Welcome to the first Pig's Eye Post of 2012! This evening, Monday, January 9th, we are excited to present our first 2012 event, a Lowertown Reading Jam presented by writer, teacher, and performance poet Wendy Brown-Báez. The "Yours Truly" reading jam presents personal stories and collaborative poems, a reflection of what it means to be young, vibrant, determined, curious, and wise. Other Saint Paul events include the "Beaker & Brush" discussion series, Storyland at the Children's Museum, and the return of A Prairie Home Companion. With new writing from the Almanac.

Although the Saint Paul Almanac publishes only yearly, the organization stays active between issues by maintaining its interactive website and putting together cool events, like the Lowertown Reading Jams. Each month, the happening is hosted by a different author of note, who is joined by other up-and-coming artists.... Authors scheduled in coming months include Melvin Giles (June 13) and Diego Vázquez Jr. (July 11). Also: Things To Do Outside... See the city from a fresh perspective or enjoy the City's free May-August “Music in the Parks” series. Brand New Exhibit: “Underwear: A Brief History”. Last Chance Exhibit: Last month of spectacular woodturning pieces.

Saturday and Sunday: Last chance to see the Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl! Don't let rain stop play! It only happens a couple of times a year (next one in Fall) and where else can you see art by over 325 resident, guest and gallery artists? And, in such beautiful and historic buildings? And, best [...]

Since 1953, Porky's has been the Twin Cities' classic drive-in restaurant, the arena for more than a few mating rituals of members of the Saint Paul species. The restaurant served its last burger on Sunday, April 3rd, 2011. The red-and-white checkered building that houses the drive-in restaurant and two of its signs are being moved from University Avenue, by new owner Steve Bauer, to his historic tourist village near Hastings, MN, the Little Log House Pioneer Village. The Almanac's Carol Connolly received the Kay Sexton Award at the 23rd annual Minnesota Book Awards. Mark your calendars for the Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl! April 29th – Friday evening, 6-10 pm; April 30th – Saturday afternoon, noon-8 pm; May 1st – Sunday, noon-5 pm.

At the beginning of February, the online magazine The Line wrote a story on the Saint Paul Almanac, which offers a fantastic overview of the community vision we Almanacians have for our beloved Saint Paul. Editor Kimberly Nightingale sees the book as a model for nothing less than a revolution in American publishing. And her fusion of multiethnic, history-and-culture-rich, hyperlocal storytelling is resonating in places like Los Angeles, Portland, and Pittsburgh; people in a dozen cities across the country have asked her for help in creating their own versions of the Almanac. Finally, we have new writing from Barbara Cox on night light hockey at Groveland, Michael Maupin tags us with 25 random things about Saint Paul and himself, and read an extract from David Haynes' book about the great cookie wars!