Good Afternoon,

I hope that you are doing well.

Chad Sugg said that we should Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.

As I gaze at the trees out of my office window, I see the changes occurring. It is not what we would expect to see the first week of November, but it is happening. Of course, the last two years have not been what we expected, but they happened. Let's love the leaves that we have and not forget that there is another chance for them to try again next year. The same can be said for us humans. There is always another chance for us to get it right.

Speaking of getting it right, my beloved St. Louis is getting a lot of things right for November. As usual, I have a few suggestions for us to get out and make it a special month.

It's First Friday again! Perhaps you'll want to check out the Contemporary Arts Museum for their First Friday event and enjoy an evening of art, music, and culture in the Grand Center Arts District.

Afterward, you could stop in at the National Blues Museum to hear the smooth sounds of Cheri Evans. While your downtown, wash it all down with a delicious burger from the Hi-Pointe Diner, it's right down the street.

If you're looking for some comedy, head down to the Stifel Theater on Friday to see Rickey Smiley for some laughs.

The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis has been hosting The Kingdom Men Empowerment Conference all week, and you'll find me at the State of The Black Male program this evening at Harris Stowe State University.

November also brings us The St. Louis International Film Festival which runs from the 4th through the 21st and showcases the very best in cutting-edge features and shorts from around the globe. The majority of the more than 400+ films screened, many of them critically lauded award-winners, will receive their only St. Louis exposure at the festival.

If you feel up for a run or walk on Saturday you can participate in the Veteran's Day 5k to support the St. Patrick's Center at Soldier's Memorial. (That's me and St. Louis Blues Hall of Famer Bernie Federko!)

If music is more your style check out the Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl on Saturday. You'll enjoy a full day celebration of local music and dance styles taking place in Cherokee’s bars, shops, and in the open air.

Saturday night offers quite a few fantastic outdoor, socially distanced options. Head to Laumeier Park After Dark Saturday night to explore the park by moonlight and enjoy live music, fire pits, and a night market. Saturday is also the annual Fall Fire Festival at The Green Center in UCity. There will be bonfires, smores, food trucks and family-friendly fun. Schlafly Brewery also has the Full Moon Festival on Saturday with bonfires, live music, a pig roast, and of course their seasonal favorite beverages.

You'll find me and my lovely bride supporting Cope24 at their Gala on Saturday night. COPE24 is emphasizing the need to make parenting and child development education secondary only to the core subjects in our high school system. Teaching the kids of today to be the parents of tomorrow.

If you want to stay indoors as we settle into fall weather you might want to check out the ballet at Touhill Performing Arts Center where they are featuring An Evening of Ballet Stars on Saturday.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters are coming to The Pagent Saturday night so it's a great opportunity to grab some dinner at Mission Taco or Salt + Smoke.

Almost Home of St. Louis is hosting a Virtual Fundraiser on Thursday and Friday. Their programs support young mothers to become the provider they are meant to be. They have other ways to volunteer virtually through a wish list or by facilitating a life skills class.

The annual Holiday Boutique at Longview Farm Park is happening this Saturday. It's a great opportunity to shop from local vendors for unique items.

If I'm not out showing homes Saturday afternoon I may check out the K-Pop Festival and Taste of Korea over in Clayton. There will be dance crews from all over the midwest performing and an assortment of Korean dishes and beverages.

I'd also like to see Beyond VanGogh: The Immersive Experience this month. It's over at the Starry Night Pavilion at St. Louis Galleria and it's so popular they recently extended the dates.

Saturday is also a great night for comedy as Katt Williams will be performing at the Chaifetz Arena downtown at SLU.

If you have a desire to help others this month consider volunteering with Epworth. They offer a variety of services for youth in crisis and have been in the St. Louis region since 1864. Their annual fundraiser, the 19th annual Wine Dinner & Auction, will be held on November 13th and there are also ways to volunteer on their website.

How about some theater on Saturday night? The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) is hosting Kaleidoscope Crown by playwright Ashleigh Akilah Rucker. The play tells the story of a young girl who awakes with a shocking new ability, with every new feeling her hair is catapulted into multicolor tresses.

How about a Bluesy Brunch on Sunday? Be.Be is returning to the National Blues Museum after delivering a stellar tribute to the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin. Her luxurious voice (and style) is guaranteed to soothe you while enjoying mimosas and popular brunch dishes.

Sunday is National Take a Hike Day so we may head out to Babbler State Park in Chesterfield for their guided hike.

Start your week off right by returning to the 80's on Monday night for The Fixx over at Delmar Hall.

Indoor activities this week sound like a good idea as we see temps dropping. The University Theater of SLU will be performing A Midsummer Night's Dream this week at Xavier Hall on the main stage. Of course, it was set in Greece, so while you're in Midtown, perhaps you'll stick with the Southern European theme and grab some pizza at Vito's Sicilian Ristorante or just the Southern theme and have some delicious spicy fried chicken at Southern.

Wentzville School District English Language Learner (ELL) elementary school teacher, Julie Turnipseed, will be holding a book signing on Wednesday to introduce two of her new books. The event will be held at the Bake House in Wentzville and 10% of the proceeds will go to Stray Paws Rescue.

Friday night is the annual Shop the District Holiday Gift Market over at the Delmar Maker District. This is a great way to support local artisans and get some early shopping done.

Another event to get us ready for the upcoming holiday season is happening this weekend. Laumeier Sculpture Park is hosting Mud and Merlot where you'll learn the basics of clay construction and create a holiday wreath.

And since we are on the holiday topic, The Polar Express train ride is coming back to Union Station this year starting Friday. Maybe you're thinking turkey right now and not Polar Express but this is an event that is sure to sell out so make your plans early!

Friday also kicks off the Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Experience at Grant's Farm. This magical tour includes Clydesdale sightings and a drive by the Busch family home all decked out in lights.

Once I wrap up some appointments on Saturday I plan to head over to the Field House Museum to see the Exploring Missouri's Struggle for Statehood exhibit. This exhibit explores the many facets of the Missouri crisis on both a national and local level. Learn about the history of Missouri leading up to its battle for admission, the history of slavery in Missouri and its lasting effects on the region. 

Saturday night sounds like a great time for comedy so you may find me over at The Improv Shop for The High Note, a classy night of silly music comedy.

As we begin the holiday season let's make time to help others. One suggestion is to support the St. Louis Area Food Bank through donations, virtual food drives and volunteering. Let's make it a holiday season for all to count their blessings with plenty of food on their table.

On Tuesday Maryville University presents another installment of their St. Louis Speaker series by hosting historian Walter Isaacson. Walter has written biographies on Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs and has served as CEO for Time Magazine. They also have several interesting speakers coming in 2022 that I might want to check out.

Thanksgiving Day is home to one of the most popular race days of the year, Turkey Trot STL. It's a great day to run, gobble, nap. You can participate in Eureka, St. Charles, Downtown or Virtually.

If you are out in Chesterfield you can participate in their Turkey Trot at the Chesterfield Amphitheater. Olivette will kick off their Turkey Trot at Stacy Park and Sunset Hills' Turkey Trot will be on the trails and Minnie Ha Ha. The Arnold Gobble Gobble 5K will also be held on Thanksgiving Day at Arnold City Park along the Meramec River and Kirkwood Webster hold their Turkey Trot beginning at Summit Produce. I'm exhausted thinking about them all but ready for the bird.

If you missed running at one of the events on Thursday perhaps head to Town and Country on Friday and run off some of the pumpkin pie at their Turkey Trot at Longview Farm Park.

Are you hosting a crowd on Thanksgiving Day? Do you wonder how to get all of the food prepared when the oven is host to the bird? This slow cooker scalloped potato recipe is fantastic and cooks your side dish without taking up oven or stovetop space. Give it a try, you won't be sorry!

This weekend is the opening of the Market on McPherson in the CWE. The market will be open for 4 weekends and features local and regional makers, artists, and vintage dealers.