Category Archives: Advice/How To

Advice/How To, Entertainment

The best parks with walking paths in Minnesota

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Now that the weather is getting nicer, many of us who enjoy walks and want to get more exercise are looking for places to go for walking. There are many walking paths in the Twin Cities. Minnehaha Regional Park, Swede Hollow Park near Dayton’s Bluff, Fort Snelling State Park, and Harriet Island Regional Park, are some of the walking paths that aren’t too far from the Highland Park area. All these parks have history behind them, and today they are used for site seeing, and are calm recreational places for us all to enjoy.

Minnehaha Regional Park is right across the Ford Parkway bridge. It’s known for it’s big waterfall. Minnehaha Regional Park has walking paths along the Minnehaha Creek, it allows you to follow it as it makes it’s way to the Mississippi River. The path is a beautiful, calm environment. Walking along the water can make your walk more exciting. It’s very family-friendly, and pet-friendly, and wildlife is all around. Biking is also available at Minnehaha Park; you can rent bikes for you and your friends and family and biking is a great way to get exercise.

Swede Hollow Park is near Dayton’s Bluff on the East Side of St. Paul. It is near the Mississippi River and Downtown St. Paul. This Nature Park has great views of the city, and the change of noises you hear in the park is remarkable; with all the traffic around the park you wouldn’t expect it to be a very quiet and secluded recreational spot. Swede Hollow has bike paths and walking paths all throughout the park. At the northern part of the park, there is a assemblage of stones arranged in circles that are very cool to see.

Fort Snelling State Park was built in the 1800s and is located by the Mississippi River in Hennepin county. It is a great place to go for a day outside and for a glimpse into the life of our past, involving civil rights and the lifestyle that came with it. Some of the State Park’s attributes include multiple hiking trails along the river, a beach for swimming in the summer, tours, and scenes/displays of how it was like to live daily at this military base in the 1820’s. These scenes/displays include the jobs and standards of men in the military, nurses, families, blacksmiths, and slaves. Fort Snelling offers many different opportunities depending on what you are looking for, and it is great for people of all ages.

photo taken from Saint Paul, Minnesota: The most livable city in America

Harriet Island Regional Park is located along the Mississippi and is near downtown Saint Paul, with a bridge as the connection. Harriet Island is one of the most popular parks in the Twin Cities with its beautiful views and spacious grounds. The park offers great scenery and picnic areas, perfect for a day out. These grounds are known to be great for hosting events such as weddings, festivals, etc. Playgrounds, tents, and many hiking and biking trails are available to the public as well.

Advice/How To, Local, Travel/Food

Staycation on a budget

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Stuck at home with no pocket money this spring break? There’s an easy solution to your problem: a staycation on a budget. This entails adventuring in the Twin Cites with little to no money.

Right now you may be asking yourself, so what exactly is a staycation? Well to answer your question, a staycation is when you explore where you live as if you were someone visiting on a vacation.

Although the Twin Cities are always lively and buzzing, it can be hard to see them like so, especially in early spring. When winter comes to a close, so do most outdoor winter activities (i.e. ice skating, tubing, skiing, etc.) and because it’s wet and muddy out in early spring, it’s not ideal weather for outdoor activities in general.

However, if you’re willing to venture out into the wild and get a little muddy, here are some fun, inexpensive places to go outdoors this spring break.

  • Hidden Falls Regional Park- A more casual park that is great for picnicking and hanging out with friends in Saint Paul. There are bonfire pits, BBQ grills and also bike and hiking trails. This is free.
  • Fort Snelling- A national historical land mark located in Saint Paul. Fort Snelling is a great place to learn about military history, starting before the Civil War, and going up to World War II. The commission price ranges from $6-$10.
  • High Bridge Dog Park- A 7 acre off-leash dog park in Saint Paul. This park is ideal for both dog lovers and dog owners. This is free.
  • Minnehaha Park and Falls- A huge beautiful scenic park filled with paths, bridges, and waterfalls located in Minneapolis. There is also a great restaurant in the park. This is free.

If you’re more of an indoor explorer, here are some inexpensive indoor actives in the Twin Cities.

  • Minneapolis Institute of Arts- A large fine art museum in Minneapolis. The art covers over a 5,000 year time period. They are closed Mondays, open 10am to 5 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Entry is free, but special exhibits require tickets.
  • Walker Art Museum and Sculpture Garden- A large multidisciplinary contemporary art center in Minneapolis. There is also a sculpture garden across the street from the museum that is free. Within the sculpture garden there is a sculpture mini golf course, the price ranges from $9-$19, however, the tickets include free gallery admission. Museum admission fee ranges from $9-$14. The Walker is closed Monday, open daily 11am-5pm, except for on Thursdays when The Walker is open from 11am-9pm and admission is free.
  • Wabsha Caves Swing Dancing- Lively swing dancing and live music every Thursday night at the Wabasha Caves in Saint Paul. Doors open at 6pm and there are swing dancing lessons at 6:15pm. Live music goes from 7pm until 9pm. Entry fee is $8 and the required speakeasy password is “Gus sent me”. You must wear shoes on the dance floor, and try to dress up! On other days of the week there are tours going on (historical, gangster, and haunted) in the caves, however, these tend to be more pricey (around $20). There is also a great waffle and coffee joint outside of the caves.

These are just a few examples of places you could go and explore this spring break. You can also find events going on near you on websites such as http://www.citypages.com/calendar, http://www.minneapolis.org/visitor/calendar/, and www.visitsaintpaul.com/events-calendar/.

Good luck exploring the Twin Cities, and happy spring breakinging!

Advice/How To, School Life, Travel/Food

College visit tips and tricks

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College visits can be daunting and hard to prepare for. After a few visits, you start to figure out how to prepare for future visits. Here are a few tips and tricks that I have come up with after going on multiple visits.

  • Wear comfortable clothing – Since most tours include a campus tour, you will be moving around a lot. Wearing comfortable clothing will help you focus more on the actual tour and not worry about your aching feet or your warm sweater.
  • Stay hydrated – Most college visits can last a few hours. When you take the campus tour you will be taking lots of stairs and you will be walking around quite a lot. Staying hydrated is key to making sure you won’t be distracted by how thirsty you are.
  • Take notes – College visits almost always include an admissions presentation. There is always important information that you’ll need to know so it is a good idea to bring a small notepad with a pen or pencil. When you go back to compare the admission requirements, it will be easier with the notes you took during the presentation.
  • Talk to a current student – It is always important to talk to someone who is currently attending the college because they have first hand experiences. During some admission presentations, colleges will have a student panel and you can ask your burning questions.
  • Visit centers of student life – If you visit while school is in session, make sure to visit a dining hall or student union. This will give you an idea to what the student atmosphere is like and you might even be able to try some of the food because of course that’s very important.
  • Ask about campus safety – While on a campus tour, make sure to ask your guide about campus safety. Most colleges have on campus security and emergency call stations located around campus. It is very important that you feel safe while on campus.
  • Ask about financial aid – Some colleges have a large number as their sticker price but this should not be a deal breaker when you decide where you want to go. Many colleges have scholarships that you are automatically entered into when you apply. For example, colleges will give you a certain amount of money if you meet certain criteria like your GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Also, filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will help you understand how much the government is willing to give you in terms of student aid.
  • Visit residence halls – When on a campus tour, make sure you check out the residence halls. Colleges usually have many different types of rooms like a single, a double or suite style. Visiting halls will make it easier to choose the type of room you want when you apply for housing/residence.
Advice/How To

Curling irons: How to achieve the curl you want

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The Curling Iron

This has been used as the primary heated tool to create fake luscious curls since the 1800’s. Many people have these but don’t know the different techniques that can be used to achieve the kind of curl you desire.

Size

The smaller the iron, the tighter the curl.

Styles based on size:

2” barrel
Relaxed Waves (Best for medium/long hair)

This is a nice look for a casual everyday on the go vibe.

1.75” Barrel
Loose Waves (Best for medium/long hair)

Perfect for everyday wear or even casual dress wear

1.5” Barrel
Voluminous Curls (Best for Medium/Long Hair)

This is a loose curl but produces a lot of volume especially if you have longer and thicker hair. This is a good hairstyle when trying to spice up your look.

1.25” Barrel
Medium Loose Curls (Best for Medium/Long hair)

This is more of an elaborate curl. It can be more time consuming than some of the other styles but is worth it for special events or when you want to enhance your look.

1” Barrel
Full Curls (Good for short to long hair)

This is a sleek put together look that gives you a sophisticated or a sweetheart exterior depending on what outfit you match it with.

¾’’ Barrel
Vintage curls

This look in a voluminous alternative for people with bobs or shorter hair. However, if you have longer hair than shown in the picture it will give you ringlet curls that give you an extra bubbly, youthful look.

⅜’’ Barrel
Tight, spiral curls (best for short/medium hair)

This is the tightest kind of curl. It will work on all lengths but lasts the longest on people with thinner and shorter hair because the hair will hold it the best.

Advice/How To, Entertainment

March horoscopes for Zodiac signs

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Capricorn (12/22 – 01/19)

March is the month of health for you. Focus on your physical and mental health. Make a beneficial change in your routine. Go to the gym or incorporate healthier alternatives in your diet. Better yourself, and accept love. This is a good month for romance, with feelings blooming around the full moon on the 23rd. Open your heart while making sure that these new beginnings are healthy for you.

Aquarius (01/20 – 02/18)

March is the month to recognize your power. Realize the role you play in situations and the effect you have on others. Take responsibility for your part in conflicts this March and try to make peace in a stressful situation that may arise.

Pisces (02/19 – 03/20)

March is the month to find balance. Instability may become a problem this month for you, do your best to find a way to cope and steady these outside stressors. Focus on your goals and find a balance in order to accomplish them.

Aries (03/21 – 04/20)

March is your month for self-control. Urges and impulsive behavior will be your biggest self conflict. Focus on the positives and remember that feelings and emotions aren’t always reasonable. Remember to use your logic and common sense. Keep level headed and you could do big things this month.

Taurus (04/21 – 5/20)

March is the month to focus on your career and goals. Work for what you want in life and earn what you receive. However, make sure while doing this you don’t isolate yourself and get consumed within your craft. In your spare time, spend quality times with understanding friends. People who accept your newly busy lifestyle are the ones to keep around during this time.

Gemini (05/21 – 06/21)

March is the month of new beginnings. Take risks and try new things. Find new hobbies, interests in career paths, and social atmospheres. Go new places and reach new levels in your life. If you have a dream this is your time to chase it. Run on your ambition this month.

Cancer (06/22 – 07/22)

March is the time to find your inner peace. Complications will overwhelm you. The little things may begin to add up and you will feel as if all the weight is on your shoulders. You may need to find a source of relaxation. Try things like working out, meditation, a musical instrument, a painting class. Find your outlet. This is a time of acceptance for what things truly are.

Leo (07/23 – 08/22)

March is the month of insight. Listen to yourself and process your observations on a deeper level. This will help you when having to read the people around you and making judgements on their intentions. Protect yourself but make sure not to come to conclusions too fast. Insight is not factual.

Virgo (08/23 – 09/22)

March is the month of good vibrations. Within yourself and those around you. Release a good aura and it will influence those around you to as well. There will be some complicated situations that may arise near the end of the month. If you don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed, these issues will soon resolve themselves.

Libra (09/23 – 10/22)

March is the month of expression. Share your thoughts and feelings, show your true personality, be bold with your moves, and make positive statements. You have a voice and this is your time to use it. You may find that people in your life have more of an interest in your opinions than you once thought.

Scorpio (10/23 – 11/21)

March is the month to follow your dreams. Whatever you set out in life to do should be pursued. You have the determination and drive. Make your dreams a reality. You can do whatever you set your mind to. Just be sure that it is a healthy decision and will benefit your life. Avoid making reckless moves that will throw you off track.

Sagittarius (11/22 – 12/21)

March is the month to embrace things. You can’t control everything around you and some things won’t change no matter what you try. Acceptance is key for a content life with moments of happiness. It is okay to be proactive, but sometimes you just need to go with the flow and see where it takes you.

Advice/How To, Local

No more parking tickets during snow emergencies

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Have you ever been confused where to park when the City of St. Paul calls a snow emergency? In this article I would like to inform you on helpful information about parking during the times we get a lot of snow. When the city of St. Paul calls a snow emergency due to too much snow, the city needs to plow all the side streets so that the streets are clear to drive on. There’re places you’re allowed to park during the night time and then during the day you’re allowed to park in the areas you weren’t allowed to park at night.

But how do you know where to park during the different times?

How do you know when there is a snow emergency?

Me, being a teenager, and a recently new licensed driver, I am not too aware of where I can and can’t park during snow emergencies. The last time there was a snow emergency, when I walked out to my car, the next morning, to come to school, there was a parking ticket waiting for me on my windshield.

You’re probably wondering why my parents didn’t notify me as to what side of my street to park on. They did tell me what side to park on, but they disagreed on what side was the night side and what side was the day side. I decided to listen to my dad and park on the side he told me to park on because he does work for the city of St. Paul and I thought he would know before my mom would. Turns out he was wrong, and it is going to cost $56.00 now to pay for the ticket.

Now I know which side to park on, and now I can prevent ever getting a parking ticket for such a simple thing. Because of what happened to me, I want to help all of you other licensed drivers, who aren’t too familiar with these parking policies, on making sure you don’t get a parking ticket like me.

Usually beginning at 9 p.m. on a snow emergency the plows start plowing the night side of the side streets. There’re signs on side streets that do tell which side is the night plow route, which means during the night (starting at 9 p.m.) you don’t park on that side and you’re allowed to park on the opposite side of the street.

By 8 a.m. the following morning all cars are expected to be moved to the opposite side of the street, otherwise they will be ticketed and towed.

On busier streets, you typically are not allowed to park on either side of the street. On streets like this there are signs that say “No parking anywhere during a snow emergency”.

If you do not see a sign, there is a phone number you can call to check and ask if your car is parked in an okay spot. If you do not have your car parked on the correct side of the street, you will be ticketed and possibly towed. If your car does not get towed the plowers will plow around your car which leaves your car buried beneath snow, and it’s a real big hassle on getting your car out.

 If you’re still not sure on where to park your car during snow emergencies there’re many resources you can use to find out and prevent yourself from getting a ticket. You can call 651-266-PLOW to know when there is a snow emergency, or you can text STPAUL SNOW to 468311 to receive text messages when there is a snow emergency in effect.

Online at http://stpaul.gov/snow is another resource to check when there is a snow emergency.

If you ever have any complaints on how the snow plowing was on your street you can submit any complaints to SnowEmergency@ci.stpaul.mn.us or by calling 651-266-9700.

Next time there is a snow emergency I will know where to park and I won’t get a parking ticket. Hopefully, I helped any of you new licensed drivers who also weren’t sure on where to, and where not to, park during a snow emergency! Here are some websites for more helpful information.

https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/public-works/street-maintenance/snow-emergency-information

http://kstp.com/news/stories/s23075.shtml

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/snow-emergency-information/

Thank You!

Advice/How To, Editorials/Student Voice

Know what you are consuming

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If you cannot read the nutrition facts on what you’re eating should you really be consuming it?

If you were asked to name off what commercials you have seen for food products what would you say? Fruit Loops? Pop Tarts? Gushers? Cereal that contains a lot of sugar? McDonalds? Burger King?

You can probably only think of commercials that contain sweets or processed food. The number of commercials for unhealthy foods that are broadcast is crazy compared to the number of commercials that are seen containing fruits and vegetables.

Does the government care more about making a profit off food or keeping us healthy?

We’re not only paying for the food we’re consuming but also paying it off in doctor bills later on.

The meat industry, and how they’re promoting unhealthy foods to kids, has a large impact on how the people in America live. Below are some facts about the food industry.

NUTRITION FACTS IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY
In 2012 they tested chicken feathers to see what was found in their system (chicken feathers would be equivalent to us testing our finger nails) They found caffeine, antihistamines, and even prozac (an antidepressant). Prozac was added to the chicken feed because apparently stressed out chickens produce ‘tough meat.’ One person in America eats up to 200 lbs of meat yearly, causing us to have twice the obesity rate, more chances of having cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Not only can the meat industry be bad for your health, but it can also be bad for climate change. If the meat production cut back half of its amount it would be as if we were garaging all vehicles. Two acres of rainforests are cleared each minute to help raise and feed cattle. 35,000 miles of America’s rivers are polluted with animal waste. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat, but only 25 gallons to produce a pound of wheat.

America’s government spends $38 billion a year on the meat industry, but only .04% of their money is spent on fruits and vegetables.

PROMOTING UNHEALTHY EATING TO KIDS

Have you ever noticed that when you see a Burger King commercial the healthy foods are not advertised? They sell veggie burgers and salads, but the only things you see on TV is the Original Chicken Sandwich or their fries.

Another example is commercials that contain breakfast foods for children.  Instead of them advertising healthy foods like fruits, yogurt, or eggs they promote Pop Tarts, Cocoa Puffs, and Taco Bell breakfast.

We are so used to having such unhealthy and processed foods laid out for us, we find it so difficult to come in contact healthy foods when they’re really right in front of us, although they just might be hiding behind a greasy Big Mac. $1.6 billion is spent on advertising unhealthy foods to children. Children see 15 unhealthy food commercials a day.

Companies make a larger profit selling a more processed food. The more food is processed the less healthy it is, and the less filling it is. Just because the packaging food comes in has one health claim it DOES NOT mean the food is healthy.

In 2006 20% of kids were classified as ‘obese.’ There was a promise made to change the marketing of food, a year later they did a study to see if it had changed and 80% of the food commercials were what the Department of Health and Human Services believes should only be eaten once in awhile. In 2013 80% was still the same. It is proven that the more kids watch TV the more unhealthy their food preferences are.

Advice/How To, Entertainment

Things to do if you’re single on Valentine’s Day

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Valentines Day is known as the day you spend with the person you love. However, if you don’t have that special someone, here are some ideas to show and express your love for yourself or friends/family in your life.

Hit the clubs

Go out and party with some friends and give yourself the opportunity to even other singles doing the same as yourself.

Go out to dinner

Spend the evening with someone in a different position in your life that you love, like a family member or some close friends.

Binge watch chick-flick movies on Netflix

Get a bucket of ice cream or a comfort food of your own and watch a bunch of sappy romance movies.

Ask someone on a casual date

If you don’t feel like being lonely on this special day, ask someone that you have interest in on a friendly first date. Who knows, there might be potential.

Treat yourself

Splurge on something that you’ve wanted for a while. Maybe go to a spa, get your nails done, or take a nice warm bath along with a bath bomb. Do what makes you feel good.

Have a singles party

Throw a little get together with other single friends and ask them to bring a snack. Be sure to have a combination of activities, like movies or interactive games.

Get out of town

Go on a spontaneous, quick, getaway trip to somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit.

Share the love

Send a cute sentimental gift, big or little, it doesn’t matter. Perfect for friend or family member that you have love for.

Appreciate the single life

Recognize the benefits of being single and independent at this time in your life.

Volunteer

Nothing spreads love more than some volunteer work for those in need. Giving back in your community is important.

Advice/How To, School Life

Getting Distracted by Electronics

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We all love our tablets and cell phones etc. These devices were meant to save us time, but too often, they end up wasting it instead. For many people, cell phones have become a “new best friend”. Even if you aren’t actively trying to access your cell phone, you’re distracted by notifications, texts, and incoming calls.

People have a habit of checking their phones every 5 seconds, and that could cause a lot of injuries. Here are some reasons why checking your phone constantly is bad.

In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. You can prevent that from happening by pulling over if you need to talk on your phone, or turning off your phone.

You’ll see people walking down the hall and the street staring at their phone. That could cause bumping into someone, tripping over something or hurting yourself, etc. This could be prevented by making sure you are paying attention to your surroundings.

You have a big test tomorrow and it’s worth half of your grade, and kids don’t even bother to study for it because they’re too distracted with their cell phone, tablet, iPod, laptop, etc. By turning off electronic devices while studying, these distractions can be avoided. Students should set aside specific study times where they put their electronics away.

There are so many reasons of how electronics can distract you. To prevent it from happening, limit your cell phone use, turn off all your notifications so you don’t get distracted by all the buzzes.

Advice/How To

Ask Maria part 2

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Since my last “Ask Maria” article I have received a few questions that I will be answering in this article.

One of the questions I received was about how stressful it is to be in a relationship, and also having to focus on school, and how to maintain a balance.

My advice for this is it’s always going to be tough to keep a relationship while having to focus on school. You have to decide whether your relationship is too stressful; if so, I suggest you give each other time as this will help you think more about what you need, and focus on your other priorities. When you feel more clear headed, you can continue your relationship.

If you constantly feel too stressed, and find this relationship affecting you, I think you should consider to end it completely. Having problems is very normal, but not when it causes you tremendous hurting or stress. You need to consider your happiness. Everyone needs a balance, and I think having this peace of mind would be very good.

Another question I received was about how to get out of a depressing state of thinking.

I think most of the change has to come from the person, but there are many activities you can do that can help. I think one important way to think, is with positive thoughts; try to see the light side of things.

Try new things too, as you never know if you’ll love it. Doing different things is also a way to distract yourself.

Try surrounding yourself with positive people, and people that only want to see you happy.

These are the short answers for some of the questions I received for this edition of “Ask Maria”.