What do you get when you combine stand-up comedy, music performances, improv, storytelling, film and the Sabes Jewish Community Center? A two-week long Jewish humor festival.   OK, maybe that joke could use some punching up. Regardless, community members won't want to miss this comedy showcase taking place right here in St. Louis Park. "I was trying to think of what would get people out of their houses in the dead of winter," Sabes director of performing arts Claire Avitabile told me last week. "I really liked the idea of combining comedy and theater." Avitabile decided on the Minneapolis …

Dear devoted readers, From now until late February I will be unable to keep you informed on weekend goings-on each Thursday. No no no, to answer your obvious question, your trusted editor Mike Rose did not do away with me. I will actually be in Southeast Asia for a month and a half.  I've known about this trip since I first started writing for Patch in early September, which was around the same time my girlfriend headed to a suburb of Seoul, South Korea, to teach English for a year. Now, after four months of applying for passports, teaching myself how to eat with chopsticks and building my …

Ten years ago, as the world's clock struck midnight on December 31, the kids were just finishing up listening to the Backstreet Boys and Matchbox Twenty. Adults were watching "Touched By An Angel" or primetime tapings of "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" (remember when Regis was host?). Locally, St. Louis Park residents were patiently counting down from 10 the years before they'd have Patch to tell them what is going on in town this New Year's weekend. Here's three things to choose from to help usher in 2011. Family Fun at Oak Hill Park Oak Hill Park is one of St. Louis Park's nicest areas, …

Driving around St. Louis Park on Christmas Day can be a refreshing thing. You might realize that Excelsior Boulevard really isn't backed up constantly by the Miracle Mile Shopping Center, or that the stoplights at the intersection of Cedar Lake Road and Park Place really do turn green every once in a while. If you're in the right place you may also notice a couple of businesses still open — at least for a little while — on Christmas.  For Your Convenience While many gas stations in the Park will be closed, the Holiday Stationstore at the intersection of Minnetonka Boulevard and Lake Street …

Regardless of where you live, when December rolls around there is never a short supply of events taking place to get you in the holiday spirit. St. Louis Park is no exception. This year, there are a bunch of festive, entertaining things going on that are sure to be a fun time for people of all ages. We here at St. Louis Park Patch tried to narrow it down to just five. Here's what we found (in no particular order).  1. Are you still looking for gifts for a family member, spouse, friend or for the dirty Bingo pot at the in-laws' Christmas party? Look no further than the Christmas Gift Show at …

Ever since I started this column way back in November, I have written about interesting and exciting things that are happening around St. Louis Park. As the holiday season rolls around each December, though, sometimes the most fun things to do take place in and around your home. This holiday weekend, in case you're feeling festive or lazy (or perhaps a little of both), I've laid out a few Christmastime mainstays that are cheap, low-key and don't require straying too far from the comforts of your living room recliner. Classic Christmas Music The "all Christmas music, all the time" radio …

Culturally, St. Louis Park's large Jewish population makes the city easily discernible from other suburbs in the area. The Tychman Shapiro Gallery at Sabes Jewish Community Center recognizes this, and is hoping to bring artists and community members together through a special art reception this Sunday. "We're one of the few galleries (in St. Louis Park)," Tychman Shapiro visual arts director Robyn Awend told me earlier this week. "I really liked the idea of giving our community a chance to come in and interact with the artists. We're right in their neighborhood, so people don't have to travel…

Year after year, Thanksgiving tends to be a pretty slow weekend for events outside of eating, shopping, and spending time with the family. Personally, I'm in New York City this week to celebrate the holiday in my brother's tiny Manhattan apartment. I wouldn't let you down just two weeks into the column, though, so here is a short list of things to keep you busy if you decide to stick around St. Louis Park through Turkey Day weekend. Unique Shows Hosts Holiday Gift Sale at Knollwood Mall  Unique Shows is a group that hosts sales events across the entire state. This year, they kick off the …

Being a young newcomer to St. Louis Park, I am eager to find out what this city has to offer for artistic types and weekend warriors alike. St. Louis Park's location between Minneapolis and the outlying suburbs makes for an eclectic mix of weekend entertainment for community members of all ages. With this weekly column, I'll be giving you the heads up on interesting events that are taking place right here in our community. Work is over ... go enjoy the weekend. "10 Artists in 30 Days" at the Sabes Center for Jewish Arts & Humanities The month of November gives the public a unique opportunity …