All Entries Tagged With: "Bridgeton"
Taqueria El Morelia: a perfect North County lunch
When I lived in Los Angeles, there was no food more glorious than the delicious Mexican fare sold at my neighborhood taco stand. Cheap and filling, often reflecting many generations of cherished family recipes, it was always my favorite go-to lunch. That’s why I was totally psyched today to stumble upon a wonderful L.A.-style taco stand right here in North County.
My husband had to run into the El Morelia Hispanic Supermarket on the Rock Road to buy some tortillas, and was surprised to find there was a line winding out the front door. Turns out, just inside was a small makeshift cafe churning out plate after plate of fresh-made tacos, with dozens of people waiting to eat.
At least four kinds of meat were sizzling on the grill, and just in front of the cooking area was a table covered with large ceramic bowls, each generously filled with fresh toppings like cilantro, salsa and radishes. We ordered two chicken soft tacos for $1.79 each, and they arrived just a few minutes later, wrapped in steaming hot corn tortillas. Yum!
Apparently, this delightful little stand is called Taqueria El Morelia and it’s only open on the weekends, 9am to 5pm. It’s also tacos-only and cash-only, but the flavors and the atmosphere are well worth it. You can even eat there if you’d like. They have a few tables set up just inside the front door, not far from the large and beautiful Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine. Check it out…
El Morelia Super Mercado, 12005 Saint Charles Rock Road, 63044, (314) 209-0014
Discover “Treasures of the Earth” in Bridgeton
Crack open your very own geode at the annual Treasures of the Earth gem & mineral show, going on today through Sunday at the Machinists Hall in Bridgeton.
When I wrote about the gem show last year, I got a handful of emails saying, “BORING! What’s so fun about rocks?” And the first thing I thought was…..well, you obviously haven’t been to the gem show! Because while not everyone has an interest in the science of geology (including me), I bet there are a whole lot of people who’d find it pretty awesome to hold a real dinosaur bone, or to be the first person on earth to see the sparkling interior of an ancient geode.
Add in glow-in-the-dark minerals, amazing fossils, luminous quartz crystals, carved stone sculptures and a huge mess of beads of other jewelry-making materials, and there’s definitely a little something for everyone at Treasures of the Earth, the annual show hosted by the Greater St. Louis Association of Earth Science Clubs for nearly 20 years.
This year’s show opens at 3pm today and will continue through Sunday. Stop by and you’ll find vendors from several states, as well as a neat selection of special exhibits:
- Fossils Through Geologic Time: Members of the Eastern Missouri Society for Paleontology present fossils from many periods of geologic time.
- Marine Invertebrate Fossils: Steven Holley (Farmington, Illinois) showcases four major marine fossil groups. His exhibits on Brachiopods, Ammonites, Crinoids, and Trilobites show the diversity within these groups and in the ancient seas.
- Missouri Mines State Historic Site: Art Hebrank, Director, is bringing a display of worldwide mineral specimens from the Site’s museum in Park Hills, Missouri, plus information on the history of mining in eastern Missouri.
- Fluorescent Minerals: Robert Morse (Troy, Missouri) is displaying his collection of fluorescent minerals and glassware in a separate room off the main exhibit hall. He will talk about the nature of fluorescence and demonstrate the appearance of the specimens under short wave and long wave ultraviolet “black” light.
- Touch Rocks: Willis Smith (Calverton Park, Missouri) is providing a collection of rocks and minerals that everyone is invited to touch. Children are welcome!
Treasures of the Earth will be held at the Bridgeton Machinists Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd, 63044. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for ages 6-17, and FREE for scouts & scout leaders in uniform. Hours are Friday, 3 – 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm; and Sunday, 11 am -5 pm.
Just in case you can’t make it, here are a few photos from last year’s show. In fact, all of the pics in this story are from previous events, so the 2011 lineup may be slightly different. Still, expect lots to look at…
Time Capsule: a fun hodgepodge for summertime
Ever notice the Chinese restaurant next to the Ferguson Farmers Market? Well, this is what it looked like as King's Pharmacy, one of the first pharmacies in St. Louis to have drive-thru service.
What happened to the time capsule? That’s what a reader asked me recently. She was talking about one of my most neglected NOCO categories, Time Capsule, which I admit has been a bit ignored. I usually like to focus on North County today, to keep reminding people that we still have a great community up here, but I was cleaning out my files this week and found some goodies that I just had to share.
I actually have a pretty large collection of paper (and digital) items related to North County’s history – maps, postcards, old shopping center directories, etc – so you can expect to see quite a few “capsules” opened in the coming months. Here’s a preview to get us started, just an odd mix of images from all over NoCo….
The old Woolworth's at River Roads Mall in Jennings, which opened in the 1950s and closed in 1991. Remember the lower level?
An early view of Lambert Airport, sans Highway 70
A swinging airport hotel, the Parkway House, in what has to be the 60s
Formerly located at 3570 N. Lindbergh, the Parkway House is described on the back of this postcard as such: “St. Louis’ most unique host. In the main building, each unit is a 3-room suite including living room, bedroom, kitchenette with executive bar, deluxe bath and private terrace. Heated swimming pool. Home of the famous Corinthian Room. Illustrated are two of the new, plush Sir Richard suites complete with sunken living room, executive bar and luxurious ultra-modern decor with king and queen beds.”
Here’s the kind of action you might have seen in the “famous Corinthian Room,” well before the Parkway House became a divey motel/apartment complex like it is today.
Don Cunningham Quartet at Parkway House, St. Louis, September 1965. Photo credit: Picasa/Richard A Oberle
An architectural drawing of the proposed new church building at St. Ann's in Normandy. I'm guessing the steeple didn't make the cut.
Finally, here’s a vintage matchbook made right here in Ferguson, commemorating a place I miss every single time I drive down Florissant Road. Can you imagine how awesome it would be if there was still a bowling alley in downtown Ferguson?!
Ahh, a girl can dream….
North County cities will be “booming” on July 4th
The weather may be hot and swampy tomorrow but that won’t stop several North County municipalities from celebrating Independence Day. If you’re still deciding where to get your fireworks fix, or you’re looking for a parade to watch, here’s what our local cities have to offer (in their own words):
FERGUSON
Join us for the 35th annual full day of fun on Independence Day!
The day will begin with a parade stepping off at 10:00 a.m. The route starts at Suburban Avenue, heading north on Florissant Road into January-Wabash Memorial Park. Prizes will be awarded to the best parade entries.
Opening ceremonies begin at noon with a presentation of awards to Ferguson’s Citizens of the Year. The event will feature food and beverage booths, contests and an outstanding array of entertainment throughout the afternoon. The festival concludes with a spectacular fireworks display in January-Wabash Park.
All are welcome to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday in Ferguson!
Schedule
10:00 a.m. Parade Starts
Noon – park closing Food, Beverage and Game Booths Open
Live Music
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Stoney End Rock Classics
4:30– 6:30 p.m. Chaz 45 R&B, Funk and Classic Rock
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Bryant featuring Tom Bryant, former lead singer of Head East
Children’s Area
Noon – 7:00 p.m. Free Kids Rides, 62 Sports
Noon – 7:00 p.m. Free Show-Me Safari Exotic Animal Petting Zoo
Noon – 7:00 p.m. Free Show-Me Safari Pony Rides
1:00 p.m. Show-Me Safari Racing Pigs
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. BeBe the Clown – Face painting
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Circus Harmony Performers
1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Dana’s Crafts
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Sheltered Reality – Music with Meaning
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Heaven’s Handful Puppets
3:00 p.m. Show-Me Safari Racing Pigs
5:00 p.m. Show-Me Safari Racing Pigs
7:00 p.m. Show-Me Safari Racing Pigs
Fireworks
9:15 p.m. Fireworks Spectacular in January-Wabash Memorial Park
FLORISSANT
Florissant’s Independence Day celebration will be held on the grounds of the James J. Eagan Civic Center at Florissant Valley Park. Festivities begin with an outdoor concert performance by the Northwinds Concert Band at 7:30pm.
Following the concert, the City of Florissant is sponsoring its renowned Fireworks Presentation at dusk. This year’s extravaganza features a dazzling fireworks presentation combining brilliant shells, color sequencing, dimensional frontage, and low and high level aerial combinations.
Florissant’s show has always been very heavily attended and is widely honored and acclaimed by thousands of Florissant and North County sightseers. So bring out the blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy top notch, free entertainment for the entire family.
In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks display ONLY will be held the following evening (July 5 at 9:30PM). For additional information, please call the James J. Eagan Center at 314-921-4466.
HAZELWOOD
If you thought last year’s Fourth of July fireworks show was awesome, you’re in for a bigger surprise in 2011! Plus, the Hazelwood Parks and Recreation Division still has a full schedule of summer activities planned to keep you and your family busy until Labor Day weekend.
The City of Hazelwood hired Lantis Fireworks of St. Louis to do this year’s pyromusical presentation and the company plans to shoot off twice as many rockets. It’s going to be a thrilling 24-minute red, white and blue extravaganza that will have you mesmerized the entire time!
Hazelwood’s July 4th fireworks show will take place a White Birch Park, 1186 Teson Road, starting at dusk. Admission is free and open to the public. Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets, snacks and coolers. However, no glass containers are allowed.
Additional parking will be available at Hazelwood West High School and Armstrong Elementary School with shuttle bus service beginning at 7 p.m. More parking can be found at the Knights of Columbus, 1216 Teson Road.
BRIDGETON
July 4th Parade – The theme for this year’s parade will be Let’s Go Green!. The parade is scheduled to begin promptly at 10 a.m.
Festivities at BMAC
Evening activities will be held at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex beginning at 6 p.m. with clowns, food vendors, a live band concert by Trilogy and it’s all capped off with a fireworks extravaganza at dark. Parking will be available at the St. Louis Auto Auction and Crane National Vendors parking lots on Taussig Road just south of the sports complex. Please plan to arrive early and follow instructions given by Bridgeton Police Officers. There is no shuttle service from any park facility.
Join us on the Fourth, it will be a blast!
