Time to get your coin ready, or should I say pennies because Cub pinch for pennies event is happening! 

When you bring in your pennies, you’ll receive a Cub gift card worth twice the value. So bring in five dollars, get 10. ($5 minimum)

You must be 18 years of age and no employees, affiliates nor immediate family are not eligible.

The six locations you can visit are Maple Grove, Blaine East, Crystal, Apple Valley, Phalen, Maplewood West.

If you want to know who’s giving away free food for SNAP, here’s a quick list to find the help you need.

We all know that SNAP benefits stop in November and that means they’ll be a lot of hungry folks in the cities Minnesota. Approximately 440,000 Minnesotans receive food stamp benefits. Most of which are children, seniors, and adults with disabilities. This affects everyone not just people of color. 

Restaurants

Here’s a quick list of a few restaurants and businesses that are going above and beyond to help those in need.

Taco John’s will give you a free bean or beef burrito plus potato ole's at all locations. Just asked for the "community special."

Hope Breakfast Bar – get free pancakes to take home from 7am to 9am at their Saint Paul location beginning November 3.

1 S. Leech St. Saint Paul.

Mill City Farmers Market – present your EBT card and receive $10 in farmers market bucks for free. Use it to buy fresh local food.

750 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis

Surly Brewing - get free kids item from 3 to 6 PM starting November 4.

520 Malcolm Ave. NW., Minneapolis

Eastside Market – any get $50 of free groceries with your snap EBT card. Valid November 5th–30th.

962 Burr St., Saint Paul

Heights Pizza man - free pizza slices, salads, and cheese bread to those in need.

4045 Central Ave. NE., Columbia Heights

Whiskey Creek BBQ is offering a Whiskey Creek Meal that includes 1.5 pounds of pulled pork, two medium sides for cornbread, and buns. This is the best deal I’ve seen!

8690 E. Point Douglas Rd. S., Burnsville

Grocery store and delivery

DoorDash will offer free delivery and no service fees for EBT card holders on your grocery items. Use at Hy-Vee and Dollar General.

Gopuff will give a $50 credit for groceries in two $25 increments one from November 1st–15th and the other November 16th–30.

Hope this helps friends!

Juneteenth is almost here! If you’re looking for Juneteenth events in the Twin Cities, look no further. I’ve got you covered.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a special holiday that black folks have celebrated for decades. Well before it got national recognition. It marks the time that the slaves in Texas, found out they were free, though they had been free for years.

Juneteenth events in the Twin Cities

Take a look at some of the Twin Cities Juneteenth events taking place this month.

June 14 Northside Juneteenth family festival – 3:49 PM 3:49 PM 11 PM to 4 PM

Sanctuary covenant Church

June 18, Juneteenth celebration 4 PM to 7 PM

First covenant Church, Saint Paul

June 19th, Juneteenth Minnesota 2025 12 PM to 6 PM

West Broadway, Minneapolis

June 19th, Soul of the Southside Festival 12 PM to 8 PM

3010 Minnehaha Ave. S.

June 19th, Maker Event 12 PM to 4 PM

The Coliseum

June 19th, Minnesota State Capital Juneteenth celebration

Minnesota State Capital

June 19th, Juneteenth Celebration 3PM - 7PM

7499 France Ave. S.

June 28 Soul Food Festival 4 PM to 8 PM

There are so many Juneteenth events going on and I hope that you get a chance to celebrate. I will add more events as I find out about them.

After just a few years at their of opening, Du Nord Social Spirits and Lagniappe will close permanently. Their final service will be held on Saturday, May 31.

They do plan to continue to host Du Nord on June 21 which is a free music festival inspired by the Spirit of New Orleans. All agents are welcome.

Be sure to support these local and black owned businesses before they close their doors.

 Art in Bloom is here and you don’t want to miss this must see event in the Twin Cities!

Originally posted on stacieraye.com

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is putting on their art in bloom show featuring floral artist and their interpretations of Mia‘s permanent art collection.

You will find both individual and commercial florist showing off their skills and this year did not disappoint! There were so many great floral displays. Everywhere you turn there’s a beautiful for all display and it smells wonderful all throughout the museum. 

There are so many beautiful floral designs, and so many that stood out this year. One of my favorites. I was most excited to see the interpretation of Nick Cave's sound suit which is in perfect time timing with the Giants exhibit nearby.

How much does art in Bloom cost?

You don’t have to worry about paying for art in Bloom tickets are free, but they always appreciate donations at Mia.

 Art in Bloom runs April 24th through April 27th. Art in Bloom hours are as follows.

Thursday from 10 AM to 9 PM

Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM

It’s time for Escape to Paradise the Galleria Floral Experience! The annual spring flower show by Bachman’s is an immersive floral display that everyone can enjoy.

Originally posted on stacieraye.com 

This year‘s theme shares vibrant flowers and exotic fashions all throughout the mall. Over 20 blooming displays and vignettes line the hallways of the Edina’s  Galleria and you must see the 12 foot tall giraffe and yellow floral gown made of hundreds of flowers and greenery.

My thoughts

There were so many beautiful flower arrangements and displays, but my favorite had to be the ladies face with the butterfly hair. This year the flower show felt noticeably smaller than previous years. But I will say that it definitely had more walking room and didn’t feel as cramped in the halls. 

Be sure to stop by the Bachman‘s store to grab some of your favorite seasonal decor. Bachman‘s pop-up shop.

It’s all free and open to the public from March 23rd through April 6th and it’s open daily 10 AM to 7 PM. Parking can be a challenge and I suggest parking in the ramp near the Westin.

The Giants Art exhibit has arrived at Mia and it features art from the Dean collection, the personal collection of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.

Celebrate black culture and history through this touring art exhibit. The Giants art exhibit includes 100 works of art by almost 40 artists. Including Arthur Jaffa, Kehinde Wiley and more.

The Dean Collection originally was curated and held at the Brooklyn Museum and is now touring around the country. It's last stop was in Atlanta.

I’m so glad it decided to come to Minneapolis! It is a beautiful collection with thought-provoking pieces. Giant Mia exhibit tickets are $20. Find the exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts from March 8th through July 13th.

2410 3rd Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN

Now for the best part. I’ve partnered with Mia to give away two tickets to the Giants exhibit. To enter, you can leave a comment here and for more entries, enter the giveaway on my Instagram!

Is this the best burger in North Loop? I headed to Two Mixed Up to check out this black owned restaurant inside Graze Food Hall.

They have double smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, Philly cheese steaks, burger fries, cheese curds, Chicken Mac, cookies and so much more.

Here is what I tried:

Chicken Mac - Mac and cheese drizzled with honey and buffalo sauce and topped with chicken fried chicken pieces.

Texas Hoedown Burger – a double smash burger topped with American cheese Two Mixed Up house sauce, BBQ sauce and onion rings.

Onion rings - thick cut and so good.

S’mores cookie – a chocolate chip cookie stuffed with Hershey’s chocolate with a marshmallow center.

My Thoughts

The food was great, but honey let me tell you, that burger was delicious! It was everything I wanted it to be. Well seasoned and super tasty!

If you haven’t already, check them out!

If you are looking for Black History events in the Twin Cities, I've got you covered! Take a look at these community events going on all month long.

Black History Events in the Twin Cities

Flooding the River Book Launch & signing 

2/1 Black Garnet Books 

The Art of Remembering Black Lives in Painting 

2/1 MIA 

BHM Celebration Radical Joy & Self-care 

2/6 St. Paul Campus 

The Black Market 

2/8 The Lab 

The Sound of Gospel 

2/8 The Fitzgerald theater

MIA Family Day Celebrating Black History Month

2/9 Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Seeking for the Lost 

2/16 Weisman Museum 

The Origins of Rap and Hip-hop 

2/19 Martin Luther King Jr. Park 6-7:30 

Drumline Live 

2/21 Ordway Center 7:30 PM 

Sabathani Wall Street Market

Feb. 22nd

Fire Shut Up in My Bones 

Ordway Center 2 PM

This is a growing list and I will add more Black History celebrations as I find them. Also feel free to leave a comment if you know of any and I'll add it to the list!

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 Are you doing Dry January and looking for where to buy nonalcoholic drinks? Take a look at these three N/A bottle shops in the Twin Cities.

Originally posted on stacieraye.com

3 N/A Bottle Shops to Visit All Year Long 

1. Marigold – I’ve been to Marigold a couple times and they have a great selection of non alcoholic beverages from nonalcoholic wines to N/A beers and more.

Marigold

3506 Nicolette Ave. S., Minneapolis

2236 Carter Ave., Saint Paul

2. Zero proof – I had the pleasure of attending a yelp event at Zero Proof, where they carry functional non alcoholic beverages and spirits.

2516 Central Ave. NE., Minneapolis

3. Lucille’s – I have not made it all over to Lucille‘s bottle shop yet, but I’ve been hearing about a lot about them. You can find all sorts of nonalcoholic beverages, and even host an event.

Lucille's

24 W. 7th Pl., Saint Paul

All of these bottle shops are very knowledgeable of their products and offer tastings as well!