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The Ursid meteor shower is active between Tuesday, December 17th and Thursday, December 26th and this year will peak on Saturday, December 21st and Sunday, December 22nd. The moon will be slight over half full.

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Ursids

The Ursids are often neglected due to the fact it peaks just before Christmas and the rates are much less than the Geminds, which peaks just a week before the Ursids. Observers will normally see 5 -10 Ursids per hour during the late morning hours on the date of maximum activity. There have been occasional outbursts when rates have exceeded 25 per hour. These outbursts appear unrelated to the perihelion dates of comet 8P/Tuttle. This shower is strictly a northern hemisphere event as the radiant fails to clear the horizon or does so simultaneously with the start of morning twilight as seen from the southern tropics.In 2024, a half-illuminated moon will be present in the morning sky and will obscure the fainter meteors.

Shower details – Radiant: 14:38 +75.4° – ZHR: 10 – Velocity: 20.5 miles/sec (medium – 33.1km/sec) – Parent Object: 8P/Tuttle

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More Star Dates To Note

Best Stargazing December

Monday, December 30th, 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm

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To watch the Ursid meteor shower in Minnesota, you can find a dark, open space with an unobstructed view of the sky. Some good places to look for the Ursids include:

Voyageurs National Park

Located on Minnesota’s northern border, this park is a great place to watch astronomical events. The park has reduced its light pollution by retrofitting all of its lighting.

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Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Located in southeastern Minnesota, this park is a good place to look for the Ursids.

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Here are some tips for watching the Ursids:

Dress warmly and bring a sleeping bag.

Plan to spend a few hours watching, starting around midnight and continuing until dawn.

Look for the Ursids near the star Kochab in the Little Dipper.

If you can’t find the Little Dipper, use the Big Dipper. The two outer stars in the Big Dipper’s bowl always point to Polaris, which marks the end of the Little Dipper’s handle.

Try to block out the last quarter moon with a building or vehicle.

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Event

Minnesota Ursids Meteor Shower and Best Stargazing Xmas Nights!

Saturday, December 21st – Sunday, December 22nd,10:00 pm – 3:00 am

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Location

Voyageurs National Park

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

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Crew December T-Shirt

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ICYMI

Cirque Dreams Holidaze – Minneapolis, MN

Winter Solstice at the American Swedish Institute – Minneapolis, MN

by doitinnorth | Dec 15, 2024 | evergreen, people/passions

Winter Solstice at the American Swedish Institute

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This fan favorite features arts & crafts, music, and reindeer! FIKA Café will serve a special festival menu with small plates and warm glögg (Swedish mulled wine). The ASI Museum Store and Jul Shop will also be open late for all your last-minute gift needs!

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Winter Solstice is a timed entry event, visit the festival page to learn more about the activities, food and more!

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Event

Winter Solstice at the American Swedish Institute

Friday, December 20th, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tickets

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Location

American Swedish Institute

2600 Park Avenue

Minneapolis, MN

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Winter Solstice

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ICYMI

Kiwanis Holiday Lights Opens – Mankato, MN

Minnesota Labor History Tour – Minneapolis, MN

by doitinnorth | Dec 8, 2024 | people/passions

Minnesota Labor History Tour

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Discover the dramatic story of work and labor in Minnesota from the nineteenth century to today.

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On this tour, a Mill City Museum guide will tell of the actions taken by workers and activists to improve the lives of working people, including those in the milling industry and in related industries throughout the city, and the response of management in the Citizens Alliance to create anti-union policies.

Tour guests will also gain insight into how labor was divided across lines of race, class, and gender and the role of organized labor today. Among the stories highlighted will be the 1903 and 1917 flour milling strikes, the Truckers Strike of 1934, and the life and career of Nellie Stone Johnson, a union organizer and the first African American elected to citywide office in Minneapolis.

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Event

Minnesota Labor History Tour

Sunday, December 15th, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

General Admission: $25.00 MNHS Members: $20.00

The tour will take place in the historic Washburn A Mill. The tour includes no more than 1 mile of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces.

General admission to the museum is included in the cost of the tour.

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Location

Mill City Museum

704 South 2nd Street

Minneapolis, MN

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Mill City: A Visual History of the Minneapolis Mill District

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ICYMI

St. Paul European Christmas Market Opens – St. Paul, MN

Duluth Winter Wonderland Tour! – Duluth, MN

by doitinnorth | Dec 1, 2024 | people/passions

Duluth Winter Wonderland Tour!

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Discover Duluth’s Winter Wonderland: A Festive Getaway of Lights, Landmarks, and Holiday Magic!

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Kick off your Christmas season with a weekend full of festive fun! Join us as take a coach bus to Duluth, where we explore the enchanting beauty of the Duluth area—whether it’s revisiting places you’ve cherished or discovering new favorites that will create lasting holiday memories. From twinkling lights to cozy winter activities, this trip will fill your heart with joy now and for years to come!

Experience the ultimate winter getaway with our Duluth Winter Wonderland Tour! Explore festive lights at Bentleyville, historic Glensheen Mansion, and breathtaking views from Enger Tower. Enjoy delicious meals and exclusive tours, making this a holiday trip you won’t forget.

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Highlights

Experience a delightful winter getaway with our immersive tour, designed to offer a perfect blend of festive charm and scenic beauty. Begin your adventure with a scrumptious dinner at Tobies Restaurant & Bakery, where you can choose from a curated menu or explore additional options at your leisure. The journey then takes you to the Duluth Winter Village, a one-weekend-only holiday market set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Superior and the Lift Bridge.

As evening falls, your private coach will whisk you away to Bentleyville Lights, where the twinkling displays and cozy atmosphere make for an enchanting experience. Sip on hot cider or cocoa as you wander through the dazzling light show and browse the festive gift shop. The next day, indulge in a delicious pre-ordered lunch at Blackwood’s Restaurant before embarking on a private tour of the historic Glensheen Mansion, beautifully adorned for the Christmas season.

To complete your tour, take in the stunning panoramic views from the historic Enger Tower. This must-see landmark provides breathtaking vistas of Duluth Harbor, offering a perfect finale to your memorable trip. Enjoy this unique combination of holiday magic and local history, and create lasting memories on this special journey.

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Itinerary

-Departure & Dinner: Kick off your journey with a delicious dinner at Tobies Restaurant & Bakery. Choose from a pre-selected menu or explore additional options with your cash or card.

-Winter Village: Stroll through the charming Duluth Winter Village, open only one weekend a year. Enjoy festive shopping with Lake Superior and the Lift Bridge as your backdrop.

-Bentleyville Lights: Board your private coach to the dazzling Bentleyville Lights. Explore the light displays, sip hot cider or cocoa, and visit the festive gift shop.

-Dinner at Blackwoods: Relish a pre-ordered dinner at Blackwoods Restaurant, featuring a delicious entrée, dessert, and your choice of soda or water.

-Glensheen Mansion Tour: Experience a private tour of the beautifully decorated Glensheen Mansion on Lake Superior. Learn about its history and pick up unique gifts from the mansion’s store.

-Lunch Return: Enjoy a fantastic selection of lunch options at Blackwoods Restaurant on the return trip, included in your tour package.

-Enger Tower Views: Cap off your trip with breathtaking panoramic views from the historic Enger Tower, a must-see landmark offering stunning vistas of Duluth Harbor.

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What’s included

The price per person includes:

Coach Bus Transportation to all locations

Hotel for 2 nights stay in the Duluth area, double occupancy

Entrance to the Glensheen Mansion, and Bentleyville Lights

2 meals at Blackwood’s Restaurant

Meal at Tobies

The Enger Tower

Continental Breakfast at Hotel

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Event

Duluth Winter Wonderland Tour!

Friday, December 6th, 3:00 PM

Duration 3 Days / 2 Nights

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Single: $772.90

Double: $493.40

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Location

Meeting point Rochester Trolley & Tour Co

103 20th Street NE

Stewartville, MN

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Merry Christmas Duluth Minnesota Ornament 2024 – Xmas Holiday Keepsake for Decor Duluth

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ICYMI

Sneak Peek: Minnesota Vikings to Launch “International Collection” of Unisex Outerwear

Kiwanis Holiday Lights Opens – Mankato, MN

by doitinnorth | Nov 24, 2024 | evergreen, people/passions

Kiwanis Holiday Lights

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Kiwanis Holiday Lights is a project of the Mankato Kiwanis Club.

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This celebration of holiday lights for the Greater Mankato area and region builds on past traditions and promotes the communities we serve, while raising non-perishable food donations for those in need. Please note, we only collect cash and food donations within the lights display area in Sibley Park. No other organizations or individuals have been approved to collect donations on behalf of Kiwanis Holiday Lights.

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