The Maplewood Community Betterment Foundation(MCBF)  is providing two free events for the Maplewood community to enjoy this week. Both events are happening at Ryan Hummert Park. First, the MCBF Summer Concert Series wraps up on Wednesday, September 28th with a performance by The Funky Butt Brass Band from 6-8pm. Next, on Friday, September 30th, the MCBF presents its 3rd Picture in the Park event featuring the 2007 hit, Hairspray. The snack bar opens at 6:30 and the movie begins at 7:00 pm. Contact the MCBF Office at 314.781.8588 with further questions.

The City of Maplewood Special Business District presents the 2nd Annual  Maplewood Fiddle Fest featuring the Folk School of St. Louis at the Arts &  Eats Walk on October 7th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Fiddlers will be playing along the sidewalk and in the shops and restaurants all over historic downtown Maplewood.  Visitors will also find gallery openings, live art, live music and entertainment throughout the area. Maplewood food purveyors will be highlighting the autumn harvest with food and drink specials offered to passerbys from storefronts and seating will also be available indoors.  Food purveyors include:  Schlafly Bottleworks, Acero, Water Street, Kakao, Vom Fass, Saint Louis Cellars, Monarch, Home Wine Kitchen, Foundations Grounds, The Post, Las Palmas, Jumpin’ Jupiter, Maya Café and The Wood.

Admission is free.  Charge for food and drink.  Some entertainment venues may have cover charges but most are free. This event is sponsored by The City of Maplewood Special Business District and FEAST Magazine.

For more information about the event, please contact Rachelle L’Ecuyer, Director of Community Development for the City of Maplewood by phone:  (314) 646-3607 or e-mail. You can also find information online via facebook at City of Maplewood website .

Boogaloo is celebrating their 6 year anniversary all week long! Check out what they are doing to celebrate here.

On Thursday, September 15th, the City of Maplewood and Chamber of Commerce joined forces to honor home based businesses at the 2nd Annual Home Based Business recognition night. The 2011 honorees included Chris Gundlack of CNC Contracting and Paul Barker of Premier Insurance Group. There were a total of 7 home based businesses that have opened a business in Maplewood since last September.

Each honoree had a ribbon cutting performed with Chamber Vice President, Bill Berthold and Mayor James White, who also presented them with a key to the City. Ben Triola of the Rampant Creative Group also spoke at the event. Triola and his business partners, Dana Huth and Carol Mertz, were honorees at the event last year. Triola commented, “Since taking part in this event and joining the Chamber, our business has grown significantly. We are amazed at the support that we’ve received from the City of Maplewood and the Chamber of Commerce.”

Recognizing home based occupations became a focus when Maplewood Chamber of Commerce conducted strategic planning sessions early last year. The Board wanted to do a better job of serving and attracting home based businesses by ensuring they had the same opportunities as any other business in Maplewood.  After collaborating with the City of Maplewood, the concept of an evening solely dedicated to home based businesses was  formed.

Currently there are 38 home based businesses registered with the City of Maplewood. If you are a home-based business operating in Maplewood and are not registered, please contact the City of Mapleweood at 314-645-3600.

Join Saint Louis Cellars for the Fall Fling event on Saturday, September 24th from 12:00pm-5:00pm. Taste over 90 wines and enjoy sampling the confections of local vendors such as Kakao Chocolates!

Cost is $5 per person at the door (free for Wine Club members and their guests). No RSVP required.

Please join S. Carmody Photography & Pixies Hair Design for an hors d’oeuvres reception and silent auction benefitting the MS-150 bike teams Sunday, September 25, from 1-4PM at 2707 & 2709 Sutton Blvd. 63143

The auction will feature goods and services from area businesses, photographic artwork from the UpCycled show and photography from previous exhibits. The vibrantly colored UpCycled images are derived and inspired by that which has been discarded. Vignettes of vintage cars and mechanical parts are reworked to create surreal landscapes. Dynamic landscapes from the CreatoRecorder show and botanical images from the Spektrem show will also be available.

Proceeds of this event will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Gateway Area Chapter for research, programs and services. Their mission is to move toward a world free of MS by increasing funds for research, while providing quality programs and services for individuals living with MS. Your support of this event will help them get one step closer. Join the movement to help create a world free of MS.