Design Collective and W7 Collective - Minnesota Fashion and Art Design originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 01:29:23.

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For newcomers to the area, there are no metro-wide rules for getting leaves removed, except that it's illegal everywhere to dump your leaves into the street. Rules regarding leaves and yard waste vary from city to city. Whether your city collects your trash or if you have hired one of the several trash companies that serve the Twin Cities to do it, all collect yard waste. Some cities and companies include yard waste collection in the standard charge, others charge extra. Some come by with scheduled yard waste collection times, others you'll have to call to arrange collection. Most haulers stop yard waste collection in mid to late November.

If you have more than your trash collector will haul, or if you don't want to pay your trash collector to take it, you can take your leaves and yard waste to a yard waste or leaf recycling site. There are several across the Twin Cities run by cities, counties and trash haulers. Check your city and county website for the nearest one to you - http://www.yourcity.mn.us - is the format for all Minnesota city websites.

Another option, and one that's kinder to the environment, is to keep them for your garden. Pile the leaves up and then leave them for a year, letting them turn into leaf mold, which is full of nutrients for your garden. Or with a little more work, you can make leaf mulch, or add them to compost. No hauling fees and save on a couple of bags of compost next year.

If you are planning on bagging and hauling, or have someone else haul, your leaves, this is the last year you'll be able to use black plastic bags to do it. Next year, all yard waste must be bagged in compostable bags or trash collectors won't collect it. The idea is to make the process of composting yard waste more efficient and environmentally friendly. Everyone in the Twin Cities, that is, except people living in the city of Minneapolis who get an extra three years for the city to work the new regulations into their already complex trash hauling system.

Leaf Raking and Leaf Hauling in Minneapolis/St. Paul originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 23:48:24.

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If you or your children need a winter coat, but can't afford to buy one, here's a list of local organizations who can help.

Sharing And Caring Hands - Minneapolis - 612-338-4640
Ronald McDonald House - Minneapolis - 612-331-5752
Catholic Charities - Minneapolis - 612-664-8500
Lutheran Social Services - St. Paul - 651-969-2334
St. Louis Park Emergency Program, STEP - St. Louis Park - 952-925-4899
CEAP - Brooklyn Park - 763-566-9600
Hope for the City - Minnetonka - 952-897-7799
Sabathani Community Center - Minneapolis - 612-821-2347
Joseph's Coat - St. Paul - 651-291-2472
The Salvation Army - Metrowide, coats will be available from October 29 -651-746-3412
People Serving People - Minneapolis - 612-332-4500
Neighbors, Inc - South St. Paul - 651-455-1508
CHAP Ministries - Burnsville - 952-890-8222

These organizations can only help those in need with the assistance of donations. If you have a spare winter coat in good condition, or just found out that your kids grew out of last year's coats during the summer, or your teenagers can't possibly be seen in last year's coat - donating them to one of the organizations above can make the difference between a miserable, cold winter, and a warm one to whoever receives it. Donating clothing to a non-profit organization is tax deductible. Check the website of the organizations closest to you for donation information.

While coats and warm jackets are needed the most, other seasonal wear like winter boots, hats, warm gloves, and other seasonally appropriate clothing are also needed.

Another way to donate a coat and get something in return is to take it to Midwest Mountaineering, the outdoor outfitters in Minneapolis, between now and October 31. If you bring a new or gently used coat or winter jacket to the store, they'll give you 10% off the purchase of a new winter coat from the store. Last time I was in Midwest Mountaineering, their rails were packed with new arrival coats, for urban wear and for outdoor adventures.

Do You Need Help Getting a Winter Coat? originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 15:25:06.

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Kylie Gibbons is a five-year-old from Falcon Heights who suffers from the rare and debilitating disease tuberous sclerosis complex, TSC, which causes benign tumors to grow in the body. In Kylie's case, she has almost 30 tumors in her brain causing developmental delays and potentially life-threatening seizures. There is no cure for TSC.

Kylie has between one and five seizures every day, and since she was born has slept in her parents bedroom. Her mom and dad are afraid that she may have a seizure in the middle of the night that they won't hear until it's too late.

While researching ways to share some of the responsibility of looking after Kylie 24 hours a day, the Gibbons, who also have two younger children, Ava and Sheamus, discovered that specially trained dogs can help seizure patients. The dogs are trained to recognize the signs of a seizure and alert others to get help. Some seizure dogs have even bonded with their owners so much that they seem to be able to recognize that a seizure is coming before their owner does, and can warn them to sit or lie down to avoid injuries from falls, then get help.

Midwest Assistance Dogs of Indiana will be providing Kylie's dog. But training a seizure dog is expensive - around $6000 for the initial training, then more for transportation to Minnesota and more training to enable the dog to work with Kylie's specific needs.

So this year, Kylie's family has organized a Halloween fundraising event to raise money towards Kylie's seizure dog. Kylie's grandmother, Karen, is holding the event at her home in St. Paul. But this isn't your normal house.  Grandma Karen loves Halloween so much that she has her very own haunted house in the back yard, and neighborhood kids come trick-or-treating by the hundreds every year.

As well as the haunted house, there will also be pirates, witches, ghosts, graves, games, treats and prizes. It's a family friendly event, designed to be fun rather than frightening even for young children. There will be indoor and outdoor activities so the event will go on, rain, shine or snow.

The Halloween Spooktacular for Kylie is at 801 Lakeview Avenue in the Como Park neighborhood of St. Paul. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on October 31.

The event costs $5 per person, up to $20 maximum per family.

More information at http://www.halloweenspooktacular.myevent.com

_{Beautiful five-year-old Kylie Gibbons. Photo courtesy Gibbons Family}

Halloween Spooktacular for Kylie: Spooky Family Fun To Raise Money For Local Girl With TSC originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 00:49:49.

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Health officials recommend that at-risk individuals get a flu shot in the fall. This year it's a little more complicated, because the regular seasonal flu shot doesn't protect against H1N1 flu. So, to be protected, you'll need both a seasonal flu vaccine and a H1N1 vaccine.

Regular flu shots are currently in short supply. People who are at the most risk of complications from flu have priority - the very young, those with chronic diseases, pregnant women, health care workers, those with exposure to the general public - over healthy adults.  Flu shots are available at your regular doctor's office, some Target and Walgreens stores, pharmacies and local clinics. The Minnesota Department of Health has a list of clinics with the regular seasonal flu shot.

Minnesota hasn't received all the doses of flu shots that would be needed for everyone who wants one. The MDH expects to have more shots to vaccinate everyone in at-risk groups soon, and enough to meet the expected demand by Thanksgiving.

That's regular seasonal flu. Then, there's H1N1 flu, which the seasonal flu shot doesn't protect against. And, unfortunately, most cases of flu this season are indeed H1N1. Mercifully H1N1 doesn't appear to be the certain death that some though it would be, but it's still a nasty illness and still fatal in a number of cases.

Minnesota only has very limited numbers of H1N1 shots and currently those are reserved for the most at-risk people. The H1N1 vaccine in the state has been randomly distributed between clinics in Minnesota, the only one I could find in the Metro area is Park Nicollet, who have a limited supply reserved for high-risk patients, and Southdale Pediatrics, who have a very limited supply for high risk patients seen in their offices. A few other clinics, like Fairview Clinics, have vaccine but are contacting their high risk patients to arrange vaccinations, it isn't available to anyone else yet. The MDH expects to have more vaccine available in the next two or three weeks. Again, the majority of doses may not arrive until late November, but eventually there should be enough for everyone who wants one.

So, for now, most of us have to wait for the flu shot. Take precautions to avoid the flu like frequent handwashing to avoid getting sick, and if you are sick, stay home until your symptoms have cleared up.

More Information: Minnesota Department of Health's Flu Information

Where to Get a H1N1 Shot in Minneapolis/St. Paul originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 00:39:57.

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This week, the Justice Department issued a memo to federal agents that medical marijuana users and their legal suppliers should not be targeted for arrest or prosecution.

Medical marijuana has been legalized in thirteen states, but because marijuana is illegal at the federal level, marijuana users can still be arrested and prosecuted for possession. The Bush administration held the position that all marijuana users, medical marijuana patients or not, are breaking the law, and should be prosecuted.   Now the Obama administration appears to think that targeting state-approved medical marijuana patients is a waste of time and resources, with the Justice Department memo advising federal prosecutors that they "should not focus federal resources in your states on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana".

Medical marijuana isn't legal in Minnesota...yet. But the new ruling from the feds might encourage lawmakers in Minnesota to make it so. One of the main arguments against legalizing medical marijuana is a reluctance to pass state laws that contradict federal ones, and the ensuing problems for law enforcement.

A bill has been introduced to the State Legislature nine times since 1999. The latest attempt to legalize the drug was a bi-partisan bill to legalize medical marijuana, which was approved by several House and Senate committees in the last legislative session before being vetoed by Governor Tim Pawlenty in May 2009. Pawlenty opposed the bill as he belives that legalizing marijuana would increase drug problems and crime, and that marijuana poses "serious public safety and health risks."

Is there any chance for legal medical marijuana in Minnesota? Tim Pawlenty has said that he won't be running for re-election as Governor in 2010, so after that, one way is a possible constitutional amendment, which could be in 2010. Or, another bill could be introduced in 2011.

So for now, marijuana remains illegal in Minnesota. What are marijuana laws in Minnesota?

The current law makes possession of up to 42.5g, the equivalent of 1.5oz of marijuana, a misdemeanor punishable with a fine up to $200 and possible drug education classes. Possession of larger amounts, and selling any quantity of marijuana, are felonies with jail time and fines dependent on the amount of the drug.

Carrying marijuana in a car is considered a more serious offense, with possession of just 1.5g or more a felony carrying possible jail time and fines.  Driving under the influence of marijuana or any controlled drug is also illegal and may result in driver's license suspension.

Minnesota is also one of about half of the states which tax marijuana and require marijuana packets to have a stamp confirming that taxes have been paid. In reality - and unsurprisingly - most do not, but the state of Minnesota did collect $11,000 in marijuana taxes in 2004 from fewer than twenty taxpayers. The tax rate for marijuana is $3.50 for each gram, or portion of a gram.

The point of taxing an illegal substance means that selling marijuana without stamps showing the tax has been paid is tax evasion. In Minnesota, someone arrested for marijuana possesion who has failed to comply with the tax laws can also face additional penalties for tax evasion of up to $14,000 and seven years in prison. Usually, these penalties are reserved for dealers rather than the average recreational user.

Medical marijuana is supported by a majority of Minnesotans, around 64% according to a 2008 poll conducted for KSTP-TV.  What do you think? Do you side with Tim Pawlenty? or do you believe that Minnesotans with chronic health conditions should be allowed to benefit from medical marijuana?

_{Marijuana Leaves. Photo United States Fish and Wildlife Service}

Medical Marijuana Laws in Minnesota originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 16:54:35.

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Darkness Day 2009 is set to happen on October 24 at the Surly brewery, doors open at noon. Surly anticipate a large turnout (based on previous events, yes, that's a given) so the first 800 folks to arrive receive a wristband guaranteeing that they will be able to purchase up to six bottles of Darkness that day. Expect a line. There will be food for sale and bands to watch but Darkness only comes once a year and they'll be plenty of beer lovers waiting on line for their bottles. A bottle of Darkness will cost $18.

Unsold bottles will be available at Brooklyn Center's liquor stores on October 26, and then a few thousand bottles more will be sent out to metro-wide liquor stores on November 2.

Local bars will have Darkness on tap for a very limited time. Hell's Kitchen gets it first, on October 26 at 7 p.m. Surly has fans across the Midwest so Surly sends Darkness out of the Metro area with launch parties at Sheffields in Chicago on November 2, at Grand Marais' Gunflint Tavern on the North Shore on November 9, and at Monk's House of Ale Repute in Sioux Falls, SD on November 17.

Check Surly's website for the latest information and updates on Darkness Day.

Darkness Day Survives Another Year: Surly Darkness Day, October 24 originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 01:01:32.

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The Northstar line runs from Big Lake, through Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids-Riverdale, Fridley, to the Target Field station in Downtown Minneapolis. Each station, apart from Minneapolis, has hundreds of parking spaces for park and riding, and the journey times are swift compared to I-94 in the rush hour, 45 minutes from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis.

Only six trains run every day, timed to take commuters into Minneapolis in the morning and home in the evening.  Three trains run each way on Saturday and Sunday.

The fares might be a little more pricey than gas at $7 one way for the Big Lake-Minneapolis trip, less for shorter journeys, but parking at suburban train stations is free so it might save time and money for those who park in downtown Minneapolis.

The Northstar Commuter Line's station in downtown Minneapolis, Target Field, connects directly to the Hiawatha Light Rail, and a very short walk gets commuters to bus services to downtown St. Paul, and other parts of Minneapolis.

On November 14, Northstar stations will be having a party with free train rides. Metro Transit gave away hundreds of tickets for free rides this month, and there will be a limited number of free tickets at each of the suburban stations for a train ride on November 14.

The Northstar Commuter Line starts operation on Monday November 16. Do you plan on using it for your commute?

The Northstar Commuter Rail Website

Northstar Commuter Rail is Coming: Big Lake to Minneapolis, November 16 originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 00:48:16.

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While sunny states tend to buy reflective silver and white that would get lost in our snow, while we favor strong colors, maybe so we can find our cars after a six-inch snowfall, and also perhaps because we feel that other drivers can see them more easily on the roads? Having just switched from a gray-blue car to a black one, there's clearly a difference in other driver's perception now I'm driving a car that doesn't blend into the sky and the road on a gray day as much.

What color do you think is the best to drive in Minneapolis/St. Paul? Strong colors that show better in the winter, even though they are hotter in the summer? Or is there a better color car for the Twin Cities?

Minneapolis Loves Red and Brown Cars originally appeared on About.com Minneapolis / St. Paul on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 11:03:40.

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