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Mark Your Calendar is a source for

local events and activities with a

few regional activities added that

might be of interest to our readers.

 

2019 VOF Queen Candidates Wanted

Applications for the 2019 Valley of Flowers queen candidates are now available. They may be picked up at the Valley of Flowers office. Applications

are also available by request to 314-837-0033. Candidates must be 16 years of age by April 30, a junior in high school, and a resident of the City of Florissant. Candidates must be sponsored by a business. However, the business does not have to be located in Florissant. The number of candidates is limited to 25. Candidates will be selected in the order in which the completed application is received by the Valley of Flowers office.

Rules and regulations for queen candidates are included with the application. Completed applications will be accepted until Feb. 8.

There will be a meet and greet for the candidates on March 10 at the Eagan Center and judging will take place at the Eagan Center on Sunday, April 7. A dinner to recognize the candidates, sponsors and families will follow.

Candidates are judged on poise and personality. The winner will be announced after the Valley of Flowers Parade on Sunday, May 5. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to the queen upon completion of her reign along with many other gifts and prizes.

 

Valley of Flowers Activities

Applications Now Available

This year Florissant celebrates the first Festival of spring on May 3, 4, and 5.   The 2019 theme is “Valley of Flowers Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District.”

Applications for the 2019 Valley of Flowers parade, craft fair, flea market, pretty baby, car show, food and game booths are now available. Applications may be picked up from the Valley of Flowers office, downloaded from www.florissantvalleyofflowers.com or via email at office@florissantvalleyofflowers.com or fax by request to 314-837-0033/Fax 314-837-5504. The Valley of Flowers office is located at 601 rue St. Charles St.

Craft Fair, Pretty Baby, Flea Market and Food Booths at the James J. Eagan Center are for Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. Crafter space is $75 and $10 to rent table (limited supply available), vendors table is $100 and includes table, flea market space is $50, and the Pretty Baby cost is $5. The craft/vendor fair is on the covered ice rink pavilion. All food booths are grouped together in the food tent on the grounds. The car show will be on St. Francois Street on Saturday, May 4.

The parade will be held on Sunday, May 5. Parade applicants do not have to be a Florissant resident or business to participate in the parade and there is no entry fee. Parade units are strongly encouraged to decorate honoring those who serve thinking about first responders, Military/Veterans, educators, doctors/nurses, volunteers, etc.

Food and game booths at the Knights of Columbus grounds are for Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5 and cost $125.00 per space.

Sponsorships are also available

 

Guitar Exhibition Opens

At St. Louis Science Center

Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World opened Jan. 19 at the St. Louis Science Center Visitors can experience the science of sound with hands-on interactives for all ages.

From its ancient beginnings in the Nile River Valley to its iconic status as a modern mainstay of every genre of music, the guitar has rocked them all.

Experience the science of sound and the cultural impact of the guitar by exploring more than 70 instruments and 100 historical artifacts-ranging from the rare and antique to the wildly popular and innovative. This special exhibition from The National GUITAR Museum features hands-on interactives for all ages, video performances, x-ray images of guitars’ inner workings and plenty of opportunities to strum and jam.

This special exhibition will run Jan. 19 through April 14.

 

Explore Catholic Schools in North

County on Open House Sunday, Jan. 27

Catholic elementary schools in North County are welcoming visitors during Open House Sunday on Jan 27. All are invited to explore the excellent early education and elementary school programs that each school offers. Applications for enrollment in preschool through junior high for the 2019-20 school year will be available, along with information about scholarships available. Anyone who would like to learn more about Catholic schools and their service to the North County community is welcome to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

JCC Winter Used Book Sale Jan. 27 – 31

Thousands of books will be available for sale as the Annual J Used Book Sale returns to the Arts and Education Building, The J, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, 63146.

Stock up on your winter reading material. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Cultural Arts Department. Thousands of titles include mystery and intrigue, novels, biographies, politics, religion, sports, cookbooks, history, animals, art, science, science fiction, business, women’s issues, foreign languages, gardening, poetry, psychology, self-help, humor…the list goes on.

Parents and educators will find a large selection of books for children and youth as well as educational materials for homeschoolers. Multiples of titles are available for book club reading along with miscellaneous videos, books on tape/CDs and DVDs.

Pricing:

• Sunday (Preview Day), Jan. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: $10 admission
• Monday – Wednesday, Jan. 28-30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Free
• Thursday (Bag Day), Jan. 31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Free– Fill a bag for only $5

 

Opioid Epidemic Seminar at Christian Hospital Feb. 1

“Addressing the Growing Opioid and Heroin Abuse and Overdose Epidemic: A Call for Action in North County,” will be presented at Christian Hospital in the Detrick Building Atrium on Friday, Feb. 1, from 7:30-9 a.m. Breakfast will be served as well.

Substance abuse is a growing public health concern in North County, especially now that the area is facing a local drug overdose epidemic. Over the past decade, the number of drug overdose deaths has rapidly grown.

 

MDC’s Rockwoods Reservation Hosts

Winter in the Woods Festival Feb. 2

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is holding the Winter in the Woods Festival, Featuring Maple Sugar, Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Rockwoods Reservation in Wildwood.

Known for years as the annual Maple Sugar Festival, the popular event is now expanding to embrace other aspects of the season.

In addition to maple sugaring, MDC and other local partnering organizations will help uncover many different outdoor activities winter offers at this free event. St. Louis Audubon will make sure winter birds are well-represented, and binoculars will be on loan for examining Rockwoods’ feathered residents. The Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers will have inspiration for great winter photo opportunities. The Endangered Wolf Center joins the festival to teach visitors some unique strategies canines use to survive challenging winter conditions. MDC educational displays will show how other animals cope with cold weather.

Everything that made the original Maple Sugar Festival popular is still there. Visitors will see firsthand how Native Americans and early settlers harvested sap—and boiled it down over an open fire to create sugar and syrup. Living history staff from the historic Daniel Boone Home will show how maple sugaring was important to the Boone family.

Guided hikes will teach visitors how to identify and tap sugar maple trees. Tasting sugar on snow, a toffee-like treat created when warm maple sap mixes with the cold snow, is popular with attendees of all ages. There will also be fun crafts for the kids.

Other activities will include fly tying and casting demos, courtesy of the Fly Fishers at the Crossing, winter camping ideas from the Alpine Shop, GPS challenges by the St. Louis Area Geocachers, food trucks, and more. It’s a day the whole family will enjoy. This is a rain or shine event, so visitors should dress for the weather.

The entire event is free, and no reservations are required. The festival will offer off-site parking exclusively with free shuttle service to and from the event. Parking locations will be located at Pond Elementary, 17200 Manchester Road, and the St. Louis Community College Wildwood Campus, 2645 Generations Drive. Onsite parking will be reserved only for those with disabilities.

For additional information on the festival, call 636-458-2236.

 

Annual Orchid Show Open Feb. 2 through March 24 at Botanical Garden

Immerse yourself   in a tropical oasis brimming with vibrant blooming orchids at the 2019 Orchid Show, open Feb. 2 to Mar. 24.

The show is a once-a-year opportunity to view a rotating display of hundreds of orchids from the Garden’s expansive living collection.

The 2019 Orchid Show will focus on the cultivation of orchids for the home gardener. Visitors can watch informative videos and learn tips on caring for orchids at home. The cultivation aspect will focus specifically on the care and handling of four orchid genera, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, and Cymbidium.

The Garden will hold Orchid Nights on Thursdays from Feb. 14 to March 7. Experience the Orchid Show in a whole new light! Come visit the show in the evening and step into the landscape of beautiful blooming orchids while you take in live music and sample libations from local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Cash bar and small bites are also available for purchase.

Orchid Nights tickets are $15-20 and Orchid Show admission is $5 per person (ages 3 and older), in addition to general Garden admission.

 

Give Kids A Smile Free Dental Clinic Feb. 8-9

Give Kids A Smile is hosting a free dental clinic for those in need on Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9 at Saint Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education. The local clinic is one of more than a thousand events taking place nationwide in February as part of the American Dental Association Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile program. Care is provided by appointment only. Patient registration can be completed through Friday, Feb. 1, by calling Give Kids A Smile at 636-397-6453.

The two-day free dental clinic is designed to meet the dental health needs of newborns through school-aged children up to 14 years old (8th grade), who are Medicaid-eligible, qualify for the free school lunch program or need dental assistance due to other special circumstances. Registered children will receive X-rays, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, as well as fillings, root canals and oral surgery, if needed. All care is provided in a non-intimidating, fun-filled environment that includes an entertainment area featuring music, interactive games, face painters and balloon artists. Each child goes home with a free healthy lunch and smile bag that includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and more.

“Thanks to the selfless dedication of hundreds of volunteer dental professionals and sponsors like Delta Dental of Missouri, Cardinals Care and The Orthwein Foundation, we have the capacity and resources to provide comprehensive dental services, completely free of charge, for up to 600 local kids,” said Erica Steen, executive director of Give Kids A Smile.   The patient registration process includes the completion of health history and consent forms. Those who may need assistance coordinating transportation to or from the clinic are encouraged to reach out early. To learn more about Give Kids A Smile call 636-397-6453 or visit www.gkas.org.

 

 

12th Annual Mayors’ Shamrock Ball March 9

The Mayors’ Shamrock Charity Ball, the annual premier “green tie” event of North County, is happening this year on March 9 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at Garden Villas North, 4505 Parker Road in Black Jack.

Individual tickets are $125 and include food, open bar, raffles, and dancing with entertainment provided by the Bob Kuban Band. The Master of Ceremonies will be Craig Moeller from KSDK. Generous sponsorship packages are available; all proceeds benefit Valley Industries Sheltered Workshop.

Call 314-731-1771 for more information or visit www.valleyind.net for a list of sponsors and photos of previous years’ events.

 

STL Theatre Musicians Orchestra at Eagan Center

The St. Louis Theatre Musicians Orchestra, featuring vocalists Charles Glenn and Patricia Scanlon, will perform at the Gary Gaydos Theatre, located in the Florissant Civic Center for a night on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. as part of the Florissant Fine Arts Council’s Applause /Applause series.

Reserved seat tickets are $28 for adults and $26 for seniors and students. Call the box office 314-921-5678 for tickets and information or go online at www.florissantfinearts.com.

This unique orchestra joins our series in cooperation with the American Federation of Musicians Local 2-197 to bring audiences the brightest moments in Broadway history from the inception of musicals to the current day.

Charles Glenn received early musical training in both voice and percussion. Charles has utilized both his strong vocal and percussion talents as the opening act for such national groups as Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis and the News, and the Allman Brothers.

He can often be seen and heard singing the National Anthem for the St. Louis Blues home games. Patricia Scanlon has been a soloist, cover soprano, and section leader for 14 years with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. She is also a soloist with the St. Louis Theatre Musicians Orchestra since 2003 and has worked extensively with the Florissant Northwinds Concert Band and the Hawthorne Players of Florissant.

 

Sponsors Sought for VOF Festival May 3-5

The Valley of Flowers Committee is seeking sponsorships to support the Festival happening May 3-5.

In order to provide such a varied and diverse group of activities substantial financial assistance is needed from community leaders and local businesses.

Sponsorship levels include:

• Event Level – $2,500
• Fleur di Lis Level – $1,000
• Rose Level – $500
• Daisy Level – $250
• Friends of the Festival – $100

Approximately 150,000 participants from not only Florissant, but the entire St. Louis metropolitan area, will come together for the three day festival. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. More information is available by contacting the Valley of Flowers office at 314-837-0033.

 

Friday, Jan. 25

Annual Ham & Bean Dinner at St. Mark’s United Methodist Churches, 315 Graham Road, Florissant, from 4:30-7 p.m.

Cost is $10 a person with children under 12 free. All you can eat includes corn bread, cole slaw, dessert and beverage.

Chair Yoga at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine, every Friday at 1 p.m. with a certified aerobics instructor.

Chicken Dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 4-7 pm. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Tuesday, Jan. 29

Bingo at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., games start at 6. For more information, call 314-921-2316. Offered every Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, Jan. 30

Bingo at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Road. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., games start at 9:30. For more information, call 314-921-2316. Offered every Wednesday morning.

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, every Wednesday at 410 St. Francois from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Staying Fit at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine, every Monday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. Exercise with a certified aerobics instructor from ENVISION Home Health.

Thursday, Jan. 31

Quilting Group at St. Mark’s Methodist Church, 315 Graham Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Thursday. Call 314-837-9404.

Friday, Feb. 1

Steak Dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 4-7 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Bingo every Friday at Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Fatima Council #4429, 1216 Teson Rd. Doors open at 4; games at 6:45. Call 314-731-9330.

Saturday, Feb. 2

BB Shoot at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 1-4 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Monday, Feb. 4

Men of Harmony Barbershop Chorus practices Mondays at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Rd. (the first house on Uthe Ln.) The group is always looking for new members. For info, call Al 993-6134.

Tuesday, Feb. 5

Bingo at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., games start at 6. For more information, call 314-921-2316. Offered every Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, Feb. 6

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Staying Fit at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine St. in

Florissant ,every Monday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. Exercise with a certified aerobics instructor from ENVISION Home Health.

Bingo at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Road. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., games start at 9:30. For more information, call 314-921-2316. Offered every Wednesday morning.

Thursday, Feb. 7

Quilting Group at St. Mark’s Methodist Church, 315 Graham Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Thursday. Call 314-837-9404.

Friday, Feb. 8

Country Fried Steak or Meatloaf at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 4-7 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Chair Yoga every Friday at 1 p.m. at St. Catherine Retirement Center, 3350 St. Catherine St. Florissant, with certified aerobics instructor.

Saturday, Feb. 9

Breakfast at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 8-10 a.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Flea Market at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Sunday, Feb. 10

Open house Spaghetti Lunch at Pallottine Renewal Center, 15270 Old Halls Ferry, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also held on March 3 & April 14. Cost is $6 per plate; dine-in or carry-out. 314-837-7100.

Wednesday, Feb. 13

The Bridge at Florissant, 1101 Garden Plaza Dr., is having a Senior Resource meeting every second Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Coffee and pastries. Call 314-831-0988

Thursday, Feb. 14

St. Mark’s Fashions for Food clothing sale, 315 Graham Rd., 8:30-11 a.m. All proceeds go to local food pantries. Sale is held second Thursday of each month. 314-837-9404.

Northside Art Association meets on the second Thursday of each month to paint together at the Hazelwood Community Center, 1186 Teson Rd., at 10 a.m. Call J. Frericks 314-837-5816.

Friday, Feb. 15

Life Care Center of Florissant, 1201 Garden Plaza Drive in Florissant, holds a Bingo Afternoon the third Friday of the month at 2 p.m. Call 314-831-3752 for info.

Bingo every Friday at Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Fatima Council #4429, 1216 Teson Rd. Doors open at 4; games at 6:45. Call 314-731-9330.

Monday, Feb. 18

The American Association of University Women, Ferguson-Florissant Branch (North County) present “Turn it Around…Hands Down,” at 10 a.m. in the Educational Building of Immanuel UCC Church, 211 Church Street, Ferguson. The program raises students’ self-esteem, reduces bullying and stresses a peacemaking approach in the school climate.

It is free and open to the public. For more information, call 314-921-7109.

Tuesday, Feb. 19

Bingo at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., games start at 6. For more information, call 314-921-2316. Offered every Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, Feb. 20

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Bingo at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Road. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., games start at 9:30. For more information, call 314-921-2316. Offered every Wednesday morning.

Thursday, Feb. 21

Community Bingo every third Thursday from 2 p.m. at The Bridge at Florissant, 1101 Garden Plaza Drive, RSVP 314-831-0988. Bring a friend and get a special prize.

Flower Valley Quilting Guild meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 123 Carson Rd, Ferguson.

Quilting Group at St. Mark’s Methodist Church, 315 Graham Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Thursday. Call 314-837-9404.

Friday, Feb. 22

Chicken Dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, 410 St. Francois from 4-7

 

Mark Your Calendar is a regular feature in The Independent News each issue. Items of general interest from non-profit and fraternal groups will be published if received at our office by mail, fax or e-mail by 4 p.m. Friday prior to the next edition.