November 2009 Newsletter
Thursday, November 12th, 2009A Note from our President –
October felt like November–but the real thing is almost here. And, the good news is we might be getting a warm winter. So, there’s no excuse–get out of the house this month for some fun with ENC!
Wanderers tours the energy efficient headquarters of Great River Energy
Bon Appetit enjoys an affordable, fine dining at Chez Ebnet
Ladies Night Out gets creative with some new holiday crafts at marlys’
Coffee Break checks out Maria’s Columbian cooking and the Northern Clay Center
International Night takes a “trip” to Morocco and S. Mpls. for a lutefisk dinner
Lunch Bunch checks out Cooper–the newest dining spot
Wine & Cheese/Bookclub combines great food, wine and stimulating conversation
See you there! Sally Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org
NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES
WANDERERS: Thursday, November 5th, 12:40 Departure—Tour of Great River Energy Headquarters, 12300 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, MN
Great River Energy’s headquarters is Minnesota’s first commercial building to receive Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification. The 166,000 square foot building will reduce energy consumption by 40-50% and water usage by 90%, compared to traditional office buildings. It will produce enough renewable energy to supply up to 15% if its own energy needs. Great River offers free, one hour tours explaining how the building achieves such impressive energy savings and conservation goals.
A carpool will leave Edina at 12:40PM, or you may meet us at 1:30PM at the reception desk located in the building’s main entrance. RSVP by Monday, November 2nd to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org
BON APPETIT: Saturday, November 7th, 6:30PM—Fall Harvest Dinner Party at the home of a member
Gourmet Club was once ENC most popular activity. You’ll see why, as we enjoy a delicious, restaurant-quality dinner for a fraction of the price. Spouses or friends are invited. Dinner guests will be assigned an easy-to-make dish from the fall menu below to prepare in advance and bring to the party. All expenses will be divided equally. Seating is limited to 14.
MUST RSVP by Saturday, October 31st to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org
Menu
Fig and Onion Bruschetta
Celery Bisque with Stilton Toasts
Spinach Salad with Bosc Pears, Cranberries, Red Onion and Toasted Hazelnuts
Roasted Spiced Pork Loin with Root Vegetables
Pumpkin Pie with Ginger Streusel
WINE & CHEESE/BOOKCLUB: Tuesday, November 17th, 6:00PM—Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight—at the home of a member
****NOTE EARLIER TIME! Come enjoy some great food and conversation—even if you haven’t read the book. “Alexandra Fuller remembers her African childhood with candor and sensitivity. Her debut is unsentimental and unflinching but always captivating. In wry and sometimes hilarious prose, she stares down disaster and looks back with rage and love at the life of an extraordinary family in an extraordinary time.” Copies readily available at HCLib.org
RSVP by Friday, November 13th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org
LADIES NIGHT OUT—Monday, November 9th, 6:30PM – Craft Night
at the home of a member
Come whenever you can to make EASY holiday crafts-–for yourself or as gifts—including star or Santa pins; felt ornaments; decorated gift bags; spool snowman decorations and much more. We’ll also have tasty appetizers and hot punch. No charge for supplies or food. A monetary donation to HOPE Worldwide MN would be gratefully accepted and go towards the purchase of socks and pajamas for homeless women at the Simpson House.
RSVP by Saturday, November 7th to Brenda@EdinaNewcomers.org
COFFEE BREAK: Wednesday, November 11th, 9:30AM Departure–Maria’s Cafe’ & North. Clay Center
1113 East Franklin/ 2424 Franklin Ave. Ave., Mpls.
Located among the beautiful shops of the Ancient Traders Market, this bright, fun café offers a fusion of Columbian and American food. Later. we can drift down the street to the Northern Clay Center to see what they have on display.
A carpool will leave at 9:30AM from Edina, or meet us at Maria’s at 10-:00AM. RSVP by Saturday, November 8th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org
Directions: Hwy. 62 West to 35W North to 94 East to Riverside Ave. Exit. Turn LEFT and cross onto Franklin Ave. Proceed west past the Hospital and down to the left hand driveway 11th and Franklin. It is in a mid-block small mall.
INTERNNATIONAL NIGHT #1: Thursday, November 12th, 7:00PM—Destination: Morocco—party room at the Durham Apts.—7201 York Ave.
Our world travelers, Dianne and Ann, will tell about their travels and show their souvenirs of Morocco. An amazing beauty, with the Atlantic to the West, the Mediterranean to the North, mountain ranges with snow, and lands with oranges, dates, almonds, and roses, and of course the Sahara Desert. Come and taste some mint tea and learn about souks, tagines, and kasbahs.
RSVP by Monday, November 9th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org
Directions: The Durham is located between the Hennepin County Library and Southdale YMCA. There’s plenty of guest parking in the rear. Enter building through the revolving doors and go straight ahead into the party room.
INTERNTIONAL NIGHT #2: Saturday, November 21st, 4:30PM—Lutefisk Dinner—Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave.
Lutefisk and more! !! Spouses and guests are invited to join the Newcomers for an authentic Nordic feast featuring Swedish meatballs, herring, lefse, fruit soup, julekage, and of course the famous lutefisk. Tickets ($17) are extremely LIMITED and sell out fast. Call the church at 612-312-3400 ASAP to purchase your ticket for the 4:30 seating. Once you have a ticket, call Dianne at 763-546-4666 about carpooling or meeting up with our group.
LUNCH BUNCH: Wednesday, November 18th, 11:00AM Departure—Cooper—1607 Park Place, St Louis Park, 612-252-1606 (across from Home Depot)
I am not trying to do an Irish theme restaurant crawl, but thought everyone would enjoy trying out one of the newest restaurants to open in the West End Development in St. Louis Park. Owner also operates the Local, Kieran’s Irish Pub and Liffey. He describes the menu as “value-driven” and “female-friendly” (translation – salads) plus a variety of fish and chips options—not just cod but shrimp, walleye and trout.
A carpool will leave at 11:00AM from Edina, or meet us at Cooper at 11:30AM.
RSVP by Saturday, November 15th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org
Directions: Hwy 100 North to Cedar Lake Road exit. Bear Right, go under Hwy 100 and straight thru first stoplight (Cedar Lake Road) and the street becomes Park Place Blvd. Two stops further you will see Cooper on your right. Parking is available in the shopping complex.
COMING UP
January 2010 Bookclub discussion— ‘Tis the Season by Lorna Landvik
At once heartfelt and witty, ‘Tis the Season bears good tidings of great joy about the human condition—that down and out doesn’t mean over and done, that the things we need most are closer than we know, and that the true measure of one’s worth rests in the boundless depths of the soul. Lorna Landvik shines in this delightful holiday novel of redemption and forgiveness.
March 2010 Bookclub discussion—Rainlight by Allison McGhee
Even in a small town people have secrets, including how much they really mean to each other. In this haunting debut novel, a tragic event sparks revelations from nine-year-old Mallie, her mother, her grandfather, a waitress, and Mallie’s father’s ex-lover. They discover long-hidden truths and forge new bonds in this unforgettable, heartbreaking novel about parents, children, and love.
May 2010 Bookclub discussion—–Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
“This graceful, assured first novel tells the remarkable story of the long-lived affair between Frank Lloyd Wright, a passionate and impossible figure, and Mamah Cheney, a married woman whom Wright beguiled and led beyond the restraint of convention. It is engrossing, provocative reading.” There’s a wait at HCLib.org—reserve your copy now!