|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest Illinois News is designed & hosted by the Moore Design Group. How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com |
 Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park Open for Best Family-Friendly Viewing of Fireworks Display EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, (SWI-News.com), July 2, 2009 - As area residents prepare to head down to Fair St. Louis to view one of the largest fireworks displays in the country, the Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) has announced that the new Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and the Mississippi River Overlook on the banks of the East St. Louis Riverfront will be open to the public during the July 4th holiday. Perfectly situated directly across from the Gateway Arch, the new park offers an unmatched location for those who want to forego the beer and bands on the Arch grounds in favor of a quieter, more passive fireworks viewing experience. The park will be alcohol-free, providing a family-friendly atmosphere, and additional security will be on hand to assist with pedestrian and vehicle traffic. MEPRD has set special hours for both the park and the Overlook for July 3rd and July 4th, and is spreading the word about a series of park rules that individuals need to be aware of if they plan to visit the park over the weekend. The Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park will be open July 3rd from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and July 4th from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Overlook will be open July 3rd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and July 4th from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The rules of the park, which will be strictly enforced, include: no alcohol; no fireworks or sparklers of any kind; no glass containers; no grills or open fires; no pets (service animals are permitted); all bags, backpacks, coolers, containers and purses will be searched upon entry; and, all persons are subject to search. Due the newness of the park and the fact that the sod in the open lawn areas is still taking root, MEPRD has decided not to offer onsite entertainment or other amenities that would attract larger crowds and could negatively impact the new park grounds. In addition, visitors should be aware that MEPRD will close the Mississippi River Overlook at 8 p.m. both nights for safety reasons, as the lights on the Overlook will be turned off for enhanced fireworks viewing from the lawn areas throughout the park. Families interested in attending the park are encouraged to bring a blanket and should consider bringing their own food or snacks if they plan to be onsite for a few hours, since no food will be sold at the park. Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase. In a release, Mike Buehlhorn, executive director of MEPRD, said, "We are excited to welcome area residents to the park this weekend so they can experience the amazing views of the fireworks displayed against the Downtown St. Louis skyline. And while we've held off on offering entertainment during our first 4th of July celebration due to the newness of the grounds themselves, we are already exploring options for next year's Independence Day to include an array of family-oriented fun and entertainment to complement the Fair St Louis lineup." In addition to offering a great vantage point for viewing the fireworks, the park also offers a prime spot to view an eruption of one of the world's tallest fountains, the Gateway Geyser. The Geyser is scheduled to erupt July 3rd at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and July 4th at 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Parking at the memorial park is limited. Guests are encouraged to utilize the MetroLink station at the Casino Queen and walk down Front Street to the park. For more information about the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and the details for the July 4th weekend, please visit www.meprd.org. Nestle Recalls Cookie Dough Due to Risk of Possible Contamination SPRINGFIELD, IL, (SWI-News.com), June 21, 2009 - Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), is warning consumers not to eat recalled Nestle Toll House Prepackaged Refrigerated Cookie Dough due to the risk of possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a bacterium that causes food borne illness. In Illinois, there have been five Illinois residents with illnesses matching the pattern reported in a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. The CDC has reported more than 60 cases nationwide in more than 25 states. "I urge people to check their shelves for the recalled Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough and throw it out. This product has been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7 and should be thrown out. Consumers can call the store where they purchased the product to inquire about a refund or throw it out, but just make sure you don't eat it," said Dr. Arnold. Although cooking would kill the organism, cooking the cookie dough is not recommended because consumers might get the bacteria on their hands and on other cooking surfaces. The products involved in the voluntary recall include all varieties of Nestle TOLL HOUSE refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub; Cookie Dough Tube; Limited Edition Cookie Dough items; Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. Consumers with questions to contact Nestle Consumer Services at 1-800-559-5025 and visit our web site at www.verybestbaking.com. Ameren Illinois Utilities Program Aims to Help Unemployed SPRINGFIELD, IL, (SWI-News.com), June 21, 2009 - A new Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) program is helping residential electric customers who are dealing with unemployment. "We understand today's economic challenges are affecting the people, businesses and industries we serve as they are affecting our own organization. This new program is intended to help customers who have lost jobs due to layoffs," said Stan Ogden, Ameren Illinois Utilities (AIU) vice president of Customer Service and Public Relations. The AIU Residential Unemployment Program may provide one-time grants of up to $300 for residential electric customers who have experienced layoffs since December 2008 and remain unemployed. In order to qualify, a residential electric customer must provide documentation of unemployment, such as confirmation of an unemployment insurance claim. There is a limit of one grant per household. Residential Unemployment Program grants will be processed and issued until the funds for this program have been depleted. A total of $2.2 million is available for grants. The funds are part of the Illinois rate relief package adopted by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law in 2007. Customers may obtain application forms by calling the Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS - 1-888-789-2477; AmerenCILCO - 1-888-672-5252; AmerenIP - 1-800-755-5000).
by Bob Moore, SLFP.com SPRINGFIELD, IL, (SWI-News.com), June 7, 2009 - On Saturday, June 6, representatives of Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD), Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis (Gateway Center), Illinois dignitaries, area leaders and residents gathered to celebrate the official grand opening of the 34.1-acre Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and the 43-foot tall Mississippi River Overlook. The vision for the creation of a park on the East St. Louis riverfront originated with Eero Saarinen, architect for the Gateway Arch, who believed that the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial should be extended to grace both shores of the Mississippi River. Saarinen died before his dream was realized, but his vision was shared by Malcolm W. Martin, a St. Louis lawyer and philanthropist who felt a landscaped area with a giant fountain on the East St. Louis Riverfront could help revive the city. In 1968, Martin formed a non-profit group Gateway Center to raise over $15 million in funds and secure the land. Following the official opening remarks and presentation of the colors by the Scott Air Force Base Joint Services Color Guard, guests headed to the top of the Overlook for a commemorative photo and to enjoy the rest of the park's amenities. The new 43-foot tall Mississippi River Overlook provides great views of the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis skyline, as well as the landmark Gateway Geyser, believed to be one of the tallest fountains in the world. The handicap accessible, poured-in-place concrete structure is made up of five tiered observation deck areas, each at eight-foot intervals, and it is highlighted by an illuminated stainless steel railing system so visitors can enjoy both daytime and nighttime views. The park also features an elevated seating area leading to a sweeping, open lawn for viewing fireworks and other recreational activities, and it has paved walkways that mirror the Gateway Arch. The entire area is under video surveillance 24/7 and is open daily April - October, dawn until 10 p.m. and November - March, Sunday thru Thursday, dawn until dusk; Friday and Saturday, dawn to 10 p.m. See Archived Story: Illinois Officials Unveil Model of New Mississippi River Overlook
The St. Louis Front Page and Southwest Illinois News is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2009 Moore Design Group. |
 St. Louis Vacation Savings  Photos of St. Louis  STL Front Page  Restaurant Guide  Advertising Information  Sports Kids |
