacks are available at the team’s concession stand, too.
The real show starts at 7:00 and it’s incredible. I had no idea most of these dare-devil feats were even possible. Don’t let the summer get away from you! Go watch
Jumps
Pyramids
Barefoot skiing
Front flips
and a pretty funny in between comedy routine.
The team performs this week on Tuesday for their 4th Annual Military Appreciation Show (6:30 pm) and Thursday for their weekly event at 7 pm.
It’s free!
But bring some cash and don’t be afraid to donate. This is an all-volunteer organization that spends $500 weekly on gas alone.
Introducing St. Paul (and Minneapolis) to Someone New
Posted in Cool things in Minneapolis, Cool Things in St. Paul, Getting the word out, Why I Love St Paul, tagged Chapel Hill, Como Zoo and Conservatory, Lowertown Art Crawl, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minnesota Children's Museum, Minnesota State Fair, MN Irish Fair, MN State Fair, Moving to St. Paul, Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education, St Paul Public Library Museum Passes / Passport to Play, St. Paul Minnesota, St. Paul Winter Carnival, the Great Minnesota Get Together, the Science Museum, Walker Art Museum on August 12, 2012 | 1 Comment »
When I moved to Chapel Hill, NC years ago, my neighbor and enduring friend gave us a list of all the fun activities for a family in the area. This year we’re sharing our Minneapolis-St.Paul knowledge with a family from Chapel Hill!
Here’s a list of just some of the fun things my family likes to do.
Target Family Day at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
The museum is always free, but monthly they do a special family event: http://www.artsmia.org/index.php?section_id=44
Today is “Family Day and Peace Games: Inside/Out”
Walker Art Museum
The sculpture garden is always free (and really cool). The museum is free on Thursday nights (6-9) thanks to Target and the first Saturday of the month with special family events (http://www.walkerart.org/free-first-saturdays)
St Paul Public Library Museum Passes / Passport to Play
http://www.sppl.org/services/museum-passes // http://www.melsa.org/MuseumAdventurePass/index.cfm
Check out free passes to local museums, the zoo, etc.
Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education
After school programs require registration through Community Ed. Gymnastics, swimming and other youth/adult programs are offered too.
Parks & Recreation
http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?nid=243
Sports, art, fitness, crafts etc. Linwood Community Center, for instance, has lots of kids dance programs and adult yoga.
Music in Mears Park, Downtown St. Paul
Free on Thursday nights at 6 pm
MN History Center – Nine Nights of Music
http://www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/events-programs/nine-nights-of-music
Free music on Tuesday nights
Lowertown St. Paul Farmers’ Market
http://www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com/
290 E 5th St, St. Paul, MN 55101
Saturday and Sundays 6/7 am – 1 pm
Fruit, veggies, meat, baked goods, Hmong crafts & prêt-à-manger food
Plus there’s a lovely coffee shop on the corner (The Black Dog http://blackdogstpaul.com/).
Como Zoo and Conservatory
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/
Always free and the Conservatory is heavenly in the winter!
Sports
Parks and Rec, lots of soccer club programs (Blackhawks, Joy of the People etc.)
Low key programs available through HGRA (http://www.hgra.org/) including Sunday, fall baseball for 9+. It’s fun with lots of emphasis on sportsmanship and learning the game. HGRA also offers spring track and summer soccer and baseball. Hockey is huge, but we just play “pick up games” at the local parks, many kids start at age 4 and play very competitively. St Paul Community Ed has awesome gymnastics programs for all ages, too.
Don’t forget the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Science Museum, and all the pools in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Today’s the last day of the Irish Fair until next year
Coming up….
MN State Fair
Aug 23 – Labor Day
Lots of Park and Ride bus lots, discount tickets at Cub Foods
From seed art to crazy food on a stick with the best people watching in the state
Lowertown Art Crawl http://stpaulartcrawl.org/
Fall 2012: Friday October 12, Saturday October 13, & Sunday October 14
Ice Skating Downtown St. Paul (http://www.wellsfargowinterskate.com/)
Of course there is skating at all the local parks, too!
St. Paul Winter Carnival (http://www.winter-carnival.com/)
MUSIC I’ll leave for another day!
Minnesota Blogger Conference – Join Me!
Posted in Blogs, Cool things in Minneapolis, Minneapolis / St. Paul Marketing, Writing, tagged http://www.midtownglobalmarket.org/, Midtown Global Marke, Minnesota Blogger Conference 2012 on July 30, 2012 | 5 Comments »
If you’re reading this, then you know something about blogs.
Would you like to know more?
Then attend the Minnesota Blogger Conference on September 22nd — it’s free, but tickets go fast! Click here on August 22nd to catch one of the first wave of tickets.
Why attend?
The conference features speakers who write, photograph, and record and then publish to their blogs on an amazing array of subjects. Curious? Here’s the link to last year’s speakers.
Learn more about blogging.
Meeting really interesting people.
Catch some shopping at the Midtown Global Market.
What if I a
lready know a lot about blogging?
Then sign up to speak! Download the application and submit by August 6, 2012. If you have specific questions, let me know — I’m the speaker manager!
What are we looking for?
As a conference dedicated to bloggers, we ask that all session topics have a direct connection to blogging (as opposed to social media as a whole).
Topics that will grab our attention will be a hot topic and of interest to a wide variety of bloggers (think of all the niches of bloggers we serve: tech, corporate, money-saving, food, parenting, sports, etc.)
Speakers that will grab our attention will have direct experience blogging and expertise in the topic area.
Details
Date: Saturday, September 22
Location: Allina Health headquarters in Minneapolis
Freebies: Parking, Lunch, and a great time
Learn more: Twitter and the Minnesota Blogger Conference Website
My Home Depot Heckling
Posted in Communication Tools, Cool things in Minneapolis, Cool Things in St. Paul, One Mile Project, Virtual and Real World Synergy, tagged Creative Kidstuff, Home Depot, Hot Mama, Korte's, Lake Street Minneapolis, Levi's jeans, Macy's, Northern Sun, Northern Sun Merchandising, Primp, Sara Lee bread, Shops at Westend on November 28, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Friday afternoon — Black Friday — I met my brother at the Home Depot in St. Louis Park. My son had spent the night with his cousin and it was time to fetch him. St. Louis Park happens to be equidistant from our homes.
Earlier that morning, my daughter, my other son, and I went Christmas shopping at Creative Kidstuff and the Bibelot — two other smallish, local businesses in St. Paul. Our car was full of packages and freshly washed after our trip to the farm on Thanksgiving.
Bumper sticker available at Northern Sun on Lake Street in Minneapolis
A clean car, we all know, really makes a bumper sticker shine.
My shiny black “Shop Independent Stores” sticker shone like a beacon in the West End* shopping district.
A not-so-polite fellow walked by my car and bellowed “Well that’s just hilarious, I guess convenience trumps values.”
This was not the place to tell him why I was there, but it did make me think.
As much as I shop independent, I still shop at chain stores.
If I need milk, Sara Lee bread, and mittens; I’ll go to Target vs. Korte’s or Mississippi Market and who-knows-where for the mittens–if I’m short on time or shopping with my 3-year-old. For Levi’s jeans I go to Macy’s. Would it be better if I bought a different brand at Hot Mama, a locally based regional chain?
What do you buy that you can only find at a chain store?
* There are independent shops here, too: Primp and Creative Kidstuff, at the very least.
What I Write About
Top Posts
about.me
Sara Kerr
Marketing Maven
Marketing director, social media strategist and professor at St. Catherine University
Feminist. Yogi, Lover of snow and skinny skis, Good Beer, Great Music, French Wine & Sidewalks.
Semi Random Topics
