Saint Louis, MO

CherryHolmes

Date: 10/11/2008
Location: The Lindenwood Center for Fine & Performing Arts
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25.00; $35.00; $45.00; $55.00
Tickets: (636) 949-4433
Website: www.lindenwood.edu/center/

A high-energy family band of bluegrass music including twin fiddles, Irish step dancing, classic country yodeling, and old-time claw hammer.

St. Louis Christian Family Expo

Date: 10/11/2008
Location: St. Charles Convention Center
For more information call: (314) 481-7337 x112
Website: www.christianfamilyexpo.com

A gathering of Christian resources, businesses, churches and ministries with family activities, music, food and more.

ARTICA 2008: The New World, Come Hell or High Water

Date: 10/11/2008 - 10/12/2008
Location: St. Louis Riverfront
Time: 12:00 p.m. - Midnight (11); 12:00 p.m. - dusk (12)
For more information call: (314) 752-9528
Website: www.artica.org

An outdoor multi-media art festival and parade on the St. Louis Riverfront. Events include numerous art installations, music, dance, theater, poetry, video, film, and performance art. The World’s Biggest Belly Laugh will take place on Saturday at 5:55 p.m. and the Artica Fire Performance will occur just after dark at 8:00 p.m. Artica's Boat of Dreams parade takes place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Festival-goers may observe or interact with the parade as they are invited to come in costume and to make biodegradable boats, fill them with dreams and launch them into the Mississippi River.

Artistically Incorrect: The Photographs and Sculpture of John Waters

Date: 10/11/2008 - 1/11/2009
Location: Laumeier Sculpture Park
Cost: Free
For more information call: (314) 821-1209
Website: www.laumeier.org

Columbus Day Parade and Festival

Date: 10/12/2008
Location: The Hill Italian Neighborhood
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
For more information call: (314) 837-8830
Website: www.the-Hill.com

The predominately Italian neighborhood known as "The Hill" celebrates the voyage of Columbus to the New World with a parade followed by an Italian Festival in Berra Park. The parade begins at Southwest and Kingshighway and winds around The Hill neighborhood, ending at Berra Park at Shaw & Macklind where the festival features Italian food and entertainment.

Water absorbs dissolved minerals, organic compounds
and organisms as it moves through the air and soil into
surface and ground water supplies. Unacceptable materials
may find their way into the water due to some of our
activities.

Public water systems are required to regular test and
treat water for certain contaminants according to the
rules and regulations set by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Testing
your water from a public system could indicate problems
in your home's plumbing, connections or treatment system.

Most private systems are in rural or suburban areas.
Private well owners are responsible for monitoring the
quality of their water. Testing for possible contaminants
on a regular schedule is the only way to be certain your
water supply is safe.

Occasional problems do occur in the state's water
supplies. Nuisance problems generally do not present a
health risk, but the water may not be acceptable for all
household activities. The most common nuisance problems
are objectionable taste, odor, color and hardness. Once
properly identified, these problems can often be
corrected with water treatment systems.

Testing for every possible contaminant is unnecessary
and expensive. This will help you identify the tests you
need for your water supply. Testing confirms a problem
exists so appropriate treatment can be recommended and
you do not purchase expensive, unnecessary treatment
systems.

Which Tests?

Your first concern is to provide your family with a
safe source of water. Private well-owners should test for
total coliform bacteria and nitrate. The presence or
absence of bacteria or nitrate often indicates the safety
of your water supply. Testing must be done to detect
these contaminants since both are typically invisible,
odorless and tasteless.

Coliform bacteria are found in the digestive tract of
all birds and mammals. Most coliform bacteria are not
harmful themselves, but point to an unsanitary condition
and possible presence of disease causing agents. In some
cases the bacteria are found in the pipes or well and not
the water supply itself.

Sources of nitrate include food, water and soil. High
levels of nitrate in the water supply can cause infant
cyanosis (blue baby) in children under six months.
Chronic, long-term risks are not known at this time. Like
coliform bacteria, the presence of nitrate indicates the
possibility other contaminants.

The following table lists problems found in water
supplies and the appropriate tests to request. You should
review your particular concerns with your county Health
Department, Cooperative Extension office or water testing
lab when selecting the appropriate tests.

Problem or Concern Test
Appearance:
Frothy, Foamy Detergents
Black flakes Manganese
Brown or Yellow Iron, Tannic Acid
Stains on fixtures
or clothing:
Red or Brown Iron
Black Manganese
Green or Blue Copper
Odor or Taste:
Bitter Nitrate, Sulfates
Rotten Egg Hydrogen Sulfide
Metallic pH, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Lead
Salty Total Dissolved Solids, Chloride,
Sodium
Septic, Musty, Earthy Total Coliform Bacteria,Iron
Soapy Detergents (Surfactants)
Gasoline or Oil Hydrocarbon Scan,Aromatic Volatile
Organic Chemicals
White deposits on Hardness
pots and fixtures,
soap scum
Discoloration of Fluoride
children's teeth
Family or guests Total Coliform Bacteria,
become ill Nitrate, Sulfates
Water supply used for Nitrate
infant less than six
months old
Corrosion of plumbing Corrosivity, pH, Lead, Iron, Zinc,
Manganese, Copper Sulfates,Chloride

If You Suspect or Observe Test
Contamination from:
Old lead pipe or solder Lead, Copper, pH, Zinc
Leaking fuel tank Hydrocarbon Scan, Aromatic
Volatile Organic Chemicals
Coal mining Total Dissolved Solids,Iron,
Sulfates, pH, Corrosion
Index, Manganese,
Aluminum,Arsenic, Selenium
Gas and oil drilling Total Dissolved Solids,
Chloride, Sodium,
Barium,Lead, pH, Corrosion
Index, Strontium, Volatile
Organic Scan
Landfill Total Dissolved Solids, pH,
Volatile Organic Scan, Heavy
Metal Scan
Septic systems Total Coliform Bacteria,
Nitrate, Detergents, Total
Dissolved Solids, Chloride,
Sodium, Sulfates
Land application of sludge Total Coliform Bacteria,
Nitrate, Metals
(Lead, Cadmium)
Intensive agriculture Total Coliform practices
Bacteria, Nitrate, Pesticide
Scan, pH, Total Dissolved
Solids
Livestock feedlots Total Coliform Bacteria,
Nitrate, Total Dissolved
Solids, Total Organic Carbons
Road salt Total Dissolved Solids,
Chloride, Sodium

When To Test

Private wells should be tested yearly for coliform
bacteria, nitrate, hardness and pH. Tests for iron,
sulfates and chloride should be done every three to five
years. If you are expecting a baby in your home you
should test for nitrate at the beginning of the
pregnancy. Depending on the test results, you may wish to
test again before bringing the baby home and during the
baby's first six months.

Even if you have a public water supply your water
should be tested for total coliform bacteria if you make
any changes in your plumbing or water treatment system
which could introduce a contaminant. Before buying a new
house have the water tested for bacteria and nitrate to
insure its quality. Lending agencies often require the
bacteria test before approving a loan.

If you have an old or shallow well, it is especially
important to test your water regularly. Older methods of
well construction, and the well's location in relation to
septic or livestock facilities on many farms, makes older
and shallow wells prone to contamination.

You should test for bacteria if your well head becomes
flooded or submerged. Following a chemical spill or leak
within 500 feet of your well, test your water for
possible contamination. Also test your water supply if
your neighbors have found contamination.
Report unknown contamination or objectionable taste,
odor or color in a private well to: Department of Public
Health.

Testing

Discuss your water problems with your county Health
Department or water testing lab. After contacting the lab
your next step will be to take the sample. Follow the
instructions from the lab closely. Keep a record of the
test results. The records will show any change in your
water quality you may not have noticed. Records are also
necessary if you need to prove an outside activity, such
as a spill or leak, affected your water supply.

Home screening tests

Currently on the market are screening tests to
conduct various water tests in your home, such as tests
for hardness, iron or nitrate. Many public agencies also
conduct screening programs as a public service.
Keep in mind these tests are a simplified version of
the tests conducted by a lab. The results do not indicate
if your water is safe to drink, only whether your sample
contains the tested contaminant and the approximate
level. These screening tests serve as useful tools for
indicating if further testing is needed. If the results
are positive, you should follow up with a test from a
lab.

I cannot believe how many emails I have already received telling me to get on the ball and find out what fun Halloween-y (is that a word) activities are coming up in St. Louis right now. Ok here is what I have found so far. Please send me an email if I have missed anything and I will blog about activities as I hear about them.

HAUNTED HOUSES IN ST.LOUIS, MISSOURI

The Darkness

Haunted house in Soulard.

Prices are

• The Darkness Adult $17.00 w/ Speed* $25.00
• The Darkness Child (under 11) $13.00 w/ Speed* $20.00
  
  *Speed Tickets Allow you to bypass the outside lines.
  
• Adult Super Combo $30.00 includes both The Darkness and CreepyWorld (Creepyworld ticket can be used any night) w/ Speed Pass for both attractions $40.00
• Child Super Combo $25.00includes a child ticket for both The Darkness and Creepyworld (Creepyworld ticket can be used any night)w/ Speed Pass to both $30.00
• Special Behind the Scenes Tour of The Darkness $125.00 includes lunch, t-shirt, VIP ticket to The Darkness, and a behind the scenes tour. See how everything works, learn the ins and outs of one of America’s best haunted houses as featured on Modern Marvels, National Geographic Channel and the Today Show. Sunday October 19th, 2008 from 1pm until 4pm. Photos allowed and meet the creators of the attraction all in one action packed afternoon.
• Those with a faint heart need not enter!

You can go to the website for directions and dates and times they are open.

Darkness

CREEPYWORLD

FIVE HAUNTED HOUSES FOR ONE PRICE IN ONE LOCATION

CreepyWorld Tickets located in Fenton (click on the price you want to purchase)

• Creepyworld Adult $20.00 w/Speed* $30.00
• Creepyworld Child (under 11) $15.00 w/ Speed* $20.00
• Adult Super Combo $30.00 includes both CreepyWorld and The Darkness (Darkness ticket can be used any night) w/ Speed Pass for both attractions $40.00
  
  *Speed Tickets Allow you to bypass the outside lines.
• Child Super Combo $25.00 includes a child ticket for both CreepyWorld and The Darkness (The Darkness ticket can be used any night) w/ Speed Pass to both $30.00

For directions and business hours go to the website at

Creepyworld

Fright Fest at Six Flags

Fright Fest at Six Flags. After dark, the park turns into a giant haunted adventure land. You can take a walk through the Haunted House of Terror, wander through monstrous mazes, see spooky street entertainment and even ride your favorite roller coasters at night. Fright Fest runs every weekend from October 3, 2008, through Halloween.

Go to the website for more information

Frightfest

The Lemp Mansion

The Lemp Mansion is considered the real thing. A real haunted house. It's considered to be one of the ten most haunted places in America because of its tragic history. Four members of the Lemp family committed suicide and two others died under mysterious circumstances. The mansion is now a restaurant and bed & breakfast, but visitors and staff alike regularly report apparitions throughout the home.

Go to the website to read up on its history and find out about the Murder mystery dinner theater and Halloween party. I guarantee you’ll have a ghoulishly good time.

Lemp Mansion

Theatre of the Dead

As you tour this historic theatre, you'll hear legends of its dark history and all of the actors and audience members who died there. The Theatre of the Dead is open weekends in September and every day (except Mondays) starting October 1, 2008 Tickets are $18 for adults and $25 for a fast pass.

Go to the website for more information

Theatre of the Dead

I do not go to haunted houses or any other spooky place so I cannot offer any reviews of these places I have posted. I am a scaredy-cat. I will post more family friendly places soon. Until then…..have a boo-tiful night.

Part of the guest blogger series

Please welcome my broker

Guest blogger Russell Nolting

Nolting Real Estate is a boutique real estate brokerage in St. Louis, Missouri. Led by Russell Nolting, our small team of agents closes a transaction every 86 hours! (Based on closed transactions 2005 through 2007). We have lots of experience and can help you too.

HOMES IN FORECLOSURE

It seems everyone is talking these days about foreclosures...

There are pockets, places such as Stockton, CA and Las Vegas, NV where the foreclosure rate is in excess of 4%, however, the national average is 1.033%. Considering the fact that 30% of all homes are actually free and clear of any mortgage, the true foreclosure rate is actually seven tenths of 1% of all homes.

So, 99% of all homes in the US are not facing foreclosure. There's a spin that is needed.

BREAKING NEWS....A REPORT OUT TODAY NOTES THAT MORE THAN 99% OF THE HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES ARE DOING JUST FINE FINANCIALLY...FULL REPORT AT 11.

Now, if you're in the market for a home, you'll see lots of foreclosure properties because most of them are for sale. They make up a decent percentage of the "For Sale" market, but not of the total homes in the country.

Let's get the facts straight -- it's not as bad as the media would have you think. And, by the way, did you know you can still buy a home with 3% down, 30-year fixed rate mortgage, 6.0% interest rate?

First Friday Downtown Gallery Walk

Date: 10/3/2008
Location: Downtown St. Louis
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information call: (314) 406-5778 or (314) 241-8008
Website: www.downtowngallerywalk.com

Stroll around Downtown St. Louis and visit cutting-edge galleries with offerings of paintings, sculpture, stylized photography and mixed media.

St. Louis Art D Tour

Date: 10/3/2008
Location: St. Louis Galleries and Museums
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information call: (314) 853-6257
Website: www.myspace.com/artdtour

A night of art appreciation. Shuttles with live music and “seat” prizes will take people to galleries and museums in five main art districts of St. Louis: Forest Park, University City, Grand Center, Downtown, and Clayton/Maplewood. Shuttles will start at 6:00 p.m. and continue through 10:30 p.m. Galleries and museums will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm except for the Saint Louis Art Museum which will close at 9:00 p.m. The shuttle can be caught at Lumière Place Casino or any participating galleries/museums. Come to the After Party at Savoy Restaurant at Lumière Place Casino following the tour.

16th Annual Historic Shaw Art Fair

Date: 10/3/2008 - 10/5/2008
Location: Shaw neighborhood, between Kingshighway Boulevard and Grand Avenue
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (3); 9:00 a.m. - 5;00 p.m. (4); 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (5)
Cost: $5.00; children 14 and under are free
Website: www.shawartfair.com

Quality artists from around the country who work in a large variety of media and styles will be displayed on the grassy parkway of the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Flora Place.

28th Annual Builders Home & Remodeling Show

Date: 10/3/2008 - 10/5/2008
Location: America’s Center
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (3-4); 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (5)
Cost: $7.00 adults; $4.00 children 6-12; children 5 and under free.
For more information call: (314) 994-7700
Website: www.stlhomeshow.com

A consumer show featuring the latest products and services for the home. The Home Depot will present Wall Makeovers by BEHR paint; Jeff Holper, The Mole Hunter will help you rid your yard of moles and other pesky creatures; Scott Mosby, KMOX’s Home Answer Man will help visitors get the most from their homes; experts from GeoComfort will show you how to think green with geothermal; Tom Price of Thompson Price Kitchen-Bath-Home will show you how to make the most of your dated 5’x8’ bath; and Dr. Lori, a certified art and antiques appraiser, art historian and museum curator will appraise objects and answer questions.

Soulard Oktoberfest

Date: 10/3/2008 - 10/5/2008
Location: Soulard Market Park, Lafayette & Broadway
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. (3-4); 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (5)
For more information call: (314) 368-3419
Website: www.soulardoktoberfest.com

An authentic German festival featuring German Folk Dancers, German foods and German beers along with a selection of popular local and domestic beers.

Fright Fest Presented by SNICKERS®

Date: 10/3/2008 - 10/31/2008
Location: Six Flags St. Louis
Time: Friday 6:00 p.m. - Midnight; Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For more information call: (636) 938-5300 x289
Website: www.sixflags.com

Six Flags St. Louis is totally transformed into a Halloween playground. Have a ghoulish good time with hair-raising shows, electrifying street entertainment, monstrous mazes and the Haunted House of Terror. Plus, experience your favorite rides in the dark. There will also be a trick-or-treat trail and special area just for kids.

Carts & Cocktails at Laumeier Sculpture Park

Date: 10/4/2008
Location: Laumeier Sculpture Park
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $125.00 Laumeier FANs and members; $140.00 ArtLink Membrs; $150.00 non-members
For more information call: (314) 821-1209
Website: www.laumeier.org

A progressive dining and entertainment event where attendees will be transported in six-seat golf carts to sculptures throughout Laumeier Sculpture Park. Each “sculpture stop” will feature a signature cocktail, appetizer (or dessert) musical entertainment and a short presentation highlighting the sculptures within view.

St. Louis Route 66 Festival

Date: 10/4/2008
Location: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
For more information call: (314) 436-1324
Website: www.confluencegreenway.org

Ten hours of fun on both the Missouri and Illinois sides of the Bridge. Events include a Sock Hop, classic cars and motorcycles, music, speakers, and a walk-in movie. Road food reminiscent of Route 66 will be available for purchase — cozy dogs (hot dogs on a stick, bar-be-que and Ted Drewes frozen custard.

17th Annual Best of Missouri Market

Date: 10/4/2008 - 10/5/2008
Location: Missouri Botanical Garden
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 adults; $7.00 seniors; $3.00 Garden members; Free children aged 12 and under
For more information call: (314) 577-5100
Website: www.mobot.org

All things Missouri can be found at country stands filled with fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, herbs, nuts, candies, meats, mushrooms and baked foods along with arts and crafts. On hand will also be live music, cooking demonstrations by master chefs, and a Kids Corner with cow milking, pumpkin decorating and barnyard animals. More than 100 products and vendors will be featured.

Fairy Tale Tea with Cinderella

Date: 10/4/2008 - 10/5/2008
Location: The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum
Time: 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $15.00 members; $18.00 non-members; Admission to the museum in included in the ticket price.
For more information call: (314) 822-8900 Reservations required
Website: www.magichouse.org

You and your little princess or prince charming are cordially invited to a very magical tea. Enjoy a cup of tea (or juice) and pastries and enjoy a short, live production of Cinderella inside the Whitaker Theater at The Magic House. Following the play, kids can see their favorite characters up close as Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother visit with guests and sign autographs. Guests must be at least 3 years old. Guests are encouraged to dress in their storybook best