All Entries Tagged With: "Ferguson"
Marley’s hosting Ferguson Washers Tournament
If you’ve ever enjoyed Ferguson’s Independence Day festivities, you can thank the volunteers of the Ferguson 4th of July Committee, who spend all year fundraising just to make the event possible. They usually sell raffle tickets and host potluck dinners and dances, but on May 5, the committee is launching a new money-maker: the Ferguson Championship Washers Tournament.
To be held at Marley’s Bar & Grill, the competition is a double elimination match. And get this…the winning team scores a cash prize and a featured spot in the 4th of July Parade! There’s also a cash prize for second & third place, and everybody gets a t-shirt.
To sign up, send $25 (payable to Ferguson 4th of July Festival) to the Parks & Rec office, 501 N. Florissant, 63135. Include your team name, the names of your two team members, and your shirt sizes. If you have any questions, call Nancy at (314) 521-4661.
The Ferguson Championship Washers Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 1pm @ Marley’s. Registration starts at 11:30am.
By the way, May 5 is also Cinco de Mayo, which Marley’s is celebrating with margarita specials and $1 deep fried tacos. The breakfast of champions!
Cheers to Ferguson Brewing on 2 great years!
Six or seven years ago, when Joe Lonero and I would sit in a parking lot somewhere and kick around ideas for downtown Ferguson, I don’t think either of us ever envisioned the day when he would be running a wildly successful microbrewery. But things have a way of falling into place when Joe gets involved, so it’s not exactly a surprise either.
It was his hard work and creative vision that gave birth to Ferguson Brewing Company, and Joe was right there, getting his hands dirty, every single step of the way. Of course, as many readers know, he ran into some health problems last year and is still fighting for a full recovery. But I think it’s a great testament to his leadership and business acumen (and that of his son Mike) that the microbrewery has continued to grow and thrive even without him directly at the helm.
April marks the two-year anniversary of Joe’s brilliant labor of love, and I know I’m not the only who plans to raise a glass and join him in celebrating! This Saturday, April 14, the Brewhouse is hosting a big birthday party from 1-5pm, and I will definitely be there.
Tickets are $25 and include beer samples from 15 different local breweries - Augusta Brewing Company, Crown Valley Brewing, Buffalo Brewing, Morgan Street Brewery, William K Busch Brewing, Square One Brewery, Perinial Artisan Ales, Griesedieck Brothers, Charleville Brewing, 4 Hands Brewing, Urban Chestnut, Kirkwood Station, Trailhead Brewing, Cathedral Square, Six Row Brewing, and Ferguson Brewing. You can also enjoy light snacks, live music and a souvenir glass.
So what do you say? Wanna join me in a toast of North County’s first and only microbrewery? You can grab your tickets right here.
My Birthday Wish: a North County tool library
Happy spring, NOCO fans! What a beautiful day! Today is actually my 40th birthday, so you know what that means…. I get to make a wish!
I realize it’s supposed to remain a secret and all, but I think this is meant to be shared. That’s because my wish is for something we could all benefit from: a community tool library!
I’m sure you know how the regular library works: people borrow books & media on the honor system. Well, a tool library runs exactly the same way, except with home improvement supplies.
The first tool library in the US opened in 1976 in Columbus, Ohio, followed three years later by the Berkeley Tool Lending Library in California. Today, you’ll find nearly 40 others spread out across the country, most of which are volunteer-run and funded by grants and overdue fines.
Rental items can include hand & power tools, gardening tools, lawnmowers, ladders, home efficiency meters, paintbrushes, tape measures, automotive & bicycle tools, and more. Some tool libraries also offer classes & workshops, rent out DIY books & instruction manuals, and sell recycled building materials.
But the tools will get stolen! That’s what you’re thinking, right?
And yes, some of the tools will get stolen. Some will also get damaged. That’s just a fact of life in a library. But for a modest investment of $20-30,000, which many tool libraries have obtained through federal Community Development Block Grants, just imagine what a positive impact this could make in North County…
As a real estate agent, I see our local housing stock up close on a daily basis, and I can tell you one thing: We are in trouble. The vast majority of houses here are at least 50 years old, as you this census image shows:
That means they’re not exactly spring chickens. In fact, we have thousands of older homes needing significant deferred maintenance, and that problem is compounded by our high volume of rentals and foreclosures. Add in the demographic challenge of a population that’s getting older and poorer, and I think it’s pretty obvious that we need to do something to protect our North County neighborhoods.
So why not invest in them, and empower our residents at the same time? We have plenty of good people who want to make their homes nicer, who are willing to put in the sweat equity but just can’t afford all the tools. We also have a wealth of quality, affordable housing with great potential.
A tool library just makes sense here.
And it really makes sense in Ferguson, where there’s already a municipal library with an established inventory and patron system. Ferguson also has a proud history of innovative housing programs, a large pool of community volunteers, an untapped reserve of resident knowledge & donations, and a perfect little building at 320 S. Florissant Road (with apologies to FSBD).
So what do you say? Tool library anyone?
If you need more convincing, check out this resource page. And don’t miss this inspiring video….
Flo Valley commemorates Women’s History Month
During its final week of activities marking Women's History Month, St. Louis Community College @ Florissant Valley will host a lecture on female body hair.
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
March is Women’s History Month and for students and staff at St. Louis Community College, they’re not just learning it – they’re living it. Over the past 50 years, STLCC has prided itself on providing students the opportunity to expand their knowledge beyond the textbook. Some students learn visually, some audibly and others through hands-on experience.
For Women’s History Month, students and the St. Louis community will be given the opportunity to learn from those who help form and change our idea of what it means to be a woman. St. Louis Community College- Florissant Valley will host a variety of events, all free and open to the public. Here’s what’s coming up during the final week of March…
Monday, March 26
Hairy Women: How Shaving (or not) Can Change the World: An interactive presentation on how the female body has been a site of resistance and social advocacy throughout history, with particular focus on women’s hair. Emerson Lobby 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday, March 27
Women involved in Animal Conservation: film and discussion of women that strive to help protect animals and educate others. TC 202, 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 28
Christine Giancola – An Artist’s Talk: Informal Gallery Talk with Artist Gallery. ADMIN, 2nd floor, Administration building, 1:30 p.m.
Groundbreaking Women: A 50th Anniversary Celebration: Panel discussion and reception with women who have been ‘groundbreakers’ in their field.
Terry M. Fischer Theatre 6:30-9 p.m.
Thursday, March 29
Women of Words: This event provides campus members the opportunity to read works from published women authors and/or writings by Florissant Valley’s female students, faculty, and staff at an open mic. You need not be a woman to read at this event. IR South Lobby, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Miss Representation: film and discussion. Explores the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and challenges the media’s limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman. Terry M. Fischer Theatre 6:30-9 p.m.
Ongoing through April 5
The Work of Rene Marie Muhl. Contemporary Art Gallery, IR 111. Gallery hours: M-Th 10 a.m.-4 p.m. F-Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Artist Reception: Thursday, April 5, 6-8 p.m.
St. Louis Community College @ Flo Valley is located at 3400 Pershall Road, 63135. For a campus map, look here. And for more info on Women’s History Month activities, contact Janice Nesser-Chu at (314) 513-4861.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K