NEWS

As the fall months are quickly approaching, we begin to prepare for kids starting back to school and all the fall activities in September and October. This would be a great opportunity to consider volunteering.

CityWalk has many events, festivals, and opportunities available for you to volunteer throughout the Ferguson community. Here are a couple of functions that you may want to consider:

• Ferguson StreetFest is North St. Louis County’s largest annual outdoor music festival that draws thousands of visitors each September. We are looking forward to a great turnout on September 24, 2016. Renowned for its great live music, crazy fun events and mouthwatering food vendors, the event has hosted some of the Midwest’s top musicians and performers.
• Everyone loves the annual Manly Man High Heel Keg Relay and the Girly Girl Combat Wench Relay.
• Don’t miss out on this year’s great live entertainment. There will be crafts, food, artisans, and activities for kids and delicious food galore. You won’t want to miss one second! Ferguson StreetFest is looking for sponsors and planning committee members. If interested, please email citywalk@fergusoncity.com or call 314-524-5197. More details are coming soon.

With the start of the school year fast approaching, you may want to pay a visit to Akers computers, one of our new businesses on CityWalk. It is important for parents and the community as a whole to set the tone for the start of the year. Let’s make sure that our kids have all the resources and support needed for a successful start to the year.

Volunteering at your local school not only supports our students, but strengthens our community as well. From collecting school supplies for children to providing school staff with educational resources, your volunteerism is essential. Let’s make certain that our children are provided with the academic stability that will ensure success. The Ferguson-Florissant School District will be hosting a Back to School Festival and Literacy Fair on August 6, 2016, from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. For those interested, there will be a Back to School Run starting at 8:00am. We look forward to seeing you there.

One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.

― Jean Vanier, Community And Growth

I have been asked many times over the 20+ years of living in Ferguson, “why do I live in Ferguson?” I had a simple answer, “The people!” If you take the time to look and listen, great things have been happening and will continue to happen in our town. It is the power of community that beats like a strong and vibrant heart, in every voice, every sound, and every activity of our town.

You can feel the energy of our community while our neighbors listened and grooved to the Retro Boogie Band and Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers at 501 Plaza in June. The conversations happening at the Ferguson Farmers Market at the Victoria Plaza every Saturday. The words of encouragement from the runners of the BKM Fitness Bootcamp as they run up and down Florissant Road with the bright orange shirts that boldly state “you will survive.” The laughter from patrons of our many outstanding restaurants and bars. This is the energy of a strong community!

This month our town will continue its annual 4th of July celebration. The committee consists of citizens who share a common goal of giving and celebrating our community. The festivities will kick off the morning of the 4th with a parade. Last year the parade had 80 participants. The celebration will continue at January-Wabash Park with food, drinks and entertainment for the entire family. The City of Ferguson has once again sponsored the fireworks celebration and year after year is a crowd pleaser. I would like to tell everybody on the committee that they are doing a great job and we really appreciate their hard work. Thank You!

Lots of rain has not kept Ferguson residents inside this month. Hoping you were able to join the many who visited the Concerts at Plaza 501! Runners and walkers trained for months for the 7th Annual Twilight 5K / 10K on Saturday, May 14th.

Did you notice the car wash at 1000 So. Florissant Road has reopened. Tawania and Reggie Jackson promise a Grand Opening soon for their R.J.’s Total Hand Car Wash and Detailing Business. They offer on and off site services, so stop by or give them a call at 314-913-7393.

Another new business has moved to City Walk. Jeff Akers is now residing in Ferguson and has opened Akers Computers at 311 So. Florissant Road, with a Grand Opening on May 4th. He started the business in Normandy in 2012, and as the sole technician, promises competent and discretionary computer services. You can reach him at 314-873-9984.

At the other end of City Walk, the long-awaited Grand Reopening of Hidden Treasures Boutique, LLC was held on May 6th. Stop by and welcome back Jeneica Andrews and see what treasures she has found for her business at 2203 No. Florissant Road, or you can contact her at 314-757-2858.

If you were out and about on May 6th, you may have been part of the extensive coverage of City Walk, Our Town by Fox 2s Friday morning show and their crew as they visited many Ferguson businesses and community sites to showcase and promote their “Ferguson is a Great Place to Be and Visit” message.

Did you notice the utility boxes along City Walk? They have new, colorful and uplifting wraps for the enjoyment of all. The artwork was chosen from the many boardups that were painted in our town.

And lastly as they say . . . all good things must come to an end. After over 90 years of combined years of hair care service in Ferguson, Fran and Linda at Benton’s Hair Salon are announcing their retirement at the end of June. Stop by and visit as you pass by . . . and keep walking.

The City of Ferguson is excited to announce that KTVI-FOX 2 will devote their entire morning show highlighting our wonderful city on Friday, May 6. FOX 2 news anchors and reporters will showcase many of our businesses beginning at 5am until 10am. If you see a FOX 2 on air personality in the City of Ferguson on Friday, please stop by and say hello. They will be at I Love Ferguson store at 7am, Victorian Plaza for a small mock farmers market at 8am.

A few months ago we talked about budgets, and where the downtown business district (also referred to as “CityWalk”, or “FSBD”, or just “S. Florissant”) gets its money from and what it spends it on.

As Spring blossoms we hope you are starting to enjoy a lot of what the downtown business district spends its money on.

Did you go to the Food Truck event on Monday, April 18? This event is sponsored by the downtown business district. Food Trucks will be at the Plaza at 501 on the 3rd Monday of every month, April – October. Planning on going to the opening of the Ferguson Farmers Market on Saturday, May 7, at the Victorian Plaza? It’s another event sponsored by the downtown business district. The Farmers Market will be open from 8am – noon every Saturday, May through October.

How about one of the free outdoor concerts? It’s free to you, but someone has to pay the musicians. The downtown business district takes care of that. These free concerts are held at the Plaza at 501, 7-9pm, on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, May – September (the 4th Friday concert of September will be rolled in StreetFest).

Speaking of StreetFest, or Northern Lights, or even the Twilight Run, the downtown business district donates generously towards those events. And far from Spring, the year will end with the Christmas Carriage Rides, also a free event paid for by the downtown business district.

Have you noticed a pattern to these events? They are all designed to pull people, whether residents or those living in the surrounding area, to the downtown business district. When people come to a business district like ours, they spend money in local businesses, or at the very least, they notice the businesses we have and come back later to patronize them.

Last time, I said that “Explaining how a TIF district works is beyond the scope of this column…”, but maybe we’ll take swipe at it one of these times.

Braxton Degarmo

Corners Frameshop & Gallery will host local authors for its First Friday event on April 1st, from 6 – 9 pm. Ferguson author Braxton DeGarmo will be signing his newly released novel, book five in his Medair action thriller series. James Veech will discuss and sign his new book, entitled The Hard Way IS The Easy Way. Other local authors will also be on hand to discuss and sign copies of their books.

AN EARTH DAY KALEIDOSCOPE: Art Show by Students of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne School will take place from April 21st -May 6th. Opening Reception will be on Thursday, April 21, 4 – 7 p.m. and on May 22nd-June 26th, LAUDATO SI’: Exhibit by Sisters and Priest of Archdiocese of St. Louis will be on display. Opening Reception on Sunday, May 22, 1 – 5 p.m. Join us for these events at Shepherding Images Studio, 252 S. Florissant in Ferguson.

Would you like to write an icon? Glynnis, of Shepherding Studio would be happy to guide you through the process. The cost is $30 for materials. There is no charge for instruction, although good will offerings are accepted. Lessons need to take place in 2-4 hour blocks of time during regular business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays, Noon – 4 p.m.). Estimate a minimum of 20 hours to complete your work. For more information and to sign up, please call 314-522-1155.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, LADIES’ SOBER PAINT: An Alternative to Paint and Sip • WHEN: Friday, April 1, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

• WHERE: Shepherding Images Studio, 252 S. Florissant in Ferguson.
• WHAT: Paint your own image of recovery.
• COST: $10 for materials. Donations welcome to cover studio/gallery costs.
• BRING: Soft drinks, snacks, music, older clothing. Paint, canvases, brushes and guidance will be provided.

CALL 522-1155 or email rgsicons@yahoo.com to reserve a spot. Spaces are limited.

Hello to my Ferguson Neighbors, I want to say thank you in advance for your support. I am a North St. Louis County resident, Nikki Wilson, and the owner of Blessings Closet Thrift Boutique that has been open since October 2015, in the heart of downtown Ferguson. I am located at 307 S. Florissant to be exact.

With high unemployment rates and poverty continuing to be a part of the ongoing narrative in Ferguson and surrounding areas – Blessings Closet provides fashionable, low-cost apparel options for the everyday individual. Blessings Closet Thrift Boutique is a 501(c) 3 organization that has a nonprofit program called “DRESS LIKE YOU’RE BLESSED,” Nikki wanted to provide a place where people can go to get the confidence they need while trying to get into the workforce; without the need to worry of not having an outfit to wear for their interview and ultimately their first days on the job.” With the Dress like you’re Blessed program, once a person has obtained the job they are able to come back and receive four to six pieces to mix and match to wear to work throughout the following week until they receive their first paycheck.

Nikki says, “a person can look great for the interview.” But, what do you wear after you are hired? As an avid thrift store shopper, Nikki also says, “Some people don’t realize how awesome you can look for around $10.00. I believe that everyone should be able to obtain simple things such as clothing and still be stylish. I have always been a thriftier since I was a little girl. I inherited this gift from my grandmother Bernice, and my mother Barbara, who is a great help for me at the store. With Blessings Closet, my hope is that people will open their closet and think of how they can be a blessing to others with what they already have that they no longer wear or can’t fit. Blessings Closet will not turn away anyone in dire need. Please “Like” our Facebook page Blessings Closet. We will also pick up donations and if you need a tax write off for your donations we will be more than happy to give you one.”

Nikki is a mother of twin teenage girls, a graduate of Normandy High School and continuing to future her education to be a Licensed Clinical Therapist. A longtime member of the Church of God In Christ, Inc, she believes that through God’s love, the testimony of her life’s experiences and the sincerity in her heart that this endeavor is going to be a blessing to the residents of Ferguson, North County and ultimately the City of St. Louis. Her sole desire for Blessings Closet is to change lives by helping people dress like they are blessed!

For more information, please Email Blesssingscloset@msn.com or call 314-877-9888 and we will return your call with 24hrs.