👋 Good Morning, West County!

In today’s ⚡️West County Pulse newsletter:

• 🍌 Port Strike Grocery Impacts

• 🏃‍♀️ After Dark Creve Coeur Park Program

• 🍝 Candicci's Shifts its Business Model

Let’s jump into today’s newsletter!

— Jared Michel

Top Stories

🍌 Fruit Famine? Local Grocers Prepare

West County grocery stores may soon feel the pinch of the East Coast port strike. While most St. Louis imports come through West Coast ports, European holiday products could face delays in area stores, and shoppers may notice gaps on store shelves if the strike extends beyond two weeks. Read more about area effects from the St. Louis Post Dispatch here.

🏡 Property Tax Relief for Seniors Opens

The Senior Property Tax Freeze program in St. Louis County has begun accepting applications. The program is designed to provide tax relief for homeowners aged 62 and older by freezing their property taxes. To be eligible, applicants must own and live in their primary residence within the county. Various documents are required to verify age, ownership, and residency. Learn more / apply here.

🏃‍♀️ After Dark Program Begins at Creve Coeur Park

St. Louis County Parks introduced its extended hours program at Creve Coeur Park this week. The new "After Dark" program allows trail use from sunset to 10pm, October through March. Passes are required and can be obtained online here, granting access to paved trails in the park's lower section every evening.

📱 Text for St. Louis Weather Alerts

St. Louis County residents can now stay informed about severe weather by texting SLCOEM to 78015. This easy-to-use system provides timely updates directly to your phone. Additionally, the county recommends using NOAA Weather Radios, monitoring local media, and following official social media accounts for comprehensive weather information.

Business

🍝 Candicci's Shifts to Catering & Takeout

Candicci's in Ballwin has transformed its business model. Now operating as Candicci's Catering & Express, the establishment is prioritizing catering and to-go orders. Owner Bob Candice made this change in response to shifting customer preferences and industry challenges. The menu still features beloved Italian classics.

🦋 BOOterfly House Takes Flight This October

The Butterfly House in Chesterfield is hosting a special event this October. Throughout the entire month, visitors can enjoy Halloween-themed exhibits and activities during the BOOterfly House event. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm, this event offers a unique way to experience the conservatory during the fall season.

🐄 Prairie Farms Expands to Ohio

St. Louis area favorite Prairie Farms Dairy is making waves beyond Missouri. The Edwardsville-based cooperative has acquired SmithFoods' facilities in Orrville, Ohio. This expansion showcases the growth of our local dairy powerhouse, which now boasts over 600 farm families and annual sales exceeding $4.69 billion.

📅 Hub STL Unveils October Event Calendar

The Hub STL in Chesterfield has just released their October event schedule:

City Highlights

Chesterfield

🚔 Chesterfield Unit Tackles Retail Crime

Chesterfield's Special Enforcement Unit is making a significant impact on retail crime. The four-person team has achieved notable results since February, including 126 arrests and over $60,800 in recovered merchandise. Their efforts demonstrate the city's active approach to addressing retail theft concerns.

🚛 Trucks & Treats Event This Saturday

Chesterfield's Central Park is hosting a unique event this Saturday. From 10am to 1pm, families can explore maintenance trucks, emergency vehicles, and other large machines. The free event will include Halloween treats and activities. A quiet hour from 10-11am will cater to those who prefer a calmer environment.

Ellisville

🔌 E-Waste Be Gone: Ellisville Recycles

The City of Ellisville and Adonis are partnering to host an electronic recycling event tomorrow (Thursday). Tomorrow at Bluebird Park from noon to 5pm, Adonis will accept a wide range of electronic devices. Participants should note that certain items come with a disposal fee, while others are free to recycle.

Eureka

🕰️ Blevins Elem. Opens 25-Year Time Capsule

Blevins Elementary School recently opened a time capsule sealed 25 years ago. The event brought together former and current staff, along with excited students. Items from 1999, such as floppy disks and VHS tapes, were revealed. The capsule's contents sparked discussions about technological changes over the past quarter-century.

Manchester

📄 Paper Purge Party Coming to Schroeder Park

Manchester residents can securely dispose of personal documents at a free shredding event this Saturday (October 5th) at Schroeder Park. The event will run from 9-11am and accepts up to 5 boxes of papers per household. Participants are asked to bring proof of residency and donate non-perishable food items or cash to Circle of Concern.

Town & Country

🍂 T&C's Fall Fest at Longview Farm Park

This Saturday, Longview Farm Park in Town & Country will host an autumn-themed event for the community. Visitors can enjoy bounce houses, sample offerings from multiple food trucks, and listen to live music performed by Whiskey Morning. The festivities will end with a fireworks show as night falls.

Wildwood

🚴 Annual Wildwood Bike Tour Returns This Sunday

The 19th Annual Tour de Wildwood bike race is scheduled for this Sunday (October 6th). The popular cycling event offers routes ranging from 14 to 50 miles, allowing participants to explore local attractions like Route 66, Babler State Park, and Rockwoods Reservation. Riders will have the opportunity to enjoy the fall foliage while cycling through Wildwood's scenic landscapes.

🌙 Zombie Road Race: Still Taking Sign-ups

Wildwood’s Shivering Shadows 7K Walk|Run is still accepting registrations. Starting at 7pm on October 25th, thr evening race will take place on Zombie Road. Participants will receive race swag and post-race refreshments. Awards for various age categories are up for grabs. Current registration is $40, increasing to $50 on race day.

Valley Park

📚 Valley Park Schools' September Scoop

Valley Park School District has released their latest monthly newsletter available to read here.

🩸 VP Firefighters Hosting Vital Blood Drive

Valley Park Fire District Station 2 is organizing a blood drive tomorrow (October 3rd). The event will take place in the Training Room at 47 Crescent Ave from 10am to 2pm. Donors can receive various incentives, including gift cards or donations to local food banks.

Upcoming Events

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

📆 Next 7 Days

THANKS!

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