Twin Cities Scout #01

It's Tuesday, which means you're here reading the very first edition of Twin Cities Scout!

When I dreamed up this newsletter, I expected my first subscribers would be family and friends. Yet here we are—over 200 of you! I'm grateful you're here and honored to have your attention.

I started Twin Cities Scout after an epiphany during a post-burnout break. Despite being hyper-connected online, I felt disconnected from my actual community. I barely knew my neighbors or enough about my own backyard. Too much of my life was happening on screens, with too few meaningful in-person experiences.

This newsletter aims to flip that script—a digital tool designed to foster real-world connections with each other, our neighborhoods, and the natural beauty that surrounds us.

I'm committed to showcasing what makes the Twin Cities special, uplifting local businesses, and strengthening our community. I want you to help shape where we go from here. My inbox is always open!

With thanks for joining this journey—now let's dive in!

   - James

🍁 Maple Syrup & Saunas

When winter loosens its grip on the Twin Cities, two beloved Minnesota traditions heat up: sauna season and maple syruping.

The Finnish sauna tradition runs deep in Minnesota, where our Nordic heritage embraces the therapeutic cycle of intense heat (typically 176-230°F) followed by cooling off. This ancient practice earned UNESCO Cultural Heritage status in 2020, recognizing saunas as sacred spaces for physical and spiritual cleansing. While Minnesotans might be less inclined toward the traditional Finnish nakedness, we’ve embraced the essence of “löyly” (steam) as a communal winter ritual.

Meanwhile, as the freeze-thaw cycle begins, maple trees throughout the state prepare to share their sweet treasure. Minnesota’s maple syruping history stretches from Indigenous traditions to becoming a significant producer by the mid-twentieth century. The labor-intensive process—requiring 40 gallons of sap for just one gallon of syrup—connects Minnesotans to both land and heritage as steam rises from sugar shacks across the state.

Whether you’re looking to sweat it out in a wood-fired sauna or witness the magical transformation of clear sap to amber syrup with your kiddos, check out the events section below for experiences happening around the Twin Cities this week.

🐾 Paws & Reflect

Introducing this week’s pets looking for their forever home: Meet Nellie, a gorgeous medium-haired cat who’s looking for a patient companion to share life’s quiet moments—this independent explorer will happily be your sidekick. Oso, a distinguished Standard Poodle mix, combines boundless energy with irresistible cuddles—this affectionate charmer is ready for hiking adventures and cozy evening snuggles alike. For those seeking youthful enthusiasm, Bumper is your match—this German Shepherd mix has energy to spare and a playful spirit that will keep your household lively.

And now for our list of events and things to do this week…

Tuesday

BlackStack Brewing, Saint Paul - Taco Tuesday! Enjoy three tacos and a beer for $14, at 4:30pm. Fuel up on tacos

Hosmer Library, Minneapolis - Seed Circles: Help maintain their Seed Library (Curious what a seed library is?). Share stories & sort donations starting at 5pm. Get your hands dirty

Sun Ray Library, Saint Paul - Wild Roots: Connect with nature via growing plants from 5:30pm in a garden, indoor planting, & learning about outdoors. Get Growing

Badger Hill Brewing, Shakopee - The Princess Bride Trivia Night. According to the venue, “Twivia is what brings us togefer today.” Rare chance to show off knowledge none of your friends and family knew you had. Until tonight, that is. Have some fun

Minneapolis Cider Co., Minneapolis - Community Table Tennis: Give your hips a rest from pickleball and join in on the ping pong action, starting at 7pm. Serve it up

The Parkway Theater, Minneapolis - The Steel Wheels with Greg Loftus: Americana & roots rock at 7:30pm. Hear some tunes

Dual Citizen Brewing, Saint Paul - Trivia Mafia: Test your knowledge at 7:30pm. Assemble a team, or fly solo for big brain activity. Show what you know

Wednesday

George Latimer Central Library, Minneapolis - Library After Dark: Game Night: Play board games at the library from 6pm! All ages welcome. Let's Play

Dual Citizen Brewing, Saint Paul - Plant Swap: Plants and pints together from 6pm. Buy, sell, or swap with fellow green thumbs. Swap 'til you drop

Bryant Square Park, Minneapolis - Pop Up Dance Party: Bring your best dance moves to Bryant Square at 6:30pm. All ages are welcome. Get your groove on

Target Center, Minneapolis - Timberwolves vs. Bucks: Cheer on the Timberwolves at 7pm as they take on the Bucks! See the game

Minneapolis Cider Co., Minneapolis - First Take: Open Mike Night: Celebrate local artists at open mic night from 7pm-10pm. Take the stage

Metronome Brewing, Saint Paul - Game Night: Celebrate Hump Day with a game and a BOGO at 7pm. Game on

BlackStack Brewing, Saint Paul - Trivia Night: Test your knowledge in the taproom at 7pm! Gift certificates for top winners. Trivia Time

Merlin's Rest Pub, Minneapolis - Pub Trivia: Head to Merlin's Rest for Pub Trivia at 7:30pm. Considered the best trivia place in town…according to some super scientific Reddit research I conducted. Visit their events page

Thursday

Gambit Brewing, Saint Paul - Vinyl Night: Groove to classic beats & craft brews. Bring vinyl to spin & get a $5 pint! From 4pm - 10pm. Let's spin some vinyl

Indeed Brewing, Minneapolis - Jigsaw Puzzle Contest: Grab a friend & see how quickly you can complete a 300 piece puzzle from 6pm! Piece it together

Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis - Public Tour: Inspired by Books: Relate art to popular books at 6pm. Tours are free. Get Inspired

Berlin, Minneapolis - Ari Hoenig Trio: Watch the world-renowned jazz trio at 6:30pm. Get a ticket

Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul - Minnesota Wild vs. New York Rangers: Cheer on the Wild at 7pm. As a former NY’er, I’ll be rooting for the Rangers. Please don’t unsubscribe… See the Wild

Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis - Draw League: Play the drawing game at 7pm. Open to all skill levels, with three rounds and a chance to win prizes. Drink some beer and witness your friend's fine motor skills deteriorate as the night goes on. Time to draw

Friday

InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, Saint Paul - Mnisota Akitho Festival: Celebrate Indigenous culture through tattooing, music, & crafts starting at 10am! The event ends on Sunday at 7pm. $35 a day

Luce Line Brewing, Plymouth - Beer Batter Frish Fry: Kick off the weekend with fish fry from 4pm! Burgers available too. Time for fish

Berlin, Minneapolis - Early Evening Jazz: Tim Sparks & Ben Abrahamson at 4:30pm. Check it out

Travail Kitchen & Amusements, Robbinsdale - Tex-Mex Chef Spotlight Dinner - Brendan Denne: Tex-Mex menu in sky lounge at 6:30pm. Dinner is served

Veterans Memorial Community Center Ice Arena, Inver Grove Heights - Free Open Skate Night: Free skate rentals from 6:30pm! Time to skate

Target Center, Minneapolis - Wolves vs. Magic: Cheer on the Timberwolves at 7pm as they take on the Magic! See the game

Surly Brewing Co., Minneapolis - Whose Beer Is It Anyway? (18+): Comedy variety show with improv games at 7pm. Let's laugh

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska - Full Sugar Maple Moon Hike: Tealight-lit trail along maple trees at 7pm. Let's Hike

331 Club, Minneapolis - Movies & Music Trivia at 7pm! Trivia time

Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis - Superior Sauna Cabanas: Sauna bookings at 7:30pm! Give your stress a chance to melt away. Time to relax

Minneapolis Cider Co., Minneapolis - S'mores on the Patio: Complimentary s'mores on the patio starting at 8 PM. Get your s'more on

Saturday

Northeast Tea House, Minneapolis - Intro to Tea: Learn about loose leaf tea starting at 9am. Let's drink tea

Lowertown St. Paul Farmers' Market, Saint Paul - Farmers' Market: 9am - 1pm! Take a gander

Mill City Farmers Market - Mill City Museum, Minneapolis - Indoor Winter Market with dozens of local vendors. Open 10am - 1pm. Local market

Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis - Art Play!: Experiment with a medium each month starting at 10am. Make your own artwork. Family-friendly event that will keep your kids engaged. Get Creative

Nokomis Library, Minneapolis - Youth Screen and Social Media Use: Learn to manage your child's screen time at 10:30am. Learn more

George Latimer Central Library, Minneapolis - Saturday Vibe - Mini Maker: STEAM program for families from 11am. Be a Maker

Eastman Nature Center, Dayton - Maple Syrup: Learn how to tap a tree & sample syrup starting at 1pm, with multiple slots available. Time for Syrup

Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul - Irish Melodies, Inspirational & Lenten Reflections (Free): Enjoy music in an awe-inspiring setting at 1pm. Get Inspired

Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis - St. Patrick's Day Haus Party: DJs & green drinks starting at 1pm. Party Time

Nokomis Library, Minneapolis - Read With an Animal: Children can practice reading aloud with a therapy animal, starting at 2:30pm. Time to read

Berlin, Minneapolis - Early Evening Jazz: The Abinnet Berhanu Three feat. Godbout & Carpel at 4:30pm. Get jazzed up

612 Sauna Cooperative, Minneapolis - At Lake Nokomis. Relax in the Sauna at 5:30pm. Get tickets

Sunday

Venn Brewing, Minneapolis - Northern Lights Baking Popup: Baked goods from 11am. Try the treats

Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis - Talk: Mary Sully: Native Modern. Learn about Dakota artist Mary Sully at 2pm! See the Art

George Latimer Central Library, Minneapolis - Central Poetry Collective: Poetry workshops from 2:30pm. Check it out

Little Ember Co, Minneapolis - Sauna Experience @ Cedar Lake Point Beach from 3:15pm. Sauna time

Target Center, Minneapolis - Wolves vs. Jazz: Cheer on the Timberwolves at 6pm! See the game

Venn Brewing, Minneapolis - Trivia Mafia at 6pm!

Monday

Unleashed Hounds and Hops, Minneapolis - Puppy Playtime: Socialize pups (3-6 months) in a calm setting from 5pm - 6pm. Let the puppies play. Immediately followed by Smol Dog Night. Celebrate dogs 30lbs or less starting at 6pm. Small dogs only

Target Center, Minneapolis - Wolves vs. Pacers: Cheer on the Timberwolves at 7pm! See the game

Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul - Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings: Cheer on the Wild at 7pm. See the Wild

Turf Club, Saint Paul - The Belfast Cowboys: Enjoy Van Morrison's music performed by this band from 7pm. Let’s dance

The Parkway Theater, Minneapolis - Dr. Strangelove: Movies with a Colon at 8pm. See the movie