Walkin' Around Checkin' Stuff Out. #75
Downtown Osseo.
Found ourselves back on the mainstreet of the city where I went to highschool. They have a new coffee shop that is a big contrast to the VFW and vacuum cleaner sales that have been here for years.
Dean’s Super Market was there when I was a kid and I bet it was a big day when they added video movie rentals along side eggs, bread and milk. The sign is still up, I wonder if they still rent videos?
Clapping Monkey Coffee.
Located in a really well done vintage/antique mall in Fridley is this cool coffee shop. It’s all kinds of quirky and fits right into all the vintage kitsch that surrounds it. Pretty cool spot to check out, and unexpected for something in Fridley. Proof the price of rent in the city needs to come down because this is the kind of thing that should be in Uptown, not in some suburb.
Antiques, vintage kitsch and sugary caffeine drinks. Oh, and tomato soap and grilled cheese. (!!!)
Tomato soup and grilled cheese (and potato chips)?!?!? One word: Hell Yes. It was damn good (and damn rich) and brought us back to being kids...perfect for being surrounded by all the vintage stuff we remembered from our childhood. Although Pam’s macha-latte didn’t really fit the vintage vibe, it was still pretty good.
Jonny Turns 60.
The biggest rockstar in town doesn’t play guitar or drums. His instrument of choice is shears. You won’t find a better, nicer, more talented person. He’s the real deal and it was a great honor to spend his birthday with him and a packed house of his closest friends.
Pam met Jonny before I did. When she came home after meeting him she said: “I think I just met your brother.” That was over 10 years ago and he’s been cutting my hair ever since.
Apple Store.
The Apple Store is the DMV...sooner or later we all gotta go. People show up in a similar mood as well...pissed off and ready to be disappointed. That or confused...very confused. Listening to a “Genius” try to explain to an 85 year old grandma the inner workings of email programs and how to save photos to a photo library made my head spin.
Apple has always been about “easy to use”. Looking at all the confused customers from ages 16-86 it’s clear they (or another company) would do well to refocus on simplicity.
Fish Fry Season!
It’s church basement fish fry season, and with that comes a killer church basement dessert selection. 5 stars. Amazing selection at The Church of St. Albert the Great. Al would be proud...the fish was amazing and the desserts were incredible.
This dude had the look of guilt...like he was on the lookout, hoping his wife (or doctor) wouldn’t spot him in the dessert line.
Fish Dinner People.
The people watching at a church basement fish dinner is almost as good as the dinner itself…maybe better. Here are a few people I saw:
This woman was awesome...she got all dressed-up for the fish fry and even did her her hair complete with barrette. She was glowing more than the vase of flowers on the table.
Frank is one of the many, many volunteers it takes to put on these massive fish dinners.
Delivering water to a thirsty church-goer. The church basement is decked-out with all kinds of fish themed decorations, I guess so you don’t forget why you’re here.
This guy totally gets Santa gigs during the holidays.
Grandma eyeballing Grandpa’s fish.
This guy has played Friar Tuck in a community play. I don’t know that for a fact, but the hair is perfect for it.
There used to be a fish store called Terrequatics in an old church just off Hwy 81, near downtown Osseo. Probably in the ‘80s or ‘90s. The guy who owned it lived in the church basement with his wife. When you walked in you were greeted by their Vizsla, Ginger. They had a planted tank that was about 6 feet long and a giant African lung fish in a different tank. I loved that place.