The Insider: 7.18.18

Employees of St. Louis-based World Wide Technology  recently hit the road in support of cancer research. The company sponsored a Race Across America bike team to raise money for Pedal the Cause, an event that funds programs at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The 10-day race spanned 3,000 miles and crossed 12 states from California to Maryland, cruising through local spots like Fast Eddie’s in Alton, Illinois. (Pedal the Cause is Sept. 29 & 30 this year.)

Watlow recently unveiled its renovated, expanded Maryland Heights HQ and Technology Center after about $30 million in work. The 200,000-square-foot building houses manufacturing, research and lab facilities for the 96-year old thermal products company, which dubbed its redesigned home ‘a chrome and glass-walled powerhouse of ideas and experimentation.’ It’s built to be environment- and employee-friendly, Watlow says.

Hats off to Lauren Ross, recently named executive director of Laumeier Sculpture Park! She begins her new role in August, having served recently as curator of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Contemporary Art. Laumeier, a St. Louis County park, spans 105 acres and welcomes about 300,000 visitors each year.

Want to try your hand at some tunes? Check out an instrument at one of four St. Louis County Library branches and see where the music takes you. Valid library card holders can borrow ukuleles, acoustic guitars, banjos, bongos and more for two-week periods; instructional books and DVDs are included. Visit slcl.org/musical-instruments for more information.

the main events

A stylish collection of local fashion and accessory retailers will team up July 20 and 21 for The Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition’s Boutique Blowout. Held at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, the event raises money for services that help foster children and families.

Bring your lawn chair to Washington University’s Brookings Quadrangle for a free Gateway Festival Orchestra concert, ‘En Español,’ at 7:30 p.m. July 22. A Meet the Artists discussion begins at 7:10 p.m., and Ted Drewes frozen custard will be available for purchase.

Got your very own brew crew? Grab your fellow connoisseurs and head to Clayton July 29 for the 2018 Beer Geek Fest at Craft Beer Cellar. Sample dozens of beverages from 32 makers, including rare ones tapped for this event.