READ
The death of Steve Jobs on October 5, 2011, marked a moment when people around the world stopped to give pause to the brilliance and creativity of a man like no other in contemporary times. It is said that Jobs created products that he knew people would want, if only they could have imagined them. Jobs gave unparalleled access to Walter Isaacson to write his life story. Whether readers enjoy novels, biography, journalism or history, they will find Isaacson’s Steve Jobs utterly engaging and truly hard to put down.
-Maureen Millea Smith is a librarian at Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
--Available at Edina Library, 5280 Grandview Sq.; 952.847.5425
DRINK
Throughout history, many cultures have taken to a wide range of items to increase one luck. These lucky items vary in shape, personality and material, like wishbones, four-leaf clovers, horseshoes and lucky numbers. As we celebrate one of March’s most notable holidays, St. Patrick’s Day, I found it imperative to throw a lucky number, attached to a lucky wine scenario, your way. This month it’s a really fun Spanish wine, from the box. (Yes, I said it, “from the box.”) The stigma of boxed wine is a thing of the past. More and more, we are seeing a number of high-end producers experiment with boxed wine packaging. Even more exciting, is to see it taking shape from a number of European producers. Bodega Osborne’s Seven ($19.99) is a combination of cabernet, merlot, syrah, petit verdot, tempranillo, grenache and graciano. It’s a wine with distinct rich character that leads through to a soft, supple mouth-feel of spicy black cherry. Bodegas Osborne’s “nuevo vino” approach to this easy-drinking boxed red makes this one lucky buy. For under $20, you can enjoy up to four bottles of wine, in one simple package. Buena suerte!
-Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier, owner of Twin Cities-based wine consulting firm Amusée, and everyone’s favorite “go to” wine gal.
--Available at Edina Liquor, 6755 York Ave. S.; 952.903.5730
LISTEN
Happy St Patrick’s Day! As my wife is 100% Irish, I thought I would recommend Celtic Woman’s Songs from the Heart. This group came on the scene in 2004 when David Downes (Riverdance’s musical director) brought together five Irish female musician/singers. The result was a PBS special and a CD that spent 81 weeks atop Billboard’s World Music Chart. Although their lineup has changed throughout the years, they are still going strong. Songs from the Heart is their fifth record, which features a collection of traditional Celtic songs, alongside pop covers. Their voices are angelic, and the arrangements are beautiful. This is not a “pub” record, but much more mellow and soothing, featuring songs like Sting’s Fields of Gold, Amazing Grace, and the live performance of the traditional Mo Ghile Mear.
--Paul Peterson is a local musician, producer and composer.
--Available at Best Buy, 3200 Southdale Circle; 952.925.4425
