By Mollee Francisco

Kathy Allen couldn’t be happier.

It is the day before her new exhibit officially opens and visitors to the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum are already finding themselves drawn into the under-appreciated world of seed catalogs.

“Where are they all from?” a woman inquires of her after perusing one of the many walls in the Reedy Gallery dedicated to Seed Stories.

Just got off the phone with my friend Cindy, reigning 2010 Ice Princess of Excelsior's Arctic Fever.

Cindy won first prize in last year's Ice Princess Competition, sponsored by Cynthia Rae Boutique for Girly Girls, in downtown Excelsior.

This year's Excelsior Arctic Fever event will be Saturday, Jan. 15, in downtown Excelsior. Ice Princess competition is at 3 p.m.

By Mollee Francisco

Scott Nimmer was just another out-of-work teacher watching morning television, when he caught a segment on Good Morning America that would change his life.

“They were looking for a full-time on-air and online advice guru,” he explained.

Nimmer, who grew up in Chaska and now lives in Ohio, hopped on the computer to apply.

“It was a whim,” he said. “I never thought twice about it.”

By Mollee Francisco

If only Hansel and Gretel could be here to see this – they might not believe their eyes.

Tiny houses decked out in candy canes, pretzel sticks and gum drops; reindeer with Red Hot-tipped antlers; marzipan unicorns frolicking just feet away from fondant fairies. It’s all on display at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Welcome to the Land of Gingerbread exhibit, part of the Arboretum’s Making Spirits Bright season running now through Jan. 2.

By Mollee Francisco

The City of Chaska and downtown businesses are joining forces to throw a “Hometown Holiday” this year. The event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4.

In the past, the city’s Human Rights Commission has sponsored a Multicultural Holiday Celebration in City Square Park the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year, the revamped event has been moved a week later and the scope has been expanded to offer a day full of shopping and festivities.

By Unsie Zuege

Things are rocking and rolling over at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres these days.

“All Shook Up” is the featured musical on the Main Stage; the record-setting CDT hit, “I Do! I Do!” has returned after a 17-year absence, retooled for a new generation of audiences in the Fireside Theater; and Stevie Ray’s Comedy Club has reinvigorated the former Playhouse Theater.

By Mollee Francisco

More than two decades ago, Mike Reiss was one of three writers hired to work on a fledgling show for Fox.

“It was a summer job,” he recalled. “At least three people turned it down before me, and not a soul thought it would take off.”

Today, Reiss is one of the show’s head writers and producers and “The Simpsons” is not only the longest running primetime series in television history, but an undeniable force in pop culture.