Today is Bike To Work Day and it occurred to me that we’re also in the heart of National Bike Month, so I asked an avid St. Louis bike enthusiast (Andy Heaslet of Griffin Delivery) to share some of his favorite biking resources.

Bike Advocates and Event Hosts:
Trailnet - they’ve got a full calendar of bike month activities and they are THE local resource for bicycle and pedestrian advocacy

MoBikeFed - your statewide bike advocates who have their own slate of fun and healthy activities

Bike St Louis - these are the folks that put together bike lanes and are responsible for connecting bike trailes throughout the St Louis region!

Did you know that google maps now has a biking function? You’ll want to double check their instructions, but they’re generally pretty god! Next time you want quick directions, head over to http://maps.google.com, click on “get directions” and then click on the little bike icon! They’ll even highlight specific bike-routes in green!

Some neighborhood bike shops include:

South Side Cyclery - 6969 Gravois Avenue St. Louis, MO 63116 now featuring weekly Saturday morning rides

- 2839 Cherokee Street St. Louis, MO 63118 an up and coming shop where you can get everything from a rehabbed classic frame to a new urban speedster!

Big Shark Bicycle Co - 6133 Delmar Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63112 one of the region’s largest and best known shops on the east end of the Delmar Loop, they have the staff, knowledge, and inventory to get you rolling!

Urban Shark - 1009 Locust St Louis, MO 63101 part of the Big Shark family, this shop is nestled in the heart of downtown and caters to the needs of urban cyclists and commuters. You can also rent bikes if you’d like to take a rolling tour of downtown.

Randy’s Recycled Cycles - 4130 Manchester Road Saint Louis, MO 63110 located in the Grove, they focus on affordable, rebuilt bicycles
Maplewood Bicycle - 7534 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO 63143 a Trek Authorized dealer located a little West of the trendy Maplewood Strip

Non-profits include:
CAMP the Community Arts and Movement Project on cherokee street have lots going on - one part is helping neighborhood kids learn how to fix up and maintain their own bikes with a community bike shop open a couple of nights a week.

Bikeworks - this organization recently moved from the Shaw neighborhood to Soulard with a great new facility to teach dozens of youth how to safely ride bikes and provide a community bike shop where you can learn to tool around on your own ride!

Bike clubs:
Banana Bike Brigade these goofy folks turn bicycles into rolling artworks you’ve probably seen them in a local parade!

Wolfpack Hustle these guys hustle more than 20miles every sunday evening, many on fixed gear bikes!

SpokedStL a resource for urban oriented bike enthusiasts including the lit-up alley cat race series, which takes riders throughout the city in a free-form check-point race

Major Taylor Bike Club serves “as a vehicle for increasing interest and involvement among African-American youth in cycling.

StLBiking.com a great resource for regional group rides, races, and events

Bike-related businesses:
Griffin Delivery St Louis’ bike-based restaurant delivery service serves South St Louis City at dinner time

The HandleBar a bike-themed bar in The Grove neighborhood with bicycle art and plenty of bike-related eye-candy

This Blog was put together with the help of Griffin Delivery’s Andy Heaslet

Regarding Mothers:

Moms are great - and I’m not just saying that because I’m about to be one! This is the one day a year where we take time out to say “Thanks for all you’ve done, mom! Like having me, putting up with me as a child, not sending me to the funny farm as an teen, and helping me grow into an adult that’s supposedly ready to have a child of her own. I wouldn’t be who I am without you and today I want to do something special to show you how much you mean to me!”

Mom’s work so hard and we love them so much! They have definitely earned a day off where they deserve more than not having to cook or clean - they deserve to be pampered. I hope this list of fantastic local brunch destinations gives you some ideas of how you can show the moms in your life how much you love them and how much they’ve earned this special day off!

1. The Boathouse in Forest Park

The Boathouse in Forest Park is great spot to eat al fresca! The restaurant is serving brunch from 10am to 3pm on Mother’s Day. After your meal, float the afternoon away on a paddle boat ride or just let yourself get lost in Forest Park.
Mother’s Day at the Boathouse - www.boathouseforestpark.com
6101 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Reservations: (314) 367-2224


2. Eclipse Restaurant

The Eclipse Restaurant at the Moonrise Hotel is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes omelet and carving stations, plus a complimentary mimosa for those 21 and older. The cost is $45 a person, but it’s half price for moms and children younger than 12.
Moonrise Hotel - www.moonrisehotel.com
6177 Delmar in The Loop, St. Louis, MO 63112
Reservations: (314) 726-2222


3. Mount Pleasant Winery

It’s worth the drive to Augusta, in St. Charles County, for Mother’s Day brunch at Mount Pleasant Winery. The gourmet buffet features ham, roast beef, pasta and salads. There’s also an omelet station and dozens of tempting desserts. Seatings are at 11am and 1pm. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger. After the meal, mom can relax with a glass of wine (or two!) and enjoy the afternoon.
Mount Pleasant Winery - www.mountpleasant.com
5634 High Street Augusta, Missouri 63332
Reservations: 800-467-WINE


4. Eckert’s Orchards

If mom loves home cooking, then head to the Country Restaurant at Eckert’s Orchards in Belleville. The restaurant has a special Mother’s Day menu and of course you should take some time to soak in the spring blooms at this locally famous family farm! $10-15
Eckert’s Country Restaurant - www.eckerts.com
951 South Greenmount Rd Belleville, IL 62220
Reservations: (618) 233-0513, ext. 3


5. Chase Park Plaza

The Chase is offering Mother’s Day Brunch in the Starlight Roof. This is a unique location with great views of Forest Park and the Central West End. The gourmet buffet features seafood, appetizers, pasta, desserts and more. There are seatings at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cost is $58 for adults and $20 for children ages 5 to 12. The Eau Bistro at the Chase is also serving a gourmet Mother’s Day Brunch.
Brunch at the Starlight Roof - www.chaseparkplaza.com
212-232 N. Kingshighway Blvd St. Louis, Missouri 63108
Reservations: (314) 633-6868


6. Millennium Hotel

The Top of the Riverfront Restaurant at the Millennium Hotel is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The buffet includes omelet and waffle stations, seafood, fresh fruit, desserts and more. The cost is $49.95 for adults and and $19.95 for children ages six to 11. Kids five and younger are free.
Top of the Riverfront - www.millenniumhotels.com
200 South 4th Street, St Louis, MO 63102
Reservations: (314) 241-3191


7. Café Madeleine in Tower Grove Park

Pamper your mother in the oldest standing greenhouse west of the Mississippi located near “the ruins” in Tower Grove Park.. The Piper Palm House provides a beautiful atmosphere amid lush plants and historical statues.
$30 adults, $15 children 4-12; under 3 are Free
Cafe Madeleine - www.towergrovepark.org
4256 Magnolia Ave., St Louis, MO, 63110
Phone: (314) 575-5658


8. Bixby’s in the MO History Museum

Bixby’s Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch will include locally inspired brunch favorites. The MO History museum overlook will feature freshly prepared salads, desserts, hot entrees and a made to order omelet station.
$22.75 adults, $11.95 kids - complimentary champagne for adults!
BIXBY’S - www.bixbys-mohistory.com
Missouri History Museum, 2nd Floor - Lindell & DeBaliviere, in Forest Park
Phone: 314.361.7313


9. St Louis Zoo
Treat your mom to a wild Mother’s Day experience with brunch at the Saint Louis Zoo! Complete with carving and waffle stations, breakfast fare, salads, cheeses, chicken, pasta, desserts and more!!
Admission $23/adult (ages 12-and-up) $11/child (ages 2-11) Children under 2 are free. Seatings at 9am, 11am, 1pm
www.stlzoo.org
The Living World, lower rotunda - 1 Government Drive St. Louis, Missouri 63110
Pre-paid reservations required - seating is limited. (314) 646-4897.


10. Cielo

Pull into the complimentary valet parking at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, ride up to the eighth floor, and you’re entering a world of carefree sophistication. Score a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows, or better yet, on the Sky Terrace if the weather cooperates—and you’ll be treated to terrific views of the Arch, the Old Cathedral and the great Mississippi waterfront. $48 for ballroom or $78 for Cielo
www.cielostlouis.com
Cielo on Mothers Day - 999 North 2nd Street, St. Louis, Missouri
Reservations: 1.314.881.5759 / Restaurant: 1.314.881.2105

This year Cinco de Mayo falls on Saturday so there’s a lot to do! Why not go on a St Louis City tour and have a margarita in a every neighborhood!

First things first, check out the City Garden Montessori Charter School’s Annual Mega Rummage Sale! From 7AM-1PM located at 109 South Spring Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 in the Shaw neighborhood.

See homes listed in the Shaw neighborhood.

Then go Downtown to Rosalita’s Cantina for lunch on Washington Avenue. The restaurant is hosting an outdoor party with live music!

See lofts listed in Downtown.

Spend the afternoon at the Cherokee Street Festival. With authentic Mexican restaurants at every intersection this promises to be the highlight of the day. There will be live music on three stages, a parade at 1PM and art demonstrations all day.

Check out the listings in Benton Park West home to Cherokee Street.

And end the night with an authentic Mexican dinner at Pueblo Solis in St Louis Hills. For Cinco de Mayo, the restaurant is expanding its outdoor seating area and offering plenty of food and drink specials.

See listings in St Louis Hills

The “Rust Belt to Artist Belt” conference was held Apr 12-14 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, culminating with a big party Cherokee St on the evening of Saturday Apr 14th.

If you missed the conference, don’t worry - you can still plug into the this vibrant and creative South City community to celebrate how the arts have helped revitalize this St. Louis neighborhood.  Stores on Cherokee Street stretch from Indiana St. to Virginia St. along with restaurants, entertainment optons, antique shops, and more.

Want to live in this exciting and evolving community? Check out some the very affordable move-in ready options within walking distance to Cherokee Street.

2125 Utah: $120,000 - 1 Bed, 2 baths is a cute bungalow/cottage home in Benton Park.  Recently renovated (including a new HVAC system) and with a great little yard, this could be a great place to call home!

2929 Michigan: $159,000 - 2 Bed, 3 Bath in Tower Grove East is incredibly clean and move-in ready!  With hardwood floors, a kitchen penninsula, a cute yard, and a private balcony off the master bedroom, you’ll be calling me soon to schedule a showing appointment!

2215 Sidney: $169,000 - 3 Bed, 2 Bath is another Benton Park gem with an original & elegant fireplace, bay windows, and a great yard with landscaping and a Whirlpool!

3150 Ohio: $185,000 - 3 Bed, 2 Bath is a big place at approximately 2500 sq ft on a huge lot with a great yard.  Inside there is beatiful wood, stained glass, and a sun room!

Bike to my Lou is a Free community bike ride and festival set to take place Saturday, March 31st, 2012. The all-ages event will hub out of the Old Post Office Plaza in downtown St Louis and there will be two concurrent rides to appeal to cyclists of all skill and confidence levels.  The shorter ride will stay mostly in the downtown area, passing some of the area’s most iconic landmarks and business strips.  The longer of the two will take riders through some of downtown’s adjacent neighborhoods including Soulard, Lafayette Square, Old North, and Locust Business District.

Orgainzed by Griffin Delivery with help from Trailnet, Urban Shark, the Downtown Community Improvement District, the event will have live music, bike games & rodeo, free safety checks, face painting, FOOD, bike decorating, and the promise of boatloads of fun! Vendors/performers/help include Bailey’s Rooster, Bailey’s Range, and Bridge as well as the Yeyo Arts Collective, Banana Bike Brigade, Celia and Firedog as a part of Love-o-Rama.  There will also be representatives of the downtown neighborhood association as well as community health liaisons from Washington University’s “Health Street.”

This event promises to be a great way to feature some of the highlights of what downtown and central St Louis city have to offer.

Interested in Living Here? Check out these lovely listings.

1619 Washington Ave #705, St Louis 63103: $200,000: 2 beds, 2 baths 1835 square feet

703 North 13th St #407, St Louis 63103: $340,000: 2 beds, 2 baths 2516 square feet

915 Olive #1607, St Louis 63101: $549,900: 2 beds, 2.5 baths 2841 square feet

Since my husband and I found out we were expecting our first baby, we have been reading all kinds of books. I just ran across this section of one of those tomes.

Before you leave your old home, find a hospital in the area that you are moving to that you want to use and, then find a doctor (who is accepting new patients) who delivers at that hospital. Do this as soon as you are moving because it may take some time to get in to see the doctor for your first appointment
A real-estate agent should be helpful in this situation. Ask about a hospital with a level 2 or level 3 nursery. These hospitals are better able to deal with various complications of pregnancy and birth. Even if you haven’t had any problems, you’ll rest easier knowing the hospital is equipped to handle an emergency. (Your Pregnancy, Week by Week)

Missouri Baptist: Missouri Baptist Medical Center, which delivers more than 4,000 babies each year, recently received a Level IIIA NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) designation for its nursery, as determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics in conjunction with the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. (http://www.missouribaptist.org/?id=6792&sid=9)

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center: The Family Birthplace at SSM St. Mary’s specializes in high-risk obstetrics and is fully equipped with a Level III Neonatal ICU, a PerinatalCenter, a Maternal & Fetal Care Center and a satellite location for the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute. Other specialty features include a 17-bed Antepartum unit and 24/7, on-staff Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians. More than 3000 babies are delivered here each year.

http://www.ssmhealth.com/stmarys/Services/Pages/Maternity.aspx

Mercy:  has largest Level III (highest) neonatal intensive care unit in Missouri. We are the region’s leading birthing center and were the first hospital in Missouri to be recognized by J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program? for “Outstanding Patient Experience” in maternity care. (http://www.mercy.net/stlouismo/location/mercy-hospital-st-louis)

So, if you are moving to St Louis and expecting a new baby, Congratulations! St. Louis is a great place to raise a family. Cost of living is low. Housing stock is plentiful. You can get anywhere (including out of the city) in about 20 minutes because traffic is very very manageable. There are tons of FREE museums and attractions and lots and lots of gorgeous parks.

5517 Murdoch located in desirable and convenient Southampton has 4 large bedrooms, 1 full bath on the first floor (and one 3/4 bath in the lower level) and a beautiful FAMILY ROOM with GAS STOVE, built-in shelves and NEW(er) WINDOWS. Out back is a private, landscaped yard with 2 CAR GARAGE.

The home will be open to the public this Sunday, March 4th from 1-3PM.

Current available comps for 4 bedroom homes in this neighborhood show that Murdoch is listed at a value. Prices for the ten ACTIVE 4-bedroom homes currently available show a range of $230, 000-$159,000. At a list price of $159,900 Murdoch is a value that will not last!

5515 Eichelberger will be open this Sunday from 1-3PM. Please stop by and see the AMAZING updates including the kitchen and full bath!

See the property slide show at the 5515 Eichelberger website.

Located in lovely Southampton! From here you can walk to Macklind Avenue Deli And Catering, Murdoch Perk, and Lily’s Mexican Restaurant

One of the most surprising features of this home is the Master Bedroom Closet!