READ
Naturalist Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s "Mozart’s Starling" is the perfect book to read on an Edina park bench during a summer staycation. Haupt gives the social and personal history of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s purchase of a starling in a Viennese pet shop in 1784. Like Mozart, Haupt reared a starling chick in her home. While Mozart’s music is revered worldwide, starlings are the most reviled bird in North America. Why? European starlings were introduced into New York City’s Central Park over 130 years ago. Once here, they multiplied, aggressively taking over the terrain of native species. What Haupt learns is how the song of Mozart’s beloved bird might well have encouraged a wealth of musical output by the composer and how very easy it is to fall in love with a starling.
Available here at Barnes & Noble
Author Maureen Millea Smith is a librarian at the Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
DRINK
There is no better time than now to suggest a wine that can transcend your wine minds. One region in the world that achieves this is the Elqui Valley of Chile–a region that receives less than two inches of rainfall each year. This region produces some of the most other-worldly wines you’ll ever taste. I encourage you to take a palatable trip this month and try Mayu Winery’s "Pedro Ximenez." Fresh white florals, stone fruit and refreshing lime-like acidity, this wine will make you feel as though you are traveling the Atacama desert of northern Chile while seated on your own patio with a glass of this light bodied white wine.
Look for similar selections at Edina Liquor.
Author Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier and owner of local wine consulting firm, Amusee.
LISTEN
Michael Monroe is one of our musical hometown heroes. As a guitarist and vocalist, he has recorded more than four decades of material that began at a recording studio owned by Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary. Monroe has performed all over the world, and currently resides on the North Shore of Minnesota. He records in his solar powered recording studio, often performing his celebrated Log Cabin Concerts in his home. "Abandon My Own Mind," which was released in July 2000, includes many songs from live events throughout Minnesota. Monroe demonstrates how he performs using a live looping/layering technique where he duplicates harmonies as he sings and different instruments come through the guitar. A few of my favorites are "From My Backyard," "Life Is A Mystery" and "Twice In One Day." The last two have loon sounds, so when you are missing that “up north” feeling, pop this on and enjoy. Monroe can be seen at many outdoor concerts throughout the Twin Cities, and on the North Shore.
CD available at Amazon.com, iTunes and his website.
Author Patty Peterson is an award winning vocalist and Jazz 88, KBEM radio host.
