The 618 Now

Let’s spend some time outdoors...

In this episode, we discuss things to do with this amazing weather we're having!

• Miles and miles of bike trails
• June's Breakfast + Patio is now open Friday and Sat evenings (kitchen is open 7am-2pm, closed from 2-4 but craft beer, cocktails, natural wines and coffee are available, then kitchen reopens with a small plate menu from 4-8:30pm)
• O'Fallon Public Library's Story Walk at Thoman Park 
• Geocaching!! There are hundreds of geocaches in OFallon and Shiloh!
• Kids Bowl Free- registered kids receive TWO free bowling games per day, every day of the summer
• Podcast partner, Carrollton Bank 

On the calendar:

• Sat, June 3 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
  • Moonbird yoga (free) starts at 8am
  • Live music begins at 9am
• Wed, June 7th 7-8:30pm The Friends of Bluegrass, Shiloh Music in the Park
• Thurs, June 8 6:45-9pm Auffenberg's Sunset concert series featuring the Billeville Philharmonic 
• Thurs, June 8 6-7:30pm Pub Table Historian at Gears inside The Bike Surgeon for OFallon Inventors

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

Strengths within the community

In this episode, we discuss:

• Nick and Jess' StrengthsFinder results - we are very different!
• July 19th 8am-10:30am StrengthsFinder Workshop hosted by the Chamber
• Podcast partner, Home Heating and Cooling

On the calendar:

• Friday, May 26 5:30-8:30 Food Truck Friday 
• Sat, May 27 8-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Sat, May 27 10am-4pm OFallon Police Grill Out @ Sam's Club in support of Special Olympics
• Sunday, May 28 10am-4pm OFallon Police Grill Out @ Sam's Club in support of Special Olympics
• Thurs, June 1 6-9pm (event starts at 5pm, music starts at 6pm) District Nights' concert series featuring Champagne Fixx - here's the layout of the event

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

Good news all around!!

In this episode, we're celebrating big successes in the community!

• Podcast episodes have exploded in the last 2 months- our biggest months ever! THANK YOU!
• O'Fallon Woman's Club raised over $13,000 for their Empty Bowl Lunch- all donations support the O'Fallon Food Pantry
• The Friends of the Library raised $14,000 with their 5-day book sale recently! 
• The OTHS Band were recently honored.
• The OTHS production of Beauty and the Beast received numerous nominations for the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards! 

Thanks to Bike Surgeon, our podcast partner!

On the calendar:

• Sat, May 20 8am-noon Vine Street Market at O'Fallon Station- celebrate their 5 year anniversary with a ribbon cutting at 7:45am
• Sat, May 20 8am-noon Electronics Recycling Event at HSHS St. Elizabeth's 
• Sat, May 20 Nick/BillFest at St. Nicholas Church 
• Wed, May 24 7-8:30pm Shiloh Music in the park with Vince K 
• Sat, June 24 1-4pm Literacy Lollapalooza Family Word Game event (Practice event) 

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

Go big or go home!

In this episode, we discuss three big events:

• Scott Air Force Base Air Show (Sat & Sun, May 13 & 14)
• Vine Street Market at O'Fallon Station begins its full season Sat, May 13
• Sign up to receive the new weekly Market newsletter 
• District Nights' concert series hosts its first concert on Thurs, June 1st from 6-9pm

On the calendar:

• Thurs, May 18th, 8:30-noon Aging Expo presented by AgeSmart
• Sat, May 20th 8am-noon  Electronics Recycling Event @ HSHS St. Elizabeth's

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

Let’s talk about the $103 million budget!

In this episode, we discuss:

• the City's recently passed $103 million balanced budget
• the Build OFallon Fund which is bringing more pickle ball courts and some improvements to OFallon Station
• the outdoor fitness station coming to the Family Sports Park
• podcast partner Carrollton Bank

On the calendar:

• May 5th, Food Truck Friday at The Weingarten
• May 5th, Party in the Park @ Soulcial Kitchen
• Tues, May 11, @ 6pm Pub Table Historian @ Gears - The visual and performing arts history in O'Fallon
• Sat, Sunday May 13-14 Air Show at Scott Air Force Base 

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

85% of these will not exist by 2030

In this episode, we discuss:

• the 650 8th graders who visited the Chamber's recent career fair
• a report that says 85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 hadn't been invented as of 2018!
• Companies metaverse existence

On the calendar:

• Friday, April 28 Food Truck Fridays at The Weingarten
• Sat, April 29 Final Micro Market at O'Fallon Station
• Tues, May 2 5pm Chamber's book club, Radical Candor, moderated by Lisa Vorce. 

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

The clinic that is cultivating change in our community

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Hope Clinic and Autism Acceptance Month
  • They have a clinic in O'Fallon and a Learning Academy in Edwardsville, IL
• Our podcast partner, Home Heating and Cooling- locally and veteran owned 

On the calendar:

• Sat, April 22 8am-2pm OTHS Band Booster yard sale 
• Thurs, April 27- Monday, May 1 Friends of the Library Book Sale 
• We promoted The Happy Bakery's Mother's Day brunch, but it has since sold out!
• Sunday, May 14 Mother's Day Brunch at The Regency Conf center

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

The one about food!!

In this episode, we bust out the digital game board and discuss all things food!!

• BRUCH options include June's Breakfast + Patio, The Happy Bakery, O-Town Food Hall and Tap House, and Sweet Katie Bee's 
• Daily specials include $5 burgers and fries at 1st Street Lounge, Taco Tues at The American Legion and $7 sushi rolls at Wasabi Sushi Bar, Weds are free mini charcuterie sample with a drink purchase at Boarding House Bistro, Thursdays are Wings by the Moose Lodge (at the American Legion), and Fridays are a fish fry at the Legion. 
• Up and coming places include Outback Steakhouse (on Central Park, across from the Drury Inn), Le Ono in the Downtown District and a soon-to-opened restaurant inside the VFW Post 805. 

On the calendar:

• Fri, April 14 and Sat, Aril 15 Veterans Songwriting Retreat
• Fri, April 4-8pm Yard Sale drop off
• Sat, April 22 8am-2pm OTHS Band Boosters Yard Sale
• Sat, Apr 22 9am-noon Micro Market at O'Fallon Station
• Sat, April 22 9am-1pm Electronics Recycling Event Shiloh
• Sat, April 22 @ 6pm An Evening with Mr. Lincoln
• Sat, April 29 @ 6pm O'That Jazz 

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

Welcome new neighbors, here’s a restaurant guide!

In this episode, we discuss:

• the Chamber has resources to help residents
  • Welcome to OFallon guide
  • Restaurant guide
  • Meeting spaces and catering guide

On the calendar:

• Fri, April 14 and Sat, Aril 15 Veterans Songwriting Retreat
• Fri, April 4-8pm Yard Sale drop off
• Sat, April 22 8am-2pm OTHS Band Boosters Yard Sale
• Sat, April 22 9am-1pm Electronics Recycling Event Shiloh

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.

Award winning businesses

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Chamber's Annual Salute to Business Award winners
• Sat, April 1st @ 10am VFW Post 805's 0.1K Race
• Podcast Partner, Vine Street Market
• Sat, April 1 9am-noon, Micro Market Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Sat, April 22 @ 6pm Evening with Lincoln @ OFallon Station

Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.