The 618 Now

This made an $888,000 impact in just 6 weeks!

In this episode, we discuss:

• the Family Sports Park and how our region benefits from having the only all-weather synthetic turf fields in the St. Louis Metro area
• Sat, July 23 8am-noon Vine Street Market at O'Fallon Station
  • Hen House Crepes will be at The Vine (tent) offering delicious sweet and savory crepes!
  • Food trucks include El Guaqo Taco and Farmhouse Foods
• Sat, July 23 @ 10am VFW Post 805 0.1K fun run
• Tues, July 26th @ 7pm The Air Force Band of Mid-America is performing at The Hett at McKendree University
• Thurs, July 28 7-8:30pm Shiloh's Music in the Park with entertainment by ShortMist
• Sat, July 30 11-4pm is A Wizard's Birthday in the Downtown District
• Sat, July 30th 3pm @ Global Brew in O'Fallon is Harry Potter's birthday too! Giant Quidditch Pong Tournament, live music from 7-10pm
• Sun, July 31 @ 6pm Harry Potter Trivia at Global Brew in O'Fallon 

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

This space will look so different in 2 years!

In this episode, we discuss:

• our parks and the great programming available 
  • View the current activity guide 
• our local "Art Park" (Thoman Park)
• how different the O'Fallon Community Park will look in the next few years-- big transformations are coming!
  • View the Parks Master Plan which outlines these changes and more
• the VanGo service offered through the St. Clair County Transit District- it's public transportation on-demand! 
• Sat, July 16th 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ O'Fallon Station
• Sat, July 16 7pm an Evening at the Jazz Garage @ Gateway Classic Cars
• Wed July 20th, 11am-3pm Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting @ Auffenberg Auto Mall- Free food trucks, OTHS Marching Panthers, Register to win *Yeti Cooler, JBL Party Box, Meta Quest (Oculus), Nintendo Switch or Beats headphones!* 
• Thursday, July 21 @ 7pm Concert with Johnny Holzum and The Well Hungarians @ Auffenberg Automall with free food trucks. Bring a lawn chair!
• Sat, July 23 @ 10am VFW's 0.1K fun run- truly a run everyone can complete! 

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

So many people are relocating!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Millions of dollars in real estate will change hands this month in O'Fallon/Shiloh. 
• Many businesses have relocated into O'Fallon/Shiloh
• Amber with Auffenberg joins us to talk about their space in Shiloh and all of the grand opening events- their events and outreach are truly community building!
  • July 20th, 11am-3pm Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Free food trucks, OTHS Marching Panthers, Register to win *Yeti Cooler, JBL Party Box, Meta Quest (Oculus), Nintendo Switch or Beats headphones!* 
  • July 21 @ 7pm Concert with Johnny Holzum and The Well Hungarians with free food trucks. Bring a lawn chair!
• Sat, July 9th 8am-noon Vine Street Market and it's First Responder Appreciation day- first 100 first responders receive $5 to spend at any market vendor that day
• Thurs, July 14 7-8:30pm Shiloh Music in the park with Vince K 

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

”We wish we knew about you sooner!”

In this episode, we discuss:

• AgeSmart, an O'Fallon-based Area Agency on Aging. Their #1 comment from users is, "I wish I knew about you sooner! It would have saved me so much time and frustration!" They do SO much in our community.
• Sat, July 2nd 8am-noon Vine Street Market in the Downtown District. You can view the vendors that will be at each market here.
• Sun, July 3rd 8:30pm Fireworks Over O'Fallon in the Family Sports Park
• Monday, July 4th 8:30am Bike Surgeon's Ride, White and Blue ride and brunch 
• Sat, July 9th, Unplug IL Family Friendly Triathlon 
• Tues, July 26 7:00 pm the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America is performing at The Hett at McKendree University. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended.  

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

Residential developments & July 4th events

In this episode, we discuss:

• Residential developments that are expanding O'Fallon's housing inventory to attract and retain residents in all stages of life
• Pickle ball in O'Fallon!
• Sat, June 25 8am-noon is the Vine Street Market in the Downtown District. Check out which vendors attend each market here. 
• Monday, July 4th is Bike Surgeon's Ride, White and Blue bike and brunch event. 
• Sat, July 9th is the Jenn Mueller Memorial 5k and fun run- great race for new runners! 
• Sat, July 30th is A Wizard's Birthday in the Downtown District

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

A love letter to the area’s largest employer

In this episode, we discuss:

• our love for Scott Air Force Base and our service members
• the Mobile Mechanic- the onsite car service that comes to you!
• Sat, June 18th 11am-4pm is the Strawberry Festival at St. Michael's Episcopal Church
• Wed, June 22 is Shiloh's Music in the Park with George Portz and his bluegrass band from 7-8:30pm
• Sunday, July 3rd is the City's Fireworks over O'Fallon at the Family Sports Park beginning at dusk.
• Monday, July 4th @ 8:30am is Bike Surgeon's Ride, White and Blue bike ride and brunch! 

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

Hwy 50 project, Phantom Burgers and Hawaiian Bros

In this episode, we discuss:

• Highway 50 is being patched and resurfaced. Expect traffic delays!
• Phantom Burgers- the ghost kitchen that serves the most delicious burgers!
• Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is going into the former DQ building on Highway 50
• Friday, June 10 is Global Brew's 10th Anniversary celebration and Crawfish boil!
• Sat, June 11 8am-noon is the Vine Street Market 
• Sat, June 18th 11am-4pm is the Strawberry Festival at St Michael's Episcopal Church
• Sat, July 9th is the Jenn Mueller Memorial 5k and Fun Run at St. Nicholas Church- celebrating what would have been Jenn 40th birthday!
• Tues, Sept 13 is the Chamber's annual golf tournament- register now because it sells out every year! 

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

Transportation option for residents & new drive-thru coffee shop!

In this episode, we discuss:

• New housing developments, Hampton Manor and the Townhomes at State & Cherry , coming into the City
• Scooter's Coffee, a new drive-thru coffee and blended drinks shop, broke ground this week by the Family Sports Park
• Rotary Wheels- a low/no cost transportation option for residents of all ages who live in the City of O'Fallon or O'Fallon Township 
  • Tues AM and Friday PMs, they go to WalMart
  • Monday PM and Wed AM, they go to Target
  • Can request rides to the grocery store, a doctor's appt, the park, etc
  • Call the township to register initially
  • no cost for residents >62 years old or disabled residents
  • $0.50/$1 for all others (each ride)
• Sat, June 4 8am-noon Vine Street Market in the Downtown District
• Sat June 4 9am-1pm Chalk it Up to Art in the Downtown District
  • Enjoy Beast Craft BBQ and live music!
• Sat, June 4 9-11am, Fishing Derby by the O'Fallon Township Youth Committee at the O'Fallon Sportsman's Club
• Sunday, June 5th 6pm Parks & Rec TV Trivia night at Global Brew-O'Fallon 
• Wed, June 8th 7-8:30pm Shiloh Music in the Park featuring Makeshift
• Friday, June 10th 11am Crawfish Boil & 10th Anniversary celebration for Global Brew- O'Fallon 

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

Kids of Millennials are graduating!

Congratulations to the OTHS graduating class of 2022! We discuss characteristics and events that may have helped shape these seniors' world views. 

We also share which community group raised $3,000 in 2 days. 

On the calendar: 

• Sat, May 28 8am-noon Vine Street Market and Strawberry Festival
• Sat, May 28th 8am Free Yoga with Moonbird Yoga
• Monday, May 31st Memorial Day events
  • 9-9:30am VFW Post 805 at the O'Fallon Cemetery 
  • 11:30am The City of O'Fallon observance at the Veterans' Monument 
• Sat, June 4th 9am-1pm Chalk It Up to Art in the Downtown District 
• Sun, June 5th 6pm Parks & Recreation TV Trivia night @ Global Brew- O'Fallon

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

Who wants to guest host?! Plus grants for students!

In this episode, we discuss:

• GUEST HOSTING! Submit your interest in guest hosting an upcoming episode here! 
• the OTHS Endowment Fund, which has donated over $440,000 to classrooms, educators and student scholarships!
• OTHS musical, Anastasia, is up for THREE prestigious awards from the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards
• Sat, May 21 is the Strawberry Festival at Vine Street Market!
• Sat, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 10am-4pm is Outdoor grilling at Sam's Club in support of Special Olympics 
• Wed, May 25th Shiloh Music in the Park, the Waterloo German band from 7-8:30pm in the community park!

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