Graduation 2013: A Gift-Giving Guide for Locals

As graduates head off to college & other endeavors; time to think about that perfect graduation gift.

Sooner than you think, all the local graduations will be up on stage, receiving their diplomas as they head out into the World. Most students have earned their place, and now it's time to think about lining up that perfect graduation gift. Over the next several days, Patch.com is dropping into local stores to highlight the choices of different graduation gift suggestions. So far, we've considered everything from a Barnes & Noble Nook reader to SLR and diving cameras at Creve Coeur Camera; seasonal outfits from Kim Kuehner Sportswear in the MarketPlace in Ladue and picture frames, invitations and even laundry bags from the Service Bureau, also in the MarketPlace. Feel free to suggest some stops for gift ideas. Patch will dash right out and …

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Part II: An Interview With Book Writer/Communicator Jill Farmer

Life coach with a career in television turns to her first attempt at book writing.

Yesterday, Jill Farmer talked about her new book "There's Not Enough Time," ...and other lies we tell ourselves. Today, she goes into what it means to be a Life Coach. Patch.com: How does one become a life coach? Jill Farmer: There are a lot of ways. From masters degree programs in psychology all the way down to hanging your shingle out and calling yourself a life coach. I chose what many would consider a pretty rigorous program for certification through Martha Beck, Ph.D’s courses at Harvard. She is considered by many as the preeminent life coach in America. She has what I consider an outstanding training program and I liked it so much I became certified as a Lifetime Master Coach. Patch: How far do your clients range? I have clients in …

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Nationally, Barnes & Noble to Close 30 % of Stores

All of this will happen over the course of the next 10 years.

With the advancement of the electronic technology and the subsequent boom, Barnes & Noble is anticipting a drop in book buying over the next decade. In order to countermand that, the national chain will close 30 percent of all of its stores. The Ladue Store in the Schnucks Ladue Crossing has remained very active, and unlikely to be one of those scheduled for closure. This was information reported nationally yesterday on NBC News.com. Patch will keep a close eye out on this situation.

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Ladue Schnucks Celebrates Hanukkah

The event will feature storytelling, music and chocolate.

The Schnucks Ladue Crossing shopping center will host a celebration of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Light, on Dec.  6. The event, held from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in the shopping center, will feature students of the H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy Chois, who will sing Hanukkah songs. Rabbi Avi Greene, headmaster at Epstein, and Jackie Oppenheimer, teacher at Epstein, will also join students in a Hanukkah story-telling session. Children will receive traditional Hannukah chocolate coins. For more information about the Hanukkah Celebration call 314-205-0800.

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Patch Picks Five: Welcome to 2012

Patch rounds up local events for the first week in 2012.

It's the first week in 2012. Don’t get hit with the post-holiday blues! We’ve rounded up several local events and happenings to get your new year started on the right foot. Monday, Jan. 2. Happy New Year! Since New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday this year, Monday is the official federal holiday. Most government offices, banks and post offices will be closed. Since you won’t be waiting on the mail, why not do a little good in the world? Head over to Granny Tsai’s Resale and Donation Center and donate your gently used clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes and home décor accessories. For more information, visit the Granny Tsai’s website or call 314-995-6002. Tuesday, Jan. 3. Area students who attend Community School, John Burroughs and MICDS …

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Patch Picks

Patch Picks Five Plus One

"Ladue-Frontenac Patch" rounds up six family-friendly events in the neighborhood for the week of Dec. 12.

Looking for a little fun this week?  We've got something for everyone in the family this week--the techie, the not-so-technically inclined, the sports fan, music lovers and more. Monday, Dec. 12. Know someone who needs help learning to use the internet? The St. Louis County Library Headquarters is holding a beginner’s internet class on Monday. Students will explore the St. Louis County Library’s website and learn to navigate around the web. For more information, visit the library’s website. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Get your sports fix on Tuesday at Villa Duchesne. Both the JV and varsity basketball teams will play on Tuesday. The JV game starts at 4:30 pm and the varsity game begins at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the school’s website. …

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Patch Picks

Patch Picks Five Plus One

As time rushes toward the holiday season, the Ladue-Frontenac area is abuzz with new events happening around the community.

Whether you’re looking for a good discussion, an educational activity, a new school for the kids or a unique shopping opportunity, this week’s community events are sure to keep you busy. Take a look at six of our favorite events for the week ahead. Monday, Nov. 14. Do your kids love books such as Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen? If so, you won’t want to miss a special screening of these and other Maurice Sendak picture books as they come to life in a series of shorts created by Weston Woods. The event will run from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Monday at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters, located at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. For more info, visit the St. Louis County Library’s website. Tuesday, Nov. 15. What kid doesn’t love a…

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Five Places to Buy Kids' Birthday Presents in Ladue

Area stores have great gift ideas for the children in your life.

It can be difficult to figure out where to find those perfect presents for the children in your life, so Ladue-Frontenac Patch has found five area stores that are perfect places to stop to find great gifts. Barnes & Noble If the kids in your life are avid readers, Barnes & Noble in Ladue Crossing is your best bet. From the Berenstain Bears to the Harry Potter series, they have options for all ages. For younger readers, you also can't go wrong with Dr. Seuss books, which are in plentiful supply. If your kids are more into nonfiction, it has a huge selection of DK books (starting with baby books) that cover a range of topics from science to history. Imagination Toys Imagination Toys manager Lori Haberman recommended three items in the store…

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Celebrity Day at Book Signing in Ladue at Barnes & Noble

Dr. Cindy Haines Signs Copies of "The New Prescription" Saturday in Ladue.

It seemed like celebrity day 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Barnes & Noble store in Ladue Crossing as Ladue Patch Moms Council member Dr. Cindy Haines signed copies of her brand new book "The New Prescription," How to get the Best Health Care in a Broken System. Ray Hartmann, Ladue resident, former publisher of the Riverfront Times and a regular on television's much discussed show Donneybrook on KETC Channel 9 was a customer. He bought a copy of the book. So too did Ladue resident and fellow Community School parent (to Dr. Haines) Buddy Reisinger. Monica Ross Straub of University City was a customer. She is developing Barkadero Finery Co, selling cotton collars for pets. She also owns the local company Leashes for Pets. All together, there was …

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Dr. Cynthia Haines, Moms Panel Contributor, Book Signing

This Saturday, Barnes & Noble in Ladue Crossing, 2-4 p.m.

Ladue's Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Haines will Sign Copies of her first book on Saturday, June 25th. Dr. Cynthia Haines of Ladue, a member of the Ladue-Frontenac Moms Council has just debuted her first book "The New Prescription: How to Get the Best Health Care in a Broken System." She will sign books from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 25th. The signings will be at Barnes and Noble - Ladue Crossing. Dr. Cynthia Haines is the Chief Medical Officer of Health Day; President of Haines Medical Communications and adjunct professor of medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Haines also hosts a regular show HealthDay TV. The book is about getting what we all really want: better  health care and on our own terms. There are numerous tips to …

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