FOR SPRINGTIME FUN AND ADVENTURE*

MUNY 101ST SEASON SINGLE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

The Muny has announced that single tickets for the first season of their second century are now available. Tickets can be purchased online at muny.org, by phone at (314) 534-1111, or in person at The Muny Box Office, open 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Staring June 1, Muny Box Office hours will extend to 9am-9pm daily. The Muny is celebrating its 101st season in Forest Park this summer.

The 2019 season includes two Muny premieres and the return of beloved classics. The seven shows are: Guys and Dolls (June 10 – 16), Kinky Boots (June 19 – 25), 1776 (June 27 – July 3), Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (July 8 – 16), Footloose (July 18 – 24), Lerner and Loewe’s Paint Your Wagon (July 27 – August 2) and Roald Dahl’s Matilda (August 5 – 11).

Muny Offers New Student Ticket Discounts

The Muny announced this week the kick-off of a new discounted ticketing program focused solely on high school and college level students

The Muny Student Rush Program will provide deeply discounted student “rush” tickets on select nights throughout the 2019 Muny summer season. This program will utilize targeted social media and related digital media to reach high school and college students across the St. Louis region. Registration for the program is required. For more information, visit muny.org/student-rush.

 

COLUMBIA BOTTOM CONSERVATION AREA CLOSES DUE TO FLOODING

Due to flooding from high river levels, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake is temporarily closed. However, the International Migratory Bird Day event was still held on May 5 from noon to 4 p.m. All activities for the event were moved inside the visitor center and to the area immediately surrounding it. This portion is on higher ground and safe from flooding.

Portions of Riverview Drive leading to the Columbia Bottom were also flooded. To avoid this section, visitors should take the Bellefontaine Road exit from I-270, then turn right (east) onto Larimore Road and proceed to Riverview Drive. Once on Riverview, turn left to get to the area.

Columbia Bottom is an important stopover point for migrating birds of all sorts, so it’s a special place to celebrate these amazing feats of mass movement. Fun and educational activities from multiple partners helped visitors discover why this area International Migratory Bird Day itself is officially May 11. It celebrates bird migration in America, and is also observed in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

Except for the visitor center, Columbia Bottom will remain closed until flood waters recede and MDC staff can make the area safe for visitors. All roads, trails, and boat ramps will be inaccessible until further notice. For the latest updates on the area’s status, go to http://bit.ly/2J7i6hE.

 

ESCAPE ROOM OPEN AT CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

In honor of this year’s 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Challenger Learning Center is debuting a new simulator experience: Escape Moonbase Alpha. Like other escape rooms, Moonbase Alpha will require participants to complete tasks and solve puzzles as they hunt for the key to escape. Unlike other escape rooms, those tasks will include using robotic arms, completing scientific/engineering tests, and more!

It’s the year 2069. When you arrive for your tour of Moonbase Alpha (the first permanent lunar habitat) you find that the crew has been detained by a meteor shower — and it’s headed your way! First, you must find the crew’s most prized possessions: rock samples from the Apollo 11 mission. Then, you must unlock their emergency ship to escape Moonbase Alpha, before it — and you — are destroyed by meteors.

The Challenger Learning Center is a nonprofit educational organization in Ferguson whose mission is to inspire the future generation of innovators and explorers. Its flagship programs are simulated space missions, in which participants take on the roles of astronauts, scientists, and engineers in our simulated spacecraft and mission control facilities.

FREE ‘FIRST FRIDAYS’ AT ST. LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER

Geek out at the St. Louis Science Center on the first Friday of every month. Learn the real science behind science fiction and mingle with others interested in the geekier side of life. Each month, First Friday features a different theme, hands-on activities, pub-style trivia, engaging presentations, photo ops for showing off your costume, and food and drink specials.

The evening culminates with a free 10 p.m. screening of a classic science fiction movie in the OMNIMAX® Theater. First Friday favorites like public telescope viewings, a free 7 p.m. Planetarium star show, and special prices for regular OMNIMAX films are a staple at every event.

First Friday activities such as presentations, pop culture trivia, and the 10 p.m. OMNIMAX film are primarily designed for visitors 16 years and older.

The public telescope viewings and free 7 p.m. Planetarium show are recommended for all ages.

First Fridays are free – but some events are ticketed.

Check specific event listings for more information, or call 314.289.4439. Tickets for both the free 7 p.m. Planetarium star show and free 10 p.m. OMNIMAX® Theater film are available starting at 6 p.m. on the evening of the First Friday event and are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL MAY 9-19 AT THE GRANDEL

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis—named the “Arts Startup of the Year” for 2019 by the Arts & Education Council–will present Tennessee Williams’ steamy and startling “The Night of the Iguana” as its main stage production at the Grandel Theatre on May 9-19.

Jim Butz, Lavonne Byers, Nisi Sturgis, Elizabeth Townsend, and Harry Weber headline as Americans who are hiding—or seeking—or both—at a seedy Mexican hotel during the run-up to World War II. Tim Ocel will once again direct, having guided last year’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” to a record 11 award nominations by the St. Louis Theater Circle.

The Festival will also feature the Williams comedy that inspired TV’s “The Golden Girls.” Set in the Central West End and featuring an all-female cast, “A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur” will be directed by Kari Ely at Grand Hall, upstairs from the Grandel Theatre.

Bryan Batt, the SAG Award winner (“Mad Men”) and Drama Desk Award nominee (Broadway’s “Sunset Boulevard, “Cats”), will round out the theatrical productions at the Curtain Call Lounge with “Dear Mr. Williams.”

The Festival will also feature panel discussions curated by renowned Williams expert Thomas Mitchell, a bus tour of important Williams sites around St. Louis, a Mother’s Day Sunday jazz brunch, and a tribute featuring curated readings by an array of local actors.

 

LAUMEIER SCULPTURE PARK SPRING ART FAIR MAY 10-12

St. Louis’ favorite Mother’s Day weekend tradition features local food and beverage vendors, hands-on activities for kids, live music and up to 150 juried artists from across the country. Rain or shine; no pets or outside food and beverage allowed. Event proceeds support Laumeier’s presentation of education programs, temporary exhibitions and public events.

The cost is $10 for ages 11 and up; ages 10 and under are free.

Friday, May 10 from 6–10 p.m.

Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Public event parking is free and located at 3636 South Geyer Road directly North of the Park. It is accessible from Southbound Geyer Road or Westbound Rott Road only.

ADA-accessible parking (with tag) is free and located at Laumeier Sculpture Park’s lower entrance at 12580 Rott Road. It is accessible from Westbound Rott Road only.

The City of Sunset Hills Music Festival is also Saturday, May 11 (free with art fair admission).

MEMORIAL ON MAY 11 FOR TOP OF THE TOWER OWNER AUGUST ‘GUS’ RIZZO

Visitation and memorial services will be held for August (Gus) Rizzo on Saturday, May 11, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 15370 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield. Phone Number: 636-532-0540. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The memorial service will begin at noon.

August (Gus) W. Rizzo of O’Fallon, MO died on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at the age of 81. Dear husband of 59 years to Joyce Rizzo; loving father of Kathleen (the late Kevin) O’Brien; Kevin (Kathleen) Rizzo; loving grandfather of Jamie, Thomas, Sarah, Matthew, and Emily; loving brother of Bess (the late Oswald) Pasqual. Gus was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Anna Rizzo, sister Rose (Vito) Gandolfo, and brother Joseph Rizzo. Gus was co-owner of Rizzo’s Top of the Tower Restaurant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriner’s Hospital for Children – St. Louis.

10TH ANNUAL FERGUSON TWILIGHT RUN MAY 18

The Ferguson Twilight Run will celebrate its 10th year on Saturday, May 18, kicking off the evening at Plaza at 501 (501 S. Florissant in Ferguson, MO), an open-air venue in downtown Ferguson. Race distances include one-mile, 5K, 10K and new for 2019, a 10-mile distance. The race is professionally timed by Big River Race Management.

Also new for 2019, the 10K and 10-mile courses will venture along the Ted Jones Trail after winding through closed courses on neighborhood streets. DJ Big Papa G will energize participants during pre-race festivities. The Dirty Muggs, a crowd-pleasing local favorite, will entertain at the post-race concert. Top finishers in the 5K, 10K and 10-mile will earn awards, and finishers for all distances receive medals.

The post-race experience includes health and food vendors. Participants not able to be there in person can join the race virtually any time during race weekend and still receive the race shirt and race medal. The 2019 benefactors are the Audubon Center at Riverlands, the Emerson Family YMCA, Girls on the Run in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Strength and Honor Mentoring and Tutoring, and The Fit and Food Connection. Ferguson Twilight Run received Big River Race Management’s prestigious 2018 Runner’s Choice Award and is a five-time recipient of the Best Neighborhood Support Award.

Sponsors for the 10th Anniversary of the Ferguson Twilight Run include: Peak Performance Sponsors – Centene Charitable Foundation, City of Ferguson, Emerson, Express Scripts, and Ferguson Brewing; and Presenting Sponsors – Negwer Materials, the James Family, Big River Running, Christian Hospital BJC, and the Gerry Noll Family. For more information and to find out how to get involved either by racing, sponsoring or volunteering, please visit www.fergtwilightrun.com or email racedirector@fergtwilightrun.com.

 

STATE-WIDE ‘CLICK IT OR TICKET’ STARTS?MAY 20

Seat Belt Campaign through June 2

As an integral part of this year’s national Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign, which will take place May 20 through June 2, the Hazelwood Police Department will be teaming up with law enforcement nationwide for a Border-to-Border (B2B) kick-off event.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is asking all states to participate in B2B, a one-day national seat belt awareness event on May 20, which is coordinated by participating state highway safety offices and their respective law enforcement liaisons. The B2B program aims to increase law enforcement participation by coordinating highly visible seat belt enforcement and providing seat belt fact sheets for drivers at heavily traveled, highly visible state border checkpoints.

According to NHTSA, there were 10,076 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in U.S. crashes in 2017. In that same year, 55% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 pm to 5:59 am) were not wearing their seat belts. That’s why one focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign and the B2B kick-off event is nighttime enforcement.

“The Border to Border component of the Click It or Ticket campaign is so important because it raises awareness about seat belt safety during the time period when seat belts are least used,” said Hazelwood Police

Chief Gregg Hall. “With an increased number of cars flooding the streets due to the Memorial Day holiday, it’s imperative we get the word out about the importance of seat belt safety.”

“If the enforcement crackdown wakes up people to the dangers of unrestrained driving, we’ll consider our mission a success,” said Chief Hall. “If you know a friend or a family member who doesn’t buckle up when they drive, please ask them to consider changing their habits. Help us spread this lifesaving message before someone you know is killed because of not wearing a seat belt. Seat belts save lives, and everyone – front seat and back, child and adult – needs to remember to buckle up – every trip, every time.”

 

JENNINGS DO-DADS 26TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNEY AIDS YOUTH JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Jennings Do-Dads have announced their   26th annual Juvenile Justice Scholarship Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 22. This year’s tournament will begin with an 8:00am shotgun start at Normandie Golf Club (7605 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis, MO 63133).

In 1988, the Jennings Do-Dads established a scholarship fund at the University of Missouri St. Louis. The first scholarship was awarded in 1993 and since that time, over 40 students have received this scholarship with distributions totaling over $75,000. This scholarship is presented to college students entering their junior year who are planning a career in Juvenile Justice. Since 2009, two of our recipients achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA upon graduation with another nine students achieving a 3.5 or greater GPA (on a 4.0 scale).

The tournament format will feature a four-player team, 18-hole scramble, with prizes being awarded to the top finishers in each of four flights. Refreshments will be available during the event Attendance prizes for all participants.

Team Entry (four players) $360 – Includes greens fees, cart, limited beverages at course, attendance prizes & the post-tournament BBQ luncheon and refreshments. Entry forms and fees are preferred by May 30. Pay online with a credit/debit card via PayPal at www.jenningsdodads.org. Register and pay by May 31. reduced to $340. Credit/debit will be accepted the day of the tournament

 

19TH ANNUAL POND-O-RAMA JUNE 22-23

Pond-O-Rama Tour The St. Louis Water Gardening Society will present its 19th annual water garden and pond tour, Pond-O-Rama, Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The 2019 tour will feature 20 private gardens owned and maintained by Society members. Tickets covering both days of the tour are $15 each and are available early May at retail shops and garden centers throughout the metropolitan area. Everyone on the tour over age 18 requires a separate ticket. The gardens are located throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, including in Illinois. This self-guided tour is arranged each day by geographic location. This year many of our water features are “over the top” and many of our members are new on Pond-O-Rama and excited to share their new ponds and waterfalls. Inspired by his grandfather, a 15-year-old young man built a huge pond himself which will be on tour. There is a massive waterfall and swimming pond by one of our most creative contractors. There are also the quiet and quaint ponds and gentle streams to enjoy. Some members have new water gardens to share, and many have enhanced their current ponds and gardens into outdoor rooms and quaint woodland spaces. This year you will see some very unique and creative designs in waterfalls and ponds, gorgeous koi fish, and fantastic gardens. One garden is also on tour for the Master Gardeners’ tour, and one water garden on tour in Florissant is featured in St Louis Home and Lifestyle Magazine in the April 2019 issue. This event, each year, is the only time St. Louis Water Garden Society members—as a group—open their gardens to the public. This event provides funds for the St Louis Water Garden Society to continue their civic project to plant and maintain the reflecting pools at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. Call (314) 995-2988. Tickets are available by mail order from the Society’s website in early May, www.slwgs.org.

 

*Mark Your Calendar is a regular feature in The Independent News each issue. Items of a 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.

 

Thursday, May 9

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 at 1 p.m. A relaxing hour of strengthening May 9 & 23.

Friday, May 10

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

Saturday, May 11

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.

Tuesday, May 14

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.

Cardinals Celebration! At St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine, with “Bryan Foggs.” Complimentary lunch with entertainment at 10:30 a.m. RSVP by May 10 to 314-838-3877.

Wednesday, May 15

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, May 16

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.

“Summer Trivia” at St. Catherine Retirement Community, 3350 St. Catherine, with ENVISION HomeHealth at 9:30 a.m. Complimentary breakfast at 9 a.m. RSVP by May 10 to 314-838-3877.

Friday, May 17

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.

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

Summerfest Carnival at St. Martin de Porres Church, 615 Dunn Rd, Hours: Fri 5-11, Sat 3-11, Sun 12-7. $25 all day ride arm bands, games, Sat. night chicken dinner, raffles, and food/drink from Pueblo Nuevo. Call 314-895-1100 for more information.

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

Monday, May 20

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.

Wednesday, May 22

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105 every Wednesday, located 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 1p.m. Exercise with a certified aerobics instructor from ENVISION Home Health

Wednesday, May 29

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, May 31

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.

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.

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

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