Patch Picks Five Plus Two in Frontenac and Ladue

New and different – that describes some of the things to do this week in our towns. An amazing selection here.

Wednesday, September 17. If cozying up with a thriller at night is your cup of tea, come to the St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., for the library’s annual “Suspense Night,” and hear a panel discussion from seven suspense authors from across the country. Authors appearing are Megan Abbott, Reed Farrel Coleman, S.J. Rozen, Peter Spiegelman, Steve Hamilton, Lisa Lutz, and Christa Faust. The event is in partnership with the 2011 Bouchercon Convention, an annual national convention of mystery writers and readers being held from September 15-18 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel. (www.bouchercon2011.com).  Books will be available for purchase and signing from Puddn’Head Books. For more information, call 314-993-4400 or visit www.slcl.org.

Thursday, September 15. Members of the Olivette Book club will gather at Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Rd. to discuss “Garden of the Beasts” by Erik Larson. For more information, call 314-432-5877 or visit www.ti-stl.org.

Thursday, September 15. Few things are more attractive than other people’s cast-offs, and John Burroughs School parents are invited to Potpourri Sort, which are the donations to Potpourri, the annual spring 500-family garage sale which will be held April 28. No admission necessary. The “snoop and sort” will start at 8:30 a.m. on the west side of the JBS Field House, 755 Price Rd. For more information, call 314-993-4040 or visit www.jburroughs.org.

Friday, September 16. The St. Louis County Library Foundation and Pudd’nHeadBooks will present  international suspense writer Harlan Coben who will discuss “Shelter,” the first installment in a suspenseful new mystery series for young adults. Books will be available for purchase. The event will starts at 7:00 p.m. at Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. For more information, call 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

Saturday, September 17.  Bissinger’s and L'Ecole Culinaire along with STLwinegirl Angela Ortmann will present Sips, Savories and Sweet, a culinary event that will cover  the different ways to taste chocolate and wine. The afternoon will begin on the SAVORY side with cooking demonstrations by Chief Chocolatiers and trained chefs Dave Owens and Margaret Kelly along with wine pairings and tastings with Ortmann. Guests will also have the oppportunity to create their own personalized savory chocolate seasoning to take home.  The wine will continue to flow into our SWEET portion of the event - more history (and tasting!) will be shared and guests will sample Bissinger's confections with STLwinegirl pairings. The event will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at L'Ecole Culinaire, 9811 South Forty Dr., 314-587-2433. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased at  http://sipssavoriesandsweets-eorg.eventbrite.com

Sunday, September 19. Put on your running shoes for the Lululemon Athletic 5K and 1K run.  Lululemon at Plaza Frontenac is hosting their first annual 5K to get runners, pro and otherwise, geared up for Solutia's Rock ‘n Roll marathon on October 23. The race is complimentary, and it will be a day for everyone with the 1K for families. Music, dance parties and treats will be available for everyone at the finish. The 5k begins at 8 a.m. and 1K begins at 9 a.m. at the Plaza Frontenac front parking lot. For more information, call 314.994.7662 or visit www.lululemon.com/stlouis/...events/event-34920-2011-09-18

Ongoing through the year. One of Ladue's longest lasting retailers is celebrating their 50 years (at least) of doing business. Schnarr's Hardware Company, 9800 Clayton Rd., started by repairing wagons and Model T's, and sharpening lawnmowers when Clayton Road was little more than a country road. later, the market was built and customers could order groceries in the morning and have them delivered in time to prepare dinner. In 1960, the grocery store was changed to a hardware store and shortly thereafter expanded to its present size. Owner Frank Blair said he went to work for the Schnarrs in 1974. “After 20 years of learning the business, I purchased the store from my mentor W. A. (Bill) Schnarr in 1995.  We have built our business by listening and responding to our customer's needs.  Stop in, enjoy a complimentary bag of popcorn, and let us know what we can do for you today. 314-993-0910, www.schnarrs.com