I live in the NW suburbs of Mpls and belong to the Grassfield club you mentioned.. Come on up tonight, Tuesday's are beginners night and you'll probably see some 40-sized glow trainers in action. I'm hoping to be there with my Avistar (barring last minute honey-dos).

Personally, I loved my little Aerobird as a very fun way to start in this hobby (until I lost it in some early-morning fog and left it deep in the Wisconsin woods somewhere). About $170 complete, buy it right at Hobbytown on Brooklyn Blvd.. All electric, you can fly it at the soccer fields off Zane (north of 85th) and not worry about club dues, etc. Great way to start. If you go that route I'd be willing to meet up at the park sometime to help you on your first flight.

-Greg