Patch Picks: Events and Happenings March 12-18

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, March 12

• The ’s Lee Institute is hosting speaker R. Marie Griffith, PhD on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Griffith will present a lecture entitled Religion, Sex, and Politics: An American History. A reception will follow. Visit the Lee Institute’s website for details.
• Also in Ladue, ’s Danforth Chapel will host a live, a capella concert on Monday at 7 p.m. featuring Yale University’s premier all-male a capella group, The Yale Alley Cats. There’s a suggested donation of $10. For more information, see the event listing at St. Louis Jewish Light.
• The is hosting The Trail of the Spellmans author Lisa Lutz on Monday, when she will present the long-awaited fifth installment of her bestselling series about an eccentric family of private investigators. For details, visit the library’s website.

Tuesday, March 13

• Author Jeffrey Ricker will be at the in Clayton on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. reading, discussing and signing copies of his November 2011 book, Detours. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the St. Louis Artists’ Guild’s website.
• The in Ladue is hosting Moonwalking with Einstein author Joshua Foer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. For details, visit the library’s website.
• The is offering a free Organic Vegetable Gardening Workshop on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at , located at 7126 Bruno Ave. in Maplewood. For more information, visit the garden club’s website.
• The City of University City’s Municipal Commission on Arts & Letters will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the boardroom. Visit the city’s website for details.

Wednesday, March 14

• Learn to cook something new in Frontenac this week. is hosting Cookbook Club at its store at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The class costs $75 including the book. For more information, visit Plaza Frontenac’s website.
• If you’re into fashion, you’ll be thrilled to know that at Plaza Frontenac is hosting a CHANEL Spring and Summer 2012 Trunk Show, beginning on Wednesday. The show will run during normal store hours through March 18. For more information, visit Plaza Frontenac’s website.
• In University City, the will meet at the at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. This round table will consider consolidation and development of new economic development and entrepreneurial incentives for the community. For more information, see the event’s open invitation.
• The is offering a free Intro to Word 2007 class on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. The class is designed for beginners and no registration is required. For more information, visit the library’s website.
• The City of University City’s is happening on Wednesday beginning at 7 a.m. at Centennial Commons. Visit the city’s website for details.

Thursday, March 15

• In Frontenac, some fashion icons will be hanging out at on Thursday—or at least their designs. In the upper level, you can check out the Ralph Lauren Black Label Event, including special samples available only on Thursday. A Lauren rep will be on hand to help you update your wardrobe, and champagne and appetizers will be served. On the main level, you’ll find the Konstintino Trunk Show in the Jewelry Department.
• The St. Louis County Library Headquarters in Ladue is hosting When the Killing’s Done author T.C. Boyle on Thursday at 7 p.m. For details, visit the library’s website.
• The Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. For more information, visit the city’s website.

Friday, March 16

• Grab the kids and head to in University City on Friday at 7 pm. for a magical evening featuring “evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry.” Treasured Stories by Eric Carle will feature three of his most beloved titles, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See; and Papa Get The Moon For Me. For tickets and more information, visit COCA’s website.
• The St. Louis County Library Headquarters in Ladue is hosting Heart & Soul author Kadir Nelson at 7 p.m. on Friday. For details, visit the library’s website.
• In University City, the will offer free legal services by appointment only at Centennial Commons from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 314-615-0931 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 17. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

• If you’re up for a drive to the city, you might like to see the 43^rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, starting at 11:30 a.m. in downtown St. Louis. The parade begins at the intersection of 18^th and Market streets and proceeds east to conclude at Broadway and Market. Also in St. Louis that day: the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run, starting at 9 a.m. and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Irish Dinner, beginning with cocktails and entertainment. Don’t forget to make reservations for dinner.

Sunday, March 18.

• Want to loosen up on Sunday morning? Head to lululemon athletic, on the second level of , for a free yoga class at 11 a.m. All ages and levels are welcome. Bring a mat, towel and a water bottle. Sample mats available if you don’t have your own. For more information, visit Plaza Frontenac’s website.
• The Sunday Williams-Sonoma technique class this week is focusing on Sweet and Savory Tarts. Learn to make savory tarts (such as quiche) and sweeter tarts (such as fruit tarts). Plus, explore different types of crusts and learn to work with each. For more information, visit Plaza Frontenac’s website.
• If you’re in need of a spiritual detox, head to the on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. , a non-profit orgnazition, is presenting a class entitled Spiritual Detox. For more information and to reserve your free seat, visit the Kabbalah Centre’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.