Celebrate History and Taste Wine with the Washington County Historical Society

The funds raised from this wine-tasting event at Northern Vineyards Winery will be put toward a number of “essential Historical Society functions” including, artifact care and the planned new Washington County Heritage Center in Stillwater.

St. Patrick’s Day in Stillwater: Events, Specials, Facts

The 2013 Irish heritage celebration is March 17. If you know of events in Stillwater, add them in the comments section of this post.

Valley Outreach Partners with Schools, Churches, Local Business to Restock Food Shelf

Over the last few years, Valley Outreach has seen a 64 percent increase in the demand for food shelf services. One in 10 residents of Washington County—families, children, the elderly—struggles with hunger.

Enter Diamonds on Main First Annual Gem and Jewels Easter Coloring Contest

Diamonds On Main Jewelry is having their first annual Gem & Jewels Easter coloring contest.

Owner of Cedar Pet Clinic Named President of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association

Dr. John Baillie is entering the third year of a four-year leadership cycle, having already served as vice-president and president-elect of the association.

Sweets Kendamas Flying Off the Shelves at Alfresco Casual Living in Downtown Stillwater

Have your kids posted videos of their best kendama tricks? Paste the link in the comment section below, and Stillwater Patch will feature them in this post.

Harlem Shake, Drug Paraphernalia Bust, High School Honchos: East Metro Business Roundup

Are you wondering what businesses in the east metro are making the news? Here’s an update for the month of February.

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Tourism Creates $8.8 Million for Local Economy

A report conducted by Michigan State University says 273,729 people visited the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in 2011, and spent about $8.8 million in the surrounding communities. That spending supported 137 jobs in the area.

Chicago Dogs will Open for the Season April 1

Chicago Dogs 7th Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest in downtown Stillwater will be held Thursday, July 18. Registration will begin July 1.

RIN TIN TIN Will be at Fourth Annual Stillwater Home and Garden Show

The Stillwater Home and Garden Show is free to the public and will take place on Saturday, March 23 at Rutherford Elementary School from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Minnesota Brewers Call on Lawmakers to 'Save the Growler'

Growlers have become a popular way to drink local craft brews—and those 64-ounce containers are key to the success of small businesses like Stillwater's Lift Bridge Brewing Co. But if their growth continues, growlers may be a thing of the past.

Office Depot Announces Deal to Buy OfficeMax

The merger is expected to close by the end of the calendar year 2013, OfficeMax CEO and President Ravi Saligram wrote in an email to MaxPerks members. Until then, OfficeMax and Office Depot will remain separate companies.

Area Business Gives Back to Devin Aryal's Family, Elementary School After Shooting

Pinz will be donating money to the family of Devin Aryal, a 9-year-old boy who died in a shooting incident on Feb. 11.

Ribbon Cutting: Chamber Celebrates "Mathnasium of Stillwater" Grand Opening

Specialized tutoring service expands and opens new location in Oak Park Heights.

UPDATE: Walmart to Serve Five-Day Liquor License Suspension March 4-8

The Oak Park Heights City Council last week suspended Walmart's liquor license for five days and imposed a $1,000 civil fine for selling alcohol to a minor for the second time in less than two years. The suspension will be served March 4-8.

UPDATE: Harlem Shake at Smalley's Caribbean Barbeque Pirate Bar in Stillwater (VIDEO)

This is last-minute notice, but if you’re looking to partake in a growing Internet phenomenon, Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque is looking make a Harlem Shake video tonight at 10 p.m.

Valentine's Day: Downtown Stillwater Businesses 'Paint the Town Red'

Here's a list of Valentine's Day specials in downtown Stillwater. There will be free romantic carriage rides along the St. Croix River 3-7 p.m. Feb. 14-16. If your business if offering sweetheart specials this week, tell us about it in the com

Stillwater Police: Thieves Steal Four Engine Batteries, Damage Minnesota Zephyr

When the employee showed up to work Tuesday morning, he noticed footprints and tire tracks in fresh snow. Then he saw that four batteries—each weighing about 350 pounds—were stolen.

Valley Outreach's Black Tie to Tie Dye Fundraiser is March 2

Over the last five years, Valley Outreach has experienced an unprecedented 64 percent growth in requests for food shelf services.

FamilyMeans' Power of the Purse Event is Saturday in Oakdale

The annual fundraiser is a chance for attendees to learn about FamilyMeans’ programs and services and how they can provide support—should they choose—while enjoying a morning of shopping for purses and other items during a silent auction.

Cabela’s, Great Harvest, New McDonald's Opens: East Metro Business Roundup

Are you wondering what businesses are opening or closing in the east metro or otherwise making the news? Here’s an update for the month of January.

Greater Stillwater Chamber Celebrates Grand Opening of Spice and Tea Co.

The Chamber celebrates the grand opening of Spice and Tea Co. in downtown Stillwater.

Stillwater Home and Garden Show Set for Saturday, March 23

The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is thinking spring.

River Moon, Rustic Pies Team Up for 'Pie Lady' Mondays at Library Cafe

Sara Hayden of Rustic Pies of Stillwater will be serving up different pie and coffee specials from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday morning.

Lift Bridge Brewing Co's Silhouette Release Party is Feb. 9

Lift Bridge Brewing Co. is celebrating the release of their latest barrel of aged beer, Silhouette, with an outdoor “ice taproom,” music, food, bonfires, and of course, Lift Bridge brews.

UPDATE: Plans to Move Minnesota Zephyr from Bayport to Hudson are in the Works

The "plans and suppliers are in order to start the process," Paradeau told the Pioneer Press. The Zephyr will be moved to a secure location in Hudson "as soon as possible, certainly before March 1."

Oak Park Heights McDonald's Eyes Jan. 31 Reopening Date

The restaurant will be open 24 hours, and for the most part, will have the same amenities as the new Stillwater location, minus the Playland.

Planning a Wedding in Stillwater? Check out the St. Croix Valley Wedding Showcase

The wedding showcase takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24.

Great Harvest Bread Co. Opens Friday in Stillwater

The Fleischmans hope their new bakery will serve as a community gathering place.

Happy New Year: Sampling of New Year's Eve Parties in Stillwater

This is just a sampling of things going on tonight taken from status updates on Facebook. If you would like to share New Year's Specials, please add them in the comment section below.

Best Burger in the Valley Competition is Back

The seven participating restaurants in this year’s competition include: Reve 324, Brine’s Restaurant and Bar, Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque, Water Street Inn, Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop, River Oasis Café, and Rafters Food & Spirits.

Punch Pizza Coming to the East Metro

The wood-fire pizza shop made an announcement that it will open a new restaurant in Woodbury this spring.

Mama Luna: New Natural Health Store Opens on North Main Street in Stillwater

Kiva Sherr-Nelson, a Stillwater resident and mother of three children, wanted to offer the community a place to buy natural products that was relaxing and child friendly, so she opened Mama Luna Natural Apothecary.

Winter Storm 2012: Stillwater Area Public Schools Will Start Two Hours Late

The Stillwater Area Public School District will start two hours late on Monday.

Vail Resorts Buys Afton Alps, Plans to Connect River Valley Skiers With Mountain West

Vail Resorts, Inc. will purchase Afton Alps—and season pass holders will immediately receive a 25-percent discount off of lift tickets at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood this season.

Wildwood Lodge in Lake Elmo is now Holiday Inn & Suites

The change went into effect Nov. 19.

Sweet Ducky Cupcakery Now Serving Up Sweet Treats on the South Hill

Sweet Ducky Cupcakery opened Nov. 23 next to Meister’s in the old South Hill Liquor space, where Nancy Zimmerman and Sally Hanks are serving up cream-filled cupcakes, cookies and other sweet treats.

Holiday Guide: Hank Sampson Heritage Series CD Release is Dec. 15

The Washington County Historical Society is releasing the “Voice of the St. Croix Valley” Hank Sampson’s Heritage Series on CD Dec. 15 at the Warden’s House Museum.

Alfresco, Mara-Mi Make Mpls-St.Paul Magazine's 'Must-Shop' for the Holidays List

What Stillwater area spots are on your must-shop list for the holidays? Tell us where you’ll be shopping and why in the comment section below.

Great Harvest Bread Co. to Open in Stillwater

Natasha and Bob Fleischman—the Lake Elmo couple who also own Great Harvest Bread Company in Woodbury—hope to open up shop across from Cub Foods and next door to Certified Transmission in Stillwater.