I hope you were as happy as I to see the return of the Broad Ripple Lights Up Parade. The weather was less than festive but it didn't stop the floats, marchers and of course Santa in his sports car from making the big loop through the village. It was fun to see so many people line the streets to watch the parade then walk the canal esplanade to take in the new snowflake lights and towering Christmas Tree at the corner of College and Broad Ripple Avenue. The evening called for a beverage with warmth and flair which made me think of The Chook, a SPARKLING shiraz from Australia. It's a red wine with bubbles. You'll find notes of black raspberry, and ginger on the nose and lush dark fruit flavors on the palate. The Chook is holiday food friendly and would be delicious to serve with cheese, beef, fowl or fish.

Stop by the Artisan Bakers booth when you visit the Carmel Christkindlmarkt and enjoy hand baked goodies from Broad Ripple's own Brotgarten/Perk Up. NEW this year, mutzen cookies made to order. The buttery deep fried pastries are tender inside, crispy outside and lavishly dusted with powdered sugar. Mutzen makes the perfect treat to eat while you walk through the marketplace.

Visual treats can be seen at the Indianapolis Art Center's Student Show that opens December 13th. SAKS on 3 offers work from painter Marianne Glick and former IAC faculty and glass artist, Lisa Pelo. Meet and greet the two on Thursday Dec 19th from 6-8pm on the third floor of the SAKS store at Keystone Crossing.

Elf on the Shelf will be playing hide and seek at multiple Broad Ripple retailers and restaurants the next few weeks. Spy him and win. Contact the BRVA for details.