Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market begins this Saturday, Jan. 23

Bloomington Winter Farmers Market kicks off its exciting 6th year, this Saturday morning, 9-12 at Harmony School, 902 Second Street.

Parking available at the school, on surrounding streets, and at the nearby IU garage.

Local farmers will again offer as much fresh produce as the season allows, including butternut squash, root crops, and early greens.
Also available will be fresh farm eggs, meats from local farms, and alpaca yarns and fibers, and a full line of garden seeds! Exciting new products include locally made tofu, goat cheese, and breads.

Come on down and enjoy eclectic world music all morning by Dan Willens and Mano Joven.
Here is a wonderful recipe that you could make with beets, greens, bread and goat cheese from the market:

ROASTED BEET SALAD

Serves 4

* 1 bunch (about 1 1/2 pounds) small to medium beets
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 8 cups baby spinach or arugula
* 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
* 3 ounces goat cheese, sliced

Preheat oven to 400̊F. Trim beets and scrub them, leaving about 1/2 inch of stems attached (reserve greens for another use). Place beets in a casserole dish and drizzle with a little olive oil (about 1 tablespoon). Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast in middle of oven until tender, about 1 hour.

When beets are cool enough to handle, slip off skins and stems.
Quarter beets and place in a bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and toss. (Beets may be roasted 1 day ahead and chilled, covered).

In a bowl whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss greens with the dressing and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve salad greens topped with beets. Arrange cheese slices on the side, or shave on top, and serve with a crusty baguette.

(Thanks to Susie Quick from Honest Farm in Midway, KY, for sharing this recipe!)

My Sister's Closet Fundraiser

From Liz Brown:

Our fabulous neighbor, Natalie Cabanaw, again is donating her tips to
raise money for a not-for-profit group this Thurs. Jan 21 from 5-9 pm at
Nick's in the back room. The group Natalie has adopted is My Sister's
Closet. The Closet is a wonderful organization that not only provides
free clothing to women appyling for jobs and cannot afford to purchase
interview and work clothing, but is open to anyone to purchase nearly
new and new work attire. Come out Thursday to Nick's! Have a great
meal, tip generously, and support My Sister's Closet!

PS My Sister's Closet is located t 1010 S. Walnut and is open Wed-Fr
10-3 and Sat 10-5.

Dance Series Announcement From Rob Fischman

Cure cabin fever this winter by attending a new dance series for families and friends ages 4-94! The 2010 Winter Family Dance series begins Sunday, January 10th, 3:00-5:00 pm at the Harmony School gymnasium (909 E 2nd). Bring your entire family for live music and fun social dancing with simple instruction.

This participatory program is comprised of dances in the traditional American mold. Simple, repetitive movements are easily learned, and families will quickly be dancing together in company with others. No experience is necessary, all dances will be taught. Also featuring talented local musicians on fiddle, accordion, piano, bass and banjo. Cost is $4/person or $15/family or household of 4 or more. For more information call Abby Ladin at 330-8731 or visit us on Facebook @ 2010 Winter Family Dance Series.

Family dance master caller DeLaura Padovan from Virginia will lead the first event. Her gentle joyful style engages children and adults at community dances, camps and gatherings nationwide. The band of local talent will include veteran dance musicians Sam Bartlett , Claudio Buchwald with Eric Schedler and special guest Steve Hickman.

Coordinator Abby Ladin introduces this monthly dance series as an activity which families can truly explore together. Ladin, who herself began dancing with her family as a young child, is a seasoned performer, dance teacher and musician, and can see Bloomington becoming the perfect place for the family dance experience.

The Winter Family Dance Series is made possible in part by the City of Bloomington, the Bloomington Community Arts Commission, the New Leaders, Good Leaders Fund of the Country Song & Dance Society, with additional support from the Bloomington Old Time Music & Dance Group.

Found bike

Pastor Mel Nead at the Free Methodist Church, where we hold our BPNA meetings, has found a bike and would like to reunite it with its owner. The bike was left at the church sometime last week. It is a dark grey Schwinn road bike with a cargo carrier on the back. Call the church at 332-6425 for more information about the bike.

Christmas Village Invitation

Dick and Mary Lou Mitchell would like to invite one and all to visit our Christmas village. A tradition for twenty years, Mary Lou's village includes charming antique and modern buildings, animated figures, a Christmas train and ice skaters twirling on a frozen pond. Come and see this special holiday display!

Drop by at 1202 S. Palmer or give us a call at 339-5096 to make sure we're home.

Hope to see you soon.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!