A frozen fore and raise a big stink: Your weekend planning guide
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See — and smell — a "corpse flower" in St. Paul and hint the frozen links on Lake Minnetonka.
From free events to family fun to adults-only, here's a roundup of events to get you out of the house — or not.
Free: A pawsitively good time
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Union Depot has gone to the dogs — at least, it will for one morning this weekend.
The transportation hub and event venue in downtown St. Paul will transform into "Doggie Depot" Saturday morning, featuring pet vendors, rescue organizations with dogs up for adoption and a question-and-answer session with all-things-dog expert Katie K9 from myTalk 107.9.
You can even see the first-ever St. Paul Winter Carnival canine royalty.
Dogs welcome — in fact, it's encouraged.
For families: Hit the books
Saturday is "Take Your Child to the Library Day" across the U.S.
Some libraries, like the one in Stillwater, will have special events like a scavenger hunt and a "favorite book" art project to celebrate the day.
For adults: All about the birds and bees
On Thursday night, grab a drink and explore the ins and outs of sex and attraction in the natural world at the Science Museum of Minnesota's Social Science night, just in time for Valentine's Day.
You'll need to bring a valid ID, and you'll have to be older than 21 to attend. Tickets are $12 for Science Museum and MPR members; $17 for non-members.
Indoors: Raise a big stink
Get a whiff of a notoriously noxious flower — but hurry.
The Amorphophallus titanum (Titan Arum) — better known as the "corpse flower" — is on track to bloom Thursday night or Friday at the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Sciences Conservatory. See a livestream here.
When the flower does bloom, it'll emit a smell akin to that of rotting flesh.
You'll have to make your way over quickly, though — the bloom only lasts 24 to 48 hours. The conservatory will be open for extended hours once the flower blooms.
Outdoors: A frozen fore
Golf in February in Minnesota? You betcha!
Since 1984, hardy Minnesotans have ventured to Lake Minnetonka for the Wayzata Chilly Open. Participants, some with hockey sticks, will putt with tennis balls on three 9-hole courses carved right out on the ice this Saturday.
Bonus: Limber up before your round with some frozen yoga Saturday morning. Bring your own mat and winter gear.