The Latest from Metamorphosis

Celebrate the Joy of riding bikes!
The Bicycle Film Festival is in town this weekend with lots of great shows. Check out the schedule for this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

This one isn't so much the fault of the photographer, rather the subject. I don't know who would've thought this to be a good idea. Ever. Now the poor house looks unicorn-y, emphasis on the corny.
Someone needs to save this beautiful old place (I've seen it, it is), and chop that misplaced triangle off.
Takers?

Let's face it- while summer is full of wonderful things like lemonade stands, art fairs, bike rides and gardening - it is also very HOT (oh and don't forget humid). The combination of heat and humidity can end up being quite uncomfortable, and often makes it hard to sleep at night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o0ZVeixYU&feature=player_embedded#!

Street food is one of the best things about living in a city. Think New York hot dogs, or roasted nuts- Tacos in LA. Street food is generally cheap, fast and delicious - and can now be found in our very own Minneapolis!
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/06/28/minneapolis-stre...

Interested in starting your own food cart? (Awesome- we'd love to hear about your idea!)
Click here for the City of Minneapolis Food Licensing info:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/business-licensing/food/

We all need a home. We need a place to kick up our feet, eat and sleep...a roof over our heads to protect us from the thunderstorms of late. (Of course there's more to a home than that, but that's for a later blog).

Here's the thing: no matter what, we have to pay for these pleasures. The question then becomes "how much"?

Check out this great tool for figuring out the true costs of renting and owning and see what's best for your budget. You just may be surprised by how much money you can save by buying. http://www.trulia.com/rent_vs_buy/

Three cheers for Minneapolis! According to Travel+Leisure's list of "America's Dirtiest Cities" Minneapolis ranks cleanest- with New York on the other end of the spectrum ranking dirtiest. According to the survey "the cleaner cities tended to receive strong marks for peace, parks, and a devotion to Mother Earth." The results are not that surprising really, since we've got such amazing network of city parks, waterways, and bike paths. Just another reason we're lucky to live here!
Check out the slide show of "America's Dirtiest Cities":
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-dirtiest-cities/2

It's true! Check out this incredible home constructed using 100% recycled materials. Part Tree-house, part Art- the attention to detail, creativity and material selections are amazing!
http://dornob.com/a-beautiful-house-made-from-100-trash-recycled-materia...

Interest-free. Deferrable. FORGIVABLE.
These are words used to describe some of the current local loan programs available to 1st time home buyers. Some of these programs are specifically intended to help with down payment and closing costs, therefore, drastically decreasing the amount of cash-on-hand needed to purchase. Combine this with record-low interest rates, and you've got yourself a good deal on a Home!

Check out a these state programs:
The MN State Homeownership Assistance Fund (HAF) and the MN State Home (HELP) Homeowner Entry Loan Program.
http://www.mnhousing.gov/consumers/home-buyers/loans/MHFA_003407.aspx