Monthly Archives: November 2015

December 2015 Newsletter

A Note from our President –

            Things are starting to move into high gear. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and after that the countdown to Hanukkah and Christmas is underway.

So, my annual gift to you is this advice: Let go of just a little this year, and take more time for you! If only I can follow my own advice! Join us at all, or some of the wonderful activities we’ve planned—they’re guaranteed to relieve a little stress, put you in the holiday spirit and help you touch base with busy old and new friends.

Coffee Break—come gather ‘round the fire at Caribou

Holiday Luncheon—meet us in Biaggi’s beautiful wine room for this festive gathering

Brunch—fortify yourself for an afternoon of shopping at the new Ridgedale Nordstrom’s

Books & Booze teetotalers and non-readers are always welcome

See you there!              Sally  Ebnet

DECEMBER 2015 ACTIVITIES

COFFEE BREAK: Wednesday, December 9th, 10:00AM—Caribou Coffee

3835 W. Old Shakopee Road       Bloomington     952-881-4230

Grab a hot cup of coffee or tea and join us as we gather around the cozy fireplace. This Caribou is located on the corner of W. Old Shakopee Road and France Ave., near the Valley West Shopping Center.

RSVP by Monday, December 7th to Brenda Barney-Loken at KurtandBrenda@mac.com

Directions: France Ave, South to W. Old Shakopee Road. Caribou is on South East corner.

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON: Friday, December 18th, 11:30AM—Biaggi’s

Eden Prairie Center, West of Target

Don’t miss our annual holiday celebration. Biaggi’s lovely Wine Room will put you in the holiday spirit. Come get to know all our wonderful new members.

Cost: $19.50 includes Tax & Tip—Wine, Beverages and Dessert not included.

Menu

House Salad

Grilled Chicken, Honey Mustard Sauce with Balsamic Vinegar and Rosemary

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Sauteed Portabello Mushrooms

Seasonal Vegetables

RSVP by Thursday, December 10th with your check for $19.50 payable to Sally Ebnet mailed to: 4501 Claremore Court, 55435

SATURDAY BRUNCH: Saturday, December 19th, 10:00AM—Ruscello at Nordstrom’s Ridgedale

12401 Ridgedale Blvd.   651-900-6800

Come check out the recently opened and newly remodeled Nordstroms. Enjoy a relaxing brunch with us before heading out for an afternoon of holiday shopping. Ruscello is a full-service restaurant featuring Mediterranean and Italian-inspired cuisine. The menu is bold in flavor, focusing on great appetizers, salads, sandwiches, brick-oven pizzas, pastas, entrées, breakfast items and house made desserts.

A carpool for those planning to come back to Edina immediately following the brunch will leave Edina at 9:30AM. Email SallyEbnet@yahoo.com if you plan to carpool.

RSVP by Thursday, December 17th to Carol Schaub at Carol.Scahub@comcast.net

Directions: North on Hwy.100 to 394W. Exit at Ridgedale Blvd, turn left (south), then right into Ridgedale Mall. Most convenient entrance is on the upper level, south side, opposite the sears car care center. Enter Nordstroms and then turn left (east).

 BOOKS & BOOZE: Tuesday, December 29th, 3:45PM—Macy’s Lakeshore Grill

Southdale Center (952) 924-6727

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

“On a remote Australian island, after WW I, a lighthouse keeper and his barren wife welcome the miraculous arrival of a child that delivers profound love but also the seeds of destruction.”

Since 1905 Macy’s has been feeding the shopping population. This is a great place to find regional favorites and outstanding traditional classics.   The Lakeshore Grill is where you can actually hear people talking to one another –no loud music! Fabulous appetizers, wine and beer from $3 – $5. Come even if you don’t care to drink or have not read this great book. If you can’t make it until 5’ish that’s OK. We discuss first—eat later.

RSVP by Sunday, December 27, to Anne Shea at AnneShea2@gmail.com

READING AHEAD–BOOKS & BOOZE TITLES FOR 2016

February 2016 – The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins “A psychological thriller about a woman who becomes emotionally entangled in a murder investigation because of something she witnesses on her daily commute.”

April 2016 – All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doer “A stunningly ambitious and beautiful novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.”

June 2016 – Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger (local author)“Looking back at a tragic event that occurred during his thirteenth year, Frank Drum explores how a complicated web of secrets, adultery, and betrayal shattered his Methodist family and their small 1961 Minnesota community.”

August 2016 – The Round House by Louise Erdrich “When his mother, a tribal enrollment specialist living on a reservation in North Dakota, slips into an abyss of depression after being brutally attacked, 14-year-old Joe Coutz sets out with his three friends to find the person that destroyed his family.”

October 2016 – One Thousand White Women: the Journals of Mary Dodd by Jim Fergus “When May Dodd journeys west into the unknown, it&;s a far better fate than the life she left behind. Committed to an insane asylum by her blue-blood family for loving a man beneath her station, May’s only hope of freedom is a secret government program sending civilized women to the brides of Cheyenne warriors.”

November 2015 Newsletter

A Note from our President –

The colors are at their peak this week. After all these glorious warm and sunny days, it’s hard to believe winter is right around the corner! Always sad to see summer and fall come to an abrupt end. So, get out of the house this month for some fun with ENC!

Coffee Break—join us at Bloomington’s West Side Perk

Lunch Bunch—meet us at Lela—the new restaurant in the former Sofitel

Games People Play—there’ll be fun and laugh’s at Elaine’s condo

See you there!         Sally Ebnet

NOVEMBER 2015 ACTIVITIES

LUNCH BUNCH: Tuesday, November 3rd, 11:30AM—Lela

5601 W. 78 St, Bloomington, (Bloomington Sheraton Hotel)   952-656-5980

Remember the Hotel Soffitel? There have been a bunch of restaurants in that building. I think this restaurant’s menu and reviews look promising. Anchored by a bustling open kitchen, Lela is comfortably modern with a friendly atmosphere. The menu creative, and features a wide range of ethnic inspired seafood, inventive salads/sandwiches and handmade pastas rooted in classic technique.

 

COFFEE BREAK: Wednesday, November 11th, 10:00AM—West Side Perk

7700 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington

Meet us for a hot cup of coffee or tea and a yummy treat.

 

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY: Tuesday, November 17th, 7:00PM—at the home of a member

There’ll be lots of fun to be had. Snacks and desert provided.

COMING UP

BOOKS & BOOZE: December Date TBD—The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

On a remote Australian island, after WW I, a lighthouse keeper and his barren wife welcome the miraculous arrival of a child that delivers profound love but also the seeds of destruction.

HOLIDAY LUNCHEONStay tuned for a date and location coming soon.