Devil Elvis makes a transaction

Tour de Fat, Loring Park, Minneapolis

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Mayor Rybak busts out the rhymes

Under the sparkle of twin disco balls, Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak kicks off the Tour de Fat Bike Parade with a little help from the Rhymanese Twins.

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beach patrol

Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, DE

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shoes for the entire family

East Lake St., Minneapolis

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The Empire Strikes Back

Como Park visitors go wild for Saint Paul's "Han Solo in Carbonite" tribute rock.

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F*ck Communism

A shot from the Hmong Freedom Festival that I didn't get to post until now. I dig the gangsta vibe coming from the guy's shirt.

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and your little dog, too

Midtown Greenway

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Power Tower

This tower is one of eight built along the Delaware coastline after Pearl Harbor. After that attack it was believed that the eastern coastline could be in danger, and so the towers were erected in response. German ships were sinking an average of a ship a week during 1942, one of which was the Jacob Jones, torpedoed off the Delaware coast. Over 100 crewmen perished.

Two viewing slits can be seen near the top of the tower. From these spotters could scan the ocean for enemy vessels and direct fire from guns mounted along the coast. On clear days the spotters could see approximately 15 miles out to sea. From the upper level the spotters could scan the Atlantic for enemy vessels; could direct the fire of the guns mounted along the coast.

Constructed to last 20 years, the towers still stand, absorbing a daily salt air scouring.

first step to First Avenue

This steely-eyed gent is John Harrington Stevens, the first authorized resident on the west bank of the Mississippi River in what would eventually become Minneapolis. He was granted permission to reside on the site in exchange for providing a ferry service across the river to St. Anthony.

check in parking only

Waiting for that perfect wave. Or maybe a valet for that board.

does anyone else hear that pounding?

This is Iris, a member of the St. Paul taiko drum troupe Mu Daiko, performing in St. Louis Park. The troupe celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

head scratcher

Balloon man, Rehoboth Avenue.

Time To Fire Up The Nerd

The Nerd, another of the characters who inhabit Midway Stadium during St. Paul Saints home games. The man can bust out more dance moves than Mick Jagger.

Paratrooper

One of the many rides to choose from at Funland, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Spinning backwards in a tilted elliptical orbit always freaks out my equilibrium. Sort of like a strong martini.

The Left Handed Cook

Only about 10% of people in the world are left-handed, including Thomas Kim, executive chef at The Left Handed Cook, one of the most recent additions to the Midtown Global Market. Think of it as Asian soul food. Go try it. Really.

Skee Ball

Funland at Rehoboth Beach celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. A game of Skee Ball will set you back all of 25 cents.

Night Storm

Not just Mike O'Connor's problem

...because despite conservationists' best efforts, this confirms the continued northern migration of the dreaded poop snake.

2642

University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus

Sun & Shade

Hmong Freedom Festival, St. Paul

nothing says summer like a sketchy ice cream van

a little help here, dummy

Hmong Freedom Festival 2012, St. Paul