"Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in."  - Napoleon Bonaparte         ELECTION DAY, November 4th.  GET OUT AND VOTE!

Set your clock back one hour: November 2nd at 2am

Special Events :

The Ar-BOO-retum-Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Fri 8a-6p; www.arboretum.umn.edu

Upcoming Special Events:

Children in Nature: Healthy Development By Design- Nov 6 8:30a-4p; Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chanhassen.  www.arboretum.umn.edu/healthydevelopmentbydesign.aspx

Excelsior Arts & Crafts Fair - 30 local vendors selling paintings, photo's, jewelry, clothing and other works.  Nov 8 11a-4p.  3820 Grandway, St. Louis Park

4th Annual Chaska Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and Gobbler Races- Sat. Nov 15  7-10a  register online at www.active.com or call Mary Anderson 651-688-9143  All proceeds support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Chaska Students.  Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska

Macy's 46th Annual Animated Holiday Show and Santa Claus -  "A Day in the Life of an Elf at Macy's Santa Land" will tell the story of Santa's elves at the North Pole as they prepare for Christmas.  Guests will enjoy seeing what happens in a elf's life from waking up and getting Santa's mail to teaching the reindeer how to fly and learning about Christmas traditions.  At the end of the display, guests will find Mrs. Claus' holiday bakery and Santa's Toy Stores.  Free.  Downtown Minneapolis, 8th Floor Auditorium. Nov 8th-December 31-see their website for hours www.macys.com

Holidazzle Parade -Nov. 28 through Dec. 21, Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun @ 6:30pm.  Nicollet Mall between 12th & 4th Street.  612-338-3807 or www.holidazzle.com

Entertainment:

Bell Natural History Museum - 10 Church Street SE, Minneapolis.  Free admission on Sundays.  Children welcome.  This is a portal to experiences that bring people closer to the natural world.  It is a small, personable place with big ideas, an historic state treasure, and a landmark destination. 

Hopkins Westwind Concert Band - Sun @ 7p; Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111Mainstreet, Hopkins 952-979-1111

Willie West- Fri 8-11p; School of the Wise, 1750 Victoria Blvd., Victoria  952-361-9463

20 Stories High - Fri, Floyd's, 1758 Arboretum Blvd., Victoria, 952-443-9944

Sports:

Gopher Football Homecoming vs. Northwestern- Sat @ 11a, Metrodome; www.gophersports.com

Gopher Women's Basketball - vs. Concordia; 11/2 @ 2pm, Williams Arena,  www.gophersports.com

Timberwolves vs. Dallas -Target Center, Sat @ 7p; www.nba.com/timberwolves

Vikings vs. Houston - Metrodome, Sun @ 12p; www.vikings.com

Minnesota College Hockey Showcase - Excel Energy Center, Saturday, UMB vs. St. Cloud @ 4:07p; MSU vs. UofM at 7:37p; www.excelenergycenter.com

The Arts:

Chaska High School - West Side Story- Nov. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 @ 7:30; Nov 16 @ 2, Adults $10, Students $8. Order tickets online at www.cvft.org

Chaska Valley Family Theater - A Christmas Carol: Dec. 4-7, The Sound of Music: Feb. 12- Mar 1, 2009, www.cvft.org