According to the National Retail Federation, Americans
will spend $17.6 billion for Valentine’s Day. While there are probably some diamonds in the mix, it’s safe to say the world’s landfills will be clogged with drugstore stuffed gorillas and plastic hearts a few weeks from now.
When I heard last fall that Metro Theater Company would be putting on a performance of The Giver, one of my favorite books growing up, I was thrilled.
It had been several years since I had read the book, and I wasted no time in revisiting it (again). I was a bit surprised to find that my perspective had shifted a little bit, with a more muddled mixture of hope and despair carrying me through the book than I remembered. It is a quickly engrossing novel, and I am excited for the day when I can share it with my own kids.
Lois Lowry’s book The Giver, which won the Newberry Medal in 1994, is a science fiction novel for children ages 10 and up. Set in a futuristic (though familiar) world, it is the story of a boy named Jonas who lives in a safe and seemingly perfect Community. Everything in it is well-controlled, from the climate to the genetics of the individuals to the very language they use with one another. They value sameness above all else.
This weekend my daughter and I heated up the oven and made some yummy holiday treats. 
When it was all over the damage tallied up to one shower, two outfit changes and several rooms covered in icing. Not too bad for less than an hour of baking. While we had a great time together, maybe next time I’ll let Kitchen Conservatory clean up the mess. During their Cookies for the Hearth class, kids will create mouth-watering sweets that even Santa can’t pass up.
The holiday movie rush is in full swing. Over the cold Thanksgiving holiday, we saw Rapunzel escape from her tower and find true love in the new movie Tangled. 
I give it a double thumbs up. Whether your family is a fan of Harry Potter or prefers the alien action of Brad Pitt’s voice in Megamind, head over to your local Wehrenberg Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 4, for the annual Cans Film Festival. Just bring in five canned food items per person and you’ll receive free admission to any movie that starts before 5 p.m. that day.
Most of the time, it's hard to find a holiday activity that will please everyone in the family. 
But the St. Louis Convention and Visitor’s Commission is putting on a holiday celebration so awesome that it’s guaranteed to put a smile even on Scrooge’s face.
During St. Louis Holiday Magic, your family can shop over 90 vendors for one-of-a-kind gift items, skate on a full-size indoor ice rink and ride through America’s Center on a trackless train.
Gifts. Parties. Food. New outfits to wear to those parties with food. The holidays are expensive! Thankfully, the City of Clayton and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce are helping out our wallets with free holiday festivities. 
During the “All That Glitters” holiday event on Friday, Dec. 3, your family can enjoy carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Wrap up your evening with a fireworks finale in Shaw Park. Afterwards, lace up your skates and swing by Shaw Park Ice Rink. Frosty the Snowman will be showing off his fancy footwork from 6 to 11 p.m.
Clayton will also be offering free holiday carriage rides on Thursday nights in December (Dec. 9, 16, 23 and 30) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bundle up and enjoy the window decorations and twinkling lights as a horse-drawn carriage transports your family through the streets of Clayton.
Fazio’s Rock Academy is the summer destination for the aspiring rock star in your life! Campers attend one-week or two-week sessions (8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. daily) where they form a real band, choose a band name, write their own music, pose for a photo shoot and conclude with a live concert with special guest appearances by professional rock artists! Fazio's Rock Academy is for Guitarists, Vocalists, Bassists and Keyboardists between the ages of 9-17 years.
Two sessions are offered: July 15-19; and July 22-26. Each session is $399, which includes print music and a t-shirt. Ask about a discounted rate for two-week enrollment.
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