Whether you’re interested in spending your weekend at an outdoor festival, learning green-thumb tips in a gardening class or sipping wines from all over the world, SLHL has you covered. Here’s a quick list of what’s going on around St. Louis this weekend.
August 28
Landscape Design School 101: A Great Landscape Starts with a Great Plan
10 a.m. In this informative class, held at Greenscape Gardens, you will learn the basics of landscape design from Jerry Pence, Landscape Design instructor at St. Louis Community College. Bring pictures of an area in your yard and get design ideas from the staff at Greenscape! Greenscape Gardens is located at 2832 Barrett Station Rd. For more information, call 314-821-2440 or visit www.greenscapegardens.com.
August 28
Preserving Your Own Harvest
10 a.m. This free class, which takes place at Bowood Farms, will prepare you to have a winter full of fresh-tasting fruits and veggies from your garden! Mary Elizabeth Wissmann, the University of Missouri’s extension specialist for nutrition and health, will talk in detail about techniques for freezing fresh vegetables and dehydrating fresh-picked fruits and herbs. For more information, call 314-454-6868 or visit www.bowoodfarms.com.
August 28
Weekly Wine Tasting at Balaban’s Wine Cellar & Tapas Bar
Sip four special selections with Bill Pohlemus of Garco Wines: 2008 Faiveley Macon Villages, Burgundy, France; 2008 Mount Difficulty “Roaring Meg” Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand; 2005 Dehesa du Rubiales Alaia, Tierra Castilla, Spain; 007 Tenuta di Biserno “Insoglio,” Tuscany, Italy. For more information, visit www.balabanswine.com.
August 28-29
Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. This multiethnic celebration will feature traditional dance, music, ethnic food, cultural and educational exhibits, folk art demonstrations, and an international market. A free shuttle will be available throughout the park. Location: corner of Arsenal and Grand. Click here for more information.
August 28-29
LouFest Music Festival at Central Field in Forest Park
Noon to 10 p.m both days. This two-day sustainable music festival will feature 18 bands from a range of genres, including rock, pop, folk, alt-country and bluegrass. Main acts include Broken Social Scene, She & Him, Built to Spill and Jeff Tweedy. The event features a Kids Village and an EcoZone to promote conservation, recycling and clean energy. A single-day ticket costs $38.00 single-day ticket, and a 2-day pass costs $64. Click here for more information.
August 26th, 2010
Ever wonder what to do with the plastic garden pots, hanging baskets, polystyrene cell packs and trays that you accumulate after a season of gardening? You can help reduce the amount of horticultural waste by bringing these items to the Missouri Botanical Garden and other collection sites around St. Louis City and County to be recycled.
The Missouri Botanical Garden operates the most extensive public garden recycling program in the nation. Last year, the Garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program collected 130,000 pounds of horticultural waste; to date, this has saved more than 800,000 pounds from landfills. It’s easy to participate in this eco-minded endeavor. Just follow these easy steps!
1. Collect and sort your plastic gardening containers into cell packs, pots, and trays. Then, shake soil and rocks out of the containers, and remove all metal hangers, rings or any other foreign materials.
2. Bring them to the Garden’s Monsanto Center or your nearest participating satellite garden center location. (Click here to see a list of satellite locations.)
After grinding the containers into chips, they are marketed to manufacturers of plastic lumber, retaining wall ties or other recycled products. (Plastic timbers are water and pest resistant and can be cut and drilled similar to wooden lumber. They outlast traditional wooden railroad ties that have a life span of only ten to 15 years.)
The Missouri Botanical Collection site will be open until October 31, 2010. The satellite locations will be collecting the containers through September 30, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.mobot.org/plasticpotrecycling.
August 26th, 2010
Jessica Pasteris, SLHL account executive, shares her thoughts on using reclaimed objects to create fresh, new looks.
There are so many fabulous ways to refurbish furniture! Whether it’s a piece that has been passed down for generations or one that you spotted excitedly at a local estate sale or flea market, the possibilities are endless.
With all of the recent emphasis on “going green,” it really makes us think twice before throwing away a piece of furniture and going out to buy a new one. As the saying goes, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” And even if you don’t want to refurbish a piece of furniture yourself, someone else may have the perfect idea for giving it new life!
Try to find a local organization that collects donated items. We just bet that while you’re there, you may stumble upon your next favorite chair or table! Shabby Chic is one style that works perfectly with refurbished furniture.
In the photo of interior designer Lauren Ross’ dining room, several repainted and reupholstered antiques come together to create a truly stylish space.
St. Louis has several extremely eco-conscious shops full of pieces just like these. Next time you’re in the mood to redesign a room, visit Three French Hens, 16935 Manchester Rd., or Recycled Rose, 421 N. Sappington Rd., and see what treasures you can uncover.
Photos courtesy of Country Living, www.countryliving.com.
August 4th, 2010
June 18
Jungle Boogie Concert. Saint Louis Zoo, Schnuck Family Plaza. 5 to 8 p.m. This free Friday night concert is fun for the whole family, with plenty of activities for children. For more information, visit www.stlzoo.org.
June 19-20
Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show & Sale. Missouri Botanical Garden, Orthwein Floral Display hall in the Ridgway Visitor Center. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry included with Garden admission. New cultivars and old favorites are show and sold by the area’s top growers. For more information, visit www.avsa.org.
June 19
St. Louis Hosta Society Show & Sale. Missouri Botanical Garden, Beaumont Room in the Ridgway Visitor Center. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry included with Garden admission. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. For more information, visit www.stlouishosta.org.
June 19
Free Father’s Day Event at Mary Tuttle’s. 17021 Baxter Rd. Kids ages 3 to 10 will have fun making a special flower pot to take to Dad. RSVP to reserve your spot. Call 636-728-0480 or visit www.marytuttles.com.
June 19
4th Annual Tour of Green Homes. Various neighborhoods in the Greater St. Louis area. Noon to 4 p.m. This is free event. Explore green building options for your new or existing home while touring the city. For more information or to download a printable directory of the houses on the tour, visit www.greenhomesstl.org/tour.html.
June 20
Father’s Day Build-a-Burger at the Butterfly House. 15193 Olive Blvd. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fathers can build custom gourmet hamburgers and enjoy a variety of sides, desserts and beverages, including cold beer. $21.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 3-12. Includes Butterfly House admission. Advance reservations required. Call 636-733-2339 to RSVP, and visit www.butterflyhouse.org for more information.
June 20
Father’s Day at the Kemp Auto Museum. 16955 Chesterfield Airport Rd. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dads get free admission on Father’s Day. For more information, visit www.kempautomuseum.org.
June 17th, 2010
Installing eco-friendly water fixtures in your home is not only environmentally responsible, it’s financially savvy, too. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, which can cut water consumption and heating costs by more than half, utilize high pressure and aeration to produce a comfortable flow of water that feels nearly identical to that of standard fixtures. And, baths designed with multiple showerheads use even more water and energy than a single standard fixture, so installing low-flow fixtures in these spaces can be especially helpful.
WaterSense – a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnership program that promotes water efficiency and water-efficient products, programs and practices – recommends specific fixtures for their earth-friendly aspects. According to the EPA, if one of of every 10 homes in the U.S. upgraded to WaterSense labeled fixtures, more than 120 billion gallons of water and more than $800 million could be saved annually. In addition, simply installing WaterSense labeled bathroom sink faucets could save the average household more than 500 gallons of water each year.
WaterSense labeled fixtures are available in a variety of styles and brands, so it’s easy to find eco-chic fixtures that match your home’s style and décor. Visit a local kitchen and bath firm today to learn more about low-flow fixtures, as well as more ways to improve your home’s green appeal.
June 9th, 2010
With countless new styles and innovations in its design, wallpaper is making a beautiful comeback. According to the Wallcoverings Association, several factors have contributed to its rebirth, including advances in digital technology and the availability of eco-friendly choices.
A movement away from minimalist interiors has allowed homeowners to explore color and texture on their walls for a more decorative, visually interesting look. Wallpaper is one of the best (and easiest!) ways to spruce up a room and give it an entirely different look. Make a design statement with these new cool, fresh patterns that are sure to revitalize your spaces.
Iron Gate Trellis with Swarovski crystal accents
York Wallcoverings Vintage Jewel Collection
Leaf Stripe, York Wallcoverings By the Sea Collection
Advances in digital imaging and printing have introduced a new perspective into the traditional field of wallcoverings, bringing new life to the designs that are available today. In addition, many new wallpapers are made with 100 percent natural fibers and low- or no-VOC, water-based inks, so they are as earth-friendly as they are lovely. York Wallcoverings’ CLD Pure Collection features breathable, mold-resistant and non-woven varieties and are created with natural fibers that are harvested from managed forests and synthetic fibers used in tea bags and coffee filters.
Seabury, York Wallcoverings CLD Pure Collection
Zen, York Wallcoverings CLD Pure Collection
According to interior designer Gigi Lombrano, ASID, of Frank Patton Interiors, wallpaper can lend a sophisticated texture to the walls of any room, in addition to introducing an added element of design. A variety of wallpaper collections by York® Wallcoverings, including those shown above, are available at Frank Patton Interiors, 13133 Manchester Rd., 314-965-4240, www.frankpattoninteriors.com.
Photos courtesy of York® Wallcoverings, www.yorkwall.com.
May 18th, 2010
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and St. Louis is celebrating its commitment to green living by extending the festivities throughout the weekend.
The 21st Annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival will take place on Sunday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Muny Grounds in Forest Park. This eco-fabulous event will include two stages of live music, cultural performances, local cuisine and family-friendly, hands-on activities. In addition, more than 275 environmentally responsible artists, food vendors, educational exhibitors, businesses and organizations will be on hand to share ideas on how we can learn to live every day like it’s Earth Day. The festival will kick off with the popular All Species Parade with the help of Mayor Francis Slay. For more information, visit www.stlouisearthday.org.
Other Earth Day events this weekend include:
Chesterfield Earth Day
Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This 19th Annual Earth Day festival, hosted by the city of Chesterfield, is titled “Water’s Where It’s At!” with a focus on what local families can do to keep our watershed cleaner. More than 50 exhibitors will be showcasing green services and selling environmentally friendly products, including rain barrels, recycled glass art and native Missouri wildflowers. This event takes place at Central Park, 16365 Lydia Hill Dr. For more information, visit www.chesterfield.mo.us.
Earth Day at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn about healthy living from the environmental organizations of Earth Share of Missouri. Behind-the-scenes greenhouse tours will take place at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and there will be live music on Spoehrer Plaza from 1 to 3 p.m. The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. For more information, visit www.mobot.org.
Earth Day at Kirkwood Farmers’ Market
Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Specialists from Kirkwood Living Green will demonstrate how to compost, build a rain garden, plant an organic garden and make your home more energy-efficient. Peter Laufersweiler, Kirkwood’s horticulturist and arborist, will share information about the new Kirkwood Community Garden and more. The Kirkwood Farmers’ Market is located at 150 E. Argonne Dr. For more information, visit www.downtownkirkwood.com.
Earth Day Party at Greenscape Gardens
Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m.
“Native Plants for the Urban Landscape with Justin McCoy.” Learn how plants can be beneficial as well as beautiful in urban landscapes. Greenscape Gardens is located at 2832 Barrett Station Rd. For more information, visit www.greenscapegardens.com.
Pedal for the Planet
Sunday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Explore the natural ecosystems of Forest Park using pedal power as the mode of transportation. Registration for this free event begins at 9 a.m., and a 6-mile, naturalist-led tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum’s north entrance in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.
April 22nd, 2010
Unique furnishings that feature great design are important to the overall style of every home, so why should a child’s room be any different? Muu – a design-minded children’s furniture company with a modern, sustainable perspective – creates eco-friendly pieces that are American-made, non-toxic and as adorable as your little ones. The Sam Collection by Muu includes cribs, nightstands, dressers, storage units and twin beds are made with specialty panels, all of which can be completely customized with an array of graphics, fonts and colors. To browse the Sam Collection locally, visit City Sprouts, 6303 Delmar Blvd., 314-726-9611, or visit www.muukids.com.
Photography courtesy of Muu
April 19th, 2010
Brighten up a tired tablescape with these earth-friendly and fun recycled glass dishes from Viva Terra. The Fiesta Sol collection includes vibrant plates, chargers, bowls and saucers in a variety of hot hues and is sure to add a touch of cheer to any dinner setting.
Photography courtesy of Viva Terra, www.vivaterra.com.
April 13th, 2010
When it comes to green cuisine in St. Louis, there are more than a handful of earth-friendly eateries to choose from. Dozens of restaurants are known for using locally grown produce and keeping in mind the importance of energy efficiency and recycling, but how many of them have gone so far as to convert half an acre of their parking lot into a chemical-free garden? This eco-fabulous feat, known as Gardenworks, is just one of Schlafly Bottleworks environmentally responsible endeavors.
Photography courtesy of Jack Petrovic, Schlafly Gardenworks
Gardenworks manager, Jack Petrovic, plans, plants and harvests the natural, organically grown produce from the garden at Schlafly Bottleworks. In 2009, Gardenworks produced more than 3,600 pounds of quality produce that was then used by the Bottleworks kitchen manager, Matt Bessler, and staff.
Bottlewoks also hosts a number of eco-friendly events throughout the year, including the Maplewood Farmers Market, (which opened for the season on April 7, and is held every Wednesday thereafter from 4-7 p.m.) "Good Gardening Good Food" workshops, which take place Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, offer useful information on green gardening techniques and practices, such as composting and permaculture. St. Louis "Green Drinks" events, which are monthly meetings that bring together green-minded people, are also held at Schlafly Bottleworks. To read more about these (and more) events or to learn how to get involved, visit www.schlafly.com.
April 12th, 2010
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