Commerce East - It’s HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

30° weather never sounded so good, especially since the heat index has been in the triple digits. This is Minnesota. The weather changes with the wind; however, when this week’s humidity has been compared to the rainforest, we get a little cranky. Ugh! Yes, we know. Tough it up. Take it like a Minnesotan, but come on. A week worth of hot, scorching weather with air so thick, one can slice it with a flimsy, rubber spatula is just…yuck. Exactly. What more can be said about the weather we have been experiencing.

What our forecast feels like...

According to WCCO weather for the Twin Cities (luckily, it's not the above forecast), it’s going to stay in the 90’s with the exception of Sunday and Monday in the 80’s until next week. Humidity is going to stay high along with thunderstorms and everything else that accompanies hot and humid weather. Enjoy.

With the weather being so horrendous (to most), some of us at Commerce East had to be creative with activities. Movies, swimming, shopping malls, air conditioned rooms…one must be creative to stay cool.

Don’t forget safety!    

The following are some tips to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths during hot weather:

• Stay cool indoors.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Replace salt and minerals.
• Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen.
• Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
• Pace yourself.
• Use a buddy system.
• Monitor people at high risk.
• Adjust to the environment.
• Do not leave children in cars. (Don’t forget your pets too.)
• Use common sense.

(From the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services)

In the event that one stays in the heat to long, know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Some symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

• Sweating profusely
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Muscle cramps

Watch out for these signs. Heat exhaustion can quickly progress to heat stroke. When the affected person stops sweating, becomes lethargic, is disoriented, these could be signs of heat stroke. The person may have a seizure and if not treated, may cause death.

Serious? Indeed. So take care of yourself and stay cool this weekend!

All I have to do is Dream…



Temperatures in the triple digits mark summer in Minnesota.



Mama Mia, it's scorching!!



Summer and vacation is like peanut butter and jelly; they just go so well with each other.

One definition of vacation is thus: break from work, a period of time devoted to rest, travel, or recreation.



Here in Commerce East, some staff and consumers went on some kind of vacation and some have plans in the next couple of weeks. Whether it is maternity leave, camp, or an adventure outside of state or country, it is a break from work. Some consumers went to camp or to visit family or both. Staff G just returned from Italy and another Staff G have plans to go to Detriot Lakes some time later in the month of July.



For some of us, there are no more plans for the remainder of summer besides the State Fair, but that doesn’t mean we can’t plan and dream or even hope for that perfect getaway sometime in the near future.

Here are some dream vacations from us here on the East side:

B would like to visit Hollywood and walk on the Walk of Fame. He also hopes to meet some celebrities.

Walk of Fame

M would like to go to Italy, try some authentic Italian food and learn Italian.

Yum!

Staff G would like to visit Ireland.

Ireland...*sigh* one day...

Staff N couldn’t decide but states she would love to do a rainforest excursion.

Rainforest...kinda scary



Staff O needs to take swimming lessons before her dream vacation to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia for some snorkeling. Also, a cure from her shark phobia could help as well.



Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Staff C would love an adventure in Hawaii, Australia, Africa, and Ireland. She’s still weighing the option of Australia or Africa, but for sure a safari expedition would be part of that dream vacation.

Africa?

 

 Safari?

So hard to decide!!

AvatarAng’s dream vacation would be to spend a week in Florida. He doesn’t have the details yet, but a relaxation outside of Minnesota is welcome.

Staff G, who just returned from Italy would like to return to Sardinia, Italy and tan on the beach.



Sardinia, Italy...gorgeous!



Staff J doesn’t mind a long Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Cruise

Staff B wants an Alaskan cruise.



Alaskan Cruise...that's a view I'll love to wake up to

D.J.R’s dream vacation is to Disney World.   

Disney World

 What is your dream vacation? Feel free to share.



West – Famous Minnesotan’s

Have you ever wondered who is famous from our wonderful state of Minnesota? Well here’s your chance to find out!! 
 
For starters, Jessica Biel, born on March 3rd, 1983, is from Ely, MN. You may know her from her TV role in Seventh Heaven as “Mary Camden”.  After the show was cancelled she went on to star in “Summer Catch”, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and most recently “The A-Team”.   
 

Winona Ryder was born in Winona, MN on October 29th 1971.

Her first significant role was in “Beetlejuice” in 1988. Ryder also starred in “Little Women” in 1994.  In 2000 she received a star on the walk of fame but after that her acting career had a little set back when she was convicted of shoplifting and admitted to a chemical dependency clinic. She recovered and has starred in some recent films including “Black Swan”.
 

Seann Williams Scott was born and raised in Cottage Grove, MN.  He graduated from Park High school. You may know Seann from his huge role as Stiffler in “American Pie”. Seann starred in many big named movies including “The Dukes of Hazzard” remake and“The Rundown”.  His most recent role is in the upcoming reunion movie “American Reunion” Seann has been seen numerous times hanging out back in Minnesota. 
 

“The Wizard of Oz” star Judy Garland is from Grand

Rapids, MN Born as “Frances Ethel Gummon”

June 10th 1922.  Judy had a successful career in

singing and acting, before she passed away tragically

 on June 22nd 1969 at the age of 47.  Judy started out

her career singing at the age of 2 years old and acting

at the young age of 7. Her daughter Liza Mennelli

also followed in her footsteps and has made a well

known name for herself.

  

“My governor can beat up your governor”
 Minnesota’s own, Jesse Ventura born on July 15th 1951 became known world wide to wrestling fans as Jesse “The Body” Ventura. After years of wrestling Jesse came back to Minnesota and decided to run for governor. On January 4th 1999 Jesse became the 38th Governor of Minnesota. He stayed only one term and left January 6th 2003. 
 

And Last but not least we have good ole Bob Dylan!
 
Bob Dylan was born on May 24, 1941 “Robert Allen Zimmerman” in Duluth, but he was raised in Hibbing, MN. He moved to Minneapolis in September 1959 and enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where his early focus on rock and roll gave way to an interest in American folk music. He began singing in a local coffee shop in dinkytown.
During his Dinkytown days, Zimmerman began introducing himself as "Bob Dylan".
Bob Dylan has been writing and playing music for many many continues to do so.
 
 

We reviewed only 6 famous individuals that are from Minnesota, here is a list of many others you may know:
  
              “Prince” Roger Nelson        
       Loni Anderson
       T.R Knight 
      Breckin Meyer
     Chris Pratt
    Josh Harnett

    Craig Kilborn
   Jessica Lange
      Rachel Leigh Cook
  Mike Farrell
  Al Franken
   Lea Thompson
  Vince Vaughn

Francine York
 
Hope you enjoyed some information on some Minnesota Celebrities!

Commerce East - Happy 4th of July

Kaboom!

Boom boom, 330 BC

The rockets are made of oatmeal

They dance like peanuts and water jugs

They sound like sprinklers

They remind me of firecrackers, one thing only—the Red Robin

They look like money pencils, shaped like coins

I think the government created fireworks

Rocket chips that flies in the sky

They light up in the sky, written in my name as I mow the lawn.

-         R “…that’s the only one I ever choked out, the only one I’ll ever write.”

Fireworks on the Fourth of July

China is accredited with the discovery of fireworks. And according to some, fireworks on the Fourth of July signify the bombs exploding in the air. Regardless of its origin or significance, fireworks have become an American tradition in celebrating Independence Day on July 4^th.

Join the Celebration!!

Red, White, and Boom and Powerhorn Park in Minneapolis are offering concerts and activities July 3-July 4^th.

In St. Paul, even though there is no longer the Taste of Minnesota, fireworks will still be displayed on July 4^th at 10 p.m. on Harriet Island. About.com lists some of the best places to view the fireworks.



Diamond Rio



Low on funds? Country band Diamond Rio and Rocket Club will headline a free concert on July 4^th at Mystic Lake Casino. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. follow by fireworks. Go to TwinCities.com for further information and check out other activities and celebrations.

Have fun and stay safe.

Commerce West - Fourth Of July Fun!

        July is here and the weather is finally starting to warm up!  Commerce West clients are looking forward to many different activities this month including; Fourth of July, grilling with family and friends, boating, and fishing.  Swimmer said “She can’t wait to swim in her pool”  
 
     Fourth of July is not only a day to celebrate our freedom from Great Britain its also a day to spend with friends and family enjoying the summer weather,  doing activities many people don’t get to do on a regular basis.   Dolly said “she loves the Fourth of July because she, her mother and Thelma the dog have a party” 
 
    

Making Patriotic foods is also a fun way to get into the holiday spirit!  Revolutionary Berries is a fun and creative way to eat strawberries.  They have a little hint of sugar to sweeten them up a little more. 
          

Revolutionary Berries
Ingredients
12 ounces white chocolate chips  
Strawberries
Blue sugar or edible glitter 

                    
                      Instructions
1.         Melt 12 ounces of white chocolate chips in a microwave according to the package directions (make sure the container and the berries are dry; even a little moisture will alter the texture of the candy).
2.        One at a time, dip strawberries into the chocolate and then into blue sugar or edible glitter.
3.        Set them to harden on waxed paper.
             
           4.Makes 35 to 45 decorated berries.
 
Along with Fourth of July comes the most important thing and that is the Fireworks!!

There are many firework displays around the area; here is the information on White Bear Lake’s display.

        White Bear Lake:  Fireworks will begin at 10:00 PM, They are shot out from the waters just beyond Memorial Beach on Lake Avenue and 11th Street.

  

  I hope that everyone has a fun filled Fourth of July weekend!!
 
 Remember    Fireworks are very dangerous so if your handling them be very careful!