On Saturday the Twin Cities was blasted with a blizzard that recorded 14.9 inches of snow at MSP Airport and all runways were shut down. Most people were huddled safely at home.

But when the Muddy Paws Cheesecake owner entered her shop, it had been ransacked and snow was pouring in through the ceiling. Talk about a nightmare!

Twin Cities business owner Tami Cabrera of Muddy Paws Cheesecake represents the heart and soul of what true community is all about. She is one of the most respected and community supportive people in the Minnesota Wedding and Event industry and Catering scene. 

Over my music career I have come to know Tami and have watched in delight as her wonderful business grew into a local and even national success story. Muddy Paws Cheesecake is often the dessert of choice at many of the events where I am playing.  Lucky for me if the client let's me sample a piece of cheesecake!

Those of us in the Wedding and Event industry get to know each other pretty well. We share in each other's joys and our hurts.

When Tami Cabrera has been in the news it's been when she was invited to hand deliver her cheesecake to the Obama White House . . . or the announcements of her many cheesecake honors . . . or for her generous promotion of so many local charities.

Check out Jason DeRusha's interview with Tami regarding her annual fundraiser.

But this weekend the news was not good news. Extensive damage was wrought on the Muddy Paws Cheesecake shop. “They came in through the roof and cut a hole through,” Cabrera said. “I didn’t even know that was possible.”

During the tumble through the roof, the burglar ripped down wires, lighting and everything else along the way creating extensive damage to the shop. Before getting away with some cash and checkbooks, the burglar busted two other holes in the walls and ruined displays, pictures and signage.

Thankfully, business can continue at Muddy Paws. “We can still bake and still use our mixer and stuff like that,” Cabrera said. “I’m really thankful.”

Tami and Muddy Paws Cheesecake is famously known and loved throughout the Twin Cities.  It is now Tami's turn to be lifted up and helped by all those whose lives have been touched by her delicious cheesecake and her generosity and service over the years! 

If you are able to help Tami and Muddy Paws Cheesecake continue its wonderful contribution to the Twin Cities business scene, take a moment and visit the GoFundMe page set up to help Tami.

Let's all support Tami and help her make it through this challenge! If you are one of the few that have not yet had the pleasure of tasting Muddy Paws Cheesecake, ORDER TODAY. You can even rent their cheesecake food truck to come to your office or event!

You can read more on the story at the KSTP Eyewitness News Live Video

Hang in there, Tami. We love you and your cheesecake. The community supports you!

Members and visitors of the Central Minnesota Wedding Association gathered at Geyer Rental in St. Cloud to mingle and discuss their wedding-related experiences.

One of the questions we discussed was, 'What is your greatest challenge'? Here are some of the responses.

A photographer said that his greatest challenge was not having enough time to take all of the photos that the wedding couple requested. Even though the photographer has explained ahead of time how much time is needed to take all the photos requested. The problem occurs when people aren't ready and things run late.

A venue event planner said a challenge she encounters is when family members try to overtake the wishes of the wedding couple. In such cases the event planner calls into play her expertise in diplomacy.

A venue owner said on rare occasions there can be a disrespect of the property even when the rules have been explained by word and in the contract.

A DJ said that he wishes to communicate with wedding couples by phone so he can get a good feel of their needs and personality and they of him. He said it is sometimes difficult to have couples respond to him by phone. It is important for wedding couples to find a DJ whose personality really clicks with theirs. Speaking by phone is a good way to experience the DJ's personality before investing time in actually meeting with the DJ.

As a wedding pianist I like to reach out to the officiant, wedding venue, and wedding coordinator ahead of time to make sure I understand their rules as they apply to me and I want them to understand my music needs as it involves them. Most wedding professionals are excellent in responding to my communication, but occasionally I receive a lack of response. When I do not receive a response, I gently persist and try a different avenue of communication. 

At the end of our discussions I came away with a greater respect for the other wedding professionals that I met with.

Each wedding professional has their own challenges. We are all striving to make our part of a couple's Wedding Day the best that it can be. It is helpful to realize that the other wedding professionals are striving to do the same!

Are you a wedding professional that would like to add your voice to this conversation? I would love to hear your comment!

Thank you to Geyer Rental for hosting the meeting. It was a beautiful Minnesota spring evening and the tent was perfect! Thank you to Megan Czycalla at Blue Sage Insights for sharing her updates on social media strategies. The appetizers, hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided by the St. Cloud Country Club were delicious! Thank you to Rollie Carlson our charismatic president at the Central Minnesota Wedding Association and to Nichole Winter at Destination Vacation for organizing and presenting this event. 

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association is a valuable asset to me as a wedding professional.

One of the highlights of my job as a solo musician is getting to meet with my engaged couples to plan their music. It puts me directly in touch with their wedding needs and wishes. I absolutely love getting to know them! On the day of their wedding I feel a wonderful connection to them and the special moments that their wedding day represents.

Even though I have this wonderful connection with my wedding couples, as a solo musician I miss the comradeship that those in traditional professional roles enjoy. This has led me to reach out to other professionals in the wedding business.

Being a member at Central MN Wedding Association has been fun, insightful and educational. Members of CMWA are accepted based on their business integrity, professionalism and commitment to excellence. At our meetings I have had the opportunity to get to know some of the best in the wedding profession! 

My favorite meeting of the year is the Wedding Panel where newlywed couples share their insights with members of the CMWA. The couples share what went wrong and what went right with their weddings and how their wedding professionals contributed to their wedding experiences. I always come away from this meeting with inspirational ideas on how to improve my services!

I am very proud of our Code of Ethics that each member pledges to follow.

Watch the video below to view first hand how CMWA has helped myself and others in our professional lives.

I am happy to have found a wonderful balance between my solo piano performances, interaction with my wedding couples, and networking with other wedding professionals!