Paisley Park Stays Purple

Paisley Park is a place that most Minnesotans have passed a few times in their life. You may have driven by it on the way to work in the morning, but did you ever stop and really grasp who was so close to you? Prince. The one who won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award for the film Purple Rain and lived just a few miles away. Not to mention he stood by his home state despite the fame, stating that, “It keeps all the mean people out”. “Mean people” is such a vague term but if you pass Paisley Park now, you’ll know that it is only filled with love on days of rain or shine. The fence surrounding the building has little metal showing as it is completely covered in all sorts of purple. For weeks, people have stopped by Paisley Park to say some kind words and then go on their way. For Minnesotans, or more specifically the citizens who live near Paisley Park, Prince’s passing was a reminder of the talent we have so close to home and of the unexpected twists and turns of life. One day Paisley Park is a building like a Science Museum or Church, and the next you realize a legend passed away right inside. His funeral was on Sunday May 15th at a private religious memorial which means the purple around Paisley Park will slowly clutter the sidewalk and then disappear altogether. But, Prince’s memory and the music he made will last much longer. 

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By Sophia Primozich

A Night to Remember

Getting ready for prom is a not a sprint but a marathon. Booking appointments months in advance left and right for a spray tan, nails, hair, and brow waxes; anything to make a girl feel and look 100%.  To get appointments is a race against time. You have to consider all of the other proms in your area to battle the wait times and appointment times not being available. The week leading up to prom consists of pampering yourself up until the day of. The day of prom will be a sprint running from appointment to appointment; racing the clock to get ready in time for your pictures.

Sherri Hill… every girls dream dress. But wait, they're anywhere from $300-700! This is why most girls choose to shop elsewhere, such as Nordstrom's, Macy's, Opitz, or online to Prom Girl or Lulu’s. Girls might also choose to borrow a dress from an older girl or a friend! Finding the perfect dress takes a lot of time (usually more than one trip to the mall), and more often than not it will have to be altered as well. Prom dresses are mostly long elegant dresses, but as the years go on they are starting to have more edge. Whether that means a two piece dress that shows a girl's midsection, a leg cut out, or even some girls go with the short dress for prom now. It may be a long process, but in the end… the dress is a make or break! 

Finding a place to hold 30+ people and their families for pictures can be a challenge. This is why most prom groups tend to find somewhere other than your typical backyard. Popular places for pictures in the Minnetonka-Minneapolis area are Lake Harriet Band Shell, Excelsior Commons, The Stone Arch Bridge, and The Arboretum. Not only is it a struggle to find a place, but once you get there the chaos begins. Everyone is scrambling to get pictures with all of their friends before their party bus, limo, etc. comes to pick them up. Group picture… oh what a horrible idea. First, because organizing that many people to pose and smile together is simply a lost cause. Second, I don't think anyone actually uses the group picture to post besides on Facebook. Lastly, the pictures are so far away that you can barely even see your own face!

Finding the perfect place for dinner?  Let’s not forget all of the things to consider when finding the right place.  If you have a group with over 20 people, finding a place that will accommodate everyone can be daunting.  Often times you have to call months ahead to book a restaurant when your group hasn’t even formed.  Not to mention finding a place that’ll have something everyone can eat (I’d recommend an American place) inside everyone’s budget is just as difficult. Most groups this size book months in advance or know the manager of a restaurant that will make an exception for a large group.  Hibachi, Crave, and the Newsroom are all popular choices for Minnetonka students because they accept large reservations and serve good food.  In all honesty, it doesn’t matter where you go, as long as they’re willing to accommodate plenty of people.  
The dance is where all this preparation and drama truly pays off. This once a year fantasized night has been a tradition in high schools for generations. Finding the perfect dress, the most handsome date, and just feeling on top the world only happens because of this event that started out as a small high school night in a gymnasium. High schools now, like Minnetonka, host their proms at nightclubs, landscape arboretums, and fancy hotels downtown. Students are dispersed into friend groups for pictures and dinner, but the dance is the time where the whole school can come together to be united as one.

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By Kari Orr, Suzie Cavalier, Paige Bieker & Nikki Peitz

The 2016 Stars Hit the Ice

Stars on Ice 2016 took place on May 1st at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Stars on Ice cast is made up of the best skaters in the world. There is currently 12 skaters in the show, and all of them are very accomplished. For example, Grace Gold is a United States Champion, Meryl Davis and Charlie White are both Olympic Gold Medalists, just to name a few. These skaters are passionate about pleasing the audience and doing what they love at the same time. Obviously, they are accomplished but did you know they were quite young too? Their youngest skater, Polina Edmunds is only 17. This show is incomparable as they perform to roughly 20 current pop songs and old school tunes as well. Their costumes and personality on the ice match the theme of each song-- they basically dance on the ice. The show is full of fun duos, romantic storylines, solo skaters and even some stunts such as back flips. You will be on the edge of your seat the entire show like thehesaidshesaidexperience.com said, “Every year I go to Stars on Ice wondering how it will be as good as the year before, and every year it is!” If you missed this years show, you can always catch next year's show because it will be the best yet. Don’t forget to stay until the end because during the finale they all skate together for their final song and group bow which is jaw dropping. And in case it is the cold Xcel Center that is keeping you away from the show, don’t worry it is actually quite warm in there!  

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By Sophia Primozich

SotaRol: Where Sushi and Burrito Meet

SotaRol is the place where sushi, burrito and an “Up North” feel come together. Their tagline is “affordable, and fast- and sure to please any taste preference”. Not only is it close, just on 50th and France in Edina- but it’s well priced too! You can get your own SotaRito, Sushi bowl or roll for just $10. When you arrive, the set up is modern while still portraying the “Up North” feel by decorating their walls in black and red plaid. You can even watch them prepare and tweak your burrito as it is made. They pride themselves on the fact that their food does not contain gluten, GMOs, MSG, dyes or peanuts. Something to watch out for is the limited seating and the quality may not be top notch. Many people have claimed it is mediocre tasting but still worth the experience. Whatever your views may be- who wouldn’t want to try a SotaRito just once?!

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By Sophia Primozich

The 2016 Tour de Tonka is Here!

Enjoy a day full of biking, live music, great food, great volunteers, all while exploring seven scenic routes- 15, 28, 40, 48, 57, 67, or 100 miles - that navigate through the Lake Minnetonka area and surrounding communities

Register now at www.tourdetonka.org

The Early Bird Registration is available March 1st - April 30th for the lowest fees.

67 and 100-mile riders will start at 7 a.m. at Clear Springs Elementary. The 15 through 57- mile riders will start at 7:30 a.m. at Minnetonka High School. All rides will end at The Minnetonka High School. More details for riders and volunteers can be found on the Tour de Tonka website.

On the district website, Tour de Tonka Director, Tim Litfin said “Tour de Tonka is unlike other bike rides in the state and in the Upper Midwest. One major reason is our excellent volunteers that engage and assist the riders. Every year our riders tell us through a post-event survey that the level of commitment, the volunteers, the routes, the music, the rest stops, the mass start, the door prizes, the energy, the vendor fair, the food, the free wicking shirt and more make Tour de Tonka a one-of-a-kind event.”

“Bicycle riders participate because Tour de Tonka is pure fun,” Litfin said, “All ages and all abilities – from families and recreational bicyclists to cycling teams and serious athletes –enjoy what Tour de Tonka offers them.”

Tour de Tonka has had a large impact on the community for 11 years now. A portion of each rider’s registration fee is donated to the local ICA Food Shelf, allowing people the opportunity to make an impact with their ride. Riders may also donate money or non-perishable food items on or before the day of the ride.

Don’t miss out. Come and see for yourself what has made Tour de Tonka Minnesota’s best ride in just a decade’s time! Register today for the best price for a great cause.

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By Paige Bieker