The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

SPECIAL EVENT
Youth Farm Organic Produce Kick Off

Kids do the darnedest things! Make your way to St. Paul's West Side this evening for a special kick off party celebrating the first crop of organic produce grown by green-thumbed youngsters. For the second year in a row, the Youth Farm and Market Project coordinates with area youth to create and maintain a community garden. Designed to teach kids eco-friendly practices and to develop their entrepreneurial skills, the project takes them through the process of growing and tending to their plants and selling them as a product. Each week, produce will be crated and delivered via bicycle to El Burrito Mercado where it will be sold to area residents. Tonight's kick off at El Burrito Mercado will feature appetizers made from the new crop, a brief talk about the project by its organizers, and an opportunity to purchase mucho fresh veggies!

5 p.m. to 7 p.m, El Burrito Mercado, 175 Cesar Chavez Street, Saint Paul, Free

ART
Do You Want a Piece of Me? Fire Sale Fundraiser

When SooVAC Executive Director Suzy Greenberg gets generous, she really goes all out. All throughout the merry, merry month of August, Greenberg's diverse 20-year collection of art treasures will be on sale and ready to relocate to a new home - your living room! All proceeds from the fundraiser go to keeping the SooVAC alive and thriving, so you can enjoy local art for years to come. Stop by the Uptown gallery, enjoy their unique art pieces, and support the cause. -Juleana Enright

Open Tues 10-6, Wed 10-6, Thurs 12-8, Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4 & Sun 12-4 or by appointment, Soo Visual Arts Center, 2640 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 

SPECIAL EVENT
National Night Out

Each year, neighbors all around the country band together in the name of tuna salad, lawn chairs and camaraderie for National Night Out. Technically a crime and drug prevention event, NNA is designed to encourage people to get to know their neighbors and be aware of what's happening in their 'hood. If the residents of your block aren't the sociable types, chances are you'll find some friendly folk within a few blocks, camped out in the street with picnic fare and a willingness to complain at length about barking dogs, unkempt yards, and the like. Bring something to share -- the aforementioned tuna salad works -- and chum around with your neighbors. At the very least, you'll know they won't be talking about what a jerk you are in your absence.

Times vary in the evening, Your Neighborhood, Free