By Brian Schommer

Welcome back to “Out and About;” the new fun and feelgood “feature article” that can be found exclusively in The Journal Newspapers. If you have any scoops for us on things happening in our area that fit the fun and feelgood focus, be sure to send a heads up to [email protected] and we will do our best to get the word out.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

in Hastings. If you are travelling to or from Hastings via Highway 61, you can expect delays to continue for awhile and single lane traffic will be a reality as closures become necessary for the crews to complete the necessary repairs. While delays and sitting in traffic can certainly be frustrating, especially if it is hot and muggy out, you had a long day at work and things may not have gone exactly how you wanted them, you just got off the phone with a needy teenager who wants what they want right now or you just have better things to do, remember, everyone else sitting there is feeling the same way. The crew and law enforcement encourage you to keep your focus on what is going on, use the “zipper merge” if traffic is backed way up and placing your car in the middle of the two lanes to stop someone from using the zipper merge creates more issues (and frustration). “Movies In The Park CG” will take place on Wednesday, August 24th beginning at 7:30pm at Highlands Park in Cottage Grove. You can find out more about this FREE event in Cottage Grove by checking out the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce website at www.cottagegrovechamber.org along with a lot of other great things going on. The movie on August 24th is SPACE JAM 2. But wait COTTAGE GROVE… THERE IS MORE… COMPCARE Urgent Care will be having their ribbon cutting followed by treats and tours beginning at 3:00pm on Thursday, August 25th running until 4:30pm. The event is free. It is requested that you register for planning purposes on the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce website.

If you drove through Red Wing last weekend, you noticed a lot of things going on.

RIVER CITY DAYS was a huge success despite Mother Nature doing her best to dampen the spirits and efforts of attendees and vendors alike. The teriyaki pork loin at The Smokin’ Oak booth was delicious and Liberty’s PIZZA was outstanding. The musical offerings seemed to be very well received and it was certainly fun for all. If you are a summertime, community festival type, be sure to put RIVER CITY DAYS on your calendar for next year. It certainly is worth the drive while “out and about.” If you are in Hastings, be sure to check out “The Smokin’ Oak Express” location on Vermillion Street. While they do not have the teriyaki pork loin on the menu, there are plenty of excellent options to tickle your taste buds.

Speaking of Hastings, if you are a golfer, be sure to consider the “Hastings Golf Classic” which is the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce golf tournament. This event is billed as a fantastic mix of business and fun which takes place on Monday, August 29th at Clifton Highlands Golf Club. There will be great food, fun and entertainment all day long. The tourney is a scramble format allowing all levels of play to be able to enjoy the event. A bad day golfing is still better than a good day working for many folks, so if it is golf that you enjoy while being “out and about,” here is a great opportunity for you.

Hastings is booming with things to do, especially at the Hastings Area Rotary Club Pavilion at Levee Park. If you like Country, Rock, and Pop music from the 90’s through today, be sure to check out TOP SHELF tonight (Thursday, August 11) starting at 7pm. Next week, the Latin Fusion group Tropical Zone Orchestra will be performing. There is free, live music EVERY Thursday night at this location. You will also find various vendors each week that generally have various food and merchandise products for sale. Head down early, secure a good parking spot and check out one of the many fine places in Historic Downtown Hastings to grab a bit to eat. If you like antiques, there are plenty of great shops to tease your collecting fancy.

Finally, while out and about, if you happen to be in Ellsworth, Wisconsin on a cheese curd run to the creamery, you will want to stop at “Common Man Tap and Table” located at 193 E. Main Street. Their tagline is

“Celebrating the Blue Collar in All of Us”

and it is quite fitting. The food is delicious, the portions are substantial, and the selection of beverages is quite impressive. The staff was extremely personable and the 3AM Nachos are not a oneperson task, so be sure to bring friends. From salads and wraps to burgers and a phenomenal Reuben Sandwich, it’s worth the stop. Until next week, have some fun getting “Out and About.”