Graduation Open House: Menu and Updated To Do List

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As I mentioned in this post, we are having our family and friends over to celebrate J's graduation from law school this Thursday night.  With family beginning to arrive tomorrow afternoon, we are in full planning mode.  For example, I spent part of my lunch break today scrubbing out our microwave and refrigerator and left our stove plates soaking in the sink to also be scrubbed down later this afternoon, thereby allowing me to cross off a few more things off my to do list before guests arrive and before we go out to dinner to celebrate this lovely's birthday.

Clean out kitchen pantry
Clean out and wipe down the refrigerator
Clean microwave inside and out
Clean stove
Clean and pare down closets--two in the hallway and one in the office/guest room
Reupholster our dining room chairs with fabric I've had since January!
Reorganize bookshelves and dining room hutch
Clean all surfaces including baseboards: spot cleaning of apartment needed week of graduation
Wash slipcover on couch
Replace slipcover on couch
Clean out car
Plan menu
Set up bar
Shop for menu and bar--my dear friend Ashlee has said she will help with this!

As you can see, I've also decided on a menu and a theme for said menu, one I'd like to share with you here.  The theme is a taste of St. Louis, featuring foods (and drinks) that either originated here or that St. Louis made famous.  Here is what we will be serving:

Toasted Ravioli
St. Louis Style BBQ Pork Sandwiches
Penne with Vodka Sauce, inspired by St. Louis' Italian neighborhood, The Hill
St. Louis Style Pizza--we will be leaving off provel cheese because I find it unappetizing!  For those of you who have been lucky enough never to try the stuff, it is a processed cheese made out of a combination of Swiss, Velveeta and provolone cheeses.
Gooey Butter Cake, a St. Louis classic
Frozen Custard from Whistle Stop in Ferguson, not solely a St. Louis frozen treat but it is popular here!
Anheuser Busch beverages, a St. Louis staple

I might not get everything (like upholstering the chairs and reorganizing our shelves) before my mom arrives tomorrow but considering everything we've had going on, I think we did pretty good!  And who knows, maybe my mom will want to tackle a reupholstering project with me tomorrow afternoon :)

What hometown favorite would you serve at a party like this?  If it were my hometown's menu, I'd make sure there was some In-n-Out and California rolls on it!