Would you like to run or walk in Live Well Ferguson's Twilight 5K on May 15? Free training for people of all fitness levels starts in March!

One of the best things about North County is the abundance of hiking and biking trails, but of course, you have to be at least somewhat fit to use them. Not being in peak shape myself, I often feel like I’m missing out on so many great adventures right in my own backyard. That’s why I’m very proud to be co-sponsoring an event that has one simple mission: to get the people of NoCo up and moving!

On May 15, Live Well Ferguson is hosting its inaugural Twilight 5K, and not only is NOCO a sponsor but yours truly has volunteered to be a racer in training! Starting this week, Dwayne James, Blue Tapp Scheffer and I (all of whom are at different fitness levels) will be blogging about our progress as we prepare for the race.

Blue, who runs a local website company, is an avid runner and cyclist who is also training for the Go! St. Louis marathon. She’s our “advanced” trainee. Dwayne, a Ferguson city councilman, is our fit but rusty “intermediate” trainee who has run 5Ks before and is looking to improve on his personal best. And me, I’m the “beginner” – an out-of-shape writer preparing to walk the 5K and hopefully lose a few pounds in the process.

Between now and May 15, I’ll be working with personal trainer Lyle Johnson, whose company MVP Fitness runs boot camps right here in North County. My goal in doing this is obviously to improve my own health, but I also hope to inspire other couch potatoes to rise to the challenge and walk with me in the Twilight 5K.

If you’re interested in training, we have two free programs available, both starting in March:

Couch to 5K – As the name implies, this is a proven program to get beginning runners or individuals wishing to improve their fitness level off the couch and onto the streets. The program is progressive, as we will start off slowly and graduate weekly, building both confidence and physical stamina.

This is a non-competitive program as our goal is to finish the race, regardless of time. We will meet Mon./Wed./Fri. evenings at 6:00 P.M. for this nine-week program starting March 15, 2010.  Each session should last no more than 45 minutes, including warm up and cool down. If you can currently run or jog 10 minutes nonstop, this program is not for you. Please contact Pat Shelton for more information.

Saturday Intermediate Training – The Saturday 5K Training Program will be led by Blue and her husband, Craig, who are both currently training for the GO! St. Louis Half Marathon this April. This nine-week program, starting March 20, 2010 at 9am, is intended for beginning to intermediate level runners but is open to all interested participants.

We will meet in various Ferguson locations, depending upon the day’s activity. Each session should last no more than 45 minutes. Activities will include short runs up to 3 miles through Ferguson neighborhoods, hill training at January Wabash Park and Jeske Park, and interval drills at the Florissant Valley Community College track. For more info, contact Blue Tapp Scheffer.

Come on, North County! If I can do this, so can you! Let’s get fit and have fun together!

Mark you calendars! For the next five weeks, there's a fish fry every Friday.

Having grown up Catholic, I’ve attended my fair share of Lenten fish fries, and one thing is certain: not all fish fries are created equally! I’m still lamenting the sad little cod square I got several years ago at one church. Fortunately, I’ve also enjoyed a number of home-style fish fries in North County, where every fillet is hand-breaded and actually looks like a fillet, and where even the side dishes have been lovingly prepared.

With Lent just starting, I haven’t been able to personally test every one of these fish fries, so I’m relying on the recommendations of NOCO readers in many cases. This is by no means a comprehensive list of every Friday night fish fry in the area, but I think it represents some of the best. Prices average $7-8 per adult meal, plus drinks and dessert.

St. Ferdinand: 1735 Charbonier, 63031, 3-7pm

This granddaddy of NoCo fish fries, which the parish has been running for 40 years, is open year-round and always draws a huge crowd. The fish is excellent; the seamless assembly line is even more impressive! Fried and Cajun catfish, fried and baked cod, shrimp, chicken, pie and more

Our Lady of Guadalupe: 1115 S. Florissant Rd, 63135, 11am-2pm, 3:30-7pm

If you like your fish with a Mexican twist, try this fish fry, which draws on the parish’s large Hispanic congregation and is also open for lunch. Fried cod, baked tilapia, fish tacos, shrimp, guacamole, clam chowder, baked apples, mac & cheese and quesadillas

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: 3500 St. Catherine, 63033, 4-7pm

I’ve gotten LOTS of emails touting the tastiness of this fish fry. Fried Alaskan cod, poppy seed coleslaw, clam chowder, French fries, green beans & hush puppies

American Legion #444: 17090 Old Jamestown, 63034, 4-7pm

Open since January, this fish fry offers a serene setting in the woods! Fish by the pound, plate or sandwich, plus spaghetti, baked beans, coleslaw and hush puppies

Holy Trinity: 3500 St. Luke, 63074, 4-7pm

Another parish with a growing Hispanic congregation, this fish fry features handmade chile rellenos!! Grilled salmon, fried and baked cod, grilled cheese, fried catfish, grilled and fried shrimp, spaghetti, mac & cheese and applesauce

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: 1050 Smith Ave, 63135, 4-7pm

Drive-thru service is the big draw here, but you can also eat in. I’ve enjoyed this fish fry many times. Cod, shrimp, catch of the day, two soups, pizza and more

St. Andrew United Methodist: 3975 N. Lindbergh, 63034, 4:30-7pm

Fried fish, baked chicken, spaghetti, coleslaw, baked beans and hush puppies

Holy Name of Jesus: 10235 Ashbrook Dr, 63137, 3:30-6:30pm

Baked or fried cod, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw and French fries

St. Ann: 7532 Natural Bridge, 63121, 5-7pm

Baked or fried cod, shrimp, coleslaw, salad and spaghetti

Knights of Columbus #2951: 50 St. Francois, 63031, 3:30-7pm

Battered cod, jumbo shrimp, spaghetti, mac & cheese, green beans

If you try any of these fish fries, I’d love to hear what you think! Happy eating!

Every month, the public can enjoy free viewings of the night sky at UMSL's Schwartz Observatory. Photo credit: Mark Scott Abeln, Rome of the West*

You may already know that North County played a huge role in the history of the US space program and that all of the Gemini and Mercury space capsules were built right here, at the former McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. But did you realize that NoCo is also home to two of the three public observatories in St. Louis?

Both UMSL and the Pattonville School District have observatories that are open to the public, for free, at least once a month for most of the year. And wow, what an amazing view they offer!

Technically, UMSL has the stronger telescope – a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain Celestron versus Pattonville’s new 10″ Meade – but Pattonville has the distinction of being the first school or college in Missouri to open its own observatory and planetarium, way back in 1967. Perfect for cloudy evenings, the planetarium can hold up to 25 people and offers a 360-degree projected view of the galaxy. And yes, it’s free too!

Both observatories have staff or students on hand to answer astronomy questions, so come prepared to learn. And if you’re heading to UMSL, dress for the weather. The observatory is outdoors.

For more info and specific directions to the upcoming open houses, just follow the links below:

Pattonville Observatory: March 5, 7:30pm. See Saturn, a near full moon, celestial six pack, M42, star birth, star life cycle and star colors.

UMSL’s Schwartz Observatory: March 20, 7:30pm. See Saturn, Mars, Venus, a first quarter moon and the Beehive Cluster.

UPDATE, 2/26: Turns out NoCo has THREE observatories open to the public! Thanks to Max Slover and KCFV’s Tim Gorry for letting me know that Flo Valley’s observatory, located on top of the college library, will be open for tours as part of the campus open house: April 10, 11am-2pm.

(*The lovely image in this post was taken by Mark Scott Abeln, a very talented photographer who runs a fascinating blog about Catholic St. Louis called Rome of the West. Check it out!)

The sunny personality of Prasad "Pete" Devi is just one of many reasons to visit Pete's Cafe, an Indian-American deli that opened two weeks ago in Florissant.

Every so often I find myself in a food rut, bored with pretty much everything in my fridge. I was feeling that way lately, when quite serendipitously I happened to see the sign for Pete’s Cafe. This Indian-American deli, which owner Prasad “Pete” Devi says is the first of its kind in the Midwest, features a simple storefront in an otherwise unremarkable strip mall. But oh, what complex and wonderful flavors this restaurant creates!

Devi is an experienced chef who trained in both New York and London, and he comes from a long line of restaurateurs. Not only is his father a chef but his extended family runs a chain of successful restaurants in the southern Indian state of Kerala, a popular tourist destination.

The tasty Volcano Wrap from Pete's Cafe

Southern Indian food, of course, is known for its robust spices, particularly curry, and Devi has built on this rich tradition while still adding his own twist. “What I make is a fusion of Indian and American food,” he says. “A lot of people think that curry dishes are messy, so I came up with the idea to present them in ways that are more approachable.”

Making all of his own sauces and spice blends, Devi prepares Indian classics like Chicken Tikka and Keema Beef but serves them in a more Americanized sandwich form – what he calls “Indian on a Bun.” I got one of his Volcano Wraps to go (a delicious sweet and spicy blend of rice, chicken, beef and fresh herbs, all wrapped in a soft pita) and I swear my car has never smelled so good! Next time, I plan to try the Chicken Vindaloo, an Indian staple, and the Kofta Korma meatballs, made with spices from the northern mountains of India.

With menu prices ranging from $3.65 to $10, Pete’s also offers breakfast sandwiches, omelets, curry and rice dishes, a unique house potato salad and NoCo’s own TJ’s Pizza – a concession to kids and others whose palettes aren’t quite so adventurous. Vegetarian dishes are also in the works down the line.

A warm, cheerful decor greets customers at Pete's Cafe.

In choosing his Florissant location, Devi, who moved from India to New York at age nine and has lived in St. Louis for five years, was attracted to the affordability and friendly, family atmosphere of the North County area. “My goal is to be a nice, neighborhood store where I know my customers and they know me. That’s why I want to serve good food at reasonable prices,” he says. “I’m here to be a part of this community.”

Pete’s Cafe is located at 503 Paul Ave, 63031 – half way between Lindbergh and Howdershell on Charbonier. Hours: M-F 8am-9:30pm and Sat 10am-10pm. Dine in, carry out and catering. (314) 921-PETE

Our first brave guinea pig in the Music of NoCo is Ann Fink, a talented decorative painter and all-around Renaissance woman who serves on Ferguson’s Volunteer Flower Department and lives in a charming 1860s home that she and her husband, Gary, lovingly restored.

These days, Ann is listening to an old classic that brings back fond memories: David Oistrakh’s hauntingly beautiful 1962 version of “Claire de Lune” by Debussy.

“I love this piece because, as a child we had an old Steinway Concert Grand large enough for 5 “stair-stepped” kids (and at least 2 pets) to lie under; swept away by my Mom’ s love for this music,” she says.

“In her girlhood, my Mom babysat for an alcoholic woman in her neighborhood to get access to a piano and lessons so she might teach herself to play Debussy, Beethoven and Shostakovich. They say you can’t go home again, but this music transcends time and must surely be part heaven and earth.”

So what are you listening to? Email me (shannon AT nocostl.com) to submit your favorite song.

North County native Steve Scorfina, a founding member of REO Speedwagon, is the subject of a documentary playing at The Savoy on March 6.

Bring up the subject of music in Ferguson and it’s only a matter of time before somebody mentions Michael McDonald. The famous singer/songwriter, who played in both Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, grew up in Ferguson, of course. But the local musicians who collaborated with him back then and who went on to achieve their own successes – that’s a story rarely told. Until now.

On March 6, the life and work of guitarist Steve Scorfina will be showcased in a documentary film called “Old Dog, New Trick,” and wow, is this an intriguing North County tale! Scorfina played with McDonald in a (McCluer) high school band called Mike and the Majestics in the 1960s, then eventually went on to become the founding guitarist of REO Speedwagon and later a member of the popular St. Louis “prog rock” band, Pavlov’s Dog.

During the 1970s, he was thrown full-speed into the crazy world of rock and roll, experiencing all the sex and drugs that went along with it. In the 80s, he penned songs that Alice Cooper and the Smashing Pumpkins would later cover and spent several years collaborating with Mike Somerville of Head East.

Today, at age 60, Scorfina is still rockin’ but he also works as a scrappy antiques dealer and flea market vendor, which makes for quite a compelling documentary. Filmmakers Thomas Crone and Mike Steinberg have created an entertaining, very personal flick that reveals someone who has seen and done an awful lot in his lifetime, but who, at the end of the day, is really just a guy who loves music.

When “Old Dog, New Trick” premiered at last fall’s St. Louis International Film Festival, it was one of the “top ten must-see” entries. For the March 6 showing, filmgoers will not only be able to watch this celebrated documentary (and spot some area locations), they’ll also be treated to a live concert by the guitarist himself!

Scorfina will perform songs from his CD “Dog Trax” and will be joined by special guest Ave Maria Clay and members of Good Feelin’, his 1970s St. Louis psychedelic band.

If you like great storytelling and good old-fashioned rock and roll, be sure not to miss this exciting event! Tickets are $12 in advance ($15 at the door) and can be purchased at the NAC Gallery, Thyme Table Cafe, CORK Wine Bar, Scotty’s Music, Euclid Records, Star Clipper, Glad Rags, and all CD & Music Reunion stores.

“Old Dog, New Trick” will play at 7pm on Saturday, March 6, at the historic Savoy, 119 S. Florissant Rd, 63135. Doors open at 6pm.

OLD DOG NEW TRICK trailer from Mike Steinberg on Vimeo.