⚡️ Golf Champ, Tesla Takeover, & D&D Bar Debut

👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️ West County Pulse newsletter:

  • 🏌️ A Wildwood Golf Prodigy

  • 🚗 Teslas Takeover Chesterfield

  • 🎲 A New D&D Bar Debuts in Ballwin

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

Jared Michel

Get your garden ready for spring at the Forget-Me-Not Garden Club's annual plant sale next Saturday, May 11th, from 11am to 3pm!

Browse a wide selection of perennials, herbs, houseplants, and garden-related items, all while supporting local and national charities. Choose from full sun, part-sun, and shade-tolerant varieties, as well as deer and rabbit-resistant plants. Don't forget to check out the herb selection, featuring basil, lavender, mint, and more. Plus, houseplant enthusiasts will love the aloe vera, hoya, spider plants, and rubber plants on offer.

The sale will take place at 13515 Ladue Farm Road, and payment options wil include cash, check, or Venmo. Arrive early for the best selection, and don't forget to bring a container for your new plants!

THE DIGEST

🥇 Wildwood's Caden Fehr Excels at Golf Competition

Caden Fehr, a freshman at Chaminade, finished an impressive 4th place in the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National. The Wildwood resident earned his spot by advancing through local, sub-regional, and regional qualifiers. Fehr's strong chipping and putting skills helped him secure a top finish in the 14-15 age group, making his school and golf team proud. Read more here.

🛣️ Council Votes to Fix Unincorporated Streets

The St. Louis County Council has voted to use $40 million from the NFL Rams settlement to repair roads and sidewalks in unincorporated county subdivisions. While the transportation department has a list of the subdivisions most in need of repairs, the council will have the final say on which areas get attention first. Republican Councilman Mark Harder, who introduced the bill, believes this is a way to address the growing problem of aging streets without raising taxes.

🚗 Hundreds of Teslas Take Over Chesterfield Mall

In a surprising sight, hundreds of Tesla vehicles have been spotted parked outside the Chesterfield Mall, which is set to close its doors in August. The Staenberg Group, the mall's owner, has collaborated with Tesla to allow the electric car company to use the parking lot as a temporary storage space for their vehicles, including the eye-catching Cybertruck model. Read more here.

BUSINESS

📰 West Newsmagazine Spotlights Zick's Nursery

The West Newsmagazine recently profiled Zick's Great Outdoors, a unique 12-acre nursery located in West St. Louis County. The article highlights the nursery's 42-year history, its founder Doug Zick's passion for horticulture, and the expert advice offered by the knowledgeable staff. Zick's Great Outdoors is praised for its serene shopping experience and specialization in deer-resistant plants.

🎲 New D&D-Themed Bar Opens in Ballwin on May 4th

Dirty 20 Nerd Bar, a new Dungeons & Dragons-themed eatery, is set to open its doors in Ballwin on May 4th. Owners Jason Moughton and Ruth Camburn will offer a menu featuring customizable mac-and-cheese, sliders, flatbreads, and more, aiming to create a community hub for tabletop gaming enthusiasts. While the bar awaits its liquor license approval, patrons can enjoy the wide open floor plan and the aesthetically pleasing ceiling, courtesy of a last-minute health department request.

🎉 Fantasy Shop Creve Coeur's Free Comic Book Day!

The Fantasy Shop in Creve Coeur is celebrating Free Comic Book Day tomorrow with an exciting lineup of offers and activities. Customers who make a purchase of $50 or more will receive a bundle of select free comics. The store will also have sales running all day long, giving comic enthusiasts a chance to snag some great deals. Plus, every purchase made on Saturday will grant customers a spin on the prize wheel for a shot at winning additional goodies.

SCHOOL DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Rockwood

👏 Community Cheers on Special Olympics Athletes

Lafayette High School hosted the annual spring Special Olympics track and field event on April 24. Over 260 student-athletes from 22 schools participated, each accompanied by a Lafayette student buddy. The event featured opening ceremonies and various athletic activities, with hundreds of spectators, including local leaders and community members, showing their support.

CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Ballwin

🎟️ Get Your Tix for Ballwin's Craft Beer Fest!

Ballwin's annual Craft Beer Festival is set for September 7, 2024, at Vlasis Park. Tickets are now available for pre-sale. The event will feature a three-hour tasting block from 3 pm to 6 pm, live music, and complimentary tasting glasses for ticket holders aged 21 and up.

Creve Coeur

🏒 Creve Coeur Ice Arena Closed for May Upgrades

The Creve Coeur Ice Arena is currently undergoing a refrigeration system switchover project from R-22 to an ammonia-based system. The arena will be closed all month, but a temporary chiller will be installed to allow reopening by June 1. The project is expected to be completed this fall, while the golf course and meeting rooms remain open.

Des Peres

🏅 Des Peres PSO and K9 Honored by Major Case Squad

In April Des Peres Public Safety Officer Elzinga and his K9 partner Obe were awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis for their role in a 2023 homicide investigation in Overland. The duo successfully located the firearm used in the crime.

👨‍💼 Des Peres Welcomes New CA Starting Monday

Starting Monday, Scott Schaefer will officially begin his role as the new City Administrator of Des Peres. Unanimously approved by the Board of Aldermen, Schaefer brings extensive experience from his previous positions in Des Peres and Frontenac. See the full press release on the city’s home page here.

Manchester

🌞 Manchester's Summer of Fun Kicks Off!

Manchester’s Parks and Recreation Department has released a comprehensive summer events calendar:

🧢 Manchester Selling Gear for Special Olympics

Town and Country

🌟 Mason Pointe Hosts Tribute for Local Heroes

Town and Country residents recently organized a tribute fundraiser for military and first responders at Mason Pointe Community Center. The Town and Country Police Department expressed gratitude for the community's strong support and appreciation.

Valley Park

📰 New Valley Park Police Newsletter Out Now

The latest Valley Park Police Community Newsletter has been released, featuring a warm welcome to Officer McCarthy, a seasoned 16-year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department, who joins the Valley Park Detail. The newsletter also takes a fascinating look back at the department's history, highlighting the unique gray uniforms with blue triangular lapel pins and the generous vacation benefits officers enjoyed in the past.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Today - Sunday: 2024 Greater St. Louis Book Fair @ Queeny Park. Learn more / buy tickets here.

  • Today:

    • St. Louis County Park Foundation’s Cinco De Kilometer 5k Fun Walk @ Creve Coeur Lake @ 6pm. Learn more / register here.

    • Glow Golf at the Ballwin Golf Course from 7:30pm to 10pm. Learn more / register here.

  • Saturday: 

    • Vantage Credit Union’s Shred Day 2024 @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater from 9am to 12pm. Learn more here.

    • Wildwood’s Plein Air Art Event @ Wildwood City Hall from 7am to 4pm. Learn more / register here.

Next Week

  • Monday May 6: Swing for Support: Second Annual Keys to Change Golf Tournament @ Aberdeen Golf Club from 1pm to 7pm. Learn more here.

  • Thursday May 9: Manchester’s Parking Lot Bingo @ Schroeder Park from 6pm to 7:15pm. Learn more / register here.

  • Friday May 10: Town & Country Blood Drive @ the Longview Farm House from 10am to 2pm. Learn more here.

  • Saturday May 11:

    • St. Louis Scottish Games & Cultural Festival @ Schroeder Park starting at 9am. Learn more / buy tickets here.

    • St. Louis County Parks’s Mother’s Day Wine Tasting at Faust Park from 4pm to 7pm. Learn more here.

    • Forget-Me-Not Garden Club’s 2024 Plant Sale from 11am to 3pm. Learn more here.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading this edition of the ⚡️ West County Pulse newsletter. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend!

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