10,000 Lakes, is that possible?

Actually, Minnesota has 11,842 lakes that are greater than 10 acres in size. Armed with this trivia, you can start exploring a few of the lakes during iCONIFW 2007 MSP. Long Yang Club Minnesota invites you to join us for the Labor Day weekend in Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota. Come and explore our state, enjoy "Minnesota Nice," some great food, weather, and discover why so many of us choose to live here.

iCONIFW 2007 MSP will be held in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis & St. Paul, Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, 2007. We anticipate great weather, lots of fun, new and renewed friendships and a lifetime of memories about your visit.

You'll have a chance to explore The Mall of America, the largest mall in the United States. You will also be able to see the Tretter Collection, the largest private collection of GLBTA memorabilia in the world, housed at the University of Minnesota. Jean Tretter is preparing a special display of gay Asian materials from the collection and he will be one of our seminar speakers during the weekend. Of course, the Mary Tyler Moore house from the Mary Tyler Moore television show and the Mary Tyler Moore statue – as well as the mansions on beautiful Summit Avenue in St. Paul and a variety of other sights and establishments in the metropolitan area – will be included on our bus tour.

For those arriving earlier in the week, we are plan excursions to our fine art museums, the Minnesota State Fair, a Minnesota winery, and Stillwater, one of the first communities in the state and located on the St. Croix River.

Our headquarters hotel, the Crowne Plaza Northstar, is ideally located in the center of downtown Minneapolis. You will be within walking distance or a quick bus ride to many of the gay-owned or gay-friendly establishments – as well as many of the sightseeing opportunities in the city – in the downtown area. The hotel is also connected to the Skyway System. The Skyway allows people to move throughout the city using enclosed bridges (a skyway) between many of the downtown buildings. You might have heard Minnesota does get a touch of cold, snowy weather in the winter months, and the Skyway was started in 1962 to help people avoid the elements. Today there are more than seven miles of skyways in downtown Minneapolis. The Skyway is popular, even in the summer, with downtown office workers who frequent many of the restaurants serving lunch.

There will be three self-guided walking tours, allowing visitors to learn about the city. The tours start from the hotel and include a map to guide you. The tours are of the Minneapolis Skyway System, Minneapolis Downtown East & Mill Ruins, and Minneapolis Downtown West & Loring Park.

Minneapolis & St. Paul do not have a "gay neighborhood." Our gay-owned business establishments are spread throughout the two cities. There are a variety of gay bars, gift shops, coffee shops and bookstores for you to check out. After AIDS began spreading in 1980s, all of the bath houses were closed. There are none in the Minneapolis & St. Paul area.

Minneapolis & St. Paul do not have a Chinatown, however there are many Asian-based stores and restaurants in the metropolitan area. All types of Asian cuisine – from very authentic to the "dumbed-down" flavors that Minnesotans prefer for their somewhat "bland" palates – can be found. (The author of this article was raised in Minnesota and is embarrassed by its bland Scandinavian palate.) Minnesota is the home to all Asian ethnic groups. St. Paul can boast of the second largest Hmong population in the United States and host to the largest Hmong sports event held annual during the Fourth of July weekend.

Minneapolis has seven lakes within its city limits. A short bus ride to Lake Calhoun provides a lot of "sight" seeing. If the weather is warm, many of the "sights" take their shirts off as they run, blade, walk, or bike around the lake. It is a 3.3 mile pathway around Lake Calhoun and can be completed in about an hour at a comfortable walking pace. Calhoun can also be your gateway to the Chain of Lakes. The Chain of Lakes, one of Minneapolis' most highly visited locations, is comprised of a number of parks along a chain of connecting lakes. A 13.3 mile biking/walking/jogging path encircles the entire Chain, providing a beautiful setting for activity. Bikes are available for rent two blocks from Lake Calhoun.

To take advantage of the current $235 registration fee, you must complete your payment/registration online or have it postmarked by April 30, 2007. As of May 1, 2007, the registration fee will be $260 per person. Information about room reservations can also be found at the Web site.

We look forward to introducing you to Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota this fall.