GET OUT

Ok, its a BIG weekend folks, lots going on!  

Saturday is the village wide yard sale in Millstadt scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. but I'm sure if you're an early bird you'll find some yard sales open before 8:00.

Bon Vivant Wine Shop in Columbia is holding a wine tasting this Saturday with 4 wines from Jorge Ordonez Imports:

Eguren Protocolo Blanco VdlT Castilla, Spain 2008 $7.50 (2007 vintage on sale $6.49) 

Fournier Urban Uco Torrontes Cafayate - Salta, Argentina $8.75

Muga Rioja Rosado, Spain 2008 $12

Muga Rioja Reserva, Spain 2005 $24

Also on Saturday, Raven Moon will be performing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbia branch of newly opened First National Bank of St. Louis for their customer appreciation day.  There'll be free barbecue brats and hamburgers and more.  Bring a lawn chair.

And if you miss that performance don't forget to catch the Raven Moon concert at the Espenschied Chapel in Mascoutah this Sunday at 2 p.m.

Rock on with local band Morland Drive at the Valmeyer Corner Pub this Sat. night from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Maeystown Freuhlingfest is Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Shop for antiques and plants for your garden while enjoying entertainment, food and a wine garden.  If you don't et your fill of shopping there you can head across the river to Lindbergh High School's Flea Market (on Lindbergh in South County).

The Monroe County's Farmer's Market has opened for the season.  You'll find it open in Waterloo on Saturday mornings on Mill Street next to the Courthouse and on Thursday afternoons in Columbia on the Ace Hardware parking lot on Main Street.

Fourth Street Bar & Grill is having a benefit poker run for Erica Sanders on Sunday, May 3rd.  Erica is a local girl that was involved in a very bad car accident and she has a 12 year old son that she needs to take care of.  The run will start at Bobecks in Waterloo and leave there by 12:00 p.m. and end at Fourth Street Bar & Grill in Waterloo where food will be served.

I'm hoping to hit the yard sales and Maeystown and just maybe the Lindbergh Flea Market.  Get out there and enjoy SPRING!  (It will be gone before we know it!)

SHOPPING ALERT

DILLARD'S is taking an additional 30% off marked down merchandise this weekend.  The sale started Tuesday for their credit card holders and was offered to all shoppers starting on Wednesday.  Also know that SEARS has they're clearance racks marked down to $2.99, $4.99 and $9.99 currently.  KOHL'S also seem to have a good sale underway.  I got the cutest Apt. 9 black mandarin collared, lace accented black tee for $8.50, regular price $34.00.  I can't state this enough, if you find something you REALLY like, go over to the price checker and check what its REALLY marked at.  This top was regular priced and on a rack where I couldn't be sure what it was on sale for, if it was on sale at all and NO WHERE did it say that I would get it for 75% off!  It was like winning the lottery!

While I'm at it, I know you don't necessarily want a wallet full of credit cards and you definitely don't want to carry credit card debt but if you're disciplined enough to pay them off at the end of each month then its worth looking at having one for the stores you frequent most IF they have monetary benefits attached to them.  I have a Kohl's charge and they sent me a $10 off card for a purchase of $10 or more to use in my birthday month.  So, I actually got that top I just talked about for free and another dollar and a half off a sun visor I bought.  I also got a birthday certificate from JC Penney's for $15 off a $15 or more purchase.  Scored myself two new summer t's that would have cost me $25 total (and that was on sale) and I got them both for, you got it, 10 bucks!  And they've already sent me another certificate for $10 off a $10 or more purchase for Mother's Day!  Got to tell you, not so impressed with Macy's offers for credit card holders.  All they sent me for my birthday is a coupon for 25% off a purchase, yeah, its good, but not great.  Another good one, especially if you have kids that like Old Navy.  You earn "dollars" with all your purchases and then get sent a $10 or $15 certificate when you reach certain levels.  The great thing about this one is that you can take that certificate and spend it on yourself at The Gap or Banana Republic.  So check out those offers!

THE FINAL TOUCH

The Final Touch, an interior design firm located in Columbia is holding their ribbon cutting on Thursday, April 30th at 5:30 p.m.  They will be celebrating this weekend with a CABANA PARTY at their storefront on Main Street.  The party will be Friday, May 1st from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.  They'll be serving food and drinks and a dj will be providing the music.  The festivities continue on Saturday with an Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  If you're out and about, get in on the celebration!

GIVE A LITTLE

In the last couple weeks I have been told about a few good causes I thought I'd share with you.  Do as you want with the info, give if you feel so moved, forward to anyone you think might be interested in giving to the cause.

A friend of mine sent me the following email:  "To say our lives have been touched by heart disease during the past few months would be an understatement. Gary has been to Missouri Baptist 5 times since 11/18. He has received 7 stents in his heart with blockages ranging from 73 to 100%. He is one lucky man that he turned 50 and went for a physical which resulted in a stress test that uncovered all the blockage before his heart was damaged. I've always supported the American Heart Association because of my Grandpa, Robert Wild, who died of a massive heart attack at age 64 and my Dad, Roger Wild, who had his first heart attack at the same age. Therefore, I am trying to help build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseaseand stroke by participating in the American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk. Please support this cause by making a donation that will help provide research and education to stop our No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Thank you in advance for your support!  Just open the link below to use your credit card or you can send me a check payable to American Heart Association (415 Burroughs Road, Columbia, IL62236). Thanks for your consideration."    http://heartwalk.kintera.org/metrostlouis/tammykrebel

One cause, 2 cousins, 3 days and 60 miles.  Lauren Nobbe and her cousin Kristin Nobbe will be walking 60 miles in 3 days in Chicago this August for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  They will be walking in honor of Lauren’s mother, Susan Nobbe, a two time breast cancer survivor.   While Lauren trains for the walk she is also working on getting  donations together for the cause,  $2300 in donations are needed in order to participate in the event.  Lauren and her cousin have some wonderful ideas that they plan on putting together later this spring.   People may donate online at http://www.the3day.org/.   Just click on Donate Now and search for Lauren’s or Kristen's personal fundraising page, or you can make out a check to: Breast Cancer 3-Day.  You'll find the address to send the check to on the website.

I was watching the Bonnie Hunt show this morning (9 a.m. on CW11, what a great show) and she had Phil Keoghan from the Amazing Race on.  He is bicycling across America to raise money and awareness for MS.  You can learn more or donate by going to www.philridesacrossamerica.com.

BOOK'EM DANO

The Belleville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is holding their annual Book Bazaar on Wed., April 29th from noon to 8:00 p.m. with preview admission of $5, Thurs., April 30th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with free admission, Friday, May 1st from 8 to 8 with free admission and books 1/2 price and Sat., May 2nd from 8 a.m. to noon with free admission and books just $2 per bag.  The sale is located at St. Paul United Church of Christ at 115 W. B Street in Belleville and free parking will be available.  They will be selling books, cookbooks, textbooks, games & puzzles, cassettes, movies, magazines, paperbacks, cd's, dvd's, old books and new and unusual books.  For more info or to donate books contact 257-5545 or email auxiliary@memhosp.com.

10 THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE END OF MAY

1.  Millstadt Village Wide Yard Sale Sat., May 2nd

2.  Maeystown Freuhlingfest, Antique & Garden Show, Sun., May 3rd and Lindbergh High School Flea Market Sun., May 3rd.

3.  Raven Moon performance at the Espenschied Chapel in Mascoutah on Sun., May 3rd at 2:00 p.m. 

4.  Laumeier Sculpture Park Art Fair May 8th, 9th and 10th at the park near the corner of Watson and Lindbergh in Sunset Hills.

5.  Festival of the Bluffs on Sat. 5/16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cedar Bluff Park in Fults, IL.  Interpretive hikes at hill prairies, land stewardship demonstrations, discussions and demonstrations on wildlife, arts & crafts, native plant sales, food, music and more. 

6.  Art on the Square in Belleville, downtown, on the square, May 15th, 16th & 17th.

7.  Columbia Maifest Sun., May 24th.

8.  Gypsy Caravan on Memorial Day, Mon., May 25th on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis.  Over 300 vendors in a flea market atmosphere.

9.  Free Yard Sale Permit Day means city wide yard sales in Columbia on Sat., May 30th.

10.  Concert in Metter Park on Sun., May 31st to benefit the Arthritis Foundation, on the bill are local rock bands Morland Drive and Rock City Overpass.

I'll try to bring you more details on all of these events as they approach but if you have any questions let me know.  Now get them on your calendar!!

AUCTION ACTION

Asselmeier & May Auctions is having an auction tomorrow night, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at the VFW Hall in Millstadt on Rt. 158.  The auction gets under way at 6:00 p.m. on Friday with preview starting at 4:00 and at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with preview beginning at 8:00 a.m. Its a huge estate auction with antiques from the Erwin & Ruth Vogt Estate and the Harry Sexauer Estate, both of Waterloo.  Visit their website for details at www.amantiqueauctions.com.

GET OUT

The weekend is almost here and what's going on.  I'll be celebrating my son's 20th birthday this weekend.  I can't believe it, no more teenager!  Sounds like the weather's going to be pretty great so get out there and enjoy it.

Rev up your engine and head to the Waterloo VFW’s Sixth Annual Car Show this Sunday, April 26^th at 406 Veteran’s Drive in Waterloo.  Registration is 8:00 a.m. to noon with judging to begin at noon.  Trophies will be handed out at 4:00 p.m.  Food and drinks will be available at the show.  Call 973-0153 for more information.

Columbia’s Celebration 2009 Committee is proud to announce “Celebrate Columbia,” a special performance by the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday, April 26^th from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. at the Columbia Middle School.  “We are delighted to help Columbia celebrate its 150^th birthday,” stated Robert Charles Howard, conductor and music director of the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale.   The orchestra will be performing in Columbia in order to reach out, share the group’s talents and introduce the orchestra to citizens in the Monroe County area who may not have had the opportunity previously to see it perform.  A selection of music celebrating “Our Country”, a “Salute to Our Germanic Roots” as well as a “Salute to the Movies” will be performed.   Jackie Hausmann, the Event Coordinator for the City of Columbia, noted “this concert is free to the public and a great opportunity to hear some very talented musicians perform right here in Columbia.”  For more information call 281-7144 ext. 106 or visit their website at www.columbiaillinois.com.

Bethany United Methodist Church in Columbia is planning their Annual Rummage Sale with a twist this year.  Pastor Allynn Walker has been delivering sermons on “radical” hospitality and “extravagant” generosity, so the church has decided to offer free clothing as well as some household goods.  Other “rummage” items will be for sale.  The sale is this Saturday, April 25^th from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Proceeds will go to the church’s youth programs.  The church is located at the corner of Hillcastle and Hilltop Road off Route 3.

Also holding a rummage sale on Saturday is Christ Community Lutheran Church in Columbia, next to Oerter Soccer Park off of Route 3.  Their “Share Our Treasures” indoor rummage and bake sale will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The St. Patrick’s Friends and Family Relay for Life Team is holding a Yard Sale Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25^th from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. both days at 1327 Summerfield in the Vandebrook subdivision on the south end of Waterloo. 

Bookworms head to the Morrison-Talbott Library Book Sale this weekend to stock up on your reading materials.  Preview Night is Thursday, April 23^rd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and cost is $2.00 per person, a small price to pay to get a look at the cream of the crop.  The sale continues Friday, April 24^th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 25^th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The Saturday special is “Buck a Bag,” all you can fit into a plastic grocery bag for $1.00.  For more information contact the library at 939-6232.

I'm planning on trying to hit the book sale and a couple of rummage sales and yard sales.  I'll let you know if I find anything.

THIS WAY TO THE YARD SALE

A reader told me about a site that searches craigslist in an area for yardsales and plots a route using google maps.  Check out: http://www.yardsaletreasuremap.com/.  I haven't tried it yet but it sounds interesting.  If you know of any yard sales let me know, I am always on the hunt!

GET OUT

It's Easter Weekend!  Happy Easter to everyone!  Hopefully most of you are going to enjoy a day off tomorrow!

Mokka Kaffeehaus and the Kiwanis in Columbia are having a fish fry tomorrow night beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a portion of the evening's take going to support Kiwanis children's programs.  John and I are planning to go.  They'll also be serving their regular menu, which works great for me, since I don't eat fried cod.  I recommend their spinach salad and their BrieLT in particular but its all good.  And sounds like their fish is going to be yummy and different too (if you like fish, which John very much does).  There'll also be beer and wine and entertainment.  Maybe we'll see you there.

The Falls in Columbia will be having their brunch on Easter Sunday.  Another great place to go for great food.  Check out their website at www.thefalls.com for the details and you probably want to have reservations this weekend.  While you're there (their website) sign up for their email newsletter, they include coupons in it for their brunches!

More happening in coming weeks and I hope to have a comprehensive list for you in the next couple weeks, but keep an eye out for:

Maeystown Freuhlingfest Sun., May 3rd

Millstadt City Wide Yard Sales Sat., May 2nd

MASC play the next two weekends after Easter

A Spaghetti dinner at St. Paul UCC in Columbia on Sun., April 19th

YMCA Healthy Kids Day Sat., April 18th

FINDS/SCORE

At the Shelter Shop in Belleville earlier this week I found some great buys. A friend I was with unearthed this beautiful lace studded with rhinestones long vest with scarf, for just $8. I found a summer Izod purse that looks very "Lilly Pulitzer"ish in a hot pink and lime green tropical print with white leather accents and a vintage summer straw zippered clutch, both were only $2.25 each, and I'm ready for summer!

WIDE WORLD OF WEB

So, I've saved up some website info to share with you. Some useful, some probably not but none the less a new frontier.

One of the useful ones is www.tightwadmama.com. This gal does the work for you. She searches out the sales, coupons, discount offers even better than I do. Having a birthday? Just click on the birthday cake and she has a comprehensive list of places to get free stuff or specials on or around your birthday. Want to know about the flyers in Sunday's paper, she's got that. Want to know who's giving something away. She knows that too. The great thing is, she's out of St. Louis so while some things are national, some are local too. She's been heard on Cornbread's morning show on a country station in town (I forget which one he's on) and she's been on Channel 4's magazine show that's on at 10 a.m. in the morning (can't think of the name of that either). I've perused a little of it and she's good. Check it out!

This site I've mentioned before but its worth mentioning again. It's www.hungry-girl.com. She's there to help you make more healthy food choices whether you're eating in or eating out. She reviews grocery market food, restaurants (from a health and taste standpoint), provides recipes and discusses health issues. She's not local but a lot of the information is still very helpful. Its very upbeat and realistic too. She doesn't assume you have a personal trainer and your own chef. You can sign up for a daily newsletter that comes Mon. - Fri. that's helpful in keeping you on track if your trying to eat healthy. That being said, I subscribe, and I'm still off the track!

The last website I got from a reader and honestly, at best, it would be a guilty pleasure for some of us. It's topix.com. And its basically a gossip forum on a variety of topics, sorted by community. So that means you can type in Columbia, IL and find out what the people on topix are talking about in regard to Columbia. When I checked it out last night there was a lot of talk about the elections. But there was also mentions of businesses closing, when Maifest is, when free yard sale permit weekend and recycling weekend is. Some useful info if you weed through it but mostly people going off about a variety of things. Some of you may want to check in regularly, for some it won't be your cup of tea at all. I don't think I'll be a regular visitor and I doubt that I would ever post. BUT, hey, no harm in trying it once and its enlightening no matter what you think of it 'cause as I said, its a new frontier out there and its just part of the mindblowing (at least to me) experience that's out there on the web (just like Facebook was to me).

If you have any interesting or helpful websites to share with my readers please let me know. I love learning all these new things and I'll share with everyone else.

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

I had some birthday money to burn through and I've been wanting to freshen up my spice rack.  We've been remodeling our kitchen a bit and part of the remodel included a spice cabinet.  In the process of moving my spices to the new cabinet I realized that some (ok most) of my spices were probably, shutter, OLD, like 5 to 10 years old!  So I edited what spices I want and need, made a list and took it over to Penzey's spices in Maplewood.  They are located at 7338 Manchester just east of Big Bend by about 3 blocks.

If you're not familiar with them you can check them out online at http://www.penzeys.com.  Their prices are really competitive to what you find in the grocery store but I believe their spices are a bit better.  The staff there is knowledgeable and helpful and you can pick up recipes and ideas while you are there.  They also come in a variety of sizes and because I don't seem to use them up very fast, most of mine are the smaller size, about half the size of a regular spice jar.  They also have come up with an interesting selection of blends so you can "shake" one jar instead of having to mix a bunch of them yourself.  If you sign up for their email list you'll occasionally get coupons, I got a free jar of cloves and we purchased a copy of the current issue of their magazine and it had a coupon for a free jar of basil so we got that too.

Bonus!  So I got them home and filled my spice cabinet and I have the added benefit that they look very nice in my open shelved spice, cabinet in my remodeled (well not quite done yet but getting there) kitchen.

MORE PROM

A reader inquired if I knew of anywhere to sell used prom dresses.  I don't.  I told her she could check with Plato's Closet in Kirkwood but that's the only place I know of that caters specifically to Juniors clothing.  If you want to know more about them check them out at their website http://www.platoscloset.com.  I suppose you could also list them on Craigslist this time of year and maybe get some bites.  If you know of anywhere to sell used prom dresses let me know.

GET OUT

I have to tell you, I don't have a lot under Get Out this week.  We just came back from vacation and I'm kind of out of the loop on things.  I did mention a couple of rummage sales and a yard sale already.

First Baptist Church of Waterloo is holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at 10 a.m.  The hunt is for toddlers through 6th graders and is open to the public.

Zion UCC Sunday School is holding a trivia night at the SPPS Gym on Saturday night to benefit Kindercottage and Church World Services.  Questions get under way at 7:00 and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Just 2 more Fridays of Lenten fish fries on tap.  Get out there and eat that fish and drink that beer!

Don't forget to get out and vote on Tuesday!

That's all I know folks, will try to dig up more for you next week!

Koffee Klatch

Mokka Kaffeehaus in Columbia had a few interesting announcements in their last newsletter that I thought I'd share with you. First off, they've added a Buffalo Chicken Wrap to their menu. They also continue to experiment with new gooey butter cake recipes and some of their newer ones are Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake and Butterfinger Gooey Butter Cake.

Much to my happiness they have announced that they are now serving breakfast weekdays and not just weekends anymore. Yeah!! Music on Thursday nights continues and its a nice little almost weekend night out. Sip some wine or guzzle some beer and listen to some great music while visiting with friends. I've been twice with friends and look forward to going back and taking my husband sometime.

Last of all, Fri., April 10th, their having a Mokkawanis Fish Fry. That's a fish fry at Mokka to benifit the causes of the Kiwanis. Sounds like a great idea! Serving begins at 5:00 and Mokka Joe will be providing the entertainment. I'm thinking that's where John and I will be.

If you're not a subscriber go to www.mokkakaffeehaus.com and sign up. I love having the inside scoop!

PENGUIN SUITS

It's prom season and a reader wrote in asking where to find the best tux deals. I thought other readers probably have prom questions and issues too, so I thought I'd open it up. If anyone has ideas to share on tuxedos, prom dresses, corsages and boutonnieres, transportation, etc. please send them to me and I will pass them on to all you readers.

While my experience is limited I will share what I know. When Bryce went to prom a couple years ago, he chose to purchase a tux and wear it both years. At that time, we shopped at Men's Wearhouse and JC Penney, both at South County mall, and found a tux for $99 at Penney's that he liked. We did have to buy some black shoes (I think for $20 to $30) and a tie each year but that was it, and he still has it if he finds occassion to wear it again.

If I had been renting one I probably would have went through Memory Lane on Main Street in Columbia, since I use to work there and remain friends with owner (and reader) Pam Haberl. When I recieved this question I asked her what tuxes were renting for these days. She checks her competition and she says she is priced competitively if not on the low end compared to her competitors. She carries tuxes from two tux distributors - Anderson Formal Wear and Jim's Formal Wear, which is headquartered locally out of Trenton. Tuxes from Anderson start at $80 and ones from Jim's start at $90 and they go up from there. Remember, if you are comparison shopping you need to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Some include shoes and accessories, some do not. And different styles will run different prices. Pam has color catalogs in her shop for you to peruse and choose. She will then take measurements and place the order. You go in, pick up, try on and adjustments are made if necessary (and as long as you don't pick it up at the last minute). You can also check out their styles online. Go to andersonsformalwear.com or jimsformalwear.com.

One last plug, when it comes to flowers, Pam does a beautiful job at a very reasonable price. And she will take the time to work with you on the details to make that girl's corsage one of a kind. Details like color of ribbon and color of flowers and floral spray if needed and the type of "bling" that is put in it. And she's always up on the latest trends too. I can't say enough good things. Sometimes I help out, I'm the queen of boutonnieres, and the same care is taken with them as with the corsages. Memory Lane's phone number is 281-4538. If you're going to be picky order early so she can make sure she has everything you need in stock. But even if you're last minute she'll make something wonderful up for you!

Send me prom pictures and I'll post them!!!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG SALES SALES SALES

Yes, my favorite time of year.  Rummage sales, yard sales, estate sales, are all back in season.  I have a few for you for this weekend.

A friend of the daughter of a friend of mine (did you follow that, I'm not sure) is having what is being billed as a HUGE yard sale in Belleville.  She posted a listing on Craigslist that was then forwarded to me.  Some of the offerings include:  books from the 1800's thru present day, vintage dolls and doll clothes, old and new linens, glassware, oriental dished, glider rocking chair, desk, 2 dressers (one antique), exercise bike, lots of household items, antique and new lamps (over 30), dish sets, games, silverware, tools, baby and/or doll clothes, patio furniture, baskets, Miller Lite Pool Table light, tons of framed pictures including lithographs and some antique.  They're also promoting that they will be selling hundreds of items for 25 cents.  The sale is at 429 N. 40th Street in Belleville on Friday, April 3rd and Sat., April 4th from 7 a.m. to 3 .m. each day.  

There is a Methodist Church on Frank Scott Parkway between Rt. 159 and Hartman Lane that is having a rummage sale this weekend.  Sacred Heart Church in Dupo is also having a rummage sale this weekend.

I plan on picking up a newspaper tomorrow or checking the News Democrat's website for additional rummage and yard sales.  If I find any I will add them later!