Minnesota beats Boston University to repeat as NCAA women’s hockey champ

The University of Minnesota completed an undefeated season Sunday afternoon and won its second straight women’s hockey title with a 6-3 victory over Boston University at Ridder Arena.

The Gophers have won 49 games in a row dating back to the final weeks of the 2011-12 season. Star Tribune

BACK TO BACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!

James Beard Foundation: Kramarczuk’s is an “America’s Classics”

The James Beard Foundation has reaffirmed what Twin Citians have known for years. Namely, that Kramarczuk’s is worthy of joining the fraternity of “America’s Classics.”

The culinary foundation announced today that the northeast Minneapolis landmark is the recipient of one of five annual “America’s Classics” honors, which are given to restaurants “that have timeless appeal and are beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community.”

What a fitting tribute to the source for cabbage rolls, dumplings, sauerkraut-smothered house-made sausages, savory crepes topped with horseradish-fortified sour cream, kielbasa, bratwurst (an iconic Target Field favorite) kolaches and other trademark menu items, all of which have been luring hungry Minnesotans to northeast Minneapolis for nearly 60 years.

via StarTribune

Downtown Minneapolis’ Hennepin Avenue to get a makeover

Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis is home to pretty, bustling theaters — and unsightly parking lots and empty storefronts.

If a coalition of arts groups has its way, the entire 2 miles between the Walker Art Center and the Mississippi River will become a pedestrian-friendly cultural destination.Their plan, to be funded by a combination of public, nonprofit and business-community sources, emphasizes building on the avenue’s existing strengths.

Details were released Thursday, and the Minneapolis City Council is expected to approve the plan Friday. It includes making the avenue, as well as some parallel and intersecting streets, more appealing to young families and tourists. A new visitors’ hub would let pedestrians buy theater rush tickets, get directions or simply warm up. Other amenities would be more trees and grass, direct street-to-skyway connections, courtyards and flexible event spaces, small street-level shops and restaurants, and mixed-use residential and work lofts. The plan also identifies several spots in need of the most improvement, such as the neglected Gateway area near the river, space-wasting surface lots and the Interstate 94 overpass.

via StarTribune

Guindon Cartoon, 1977

“Sometimes I ask myself, what would Mary Tyler Moore do in my situation?”

Guindon Cartoon, 1977

Guindon Cartoon, 1977

“Daddy and I weren’t born in Edina, dear, we achieved Edina.”

Guindon Cartoons, 1977

Long story short, St. Paul native Richard “Dick” Guindon was a cartoonist in college at the U of M for the MN Daily, then posted a daily gag panel in the Minneapolis Tribune from 1968 - 1981. My point is, I just found this book in a closet at my parent’s house, and I will be scanning and sharing the magic of Guindon’s cartoons with you. The cool thing is, most of his cartoons were “Minnesota-centric” and dealt with things like cold weather, carp, the Vikings and our passive-aggressive behavior.

Richard is alive and well and living in northern Michigan now, and you can find more of his art on his website http://www.guindoncartoons.com/

Snow deep, pretty; up to 14” could fall by day’s end

National Weather Service forecasters predicted that 14 inches could blanket the Twin Cities by the time snow stops falling late Sunday night, with even more farther west, where blizzard conditions were reported.

via StarTribune

Spotted in the Strib internal archives: The original drawings for Block E via Eric Roper