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Each Thursday, we highlight picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more.In honor of the Meramec Communty coOPERAtive's Aug. 12 presentation of "On the River's Edge,” which raised $1,600 for Joplin schools, we here at Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch give you five ways you can contribute to the ongoing rebuilding efforts. Giver’s GalaAll of the proceeds from this Saturday’s evening of networking, cocktails, food and dancing will go to aid Joplin. Meet other charitably minded people as you network for a good cause. Stand with Joplin Music FestivalThis outdoor concert festival from Sept. 10-12 includes stars from both Nashville and Hollywood performing in Missouri to …
Heat — We’re only a month away from the autumn relief of September. It’s hard to remember relief is right around the corner when suffering through 30 cloudless days of temperatures flirting with triple digits. Sunburn — It’s hard to get a sunburn in St. Louis during December. Try to remember that when the cloudless August skies and hot temperatures leave you looking like a reject side dish at Lobsterfest Bugs — Ants. Mosquitoes. Flies. Summer is a buggy horror. Oh sure, you also get ladybugs and butterflies. Try to remember how pretty they are the next time you’re scratching a mosquito bite…
All of February’s prayers for a heat wave have caught up to us here at the end of July. Even in a city as walkable as Clayton, it’s hard to resist the urge to make a mad dash from the air-conditioned safety of your car straight into the cool interior of a building before you melt into a puddle of sweat. Plenty of places tell you the best ways to beat the heat. This week, we’re taking potshots at some of the worst. Cheesecloth and WaterThis is a variation on evaporative cooling. If you live somewhere very dry, such as Arizona, pouring water over a porous substance then blowing air through it …
Chickens can be gender bendersSometimes hens start producing testosterone, sprouting male plumage and exhibiting masculine behaviors. They can’t fertilize another female’s eggs, but they do stop producing any of their own.Chickens can't be cross-bred with turkeysYou might think the Turkan is a hybrid of a chicken and a turkey, the animal sciences and industry department at Kansas State University states on its website. In fact, the Turkan is a chicken breed that has a featherless neck because of a genetic condition. But the question remains: Can a person cross-breed a Turkan with a duck and …
July traditionally means two things—spandex movies and nonstop talk about what’s hot at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con. You could take an entire class on understanding anime and manga, but if all you need is a few reference points for conversations with the guys from the IT department, we here at Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch have prepared this handy summer cheat sheet. You’re welcome. Comic Books — If you’ve been to the movies recently you’re familiar with comic book characters such as Thor, Iron Man, Green Lantern and the X-Men. The defining characteristic of comic books is that they’re …
If the locally grown produce at the Clayton Farmer’s Market isn’t enough to lure you out of bed early on a Saturday, here are five extra tasty things that aren’t green, healthy or nutritious which you can’t get anywhere else. Batje Farms Goat Cheese Goat cheese is good. Goat cheese from organically-grown local goats is better. Goat cheese from organically-grown local goats drizzled in fresh local honey is a tasty experience that may ruin you for all other foods. Just make sure you get the cheese drizzled in honey, not the goats. Stinger’s HoneyIf you think honey comes from a squeezable …
Your neighbors might really love turkey stuffing all year round, but maybe all that sage they buy is for some friendly Earth-loving rituals. This weekend, St.Louis is home to the 19th annual Pagan Picnic, one of the largest such gatherings in the country. In honor of the diversity of our communities, we take a look at the assorted religions practiced here in and near Clayton and Richmond Heights. HINDUSThe Vedanta Society of St. Louis, led by Swami Chetanananda, is located on Skinker Boulevard just outside of Clayton and has been host to a thriving Hindu community since 1938. JEWSThe Brith …
If you’ve been looking forward to the weekend since Tuesday, we here at Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch have some bad news for you. You may think Friday is a day for casual wear around the office by day and drinking away your sorrows by night. But be extra careful if you shave before going out with friends or plan to get away with a cheap summer cruise. You could be setting yourself up for disaster.Italy: Never shave on FridayItalian men have cleverly engineered a set of superstitions that allows them to skip shaving during the weekend. “Shave on Friday, and there will be sorrow,” is pretty …
Rumor (started by the Family Radio Network) has it the world is coming to an end Saturday. This week on Patch Picks, we present five responses to those predictions available to people in Clayton and Richmond Heights. Fudgement DayAccording to Facebook, May 21 is the day when all fudges must be judged. Share recipes, make fudge at home and spread the sugary joy among all the masses. Post-Apocalypse Looting DayThe same kind of people who map out the best city escape routes in case of a zombie apocalypse are preparing to ensure that just in case Family Radio Network is right about this Saturday…
Look in a broken mirror and get 7 years of bad luckYou probably have at least one crafty friend. Tell her you have a great reflective surface in plenty of small pieces that she can use for mosaics and jewelry—all free—as long as she gathers up the shattered pieces herself. Once the broken mirror is safely out of your house, stop by Expressions Furniture to pick up a lucky new one. Avoid black catsIf you happen to own a black cat, you could either lock it in a closet all day and accept the destruction of everything inside or take your pet to Lola and Penelope’s Pet Boutique. Bribe the cat with…
Most Mother’s Day celebrations are aimed at nuclear families. If you have a hard-working single mom, don’t insult her by cramming her into a long brunch line alongside happily married women. Instead, take her to one of these alternative celebrations where you spend time together building up special memories involving mint juleps, microbreweries or marvelous art. St. Louis MicrofestForest Park is always a good place for quality time with Mom, but this weekend, it’s home to a microbrewery festival. It’s your turn to play designated driver while she samples brews from around the world. After a …
This Easter weekend, you have your choice of traditional church Easter egg hunts, White House-style Easter egg rolls or grownup fun hunting for eggs in the dark. Here are five options within driving range of Clayton and Richmond Heights. Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church — 11 a.m. Saturday Kids in grades 5 and under are welcome to hunt in the grass around the Old Meeting House, 2250 N. Geyer Rd., in search of colored presents left by the Easter Bunny. The event is free and open to the public. Easter Egg-Citement in Belleville - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday Hunting for Easter …
In honor of Missouri American Water's assurances to Clayton residents that the brown, cloudy water that came from taps earlier this week was entirely safe to drink, we rounded up five places to get a cloudy brown beverage you’ll be proud to drink. City Coffeehouse and Creperie — You can fill a cup with an aromatic sip ranging from black to tawny depending on how much milk and sugar you like in your coffee. Kaldi’s Coffee House — There’s nothing wrong with indulging in more coffee, but Kaldi’s nice assortment of teas give you a chance to enjoy a cup of brown joy. Try some Darjeeling and a …
Passover is a major Jewish holiday and festival that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. This eight-day observance, which begins this year on the evening of April 18, centers on a service and meal held in the home. The rituals include readings, prayers, songs and special foods. During the week of Passover, Jews adhere to the prohibition of eating leavened foods and grains, which include breads and legumes, to commemorate the haste with which they left Egypt. When Pharaoh finally said the Israelites were free from slavery and could leave Egypt, they did not have time …
At Thursday's St. Louis Cardinals baseball game? We're honored that you would join us! OK, so maybe you're stuck at the office dreaming of being outdoors. Not to worry. Consider this a cheat sheet for that time off you've got planned months from now. Get your taste buds revved up with these alternatives to hot dogs at Busch Stadium. BROADWAY BBQ (Main level, near bleachers) — Instead of a hot dog, get yourself beef brisket, pulled pork or a whole turkey leg. DIZZY'S DINER (Main level) — Dizzy’s offers a little bit of everything. While you can get a hot dog for the kids, you can also get a …
From New Madrid to Claverach: How an Earthquake Spawned a Suburub — Walkable, urban Clayton started as idyllic farmland. James Sherby’s book shows readers how the shocking and unexpected New Madrid earthquake changed the nature of the community forever. A History of Clayton, MO — Robert Parkin’s book was first published in 1949 in commemoration of city founder Ralph Clayton. There’s nothing like a 60-year-old book talking about modernity to make you appreciate how much change has happened in living memory. Clayton: A History — Twenty-seven years later, Dickson Terry decided to update Robert …
Shepherd’s Pie - Why eat your mashed potatoes on the side when they can bake on top of a rich stew full of beef, mushrooms, veggies and gravy? Enjoy this $12 entree with a Smithwicks Irish Beer, just because everyone else will be drinking Guinness. Guinness Stew - Eleven bucks gets you a big bowl of sirloin, potatoes, carrots, onions and, of course, a thick Guinness-based sauce. The perfect drink to go with it? Go ahead and guess. Welsh Rarebit - Molly Darcys calls it a grilled cheese for American audiences, but it’s still that classic blend of sharp cheeses with tomato and mustard grilled …
It’s the time of year when even Taco Bell advertises Lent specials made of beans, rice and that bright yellow substance allegedly made from cheese. You can suffer your way through 40 days of vegetarian food made by people who don’t specialize in it, or you can treat Lent as an opportunity to visit some great area restaurants that specialize in meatless dishes year-round. First WatchMost people know them for breakfast. Mmm, crepeggs. But they have a great selection of brunch and lunch items aimed at full-time vegetarians. Try the filling Joaquin Yahoo Fritata, Not Guilty Your Honor sandwich or…
This weekend, ditch the car, hop on the MetroLink and take the train to the country’s second largest Mardi Gras celebration—in St. Louis City. To get yourself in the mood first, check out these Cajun and French restaurants in or near Clayton for an inspired lunch. The Gumbo Shop Get your fill of jambalaya, etoufee and crawfish in big portions at affordable prices to put yourself into the spirit of New Orleans before hopping on the train to Soulard. Almonds Restaurant Whether you’re in a mood for a bowl of gumbo or a crawfish-topped salad, your lunch will come with a bag of Zapp’s Chips (made …
Chicago has hot dogs. Albuquerque has chili eggs. St. Louis has its own food all locals love but outsiders don’t entirely understand: Toasted ravioli. Travel more than 30 minutes from the city and you’re suddenly in a land where you not only can’t find mostacolli or provele cheese, but toasted ravioli disappears from menus. Go ahead and show your local foodie pride here in Clayton and Richmond Heights by stopping by one of these restaurants for a warm plateful of toasted, beef-filled ravioli goodness. Cafe Napoli $5.95 Pointer's Delivery $6.44 Pasta Plus $6.50 Manhattan Express $7.45 Mike …
