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

Sick of winter much? Can you bear another cold day of having to bulk up? Me either! That's why I'm checking out for Mexico, yo. Feast your eyes on this: the adorable, but nonetheless scanty, romper I procured for the occasion (as modeled by the much thinner-than-me office floor).

So, as I'm sure lots of you've heard, another makeover to Calhoun Square is in the works. The press release came across our desk just yesterday, along with the artist rendering above. Frankly, I can't pretend like I care much about it today ...

I’m one of those crazy people who enjoys giving more so than getting. But that’s because I’m a total snob, not that I’m generous of spirit. I mean, I certainly appreciate the professional portrait of my nieces I get from my sister most years. But, geez, couldn’t she have at least tucked them inside some fancy frames? And there’s simply no way my mother can please with her annual assortment of Kohl’s-bought bedclothes. Not that I have anything against Kohl’s. What a great place to buy pots!

I don’t mind shopping malls, really. But I intend to avoid them this Black Friday, not to stave off those bouts of claustrophobia, but to procure a series of gifts that are either high-quality second-hand or awfully, awfully special. Here’s the action plan (a working document):