Great Halloween Events for the Whole Family in StL!

Looking for some awesome events to attend this Halloween that are both fun and family friendly? Look no further!

Trick or Treat Street: 5300 block of Nottingham Ave in the South Hampton Neighborhood, Oct 31st, from 5pm - 9pm, visit the residents of this spooky street for oodles of candy and a frighteningly good time!

Trick or Treat on Main Street in St. Charles, 3pm-5pm on Oct 31st, local businesses hand out candy to children 12 and under and also host a movie in Frontier Park afterwards.

Halloween Spooktacular at Memorial Hall in Clanchette Park, St Charles.  Oct 30th, kids 3-12 and their families are invited to attend a Halloween party from 6pm-8pm hosted by the St Charles Park Division.

Ghouls in the Garden, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden Oct 30th for a day of trick or treating.  Kids are $5 and parents pay regular garden admission price.

Halloween at Grant's Farm, Oct 20-22 & 27-29, 6pm-10pm, admission is FREE but parking is $20 per car. Join Grant's Farm for a night time tram ride, food, carousel ride, and pumpkin decorating.

Great Godfrey Corn Maze, The Haunted Maze is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Oct 30th. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for kids, and kids 5 and under are free.

Trunk or Treat at Affton Presbyterian Church, Oct 29th 6:30pm-7:30pm. Enjoy trick or treating from decorated car trunks in a parking lot, also food and games. FREE event. 

Trick or Treat at Buder Library on Hampton Ave, Oct 28th 7pm-8:30pm. Other libraries participating visit www.slpl.org 

Halloween Walk in Kirkwood, Downtown Kirkwood businesses, Oct 28th 5-7pm, trick or treating and music.

Events Around StL for the week of Oct 2nd - Oct 8th

Events around the city this week:

Sunday 10/2:

The Lemp Brewery Haunted House
3500 Lemp Ave
7pm - 12pm
tickets: $20 - $30
http://www.scarefest.com/haunted_house_in_stlouis_missouri_lempbrewery/home.cfm


20th Annual Hibernian Irish Country Fair & Music Fest
St. James the Greater Church
6401 Wade
12pm - 6pm
FREE Admission


Monday 10/3:

For Beginners Only - Ballroom Class
Dance Pizazz
124 Jungermann Rd
6:30pm - 7:20pm
$8 a class or $48 for all
http://www.dance-pizazz.com/

Gardening in the Park
Creve Coeur Park
8am - 11am
Volunteer Gardeners meet to help the park with "gardening chores" and learn helpful tips to help in your garden at home
FREE event


Tuesday 10/4:

Adoption Information Meeting
Dillion International One First Missouri Center, Suite 115, St Louis MO
FREE Admission, must register to attend event by calling 314-576-4100


Wednesday 10/5:

Clayton Chamber Beer, Wine and Chocolate Tasting
Bissinger's Hand Crafted Chocalatier
32 Maryland Plaza
$20 tickets, reservations suggested, call 314-726-3033


Thursday 10/6:

Vigil & Walk for Women's Safety
Woman's Place 7372 Marietta St Louis 63143
6pm - 7pm
FREE to participate


Friday 10/7:

28th Annual Chili Cook Off
Public Square in Downtown Belleville, IL
11am - 10:30pm
FREE Admission

Haunted Hayrides
Eckert's Millstadt Farm
7pm - 9:30pm
visit eckerts.com for more details

St. Louis River Rub BBQ Contest
Soldier's Memorial
10am - 9pm
FREE admission
more details at www.stlriverrub.com

Saturday 10/8:

Downtown Kirkwood Fall Festival of Local Flavor
Kirkwood Station Plaza, Kirkwood MO
FREE Admission

Lowes Build & Grow Kids Workshops
Kiddos make a wooden 'monster machine'
Must register to attend visit Lowes.com for details

Jumpin' Pumpkin Jamboree
Eckert's Farms
more details at www.eckerts.com

Fall Arts & Crafts Fair
South County YMCA
12736 SouthFork Rd 63128
9am - 4pm
FREE Admission

Upcoming Events in StL This Week: Sept 26th - Oct 2nd

Another week of awesome events around town!

Monday 9/26:

Yoga Night at the St. Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Ave
$10 a person
5:30pm - 9pm

Tuesday 9/27:

Warson Woods Farmers Market
10001 Manchester Rd
3pm - 7pm

The Addams Family
Fox Theatre 527 N Grand BLVD
8pm, tickets $30 - $82


Wednesday 9/28:

Seniors Film Series
The Breakfast Club
Buder Library Branch
1:30pm - 3:00pm
http://www.slpl.org/events/calendar.asp


Maplewood Farmers Market
7620 Southwest Ave
4pm

Kody Norris & the Watauga Mountain Boys
Bauernhof Festival @ Grant's Farm
7pm
$5 a person, kids 10 and under free, $11 to park

Thursday 9/29:

Kids Night on Broadway
Fox Theatre
Buy an adult ticket get a kids ticket free 


Friday 9/30:

West Coast Swing Dancing
St Louis Rebels West Coast Swing Dance Club
Crestwood Court
109 Crestwood Plaza
7pm - 1am
$7 members/$10 non members
http://stlrebels.com/


Higher Ground: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder & Benifit for KDHX 88.1
OFF Broadway
3509 Lemp Ave
8pm
$10 - $13 tickets


Saturday 10/1:

Pedal the Cause
Soldier's Memorial
All Day
http://www.pedalthecause.org/

Tower Grove's Farmers Market
4256 Magnolia
8:30 am

David Gonzalez Sleeping Beauty
Center of Creative Arts
524 Trinity Ave
2-3pm
http://www.cocastl.org/subpage.cfm?vSection=events&vPage=calendar

8th Annual Rock n' CholesteROLL
Veterans Memorial Amphitheater 255 Grant Rd
Jefferson Barracks Park
$20, $40, or $60 tickets
http://www.k-hits.com/RNC2011.aspx




Sunday 10/2:


The Boogers Family Matinee
OFF Broadway
3509 Lemp Ave
3pm
http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/calendar/

Trash Cancer Party: Early Detection & Education is the Key!

This past weekend was a busy one!  Friday evening was the Balloon Glow in Forest Park, Saturday was booked to the gills with dress fittings for us bridesmaids, parties galore, but by far, the Trash Cancer party I hosted was the highlight of my weekend!

I registered to host the party through Partique and received tons of great tips on planning, recipes, and a box packed with everything I needed to learn more about trashing cancer & share it with great friends!

The neat thing about hosting parties through Partique is that they are national parties, meaning everyone host the same event on the same day allowing online interaction while you are hosting.  It's a great way to incorporate instant discussions with any questions you or your guest may have about the event.

Trash Cancer parties were held across the states to help educate and bring to light some little known facts about cancer causing chemicals we expose ourselves to on a daily basis.  The event was organized by the Cancer Schmancer Movement, created by Fran Drescher, to help educate the public, teach ways to prevent and also enforce the importance of early detection.  I highly recommend reading Fran Drescher's personal story if you are unfamiliar with it, it truly is inspiring!

The hostess box contained 10 guest bags packed with information, samples, and a water bottle.  The hostess information contained an excellent outline on what topics to discuss, games, recipes, and instructions on how to make your own non toxic cleansers. 

The information alone was astounding.  The three chemicals focused on during the event were bisphenol-a, triclosan, and formaldehyde.  Bisphenol-A, better known as simply BPA, can be found in plastics that we use everyday or come in contact with on a regular basis.  The dangers of being exposed to this chemical are astonishing, such as causing cancer, heart disease, and it has even been linked to obesity and autism.  The best way to help minimize your risk is to minimize your exposure.  This can be done by buying fresh foods, avoiding many of the containers that contain BPA and storing your food items in glass or stainless steel containers.  Formaldehyde is a chemical I am familiar with, but I always thought it was mainly in household cleansers.  I was wrong.  It is in cosmetics, paints, glues and even more things that I had never thought to check.  One suggestion to help minimize your risk to this chemical is to make sure your home has proper ventilation, you can do this by opening windows or using air conditioners.  Triclosan is found in things like hand soaps and toothpaste, toys and fabrics, even cosmetics. It can cause severe health problems and also problems for our environment. Again, the best thing to do is be aware of the products you are using! More information on these chemicals can be found on the following sites:

www.toxies.com

www.trashcancer.com

http://www.cancerschmancer.org/

www.womenshealth.gov

I am so glad I got to be apart of this event and look forward to continuing my own education and sharing everything that I learn along the way with you! 

Here is a peek at what was inside the goodie bags:

 And because I believe knowledge is power - I have one goodie bag set aside just for one of our readers!  Just be the first to leave a comment below or on our Facebook page and it's yours :)

StL Events for the Week of 9/19 - 9/24

StL Events this week:

Best of Missouri Artist Exhibition
where: Missouri Botanical Garden
when: 9/19 All Day
cost: included in garden admission cost
contact: www.mobot.org

Jenny Owen Youngs with Hank & Cupcakes & Sam Bradley concert
where: The Old Rock House
when: 9/21 8pm
cost: $10
contact: http://oldrockhouse.com/concertcalendar/

Mahler 1 concert
where: St Louis Symphony Orchestra
when: 9/23 8pm
cost: visit site for details
contact: http://www.stlsymphony.org/concert/index.htm

Hike for Hope Happens & High Heel Fun Run
where: Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park Saint Louis, MO 63105
when: 9/24 All Day event
cost: visit site for details
contact: http://www.active.com/walking-tournament/st-louis-mo/hike-4-hope-happens-and-high-heel-fun-run-2011

Dancing in the Street
where: Grand Center
when: 9/24 1pm - 9pm
cost: FREE
contact: http://www.grandcenter.org/

Light the Night Leukemia & Lymphoma Walk
where: Forest Park - starts in upper Muny lot
when: 9/22
cost: contact for details
contact: 314-748-7059

Events Around StL this Weekend Sept 16-18

 Sept 16th:

West Coast Swing Dance
where:Crestwood Court 109 Crestwood Plaza 63126
when: 9/16 7pm - 1am
cost: $7 members/$10 non members
contact: http://stlrebels.com/

Those Darlings with Wagons and Bunnygrunt - show
where: Off Broadway (venue)
when: 9/16 8pm
cost: 21 years+ $10/ 21 years- $13
contact: http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/calendar/

Great Forest Park Balloon Glow
where:Central Field in Forest Park
when: 9/16 7pm - 8:30pm 
cost: FREE


September 17th:


Great Forest Park Ballon Race
where: Central Field Forest Park
when: 9/17 12pm - 6:30pm
cost: FREE

Sleeper Agent - concert
where: The Old Rock House 1200 S 7th St 63104
when: 9/18 8pm
cost: $8 advance/ $10 day of show
contact: http://oldrockhouse.com/concertcalendar/

The Rite of Spring - concert
where: St Louis Symphony Orchestra
when: 9/17 8pm
cost:visit website for details
contact: http://www.stlsymphony.org/concert/index.htm

Sept 18th:

Annual Pioneer Days
where: Boonesfield Village, Defiance MO
when: 9/17 - 9/18
cost: call for details
contact: 636-798-2005

Moolah Shriner's Ride So Kids can Walk
where: Gateway Harley Davidson 3600 Lemay Ferry Rd 63101
when:9/18
cost: $20 registration fee for riders to benifit Shriners Hospital for Children
contact: http://www.moolah.org/Default_.asp

Patriot Day 2011: Remembering 9/11 & Honoring Them by Helping Others

September 11th 2001, a day we will never forget nor should we.  Ten years later, I can still remember everything about that day from beginning to end.  My husband left for work an hour early, my daughter had just turned 10 months old, and our morning had started just as any other day.  While watching the morning news, I heard someone say the WTC North tower had been hit by a plane.  From that moment on I was glued to the news, answering the phone, or calling friends and family.  My husband's work closed up early.  Friends in other states were calling saying their works were closing early.  My sister, still in highschool, watched the broadcast in a classroom as did many other area students.  It was a day that changed all of us no matter where we were or who we were, we all felt something and it was life altering.

As the years have past, 9/11 has slowly become more than just a day of remembrance, for some it has become a day of service, a day when communities come together and volunteer where ever it is needed.  Today being the tenth anniversary, that was more apparent than ever.  With recent natural disasters, we have seen this outpouring of overwhelming help to those in need.  

To honor those we lost on 9/11, Art Hill in Forest Park was transformed this year in to a beautiful memorial: America's Heartland Remembers

 A flag was placed for every person lost that day, with their name and picture displayed on each flag pole.  The flags will be on display from now until September 19th, at which time they will be made available to anyone whom makes a donation of $20 to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. 

A few sites to visit if you are looking for ways to be of service in your community:

http://www.uso.org/ways-to-volunteer.aspx

http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/index.jsp?r=msa&l=63627

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/content/giving/default.htm

http://www.communityservice.wustl.edu/stlagencies/display.php?listchar=S

http://www.stl.unitedway.org/volunteer.aspx

http://www.habitatstl.org/construction/volunteeropportunities/


We will never forget those we lost, the bravery of the men and women that helped so many that day, the families that were forever changed...9/11/2011

Upcoming Events in StL This Week: Sept 7th - 11th

A lot of great events going on around town this week & weekend!

September 9
What: Funky Butt Brass Band
Where: Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis MO 63103
Contact: 314-289-4030 or www.jazzstl.org
Cost: $20 or $10 for students w/ id


September 9
What: Light the Night Walk
Where: Forest Park in St. Louis and St. Peters City Center in St. Peters
Contact: 314-878-0780
Cost: Admission Costs, call for details

September 9 - 11
What: 2011 Saint Louis Art Fair
Where: Downtown Clayton, MO
Contact: 314-863-0278
Cost: Admission FREE

September 10
What: The 28th Annual Great Fire Engine Rally
Where: Leonor K Sullivan Boulevard on St. Louis Riverfront
Contact: 314-704-7853 or http://www.firefightersweekend.com/#
Cost: Admission FREE
Also check their website for a complete list of "The Firefighters Weekend" events!

September 10 - 11
What: American Indian Education Days
Where: Cahokia Mounds Museum Collinsville, Illinois
Contact: 618-346-5160 
Cost: Admission FREE

September 10 - 11
What: Carlyle Lake Wine & Art Festival
Where:Carlyle Lake Visitor's Center, Illinois
Contact: 618-526-8466
Cost: Admission FREE

September 11
What: Little Miss Ann Family Matinee
Where: Off Broadway (venue) 3509 Lemp Ave 63118
Contact: http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/calendar/
Cost: Adults or kids $8 in advance $10 at door kids 1 and under free

September 11
What: Third Annual Ferraris on the Piazza
Where: Kemp Auto Museum, Chesterfield, MO
Contact: 636-537-1718
Cost: Admission  FREE

September 11
What: Day of Service and Remembrance
Where: Metro Area
Contact: United Way www.stlremembers.org

Kmart Sales August 21 - 27

Deals at Kmart!


Jeans starting at $6.88 ea

B1G1H on all regular and clearance priced footwear

B1G1F Beyblade metal fusion tops

$5 select dvds

20% off all watches $12.99 & up

70% off all fine & sterling silver jewelry

Kraft Mac & Cheese $0.69 SC limit 4 w/ coupon price

Maxwell House $2.99 SC limit 5

M&M's 9.9-14 oz bags $2 SC limit 2

Hillshire Deli Select honey ham or turkey 2/$5 SC limit 2
**must be a rewards member to use these coupons, free sign up in store**

Licensed 2 pocket folders $0.49 ea

2 pocket prong folders $0.10 ea

Save $5 instantly when you buy $15 or more in Scott's Products

Event @ Kmart for kids 14 & under:

Beynlade Battle event featuring giveaways (while supplies last) this Saturday, August 27th, 11am - 1pm, 14 & younger, 1 per person

Sweepstakes:

"Show Us Your Best Look" - 10 winners everyday will receive $100 Kmart Back to School shopping Spree, grand prize exclusive behind the scenes Hollywood Experience, enter at www.kmart.com/bestlook

Looking for Something to do in St Louis this Weekend? 8/20/2011

My top picks for weekend events around StL:

No Name Comix @ The Grove Deli 8/20
8144 Big Bend
Cost: $5, drinks under $4, food under $8
description: stand up comedy acts
time: 7pm

Curtis Eller @ The Casa Loma Ballroom
3354 Iowa
Cost: visit website http://www.casalomaballroom.com/
description: Curtis Eller; New York's angriest yodeling banjo player, comedy
time: 8pm 8/20

Downtown St. Louis Architecture Walking Tour
Tour begins outside the Western entrance to the Old Courthouse on Broadway
cost: $5 adults, kids are free
description: a 2 hour walking tour of historical buildings in downtown st louis
time: 10 am 8/20

St Louis Rams pre season game @ Edward Jones Dome 8/20
description: Rams vs Titans
time: 7pm

Murder Mystery Dinner: Stairway to Heaven @ Bissell Mansion 8/20
cost: reservations & info via website http://www.bissellmansion.com/
time: 7pm

TREEmendous Interactive Discovery Center @ The Missouri Botanical Gardens
cost: included in gardens admission
August 20th 9am

Matt Hill @ The Jefferson Bistro
3107 S Jefferson Ave
time: 8:30pm 8/20

Bike Tours on the Riverfront Trail via Discovery Bike Rentals
cost: FREE if bringing own bike, reservations required for bike rentals $10-$25
description: 8 mile roundtrip scenic riverfront bike trail, tours led by park ranger, tours begin at Discovery Bike Rentals
time: 9am 8/21

Afton Productions Presents Cicero's 08/21/2011 05:00 PM CDT $12.00 buy tickets Venue Information Cicero's 6691 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130 http://www.ciceros-stl.com/                                 

So much to do! To bad the weekend is only two days!

Grocery Sales for August 8th - 13th + Events Happening Around Town

Grocery Sales this week:

Aldi:

Peaches $0.19 ea
Plums $0.19 ea
Strawberries $0.99 lb
Red Grapes 2lb pkgs $1.58
Applesauce cups 6pk $1.29

Schnucks:

Kraft Mac&Cheese $0.79 ea
Nature Valley 2/$5 - $0.75/2 MNFC
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $2ea - $0.50/2 MNFC = 2/$3.50
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel $2.50 ea Buy 3 - $1/3 MNFC = 3/$6.50
Crescent Dinner Rolls 2/$4 - $0.40/2 MNFC (Schnucks doubles any coupons $.40 or less) = $3.20/2
Pillsbury Refridgerated Cookies $1.25 Buy 2 - $.30/2 MNFC (again, coupon doubled) = $1.90/2
Tortilla Stuffers $2.50 - $1 MNFC = $1.50
Yoplait Go Gurt 2/$4 - $0.75/2 MNFC = $3.25
Smuckers Preserves 2/$5 - $1/2 MNFC = $4/2


Shop N Save: **Coupon Thursday, August 11th, $10 off $50 purchase**

Sweet Corn 3/$0.98
Cucumbers/green peppers 2/$0.88
tomatoes $0.98 lb
Quaker Quakes snacks $1 ea
Bumble Bee Tuna $0.98 ea
VO5 Shampoo $0.65 ea
Kellog's Cereal $1.98 Buy 3 - $1/3 MNFC = $4.94
Buy 4 of any combination of the following products and save $3 w/ SC (in wkly ad):

Oreo Cookies $2.78 ea
Newtons Cookies $2.98 ea
Nabisco Wheat Thins/Triscuit crackers $3.48

Nutrigrain 2/$5 - $1/2 MNFC = $4/2
Capri Suns $1.98 - $1 MNFC = $0.98
Kellogs Fruit Snacks $1.78 Buy 2 - $1/2 MNFC = $3.56
Red/Black Plums $0.98 lb


Dierbergs:


Purple Eggplant $0.99 lb
Green Giant Veggies $1 ea
Skippy 2/$4 - $1/2 MNFC = $3/2 + see special in store add for FREE Bread
Welch's Grape Jelly 2/$4 - $1/2 MNFC in store
Off Deep Woods $4.99 - $0.75 MNFC = $4.24
Kotex U Tampons $3.99 - $1 MNFC = $2.99
Schick Quattro Womens Razor/cartridges $7.99 - $2 MNFC = $5.99
Kellog's Mini Wheats $2.49 Buy 2 - $1/2 MNFC = $3.98


Shoe Carnival B1G1H + $5 off $39.98 purchase coupon in wkly ad


Events:

August 10th - Parties in the Park in Downtown Clayton on Meramec Ave - 5pm - 8:30pm
description: Music lineup (Vote 4 Pedro), food and drink vendors, 1/2 price beer between 5pm - 5:30pm.
cost: free minus food and drinks if you wish to purchase
website: www.partiesinthepark.org


August 11th, Hard Rock Cafe St Louis
description: Live Music every Thursday from 5:30pm -7:30pm free to all ages. We will also feature happy hour during live music as well.

August 13th, Cheap Date Night, Science Center Planetarium
description: Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower at the Planetarium from 6:30 pm - 10pm. Enjoy live music, cash bar, and free parking in Planetarium lot.
cost: $7 a person
website: www.slsc.org

August 14th, Iron Barley Tomato Fest, 12 - 7pm
description: Join us as we attempt to make the World’s Biggest BLT! Also a tomato dodge pit, BLT eating contest, raffle tickets and live music. Event features a special tomato menu, drinks and beer. Bring your favorite tomato dish, tomato art & that “special looking” tomato for our contests. All entries due by 1 pm. Proceeds benefit Lift For Life Gym & Corporal Todd Nicely. For more information call 314.351.4500.
cost: FREE to attend - food & drinks regular price
location: Virginia & Bates Street


Make sure to follow our facebook and twitter pages for more instant updates and ways to get free stuff everyday!

Tax Free Shopping, Thrift Store Heaven, & Tons of Things to Do Tomorrow!

Today was the first official day of the Tax Free Holiday here in Missouri.  You betcha I was armed with our school supply list and back up (my bff) to help keep me focused!  Great deals, semi crowded stores, and big time savings!  I managed to get 90% of the items on the list today with the other 10% (mostly clothing items) to be bought tomorrow.  We also headed to Family Value Thrift Store to check out their deals and I found a ton of stuff!! Although not as much as my bff, but hey it was all at a great price! Here are a some pics of scores today:

First, my receipt from Office Max:

I spent a mere $3.27 and even got an extra coupon for $5 off $25 purchase at Payless!
(excuse the blurriness my digital camera is MIA)

Next up are my Thrift Store finds!  To Start, an adorable white platter for the kitchen:

This plate was marked $3.93 plus I got 50% off today for a sale they were having and I have some great ideas on what to do with it!! More on that to come soon...

Then I found a silver charger, again marked $0.99 plus 50% off:

I love these chargers to put candles on, holiday decor, all kinds of greatness will come out of this find.

My favorite find was a simple black pillar holder for a quarter!!

Love this so much! Why you ask? Because I love candles!! And I see these in every single decorative mag spread and really want to get them in every size possible lol! One idea besides using it to hold a pillar candle was this:

The size of the glass bowl isn't exactly right but just bare with me here - now watch what it looks like when you flip it:

Looks a little better huh?  Now imagine what you can do here, the possibilities are endless!  I have great plans for this little candle holder!

Last, I found two glass containers w/ silver lids and my little heart started to putter:

These were marked $0.99 ea!  No sale, but a great deal! I have tons of ideas on what to do with them, but most likely they will end up in the kitchen and not holding cotton balls in my bathroom...like some have suggested...I won't name names :)

I also found a couple of uniform pieces for my son, a super cute pink eye glasses case for my daughter, a bag full of cutesy jewelry for her, and misc stuff.  All of it was less than $18 and all of the school supplies today were about $34 (for two kids mind you).  Pretty satisfied with the bottom line!

Then I come home to another free sample in my mailbox:

Downy Unstopables that are supposed to increase the smelly goodness of your wash! They smelt amazing through the package!  I'll let you know how they do soon :)


Now the tax free weekend continues through Sunday and I am sure I will be taking advantage of some great clothing deals tomorrow at JcPenny's (I have coupons), Shoe Carnival (more coupons + B1G1 1/2 Price), Payless (scored a coupon today + B1G1 Free deal happening) and maybe even Old Navy.

Don't forget to take advantage of some really great events this weekend around the metro area!

Delta Dental Health Theatre grand re-opening is Saturday August 6th from 10am til 4pm.

Back to school fair @ Chaifetz Arena from 9am  til 3pm.

Free kids workshop at Home Depot from 9am til 12pm. This is for the pencil box :)

Kids eat free during the month of August @ IHOP.

Some many great things to do this weekend!  Don't forget to check Fox 2's website for a map of yard sales as well :)

http://www.fox2now.com/lifestyle/yardsale/

And just a quick note about or 100 fan giveaway, follow us on our Facebook page and when we reach 100 fans we will be giving away a gift basket filled with some amazing items from arond the St. Louis area!  Pictures will be posted soon, still awaiting on a few things to come in!

Sunday Reflections: Preparrations Have Begun for the Return of the New School Year

Unbelievable at how quickly summer vacation is drawing to an end for St Louis kiddos.  Most area students will be returning to classrooms in just a couple of weeks leaving us parents the daunting task of reinforcing bedtimes and hectic school shopping.  As we rearrange our focus from summer fun activities to school activities, here are a few helpful tid bits I use every year in making the transition back to school days:

1. Bedtime for my kids has always been 8:30, but during summer I waive that rule.  Tonight began the first night of unwinding earlier with the hopes of 8:30 being the norm again in just a few days.  Same goes for waking up! Starting earlier is better when it comes to a child's routine and making changes.  Everyone will be happier on the first day of school!

2. Back to school shopping began a couple of weeks ago, but most of it will be completed during the Tax-Free holiday starting next week in most areas.  This is a great time to stock up on uniforms, supplies, shoes, and perhaps even a couple of electronics that you have been holding off to get.  Visit http://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school/
for all the details and dates.

3. Organizing school items is done one week before school begins.  Backpacks packed, uniforms put in their proper place, lunchboxes out and ready for use.  I also try to ensure that the kiddos get a mini room makeover by sprucing up their desks with new accessories (whatever their newest interest may be) and reorganizing to eliminate some of the clutter they have accumulated over the summer months.  This becomes an excellent opportunity to donate old clothes, unwanted books, and even toys.  Organization plus doing a good deed = AWESOME!

4. We also make a summer memory book the weekend before school starts.  Pictures, postcards (we buy postcards at every place we go to but never mail them lol), summer flowers, all get meshed together and it has become a great way to help the kiddos transition - they look over the completed book and eagerly begin discussing which of their friends they can't wait to tell about their great summer!

5. Refresher course: summer is such a carefree time, I often let a lot of things slide as well as my husband, and this is not always the best idea.  The kids some how become tyrants over summer, dictating everything from bedtimes to what they are going to eat for breakfast! Reminding them of school day routines, school rules, and homework habits usually helps to lasso in their summer wildness. 

What are some of your back to school preparation rituals?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Events this week:

Birds in Concert August 4th 7pm-8:30pm
Description: "The Raptor Project" house band performs their hit children's songs while birds fly above your head!
Location: Wild Bird Sanctuary 125 Bald Eagle Rd Valley Park, MO 63088
Cost: FREE
website: www.worldbirdsanctuary.org

Free Family Fun Day August 6th 10am - 4pm
Description: Celebrate the grand reopening of the Delta Dental Theatre with several family fun events, characters like Dora and Spongebob, and more.
Location: Corner of First & Lucas streets (down the street from the theatre)
website: www.ddhtstl.org

Also, check out www.kidsinstl.com for great deals on 'kids eat free' locations, events, and tips!

Elvis at The Ivory!

Had to take a moment today and share this information about an upcoming event for any fellow Elvis lovers out there plus this guy is really good and totally worth a night out! I'll be there, will you?

Live @ The Ivory presents Elvis Tribute Artist Tony Witt 2009 & 2010 Finalist Elvis Presley Enterprises' Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest For Two (2) Nights Only

August 5 & 6 Showtime is 7:00 pm General Admission Tickets - $22 per person in advance / $25 per person at the door. Special VIP (TCB) Package - $59 per person (Includes pre-concert reception, reserved seating in the Ivory Tower, and more). (Reception held in the Ivory Tower from 5:30 to 6:45pm both nights) 

Sunday Reflections: Attack of the Heat Wave of 2011

Yikes it is HOT! For the past week temperatures have topped 100 degrees here in our wonderful city, but it looks like we will be blessed with a bit of relief today and Monday. Finding things to do during this heat wave have been harder than in previous years, mainly because most indoor activities at area venues now charge.  Creating new ideas on ways to stay cool started with the same philosophy as what to do on rainy days - use your imagination and start at home.

On a rainy day, you might stay home and let the kids do crafts or play video games.  On an extremely hot day you probably find yourself doing the same.  But during prolonged periods such as the current one, staying home leads to boredom! You start running out of fascinating stories to tell, forts to build, crafts to make, and your sanity.  So what are some of the great places you can go with the kiddos without breaking the bank?

The Art Museum and History Museum in Forest Park are both free venues great for a family day and they are air conditioned! Another great idea is to take advantage of the free Summer Movie Series at local theaters.  Wehrenberg Movie Theatres offer family friendly movies for free.  Also, public libraries are a great way to spend a hot afternoon.  They offer tons of activities for children including story tellers and scavenger hunts.  Here are links for each of these venues for further details:

www.slpl.org

www.wehrenberg.com

www.slam.org

www.mohistory.com


Always remember that heat waves too shall pass and summer doesn't last for ever so we better enjoy it while we can! St. Louis is famous for it's crazy weather, soon we will be complaining about digging out of a blizzard...

I also wanted to touch base on the safety issues that we sometimes overlook during extremes of summer.  The American Red Cross offers great guidelines and tips are their website to ensure everyone has a great and safe summer: www.redcross.org

Just to point out a few; 1. Drink plenty of water! Stay away from sodas and other beverages that will actually make you more prone to dehydration.  Water is the best! 2. Apply sunscreen even on days when the sun is not as prominent in the sky, especially when you are swimming.  Water reflects the suns rays causing even more damage to exposed skin in a shorter amount of time, be sure to reapply sunscreen every thirty minutes as well. 3. Check on your neighbors, sometimes just asking them how they are handling the heat will get them to open up if they need help, especially the elderly.  If you do know someone who needs assistance with either an air conditioner or transportation to a cooling center, contact the United Way or your local American Red Cross chapter.  4. Keep an emergency kit in your car.  If you break down somewhere in this heat and have to stay with your vehicle even for a short time before help arrives it could be harmful to your health.  Bottles of water, cooling packs, and sunscreen. It's also important to have an emergency kit prepared for your home in the event of power outages. Here are some great tips to help you prepare now prior to an event like this happening:

1. Make your own ice packs. Fill up a few large freezer bags with water and place them in the freezer. 

2. If you take any medication that needs to remain cold such as insulin, make sure you have a small cooler available.

3. Have a back up way to charge cell phones or have a land line.  Magic Jack is a great way to ensure you have a land line in times of emergencies as well and is inexpensive.

4. Have bottled water and light food (foods not high in protein) together.  You want to stay well hydrated and eat lightly.

Again, the heat fades away with the seasons, so here's to enjoying the summer while it lasts, safely!

Deals:

Target Sales: good thru 7/31

Sterlite pencil boxes .50 ea
Licensed folders .80 ea
Cherokee Polo tees (think school uniforms) $7 ea
HP All in One Printer $29.99

CVS Pharamcy Deals:

Spend $30 on selected marked merchandise and earn $10 in Free Gas!
B1G1 Edy's Ice Cream 48 oz
Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal 2/$4 + use $1 MNFC = 2/$3
Papermate Grip Pens $1.99 + get $1.99 EB = FREE
Palmolive 10 oz .99 + .25 MNFC = .74
1 subject notebooks 4/.99
Kleenex on sale for .88 ea, buy 3 + use .50 MNFC = $2.14

Walgreens:

M&Ms 1.1oz - 2.17 oz on sale for .49 ea, buy 2 + .75 MNFC = .23
WAGS Brand pantyliners 2/$1
Yardleys bar soap .69 SC
Soft Soap Body wash $2.99 + .75 MNFC = $2.24
Skintimate or Edge shave gel $1.99 + .55 MNFC = $1.44
Speed Stick deodorant $1.99 w/ SC + .50 MNFC = $1.49
Loreal Eversleek, Everpure, or Everstrong hair care products $5.99 + $2 MNFC = $3.99
Irish Spring deodorant & body wash 2/$6 + $4 RR + $1 MNFC on deodorant + .55 MNFC on boy wash = .50!

Check out www.my-backtoschool.com for more great coupons!

Events:

7/24 - Missouri Botanical Garden
description: free admission to the garden and children's garden in honor of Henry Shaw's birthday.
cost: FREE

7/28 - St Louis Art Museum
description: Join us in the galleries for a lively and informative discussion with Janeen Turk, Senior Curatorial Assistant. Space is limited in smaller galleries; please arrive early. Talk meets at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and then repeats at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Meet at the Information Center.
cost: FREE

7/29 - Laclede's Landing Summer Concert Series
description: Blues singer Kim Massie takes the stage from 4:30 - 8:30pm.
cost: FREE
www.lacledeslanding.com

7/29 - Sunflower Days
description: A Plein Air painting event in Historic Clarksville, MO. Come watch the artists paint our beautiful sunflowers, vote for your favorite, enjoy artisan shop specials and local eateries. See our Facebook page at Sunflower Days for more information. 
cost: FREE for most everything besides shops and eateries
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=131949060216055

7/30 - Wings of Hope 2nd Annual "Hope Floats"
description: Handmade Viking ships, Italianesque gondolas and cardboard biplane boats - you won’t want to miss the 2nd Annual “Hope Floats” event to raise money for 2011 Nobel Peace Prize nominated Wings of Hope. The event is free to the public and proceeds from registered race participants and sponsors benefit the St. Louis Medical Relief and Air Transport Program, which Wings of Hope operates to transport critically ill children to essential health care provided in St. Louis. More than 100 participants will put their boating skills to the test and see if they can navigate their homemade vessels around Grand Basin.
cost: FREE
www.wingsofhope-boatrace.org


7/30 - St Louis Open Casting Call
description: NOWCASTING
Do you have what it takes to host your own show on Food Network?

Date: Saturday, July 30th
Time: 10am- 2pm
Location: Sheraton St. Louis City Center
400 S. 14th Street
St. Louis, MO 63103

WHAT TO BRING
NOWCASTING
Application
2 photos of yourself
Resume
Do you have what it takes to host your own show on Food Network?

If you can’t make it to an open call, please visit us at www.FoodNetworkStarCasting.com for details
on how to submit a home video! For questions please e-mail us at fns8StLouis@gmail.com.
For information about the show please go to www.FoodNetwork.com/Star.
Please read the Rules & Eligibility Requirements (found on the “Rules and Eligibility” page) before applying. Applicants must (a) be a US citizen or permanent
legal resident with the unrestricted ability to work in the U.S. and (b) be at least 21 years of age.

7/30 - Bye Bye Liver at Maggie O'Briens
description: Bye Bye Liver pulls from a grab bag of alcohol-infused sketches interspersed with participatory drinking games. The result is a comedic cocktail that has proven a hit with the palette of St. Louis’ partiers young and old.
Maggie O’Brien’s house band Bangers and Mash will provide post-show entertainment as actors mingle with friends and fans until the wee hours at their weekly cast party.
cost: $14
www.byebyeliver.com/st.louis


7/30 - Help Friends of Kids with Cancer
Description:
Friends of Kids with Cancer, an organization that provides recreational, educational, and emotional support to kids battling cancer and their families in St. Louis, has been chosen as a finalist in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good Program. Toyota is giving away a brand new vehicle to 100 charities, and Friends of Kids with Cancer needs your help! Our voting day is Sunday, July 24th, 2011. Please visit www.facebook.com/toyota to cast your vote! Friends plans to use the van to transport toys, games, and other gifts to the families in treatment centers.

Contest & Sweepstakes:

The Land Of Frost Marvel Superfan giveaway www.landofrost.com

100 Days of Sunny Moments giveaway www.feelthesoleil.com