The deadline for letters to the editor of the Eden Prairie News is early for next week.

The deadline for letters and news releases is noon Friday, Dec. 26, for the issue to be published on Jan. 1.

The submitted sports deadline for these newspapers remains noon Friday.

The Eden Prairie News office, 250 Prairie Center Drive, Suite 211, will be closed Jan. 1.

Please remember to include your name and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day on your letters.

Here's Kroll Ontrack's video of the Top 10 Data Disasters of 2008.
If you’d like to reenact any of the other five, post them on YouTube with the tag “Eden Prairie News” so we can link them to our online story.

New Eden Prairie restaurant opens in former Chevy’s location

By John Molene

You won’t find either sombreros or Mexican music at newly opened Baja Sol Cantina, said general manager Tom Boeckman.
What you will find is a full-service restaurant with a Mexican/Latin-themed menu, top 100 music, plus an expansive all-you-can-eat chips and salsa bar.

Eden Prairie woman develops Web site to aid local organizations and groups in a tough economy

By John Molene

Talk about your guilt-free shopping.

A new Web portal developed by Eden Prairie resident Jan Mars combines shopping at more than 400 stores with a system where shoppers can donate up to 20 percent of their purchasing power to local charitable organizations.

And what’s even better is that shoppers won’t even miss their donations, as the prices and merchandise are the same as they would
normally be.

A to Z Rental Center, 12450 Plaza Drive in Eden Prairie, is serving as a drop-off site for “Toys for Tots” for the 16th year. New and unwrapped toys can be brought to the store through Dec. 18.
For information, call 952-944-8040.

HTG Architects, an architectural firm with offices in Eden Prairie, is a drop-off site for Toys for Tots.

HTG Architects will serve as a drop-off site for the Toys for Tots program, running through Dec. 19. New, unwrapped gifts for children ages 0 – 17, with an emphasis on the 0-2 and 15-17 age groups. Military themed toys, used toys or those incorporating candy are not appropriate. HTG Architects offices are located at 9300 Hennepin Town Road, Eden Prairie, just south of the Jerry’s Foods parking lot. Donations may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

East of Eden Salon has planned a Toys for Tots open house from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Donate a new toy and receive a complimentary mini service, according to a news release. Food, drinks and door prizes are also planned. You can drop off toys at the salon through Dec. 11.

East of Eden is at 7735 Flying Cloud Drive. For information, visit www.eastofedensalon.com or call 952-942-0590.

Baja Sol Cantina is set to open at 8335 Crystal View Road (former Chevy’s location) in Eden Prairie on Dec. 11.

The restaurant is set to be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight Sundays, according to general manager Tom Boeckmann.

The full service restaurant chain is headquartered in Inver Grove Heights.