1. Crisis Nursery Of Anoka County—Children’S Home
City: Blaine, MN
Category: Child Care
Telephone: (763) 785-9222
Address: 1400 131st Ave. NE
Description: Crisis Nursery offers emergency care family services, including help for battered women, teen parents, and abused or neglected children. Families are encouraged to call ahead to set up a meeting, in either home or at Crisis Nursery’s office, to see what action would be most beneficial. Referrals are available, so call with any problem and the staff will do their best to direct you to the most appropriate organization.
2. Resource Center For Fathers And Families
City: Blaine, MN
Category: Child Care
Telephone: (763) 783-4938
Address: 1201 89th Ave. NE
Description: With locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Blaine, the Resource Center for Fathers and Families has programs aimed at single, married, or divorced fathers who want to improve their relationship with their children, including anger management groups, parent education classes, and support groups. The center also has information for fathers on legal issues, including referrals and up-to-date information on public policy and child support issues.
3. Cheapo Discs
City: Blaine, MN
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (763) 574-2308
Address: 170 89th Ave. NE
Description: Cheapo is the Twin Cities’ largest seller of new and used CDs. The first store opened decades ago as Cheapo Records but eventually was forced to be a little less choosy regarding format. After much shuffling of inventory, Cheapo’s vinyl stock settled in the basement of the Minneapolis store and in a satellite location across the street from the St. Paul location. Cheapo stocks a large selection of local music; while it can’t compete with the Electric Fetus for pure cachet, its generous stock and smart selection make it a popular destination.
4. Space Aliens Grill & Bar
City: Blaine, MN
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (763) 780-2383
Address: 9967 Ulysses St. NE
Description: Space Aliens advertises itself as “a franchise of galactic proportions”—which is a bit of an exaggeration given that the six restaurants are located only in Minnesota and North Dakota, but nonetheless, it’s a pretty flippin’ big deal if you’re eight years old. Selling pizza and burgers to families sitting among statues of aliens under a giant space dome and then sending them off to play arcade games, Space Aliens is essentially a Chuck E. Cheese—but with its theme being aliens instead of giant mice. Win.