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Great Escape

Jazz, Wine and Cheese Equal An Entertaining Evening

Great Escape: B’nai El Congregation’s 8th annual “Sound Bites” event is just the escape you need to unwind.

Need a break from Spring Break? Are you ready to kick back and enjoy the sounds of smooth jazz and the tastes of smooth wines? Then you need to attend “Sound Bites” at B’nai El Congregation on Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m. Featuring the intoxicating music of the Eddie Randle Jr. Trio with vocalist Thomasina Clarke, this event combines jazz with wine from St. James Winery and cheese courtesy of Hautly Cheese Company. “In between sets, attendees will learn from the representatives from St. James and Hautly about their wines and cheeses,” Buddy Loebner, event chair, said. “They have paired wines and cheeses together so they’ll also be explaining why they chose the pairings.” Instead of having to go to a buffet table to get the samples, attendees…

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Frugal Family

Free Movie and An Awesome Museum Garage Sale Lead This Week’s Deals

Frugal Family: True bargain hunters, and early holiday shoppers, won’t want to miss our area’s museums’ gift shop sale and families will want to attend the Missouri History Museum’s free Family Film Day.

We found five exciting deals from a free movie and storytelling to great bargains courtesy of our area museums. And get your home ready for the spring holidays with a special offer for a cleaning service. 1. Living World, Saint Louis Zoo Deal: St. Louis Museum Stores Garage Sale. The area St. Louis museum gifts shops are coming together to sell close-out, clearance and almost one-of-a-kind items. Date: Saturday, March 19; 9 a.m.—4 p.m.  2. Missouri History Museum Deal: Storytelling Workshop. Listen to themed storytelling and participate in crafts. Date: Saturday, March 19; noon—2:30 p.m., story time starts at 1 p.m.   3. Missouri History Museum Deal: Family Film Day. Enjoy a free afternoon showing of 101 Dalmations. Light snacks available…

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Grab and Go Kids Planner

Stories, Art, Cakes and Giant Balloons Are Winning Activities

From a duck who is a houseguest to the wearing of the green, we have your family activities planned for the week.

Here are our favorite family-friendly activities for this week, whether you want to go outdoors or stay in: Storytime:  Who’s That Knockin’ at the Door? Where/When: Barnes & Noble, Ladue Crossing Shopping Center Friday, March 11; 10 a.m. Why Go: Find out if a house full of animals can survive a ducky houseguest. Pricing: Free More information: Call (314) 862-6280   Family Workshop Where/When: Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park Saturday, March 12; 10:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m. Why Go: Participate as a family as you look at and make incredible art. For ages 5 and 6, with an adult. Pricing: $10 per person; $8 for members More information:  Register by calling (314) 655-5298   St. Patrick’s Day Parade Where/When: Downtown St. …

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Frugal Family

Albarre Jewelry and Plaza Frontenac Break Out the Deals

Frugal Family: Special sales at these fine stores will make your family, and wallet, happy.

Take advantage of these seasonal sales and you’ll be ready for Spring in style.  Albarre Jewelry Deal: Annual half off sale. Select pieces from Elyssa Bass, Sara Blaine or Jorg Gray. See what you need in order to wear this season’s latest trend: necklaces that are long and layered; mixed and matched. Good through: March 23, 2011. Ann Taylor Deal: Take 25 percent off when you purchase two full-price items; 40 percent off when your purchase three or more full-price items. New items are in the store for Spring. Good through: March 18, 2011. Bissinger’s Deal: Half price on Bissinger’s solid chocolate. Stock up for the Spring holidays or just buy some to indulge yourself. Good through: March 17, 2011. Pottery Barn Deal: Free demonstrations on …

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Patch Picks

Patch Picks Celebrates National Reading Day

Reading specialists in Ladue and Frontenac give us their picks for best reads.

In honor of the National Education Association’s Read Across America annual celebration, we surveyed our area book specialists for their recommendations for children and adult books. Adult literature. Recommended by Jennifer Alexander, a collection development specialist at the St. Louis County Library: The Surrendered by Chang-rae Lee The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann Why she’s recommending these books: “Both The Surrendered and Let the Great World Spin are beautifully written and illustrate different types of human suffering without an overwhelming mood of despair. So the books are very sad but still a little hopeful at the same time. And The Illumination is just interesting and fun because of …

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Great Escape

Escape From The Noise With These Great Suggestions

Great Escape: Take a break from the Mardi Gras festivities with dinner and a movie for grown-ups.

Yes, this weekend is full of Mardi Gras activities. But maybe you’re taking it easy this year or just want an alternative to the wild partying. We found the perfect antidote to bead catching and hurricanes: a sexy thriller and a gourmet dinner. Be one of the first people to see “The Housemaid,” a favorite at the Cannes, Toronto and Fantastic Fest film festivals, which is opening at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema this Friday night. Billed as “intensely erotic and fiendishly entertaining” this sexy thriller is about an innocent young woman who is hired as a nanny for a wealthy, but vicious, family. Order tickets online and avoid the lines. Pair this outing with a three- or four-course chef’s tasting menu at Bristol Seafood Grill. These …

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Frugal Family

Great Deals for Food, Clothing, and Home

Star-gazing and gourmet meals are among this week’s deal.

Frugal Family brings you the stars this week along with gourmet food, carpet cleaning, men’s clothing and great parking. James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center Deal: Free public telescope viewing hosted by the St. Louis Astronomical Society. Weather permitting, members of the society will set up several telescopes outdoors and will be available to answer questions about what you’re seeing.  Meanwhile, inside in the Orthwein Starbay be sure to see the “Sky Tonight.” Date: Friday, March 4, 2011, 7—9 p.m..   L’Ecole Culinaire Deal: With this coupon, enjoy a free dessert at lunch or a free appetizer at dinner. Regardless of which one you select, you will enjoy the culinary products of St. Louis’ future chefs. Good …

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