Hey Ojazzy - I don't post a lot here, but I just noticed your post. I'm a racer in the Minneapolis area and I volunteer a lot with the Minnesota Cycling Federation (the local association of USA Cycling that coordinates the calendar and some programs, etc.).
Have you seen startbikeracing.com? It's a website developed by the MCF with tips, advice, a list of MN clubs, and, when it gets closer to the race season, a link to the MCF race calendar.

The first race of the season, and often the best attended, is the Ken Woods Memorial Race - this year it will be April 27, near Cannon Falls. More information on that will be on mcf.net, startbikeracing.com, and gopherwheelmen.org as it becomes available.

If the trek to Cannon Falls is too much, there are typically a few races in the St. Cloud area each year - however, I don't think the date has been set for those yet. Another good option could be the Memorial Day Weekend races - there is a road race, time trial, circuit race, and crit all in three days!

And, if you were only going to do one race this year, I would say make it the Southside Sprint - a crit in South Minneapolis with awesome prizes, huge support of the neighborhood (people come out and set up grills and lawn chairs along the course!), lots of great places to eat and watch the other races from - something you can really make a day of. This year that one will be July 21.

Another thing I am trying to work on is organizing a series of clinics for new racers, especially women. The first of these is likely to be at a University of Minnesota race, which will be the day after Ken Woods, on April 28, but the location has yet to be determined.

Anyway, I clearly love talking about this, so if you have any questions, feel free to send me a PM or post a response!