The 618 Now

Leaders be leadin'

In this episode, we discuss this year's Lead In class- the talent within the group is unbelievable! But, what makes them this way?

 

On the calendar:

• Thurs, April 11th Restaurant Roulette
• Thurs, April 11th @ 6pm Pub Table Historian inside of Bike Surgeon
• Thurs, April 18th @ 5:30pm ChamberNET
• Sat, April 20th 8am-2pm OTHS Band Booster Yard Sale 
• Sat, April 20th Art Festival inside Kloss Furniture 
• Sat, April 20th 6-9pm  O'That Jazz 

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

86% of us are about to do this

In this episode, we discuss Spring Cleaning and how your donated goods can help raise money for local causes:

• Books, DVDs, CDs, VHS, puzzles can be donated to the O'Fallon Public Library year around. Donation bins are located inside the library. These donations are sold during the library's annual book sale held April 25 - April 29th. Donations are being accepted now!
• Friday, April 19th is donation drop off in support of the OTHS Band Boosters' Spring Yard Sale. Drop off is from 4-8pm at the Smiley Campus. Sale is Sat, April 20th from 8am-2pm. Baby items, small furniture, and kitchen gadgets sell well. NOT accepted are: electronics, bras/undergarments, used mattresses, large appliances, large furniture, electronics/books/magazines/DVDs/CDs, gas-powered motors of any kind, or treadmills.
• Sat, April 27th is Scrap Metal and Electronics drive, 9am-noon at Carriel Junior High. 
• Donations are always accepted year round for the monthly Township rummage sale. 
• Charity Clothing Pick up comes to your house to pick up donations of clothing, linens, home accessories and more. 
• Learn how to become a podcast partner! 

On the calendar:

• Sat, March 30th 9am-noon Vine Street Micro Market at OFallon Station
• Sat, April 27th is Big Brothers/Big Sisters 4th Annual Trivia Night for Kids' Sake 
• Applications are open for the O'Fallon Police Departments Youth Academy held June 3-7th. 

 

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

New O-Town businesses and services

In this episode, Nick spins the 618 Now gameboard and it lands on topics like:

• Toast and Table, a new store coming into the Downtown District
• Mobile Crisis Response, a 24/7 service for St. Clair County residents experiencing crisis. Dial 988 or call 618-436-0460 to connect with crisis counselors and recovery specialists who will come to you in your home or meet somewhere in the community. 
• Immaculate Bins, a local, veteran owned company that cleans your waste management, recycling and yard waste bins. 

Thank you to our podcast partner, Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station!

On the calendar:

• Friday, March 22- Sunday March 24 Les Miserables at OTHS. Purchase tickets here.
• Friday, March 22 Registration deadline for the inaugural Art Festival at Kloss Furniture. Local artists are encouraged to apply to showcase and sell their artwork during the festival on April 20th. 
• Tues, March 26 Gateway Grizzlies Braggin' Rights game. First pitch is 6pm.
• Wed, March 27 Grant Fundamentals 101 - free online webinar about how to prepare pre-award documents for state and federal grants.

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

Secure the barricade!

In this episode, we discuss which new business is going into the old Auffenberg site. We also interview 2 high school student performers who are in the upcoming production of Les Miserables! Purchase your tickets for the March 22-24 performances here!

 

On the calendar:

• Sat, March 16 9am-noon is a Vine Street Micro Market at OFallon Station!
• Friday, March 22 - Sunday March 24 is Les Miserables at OTHS. Support our student musicians!
• Tues, March 26 6pm Gateway Grizzlies Bragging Rights game. Mizzou vs. University of Illinois
• Sat, April 20 VFW's 0.1K race to help support veterans and their families.

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

Aight, Imma head out!

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Park enhancements like outdoor fitness equipment, a new wider walking path, pickle ball courts and a new Bike Master Plan. 
• Your feedback is wanted on where the city should focus on adding more shared-use and bike paths! Take the survey. 
• Parks and Rec is hosting daytime summer camps this summer for kids- Mini camps, Ages 3-5, Kindergarten - age 12.

On the calendar:

• Thurs, March 14 Pub Table Historian @ 6pm at Gears inside The Bike Surgeon.
• Sun, March 17th 3rd annual St. Patrick's Day Grub Crawl in the Downtown District 
• March 25, deadline to order Chef Prepared Easter Dinner from The Regency

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

The one about property taxes

 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Nick's favorite topic- TAXES!
• Property tax postcards and what it means for people who own buildings and/or land.
• This week's podcast partner, Vine Street Market at OFallon Station!

On the calendar:

 

Sat, March 2 9am-noon Vine Street Micro Market at OFallon Station

Sun, March 3 @ 8am Toolen's Top of the Morning 5K

Sat, April 20^th VFW's 0.1K - it's a short run that goes a long way towards helping veterans in our community!

 

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

You DONUT wanna miss this

 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Vine Street Micro markets coming!
• Building permits recently issued in the city.
• A special message of hope with Journey of Hope.
• Applications are being accepted for the Styx Lacrosse program.
  • Boys 10, 12 and 14 U as well as girls ages 12 and 14 U have teams forming now.
  • All equipment is available to borrow for the season and provided as part of the registration.
  • For questions, please contact Natalie Durbin at (618) 410-4213 or 618styx@gmail.com

On the calendar:

 

Sat, Feb 24 Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics- Team OFallon Police is soooo close to their fundraising goal of $45,000!

Sat, March 2 9am-noon Vine Street Micro Market at OFallon Station

Sun, March 3 @ 8am Toolen's Top of the Morning 5K

Sat, March 9 Carriel Junior High PTO Trivia Night @ KC Hall, Doors open at 6pm, trivia begins at 6:30pm

 

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

Police dogs and grant funding

In this episode, we discuss:

• Big news out of both the Shiloh and OFallon Police Departments!
• The city new FAQ Fridays on Facebook.
• A special message of gratitude from our partner. Ray Farmer, past president of The Friends of the OFallon Public Library
• Applications are being accepted for the Styx Lacrosse program.
  • Boys 10, 12 and 14 U as well as girls ages 12 and 14 U have teams forming now.
  • All equipment is available to borrow for the season and provided as part of the registration.
  • For questions, please contact Natalie Durbin at (618) 410-4213 or 618styx@gmail.com

On the calendar:

 

Sat, March 2 9am-noon Vine Street Micro Market at OFallon Station

Sun, March 3 @ 8am Toolen's Top of the Morning 5K

Sat, March 9 Carriel Junior High PTO Trivia Night @ KC Hall, Doors open at 6pm, trivia begins at 6:30pm

 

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

Eat soup, help others

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Empty Bowl Luncheon, on Feb 14, is one of O'Fallon's largest fundraisers to benefit the O'Fallon Food Pantry. Last year's event, sponsored by the O'Fallon Woman's Club, raised over $13,000 and had over 1,000 people in attendance over 3 hours. Purchase your tickets online or at Wolfersberger Funeral Home and Furchild. 
• Empty Bowl accepts online orders for free delivery during the event... email ofallonwomansclub@gmail.com to order. 
• Thanks to our podcast partner, Ray Farmer, Past President of The Friends of the OFallon Library for his message of gratitude. 

On the calendar:

• Sat, Feb 10th 7am-noon Rummage sale at the OFallon Township Building. Donations and sales help support local charities.
• Sunday, March 3rd is the area's largest 5K race... Toolen's Top of the Morning 5k 

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

The city's $140 million plan

In this episode, we discuss:

• The city's $140 million capital improvement plan which outlines large expenses over the next 5 years within the city. Projects > $50,000 and vehicles/equipment > $15,000 are included. There's also an interactive map that shows where the investments are planned for throughout the city. 
• You can sign up to receive the city's Inside OFallon newsletter here.
• Our podcast partner, Ray Farmer, Past President of The Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library with a special message of gratitude...

On the calendar,

• Feb 2 and 3rd is the Bank of OFallon Shoot Out, a premiere basketball showcase event that draws thousands of people to OTHS to watch unbelievable high school talent from across the region. WE covered the highlights of the Shoot Out in last week's episode so check that out if you haven't. 
• Feb 3rd 1-5pm is the Inaugural Polar Pub Crawl in support of Special Olympics. Show up at the VFW at 1pm!  
• Thurs, Feb 8th @ 6pm Pub Table Historian at Gears inside of The Bike Surgeon.
• Friday, Feb 9th @ 6pm The Sweetheart Dance at the Regency
• Superbowl Sunday is coming up- consider Gigi's Italian Market for sub sandwiches, pasta, lasagna and meatball trays!

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