When we first moved to Maryland Heights in 2005, my son was in the fifth grade at Bellerive Elementary, and my daughter was 1 year old. We instantly fell in love with the area that became our home—the convenient shops and close location to Interstate 270 made it an easy sell for my family. We quickly found our rhythmn in the community and fell into our familial routine. It took a little while to get used to the area, but we were embraced by our neighbors and made to feel like a part of the city. In little to no time, we found our groove and never stopped rocking! But over what feels like a …

Recently, I was at a networking event here in Maryland Heights where there were many people I had never met before. The purpose of the event was to exchange business cards and contact information for possible business dealings in the future. I made my way throughout the conference room, shaking hands and becoming acquainted with new faces when I came across a gentleman standing by himself. I thought it would be a good idea to introduce myself and I made my way over to him. He shook my hand and told me his name. He told me he was working in the human services industry, and I told him that I …

Awards ceremonies make me smile. I enjoy the pomp and circumstance surrounding the fetes, and I think most would agree that they are joyful affairs. But I have never been in the position I am now; I'm a nominee for an award. The staff at the Riverfront Times came up with the brilliant idea to hold their first ever Web Awards, where the publication asked St. Louis residents to vote for their favorite local bloggers and social media gurus. There were many categories created for the awards including Best Political Blog, Best Twitterer, Best Food Blog and Best Use of Facebook for a Business. RFT …

My children have had four snow days from school this winter and I have been trying to busy myself around the house since the roads have been less than stellar. Being homebound has given us a lot of time to add some structure in our lives. I've cleaned my kitchen and bathroom from top to bottom, alphabetized my CD collection, written letters to friends and family and organized the closets and storage areas in my home. The time off hasn't been ideal, but it has given me pause to get some much needed order in my life of chaos. Organizing has never been one of my strong suits. I've always been …

I am not a Starbucks enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy a good cup of coffee or hot cocoa every now and then from the Espresso drink giant. While I perused the Internet yesterday, I read that Starbucks will be offering a new size to their customers — a 31 ounce Trenta for those who need more to drink when the 25 ounce Venti isn't enough. Some would say the Trenta is Starbucks' "super-size." But Starbucks is quick to point out that the Trenta would have less than 90 calories if unsweeted and no more than 230 calories if sugar is added. And the Trenta is only available…

I would like to think in this day and age that the discussion of race would not need to take place. But for many of us— myself included— the race issue is still a topic we handle with a long wooden spoon. As a nation, we'd like to think of ourselves as one big melting pot of diversity and culture, but there are still many strides that must be made with how we address race. In previous articles here on the Patch, I've discussed how Maryland Heights still has barriers and pre-concieved notions when it comes to those who are different than us. I have also written about how Sunday at 11am is the …

As most of the nation braced for snow storms, Maryland Heights and the surrounding areas got our share of frozen precipitation. Most schools were closed in the area due to dangerous conditions, and that may have left many parents wondering how to keep their children busy during their snow day. Here are five activities you can do with your kids to keep them busy while out of school due to inclement weather: Board games: Board games like Monopoly, Life, Connect Four and others make snow days more fun. They also can be used as a bonding activity for the family. Most of us have board games that …

Before Christmas, we reported to you that Maryland Heights resident Samuel Gardner won a nice lottery prize. Fast forward to now and everyone is talking about the Mega Millions jackpot, estimated to be at $355 million. That is a lot of dough! I am not usually a lottery player, but I couldn't resist buying a few tickets for the drawing. The saying goes, "you can't win if you don't play," so I am going to press my luck and see what happens. And I'm not the only Maryland Heights resident who is feeling the Mega Millions frenzy. "I play the lottery every week, and this week I bought extra …

Many children don't understand or appreciate the value of a dollar. As the mother of two, I'm constantly trying to instill in my children knowledge of money and fiscal saving. But it's a tricky proposition because society tends to spotlight things of high value without mentioning that it takes hard work to afford the finer things in life. Parents can teach their young about money and how to save and spend wisely. I have turned to showing my children how I spend and save the money that I earn. Once a month, they sit down with me at the kitchen table as I do bills. They see how much comes in …

This is the time of year that most of us begin contemplating our New Year's resolutions — which usually amount to losing weight, spending more time with family and saving more money. But have you considered looking within Maryland Heights for your 2011 goals and plans? Like most people, I take Maryland Heights, the wonderful community I live in, for granted. But writing for Patch has given me a newfound appreciation for my St. Louis suburb and the places and things that surround it. This year, I not only resolve to lose weight and make other self improvement changes, but spend more time …

Twitter has been a great connector for me. Since joining on election day in 2008, I have been able to network with people in my area and abroad who share similar interests and hobbies. And while I like corresponding with others in St. Louis and the world, I most enjoy engaging with those who live right here in Maryland Heights. Twitter works as a micro-blogging site to share information. In 140 characters or less, you can braodcast your message to the masses who use the social network.  Maryland Heights is an up and coming social media area and I see many businesses and residents utilizing …

I wanted to have a grand wedding in 2005. My family spared no expense to make sure my husband and I had a lavish union. As a wedding gift, they paid for my wedding reception at Orlando Gardens off of McKelvey and Dorsett. The affair was lush, well attended and the food and drinks overflowed. Each time I shopped at the market next door, I thought of my grand reception. And now I've been told that it is no more. I first noticed a few weeks ago that the signage no longer lit up at Orlando Gardens when I passed by. Then I saw that all of the shops next door to the banquet hall were all out of …

While perusing my email inbox the other day, I found an interesting message from the Parkway District eNews system. The headline really piqued my interest — it announced that the school board was considering new school start times for students. By having two children enrolled in the district, one in elementary and one in high school, it was a must-read piece of information. According to Parkway School District's website, they are "considering several key changes for next fall as part of the 'Project Parkway' 2011-2016 strategic planning effort." Those changes include a new start time for …

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about the recent report of St. Louis being deemed "The Most Dangerous City in America." What did this mean for Maryland Heights? And most importantly, how could we change this horrible title? I received many emails and comments about the column and the fact that the data included St. Louis City statistics and data and not any from the outlining areas or county cities. Other cities in the study, like Chicago, included their suburban areas while St. Louis didn't. Some say this is because St. Louis City and St. Louis County are seperate entities.  The study …

When I moved into my subdivision off Dorsett Road in August, I was pleased with the atmosphere. I often see someone jogging, walking their dog or even riding their bicycle. And with Creve Coeur Park just a stone's throw away, getting a good run in is always an option. My neighbors' enthusiasm for health made me want to partake in a little exercise of my own. But when you look at the surrounding area in terms of healthy eatting choices, does Maryland Heights make the grade? There are plenty of fast food spots in the area: McDonald's, Taco Bell, Arby's, Steak N Shake, Dairy Queen and the list …

Worrying about buying the perfect gift for your loved ones takes precedence over many things on your to-do list. I have gathered up a list of gift ideas from businesses and shoppes right here in the Maryland Heights area that can help you with your shopping. 1. Edible Arrangements, Dorsett Square Shopping Center, 12642 Dorsett Rd., Maryland Heights, MO 63043 Edible Arrangements specializes in fresh fruit bouquets. With different sizes amounts available, you're sure to find something in your budget. And you don't have to worry about shipping — pick up your gift at the store and deliver it …

As a resident of Maryland Heights for several years, I have come to love and appreciate my city. All of my quick necessities are close at hand, and I like my neighbors. I'd like to think we are a thriving city with a lot to offer prospective residents. Which is why I loathe a comment like the one I heard this week during my manicure and pedicure treatment. When I responded to my nail technician to the question of where I lived, she answered, "Oh, Maryland Heights! Do you live by Harrah's?" No. I don't. Harrah's is not Maryland Heights. We are more than the casino. And despite this prevailing …

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, the chaos and madness surrounding the search for the perfect gift is underway— not to mention the stress of shipping packages to loved ones in other cities. Each year, I don't have to get too overwhelmed — I have a bunch of elves who help me ship my packages and get them to their destinations without a worry. The staff over at the UPS Store on Dorsett Road are my lifesavers, always friendly and helpful. It's like they wave their magic wands and make everything happen in a snap. Maryland Heights has a few options for sending packages. The U.S. …

Last Sunday evening while on the Internet, my email inbox was flooded by messages from out-of-state friends and family. All but two of the emails had to do with seeing a report that deemed St. Louis as the "Most Dangerous City in America." Was I planning to move? Were me and my family in danger? Did I have an alarm installed in my home? According to a study conducted by CQ Press, St. Louis scored 381.62, beating out second place Camden, NJ (374.33), third place Detriot, Mi. (356.44) and fourth place Flint, Mi. (310.31). I understood everyone's concern for my family's safety, but I have never…

Pastor John Sykes of Grace Community Bible Church on Dorsett Road is very proud of his church. One of the few predominantly black churches in Maryland Heights, Grace Community is a place of fellowship. Pastor Sykes and his church have had a peaceful existence in the city, but Grace Community has struggled when it comes to obtaining a diverse membership. "When I first started the ministry years ago, I told my church that God wanted us to have a mixed congregation and I held on to that for many years. But what I found was that it is hard for a black pastor or church leader to gain white …