Patch Blogger Gives Out His Own Lumps of Coal

See who made his annual list of who was naughty and who was nice.

Realty Group Raises $30,000 in Donations for Cancer Charity

The Kelly Hager Group provided the games, toys, gift cards and other items to 18 families.

Chesterfield-based Kelly Hager Group raised more than $30,000 in donations to provide 18 children and families with gifts this holiday season. The recepients belong to the Friends of Kids with Cancer, a St. Louis-based organization that provides services to families impacted by the disease. The donations were collected throughout November and consisted of more than $4500 in cash donations and another $26,000 in new clothing, games, toys, household items and gift cards. On Dec. 14, employees with The Kelly Hager Group delivered the fits and donations to the children and their families at the company's Chesterfield offices.  "This is our first year being involved with Friends of Kids with Cancer and this year I witnessed a tremendous out-…

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Gluten-Free for the Holidays: Recipes and Meal Planning Tips

Andrea's Gluten-Free in Chesterfield and New Day Bakery and Cafe in Ballwin offered Patch some recipes, tips and overall good advice for those planning gluten-free meals over the holidays.

Food will be an essential part of many holiday gatherings next week, but for those on a gluten-free diet (or those planning meals for them), it also represents certain hazards as well. To help plan your gluten-free meals, Patch contacted some local gluten-free bakeries and stores who shared holiday recipes along with tips on where to buy baked goods without the pesky protein. Andrea Kosinski, owner of Andrea’s Gluten-Free in Chesterfield, regularly posts recipes on her company’s website, including video instructions on using their popular sugar cookie dough. (Looking for recipes? Check out these links to a few of Andrea Kosinski's favorite gluten-free recipes: White Texas Sheet Cake, Herb Stuffing, Sugar Cookies - Instructions and Icing …

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Where to Celebrate Christmas This Weekend in Chesterfield

Looking to get into the holiday spirit? Here are some things to do in West St. Louis County this weekend.

From seeing ol' St. Nick in person to helping out a good cause for the holidays, there's lots in West County to do to celebrate the Christmas season this year. Check this round-up of events shared with Patch in the area to find the best ones for you, your friends and family this weekend. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 St. Louis Green Holiday Light Recycling Drive: This ongoing drive allows you to drop off your used holiday lights at area Walmart locations and benefit Operation Food Search at the same time. The drop-off continues through Dec. 30. Toys for Tots: Help out Toys for Tots by donating unwrapped toys at the All Star Dental office in Eureka. Eureka Boy Scout Troop 322 Christmas Tree Lot: Still looking for that must-have tree? Stop by here for…

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Holiday 2012 Shopping Guide: Video Games

Need to find something for the gamer in your life? Check out our handy holiday shopping guide.

If you’re unfamiliar with the world of video games, stepping into the games section of a Best Buy or entering a Gamestop can be a bewildering experience. Perhaps you're a parent wanting something fun and wholesome for your kid, a girlfriend wondering what her refuses-to-grow-up boyfriend might like or a grandparent trying to impress a grandchild with your grasp of technology. Have no fear, Patch has complied a list of some the holiday’s best and biggest games, along with some recommendations for who might enjoy them. "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" $59.99, Mature (Xbox 360, Playstion 3, PC, Nintendo Wii U) – For some seasoned parents of video game-obsessed kids, this name may sound familiar, and it should. The “Call of Duty” franchise …

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