All Entries Tagged With: "bicycling"
Bikes, houses, farmers & stars – Another fun NoCo weekend!
Live Well Ferguson's Twilight Ramble returns for its second year, offering cyclists the chance to tour some of Ferguson's many scenic byways. Photo: flickr/livewellferguson
NOCO fans, I sure hope you’re crossing your fingers for more of this beautiful fall weather, because there’s lots to do in North County this weekend! Which of these fun events are calling your name?
Live Well Ferguson Twilight Ramble – November 6, 3-7pm
In case you haven’t noticed, Ferguson is developing quite a vibrant bicycling community. The Ferguson Cycling Club just hosted a bike-in movie and a ghost tour of Bellefontaine Cemetery. Ferguson’s city employees are now using bikes to get around town. And thanks in large part to the efforts of Live Well Ferguson, the city’s healthy living initiative, we just became the first Missouri town to win national honors as a Playful City USA.
To help celebrate these milestones, Live Well is sponsoring another great two-wheel event: the second annual Twilight Ramble. Scheduled for Sunday, November 6, this casual bike ride through the streets and trails of Ferguson offers three options – 1 mile, 5 miles or 15 miles – all with gorgeous scenery. The event is free and open to all ages, but registration is required and you must wear a helmet. The first 100 participants will receive a free t-shirt. There’s also free food and live music. Plaza @ 501, 501 S. Florissant, 63135
EarthDance Farmers Formal – November 5, 6-11pm
As most of you know, I’m a big fan of EarthDance, the progressive nonprofit that works the land at Missouri’s oldest organic farm, just two blocks away here in Ferguson. EarthDance is a regular at the Ferguson Farmers Market, and has also hosted numerous events in NoCo, including the annual Pesto Festo. But this year, founder Molly Rockamann decided to take a different route.
Pesto Festo, EarthDance’s biggest fundraiser, has now morphed into the Farmers Formal…..a slightly more upscale event that will be held at Washington University’s College Hall (as opposed to the Savoy in Ferguson). Tickets are $75 per person and that includes a full dinner courtesy of Bon Appetit, an open bar with beer, wine and cocktails, silent and live auctions, and live music by the One Take Band and the Bottoms Up Blues Gang. Wear your best farmer duds and get ready to feast on local vegetables, meats and cheeses! You can get your tickets and more info right here.
Catch a glimpse of the Andromeda Galaxy at the UMSL Observatory's free open house this Saturday night.
UMSL Observatory Open House – November 5, 7:30pm
If you haven’t been to UMSL’s observatory yet, you’re truly missing out on one of the coolest attractions in North County. It’s just a simple metal shed sitting just beyond a softball field, but its high-powered telescope offers a brilliant view of the magnificent universe that surrounds us. This month, the observatory will offer viewings of Jupiter, Uranus, the Ring Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy, as well as the first-quarter moon. And the best part is, it’s all free! Just walk up and get in line, and if you have any questions about the stars, there will be an expert nearby. For directions and more info, look here. Kids welcome!
Discover Your Dream Home in Ferguson – November 6, 1:30 – 4pm
The real estate market may be down right now, but for many people in a decent financial position, the time has never been better to buy! Deals abound all across the metro area, but here in Ferguson you can really stretch your dollar. So why not learn more about the city’s housing stock at this free one-day event, where you can also hear about financing options and local schools and get a tour of various open houses. My own broker, Pearce Neikirk, will be participating. (Can’t wait to tell you about one of his newest listings tomorrow….)
Carmen Dence & Grupo Atlantico – November 5, 7:30pm
Finally, one last event to talk about….and this one is exotic! As part of UMSL’s upcoming Women in the Arts international conference, the university is hosting a very special performance by Carmen Sofia Dence, a Colombian-American folkloric dancer and choreographer who founded the St. Louis-based dance troupe Grupo Atlantico. Free and open to the public, “Bullerengue” is the name of the program, which celebrates the music and dance of Colombia and Panama and of course features beautiful costumes! Unity Lutheran Church, 8454 Glen Echo Drive, 63121
Hope to see you at one or more of these unique local events!
The Better Block Project is headed to Ferguson
Aiming to envision what a truly vibrant & walkable neighborhood might look like, the Dallas community of Oak Cliff became the first participant in the Better Block Project. Now this innovative program is coming to Ferguson...
Even if this wasn’t the Show-Me State, human nature dictates that most people need to see before they believe. That’s especially true when it comes to something as “big” as community revitalization. For when you live in a neighborhood full of vacant storefronts and run-down properties, it can be pretty hard to look beyond the current reality and dream of a better day.
But dream we must, because that’s the first step toward action. And if we’re going to dream, we might as well do it in full vibrant color, with as much detail as possible. That’s the thinking behind the Better Block Project, an incredibly innovative program in which cities experiment with what’s possible by temporarily installing their ideal vision of a business district.
I like to think of it as “fake it ’til you make it.” Essentially, the community closes off a section of a street and fills it with outdoor seating, bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly gathering areas. It also welcomes temporary businesses to set up shop in vacant commercial space and encourages a “street fair” environment with activities like live music and arts & crafts.
So far, a handful of cities across the country have participated in the Better Block Project, most with great results. And now I’m very proud to say that my hometown, Ferguson, will be joining these progressive ranks!
On Saturday, October 15, the city will shut down part of Florissant Road between Adams and Carson, installing a “Better Block” from the hours of 10am to 10pm. Through September 17, they’ll also be accepting applications for the temporary businesses who want to operate during the event.
Just to give you an idea of what the Better Block Project looks like, and how it might spur positive neighborhood changes and new economic activity, here’s an inspiring video from the very first event in Dallas:
To learn more about Ferguson’s Better Block event, contact Natasha Ramey at (314) 524-5196. If you need a vendor application, you’ll find it right here.
Once again, bravo Ferguson!!
Ferguson launches innovative city bike program
Several Ferguson city employees recently completed training for bicycle handling and safety and are now using loaner bikes to get around town.
If you’ve noticed a few extra bicyclists on Ferguson roadways lately, chances are they were city employees. That’s because Ferguson just became the first municipality in St. Louis to offer a loaner bicycle program for city staff!
Using a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant, the city purchased the fleet of ten bikes several years ago and has been sharing them with residents during Live Well Ferguson’s Sunday Parkways events. But on regular work days, Ferguson employees are now urged to use the bikes for short trips and exercise. They’re also tracking their miles cycled and calories burned in Trailnet’s Shift Your Commute challenge, a regional competition between local workplaces that encourages employees to commute by bike.
Of course, this city loaner program isn’t quite the project a few of us proposed last year. We were hoping to offer free bike rentals to the general public, centered around the Ferguson Brewhouse and the Ted Jones Trail nearby. But hey, this is pretty darn awesome! A great start for a city that always seems to be rolling forward….
Bravo, Ferguson!
Trailnet hosts a trio of fun & healthy local events
More than 200 people participated in last year's Yoga Within the Confluence event, which will return for 2011 on September 18. Photo: Lynn DeLearie
In the St. Louis area, there are few major nonprofits that host regular events in North County. But obviously, nobody told Trailnet. Over the past decade, this 23-year-old organization has spearheaded a number of important initiatives in our neck of the woods – from conservation efforts and bicycling classes to trail building and trash pick-up. Now, Trailnet is gearing up for three more fun events….
Taste of Thies Farm Ride – August 13
First up, this Saturday, bring the whole family for this group-led bicycle ride exploring one of the oldest farms in St. Louis – NoCo’s own Thies Farm, founded in 1885. Thies Farm prides itself on having a wide variety of fresh homegrown produce, and on Saturday, August 13th, they’ll have a free sample day. Riders will get a chance to try late summer veggies fresh off the grill, including Thies’ homegrown sweet corn. As an added treat, Trailnet will have its bike blender stationed nearby, so participants can make their very own smoothie from farm fresh peaches by jumping on the bike and pedaling to power the blender.
The Thies Farm ride is a five-mile trip that’s ideal for riders of all ages and abilities. To join in this free event, show up at Vinita Park City Hall (8374 Midland Blvd, 63114) between 9am and 9:30 on Saturday, August 13. The ride will also end here.
Complete Streets Advocacy Training – August 27
Are you interested in making your community more walkable, bikeable and accessible? If so, don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about Complete Streets Advocacy Training, sponsored by Trailnet, MU Extension and Beyond Housing.
Many communities throughout our region, state and nation are working to develop more complete streets. A Complete Street (also called a Livable Street) allows all residents to safely walk, bike, wheel, or drive around their community. Complete Streets support children walking to school, independence for seniors and people with disabilities, and safe cycling. Complete Streets also provide safe access to physical activity for all residents regardless of ability. Seven municipalities in the St. Louis region have already committed to building Complete Streets through the adoption of local Complete Streets policies, including Ferguson here in North County.
On Saturday, August 27, citizens and local lawmakers are invited to learn how they might implement a Complete Streets program in their own community. This free event will take place from 9am to 1pm at the Natural Bridge Branch Library, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. Register online at tinyurl.com/completestreetstraining or by calling Romi Pierce from Beyond Housing at (314) 280-8759.
Yoga Within the Confluence – September 18
OK, so technically this is a field trip, since it’s just beyond our NoCo borders, but how cool! For the third year in a row, Trailnet is bringing yoga lovers together for an inspiring class near the magnificent Mississippi-Missouri Confluence.
Last year, the event was held at Cahokia Mounds and drew more than 200 participants. This year, it inches even closer to the actual Confluence, with a sweeping view of the water from the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Located in West Alton, this enchanting place sprawls over 3,700 acres and is home to an ever-changing array of birds and other wildlife.
Show up there on September 18 from 9:30 to 11am and you’ll also find “local musicians and a flowing yoga practice led by guest instructors from throughout the region.” The event is free but donations are welcome. Bring a blanket or yoga mat, a water bottle and (just to be safe) bug spray.
The Audubon Center at Riverlands, within the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386
