Blog

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.

 

CultureFest 2019 at Christian Hospital Atrium on March 27

CultureFest 2019 will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Christian Hospital Atrium and Parking Lot, located at 11133 Dunn Rd.

CultureFest is a celebration of the many cultures of the hospital staff, St. Louis communities and the patients. Community program booths, retail vendors, and health initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion and equity will be present.

There is a special BJC Diversity & Inclusion banner making its way across the organization in 2019 and it will be at CultureFest. All are invited to participate in our commitment of continuing to make BJC an inclusive workplace by signing the banner.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Mobile Health Van will provide blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings.

Four 23andMe DNA ancestry kits will be given away as door prizes, compliments of the Christian Hospital Auxiliary!

Participating food trucks are Andrew’s Bayou BBQ, Crooked Boot Soul Food, KBOP Korean, Sia’s Italian Ice, Twisted Tacos and Wok and Roll. Cash or Debit/Credit Cards only.

 

NW Health Care Spring Fest Celebrates 15th Anniversary

A day of education and fun will be celebrated on Satuday, March 30 from 10-2 at Northwest HealthCare. 1225 Graham Road Rd. It’s all part of the 15-year anniversary and progress since its opening, including the addition of St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the Emergency Department.

Free activities include: • Educational Booths• Ask the Experts• Bubble Bus• Tours of Northwest HealthCare• BJC HealthCare’s Interactive Experiences• Food Trucks and Much More! Bicycle helmet checks will be provided free for children.

The first 200 children to register for a helmet check will receive a free helmet (children must be registered and present for the helmet check). Registration is required to receive a free helmet and recommended for the event by calling 314-747-WELL (9355).

Christian Hospital is a 220-staffed-bed community hospital located in north St. Louis County and a founding member of BJC HealthCare, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States.

Located six miles west of Christian Hospital is Northwest HealthCare, which offers the community 24-hour emergency care and a variety of outpatient services to complement hospital services.

With both locations, Christian Hospital operates the busiest emergency department in Missouri and one of the busiest hospital-based ambulance service in the state. Christian Hospital received the St. Louis Regional Chamber’s 2018 Arcus Award for Achievement in Health for its commitment to ongoing growth, improvement, community outreach and economic opportunity. To find more, visit christianhospital.org and facebook.

 

McCluer North Silver Strings Concert March 31

TheMcCluer North High School Silver Strings program will hold a free orchestra concert on Sunday, March 31 at 5:30 p.m. at Parker Road Baptist Church, 2675 Parker Rd.

Come and enjoy the music that these select musicians will present. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience part of the musical arts program provided through the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Call 314-831-6671 for info.

 

Insight Theatre Company Opens 12th Season with ‘Daddy Long Legs’’

Based on the classic novel which inspired the 1955 movistarring Fred Astaire, Daddy Long Legs is a beloved “rags-to-riches” tale of newfound love in the spirit of Jane Austen, The Brontë Sisters and “Downton Abbey.”

Featuring the music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist, Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre) and Tony-winning librettist/director, John Caird (Les Misérables), it stars renowned singer Terry Barber and local favorite Jen Theby Quinn in leading roles.

Ryan will direct this production with Scott Schoonover, Artistic Director of Union Ave Opera, as the Musical Director. Schoonover directs a small combo to accompany the beautiful songs that fill this production. Talk Backs will be held after each Sunday matinee, March 31, April 7 and April 14.

 

Spring Events Opening at MO Botanical Garden Sites

As the snow melts away and folks welcome warm weather in the St. Louis area, all three of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s sites will be abuzz with activity. Check out the spring happenings at the Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve, and Butterfly House.

The Missouri Botanical Garden seasonal reopenings will be March 30-31. After officially entering spring, the Garden will re-open the Children’s Garden, Tower Grove House, Cafe Flora, and will once again offer tram rides. Education staff will offer regular programming, including nature observations and discoveries in the Children’s Garden, hands-on exploration activities in Brookings Exploration Center, and story time in Tower Grove House.

Cafe Flora offers brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays in Spink Pavillion. Originally known as the Flora Gate, the pavilion is situated on the grand plaza overlooking the three large reflecting lily pools, the Milles Sculpture Garden and the world-renowned Climatron.

Narrated tram tours run approximately 25 to 30 minutes and provide an excellent opportunity to see and learn about many of the beautiful display gardens, sculptures and buildings at the Garden.

 

MDC and DU hold Wetlands For Kids Day April 6 at Busch

The annual Wetlands for Kids Day celebration is set for Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles. Wetlands for Kids Day is hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Ducks Unlimited (DU). The event, supported by grants from Purina Pro Plan and Robert and Cynthia Reeg, is free for both kids and adults.

Wetlands for Kids Day is designed to help families have fun discovering nature while also learning about why these vital habitats are so important to Missouri. Activities will include more than 20 education stations and touch tables where visitors can learn about wetland wildlife firsthand. There will be a chance to see live birds of prey, courtesy of the World Bird Sanctuary. A live reptile and amphibian station will provide a close-up look at these wetland inhabitants. Kids can explore the Duck Wing Maze while learning to identify ducks by wings and plumage along the way. They can also crawl through a simulated beaver den. Visitors will be able to examine the myriads of often-unseen invertebrate creatures that inhabit our waters.

Other stations include fish tasting, DU Laser Shot, and a rod-and-reel casting station for the little ones. Each child who attends gets a free subscription to the MDC Xplor: Adventures in Nature magazine for kids. They will also receive a DU Greenwing membership and a subscription to Greenwing magazine.

In keeping with its watery theme, Wetlands for Kids Day will be held rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to come no matter the weather as there will be activities both indoors and out. Food will also be available for purchase during the event.

To learn more about Wetlands for Kids Day on April 6, call 636-441-4554. The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is in St. Charles on Highway D, about two miles west of Highway 94. For more information on other upcoming events, go to https://goo.gl/VFvW6T

 

Florissant/Midwest Recycling Plans Electronics Recycling Collection Day on April 6

Mayor Thomas P. Schneider announced that the City of Florissant along with Midwest Recycling Center (MRC) will be hosting an electronics recycling collection event on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until trucks reach their capacity) in St. Ferdinand Park at the rear parking lot … rain or shine. Signs will be posted at park entrances to direct the people on where to go. The event is open to the public.

Acceptable items: working or not, basically anything that has a cord or battery; computers and all of their accessories, networking and telecommunications equipment, phones (home and cell), clocks, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, A/V equipment including cable and satellite boxes, home electronics, rechargeable batteries, fax machines, adapters/chargers, household appliances and lawn and garden equipment (lawn and garden equipment MUST have oil and gas removed).

Below are the fees that MRC has put into place to recycle these items:

• CRT Monitors – $5 each
• CRT TVs 26” or less – $30 each
• CRT TVs 27” or greater – $50 each
• Wood Console, True Big Screen/Projection TVs – $50 each
• LED/LCD/Plasma TVs – $20 each

Any Freon containing unit – $10 each

Payment can be made either by check or cash. Midwest Recycling Center will have equipment and employees on hand to assist in the drop off process. This drive has been highly successful in the past.

The Mayor encourages all residents to participate. Recycling conserves our natural resources, saves money, creates jobs, eliminates waste in landfills and reduces harm to the environment.

For additional information contact the Florissant Health Department at 314-839-7655 or visit Midwest Recycling Center’s website at: www.midwrc.net

 

STL Civic Orchestra Spring Concert April 7 at Logan University

The St. Louis Civic Orchestra is proud to present their Spring concert of 2019 – Annual Concerto Winners – on Saturday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at Logan University’s Purser Hall, 1851 Schoettler Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017.

The St. Louis Civic Orchestra concert will feature winners of its annual Florence Frager Young Artist Competition and musicians from the Parkway School District. The Civic will perform the well-known “Enigma Variations” by Edward Elgar and the Overture from “Rienzi” by Richard Wagner.

“We’re thrilled to have such exceptional young musicians performing with us in April,” said Larry Levin, President of Civic. “Between our Frager soloists and our young Parkway partners, we are pleased to feature the next generation of musicians on stage with us.”

Violinist Anna Zhong will perform the first movement of the Concerto No. 3 in B minor, by Camille Saint-Saens. A junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Anna is the co-concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Harpist Sophie Thorpe will perform the Danse sacree et danse profane by Claude Debussy. Thorpe is a senior at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, and is in her third year as the principal harpist of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

In addition to the soloist performances, musicians from the Parkway Northeast Middle School, under the direction of Peggy Craig, will join Civic musicians on stage for part of the concert.

Tickets are available online at the St. Louis Civic Orchestra’s website stlco.org, or the day of show at Purser Hall. Adult tickets are $18 each, students/seniors (55+) are $12 each, and children 5 and under are free. Special discounts are available for seniors and students, and various group special offers are also available.

The St. Louis Civic Orchestra (www.stlco.org) is a full orchestra bringing professional and amateur musicians together to offer the community a high-quality experience of symphonic talent and enjoyment. Most concerts take place at Logan University’s Purser Center, with their annual May pops concert (with special guest Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers (https://miss-jubilee.com) taking place at the Chesterfield Amphitheater .

 

2019 Senior Citizen Resource Fair at Florissant Civic Center on Apr. 9

The City of Florissant has partnered with Memory Care Home Solutions, St. Catherine Retirement Center, The Pillars of North County and the Mercy Home Health & Hospice Services to provide the 2019 Aging My Way Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 9 from 9 a.m. until noon at the James J. Eagan Community Center at #1 James Eagan Drive.

Gift cards will be raffled, free donuts and coffee will be available.

Free health screenings will be conducted and over 70 booths of valuable senior citizen information will be given out. This is a free event for all senior citizens – residents and non-residents. No ticket required. For more information, call the Florissant Senior Office at 314-839-7605.

 

Veteran’s Job Fair April 19

On Friday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Veteran’s Job Fair will be hosted by the City of Florissant at the John F Kennedy Community Center, located at 315 Howdershell Rd.

This job fair will help impact the lives of veterans and their families. Help and support is needed in the forms of volunteers to help with set up, vendor sign-in, and other needs as they arise. Food donations are also sought that could help feed the veterans and service members. For questions call Bill at (904) 703-4778 or Josh at (573) 846-8521.

 

Tour Jefferson Barracks Cemetery, Civil War Museum April 23

Tour Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, which contains burials from all major United States conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to the present.

The tour will be held Tuesday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $34 for residents and $36 for non-residents. Cost includes transportation, cemetery tour, museum admission, and lunch at Café Telegraph.

The cemetery’s grounds feature a number of historic and modern monuments dedicated to veterans. Tickets will be sold in the Senior Office in Florissant City Hall through April 5. Call the Senior Office, 839-7605, for more information.

 

James J. Eagan Center Hosts Annual Florissant Garage Sale April 27

Florissant residents can haul down the clutter from their attics and treasures from their garages and organize accumulations for the 9th Annual Florissant Garage Sale to be held at the James J. Eagan Ice Rink area on Saturday April 27, from 9-noon. This is open to Florissant residents and non-residents to receive a space to sell items.

Applications will be available at the JJE and JFK Center and on the city website www.florissantmo.com. Space is limited. The fee is $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents per table. Registration begins Feb. 15 and runs through March 15. For additional information call 314-921-4250 or 314-921-4466.

 

History Museum, Muny Host World’s Largest Dance Class

The Missouri History Museum’s popular “Muny Memories: 100 Seasons Onstage” exhibit closes on Sunday, June 2. To kick off the last month of the exhibit the Missouri History Museum has partnered with The Muny for their biggest exhibit closing celebration ever.

On Saturday, May 4, more than 600 people will gather on the lawn in front of the Missouri History Museum in an attempt to break the record for the World’s Largest Dance Class.

Tickets for the World’s Largest Dance class are on sale to the general public and are expected to sell out quickly. Tickets are $7 per person and include a commemorative T-Shirt Registration required. Tickets can be purchased at mohistory.org/world-record

 

Soroptimist Grace Zykan Memorial Golf Tournament At Eagle Springs May 17

Soroptimist International of Greater St. Louis (SIGSL) is hosting the Grace Zykan Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday May 17, at Eagle Springs Golf Course. Individual entry fee is $100 for adults and $80 for high school and college players. After May 9 registration fee increases $5.

Registration includes 18 holes with cart, lunch, dinner, drink tickets, awards for longest drive and closest to the pin and goodie bags. Registration and lunch begins at 11 a.m, shotgun start scramble at 12 noon with dinner and awards at 5 pm.

Eagle Springs Golf Course is located at 2575 Redman Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63136. Gentlemen golfers will again be welcome. Online registration and payment is available on their website www.soroptimiststlouis.com.

SIGSL is also looking for sponsors and donations. All sponsors and donors will be included on marketing materials and social media. Each sponsorship level has its own specific benefits.     For more information contact Pamela Lee 314-398-3940 or send an email to info@soroptimiststlouis.com or visit twww.soroptimiststlouis.com/

 

Thursday, March 21

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.

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.

Music and Movement Class! At St. Catherine Retirement, 3350 St. Catherine. Join us for a relaxing hour of strengthening at 1 p.m.

Stay Well! At St. Catherine Retirement, 3350 St. Catherine. “Spring Into Fitness” With ENVISION Home Health March 21 at 9:30 a.m. Complimentary breakfast at 9 a.m. RSVP by March 15 to 314-838-3877.

Friday, March 22

Fish Fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 3-7 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Monday, March 25

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, March 26

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.

Chair Zumba at The Bridge, 1101 Garden Plaza Dr., every Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. Free and exciting chair Zumba class hosted by a certified instructor of Manna Wellness.

Wednesday, March 27

Staying Fit! at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine. Join us 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.

Friday, March 29

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.

Fish Fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois from 3-7 p.m. All profits go to support Veterans. (314) 831-6121.

Chair Yoga! At St. Catherine Retirement, 3350 St. Catherine. Join us for a healthy mind and body every Friday at 1 p.m. with a certified aerobics instructor.

The Bridge at Florissant, 1101 Garden Plaza Dr., is hosting a Community Birthday Party every last Friday of the month. 2:30-4 p.m. Come celebrate your birthday with cake and entertainment. Call 314-831-0988.

Monday, April 1

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.

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

Tuesday, April 2

Chair Zumba at The Bridge, 1101 Garden Plaza Dr., every Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. Free and exciting chair Zumba class hosted by a certified instructor of Manna Wellness.

Wednesday, April 3

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, April 4

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, April 5

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.

Chair Yoga! at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine. Join us for a healthy mind and body every Friday at 1 p.m. with a certified aerobics instructor.

Tuesday, April 9

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.

Jazz Night at The Bridge, 1101 Garden Plaza Dr., the second Tuesday of the month at 6p.m. featuring Wendy Gordon as seen on Fox 2 News.

Spring Celebration! at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine with “Jim Edwards” at 10:30 a.m. Complimentary Lunch with Entertainment. RSVP by April 5 to 314-838-3877.

Wednesday, April 10

“Swing into Spring” fashion show at DeSmet Retirement Community, 1425 N. New Florissant Rd. at 11 a.m. RSVP by April 5 to 314-838-3811.

   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, April 11

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.

Music and Movement Class! at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine. Join us for a relaxing hour of strengthening April 11 & 18 at 1p.m.

Saturday, April 13

Flea Market at VFW Post 4105, 410 rue St. Francois from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tables are $10. Call Rich at 837-7057 to reserve a table.

Home-cooked breakfast at VFW Post 4105, 410 rue St. Francois at 8-10 a.m. $5 per person.

Monday, April 15

Northside Art Association meets on the third Monday of every month 7-9 p.m at the Prairie Commons Branch Library.

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, April 16

Chair Zumba at The Bridge, 1101 Garden Plaza Dr., every Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. Free and exciting chair Zumba class hosted by a certified instructor of Manna Wellness.

Wednesday, April 17

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.

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

Thursday, April 18

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.

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.

Stay Well! at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine. “The Benefits of Laughter” with ENVISION Home Health at 9:30 a.m. Complimentary breakfast 9 a.m. RSVP by April 12 to 314-838-3877.

Music and Movement Class! at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine. Join us for a relaxing hour of strengthening April 11 & 18 at 1p.m.