Category Archives: Local Events

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Twinkling Thru Jan.6: Garden Glow Adds New Items To Holiday Celebration

Photos courtesy MOBOT.

by Don Corrigan

St. Louis area residents are once again getting into the holiday spirit at Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden. The show runs through New Year’s Eve and beyond.

Two-million lights await visitors, but these are not ordinary twinkling bulbs. Displays are extraordinarily high-tech and environmentally responsible.

According to the Garden’s Elves:

• All displays are LED and use minimal electrical energy.

• Glow is an immersive walking experience, rather than drive-thru.

• As an on-foot exhibit, the walkable displays reduce emissions.

• Food vendors use almost exclusively compostable containers.

• Trees used in displays are used to maximum sustainable advantage.

“Sustainability is at the heart of all we do at the Missouri Botanical Garden,“ said Catherine Martin, senior public information officer for MoBot.
“We continue to adapt Glow each year in sustainable ways

“Energy conservation is among the criteria for selection as we add new displays,” added Martin. “Garden Glow is carefully designed in coordination with our Horticulture staff to protect our living collection of trees and plants.”

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Posted on December 9, 2023 in Environment, Home, Local Events

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To Debut At Winery Nov. 25: Christmas Flatulence Basket Heads To Blumenhof

Buy a signed book from Don Corrigan’s pop culture trilogy and receive a raffle ticket for the amazing Christmas Flatulence Basket packed with gassy goodies. (pictured above)

Flatulence scholar Don Corrigan will unveil the Christmas Festival Flatulence Basket in the Washington, Missouri area on Nov. 25. The one-of-a-kind yuletide basket is destined to become a holiday favorite.

Festive and flatulence-festooned baskets will be available for viewing at the Blumenhof Winery Christmas Boutique in Dutzow on Saturday, Nov. 25, from noon – 5 p.m. Many vendors of holiday cheer also will present at the boutique.

Author Corrigan will have a book signing for his pop culture series of books, including his most recent: Flatulence in Popular Culture. Book buyers can get a signed book and a raffle ticket for a flatulence basket, the perfect holiday “white elephant” gift for dad.

McFarland Publishing recently announced that Corrigan’s pop culture trilogy is completed with three books: Nuts About Squirrels, American Roadkill, and Flatulence in Popular Culture. His flatulence book is headlined: “I fart in your general direction,” per the Holy Grail movies of Monty Python.

Shoppers can come to Blumenhof; buy a signed book from the pop culture trilogy; and, receive a raffle ticket for the amazing Christmas Flatulence Basket packed with gassy goodies. Signed books – with accompanying raffle ticket – can be purchased thru Dec. 18. Winner of the prize holiday basket will be drawn and announced on the first day of winter, Dec. 21.

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Posted on November 20, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Methane: An Environmental Issue? Flatulence Book Breaks New Ground (Wind?)

Presentations on definite flatulence book slated for Chicago, Webster Groves, as well as Missouri Wine Country this Fall.

Flatulence is something people don’t want to talk about. A taboo in mass media for years, there are a number of “firsts” when it comes to free expression and flatulence. Well-known names are associated with those “fart firsts.”

Whoopi Goldberg broke a barrier in comedy for females with her flatulence comedy. Director Mel Brooks broke the mold in movies with his fart scene in “Blazing Saddles.” Shock jock Howard Stern broke a sound barrier with his flatulence antics on the radio waves.

I Fart in Your General Direction: Flatulence in Popular Culture, now breaks new ground as a definitive work about the entire flatulence movement with commentary on the work of Stern, Brooks, Goldberg and many, many more.

Author Don Corrigan is presenting his flatulence tale at several venues, now that the book has finally rolled off the presses.

Professor Emeritus Don Corrigan will present at the Popular Culture Association conference Oct. 6-8 in Chicago. He will focus on flatulence in literature from Fielding to Shakespeare to Mark Twain, with special emphasis on new flatulence humor of female comedians.

Copies of Corrigan’s treatise,  Flatulence in Popular Culture, will be available for signing and for sale at the Blumenhof Winery at a music event from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 29 in Dutzow, Mo. The hills of Missouri Wine Country will be alive with musical vineyard fruit.

Corrigan will also do a signing at the Webster Groves Bookshop from 12:30- 2:30 p.m. Nov. 4. The books are available on Amazon and locally at Novel Neighbor and Webster Groves Bookshop.

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Posted on September 20, 2023 in Home, Local Events, Opinion

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Night Visions: The Natural World Under Twilight, Moonlight and Starlight

Pictured: Dan Zarlenga.

The Fantastic Photography of Dan Zarlinga

A lot of people may not think of night as the best time to take pictures. But while many photographers are putting their cameras away, Dan is usually getting his out. Zarlinga explains, “I’ve been in love with the night sky and the stars all my life.  After becoming interested in photography, it seemed only natural to bring the two together. The world looks different after the sun goes down . . . unique, mysterious, and intriguing.”

These photographs are a collection of twilight scenes, starscapes, long exposure star trails, and moonlit landscapes, all revealed by the photographic magic of long exposures.

See this amazing photo and more at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center through the month of September.

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Posted on September 16, 2023 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Get Outside This Fall With Help From Agents of Discovery Mobile App

MDC is again partnering with the Agents of Discovery mobile gaming app for its Missouri Explorer Campaign. Through Oct. 31, users can complete challenges at five MDC nature centers to connect with nature and earn special prizes.

The fall season is a great time to explore and learn about Missouri’s outdoors. To help kids and adults discover nature this season, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is again partnering with the Agents of Discovery mobile gaming app for its Missouri Explorer 3.0 Campaign.

Agents of Discovery is an educational gaming app that allows users to engage with nature while completing “Missions”, or games – proving that screen time can be green time.

The Missouri Explorer Campaign will run through Oct. 31. Anyone can join in by downloading the free app and completing the Missions at participating locations. Each Mission is made up of educational challenges that teach players about local history, culture, ecosystems, and safety.

The Campaign includes prizes to reward “Agents”, or players who participate. Once an Agent completes a Mission, they’ll earn a lanyard and a player card. If Agents complete three Missions, they’ll be entered to win raffle tickets to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, the Discovery Center of Springfield, Arabia Steamboat Museum, and St. Louis Botanical Gardens. If they complete six Missions, they’ll fill out their player card and get upgraded to a new lanyard.

Agents can again complete Missions at five MDC nature centers: the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City, Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City, Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood, the Springfield Nature Center, and Cape Girardeau Nature Center.

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Posted on September 4, 2023 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Missouri Prairie Foundation to Offer Three, Free Guided Hikes in September

Deer Lake Savanna courtesy Forest Park.

Make plans to see the fall splendor of blooming native plants around the state while learning from an expert with a guided hike in September, organized by MPF in partnership with colleagues from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Forest Park.

The hikes are free, but registration is required. See details on each event and registration links below.

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Posted on September 2, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Washington State Park Hosts Sips, Stars and Meteors program, Aug. 11-13

Washington State Park invites guests to a special overnight camping opportunity to view the Perseids meteor shower under a dark sky Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12. For this overnight meteor shower viewing, guests will camp out in the park’s Big River Day-Use Area near Shelter No. 2.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Aug. 11, special guest storyteller Flavia Everman will entertain guests around the campfire. This portion of the event is open both to registered overnight guests and the general public. Flavia’s program is brought to Missouri State Parks courtesy of the Missouri Arts Council.

On Aug. 12, multiple activities will be offered throughout the day leading up to the meteor shower viewing that night. Join Washington State Park staff at 4 p.m. for a tour of the petroglyphs, the park’s history carved in stone. Learn about the Mississippian-era carvings, the culture and community who created them, and possible interpretations of what they mean. Enjoy a short stroll on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features.

Then, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., park interpretive staff will present meteor-themed activities. Meanwhile, Edg-Clif Vineyard of Potosi and Fyre Lake Winery of Cadet will provide limited free sampling to adults 21 and older.

Advance registration is required to attend this event and there is a nonrefundable $10 registration fee. Each registration secures a spot for up to six people. To register, CLICK HERE. Or visit icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Activities/Search.aspx and search for events at Washington State Park or call the park office at 636-586-5768.

No individual campfires, RVs or generators will be allowed at this tent camping event. The event area’s amenities include pit latrine restrooms, potable water and a group fire pit. There are no flush toilets or electrical services. Check-out is 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13.

Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto. For more information, contact the park at 636-586-5768.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Posted on August 7, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Sunflower’s Are Back at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area Despite Drought

Photo courtesy of the MDC.

Missouri is starting off summer in droughty conditions.  Sunflower fans will be pleased to know that Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) biologists still expect the sunflowers planted at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake to put on a show this year.   MDC staff has continued to plant multiple sunflower plots again this season.

Though the extremely dry conditions can put a lot of stress on plants and wildlife, MDC staff believe we’ll still see a good amount of blooming in the sunflower fields.  If the plants are especially stressed, the flowers may be somewhat smaller than previous years, and they might shift their blooming a little earlier and end a bit sooner.  But there should still be plenty to see for sunflower enthusiasts and photographers.

Showy sunflower fields have been an annual tradition at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.  MDC staff have been planting sunflowers for years as part of their management for mourning doves.  The area is known for dove hunting each September.  The large flowers supply seeds that entice the birds, and their lofty stalks create cover for the hunters who pursue them.  Sunflowers also benefit a wide variety of other birds and pollinators.  They lure plenty of photographers, too.

MDC work crews began planting additional sunflower stands in addition to the regular dove management fields again a few years ago.  These viewing fields are easily spotted from the road and intended to provide convenient access for taking photos.  MDC crews also stagger the timing of the plantings to spread their blooming periods out over a longer period.  Visitors should be able to see sunflowers in bloom somewhere on the area from early July through the middle of August—depending on weather conditions.

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Posted on July 9, 2023 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Scouts and outdoors lovers—come to MDC’s Scouting Event and Family Fun Day July 15 in Forest Park

Attention scouts of all stripes.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites you to MDC’s Annual St. Louis Regional Scouting Event and Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Forest Park Fish Hatchery Building.  This is an event for all nature lovers too.

Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and American Heritage Girls are all welcome.  This scouting event is free and will give scouts the opportunity to work toward several conservation-related merit badges.  But it is also open to any families interested in discovering and learning more about nature and the outdoors.  Affiliation with a scouting program is not required to attend.

MDC staff will guide participants through multiple activities that will help them appreciate nature and acquire valuable skills they can use in the future.  These include:

  • Macroinvertebrates
  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Knot tying
  • Geocaching
  • A nature scavenger hunt
  • Cordage making
  • Crafts
  • And more

Attendees should note that MDC is providing activities that may be applied towards merit badges but is not authorized to sign off on badges.  It’s recommended that participants working toward badges bring their own counselors to certify them.

Scouts and outdoors lovers can learn vital outdoor skills, connect with nature, and flex creative muscles at this fun event.

All activities will be outside, so attendees should dress according to the weather. Participants may want to bring a refillable water bottle and wear sturdy shoes.  In case of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled for this fall.

St. Louis Regional Scouting Event and Family Fun Day is a free event, but registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4P3.  Please individually register everyone who will be attending.

The Forest Park Hatchery is located on Grand Drive just south of Lindell Blvd., in the northeast corner of Forest Park.

Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.

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Posted on June 25, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Saint Louis Zoo Unveils Plans for the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery

Tasmanian devils and babydoll sheep are ambassadors for shrinking forest habitat and how human activity interacts with the sustainability of wild animal populations. The immersive Tasmanian devil exhibit, one of only three devil exhibits in the U.S., features a climb-through tree trunk with a wildlife underpass, allowing the devils to reach both sides of the habitat. This area offers guests a great opportunity to learn about wild animals living in communities with people. Artist renderings courtesy Saint Louis Zoo.

The new experience for children and families will have animal adventures at every turn. The target public opening is planned for 2026.

The Saint Louis Zoo recently shared plans for the new experience for children and families on site of the current Emerson Dinoroarus, formerly Emerson Children’s Zoo.

“Thanks to an incredibly generous $15 million lead gift from the Henry A. Jubel Foundation, we are able to carry forward the goal of the previous Children’s Zoo by providing dynamic experiences for children and families that will inspire a love of animals and learning, but in new and innovative ways,” said Dwight Scott, Dana Brown President & CEO, Saint Louis Zoo. “Destination Discovery will have animal adventures at every turn. You will be able to explore and play side by side with animals, building connections to the natural world.”

Development of the 2.8-acre Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery is estimated to cost $40 million with funding coming from a variety of sources, including philanthropy. With a target public opening slated for 2026, construction will begin in 2024. The temporary exhibit Dinoroarus will close Nov. 5, 2023.
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Posted on May 31, 2023 in Environment, Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature