👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

• 🍎 An Early Fall Harvest

• 🎵 A Successful Concert for Fallen Heroes

• 🥤 Schnucks’ Successful Hydrating Heroes Campaign

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

Top Stories

🌱 Fall Crops Flourish at Thies Farm

Thies Farm in Creve Coeur is kicking off the fall season earlier than usual. Honey crisp apples are ready for picking, with owner Dave Thies reporting an excellent crop this year. The farm's pumpkin patch is developing well for mid-October harvests. Mums are also showing color ahead of schedule, adding to the early autumn atmosphere.

🎵 Chesterfield Rocks for Fallen Heroes

Chesterfield Amphitheater was the site of a meaningful event on Saturday. A benefit concert for BackStoppers attracted many attendees, all there to support families of fallen police and firefighters. The outdoor venue provided an ideal setting for the community to come together and raise funds for this important cause.

🎬 Gateway Studios Plans Major Expansion

Gateway Studios is expanding the nature of its Chesterfield project. The company plans to develop a 290-acre property north of North Outer 40 Road, complementing their main studio complex. The expansion includes a three-story mixed-use building and a wilderness area with a lake, trails, and a community garden. Construction on the main studio is expected to finish this year.

🏓 T&C Considers Park Renovation Plan

Town & Country's Board of Aldermen is reviewing plans for Preservation Park renovations. The proposal includes adding pickleball courts and a bike playground to create a more diverse recreational space. A municipal grant could cover 90% of the $465,000 project, leaving the city to contribute just $51,655.

Business

🥤 Schnucks Customers Help Hydrate Heroes

Schnucks' annual Hydrate Our Heroes event in July saw significant community participation. Customers contributed over 80,000 beverages to support local firefighters, law enforcement, and first responders. These donations will help emergency personnel stay hydrated during their summer duties, ensuring they can continue their important work in the heat.

🏠 Kaufman Fund Opens Creve Coeur Office

The Kaufman Fund has established a new base of operations in Creve Coeur. This non-profit organization, which provides essential support to veterans, celebrated the opening of its headquarters last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fund's efforts to assist veterans with basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care will now have a stronger presence in our community.

🍕 Imo's Pizza Celebrates 60 Years in StL

Imo's Pizza is marking its 60th year in business this year. Founded by Ed and Margie Imo in 1964, the company has grown from a single Shaw neighborhood store to 98 locations. The family-owned business now involves 20 family members and sells 5 million pounds of their signature Provel cheese annually, continuing to serve their community. Read a full profile on the company and family from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch here.

🏮 Lantern Festival to Light Up Creve Coeur This Weekend

The Water Lantern Festival is coming to Creve Coeur Lake this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can enjoy food trucks, music, and the sight of illuminated lanterns floating on the lake. Each ticket to the event includes a lantern kit, LED candle, and more. The event starts at 5pm, with lantern launch from 8-9pm.

City Highlights

Ballwin

🍻 Craft Beer Event Coming to Vlasis Park

Ballwin Parks and Recreation is hosting its Craft Beer Festival coming up on September 7th. The event will take place in Vlasis Park from 3-6pm, showcasing dozens of breweries from the area and across the country. Organizers warn that tickets are selling quickly and prices will increase soon, so interested attendees should learn more / purchase tickets soon here.

🏊 Tiny Triathletes to Take on Ballwin Challenge

The Ballwin Kids Triathlon is back for its 17th year, offering young athletes a chance to experience a scaled-down version of the popular multisport event. Open to children aged 6-13, the triathlon features age-appropriate distances for swimming, biking, and running. Early registration is available until September 6, 2024.

Chesterfield

🎭 Chesterfield Amp Upgrades Approved

The Chesterfield City Council has approved a significant upgrade for the local amphitheater. A $2.4 million contract with Aspire Construction Services LLC will fund backstage improvements, including new dressing rooms, restrooms with showers, and a catering space. The project aims to enhance the venue's appeal and accommodate the needs of visiting performers.

Manchester

🐰 Homecoming to Feature Children's Area

Next week’s Manchester Homecoming will include a special area for young attendees. Kids Corner will operate on both Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm. Children and their families can enjoy activities such as a petting zoo and face painting, adding extra excitement to the community celebration. Learn more about this and the broader Homecoming event here.

🇻🇪 Venezuelan Festival Returning to Schroeder in Sept

Schroeder Park is set to host a Venezuelan cultural celebration on September 14th. The event promises a diverse range of activities for all ages. Attendees can enjoy authentic Venezuelan cuisine while listening to live music. For those interested in learning, there will also be salsa and merengue dance classes, as well as STEM activities for kids.

Town and Country

🌟 T&C to Host Annual National Night Out Oct 1

The Town and Country Police Department is inviting residents to participate in National Night Out. This yearly event brings neighbors together to enhance community spirit and discuss neighborhood safety. TCPD and West County EMS & Fire Protection District staff will visit registered block parties, offering a unique opportunity for casual interaction.

Wildwood

🚴 Tour de Wildwood Returns This October

Wildwood's annual cycling event returns on October 6th. The Tour de Wildwood event will welcome all types of bicycles, including e-bikes. Starting and ending at Wildwood City Hall, the event includes routes of 14, 22, 28, and 50 miles. Early bird registration is available until September 1, with regular and day-of registration options also offered. Learn more / register here.

Upcoming Events

Visit our full community calendar here for a comprehensive list of events.

📆 Next 7 Days

THANKS!

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