For Roseville: Some Odds and Ends of News, Observations

According to an article in the Star Tribune by Paul Walsh, the 2011 Minnesota State Fair was the third-best-attended State Fair:

Attendance Monday was 154,532, officials said Tuesday. That was far more than showed up for the final day in 2009 (126,924) or 2010 (120,226). That followed a record-breaking Sunday, when the fair drew 229,943. It was a record for a final fair Sunday and halted a five-day skid of daily declines vs. the previous year. The final tally for 2011 came in at 1,769,872. That's down slightly from 1,776,211 last year and behind the record of 1,790,497 in 2009.

 "When you look at the percentage decrease [of 2011 vs. 2010], it's minuscule," fair spokeswoman Brienna Schuette said. "We'd love to break records every year, but it's just not possible.

 "By all measures, the 2011 fair was an incredible success."

 PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Our Roseville hotels saw pretty steady fair business this year. Susan Sommervold, director of sales at the Radisson Roseville, said they were sold out eight of the 12 fair days, same at last year. Judging from rising occupancies, business is slowly but surely picking up.

In my latest e mail news from Como Friends they are talking about the new Japanese Garden Experience

Breaking ground in late 2011, this $2.5 million addition to the historic Marjorie McNeely Conservatory will create year-round viewing of its nationally-acclaimed Bonsai collection and Japanese garden. This new wing will feature a Bonsai Gallery, outdoor Bonsai Garden and Terrace, and realigned Pine Grove walk leading to the Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden.  Check out the map link: http://www.comozooconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/JG-Layout-April-2008.jpg

And in a 'this is cool' moment - Eleanor Ostman commented on my New Orleans blog. I used to read her Sunday Food Columns in the Pioneer Press. She would publish tate tested /frecipes and always had a story to go along with it. Usually they involved her husband, son and dog. I enjoyed reading her then (even bought her cookbook Never on Sundays) and am glad to see she continues on her gifted way with words now! Thanks Eleanor!