1. Hill-Murray School
City: Maplewood, MN
Category: Education
Telephone: (651) 777-1376
Address: 2625 Larpenteur Ave. East
Description: Hill-Murray is a respected Catholic private school for the east metropolitan Twin Cities. The school enrollment is just under 1,000 students for grades 7–12, and it has an impressive 14:1 student/teacher ratio. Academics with a moral perspective are emphasized at Hill-Murray, and the results show in student standardized test performance. On average, 94 percent of the school’s graduates attend college. Athletics are another important aspect of a Hill-Murray education. There are 23 varsity sports teams, and the Pioneers excel in many, especially hockey, where they have regularly competed in state high school tournaments. Hill-Murray has provided an excellent Catholic education for 50 years.
2. The Rock Nightclub
City: Maplewood, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (651) 770-7822
Address: 2029 Woodlynn Ave.
Description: It’s not like it’s particularly hard to find a suburban bar where you can listen to hair metal and play pool, but the Rock is in a class of its own, attracting the kind of national acts (2 Live Crew, David Lee Roth, Molly Hatchet, Nashville Pussy) whose most devoted listeners are aging frat boys. The Rock’s Web site insists it’s “the metro’s premier live music venue,” and if the most-played songs on your iTunes are by Vanilla Ice and Warrant, you’re not going to argue.
3. Taste Of India
City: Maplewood, MN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (651) 773-5477
Address: 1745 Cope Ave. East
Description: This Taste of India has different ownership than the St. Louis Park location and a different menu. The restaurant features an extensive list of mainly north Indian dishes. Curries and tandoori specialties dominate the menu. The menu also has many vegetarian options. The restaurant offers a daily lunch buffet and a selection of beers, wines, and Indian drinks such as lassi (yogurt drink) and Indian tea. Taste of India serves lunch and dinner daily.
4. Aldrich Arena Farmers’ Market
City: Maplewood, MN
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (651) 227-8101
Address: 1850 White Bear Ave.
Description: 8 a.m. to noon Wed, May through Nov.