Hardware rhymes

Stop by the Ace Hardware on Lexington Ave in Roseville for free popcorn and clever rhymes.

A Ghostly Tale

This has been a hard couple of years for small businesses. I've started collecting what a friend of mind calls 'ghost signs' - signs belonging to businesses that no longer exist. This first ghost sign is from a lovely former used bookstore in Dinkytown. Inside the store there was a bird that greeted you, a cat that purred at your feet and a very friendly but laid-back dog. And they all seemed to get along just fine.

The Official Warming House of Grand Avenue

Normally I find official sponsorships a little bit silly - I mean, does the NFL really need an official cold medicine? Anyway, I think this sponsorship makes sense since Grand Avenue is a really awesome place to hang out and in this weather you do need a warming house. Try the guac there too.

Love letter for lazy arsonists

I'm sure this sign is posted to satisfy some sort of law but I'm a little confused. If I were someone who had a key to this building, wouldn't I already know that the fire protection is out of service? If I had a key and I didn't know and a fire started inside the building that I couldn't put out, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't wait around to see if the fire protection could put it out. If I were someone looking to break in to this building, I don't think I'd care about the state of the automatic sprinklers. And if I were a policewoman and/or firewoman I'm pretty sure I'd have to run into the burning building to save someone even if the sprinklers were out of service.

So all I can figure is that this is a love letter for arsonists. And a lazy arsonist at that.

Free Head Exam

Balking at the hourly cost of a psychologist? Get your head examined at a jewelry store in Rosedale instead. (Yes, I know the bars are down in the photograph. What can I say? We closed down the mall. We're crazy like that.)

This is My Therapy

I'm thinking we'll all need some therapy if the race for the governor isn't settled soon.

Happy Halloween!

The area code is 651 - in case you're in need of Halloween makeup.

This Post Really Sucks

From one warm blooded piece of furniture to another

These wise words found at the Westonka Animal Hospital in Mound, MN.

Singing and Art Lessons

Wedding fundraiser at the State Fair

I wish I had thought of this.

No driving, just parking

Why I've given up on politics

Advice from a bridge

I'm pretty sure this advice came from the same crowd that answers questions on Yahoo answers.

It's all in the timing

I guess they're only a couple of months late if the pole is supposed to be replaced in Spring. Oh, wait. Spring 2009? Yeah, that's a little late.

Time travel discovered at the University of Minnesota

Look closely at the plaque to see the biographical details for Sara Canterbury IV, 1790-2054.

How do you really feel?

Apparently, students in Dinkytown are passionate about their ATMs.

A Moment of Silence for the Fallen

This respectful note to the clumsy can be found at Java Train in Saint Paul.

Untitled Water Main

Ah, the joy of defaults in WordPad.

No charge for notes!

Since I neglected to copy down the name of the touring company with this sign at the Outdoor Expo in Minneapolis, I will turn in my junior reporter merit badge. Enjoy the picture while I try to redeem myself. :)

No left turns except when there is

Yep, that'd be the left-turn-no-left-turn lane.

But what about the toads?

This week, a contribution from a guest photographer, Ross Demeyere.

It's definitely your roommate

Of all the new apartment buildings popping up around campus, this has the most creative advertising I've seen.

Credit Cards and Reprisals

Given the recent news I thought it might be a good week to reprise one of my favorite signs that appeared in the book. This second run theater was one of our favorite places to go for a date night and is sadly no more. (As a side note, I don't think not accepting credit cards is that big of a deal. The fees can be a lot of money for a business to absorb.)

Now Playing: Runtime error

Lovepower bans gun on these premises

That would be Lovepower Ministries, not to be confused with that force of nature, the power of love.

A Joke for Your Friends

The Washington Ave Bridge was supposed to be a corridor of shops. The shops were never built and in their place, student groups get to paint advertisements for all their clubs.

I've been telling this joke to all my friends ever since I found it.

This road is not closed

This road is not closed, only both lanes of it are.

A Dog's Odds

I'm going to this dog for my lottery numbers - Iowa won by 12.

A Study in Rhyming

Ah, caffeine and studying. A timeless combination.

Winter Irony

What's the best ad to put around an ice rink? An ad for a hospital, of course.

The Sky Fell. Come get some!

Kudos to Mo'r Designs at Rosedale center for some of the most creative advertising I've seen all season.