Hidden Treasure
Posted on December 31st, 2010 by Alicia McColl
It’s been referred to as the “last five and dime,” does not advertise regularly that anyone can see and has been in St. Louis for as far back as someone around here can remember.
Spicer’s in Ladue is the place to go for just about… well a lot of stuff. There are plenty of toys, including jolly stuffed animals and some popular lines you can find at Toys R Us but there’s also many lesser-known but award-winning brands, such as a miniature sandbox with construction trucks. There’s also greeting cards, puzzles, school supplies and candy. A lot of candy.
A popular draw for the younger set is an entire aisle devoted to baskets of bite-size candy pieces like you found at five and dimes of yesteryear. Reese’s, Jolly
Ranchers, bubble gum, little chocolate baseballs and basketball, Laffy Taffy and tons, tons more. Each small piece is .10 to .25 cents apiece. There are also full-size bars and bags.
It is a perfect place to forage for goodies for a child’s birthday party, holiday gifts, any type of stationary or greeting card and of course candy. Has someone been a good boy or girl lately?
Max Spicer opened the store in 1947 as Spicers 5 & 10 and it has changed ownership since a couple of times but it is still located in Ladue in the Schnuck’s Ladue Crossing shopping center. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
Tags: St. Louis Shopping
Fun on Ice
Posted on December 31st, 2010 by Alicia McColl
Ready for some winter fun? The cool temps outside mean it’s time to get out on the ice. St. Louis has a few open-air rinks chilling and ready to go.
Steinberg Rink in Forest Park was built 52 years ago and continues to draw a
crowd each year from mid-November to mid-March. Enjoy skating seven days a week and on holidays, including Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day, from 10 a.m. until 9 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Nothing beats the backdrop of Forest Park, especially at night with the Planetarium aglow and ringed with a red bow. There’s only one admission fee of $6 for children and adults, and skate rental is $4 per pair. The Snowflake Cafe offers a full concession menu with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza and more. For information call 314-367-RINK or go to www.steinbergskatingrink.com.
Have some lunch and do a little shopping in Clayton then head over to Shaw Park. The ice rink has public skating hours Friday through Sunday and although it has discounted rates for Clayton residents (see www.ci.clayton.mo.us) its guest admission and skate rental are right on the money. Admission for adults is $7, $5 for children ages 3-17 and seniors age 60 and older. Skate rental is $2 for all ages. The rink is open from noon until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and noon until 4 p.m. on Sundays through Feb. 21. It will be open New Year’s Eve from noon until 11 p.m. Cash and checks are the only form of payment accepted. Call their hotline at 314-290-8595 for more information.
There’s only a couple days left this season for the St. Charles Frontier Park Outdoor Ice Rink. It’s situated between Historic Main Street and the banks of the Missour River. It is open Saturday, Jan. 1, from noon until 11 p.m. with skating sessions at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. On Sunday sessions are at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission prices, are $7 for adults, $6 for children (under 12), $6 for seniors (55 and over) and students with a current ID. Skate rental is $6. Admission and rentals are cash only. For more information call the rink hotline at 636-255-6155 or go to www.historicstcharles.com.
Tags: St. Louis Attractions
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at First Night
Posted on December 31st, 2010 by Alicia McColl
Are you looking for a way to spend an alcohol-free evening with family or friends? Consider First Night New Year’s Eve celebration as Grand Center is transformed into an under-the-sea arena with fun and entertainment from 6 p.m. until midnight.
Enjoy more than 150 artists and performers as they come to life against a backdrop of under-the-sea aquarium lights and projections. The Fanta-sea celebration will include more than 25 musical entertainers, exibits such as the making of a 15-ton sand sculpture and comedian/magician Justin Kredible. The Muny kids will be performing and Buckets and Tap Shoes from Minneapolis will perform their drumming and flashlight dancing.
There will be limited indoor venues and seating and all is on a first-come, first-serve basis. A fun feature this year – a 40-foot wall made of Post-It Notes. Visitors are encouraged to post their new year’s wishes.
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. on the Boeing Stage at Grand and Lindell Blvds. and entertainment will continue until 11:30 p.m. The early fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. The countdown to the new year begins at 11:30 p.m. followed by a fireworks display at midnight.
For a detailed schedule of events and where to park go to www.grandcenter.org.
The price is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Ages 5 and younger are free. Buttons can be purchased at all area Borders and Dierbergs locations. Select Schnucks locations that will sell buttons are: Culinaria at 315 9th St., Ladue Crossing at Hwy. 170 and Ladue Rd., Lindell at 4171 Lindell Blvd., Richmond Center at Clayton Rd. and Big Bend Blvd. and Webster Groves at Big Bend and Elm St.
Tags: Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis Culture, St. Louis Holidays
Way More Than Just Lights
Posted on December 15th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
An evening at the Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville is more than just a drive through a holiday light display. Each night from 5-9 p.m. there’s nightly outdoor and indoor activities perfect for a night out with the family.
The main attraction of course is still the spectacular light display that winds through the grounds of OurLady of the Snows. The 1-1/2 mile-long display portrays the birth of Christ in colorful lights and numerous twists and turns. Admission is free but donations are welcome. The drive can be made a bit more magical by carriage ride or trolley ride for an additional cost. Call 618-476-7800 for the cost for carriage rides.
Park in the visitor center parking lot and feed the animals in the petting zoo or take a camel ride. Camel, donkey and pony rides are $5 per person. Refreshments – including hot chocolate – are available in an adjoining tent.
Warm up inside the visitors center and see the tree room, which features trees designed to the theme of The Colors of Christmas. The Children’s Village includes a variety of hands-on activities and puppet shows. To remember your experience at Our Lady of the Snows, photos are offered with your choice of a Christmas background or shimmery cloud background for a small price. Kids can dress up in angel attire, as well. Along the hallway, wreaths designed by area florists are displayed and are auctioned off in a silent auction. The Shrine Restaurant in the visitors center is open until 9 p.m. and features a buffet ($14.99 for adults; $6.99 for children ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and under) and an extensive soup and salad bar.
Top off the evening with an indoor laser show, an amazing sound and light story of Christmas. Admission to the show is $3 per person; ages four and under are free with a paying adult.
The Way of Lights is located at 442 S. De Mazenod Dr. in Belleville, Ill. For more information call 618-397-6700.
Tags: St. Louis Attractions
Purina Farms Hosts Pet-acular Bazaar
Posted on December 10th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
Santa comes to town for the dogs on Dec. 11-12 at Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar at the Purina Event Center at Purina Farms. Dog lovers can celebrate the holidays and shop with their canine on those two days, which will feature unique crafts,
gifts and stocking stuffers. You can also get your dog’s picture with Santa, and watch the Pro Plan canine performance team in action. The event also features activities for the kids and pet adoptions. The Bazaar runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Your dog must stay on a leash and be up-to-date on all vaccinations. A visible rabies tag is required.
Visit www.purina.com for more info.
Tags: St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Shopping
Music, Food and Drinks at Brandt’s Cafe
Posted on December 6th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
There are many St. Louis institutions in the University City Loop. One of
them is Brandt’s Café, 6525 Delmar Blvd., which has been serving patrons in the Loop for 25 years. Brandt’s patio is usually packed during warm-weather months, but it’s the inside that rocks the rest of the year. There’s live music on Tuesday and every weekend night, and check the schedule for karaoke and trivia nights.
If you are coming simply for the food and drink, you will not be disappointed. Brandt’s is known for its wide beer selection, which it bills as the top 100 beers in the world. The food menu is just as diverse. Appetizers include crab cakes, beef Wellington bites and buffalo chicken wontons. For entrees, try shrimp and cheddar grits, or the vegetable lasagna. Brandt’s also has a unique Sunday brunch menu, which features various omelets and standards such as biscuits and gravy. For more information, visit www.brandtscafe.com.
Tags: St. Louis Dining, St. Louis Nightlife, The Loop
Get Happy at Herbie’s Vintage 72
Posted on December 6th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
For years, Balaban’s was a staple of the Central West End. In 2008, the restaurant/bar located at 405 North Euclid Avenue was closed, leaving the many regulars with nothing but memories. But all seems well again in this pocket of the world now that Herbie’s Vintage 72 – named after the late founder of Balaban’s Café Herbie Balaban – has opened and is thriving in the old Balaban’s location.
Herbie’s is a perfect place for an after-work drink, with happy hour starting at 4:30 p.m. and running for two hours. Appetizers are half price during this time, and include exotic selections such as escargot and shrimp dumplings. Budweiser bottled products are $2 during traditional happy hour, while Guiness pints are $3. Herbies also has a late-night happy hour from 10:30 p.m. to midnight Sundays through Thursdays when drink and dessert specials can be had.
For more information, visit www.herbies.com.
Tags: Central West End, Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis Dining, St. Louis Nightlife
Wild Lights at the Zoo Sparkle This Season
Posted on November 29th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
The St. Louis Zoo goes a little wild and crazy with the holiday lights every year. The U.S. Bank Wild Lights is a colorful light display that features more than 500,000 Christmas lights and animated light displays, which visitors can view while walking through the exhibits. There are also plenty of activities for the kids,
including making Christmas ornaments, a holiday puppet show and carousel rides. Adults can do some shopping at the Holiday Zootique (visitors receive an automatic 10 percent discount on purchases during Wild Lights with St. Louis Zoo Members receiving a 20 percent discount on such purposes). The Wild Lights display is open Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-23 and 26-30. Tickets are $4 for St. Louis Zoo members and $5 for non-members (children under 2 are free). Parking is free at the Zoo’s South Parking Lot. Come out for a roaring good time and spectacular light display.
For more information, visit http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/wildlights.
Tags: Forest Park, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Holidays, St. Louis Zoo
The Drunken Fish: Sushi for All Tastes
Posted on November 29th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
If you love sushi–or even if you have never tried it and you’re curious–The Drunken Fish is the place for you. The Drunken Fish has three convenient locations in St. Louis, Westport Plaza, Laclede’s Landing and the Central West End. In each, you will find the best Japanese delicacies that St. Louis has to offer, including sushi and sashimi galore.
Many people are uneasy ordering items with which they are not familiar, but the wait staff is knowledgeable and more than happy to help you make a selection. Try the supreme sashimi, which includes 18 pieces of sashimi, including tuna, salmon, white tuna, flounder, octopus, yellowtail and shrimp. You can also get a sushi & sashimi combination.
The signature makimono menu has more than 15 choices all of which are around $15. Philadelphia natives might like the fried cheese steak roll, which features the ingredients you would find in the signature Philadelphia dish, and is topped with eel sauce and garlic mayo. The signature drunken fish roll includes shrimp, tempura, may and asparagus, and is topped with red tuna, Japanese mayo, eel sauce, masago, tempura crumbs and sprouts.
For the less adventurous, there is stir-fry–try chicken-fried rice, which is a bargain at $11, as well an entrée menu that features items such as miso-marinated black cod.
For more information on The Drunken Fish, visit drunkenfish.com
Tags: Central West End, Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis Dining
Light Up the Season
Posted on November 18th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
Thanksgiving is the traditional starting point for the holiday season. But for those looking to get a jump start on the festivities, Macy’s Holiday Festival of Lights this Friday should do the trick. Macy’s Holiday Festival of Lights will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m., Nov. 19 at the May Amphitheatre in Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis . The highlight is the lighting of the Christmas tree and downtown light display, which will be followed by a fireworks display. Of course, Saint Nick will make his appearance as well . There will also be music, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee, as well as music and entertainment.
Tags: St. Louis Attractions