pick of the week: Mother Nature might have thrown us the old bait-and-switch by teasing us with springlike weather and then dumping us back into winter, but the Minnesota Zoo is out to satisfy our summer-starved urges. The zoo is hosting its annual Tropical Beach Party, which includes two giant indoor sandboxes (they're BYOP — bring your own pail) filled with a combined 34 tons of sand. The party goes on daily through March 12, with special events such as face painting and craft activities added on weekends. And it all takes place in nice, warm parts of the zoo: the Tropics Trail and Discovery Bay aquarium. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $18, $12 for seniors and ages 3 to 12. mnzoo.org/
Day by day: Irregardless of what you may of heard, Saturday is National Grammar Day. Try to diligently speak good so people will know where you're thoughts are at.
recommended reading: Step aside, boomers. There's a new generation of pinball fans — and a new generation of high-tech machines to go with them. Warm up your flipper fingers with Wednesday's Variety.
JEFF STRICKLER
