The 618 Now

Community volunteers that save lives: Fire Fighters

In this episode we talk about how artificial intelligence is helping fire service and communities, including OFallon/Shiloh. With Fire Prevention week coming up, we take a look at how local departments are funded and staffed. Shout out to our OFallon Fire and Rescue!!

On the calendar:

• Sat, Oct 5 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Sat, Oct 5th 8am Honor Run 
• Sat, Oct 5th 9am-noon Scrap Metal and Electronics Recycling Event @ Carriel Junior High
• Sat, Oct 5th 12-7pm June's Breakfast + Patio's Fall Fest 
• Sun, Oct 6th 2pm Supporting Youth in a Funeral Home setting

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

An Individualized approach to healthcare

In this episode, we talk about the importance of healthcare in our communities and share how Nurse Practitioner, Jordan Kimler of PremiereU, is making a big difference in her patients' lives.

On the calendar, 

• Fri, Sept 27 4-8pm Tip-A-Cop at Texas Roadhouse
• Sat, Sept 28 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Sat, Sept 28 Oktoberfest hosted by St Clare Parrish
• Sat, Oct 5 8am Honor Run at the Veterans Monument
• Sat, Oct 5 9am-noon Scrap metal and Electronics Recycling event @ Carriel Junior High
• Sat, Oct 5 12-7pm June's Breakfast + Patio Fall Festival
• Sat, Oct 5 5-9pm Witches and Wizards festival in the Downtown District
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Was "port shut down" on your 2024 OFallon bingo card?

In this episode, we talk about the impending dock workers' strike on the East Coast and how much that could affect local businesses as they gear up for the holiday season. It could have quite the impact. 

On the calendar:

• Sat, Sept 21 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Sat, Sept 21 Chalk It Up to Art 8am-noon Art Gecko
• Tues, Sept 24 6-8pm Nite to Unite at Hesse Park sponsored by The OFallon Police Department 
• Sat, Sept 28th 4-10pm St Clare's Oktoberfest, 5K registration
• Sat, Oct 5th 8am Honor Run in memory of Lt John Wilt

Community resources

In today's episode, we spin The 618 Now gameboard wheel and discuss where you can host your company holiday party, a local company that helps seniors relocate, and the new interactive map of the enhancements happening at the Community Park! Some other resources include the Chamber's Restaurant Guide as well as the Chamber's meeting spaces and events guide. 

Thank you to this week's podcast partner, Vine Street Market at OFallon Station!

On the calendar: 

• Friday, 9/13 @ dusk Parks & Rec Family Movie night in the park featuring Wonka in the community park
• Friday 9/13 4-6pm, Sat/Sunday 10-6pm @ Schnuck's OFallon Police are selling Torch Run merchandise in support of Special Olympics
• Sat, 9/14 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Sat 9/14 Baconfest 10-5pm in the Downtown District 
• Sat 9/14 4-7pm June's Beer Fest
• Sat 9/14 Spike Out Suicide Glow in the dark volleyball tournament @ The Hut

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

September means festivals!

On today's episode, we share upcoming community events, including fangirling over OTHS Marching Panthers' field show debut during the Metro East Marching Classic on Sat.

We also cover:

Shiloh's Annual Picnic including fireworks tonight (9/6 @ 9pm)

Sat, 9/7 11-2pm June's Live music brunch 

Sat, 9/7 10-12 Touch-A-Truck at Carriel Junior High

Friday, 9/13 O'Fallon Police Dept's Torch Run Merchandise Sale at Schnuck's 4-8pm 

Sat, 9/14 & Sun 9/15 O'Fallon Police Dept's Torch Run Merchandise Sale at Schnuck's 10-6pm 

Thanks for our podcast partner, Serra Honda! 

On the calendar:

Sat 9/7 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station

Thurs Sept 12 7-9pm Auffenberg's Summer Concert Series featuring Ethan Carl

Sat 9/21 8am-11am Art Gecko's Chalk it up to Art event 

 

But, where will these new residents live?

In this episode, we talk about two projects happening locally that have significant potential to bring a lot of new residents into our communities: the Air Task Force and the St. Clair Boeing drone manufacturing facility. 

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

On the calendar:

• Sat, Aug 31 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Friday, Sept 6 & Sat Sept 7th Shiloh's annual Homecoming picnic
• Sat, Sept 7 11am-2pm June's Live Music brunch 
• Sat, Sept 7 10am-noon Touch-a-Truck @ Carriel Junior High (Seven Hills Rd)
• Sat, Sept 21 8am-noon Art Gecko's annual Chalk It Up to Art event

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

The episode where Nick tells Jess to zip it!

We have a quick episode for listeners this week; it's focused mostly on the calendar. 

• Friday, Aug 23 and Sat Aug 24 is CityFest at the Family Sports Park
• Sat, Aug 24 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Wed, Thurs Friday and Sat live music at The Upright Pub & Music Parlor

Hometown Heroes banner project is accepting applications for 2025. 

 

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

 

Part 2: You can't build that here!

[Part 2] In this episode, we walk listeners through the process of how businesses, developments and projects come to be in the city. You can find Part 1 here.

 

Also, local elections are coming up, but the process starts Aug 20th. Here's the Candidates' Guide to the 2025 Municipal Elections.

 

Thanks to this week's podcast partner, Serra Honda's Complimentary Valet Service!

 

On the calendar: 

• Sat, Aug 17th 8am-noon Vine Street Market at OFallon Station
• Sat, Aug 17 8am-2pm OTHS Band Boosters' Yard Sale @ 600 S Smiley
• Mon Aug 19 4-8pm Tip-A-Cop at Texas Roadhouse in support of Special Olympics 
• Fri & Sat Aug 23 & 24 CityFest in the Family Sports Park

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

Part 1: You can't build that here!

It's the episode you've been wanting and waiting for... this week, we walk listeners through the process of how businesses, developments and projects come to be in the city. 

On the one hand, it seems like a simple process- submit an application and go through 5 public meetings. But in reality, there are nuances that sometimes change the scope and vision of a project. 

Promised links: A Project Report that is prepared for the Planning Commission (step 1 in the 5 step process).

Thanks to our podcast partner, Vine Street Market at OFallon Station! 

On the calendar:

• Friday, Aug 9th 6:30pm Family Movie Night in the Park (Blazier Field) featuring Kung Fu Panda 4
• Sat, Aug 10th 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ Ofallon Station- it's the annual Watermelon Festival!!
• Wed, Thurs, Friday and Sat 7-10pm Live Music at The Upright Pub & Music Parlor
• Sat, Aug 17th 8am-2pm OTHS Band Boosters' Yard Sale @ 600 South Smiley- donations can be dropped off on 8/16 from 4-8pm
• Mon, Aug 19th 4-8pm Tip-A-Cop at Texas Roadhouse in support of Special Olympics

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

When a community is firing on all cylinders

In this episode, we talk about groups within OFallon and Shiloh that are collecting W's! They're firing on all cylinders. 

 

Thank you to this week's podcast partner, Serra Honda!

On the calendar:

• Sat Aug 3rd 8am-noon Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
• Thurs Aug 8th 7-9pm Auffenberg's Outdoor Summer Concert Series featuring The Funky Butt Brass Band
• Sat, Aug 10th 8am-noon The Watermelon Festival at Vine Street Market
• Sat, Aug 10th 6pm Freedom Sings concert in Shiloh

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