Patch Picks Five Plus One

Warm weather has arrived, and how great is it to just leave the house and look around for things to do. This week offers more events to lure you away from your garden or patio. 

Monday, May 9. Stop by Bissinger’s in Plaza Frontenac and sample two of their SOFI award winning confections – their chocolate-Covered Wine Grapes (Outstanding Chocolate Category) and Lemon Ginger Yuzu Gummy Pandas (Outstanding Confection Category). The wine grapes are the perfect accompaniment to a glass of red on a patio, and the Gummy Pandas are not only citrusy and refreshing, but they also make a really great palate cleanser when you’re sipping different varieties of vino. The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade hosts the SOFI Awards, honoring the best of the best in specialty foods and beverages. Both of these confections will be competing for the gold SOFI this July. 314-367-9750. 1701 S. Lindbergh Blvd.  www.bissingers.com.

Monday, May 9. Get in shape, summer’s coming!  Visit Lululemon on the second level of Plaza Frontenac for workout clothes that are so stretchy for all your sweaty pursuits.  Just starting out?  Start with walking around your neighborhood or workplace during break, then hit a park and then a walking trail!  314-994-7662. www.lulumon.com 

Wednesday, May 11.  Renowned author Geraldine Brooks will discuss and sign her new novel” Caleb’s Crossing” at 7:00 p.m. at Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “March” and “Year of Wonders,” takes a remarkable shard of history and brings it to vivid life. In 1665, a young man from Martha's Vineyard became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College. Upon this slender factual scaffold, Brooks has created a luminous tale of love and faith, magic, and adventure. The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event from Pudd’nHead Books, 37 S. Old Orchard Ave. For more information, call 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org. 

Thursday May 12. While this event is not in the Ladue/Frontenac area, it is, nonetheless, something that should be of interest to our community. Two branches of St. Louis County Library will hold book sales to benefit those who were affected by the April 22 tornadoes. The Rock Road Branch, 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Ann, will hold a book sale from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Used books and DVDs will be available for sale. The event includes craft activities will be offered for children and refreshments. Proceeds from the Rock Road book sale will be donated to the Salvation Army for use helping area residents whose homes were damaged by the recent tornadoes. For more information please call 314 994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org. 

Thursday, May 12, 13, 14.   The Fine Arts Department of St. Joseph’s Academy presents “St. Joe Goes Broadway: A Musical Review,” directed by Eugene Pierce and David Kowalczyk, and performed by students of the Fine Arts Department. The show begins at 7 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Academy Theater, 2307 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Admission is $10. For tickets and information, email epierce@stjosephacademy.org. 314) 965-7205. www.stjosephacademy.org.

Friday, May 13. The St. Louis County Library Foundation’s ‘Buzz’ Westfall Favorite Author Series will present historian Erik Larson who will discuss and sign his new book “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin.” Larson, the author of the National Book Award finalist and Edgar Award–winning “The Devil in the White City,” has also written “Isaac’s Storm” and “Thunderstruck.” The event will be held at Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event from Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave. or 321 N. 10th. The event, free and open to the public, will be an on-stage interview moderated by Debbie Monterrey, host of KMOX’s “Total Information AM.” For more information, call 314-994-3300. www.slcl.org.