St. Louis Front Page - Not Just For KIDS!

Not Just For Kids!
features news, fun activities and places to visit in the Metro St. Louis area for the entire family.

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Petal Pedal Bicycle Ride Begins at Missouri Botanical Garden to Celebrate Shaw's Birthday
ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), July 12, 2009 - Come join the celebration of Garden founder Henry Shaw's birthday as we highlight his life and legacy! THF Realty, The Missouri Botanical Garden, Tower Grove Park and Trailnet are hosting the Petal Pedal on Friday, July 24.

Lots of children's activities are planned at the Garden in celebration of Henry Shaw's birthday. After the ride, come smell the flowers and enjoy the party! Admission to the Garden is FREE for the event.

Registration for the Petal Pedal is 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., near the east entrance to the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110. Complete the 5-mile route on your own, the route is marked and map is provided. The bike ride will use portions of the Bike St. Louis route from the Garden to Tower Grove Park where cyclists will explore the features and attractions of this National Historic Landmark. At registration a docent from the Garden will provide a brief history of Henry Shaw's gifts (the Garden and Tower Grove Park) to St. Louis.

Before beginning the bike ride cyclists will receive a review of bicycle safety tips including: riding techniques, rules of the road, and helmet safety checks by St. John's Mercy Medical Center. Riders can bring their own helmets to be professionally checked for correct size and fit and to insure it is an approved helmet. New helmets will be available for the reduced rate of $10.

Services provided include SAG (support and gear) wagon until noon, route marking and map provided by Trailnet with assistance from City Cycling Tours. Mechanic services provided by REI. Rent a bike for this event by calling City Cycling Tours 314/616-5724 24 hours in advance. Cost is $10 per rider and includes mandatory helmet.

The Petal Pedal is a FREE event. Additional event parking is available in the east lot on Shaw, park your vehicle here and ride your bike to the event start.

The last Pedal in Our Parks Bicycle Ride will be the Planetary Pedal on Friday, August 14. More information on this and other events promoting Active Living can be found on the Trailnet website at www.trailnet.org/calendar.php

Surgeons Warn: Skateboarding Tough on Feet, Ankles
ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), July 5, 2009 - Children and young adults love the thrill of skateboarding. They learn to master their skills of "riding the rail" and "catching air." But according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), such tricks, while fun, can be physically demanding and cause serious foot and ankle injuries.

Foot and ankle surgeons around the country warn they continue to see serious lower-extremity skateboard injuries among their patients. These injuries range from minor bruises to open wounds or cuts to more serious foot and ankle sprains and fractures, which may require surgical repair.

Virginia-based foot and ankle surgeon, Jennifer Purvis, DPM, AACFAS, advises skateboarders to use caution and wear protective gear, including properly supportive shoes, when skateboarding. "Skateboarding can be particularly hard on your feet and ankles because of the impact caused when performing jumps and tricks," Dr. Purvis explains.

"Skateboarders should be aware that the strain from repetitive, forceful motions can also cause painful foot and heel conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs and Achilles tendonitis, which may require more intensive, longer-term therapies," she said.

Even minor cuts or abrasions on your feet can cause serious problems. Dr. Purvis recently treated a 21-year-old skateboarder for scrapes on his feet and ankles that were not healing. Tests indicated he had contracted MRSA - a very serious and sometimes deadly staph infection, which required surgery and four weeks of antibiotic therapy.

Foot and ankle sprains and fractures are common skateboarding injuries. Karl Collins, DPM, FACFAS, who practices in St. Louis, stresses the importance of seeing a foot and ankle surgeon to ensure proper diagnosis and course of treatment for these injuries. Until you can be seen by a doctor, it is best to take a break from activities and use R.I.C.E. therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), which helps to reduce pain and control swelling around the injury.

"A common misconception about foot and ankle fractures is that if you can walk on the foot, there isn't a fracture," Dr. Collins said. "That's not always the case, and only a proper diagnosis can rule out a serious injury requiring an advanced treatment plan."

Pageturners Reading Club Offers Opportunity to win Cardinals Tickets
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) - The St. Louis Public Library's reading club for adult and high school readers, Pageturners, is in high gear and continues through Saturday, August 8, at all St. Louis Public Library locations. This year's theme is "Inspiration Strikes. . . When You Read." It's a fun and rewarding way for readers to spend their summer.

To take part in Pageturners, readers should register ONCE at any Library location and then pick up a reading log to record the books, magazines, or audio books that they complete. Each person who signs up and completes the program by reading or listening to 10 books will receive a reading certificate and special Pageturners prizes. Those who complete the club also have the chance to win two tickets to a Cardinals baseball game and are entered into a drawing for a laptop computer! Participants must be high school age or older and current St. Louis Public Library cardholders. No prizes will be awarded after August 9.

Remember-people who join Pageturners at the Library really do KNOW BETTER! Major funding and support for Pageturners is provided by the St. Louis Cardinals.

For more information, visit any Library location, the Library's website at slpl.org, or call 314-539-0340.

Summer Fun at the Butterfly House
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) - The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is offering two new perks for families this summer! Take advantage of half-price admission ($3 adults and $2 children ages four to 12) during special extended evening hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in July and August.

Stroll through the 8,000-square-foot Tropical Conservatory to witness hundreds of butterflies from around the world in free flight. Enjoy living displays of arachnids and other insects inside the exhibit hall, and step outside to view the backyard Butterfly Garden and its natural residents.

The Butterfly House is located at 15193 Olive Blvd. at Faust Park in Chesterfield. Free parking is available on site.

Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays the rest of the year. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages four to 12, and free for children ages three and under.

For general information, call (636) 530-0076.

Archived St. Louis Community News and Information:

Recreational Music Making Results in Breakthroughs for Inner City Youth

President Barack Obama Visits Year Up

What All Parents Should Know About Swine Flu

Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce Will Award Five Scholarships

St. Louis Area Robotics Team Advances to National Finals

Obama Budget Proposes Direct College Aid for 5,186 More Students in Missouri

Tobacco Marketing Influences Kids to Smoke

Sharp Increase in Use of Sleep Medications by Young Adults According to a New Study

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