KISSfest

Two of rock’s most enduring legends, who also happen to be Jewish, will be at the new Rock and Brews, 17258 Chesterfield Airport Road,  Chesterfield on Jan. 11 for the restaurant’s official grand opening. KISS front men Paul Stanley (born Stanley Eisen) and Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Israel), who are co-owners and founders of the international limited-chain restaurant, will host a private lunch for veterans being organized by Fisher House, a local veterans’ nonprofit organization, and an evening party to raise money for the veteran’s group. VIP tickets to the evening event, which starts at 7 p.m., are $200, and include red carpet photos and a one-hour private reception with the rock icons, unlimited cocktails and a sampling of Rock & Brews’ fare. General admission tickets are $100 and include food and two drink tickets. 

For tickets to either party, go to rockandbrewsstlouis.eventbrite.com.

Sand, sun and kashrut

Looking for a swanky place to hold a destination wedding or b’nai mitzvah that also serves gourmet kosher food? Straight from the public relations desk of the Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas comes an announcement that the 3,000-room luxury resort has partnered with Kosherica, a 20-year-old Glatt Kosher travel company, to feature a selection of special kosher menus prepared under the direction of world-class chefs. In addition, the Atlantis is also touting special “cultural touches,” including a “beautifully decorated chuppah overlooking the crystal-blue Bahamian waters” to a locally-based rabbi and a tropical Yichud area to enhance these special occasions.

Those interested in destination weddings and celebrations at Atlantis have a choice of more than 20 ceremony and reception venues, including Ocean’s Edge at The Cove Atlantis, the resort’s newest venue that is perched atop a white-sand dune and “just steps from the crystal-blue Bahamian waters.” As nice as this sounds, it does come at a price – custom-planned ceremony site fees start at $3,500 (plus tax).  For more information, go to atlantisbahamas.com/koshercelebrations or call 888-528-9758. 

Bite into this

If you’re after something unusual for dessert at this year’s Hanukkah celebration, look no further than Hanukkah Gelt Wontons, recommended by the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO). Yes, that’s right, the AAO actually sent me this recipe (at right), saying: “These tasty Hanukkah Gelt Wontons will be a holiday hit for everyone at the table, whether they are under the care of an orthodontist or not.” Who knew chocolate was so good for the teeth? 

Bringing talent to Light

One of the perks on my job is working with a group of gifted freelancers, several of whom not only write remarkably well but also take wonderful pictures.

Among them is Bill Motchan, who currently has an exhibit of his photographic work at the Olivette Community Center Lobby Gallery, 9723 Grandview Drive, which runs through Jan. 31.

“Natural World: People and Architecture,” highlights life’s little moments, showing people doing the things that make them happy, be it playing music, dancing, marching in a parade or at work. The exhibit includes photos taken in Chicago, New Orleans, Columbia, Mo., Florida, St. Louis and Olivette, especially the Stacy Park Prairie, near the resevoir. 

Hours for the exhibit are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. 

In addition, longtime Light freelancer David Baugher has a new book out, just in time for Hanukkah. By turns wistful and whimsical, “Secret St. Louis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,” explores nearly 100 sites around the bi-state region allowing trivia, history and factoid lovers to see the city, its landmarks, its culture and its people with fresh eyes. It answers many of the burning questions you may have about St. Louis such as where can you:

• Picnic at a radioactive waste dump? (Doesn’t that sound fun?)
• Join a nudist resort? (Possibly more fun.)
• See a piece from New York’s Twin Towers?
• Find out exactly what a Billiken is?

Retailing for $19.95, “Secret St. Louis” is available at most local bookstores or by contacting Baugher at [email protected].