EDINA NEWCOMERS

A Note from our President –

February is the time for love—and who deserves it more than ourselves? So, love the one you’re with 24/7!  Indulge, comfort, educate,  and celebrate the tiger in her this month—ENC is here to help.

Coffee Break—checks out Rustica’s new location near Lake Calhoun

International Night—Chinese New Years celebration at the famous Rainbow

Ladies Night Out—come on, get happy at Crave!

Bon Appetit—creates a Chinese New Year party at Sally’s

Wanderers—provides to a low-cal Valentines treat at the Mpls. Institute of Arts

Lunch Bunch—heads to McCormick and Schmick’s for great seafood and more

See you there!  Sally

FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES

To RSVP just click on the blue email addresses

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT— Tuesday, February 9th, 5:30 Departure—Dinner at Rainbow Chinese Restaurant

2739 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis  612-870-7084

This restaurant has been offering special Chinese New Year dinners for many years, and is highly recommended. Join us for a fun evening.

A carpool will leave Edina at 5:30, or meet us at 6:00PM.

RSVP by Sunday, February 7th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

COFFEE—Wednesday, February 10th, 9:30AM Carpool Departure—Rustica

3220 Lake Street, Mpls. (Calhoun Village)

This popular bakery/restaurant has moved to new “digs” near Lake Calhoun. We’ll go check out their new ambiance and have our monthly “catch-up” time. There are lots of shops nearby to investigate as well.

A carpool will depart at 9:30 from Edina.  Or, meet us at Rustica at 10:00AM.

RSVP by Sunday, February 7^th to Sally@Edinanewcomers.org

Directions: Hwy. 100 North to Minnetonka Blvd. Exit.  Left (East) on Minnetonka to Calhoun Village (on your left—entrance near Burger Jones.) Rustica is between Punch Pizza and Barnes and Noble.  Ramp parking available.

LADIES NIGHT OUT—-Monday, February, February 15^th, 5:15PM—Happy Hour at Crave

3520 West 70^th (in the Galleria) 952-697-6000

Until 6PM we can take advantage of the great appetizer prices from their $3/$4/$5 Happy Hour menu, along with select beers for $3 and wines for $5.

RSVP by Friday, February 12^th to Sally@Edinanewcomers.org

BON APPETIT: Saturday, February 20^th, 6:00PM—Chinese New Years Party

at the home of a member

Celebrate the year of the Tiger—with two tigers! Spouses or friends are invited. Guests will be assigned an easy-to-make dish from the menu below to prepare in advance and bring to the party.  All expenses will be divided equally—keep track of your expenses.

RSVP by Saturday, February 13^th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

Menu

Baked Hoisin Chicken Buns

Spinach and Sesame Salad

Thai Coconut Lime Soup

Lime, Apricot, and Soy Sauce Chicken Wings

Spicy Spareribs in Black Bean Sauce

Vietnamese Style Spring Rolls

Thai Roast Beef and lettuce Rolls

Dried Fruit Poached in Port and Spices

WANDERERS: Wednesday, February 24th, 12:15PM  Departure – MIA Tour

2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis

The Mpls. Institute of Arts is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a daily, free, docent-led tour entitled “Love and Scandal”.  The museum has selected pieces it hopes will inflame your passion for art by exploring the victories and vicissitudes of love. We’ll see works that tell intriguing stories of marriage & devotion, the sexual exploits of gods & goddesses, or the hurtful scandals that sometimes come with affairs of the heart!

A carpool leaves Edina at 12:15PM or meet us at the museum’s Information Desk just before the 1:00PM tour begins.

RSVP by Tuesday, February 23^rd to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

Directions: to the MIA and parking information can be found at www.artsmia.org.

LUNCHEON—Thursday, February 25^th,  11:30AM—McCormick and Schmick’s

3203 Galleria – located in the Westin Hotel

This is a wonderful restaurant chain that originally started in the Northwest. They’re famous for their quality seafood, but all their food is great.

RSVP by Monday February 22^nd to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

Directions: From France Ave go east on 69th Street toward York. The Westin will be on your right.  Plenty of free parking in ramp behind the hotel.

COMING  UP

READING AHEAD FOR BOOKCLUB:

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!

A Note from our President –

2010 is only days away. I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years since all the millennium hoopla. Help ring in another great year of welcoming women to our group. And, make this your New Year’s resolution––get out and treat yourself to all the fun activities our club has to offer!

Games People Play—offers a fun reason to get out of the house

Wanderers—travels to St. Paul’s Landmark Center for strains of Schubert

Bon Appetit—enjoys dinner and “a show” at Sawa Japan

Coffee Break—delights in French pastries at L’Hotel Sofitel

Book Club—discusses popular Minnesota author Lorna Landvik

International Night—experiences life in Singapore

Ladies Night Out—takes in a chick flick preceded by appetizers at Cheesecake Factory

Lunch Bunch—whether it’s a “covered dish” or “hotdish” please bring it to our potluck

See you there!         Sally     Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

JANUARY ACTIVITIES

To RSVP simply click on the blue email addresses below

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY: Wednesday, January 6^th, 6:00PM—Rummy Cube Party

at the home of a member

Rummy Cube is a fun, easy-to-learn and addicting variation of card Rummy.  It incorporates aspects of dominoes, chess and majong.  Please bring a hearty appetizer, salad, or bottle of wine to share.

RSVP by Monday, January 4th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

WANDERERS: Thursday, January 7th, 11:00AM Departure—Courtroom Concert

Landmark Center, St. Paul

The Schubert Society rings in the new year with a series of chamber music concerts. The noon concert features two ensembles—one with violin, cello and piano and the other with cello, clarinet and piano.  All concerts are hosted by the informative and entertaining Randall Davidson. These unique and free concerts are designed to appeal to people working in downtown St. Paul, so attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch.

A carpool will leave Edina at 11AM. Or,  plan to meet us at the Landmark Center. These events are usually very attended, so it is a good idea to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of time.

RSVP by Wednesday, January 6^th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org Directions: Take Hwy. 62 East, continue on 55E to MN-5 toward St. Paul.  Turn RIGHT on W 5th St. and the Landmark Center will be on your left.   Parking in one of the nearby ramps is recommended as on street parking is limited.

BON APPETIT: Saturday, January 9^th, 6:30PM—Dinner at Sawa Japan

494/Penn (in front of Rainbow) 952-884-3633

Formerly the Atlantic Buffet, Bloomington’s latest addition to the restaurant scene has a new,  sophisticated and upscale décor and offers fun and entertaining hiabachi (teppanyaki grills) and great sushi.  With our group’s 25% discount, entrees, which include soup, salad, appetizers, rice and veggies will cost only $10-$23+T&T. Spouses and other guests welcome.

RSVP by Monday, January 4^th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

COFFEE: Wednesday,  January 13th, 10:00AM––Chez Collette at L’Hotel Sofitel

5601 W 78^th St.

We’ve decided to go “high style” this month.  Enjoy breakfast, or just some of the wonderful French

breads and beautiful pastries the hotel’s bakery creates.  It’s always fun to peruse the hotel’s gift shop—hopefully they still have some of the unique things left from Christmas. Meet in the Lobby.

RSVP by Monday, January 11^th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

BOOKCLUB: Monday, January 18^th, 7:00PM–‘Tis the Season by Lorna Landvik

at the home of a member

“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.”

All are welcome whether you’ve read the book or not!

RSVP by Friday, January 15th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT: Thursday, January 21st, 7:00PM––Destination: Singapore

at the home of a member

Peggy and her family lived in Singapore for a number of years.  We’ll learn about Chinese New year and the Year of the Tiger—Singapore style

RSVP by Monday, January 18^th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

LADIES NIGHT OUT: Monday, January 25th, 5:45PM—Movie Night

400 Southdale Center, Edina, 55435

Meet the gang for for appetizers or dessert at the Cheesecake Factory (thecheesecakefactory.com) and then a movie at AMC Southdale 16. You can see what is playing at www.movietickets.com  We will plan to see a movie that starts around 7 p.m.

RSVP by Saturday, January 23rd, to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

LUNCHEON: Tuesday, January 26th, 11:30AM—Potluck Luncheon

at the home of a member

Extend the holiday season and break the winter doldrums when you join us for a potluck luncheon. It’s an opportunity to share one of your favorite recipes with an appreciative audience!

RSVP by Sunday, January 17th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

ALL ABOUT US

Great Reading for these cold winter nights:

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!

2009 Holiday Luncheon Chicken:

Serves 12

9 C. sliced or diced chicken breast ( I used whole 4-5 oz. breasts)

3 ½ C. mayo

1 can sliced water chestnuts

4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

2 C. sliced celery

1 package fresh sliced mushrooms

salt and pepper to taste

Cook breasts, let cool and slice or dice if desired. Place whole breasts in greased 9×13 dish. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over cooked breasts. Bake covered for about 20 minutes at 350, then uncover and bake until toasts a little.