Friday, May 13, 2016

More to do, in St. Lou… City Museum
Enjoy some fun while in St. Louis.   Be sure to visit City Museum, uniquely constructed mainly from repurposed industrial & architectural objects, at the former International Shoe factory and warehouse site located in the Washington Avenue Loft District of St. Louis.  It’s a short cab ride from the Union Station conference hotel to a destination that’s fun for all ages.
Opened in 1997, the City Museum was founded by artist Bob Cassilly (deceased 2011) and has been listed as one of the "great public spaces" by the Project for Public Spaces, and won local and international awards as a must-see destination. Popular with St. Louisans and tourists, the museum bills itself as an "eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel." 
You’re encouraged to touch, climb on, and play in the various exhibits.   City Museum is constantly changing with new additions and exhibits created from an artistic perspective.   Enjoy MonstroCity and Enchanted Caves.  City Museum is truly a museum adventure!
City Museum is open 7 days a week and general admission is $12.00+tax.   Check out the website, http://www.citymuseum.org, for additional specifics on hours & admission variations, including clothing & footwear recommendations prior to your visit.
See you soon in St. Louis!
Donna Jasper, MAK-AIRS Board Member  

Friday, May 6, 2016

More to see & do in St. Lou!             

Gateway Arch & Old Courthouse
As you look toward St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch, you see our Old Courthouse perfectly framed underneath this national monument. It’s fitting that two of St. Louis’ national treasures present a beautiful picture for visitors to our city. So, Welcome AIRS Conference attendees!

Be sure to visit the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial exploring St. Louis’ history at the Old Courthouse and experience a birds-eye view of city culture - from 630 feet high - in the architectural wonder of the Gateway Arch.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Gateway Arch (10/28/1965 – 10/28/2015), St. Louis has embarked on a major beautification project to the park grounds.  The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history.

You’ll discover a significant part of U.S. history when you visit the Old Courthouse, which was built between 1839 and 1862. Tour this architectural masterpiece with restored courtrooms and experience a time & place where Dred and Harriet Scott sued for their freedom and Virginia Minor fought for women’s right to vote.

Through special exhibits, you’ll learn St. Louis’ role in early settlers’ movement into western America. Galleries of popular artifacts and stories, including settlement of Early St. Louis (1764-1804), depicting lifestyle of original French residents and American Indian trading partners; Exploring the West (1804-1840), about Lewis and Clark expedition, the American period of fur trade and mountain men; and Clash of Cultures (1840-1890), life of plains Indian tribes, pioneer movement & settlement of the treatment of American Indians from the reservation era to today.

Old Courthouse is free & open 8:00am – 5:00pm daily. Explore on your own, seek information of on-staff National Park Rangers, or join a guided tour (afternoons, per availability). The Old Courthouse serves as the temporary Ticketing & Visitor Center for the Gateway Arch during park construction. Purchase tickets on site or online.  Visitors must have a “Journey to the Top” tram ticket to enter the Arch facility. Operating hours are 9:00am – 6:00pm daily and adult tickets are $13.00 per person.  For additional questions or assistance, call (877) 982-1410. (Information from www.gatewayarch.com website.)

We look forward to seeing you soon.  Plan to enjoy your visit...
Donna Jasper (MAK-AIRS Board Member)

Monday, May 2, 2016

Missouri, Arkansas, & Kansas AIRS Affiliate (MAK-AIRS) is very excited that the 2016 AIRS Conference is taking place in St. Louis. We look forward to a great conference and hope all attending take in some sightseeing during your visit. So welcome to St. Lou!  

You’ll definitely recognize St. Louis as a Baseball City. Home of the St. Louis Cardinals,  one of the most successful franchises in baseball history, the Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, 19 National League pennants, and 13 division titles. St. Louisans’ are crazy about their Cardinals!

No matter whether you’re an avid baseball fan or just looking for a fun destination, you’re sure to enjoy a visit to St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium and adjoining Ballpark Village.   The baseball complex is just one mile directly up Market Street from the Union Station Conference Hotel.  A short cab ride will get you to the center of St. Louis’ “Cardinals fever” experience.

Enjoy a Cardinals home game, as they play Arizona Diamondbacks (5/20 – 5/22) and Chicago Cubs (5/23 – 5/25). Busch Stadium is absolutely beautiful, with open seating and direct views of the iconic Arch from every angle. Reasonable seat prices are available or you can splurge for the ultimate event in an all-inclusive seating area.  Not up for a game?  Try a Busch Stadium tour, available 3-4 times daily depending on game day start times. It’s a super way to experience a professional baseball stadium, including visiting the Radio Booth, Redbird Club, and actually walking on the field & entering the Cardinals dugout.   Tickets are $18 for adults, with some applicable discounts. Details for single game tickets and stadium tours are available online or by calling (314) 345-9000.

Ballpark Village is also a great venue, both inside & outside, for enjoying food, drinks and a sports viewing experience! And don’t leave without stopping to visit the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum. This sports anchored entertainment district is located right next to Busch Stadium.  

See more at www.stlballparkvillage.com.   

See you in May!   
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Donna Jasper, MAK-AIRS Board Member
ADRC Manager
Mid East Area Agency on Aging
Manchester MO
(636)207-4243