All Entries Tagged With: "unincorporated North County"
Mobile farmers market rolling into NoCo soon
Aiming to bring fresh produce to local "food deserts," the Sappington Farmers Market runs a mobile farmers market at various locations throughout St. Louis.
According to the USDA, my house in Ferguson is nearly surrounded by food deserts. That’s what you call the census tracts with low access to a large grocery store, and thereby low access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
A good chunk of North County, particularly near the airport and the St. Louis city border, is classified this way, meaning residents have fewer healthy eating choices. So that’s why it’s pretty awesome that the Sappington Farmers Market has decided to do something about it.
Teaming with Metro Transit and a network of small-scale farmers from Missouri and Illinois, Sappington’s Farm to Family Naturally Mobile Market will soon make regular stops at four Metrolink stations, including the North Hanley station right here in NoCo.
Drop by once a week and you can choose from a whole range of local and sustainable products, including eggs, produce, herbs, beans, jams, cheeses, baked goods and more. You can also sign up for the market’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, actually purchasing a share of the coming season’s crops.
Of course, I’m lucky to have the Ferguson Farmers Market and the indoor Vine Market within walking distance of my front door, so I’m not exactly in the Sahara. But I think it’s great that this new market is opening, and I can’t wait to try it out! I especially love the payment options: cash, credit/debit & EBT. Something for everyone.
By the way, if you want to know if YOU live in a food desert, you can use this handy tool from the USDA. From what I can tell looking at the map, at least the folks in Florissant are eating well…
The Farm to Family Naturally Mobile Market arrives at the North Hanley Metrolink station Wednesdays, 3-5:30pm, starting March 21. All are welcome! For more info, check out the mobile market website.
YUM! Fish Fry season opens in North County
Lent is here once again, NOCO fans, and you know what that means….fish fry time! Most of North County’s Catholic parishes are running fish fries again this year, along with several other churches and organizations. This is not a comprehensive list but it definitely includes the area’s best. If you know a fish fry that I left out, please add it to the comments.
Adult meal prices vary from $6.50 to $9, and may or may not include drink & dessert…
St. Ferdinand: 1735 Charbonier, 63031, 3-7:30pm
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! Open today for Ash Wednesday. Fried and Cajun catfish, fried and baked cod, shrimp, chicken, pie and more
Our Lady of Guadalupe: 1115 S. Florissant Rd, 63135, 4-8pm
If you like your fish with a Mexican twist, try this fish fry, which draws on the parish’s large Hispanic congregation. Fried cod, baked tilapia, fish tacos, shrimp, guacamole, clam chowder, baked apples, mac & cheese and quesadillas
Sacred Heart: 751 N. Jefferson, 63031, 4-7pm
Now in its second year, Sacred Heart’s fish fry is gaining quite a following. Open today for Ash Wednesday. Baked fish, fried fish, fried shrimp, mac and cheese, coleslaw, applesauce, french fries, green beans, salad and more
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 used to feature handmade chile rellenos! I’m not sure they’ll be back this year but the menu is pretty extensive nonetheless. 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. Open today for Ash Wednesday. Cod, shrimp, catch of the day, two soups, pizza and more
Holy Name of Jesus: 10235 Ashbrook Dr, 63137, 3:30-6:30pm
The former St. Jerome parish supposedly serves up very good fish. Open today for Ash Wednesday. Baked or fried cod, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw and French fries
Knights of Columbus #2951: 50 St. Francois, 63031, 3:30-7pm
The menu is simple but these guys are old pros, running their fish fry year round. Battered cod, jumbo shrimp, spaghetti, mac & cheese, green beans
Florissant General Baptist Church: 424 Graham Road, 63031, 4-7pm
Generosity is a core value at this church, where you’ll also find the Gospel Garage. That’s probably why $9 gets you all you can eat at their fish fry. Catfish, cod, chicken, hush puppies, fries, green beans, coleslaw & dessert
NoCo Catholic schools hosting an Open House
Though I’m neither a parent nor a particularly religious person, I do know one thing without a doubt: North County’s Catholic schools play an incredibly vital role in our community. Without them, we will definitely lose more families to other areas. We will also lose the foundational glue that holds many local neighborhoods together.
In the past few years, facing closures, consolidations and declining enrollment, the eight schools within the Northeast Deanery finally figured out that they’re stronger if they work together. And despite some setbacks – including the recent decision to move Blessed Teresa School to the old Good Shepherd location, which upset a good number of folks here in Ferguson – the “Federation” has certainly made positive strides.
Not only did they launch a new marketing campaign this month, but they’re hosting a Community Open House on January 29. And if you have school-age kids or know someone who does, I heartily encourage you to attend. You don’t even need to be Catholic.
“We invite parishioners, families of all faiths, community leaders and all members of the North County community to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with us by visiting one or more of the schools located in our neighborhoods,” says Cara Koen, Director of Advancement for the Federation of Catholic Schools in the Northeast Deanery. “Come and see our facilities, meet families and students who attend our schools, and learn about the positive ways Catholic schools impact North County.”
The Federation includes the following parish-sponsored elementary schools, which will all be open to the public on January 29, 2012 between 1:00-3:00 pm. Why not stop by and say hello…
- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, 314-522-3888, 150 N. Elizabeth Avenue, Ferguson
- Christ, Light of the Nations, 314-741-0400, 1650 Redman Road, Spanish Lake
Sponsored by Holy Name of Jesus and Our Lady of the Rosary Parishes - Our Lady of Guadalupe, 314-524-1948, 1115 South Florissant Road, Cool Valley
- Sacred Heart, 314-831-3372, 501 St. Louis Street, Florissant
- St. Angela Merici, 314-831-8012, 3860 N. Highway 67, Florissant
- St. Ferdinand, 314-921-2201, 1735 Charbonier, Florissant
Serves parishioners of St. Ferdinand and St. Martin de Porres - St. Norbert, 314-839-0948, 16475 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant;
and St. Norbert Early Childhood Center, 314-420-9773, 1625 Swallow Lane, Florissant
Serves parishioners of St. Norbert and St. Sabina Parishes - St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, 314-921-3023, 3500 St. Catherine Street, Florissant
Eagle Days returns to Chain of Rocks this weekend
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
Eagle Days 2012, January 14 and 15
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
View eagles in your own backyard!
Residents of the bi-state area are invited to view bald eagles this January at Eagle Days – a free public program at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. During the winter, the Mississippi River hosts one of North America’s largest concentrations of bald eagles, who are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food. The Chain of Rocks rapids to the south of the Bridge are ideal fishing grounds.
From the Bridge, an ideal viewing platform, visitors can watch eagles fishing, riding ice floes, soaring overhead or roosting in nearby trees.
Additional Eagle Days Programming Includes:
Live Eagle Educational Program
By the Wild Bird Sanctuary, repeated every 20 minutes from 10:00 a.m. until 2:40 p.m.
Eagle Viewing
Scopes at the center of the bridge are staffed by trained volunteers to help you view eagles diving for fish, roosting in the trees along the banks of the Mississippi, and soaring over the bridge.
Eagle Nest Replica
This full-size eagle’s nest is a great photo opportunity!
Warming Tent Activities
Hands-on art activities for children facilitated by Green Center (Saturday) and the EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden (Sunday).
Living History Demonstrations
Lewis and Clark re-enactors from the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri and the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. Don’t miss the raising and lowering of the flag at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Missouri Bridge entrance!
St. Louis Audubon Display
Featuring hands-on exhibits of local birds courtesy of the St. Louis Audubon Society.
The Confluence Partnership Display
Learn about the history and importance of The Confluence region and America’s Great Rivers.
Refreshments
Ed’s Food will be serving hot dogs, chicken strips, shish kabobs, egg rolls, crab rangoon, hot cocoa, lemonade, soda, and water.
Things to Bring:
- Binoculars
- Very warm clothes including a hat and gloves
- Camera
- Comfortable Shoes (It is about a 1/2-mile walk to the eagle scopes and additional Eagle Days programming, both located at the middle of the Bridge.)
- Cash (Eagle Days is free but select parking lots and food vendors will only accept cash)
- Curiosity
Please Leave at Home:
- Your dog Fluffy or any other pets
Parking:
Free parking is available at two satellite lots in Missouri, the St. Louis Welcome Center at Riverview Drive and I-270 and North Riverfront Park, off of Riverview Drive south of the waterworks. A free shuttle will be available from both locations. Free parking is also available at the Illinois Bridge entrance. Parking at the Missouri Bridge entrance costs $5.
Volunteers:
If you are interested in volunteering for Eagle Days, please contact Jamilia Harris at 314-877-1309 or jamilia.harris@mdc.mo.gov.
Sponsors:
Dana Brown Charitable Trust
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
Edward Jones
Great Rivers Greenway
Illinois Conservation Foundation
Metro East Parks and Recreation District
Pettus Foundation
Missouri American Water
Cargill
America’s Central Port
ConocoPhillips
Additional Support:
Chipotle
City of Madison, IL
Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, MO
EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Katy Bike Rental
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Lewis & Clark State Historic Site
Marshall Scott Enterprises
Mostly Bikes, LLS
Pei Wei Asian Diner (Ladue & Creve Coeur)
St. Louis Audubon Society
Starbucks
Sweet Tomatoes (Creve Coeur & Crestwood)
The Green Center
The Pasta House Company
World Bird Sanctuary
A big thank you to all our volunteers. This event would not be possible without your help.
Produced by:
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For more information on Eagle Days call 314.436.1324 x117 or e-mail charles@trailnet.org.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K