I was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota into a military family that moved across the United States more times than a UPS truck on caffeine laced motor oil. I lived in California, Oklahoma, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Dallas & New Jersey before getting my bachelor's Degree back in Grand Fork's at The University of North Dakota-Go Fighting Sioux!
After college I moved to the "Big City"--also known as Minneapolis. I began to chase my dream of being a model, seeing as how North Dakota wasn't exactly a HOTBED for fashion, I have been in close to 100 fashion shows and now enjoy emceeing them, and modeling in them when it is an AARP sponsored event.
Next step, Pageants.. I was Miss Hawaiian Tropic, back when Prince ruled the Minneapolis Scene, and Mrs. Minnesota America in 1994, back when I still wore a ring on a certain finger. Today I am Queen of my Three Lhasa Apsos and two Chinchilla Persian Cats--Dakota, Zsa-Zsa- Heaven, Tiger & Stella...They love to gnaw on my Tiara's.
1995 brought about, The Minnesota Experience. I answered an ad in The Star Tribune for an on-air host position for a new Channel being developed by the founders of Pet Food Warehouse, they had just sold out to Petco, and had millions to invest in a new concept called -INFOMERCIAL TELEVISION..they wanted to create a 24 hour channel that catered to visitors to Minnesota. A 24 Hour Channel dedicated to ST. Paul...I got the job!! I know more about St. Paul than Norm Coleman! After two months they fired everyone involved and decided to open a furniture store...I asked one life changing question...can I have the tapes?
Thus, the birth of my 13 year long show..the Minnesota Experience..I bought airtime on Cable Channel Six in 1995, spent eight years in cable access land, then moved to late night on The WB network 2003-2005,then moved to Sunday morning’s on the WB-2005-2006,then moved to Thursday morning’s on The CW-2007. Summer 2008 celebrates 13 years on the air--the end of The Minnesota Experience-and the beginning of The Tawnja Zahradka Show-airing on The CW Network-Saturday nights at 11;35 following Sex & The City!!
Thank you for watching and for telling your friends to also-it’s been a long journey--and you guys are the reason I keep plugging away!
Always remember put God first-I may be the Executive Producer--but my Father in Heaven is the Director! Hugs! Tawnja
