Welcome to the first Pig’s Eye Post of 2012! We hope you’ve already got your copy of the trusty 2012 Saint Paul Almanac, grab one here if not.

This evening, Monday, January 9th, we are excited to present our first 2012 event, a Lowertown Reading Jam presented by writer, teacher, and performance poet Wendy Brown-Báez. The “Yours Truly” reading jam presents personal stories and collaborative poems, a reflection of what it means to be young, vibrant, determined, curious, and wise.

The “Yours Truly” Lowertown Reading Jam will be presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul. The next reading jam in our series takes place on February 13th, and is curated by Alexander Wanna.

From the Saint Paul Almanac’s Saint Paul Calendar

On January 10th, there will be another monthly “Beaker & Brush” discussion between representatives of the local scientific and artistic communities. Through observing nature, scientists and artists can learn much that influences their research and art. From the aesthetically pleasing to sustainable design, join Janna Schneider and Curt McNamara for a discussion about Biomimicry as they explore the ingenuity inherent in nature, on January 10th at 6:30pm. Read More.


Ongoing, the Children’s Museum presents Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites, which brings children and adults into the world of seven beloved picture books. From the gardens of The Tale of Peter Rabbit to the urban snowscape of The Snowy Day and the tropical island of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Storyland engages visitors in early literature adventures. In the exhibit’s immersive environments designed for children from birth through eight years old, families discover that it is never too early to develop a love of reading. Read More.

A Prairie Home Companion returns to The Fitzgerald Theater for a run of six winter shows starting on Saturday, January 14th at 4:45 p.m. Join Garrison Keillor, and the whole Prairie Home gang for two hours of live radio fun. Ticket information.

For more listings of events in Saint Paul, MN, visit our calendar and get our listings directly in your calendar software (iCal format).

New writing from the Almanac

Gayla Ellis’s story of her mother’s work on the Radio Crew for the B-24 bomber plane known as the Liberator takes us back to the days of World War II in Saint Paul.

Michael Teffera’s poem, Sunday Morning, tells a tale of cultural confusion. Michael is originally from Ethiopia and moved to Saint Paul in 2006.

Rich Broderick lives in Saint Paul and teaches journalism at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and gives us In The Dead Of Winter.

About the Saint Paul Almanac

Now in its sixth edition, the Saint Paul Almanac features essays, poems, photos, maps, and listings of events, bars, restaurant, theaters, and other cultural venues within a datebook format. Available in full color for the first time and—another first—includes gorgeous, hand-drawn, poster-size, pull-out maps of the City of Saint Paul and Downtown!

The 2012 Almanac features 129 stories and 180+ photos. Contributors include literary giants, everyday residents, students, journalists, new Americans, and lovers of Saint Paul who live in other corners of the world. Information on upcoming events, how to make a submission, and other Saint Paul Almanac news is available at www.saintpaulalmanac.org.

The 2012 Saint Paul Almanac sells for $17.95 online (including S&H) at www.saintpaulalmanac.org, and is available for $14.95 in independent and mainstream bookstores everywhere, as well as at libraries and coffee houses throughout the city.

Saint Paul Almanac‘s generous partners and sponsors include the City of Saint Paul’s Cultural STAR program, McKnight Foundation, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC), Lowertown Future Fund, Saint Paul Foundation, Mardag Foundation, F.R. Bigelow, Minnesota Humanities Center, Traveler’s Employee Arts and Diversity Committee, Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, SPPS, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), Black Dog Café, Clouds in Water Zen Center, Twin Cities Daily Planet, and KFAI.

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