Opportunities April 2019

Fortunately, the weather and the real estate market are both starting to heat up! The great poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said in his poem Hamatreya, that the Earth laughs in flowers.

As we look at them blooming around us, there is no doubt that our planet is happy that Spring has arrived! I am excited that the sun is shining, because that means that we will see more of our neighbors and friends. I hope that you'll join me in getting out to enjoy the wonderful events that St. Louis has to offer. 

All the best. -Nate

Yes, April is finally here, and it is right on time! Fortunately, the weather and the real estate market are both starting to heat up! The great poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said in his poem Hamatreya, that the Earth laughs in flowers. As we look at them blooming around us, there is no doubt that our planet is happy that Spring has arrived! I am excited that the sun is shining, because that means that we will see more of our neighbors and friends. I hope that you'll join me in getting out to enjoy the wonderful events that St. Louis has to offer.  All the best. -Nate

April 1-7 Spring is here, and it’s a great time to be outdoors and take in the sights. The 2019 tour season of Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours gives you a great opportunity to learn more about of our magnificent downtown St. Louis. If you enjoy opera and food, or if you haven't tried it (I'm referring to trying the opera as I assume that you've eaten before), join me to experience them together at a unique event. The 2019 Opera Tastings Series, combining live performances of Porgy and Bess, Carmen, and other classics with an assortment of bites and sips, all for your listening and eating pleasure at theCentene Center for the Arts tonight and other dates this month. Join Tony La Russa and his Animal Rescue Foundation at the Wine & Whiskers event on Wednesday April 3 at Busch Stadium. Enjoy specialty wines, craft beers, and appetizers while supporting our four-legged furry friends. Also on Wednesday, Sanctuaria Wild Tapas in partnership with Park Central Development is hosting Cocktails for Causes from 5-8 PM to benefitEmployment Connection's Veteran Housing program. All tips/ donations will go directly to Employment Connection. Come out to support local veterans! Thursday, April 4th is the Cardinal's Home Opener, which is a national holiday in St. Louis. I know that St. Louis isn't a nation, but you get the point. Anyhow, there will be plenty of tailgating and fun Downtown, even if you are not going to the game, it will be a great time, and that's a winner! Don't miss out on the last days to visit the exhibitionFigurative Works II at Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles showcases the amazing human body, it closes on Friday, April 5. It is First Fridays in Grand Center, which means that all of the museums are free and open to the public. You may want to swing by the Pulitzer to enjoy internationally recognized artist and choreographer Maria Hassabi as she premiersTOGETHER (2019) performance, which is inspired by the exhibition on view, Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt. You might enjoyRandom Occurrences by Fredrick Nelson at the Atrium Gallery. You'll also find great art at all of the other galleries, including live music and complimentary cocktail samples at the Kranzberg Arts Center. Kids Yoga United & Shine Bright Dance will be at the Magic House in Kirkwoodon Friday. Bring the kids to spend time getting fit at Fit Kid: Free Kid where Kids 12 and under will complete a fitness challenge upon arrival and earn free admission to the event! On Saturday night, you might find me at theNIGHTCHASER jamming all night with 4 stages adorned in visual magnificence!! 4 rooms laced with killer line ups, multiple genres, LIVE music, disc jockeys and mystical atmospheric performers for the ultimate JOY experience as it returns to theSt. Louis Science Center. This time on the DINO SIDE!(South Side of HWY 40). If you in the mood for some classical guitar, Irina Kulikova, the Russian guitarist who crafted her art in Austria will be blessing the stage at the Ethical Society in Clayton. Pharrell has a birthday is coming up, and on Saturday night, it's time to party to his extensive catalog courtesy of James Biko who will be spinning the records at Blank Space on Cherokee Street.  On Sunday the 7th Brittany Packnett, the 2019 Clark Lecturer, will speak at First Unitarian Church of St. Louis. The award-winning educator, author, and activist commits her life to justice and social reform. In this talk Packnett will share her thoughts on “Love & Power”. We all can do our part to care for the environment. On Sunday the 7th, a Recycling Extravaganza at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park provides an excellent opportunity to responsibly dispose of unwanted appliances, metals, plastics, and more stuff. April 8-14 Take advantage of an awesome upcoming evening at the St. Louis' Taste of the Nation fundraiser on Wednesday the 10th. St. Louis Union Station hosts great culinary artists and mixologists who will donate their talent and time for a good cause: to help end childhood hunger in America. One hundred percent of proceeds benefit the No Kid Hungry campaign. Also on Wednesday -- and this is the first day in a series of six -- you can “Explore the Craft of Journalism” at the St. Louis Public Radio Mini J-School. If you have an interest in current events and enjoy writing, this program is for you! Register for the Facing Segregation: Building Strategies in Every Neighborhood (Fair Housing Conference), which takes place at Central Baptist Church on Friday the 12th. The conference highlights how different neighborhoods respond differently to fair housing solutions. Pack up the young ones (that includes you) for a concert at Powell Symphony Hall to hear the St. Louis Symphony perform Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. On stage from the 12th through the 14th. Head over to Laumeier Sculpture Park in Sunset Hills to find inspiration in the natural environment and sculptures for a variety of art projects and activities at Free Family Days! Families explore new media and concepts together and find inspiration in Laumeier’s artworks and the natural environment. Activities are designed to be simple yet complex enough that more experienced young artists can take their projects to the next level. On Saturday the 13th musicians of all skill levels can gather to play under the guidance of an instructor, taking turns to lead and choose tunes at the Folk School Music Jam. The Luminary and Counterpublic announce opening day Saturday the 13th on Cherokee Street. This is a dynamic and visionary neighborhood-based artistic platform that will span three months in South St. Louis. A definite WOW -- and fun for the whole family!  Also on Saturday, The Taco & Tequila Crawl is here St. Louis and it will be better than ever. Come stroll through Soulard eating the BEST tacos, enjoying exclusive margarita, tequila, and beer specials. April 15-21 April is National Poetry Month, and Library of Small Catastrophes, the debut collection of poems by St. Louis native Alison Rollins, is a moving meditation on memory. Book signing at Left Bank Books on Wednesday the 17th. Also on the 17th, students from the Campfire 24 with the Intro to Storytelling Class: Things Left Unsaid will enthrall listeners at The Stage at KDHX with interesting stories, all completed by members of a workshop training. Friday, April 19th The Magic House hosts Emerson Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. These special nights enable a family (up to two adults and four children) to visit the Museum at no cost. Reservations are not required. Masterblaster, a tribute to Stevie Wonder will be upon us at Delmar Hall, and yes, we'll be jammin' until the break of dawn! On Saturday the 20th, you can learn about your favorite St. Louis craft beer and visit the locales where the bubbly is born. The Extra Special BrewHopSTL Brewery Tour includes trips to Square One, 4 Hands, Earthbound, and Alpha breweries. Arrive thirsty and wear comfortable shoes. Evangeline's Bistro in The Central West End will be hosting it's 6th Annual Crawfish boil Festival! Good food, drinks, & music! It promises to be a great time! Grab all of your paper, electronics, and bring it by my office as The Real Estate Solutions Group @ Redkey Realty Leaders will host a Recycling Eventfor free on April 20th & April 27th! Hop on over to Des Peres Park for our youth egg hunt! Children, ages 3 - 6 years old, will be able to participate in the big scramble. Our special guest will be the Easter Bunny, so be sure to stop by, rain or shine Also on Saturday, Brick City Yoga will host aVinyasa Flow class followed by a pop up withStrange Donuts! This all levels class led by Ellie encourages students to leave perfectionism at the door in this good vibes guaranteed flow, followed by tasty donuts and coffee. On Sunday, if you are looking for Easter Brunch, you might want to head to theMissouri Botanical Gardens, Das Bevo, or The Chase Park Plaza for a nice meal. April 22-28 It you’re a dedicated wine connoisseur or just enjoy a glass now and then, you might like to learn about Wines Around the World at St. Charles Community College, hosted by The Rack House Kitchen Wine Whiskey on Tuesday the 23rd. On Thursday the 25th the Sustainable Living Seminar at BrentwoodCommunity Center is where you can ask questions and obtain valuable information about the how-to’s and why-to’s of embracing a responsible lifestyle. Very on-topic these days! Vintage Market Days of St. Louis, is where to find that hidden treasure, be it clothing or jewelry, furniture or handmade collectibles, art, antiques, or something tasty to savor. In Chesterfield from Thursday through Saturday, the 25th-27th. If you’re up for a sweaty, though healthy game of sand volleyball/walleyball, there’s open play at the Rhone Rum Bar on Chouteau Ave. Caribbean-style cocktails and munchies will be available. You know the drill: bump, set, spike! Thursdays through Saturdays, through the 28th. For two days this weekend, April 27-28, one of my favorite festivals of the year fills the Muny grounds in Forest Park. Rain or shine, The St. Louis Earth Day Festival will be a great time! Join me for a celebration of sustainability, along with music, food, nature, & community! This is the 30th anniversary of the awesome event! I sure hope to see you, with flowers in your hair, be there! April 29-30 The PJ Morton Keys and a Mic Acoustic Tour offers it up at The Old Rock House on Monday the 29. He reminds us to “Experience Love, Soul & Music…”   To close out the month on Tuesday, the St. Louis Symphony: Live at the Pulitzer presents Kinds of Kings, a group of six young composers who will perform contemporary chamber music. This is the last in a series of concerts. Not to be missed! Yes, we have another great month ahead of us. I look forward to seeing you out and about enjoying our wonderful St. Louis! All the best. -Nate   P.S.   Here is the latest Housing Report which shows that the median sales price of residential single-family homes in St. Louis City and County combined dropped slightly to $175,000 in February 2019 compared to $177,450 in February 2018. February’s average days on market grew slightly as well. If you have any questions about how this affects you, just let me know. I'd be happy to provide some more insight. Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. -Nate

Nate K. Johnson ABR,AHWD,CIPS,CRS,GRI,SRES Real Estate Solutions Group Redkey Realty Leaders 314-575-7352 Direct 314-514-9600 Office nate@livingstl.com