New to do in TRE

There are a lot of good things to do and a lot of good things to eat in the next couple of weeks. The Sweetwater Shops on Carter Way offer several food choices with the new businesses of Coffee Corral and LG's Off the Grill.

The Coffee Corral is a great place to sit, enjoy a cup of one of their many gourmet coffees accented with a wide selection of pastries made fresh daily at the hands of Dawn Gerard. Relax at cozy tables or kick back on the overstuffed couch to watch morning television on the large, flat-screen TV. The whole interior is decorated in warm hues of pine and redwood furniture designed by the Gerard's, which includes their unique logo, and all handcrafted by Robert Gerard.

"I've baked my whole life," said Dawn Gerard, a graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts. "I use all natural ingredients in what I bake and everything is made fresh right here."

"We wanted to open our own business," Robert said, "and this seemed like a logical choice.

The Coffee Corral is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Sunday, located at 3920 Carter Drive in the Sweetwater Shops, Topaz Ranch Estates.

Next door, the old pizza parlor has gone south of the border with the opening of a new restaurant. LG's Off the Grill is open and serving breakfast through lunch, closing for a few hours in the afternoon then open again in the evening for dinner. Hours are Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with dinner 5 -8 p.m.

The two new eateries are planning a grand opening combined on Oct. 27 so stop in and enjoy the food and wonderful atmosphere.

-- Pancake Breakfast. The Topaz Post 3630 VFW pancake breakfast 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 27 at the Topaz Ranch Estates Community Park Building on Carter Way. Breakfast will include pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, coffee and orange juice. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. Information, Bert McKee 266-4483.

-- Crafts Galore. The Topaz Sagehens Fall Boutique and Bake Sale will be 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Nov. 3, at the Topaz Ranch Estates Community Park Building at the end of Carter Way in TRE. Christmas crafts and specialty items, lunch available for purchase, homemade baked goods, general raffle and specialty raffles. Space available for artists and crafters, $25 a space. Information, Micki Joye, 266-1025.

-- Karaoke. Topaz Joe's Grill and Bar offers karaoke every Thursday for something fun to do.

-- Halloween Fun. Topaz Lodge and Casino hosts their annual Halloween costume party with entertainment provided by Joanie Lee and Branding Iron. Costumes will be judged with cash prizes for first, second and third. The Lodge will be giving away a total of $200 for the three most imaginative. I have been a judge before and trust me, sometimes it is a pretty hard decision to make with so many creative people and exotic ideas.

Lots to do in TRE...have a great week and in the mean time, just keep on keepin' on.

-- Jonni Hill can be reached at jhill@recordcourier.com or by calling 782-5121, ext. 213.