The Insider: 7.11.18

Ever wonder what it would be like to ply the waters of the mighty Mississippi? Now you can find out! This summer, Big Muddy Adventures is offering three-hour canoe trips. The company picks up groups at the Arch, drives 9 miles north, then sends them downriver in a 30-foot voyager canoe or similar craft(with a knowledgeable guide, of course). Boxed lunch on an island is also available. No previous paddling experience required!

The Kranzberg Arts Foundation’s .Zack Building in Grand Center has topped itself—literally. The facility recently opened Sally’s Rooftop Garden & Terrace, a 150-person outdoor event space with a panoramic view of downtown and the Arch. It includes an Urban Harvest STL garden that grows produce for Kranzberg venues and underserved neighborhoods in St. Louis. Event proceeds support local arts programs.

Customers of Left Bank Books stepped up to support the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) on World Refugee Day. The nonprofit provides free and low-cost legal services for immigrants and refugees at the Texas/Mexico border. Left Bank owners Jarek Steele and Kris Kleindienst donated nearly $1,000 of store proceeds to help children separated from their families.

Native son A.E. Hotchner has a new novel on the shelf. The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom is about a Depression-era boy who seeks justice after his dad is wrongly accused of a St. Louis jewelry store heist. Hotchner has led an interesting life—he was pals with Ernest Hemingway and co-founded Newman’s Own with Paul Newman. He recently celebrated the book—and his 101st birthday—through a Skype session at a party at his alma
mater, Washington U.! Available at Barnes & Noble and amazon.com.

the main events 

Live music, gourmet food and more than 100 beer styles from local brewers will be on tap July 14 at the St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival in Forest Park. Schlafly, O’Fallon Brewery, Six Row Brewing Co., Anheuser-Busch and other makers will be on hand.

Spy into space at a special St. Louis Astronomical Society stargazing event July 21. The Gateway to the Stars program will be held on the Arch grounds with telescope viewing of the moon and planets, plus informative talks by a park ranger and Washington U. scientist.

Take a day trip to Ste. Genevieve for the Traditional Artisans Showcase and Sale July 21. The event, held at ASL Pewter, features artists and crafters specially recognized for their talents in Early American Life magazine. They will show, sell and discuss the creation of their traditional wares.