A bagel by any name

How many ways can you use a bagel? Ask Taia Morley of West Lakeland Township (near Stillwater).

The illustrator and toy/game designer won a $10,000 commission from Bruegger's Bagels to create a mural for its new prototype bakery at 437 Commerce Drive in Woodbury. The whimsical painting — which depicts bagels as a balloon, unicycle, snowman, butterfly and much more — is expected to find a home in select other Bruegger's shops.

The freelance artist, who is also in the stable of approved Barbie illustrators, was thrilled to take on her own art direction for this project.

"The only requirement was that it was all original art," said Morley. "So I wanted to do something goofy and fun. I also knew it had to be simple, as people would be looking at it from across the room."

The artist enjoys the occasional bagel herself, and discovered the contest while buying the snack. Her preference still, after this immersion in dough-related artwork: warm onion bagel with plain cream cheese.

Shhh, it's a secret

W.A Frost in St. Paul is launching a new event, Arcanum: The Secret Society Series, in which participants will attend any or all of four curated cocktail hours in historical St. Paul locations whose identity will be shared within the month. The first event is Nov. 25 at the Commodore — OK, so everyone knows that one — but the other three locations are under wraps for now. Each three-hour event will feature themed cocktails, appetizers and live entertainment from the worlds of music, dance, visual, fashion or theater. Tickets are limited. To attend all four arcanums, the cost is $425; $300 for three, and $150 single admission. For more details and to order tickets, visit www.arcanumsecretsociety.com.

Maiden Minnesota adds hours

It's time again for that reliable harbinger of the holiday shopping season, the Maiden Minnesota boutique, which features products from women-owned companies. More than 35 companies represent a wide range of options. From the food world, look for Droolin' Moose and St. Croix Chocolate Co. The event has expanded its hours this year, with doors open from 2-9 p.m. Nov. 7 at Loews Minneapolis Hotel (formerly the Graves 601 Hotel), 601 1st Av. N. Tickets are $20 in advance online, $30 at the door, and include one drink ticket; $5 from each ticket goes directly to Project Success. More information is available at www.maidenminnesota.com and www.projectsuccess.org.

Good Food finalists

Congratulations to the Minnesota businesses that have been chosen finalists in this year's Good Food Awards, which recognize culinary excellence among socially conscious food entrepreneurs. A record 1,462 entries from across the country were winnowed to 206 finalists in 11 categories. The local artisans are: Alemar Cheese Co. for its Bent River Camembert; St. Croix Chocolate Co. for its Peanut Butter and Wild Grape Jelly Bar confection; Ames Farm for its Locust Honey, and Heath Glen's Farm & Kitchen for its Pear Champagne and Rosemary Jelly and its Ginger Lime Syrup. Winners will be announced Jan. 8 in San Francisco.

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