Sunday News Clips: 3/28

• April is just around the corner, so you know what that means: Earth Day! To commemorate this annual celebration, St. Louis Community College at Flo Valley is once again hosting The Green Fair, its fifth ever. On Wednesday, April 7, the campus will welcome a number of “green” companies and organizations who will conduct demonstrations and share information about their products and services. Exhibitors include the Missouri Department of Conservation, Ferguson Farmers Market, Sierra Club, Horti-Kids, Plowsharing Crafts, Trader Joe’s, Earth Ways Center, R Pizza Farm, and two that I’m especially excited about: La Vista CSA and Replenishing the Earth.

The Green Fair will be held outdoors in the Quad, unless the weather is bad and then it will move into the Student Center. Hours are 11am to 1pm. For more info about The Green Fair or St. Louis Community College’s ongoing sustainability efforts, look here.

• One of the world’s great composers, Frederic Chopin was a Polish-born piano virtuoso known for his distinctive style and technical mastery. He was also an odd and reclusive man whose beautiful, romantic melodies belied his own personal melancholy. To celebrate the 200th birthday of this talented and intriguing musician, UMSL’s Department of Music is hosting the All Chopin Piano Concert on April 8, featuring performances by the students of Alla Voskoboynikova, the college’s coordinator of piano studies. The show runs from 7-9pm at the Touhill and tickets are free.

A few days later, on April 11, Voskoboynikova herself will also perform a free concert at the Touhill, sharing the stage with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra violinist David Halen and guest soprano Miran Halen. Originally from Ukraine, Voskoboynikova once served as a pianist and vocal coach at the Kiev Opera and Ballet. She and Halen will perform works by Rachmaninov, Grieg and others.

• For those of you following the debate over the proposed Riverview Casino near the Confluence, you’ll be interested to know that the city of St. Louis isn’t giving up the fight for Missouri’s 13th and final gaming license, which was recently taken away from the President Casino. According to this article in the St. Louis Business Journal, city officials plan to prepare an official request for a new casino within the St. Louis city limits.

Special Olympian Justin Goolsby is one of several students learning guitar through Strings Attached.

• Congratulations to the good folks at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ferguson, whose innovative music program, Strings Attached, was featured on Show Me St. Louis this week. Reaching out to young people who might not otherwise be able to afford guitar lessons, the church provides all of the instruments for free while students pay just $5 per class. Strings Attached is one of many progressive ministries offered by St. Stephen’s, which I’m proud to say has just signed on as my newest PR client. To see KSDK’s segment on the church’s music program, click here.

• Also making the news this week was Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Ferguson, which was featured in the St. Louis Review for welcoming the Jim and Effie Morrison and their infant son into the Catholic faith. The entire Morrison family will officially join the Church during a special service on Easter Sunday, following months of preparation in OLG’s RCIA program. (Thanks to Nate Bennett at Hendel’s Market Cafe for tipping me off to this story! Speaking of Easter Sunday, Hendel’s is planning a very special brunch for that day. Don’t miss it!)

• For 28 years, the White Barn in Moline Acres has been serving up some of the best hamburgers in North County. And pretty soon, Barn lovers will have two locations to choose from: the original and a new spot in the former Rally’s building near the Florissant Post Office. Look for a full feature on this classic NoCo business in the next few weeks!

• Who says you can’t have fun at a grocery store? On April 10 from noon to 1pm, the employees at Schnucks in Cool Valley will be hosting Story Time for Kids, showing off the skills they’ve learned from master storyteller Loretta Washington. The event is free and open to all, and children can enjoy crafts, prizes and healthy snacks in addition to the storytelling. 1225 S. Florissant Rd, 63121

• It’s hard to believe but Florissant’s Valley of Flowers festival is just seven weeks away! If you want to participate in the parade, dog show, car show, craft fair, flea market, pretty baby contest or 5K race, the deadline for most applications is April 5! You can find the online applications here.

• Finally, a huge thank you to NOCO’s newest sponsors: David Naumann and Associates and Brian Duenow, The Wall Fixer! Dave is an attorney and North County native who is currently writing a book about the history of our community. He’s also an avid hiker who has shared some of his “secret” local trails with me, which I plan to pass along to NOCO readers very soon.

Brian, on the other hand, only recently moved to North County but he has already shared a great local tip of his own. A talented painter and plaster repairer by trade, he lived in Thailand for eight months and considers the food at Simply Thai on N. Lindbergh to be incredibly authentic. He says Simply Thai is the only restaurant in St. Louis where you’ll find Massaman Curry, a Muslim dish with strong Indian flavors.

I’m so proud to have both of these great guys as NOCO sponsors! Please support their businesses if you can!

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