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The Basics

(page 1 of 2)

Here are a few essentials you need to know now that you've arrived.

a photo of a bus

Photo by Metro Transit

Gettin’ Settled

Let there be light: Xcel Energy is the state’s source for electricity. To set up your account and get started, call 800-895-4999 or visit www.xcelenergy.com

Heat waves: For a natural gas hookup call CenterPoint Energy at 800-245-2377 or visit www.centerpointenergy.com

Stay connected: Contact Qwest Communications to set up a land line at your home. The company also offers DSL and wireless services, 800-244-1111 or www.qwest.com

Reduce, reuse, recycle: Allied Waste and Waste Management are two of the largest trash and recycling collectors in the Twin Cities. Allied Waste North Metro, 763-748-2104; Allied Waste Southwest Metro, 952-941-8394; Allied Waste East Metro, 651-455-8634. Waste Management Metro, 952-890-1100. Check local listings for other providers in your area.

Go vote: To register to vote, visit www.sos.state.mn.us to download a voter registration form and find your polling place. You can also register when you apply for a Minnesota driver’s license or at your polling place on the day of an election.

Gettin’ Around

By Car: To apply for a Minnesota driver’s license, head to your local DMV. To find the location nearest you, visit www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs. When driving around the Twin Cities, the major north-south route through the area is Interstate 35, which divides into I-35W bisecting Minneapolis and I-35E through St. Paul. Interstate 94 goes east-west through both cities. A beltway circles the Twin Cities, with Interstate 494 looping through the southern suburbs and Interstate 694 cutting through the north.

By Bus: More than 800 buses travel more than 100 bus routes around the Twin Cities. Bus fares run from 50 cents to $2.75 with day, monthly and stored value passes available. For more information or to map out your own bus trip, contact Metro Transit at 612-373-3333 or visit www.metrotransit.com

By Light Rail: The Hiawatha Light Rail runs from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America. To make for easy commutes, three Park & Ride lots are located at the 28th Avenue, Fort Snelling and Lake Street stations and offer a combined total of more than 1,800 parking spots. Fares range from $1.50 to $2. For more information contact Metro Transit at 612-373-3333 or visit www.metrotransit.com

By Taxi: More often than not, you’ll need to call ahead to catch a cab. In Minneapolis: Airport & Town Taxi, 612-721-0000; Blue & White Taxi, 612-333-3333; Green & White Taxi, 612-522-2222; Rainbow Taxi, 612-333-1615; Minneapolis Taxi, 612-998-1555. In St. Paul: Airport Yellow Taxi, 651-644-3212; City Wide Cab Co., 651-489-1111; Diamond Cab, 651-642-1188; Green & White Taxi, 651-222-2222; Gold Star Taxi, 952-881-4444; Suburban Taxi, 952-884-8888.

Gettin’ Informed

Extra, extra: We have two competing newspapers in the Twin Cities: the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press. To subscribe call 800-775-4344 for the Star Tribune or visit www.startribune.com and 800-678-7737 for the Pioneer Press or visit www.twincities.com. City Pages is a free news and arts weekly that you’ll find at a number of coffee shops, bagel shops and newsstands, or visit the publication online at www.citypages.com.

Tune in: Looking for your favorite show but can’t find the right channel? You’ll find NBC on channel 11; ABC on channel 5; CBS on channel 4; FOX on channel 9; CW on channel 23; and PBS on channel 2.

On the dial: Minnesota Public Radio offers news on KNOW 91.1 FM, classical music on KSJN 99.5 FM and a wide playlist on The Current 89.3 FM. You can also find news on WCCO 830 AM and sports radio on KFAN 1130 AM. Other radio stations include Cities 97.1 AM, KS95 94.5 FM, hard rock on 93X 93.7 FM, country on K102 102.1 FM, LITE 102.9 FM and many more.

Go digital, get online: For digital cable, choose from Comcast, 800-COMCAST, www.comcast.com; Direct TV, 888-777-2454, www.directtv.com; or Dish Network, 888-825-2557, www.dishnetwork.com. Both Comcast and Direct TV also offer DSL service as does Qwest Communications and EarthLink (www.earthlink.net). Both Minneapolis and St. Paul plan to go wireless in the near future, but until then you can find several coffee shops, libraries, hotels and other spots that are wireless already.

Your First Weekend in Town

Morning Jolt: Need a pick-me-up during your first weekend in town? Go for a walk or a short drive and you’re bound to run into a coffee shop. Keep your eye out for homegrown and chain favorites like Caribou Coffee, Starbucks, Dunn Bros. Coffee, Espresso Royale or any number of unique coffee and tea houses around.

Pizza Pie: If you want to order in after a long day of unpacking, you have a bunch of pizza places from which to choose. The Twin Cities is home to the typical chains like Papa John’s, Pizza Hut and Domino’s, but also check local listings for even tastier options for carry-out or delivery: Davanni’s Pizza and Hot Hoagies, Pizza Lucé, Frankie’s Pizza Pasta and Ribs, Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza, Green Mill and Old Chicago should satisfy a late-night craving or two.

Provisions shopping: Cub Foods and Rainbow Foods are two competing chains (keeping prices reasonable) that dominate the market with bag-your-own-groceries service in a warehouse setting. For a more upscale grocery shopping experience head to Byerly’s or Lunds, where quality is emphasized over price. Organic and natural foods can be found at the major chains and smaller markets alike, but Whole Foods Market and independent stores like Kowalski’s are peppered throughout Twin Cities neighborhoods.

Phone Numbers

EMERGENCY

Police, Fire, Sheriff, Medical - 911
Travel Information - 511

GENERAL INFO

Time and Weather - 763-512-1111

TICKET PURCHASES

TC Tix (same-day) - 612-288-2060
Ticketmaster - 651-989-5151

PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Humphrey Terminal - 612-726-5800
Air Tran - 800-247-8726
Champion Air - 800-922-2606
Iceland Air - 800-223-5500
Miami Air Int. - 305-876-3600
Midwest Air. -  800-452-2022
Ryan Int. - 888-443-7926
Sun Country - 800-359-6786
Xtra Airways - 612-258-8800

Lindbergh Terminal - 612-726-5555
Air Canada - 888-247-2262
America West - 800-235-9292
American - 800-433-7300
Comair - 800-354-9822
Continental - 800-525-0280
Delta - 800-221-1212
Frontier - 800-432-1359
KLM Royal Dutch - 800-374-7747
Mesaba - 800-225-2525
Northwest - 800-225-2525
SkyWest - 435-624-3400
United - 800-241-6522
US Airways - 800-428-4322

Amtrak
Train Service - 800-872-7245
Light Rail - 612-373-3333
City Bus Service - 612-373-3333
Automated Bus Info - 612-341-4287
Greyhound - 800-231-2222
Super Shuttle - 800-258-3826
metroConnections - 800-747-8687
Airport Taxi - 800-464-0555
Rainbow Taxi - 612-332-1615


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