What's the Going Rate for Birthday Presents for Your Kids' Friends?

Birthday season seems endless, and with so many gifts to give, another line item in your budget might be in order. So what’s the right amount to spend on your kids’ friends’ gifts?

Academy of Russian Ballet Nutcracker 2013 Audition

Hopkins Staff Launch Budget Planning With an Increase

Also: Filing season is still open for Hopkins city and School Board elections.

Share Your Minnesota State Fair Experience on Patch

If you’re going to the fair in August, consider blogging about it.

Storm Damage, Running of the Bulls and Powerball Tweets: Pick of Our Patches

The top stories from our Patch sites in Hennepin County, Fridley, Mendota Heights, Shakopee and St. Michael include coyote and light rail concerns.

noteboom Violin and Viola Studio in Minnetonka!

Come and Get It! Eisenhower, XinXing Students Serve Hungry Residents

The students are selling brats, hot dogs and pork chops on a stick at the Cub Foods Brat Cart in Minnetonka to raise money for class activities.

Blogs and Boards: Best School Lunches, Job Openings, Farmers Market Shopping

Provide recipes for the best bagged lunch. Consider applying for a local job opening. Learn the ins and outs of shopping at a nearby farmers market.

Grab Lunch and Help Eisenhower Elementary: Today in Hopkins

Also: The LRT vote faces a likely delay.

What Would You Do With Your Powerball Winnings?

Three winners, two in New Jersey and one in Minnesota, took the $448 million Powerball jackpot Wednesday night. How would you spend the cash?

Free Commercial Duty Carpet Cleaner Rental at Johnston's Sales and Service

Twitter Alive With Talk of Accusations Against Former Ubah Deputy

Also: Enjoy a Blizzard for charity, and don’t miss the last Music in the Park concert of the season.

Salon 300 Exhibition Returns Saturday

Also: Help the boys’ soccer team and enjoy Shady Oak Beach.

Community Update

We Have a Race for City Council!: Today in Hopkins

Also: Hopkins’ representative seeks the secretary of state job, a storm hits and share your National Night Out photos.

Hopkins Neighbors Celebrate National Night Out

Storm Topples Tree, Knocks Down Power Lines In South Hopkins

How Is Your Area Holding Up In The Storm?

Slaughtering Horses?

After More Reports of Coyote Attacks, DNR Says to Supervise Pets

Recent attacks have been reported in neighboring Edina, as well as Eagan.

Best Back To School Lunches

Vacation Solution: Alternative Pet Sitting Options

Not interested in dropping big bucks on a pet hotel or boarding while you travel? Consider asking a neighbor for some help.

Remembering Our children Picnic - 5th Annual

How Will the Gallery Flats Project Change Hopkins’ Downtown?

With retail space and 163 apartments between the two buildings, the project should bring many more people to the downtown.

Meet Your Neighbors at National Night Out: Today In Hopkins

Also: Football kicks off fall sports season, and Hopkins is accepting Community Image Awards nominations.

What's the Going Rate for Allowance?

The rush of independence you felt the first time you paid for an album or ice cream cone with your allowance was priceless. What does it cost to give your kids a little spending freedom today?

Celebrate Night to Unite on Patch

How Should Hopkins Pay for its Parks?: The Week Ahead in Hopkins

Also: Meet your neighbors at National Night, enjoy a Blizzard for charity and the final Music in the Park.

Pet-Eating Coyotes, Teen Memorial and Pet Shop Mess: Pick of Our Patches

The top stories from our Patch sites in Hennepin County, Fridley, Mendota Heights, Shakopee and St. Michael include light rail anger and Ramadan reflections.

Hopkins Farmers' Market Bustles On A Perfect Weekend

Chalk Artist Leaves Message at Clock Tower Plaza

Midsummer Night's Dream and Scary College Costs

This week's blogs and board posts from Hopkins Patch include Leverage Bars, some music association jobs and succession planting.

Apple Orchard Opportunities Near Hopkins

Ready to taste the fall apple harvest? Here are some spots you can pick up apples.

Perseids Meteor Shower 2013: Best Time and Place to Watch in Hopkins

The meteor shower will be at its peak Aug. 11 and 12.

Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day

Road Construction in the Twin Cities This Week

What roads should you avoid? Here’s the breakdown of detours, repaving and bridge projects by Twin Cities region.

'Beyond Beautiful': Supporters Celebrate Legalization of Gay Marriage

West metro residents took to Twitter to commemorate the historical day.

Hopkins High School Boys Soccer Car Wash

Gay Marriages Start Today in MN; Advocates Rejoice

The same-sex marriage law isn’t the only new one on the books today.

EMC Customers Save 1 Billion Kilowatt Hours- Over 6.6 Million Kilowatt Hours in Minnesota