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Community Corner

What To Do in Mendota Heights This Weekend: Get Frosty at Dodge Nature Center, Bake a Pie with the Pros, or Warm up with Some Hot Hoops

Events in the Mendota Heights area can keep your mind off the weather the weekend of Jan. 21-23, 2011.

Yeah, it's cold. But that doesn't mean it's time to hibernate. Minnesotans know better than anyone the importance of getting out and staying busy with family and friends when the thermometer plummets.

REALLY Enjoy Winter

Dodge Nature Center couldn't have picked a better weekend for the Frosty Fun Festival. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a multitude of cold-weather activities for everyone from preschoolers to seniors.  Kick-sledding, ice bowling, snowshoeing, ice mini-golf and boot hockey are just a few examples of the fun.  There will also be a medallion hunt for prizes, winter art activities and a concession stand featuring hot beverages, hot dogs and snacks for sale.

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How about a dog sled ride?  This ultimate wintertime experience will be available for kids ages 4-12.  $5 per rider, pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Admission fee for the Frosty Fun Festival is $5 each for children and adults, $20 for a family, and free for ages 2 and under. For more information or to register, call 651-455-4531.

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The National Weather Service is predicting highs of about 10 degrees (balmy for January!) and relatively mild winds.

Bring on the Pie

Cupcakes are trending downward as pie once again assumes its rightful place as a classic and delicious dessert.  If you're in the mood to toss that New Year's resolution to the wind and bake a pie this weekend, visit on Saturday for their "Pie Making Extravaganza" cooking demonstration and open house. Professional chefs will be offering their best pie-making tips. Take a tour of their kitchens and learn more about the school.  This is a free event, but call to reserve a spot.  888-348-5222.

Laugh Off Winter

Mike Brody, the official comedian of the SyFy Channel's "Ghost Hunters, Beyond Reality" events will be entertaining the crowds on Friday and Saturday night at the Joke Joint Comedy Club in Lilydale.  There are two shows each on both Friday and Saturday night—8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.—with a ticket price of $15 at the door.  Visit the website www.jokejointcomedyclub.com  for details.

Act Out

Students of Henry Sibley High School will be presenting the last two of three showings of their winter one-act plays Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. These plays are written, directed and acted by the students.

Hot Hoops

If you'd rather stay indoors this weekend, check out some boys varsity basketball.  The Sibley Warriors take on Hill-Murray at home Friday night beginning at 7 p.m.   has a match-up with Simley on Friday, also starting at 7 p.m.

STA's varsity hockey team will be in action on Saturday at St. Thomas Arena against Breck. The puck drops at 5 p.m.

The St. Paul Academy/Visitation girls varsity hockey team will be playing a home game against St. Paul Blades at Drake Arena, 1712 Randolph, St. Paul.

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