All Entries Tagged With: "Hazelwood"
Summer Concert Series coming to Hazelwood
Jam Central Station is one of six bands scheduled for Hazelwood's first ever Summer Concert Series, which kicks off May 21.
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
Everything from a tribute to Elvis Presley to classic rock sounds to the jumpin’ dance tunes performed by the Bob Kuban Band will be featured in Hazelwood Parks and Recreation’s first ever “Summer Concert Series” at Truman Park, 7029 Howdershell Road. Six bands will be playing live music on Saturday nights from May 21 to August 13.
Amberfade is the first band to kick off the series under the new gazebo at Truman Park pond on May 21, starting at 7 p.m. Amberfade is a power rock/party band that specializes in playing more than 40 years of your favorites, everything from classic hits to alternative rock tunes. The band covers classics made famous by Pink Floyd, Montrose REO, Poison, Cheap Trick, and Hendrix, as well as alternative songs from Nickelback, My Darkest Days, 3 Days Grace, Kings of Leon, plus much more.
Admission is free and open to the public. Since parking is limited, residents living nearby are encourage to walk over and enjoy the musical entertainment. Shuttle bus service from White Birch Park, 1186 Teson Road, begins at 6 p.m. In case of rain, the concerts will be held at the Hazelwood Community Center in White Birch Park.
The band schedule for this year’s Hazelwood “Summer Concert Series” includes the following:
Sat., 5/21 Amberfade — 40 Years of Favorites
Sat., 6/04 Jam Central Station — Classic Rock & Roll
Sat., 6/18 Tom Christopher Band — Elvis Tribute Band
Sat., 7/16 Bob Kuban Band — Decades of Top 40s
Sat., 7/30 KLOSE’NUFF — Classic Hits
Sat., 8/13 The Chaz45 Band — R&B, Funk & Classic Rock
Bring lawn chairs or blankets, snacks and coolers. No glass containers will be allowed. Each concert begins at 7 p.m. Sit back and gaze at the stars or watch ripples in the pond while listening to popular song hits. You may even want to get up and dance to your favorites. It’s also a great way to spend quality time with the family, meet the neighbors or make new friends.
For more information, contact the Hazelwood Parks and Recreation Office at (314) 731-0980 or visit the City’s website at www.hazelwoodmo.org.
New talent blooms at St. Louis Mills recording studio
Street Dreamz is a professional recording studio and young artist development center at St. Louis Mills that focuses on teaching leadership skills and inspiring the ambitions of local youth through music.
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
When former Def Jam recording artist and local Hip-Hop star Koran Bolden’s first child was born, he made a difficult decision to put his own musical dreams on the back burner to be the father he never had. After leaving the spotlight of MTV, BET and the hip-hop world, he went back to working minimum wage jobs just to get by, putting his focus on his family and his faith. It was this focus that inspired him to start a new kind of recording studio – aimed at local youth and designed not only to help develop their musical talent, but to inspire them to be leaders and positive members of their community.
The cornerstone of Street Dreamz Recording Studio and Artist Development Center is its strict “No Profanity” policy, which teaches young music industry hopefuls that they can write and make quality rap, hip-hop, pop or rock records that don’t pander to the often negative and foul-mouthed lyrics that much of today’s music contains. “We strive to develop young artists into men and women of integrity as well as successful musicians. We help steer them in a new and more positive direction without putting pressure on them,” says Bolden.
Whether they are serious about pursuing a career in music or just want to learn some new skills, kids of all ages are welcome at Street Dreamz, where they can make a music video, record a song or demo CD, have a fun and interesting birthday party or learn the ins and outs of the recording industry from people who have been there. The best part is, parents can feel safe dropping their kids off in a nurturing and learning environment.
In addition to their in-studio work, Bolden and his staff, including wife LaPortcia and best friend and fellow musician Rob Jackson are role models in the community, working with city officials, public schools and their church to instill leadership, values and messages of encouragement in youth throughout the St. Louis area through speaking engagements and partnerships with local school districts.
Bolden was recently tapped by St. Louis city officials to participate in the local workgroup for STRYVE, a national initiative led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which takes a public health approach to preventing youth violence before it starts. Along with local officials and organizations such as the NAACP and the Urban League, Bolden, who lost his own brother to violence, will use his influence and connection with local youth to help make a difference in ending the cycle of violence in our city.
Unlike any other recording studio in St. Louis, Street Dreamz uses real experience in the music industry to help take young, talented musicians to the next level. “We teach them to never give up on their dreams,” says Bolden. “With the right attitude, anything is possible.”
Street Dreamz is located at St. Louis Mills, 5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd., 63042, next to the Sears Appliance Outlet. For more info, visit the Street Dreamz website or call (314) 558-4355.
Are you prepared for an earthquake?
A major quake in the New Madrid fault zone would have an enormous impact on the entire St. Louis area. Are you ready, North County?
Nearly two hundred years ago this month, an 8.4 magnitude earthquake rocked the town of Point Pleasant in the Missouri bootheel, destroying the entire community. It came just a few weeks after an 8.0 quake in nearby Blytheville, Arkansas, and was followed by “the big one” in February 1812 – an 8.8 in New Madrid, Missouri, that we now know was 10 times more powerful than the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. So powerful, in fact, that it crumbled buildings in St. Louis and Louisville, caused the Mississippi River to run backwards for several hours, and even rang church bells and toppled chimneys as far away as New England.
According to the US Geological Survey, the highest earthquake risk in the United States, outside of the West Coast, is along the New Madrid Fault right here in the Midwest. And though damaging tremors are not as frequent as they are in California, when they occur, the destruction covers an area 20 times larger because of underlying geology.
In other words, we’re sitting on a giant tinder box, one of the most active and potent seismic zones in the world. And Missouri state geologist Joe Gillman says the New Madrid Fault is about 100 years overdue for a moderate-sized earthquake of at least 6.0.
He says a quake like that could devastate power lines and underground water and sewer pipes, and many buildings could crumble, even here in NoCo. So the big question is: Are you prepared?
If so, good for you! If not, FEMA has an excellent list of what to do before, during and after an earthquake. Its Ready America website also offers a comprehensive outline of what to include in your household emergency kit, regardless of what disaster may strike.
Of course, I’m not trying to scare anyone, though the recent bird and fish deaths along the fault line, as well as seismic activity in Arkansas and Indiana, certainly do raise some concerns. All I ask is that you please sit down and look at your family’s emergency plan and take whatever steps you need to prepare for the safety of your loved ones, including your pets!
UPDATE: Thanks to reader Liz Campbell for reminding me that several North County municipalities offer disaster training through C.E.R.T., Community Emergency Response Team. Launched by FEMA in 1994, this program “promotes a partnership between emergency services and the people they serve” by teaching citizens basic emergency response skills and, in the case of a disaster, calling on their help when professional responders are delayed or overwhelmed.
To register for free C.E.R.T. training, which consists of around 20 hours of classroom instruction, contact one of these North County communities. You do not have to be a resident to sign up.
Florissant: Officer Tim Greene, Florissant Police Department, (314) 831-7000
Ferguson: Officer Rob Brannon, Ferguson Police Department, (314) 522-3100, ext. 5542
Hazelwood: Deputy Fire Marshal John Otte, Hazelwood Fire Department, (314) 731-3424
Note: In the map above, red circles indicate 2.5+ magnitude earthquakes that occurred after 1972, blue ones are before 1973. The bigger the circle, the more powerful the earthquake.
The spirit of giving shines in North County
For the past 24 years, Hazelwood firefighters have been fixing up bikes for needy families in North County and the city of St. Louis
It’s easy to get caught up in all the busyness of the holiday season, focusing on material items and to-do lists. But when I think of Christmas, I like to remember what’s really important…things like kindness and generosity and being thankful for the many blessings in my life. Luckily, I don’t have to look very hard for examples of that, because this year North County is absolutely brimming with acts of good will and charity.
I’m sure there are many more positive stories out there, but these are the ones that came across my desk recently. I hope they warm your heart, NOCO fans!
• In between 911 calls, firefighters in Hazelwood have been busy cleaning and fixing up used bicycles that will be given away to families in need. Working with local churches, they’ve donated nearly 40 bikes this year, primarily to kids in North County. During Christmas, they also share whatever is left over with Father Bob Gettinger of St. Augustine Catholic Church in downtown St. Louis, whose holiday gift program serves hundreds of families needing a helping hand.
• Over at Trinity High School in Spanish Lake, students have also been working hard for charity. Responding to a growing need at the nearby Helping Hands Food Pantry, the teens collected more than 1,400 canned goods and $250 in cash, all of which will benefit the 85 families currently seeking assistance at the pantry.
• During these tough economic times, the good folks at Florissant General Baptist Church didn’t want anyone to go hungry. So this past Sunday, Pastor Kevin Causey (of Gospel Garage fame) opened his doors and served free Christmas dinner to anyone in need. Guests were also treated to live music and a free show.
• Following a successful book drive, student council members at Hazelwood East High School recently made the rounds at three elementary schools, donating books and reading to the younger students. They also spoke about the importance of student leadership and getting involved.
• After spending the past year raising money, members of the Mixed Breed Dog Club of St. Louis just donated four oxygen masks to the Ferguson Fire Department that can be used to resuscitate both dogs and cats. It was one of several donations of these life-saving masks the club made to North County municipalities in 2010.
• Finally, it will be a very happy holiday at St. Vincent’s Home for Children in Normandy this year. Just a few weeks ago, hundreds of donors generously donated more than $75,000 to the former orphanage that’s now a residential treatment center for troubled kids. It was the largest amount raised in many years.
Know any more local heroes that deserve recognition? Let me know! Until then, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K