June is when the Twin Cities really comes alive after the winter, and we deserve some summer fun and entertainment! Major events like Grand Old Day, Juneteenth, and the Twin Cities Pride Parade and Festival are all on the June calendar, the Stone Arch Bridge festival returns in 2013, plus many more. Start planning your June with this June 2013 Calendar for Minneapolis and St. Paul.

All of the major construction is done, the stations are in place, the majority of the disruption is over and University Avenue looks much as it will once the Central Corridor Light Rail opens - except, of course, for the trains that will run on the line. The remaining tasks include electrical wiring, signalling, finishing the stations, and testing the whole system.

The Central Corridor Light Rail line connects downtown St. Paul to Downtown Minneapolis, via University Avenue and the University of Minnesota campus.  Construction began in 2010, and is projected to be finished by 2014.

When will the Central Corridor open? The first train was successfully towed down the tracks in April 2013, but when will the trains be running for real? Sometime in 2014, potentially in the late spring or summer. There is currently no date given, since it depends on results of testing the system, and any tweaks or changes needed.

When the Central Corridor opens, it will be renamed the Green Line. (The Hiawatha Light Rail Line in Minneapolis will officially become the Blue Line). The line is 11 miles long, with 18 stations, and it will take 39 minutes to ride all of the way from downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis. The whole line will cost $957 million, funded by Federal, State and local money.

The latest news, construction updates, and the most current information on opening day can be found on the Central Corridor website.

The first long weekend of the summer - what are you going to do? Here's some events in town, from live music, baseball, fireworks, Memorial Day celebrations, farmer's markets, and more: Memorial Day Weekend Events in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Memorial Day is Monday May 27 in 2013. Many cities and communities recognize and honor those who have fought for their country this weekend. There are parades, commemorations, and other events at the Minnesota State Capitol, and locations around the Twin Cities. Here's a list of Memorial Day events in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and around the Twin Cities metro area.