A Note from our President –

This is the week we move into high gear!  Thanksgiving is just days away, and after that the countdown to Christmas and Hanukkah 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!  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.

Ladies Night Out meets for dinner at Tryg’s

Coffee Break visits the Swedish Institute

International tours Russian Art Museum with lunch at Wild Acres

Holiday Luncheon a favorite ENC tradition—not to be missed! RSVP by November 28^th!

See you there!

Sally

 

ACTIVITIES

INTERNATIONAL: Thursday, December 1st, 10:00AM Departure—The Museum of Russian Art

5500 Stevens Ave. S.  Mpls.   612-821-9045

Join us for a one hour tour ($7.00) of the art of Oleg Vassiliev, one of the most important unofficial Soviet artists. Also antiquities from Ukraine: artifacts unearthed in present day Ukraine. including golden decorative art, jewelry and everyday objects. There will be time to visit the gift shop after the tour. Noon lunch at Wise Acres Restaurant, 5401 Nicollet Ave.

A carpool leaves Edina at 10:00AM

RSVP by Monday, November 28^th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.

Directions: #62 East to 35W North.  Exit at 54^th/Diamond Lake Road.  Turn left crossing bridge.  Museum will be on your Left. Easy parking across the street.

 

LADIES NIGHT OUT: Monday, December 5th, 6:30PM— Dinner at Tryg’s

3118 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, 55416 (612) 920-7777

This lovely restaurant is located near Lake Calhoun. You can look over their menu at Trygs.com

RSVP by Saturday, December 3rd to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

 

HOLIDAY UNCHEON: Thursday, December 8^th, 10:30AM  Departure– At Technique Restaurant, Le Cordon Bleu, 1315 Mendota Heights Rd. Mendota Heights, MN  55120  651-286-2400

Celebrate the season with a tour of the culinary school’s new kitchens at 11:00AM, followed by a three-course lunch at 11:30AM.  Cost $14.00 including Tax and Tip.

RSVP by Monday, November 28th with your starter and main course choices to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org.

Directions: 494 East to Pilot Knob Road.  Turn RIGHT on Pilot Knob Road.  Drive NORTH two blocks to the traffic light. Turn RIGHT on Mendota Heights Road. Continue NORTH to the “Le Cordon Bleu” culinary school campus on your LEFT. Turn RIGHT and park in the designated spaces located by the Restaurant’s entrance on the building SOUTH side.

Starter Course

Choice of:

Turkey Wild Rice Soup

Seasonal Greens with Brie Cheese and Craisins

Main Course

Choice of:

Roasted Pork Loin with Potato Mousseline and Broccolini

Grilled Salmon with Risotto and Asparagus

Dessert Course

Vanilla Cheese Cake with Mixed Berries Sauce

Refreshments

Fruit punch, Lemonade, Coffee, Tea and Milk

 

COFFEE:  Wednesday,  December 14th, 9:30 Departure—American Swedish Institute

2600 Park Ave., Mpls.

Experience Christmas the Nordic way!  During the one hour “Christmastime in Sweden” presentation, we’ll enjoy a hands-on exploration of Sweden’s historic and contemporary Christmas traditions. The instructor will present holiday customs in an interactive format.  After the presentation we’ll have time to explore the five Nordic Christmas rooms of the Turnblad Mansion, and peruse the Museum Shop. Cost is $10/pp and requires a minimum of 10. Coffee to follow at the Common Roots Cafe/bakery at 26th and Lyndale.

A carpool will leave Edina at 9:30AM

RSVP by Monday, December 12th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

Directions: Hwy. 100 North to #62 East to 35w North to Lake Street Exit.  Right at Lake Street.  Left at Park Ave. to mansion.

 

Book Club January 2012: Date TBA—The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

Balram Halwai is a complicated man. Servant. Philosopher. Entrepreneur. Murderer. Over the course of seven nights, by the scattered light of a preposterous chandelier, Balram tells the terrible and transfixing story of how he came to be a success in life– having nothing but his own wits to help him along.

A Note from our President –

What a great October we’ve been having. A year ago we had 4 inches of snow—but then came a beautiful November. Let’s hope for a repeat (the beautiful part—not the snow!)  Regardless–get out of the house this month for some fun with ENC!

International Night—so many choices, so little time at the Hmong Market

Ladies Night Out—opah! let’s go Greek

Coffee Break—checks out Bachman’s Idea House

Tea & Book Talk—discusses Old Filth

Lunch Bunch—visits Chin’s Asia Fresh

Craft Corner—learn to knit, bring a project, or just relax with the girls

See you there! Sally

Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

 

 

ACTIVITIES

INTERNTIONAL NIGHT: Thursday, November 3^rd,  3:15 Departure—International Hmong Market

1001 Johnson Parkway, East St. Paul

This place is amazing, with 100′s of shopping stalls with so many interesting things to see and purchase, huge fresh fruit and vegetable room, and at least 17 places to order prepared foods.  Ordering is very easy–there are photos of each item and the employees speak English.  Go to HeavyTable.com/hmong-village to get some idea of the market.  The cooks, shop owners and customers were very helpful and nice–the food stalls even offered” tastes” so we could decide what to order. When Ann and Dianne visited they sampled BBQ chicken (the best), bubble tea, tricolor beverage (you have to see and taste this) and cookies  resembling rosettes that were wonderful.   The papaya salads looked interesting .  Many varieties of pho soup were available.  We’ll leave for Edina about 5:30PM. Bring cash.

RSVP by Tuesday, November 1^st to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.

At  3:15PM  a carpool will depart Edina, or make arrangements to meet us there at 4PM

Directions: 494 E to 35E N.  Exit and turn Right at Pennsylvania Ave.   Pennsylvania becomes Phalen Blvd.  Turn Right at CR-64/Johnson Pkwy. to market.

 

LADIES NIGHT OUT: Monday, November 7th, 6:00PM Departure— Dinner at Christos Greek Restaurant

15600 Highway 7, Minnetonka       952- 912-1000

This restaurant maybe a little out of the way, but well worth the visit. You can find their delicious menu of Greek specialties at www.christos.com

RSVP by Friday, November 4th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

A carpool departs at 6:00PM from Edina or meet us there at 6:30PM.

Directions:  Hwy. 62 W to 494 N to Hwy. 7 W.  Restaurant is one mile west on N. frontage road.

 

COFFEE BREAK: Wednesday, November 10^th, 9:30 Departure—Bachman’s Idea House

6010 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.                            612-861-7600

Enjoy a self-guided tour of Bachman’s Fall Ideas House followed by coffee at Patrick’s Bakery.  Inside and out the historic home at Bachman’s Lyndale Ave. location, you’ll find a surprising mix of vintage and new, which will inspire you with decorating ideas that are fun, fresh, practical, and easy.

Tour Tickets are $5.00 per person. Ann has reserved and paid in advance for 8 places, and will make more reservations as they come in.

RSVP by Thursday, November 3rd to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.

A carpool departs at 9:30AM from Edina, or meet us there at 10:00AM.

Directions: #62 East to Lyndale Ave. Exit.  Left (North) to Bachman’s. Idea House is north of store.

 

TEA & BOOK TALK:  Friday, November  11th, 3:00PM—-Old Filth by Jan Garman

At the home of  a member

Based, in part, on the early life of Rudyard Kipling. Sir Edward Feathers has progressed from struggling young barrister to wealthy expatriate lawyer to distinguished retired judge, living out his last days in comfortable seclusion in Dorset. The engrossing and moving account of his life, from birth in colonial Malaya, to Wales, where he is sent as a “Raj orphan,” to Oxford, his career and marriage, parallels much of the 20th century’s torrid and twisted history. Old Filth was nominated for the 2005 Orange Prize.

RSVP by  Tuesday, November 8th  to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

 

LUNCH BUNCH: Thursday, November 17th, 11:00AM Departure— Chin’s Asia Fresh

11300 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka                        952-345-5010

This is a quick food setting with Cantonese, Sichuan and other Asain influences. Place your order at counter, it is made to order and delivered to your table. I chose this location because at the other end of shopping center is a unique shop – The Landing – all handcrafted items made by Minnetonka Seniors. They have some lovely items that might just round out your Christmas shopping list. Either stop in B/4 lunch or come with me as a group after lunch to peruse the shop.

RSVP by Saturday, November 15th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

A carpool will leave Edina at 11:00AM, or meet us at the restaurant at  11:30AM.

Directions: Hwy 394 West to Hopkins Crossroads exit and then West on frontage road/Wayzata Blvd.  It’s in the same shopping center as Trader Joes and Dick’s Sporting on South side.

 

CRAFT CORNER: Friday, November 18th, 7:00 PM—“Knitting for Dummies” Etc.

At the Home of a member

Come learn the basics of knitting—or get help with a project you’ve started.  Not into knitting?  Bring along any project of interest—or just get out of the house and enjoy a Friday night with the girls. Refreshments will be provided along with practice knitting needles and yarn.

RSVP by Tuesday, November 15^th to Sally@EdinaNewcomers.org

 

COMING UP

Save the Date: Annual Holiday Luncheon,  11:30AM, Thursday, December 8th at Le Cordon Bleu’s new location, 1315 Mendota Heights Road.