Patch Picks: Events, Happenings April 2-8

University City Patch teams up with neighboring Patch sites each week to round up events and happenings in the area. Here are our picks for this week.

Monday, April 2 — 1940 Census Released. 

• A note for genealogists or anyone trying to learn more about their family history: the U.S. Census Bureau will release the 1940 Census on Monday. The has prepared a special step-by-step guide to understanding the Census, and you can download it free at the library’s website.
• Prom season is almost here, and the folks at at want to help the celebrants look their best for that once-in-a-lifetime evening. The Saks evening wear department is featuring the latest in formalwear all week. For more information or to make an appointment, call the store at 314-567-9200, ext. 5339.
• If you’re in Clayton on Monday, consider visiting the to see Heather Woodson’s latest sculpture exhibition, entitled Instinctual Manipulations, which explores adaptation and how humans use manipulation as a survival skill. You can see the exhibit for free through April 21. Woodson is a St. Louis-area native who now lives in Wentzville. Her exhibit is part of the Emerson Young Artists Showcase at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild.

Tuesday, April 3 — Election Day                                                                     

• Tuesday is , and polls open at 7 a.m. For more information, call the St. Louis County Election Board at 314-615-1800.
• in Ladue is hosting its weekly Tuesday Morning Storytime with Trish at 10 a.m. This week’s selection is Where’s Spot?, a board book by Eric Hill. For more information, visit the Barnes & Noble website.
• At at , Peter Rabbit headlines story time at 11 a.m. Kids will receive a memento while supplies last. Visit the Plaza Frontenac website for details.
• The in University City will be closed on Tuesday from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. due to the elections. Also, the Mayor’s Task Force on U. City’s Bike and Walkability meeting, previously scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, has been canceled.
• There’s still time to enter the Out with the Old contest at . Clean out your closet and upload pics to the Plaza Frontenac page on Facebook, and you might win a gift card worth up to $2500. For more information, visit the Plaza Frontenac website. Full contest rules can be found on the site as well.

Wednesday, April 4

• See a unique display of craft media projects created by local students through the Crafting-A-Future mentoring program at the in University City. “Vibrant in their studies, and exacting in their material exploration, our students have assembled a body of work that demonstrates their youthful enthusiasm and well deserved position in our culture of craft,” reads the description on the Craft Alliance’s website. The opening reception is on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., and the exhibit will be available for viewing until April 22. For more information, visit the Craft Alliance website.
• In University City, a Plan Commission meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the EOC Room of . For more information, visit the city’s website.
• If you (or someone you love) needs help learning to use computers, the is the place to be on Wednesday. At 2:30 p.m., you can attend a free class called Intro to Computers. The class is geared toward beginners and doesn’t require registration. Visit the library’s website for details.
• Jewelry lovers, rejoice! Roberto Coin will be making a personal appearance at at Plaza Frontenac on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to launch a trunk show of his exquisite hand-crafted Italian jewelry. For more information or to make an appointment, call 314-537-9200, ext. 5320.

Thursday, April 5 — Holy Thursday

• The University City Public Library is hosting its Urban Thought Book Group on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium to discuss August Wilson’s Fences. Everyone is welcome to join, and the group will have copies of next month’s selection available for purchase. Visit the library’s website for details.
• In Ladue, the St. Louis County Library Headquarters’ Mystery Lovers’ Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. in the East Room. For details, visit the library’s website. Kids can also enjoy the Curiosity Lab at 4:30 for a hands-on science activity, and at 7:30, the library is hosting suspense author C.J. Box, who will present the latest installment in his popular series.

Friday, April 6 — Good Friday

• In Ladue, ’s Trish is back with Friday Morning Storytime at 10 a.m. This week’s selection is It’s Okay to Be Different. For more information, visit the Barnes & Noble website.
• Don’t ask what your community can do for you; ask what you can do for your community. On Friday, you can save a life by heading to the University City Public Library’s blood drive, in conjunction with the American Red Cross. The drive runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code Ucitylibrary.

Saturday, April 7 — First Day of Passover.

• Why should kids have all the egg-hunting fun? thinks pets deserve to get in on the Easter madness too, and that’s why it’s having a on Saturday at its store on Ladue Road. More than 2,000 treat and prize-filled eggs will be hidden on the lawn for dogs to find, and there will be sections for small, medium and large dogs. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and requires proof of vaccinations. The hunt begins at 11. For more information, call Treats Unleashed Ladue at 314-726-2330.
• The All-American Rejects will play at on Saturday. General admission is $27.50, plus a $2 minor surcharge at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8. For more information or to buy tickets, visit The Pageant’s website.
• In Clayton, the Farmers’ Winter Market & Bazaar will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. The indoor market might just be the place to get your last-minute Easter goodies. For more information, visit the city’s website.
• Bestselling adventure and suspense author will be at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters in Ladue on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. to discuss the fifth installment of his Kingdom Keepers series. Visit the library’s website for details.

Sunday, April 8 — Easter Sunday, National Library Week Begins.

• Celebrate Easter in style on Sunday at the in Clayton. Kids and their parents can enjoy a tasty brunch as well as some Willy Wonka-style magic. Each party in attendance will receive a  Wonka bar, five of which will contain golden tickets. Golden ticket holders receive a free overnight stay in a club suite, or one of several other prize options—but all Wonka bars will include a special prize. To make reservations and for more information, visit the Ritz-Carlton’s website or call 314-719-1433.
• is offering a special Easter brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more information or to make reservations, call the restaurant at 314-726-5055.
• The Gathering United Methodist Church is holding its Easter services at The Pageant in University City on Sunday. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. and services will be held at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
• , near Neiman Marcus at Plaza Frontenac, will offer a special Easter Sunday Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brunch will feature classic brunch favorites, as well as celebration cocktails, appetizers, entrees and dessert. There will also be a special three-course kids meal available. For more details, visit Plaza Frontenac’s website.

Want to see your Ladue-Frontenac, Clayton-Richmond Heights or University City event featured in this column? Email Patch reporter Angela Atkinson at angela.atkinson@patch.com with your event information.