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At the Saint Paul Almanac, we know we all do better when we know each other. Our goal is to use storytelling to help everyone in Saint Paul become friends and neighbors—one big block club of Saint Paulites that understand and support each other in good and difficult times. The Almanac creates spaces to enable people to share the stories of our community—an annual book, our website, public readings, community editor mentorship program, and other events that showcase and honor local, diverse voices and artists.

Our beloved loons and human snow birds are starting to migrate now, and we hope they stay safe from the miles and miles of oily Gulf Coast waters. The hunting season of our other state bird—the mosquito—has come to a welcome end and—whatcha know?—the long fall shadows of tree limbs extend on our Saint Paul sidewalks like stills from a Tim Burton movie. This blog includes new Almanac writing from David Mura, Janet Preus, Linda Kantner with memory support from Jane Sevald, and Norita Dittberner-Jax.

This is our fourth edition of the Pig’s Eye Post. Last week, we told you we were looking for your best “Minnesota Nice story.” And it’s been a busy week. Not only did the President visit our city, we also received a stunning entry from Louis DiSanto. Don’t let Louis’ “Yes We Already Have” attitude put you off because we’re still accepting entries. Coming Almanac events include Polly’s Coffee Cove (Oct 26th), the Mad Hatter Coffee Cafe and Teahouse (Nov 13th), and Common Good Books (Nov 15th).

Well, we’re back, with more events and literature from the capital of Minnesota Nice, Saint Paul. The Almanac is looking for your best “Minnesota Nice story”. We’ll send the winner either a copy of the 2011 Almanac and/or a T-shirt and we’ll send the runner-up whatever the winner didn’t want. The Saint Paul Almanac’s Celebration through Stories readings are ongoing until early December in coffee shops around the city. And more, in the third edition of our blog.

Welcome to the second edition of the Pig’s Eye Post, the Saint Paul Almanac weekly blog. For those of you who think our blog name is some cute and folksy Midwestern farm thing that we thought up while milking Bessie a couple of mornings ago, let us tell you that—you betcha—we’re going to shock the lint off your socks! Also in this edition: Upcoming Almanac Events, Also Happening this Week in the City, New Almanac writing, Saint Paul Facts and, of course, some shameless begging.

It has been a busy end of summer for the Almanac! In August we launched our new website, with the most comprehensive City Guide to St. Paul available anywhere on the Internet. In September we held a glorious launch celebration for the 2011 Saint Paul Almanac at a packed event in Lowertown that included readings by a host of contributors from all corners of the city—even the mayor! And this month we launch our new blog, Pig’s Eye Post!