Best of all, by purchasing tickets, you are not only seeing a spectacular show but also helping to support the Coalition for Animal Rescue and Education. After you’ve purchased tickets online, there is a Comment or Promo box on the last screen, which allows you to make comments. Please enter C.A.R.E. in this box to ensure that this deserving organization will receive a donation from the concert.

For more information about the Gateway Men’s Chorus, click here. For more information about C.A.R.E., click here.

SLHL: Can you describe the setting of the St. Charles Riverfront Arts (SCRA) 2011 Spring ArtWalk?
NB: The 6th Spring ArtWalk will be inside storefronts on North Main Street between First Capitol (100 block) and Clark Street at the Foundry Art Centre at 500 N. Main Center. Art enthusiasts and friends can stroll along historic Main Street with map and program in hand, listening to music and sampling wine while appreciating various works of art. The Spring ArtWalk features over 70 painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, jewelers, glass workers and fiber artists, whose work will be for sale. The event is FREE and open to the public. The Opening Reception is Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center. The ZONTA Club St. Charles is sponsoring the Opening Reception. The music of the Keough Classical String Trio will enhance the art experience! Foundry artists’ studios will be open during the reception. Food is provided by Tony’s on Main, Big A’s, Llwellyn’s and SCRA. Wines will be provided by Glazer’s Midwest.

SLHL: What would you say are the benefits of attending a juried art fair?
NB: The Spring ArtWalk jurors select only fine art and one can be assured of quality! Artists will exhibit pottery, metal and natural sculpture, watercolors, oil, abstract and pastel paintings, jewelry and beautiful photography that offers the community a great value for original art.

SLHL: Will there be entertainment during the ArtWalk?
NB: Yes, there is a wide variety of music and entertainment this year, ranging from classical string trios, violinists, acoustic guitar, jazz guitars, old time instrumental music, classical pianists to soft rock. Classes for “Cartooning for Kids” and “Make Believe Theatre” are doing a concert. Garland Wines will host a wine tasting at Remington’s on Friday evening, and wine will also be at various locations during the ArtWalk. Also, new to the ArtWalk this year is Hide N Chic at 205 N. Main, which will have western artists on Friday and Saturday. SCRA is very excited about this!

More entertainment options:
Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. — Ron Houser, Cowboy/Western artists from St. Charles, Missouri
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. — John Womack, Leather Indian Art & Ernie Harris, Western Leather Art of horses, mules, eagle, cowboys, from Gary, Indiana
Saturday, 1 to 1:30 p.m., 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. — Cowboy Poetry from Nationally known Martin Bergin from Overland, Missouri

SLHL: Is the ArtWalk intended for people of all ages?
NB: This event is family-friendly and free! It’s good for all ages five to 85!

SLHL: Can you give us a few examples that illustrate the variety of artwork that will be available for purchase at the ArtWalk?
NB: The ArtWalk has a variety of unique art. Betty Shew makes hand made cast paper art; Adam Long creates sculpture from all natural twigs, bark and leaves; Fraser Leonard creates bold acrylic abstract paintings, as well as welded metal sculptures; Perla Segovia is a master of woven fused glass, to name a few. We also have digital paintings, digital photography and excellent jewelry.

SLHL: Is there any other information you’d like our readers to know about the event?
NB: Patron’s Preference is a program whereby tickets are sold for $100 each and will be put into a drawing for a piece of art valued at $250 or more. Tickets sold are limited to the number of pieces of art; therefore, each ticket holder is guaranteed a piece of fine art.  The drawing is Sunday afternoon, May 1, at 3 p.m. at Denninger’s Gallery, 115 N. Main Street. Tickets are available now at Denninger’s, Framation’s and online at www.saintcharlesriverfrontarts.com. The map and program will be at each venue throughout the Spring ArtWalk; therefore, art patrons may begin at any of the locations of N. Main and stroll the ArtWalk, visit with the artists, listen to music and enjoy! Saint Charles Riverfront Arts is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit charitable organization.

November 25
Ameren UE Thanksgiving Day Parade
Colorful floats, bands, storybook characters, Santa and more wind through downtown St. Louis in celebration of Thanksgiving Day and the start of the holiday season. The parade begins at 8:45 a.m. at North 4th Street and Washington Ave. and proceeds south on North 4th Street to Market Street, continues west on Market Street and ends at 14th Street. For more information, visit www.christmasinstlouis.org.

November 25-28
Holiday Wreath Auction at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Unique wreaths created by some of the area’s finest floral designers will be sold by silent auction bidding. Proceeds benefit the Missouri Botanical Garden. Admission is $8 for adults ages 13 and up and free for children. This event takes place in Monsanto Hall, the upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 314-577-9400 or visit www.mobot.org.

November 25-28
25th Annual Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
Drive through more than one million twinkling lights that illuminate 75 acres in Tilles Park. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available every night, and Saturdays are reserved for carriage rides only. The Winter Wonderland is open from 5:30 to 9:30 every night, and the cost is $9 per family vehicle. Call 314-534-1111 for carriage ride reservations. For more information, call 314-615-7275 or visit www.stlouisco.com/parks/ww/ww.htm.

November 26-28
U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
Thousands of colorful lights and seasonal sounds fill the Saint Louis Zoo and provide plenty of family-friendly fun from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $4 for members, $5 for non-members and children under age 2 are free. For more information, call 314-781-0900 or visit www.stlzoo.org.

November 27
Light Up The Loop
See old-fashioned lights adorn The Loop and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts at the many unique boutiques and galleries that line this famous street. Visit visittheloop.com/news to see the specials and discounts that will be available at participating shops and restaurants.

November 27
Augusta Glass Studio 2010 Holiday Sale
Browse beautiful glass artwork by Sam Stang of Augusta Glass Studio at a special event held at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.samstang.com.

November 28
Chanukah: Festival of Lights
The Missouri Botanical Garden will host a traditional Jewish holiday celebration with Israeli music, dance and a menorah-lighting ceremony from noon to 4 p.m. in the Ridgway Visitor Center. For more information, visit www.mobot.org.

September 25
4th Annual Dancing in the Street Festival
This annual event, which marks the opening of Grand Center’s fall arts season, is celebrated with a street festival featuring more than 75 performances and 700 dancers, who will perform a variety of dance styles. There will also be live music, an open dance floor, food and beverage booths and a museum and gallery walk. The Grand Center Arts & Entertainment District is located on Grand Blvd. between Lindell Blvd. and Delmar Blvd. 1 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 314-533-1884 or visit www.grandcenter.org.

September 25
Coffee with the Presidents
Meet and mingle with Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, incoming Missouri Botanical Garden president, and Dr. Peter H. Raven, Garden president emeritus. Enjoy light refreshments and remarks by Dr. Wyse Jackson, Dr. Raven and Arnold Donald, president of the Board of Trustees. This event takes place at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Spoehrer Plaza from 9 to 10:30 a.m., with remarks at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. For more information, visit www.mobot.org.

September 25
EarthWays Green Homes Festival
Informative exhibitors, more than 90 vendors showcasing “green innovations,” and children’s activities will fill the 3600 block of Grandel Square (between Grand Blvd. and Spring Ave.), home to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center. Local, healthy and sustainable treats will be served in a shaded food court, with live entertainment throughout the day, at this free event. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.greenhomesstl.org.

September 25-26
St. Louis Wine Festival
Sample from more than 150 wines from around the world. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door and include a souvenir wine glass, ten tastings, a festival program, food and wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment and the opportunity to purchase wine at a discount. Designated driver tickets are $10. This event takes place at Art Hill at the Grand Basin from noon to 6 p.m. on both days. For more information, visit www.stlouiswinefestival.com.

September 25-26
Faust Historic Village Folk & Fine Art Festival
Enjoy tours, traditional demonstrations of blacksmithing, rope-making, pottery firing and other historical arts and crafts. A juried fine arts sale will also take place, with premier regional artists showcasing their finest work. This event will also include live music, food vendors and children’s activities, as well as unlimited rides on the St. Louis Carousel with a $5 admission fee. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 314-615-8328.

Welcome to the new-and-improved Design Relish! To make our blog a must-read, we’re overhauling our format and introducing regular “departments” (much like we have in our magazine). This will help us bring you more content about home design, local trends and exciting events in the St. Louis area – all in a more organized format. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find!

Relish This
Editor-in-Chief Vicki Pickle and Assistant Editor Katie Underhill round up our favorite design and décor picks. If you’re a fan of our Obsession section in the magazine, you’re sure to love Relish This, too!

Style Scoop
Follow SLHL around town as we scout for the newest styles and trends.

Food & Wine
Inspiring ideas for entertaining, cooking school announcements and the latest news on local eateries.

Eco-Chic
Going green isn’t a trend – it’s a way of life! We explore home design and lifestyle products and ideas that are earth-friendly and eco-stylish.

Q&A
We introduce you to home and design professionals for their expert thoughts on topics of interest.

Around Town
Find out about upcoming events, sales, openings and more on the St. Louis design scene.

Be Our Guest
Guest bloggers from around the blogosphere share their expert thoughts on gardening, home design, architecture and more.

Happy reading!

Vicki Pickle, Editor-in-Chief
Katie Underhill, Assistant Editor

Chef Wes Johnson took a moment to meet the SLHL staff.

It was unique opportunity for industry professionals to gather at Bassett's beautiful showroom to learn the most up-to-date ideas and information for growing their companies' networking circles. Check out Dan McCarthy's blog at viralhousingfix.com for new networking ideas.

Julia's Catering and Park Avenue Coffee provided the afternoon's refreshments with flowers by Walter Knoll Florist.

After the event and reception, Suzie Osterloh, Suzann Hormell and I stopped by the newly completed showroom of Gegg Design & Cabinetry on Clarkson Road for a wonderful open house. In STL, the design community loves to stay connected!

PS – At SLHL, we're rolling out a new social media program, and it is available to you. Visit Design-Sherpa.com or call 314-542-0178, ext. 30.

Vicki Pickle, Editor and STL fall enthusiast
vpickle@stlouishomesmag.com