Read
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was published in 1937. The author was Dr. Seuss. The book was a tall tale. Its illustrations were funny, its language rhymed. Since then, generations have enjoyed The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Hop on Pop, and many more, all by the late Theodor Seuss Geisel. In 2015, Random House announced that they would publish What Pet Should I Get?, a manuscript found in the Seuss archives. This picture book will entertain and please children and adults alike. It is another reason to give thanks in November.
Available at Barnes and Noble.
-Maureen Millea Smith is a librarian at the Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
Drink
There are a few grapes that can bridge the gap between many styles of wine drinkers. Grapes like montepulciano, merlot or malbec do the trick in the red category. White can come with more personal preferences and aversions. Some may think all chardonnay is oaky or that all riesling is sweet—but much of this is the winemaking style, and not the grape itself. One grape that pairs easily with most food and agrees with most palates is viognier. A New World winery that I completely adore and produces the grape very well is Yalumba from Australia. Their Y Series (dry) viognier is loaded with notes of raw honey, ripe pear and summer honeysuckle; a wine palatable for almost every style of white wine drinker and perfect for your next gathering.
Find similar selections at Edina Liquor.
-Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier and owner of local wine consulting firm Amusee.
Listen
The Twin Cities is lucky to have an incredible inspirational pianist in our midst. Mary Beth Carlson lives her life with as much feeling as she gives to her piano playing and songwriting. Her CD, Timeless-Romantic Solo Piano, has favorites like “Unchained Melody” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Carlson takes her time with her lovely arrangements. She uses lush chords, and puts great emotion into each piece, making the songs an experience, not just background music. If you ever get a chance to attend one of her many concerts, please take a moment to meet her afterwards. You will find that her heart is as big as her smile, and you will catch yourself humming along with these beautiful arrangements of well-known songs.
Available on iTunes and at marybethcarlson.com.
-Patty Peterson is an award-winning vocalist and Jazz 88-KBEM radio host.
