By Becky Ahlvin

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email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews. com. ‘TV’ from cover

Francis said. “If you grew up watching The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, or anything like that, one of the things that really made him interesting was, he was fun to watch, but he educated people.”

They took their show, partnered with the production company Critical Content, and pitched it toAnimal Planet.

“We went to Animal Planet and presented (Beran) and what he does and they fell in love with Mr. Bare-Hands Beran,” Francis said.

While the show is focused on the rescuing of animals, it’s important to Francis and Beran for people to know that they are St. Louis. Wildlife Command Center operates out of St. Louis, and Michael D. Francis Presents is also St. Louis-based. Two local businesses have made it nationally.

“We are hubbed in St. Louis,” Beran said. “And so bringing the show to St. Louis is going to create opportunities, and it’s going to create jobs.”

By bringing more film production to St. Louis, they are not only expanding the arts and film scene, but the kinds of jobs that truly keep the film industry going, the working class, blue-collar people.

“It’s those kinds of jobs that this type of production brings to the city and the metropolitan area and that’s a really big thing and something that we’re really proud of and want to do more of, to really get things moving around here,” Francis said.

A watch party is planned for the premiere of the pilot episode of “Bare Hands Rescue.” On Aug.22 there will be a screening at the Public Media Commons in Grand Center from 6 to 9 p.m.

Not only will there be food trucks and activities for the kids, but live exotic animals and a Q&A session with the cast and creator of the show.

“We just plan on having a good rime and introducing Bare-Hands to the St. Louis market,”Francis said.

Move and restoration of historic African-American school to Faust Park will soon take place

A one-room school built in 1894 and operated exclusively for African-American children in the Chesterfield area for nearly four decades will soon be moved from private land on Wild Horse Creek Road to a new location in the Historic Village at Faust Park with financial support provided by the St. Louis County Parks Foundation.

The foundation has raised about $15,000 of the estimated $35,000 needed to complete this project, which will be carried out by the St. Louis County Parks Department.

Chesterfield African American School, formerly known as African School #4 in the Chesterfield School District, was opened at the request of the area’s African-American population at the time and served hundreds of students during its years of operation. The school’s new location will be next to the historic Alt Schoolhouse, part of the Faust Historic Village in Faust Park.

“This is the oldest African-American schoolhouse in Missouri, and it is important to keep its legacy of students and teachers alive for current and future generations to see and experience in person,” said Mark Ohlendorf, President of the St. Louis County Parks Foundation. “The building has fallen into disrepair, and the current property owner wants to donate it to Faust Park to preserve the history of the area. We look forward to restoring this important part of St. Louis County history and making it a permanent part of Faust Park.”

Donations from the public are being encouraged to support this project and can be made by visiting www.stlcountyparksfoundation.org and click on Our Projects.

The St. Louis County Parks Foundation is a public/private partnership started in 2015 to better connect people to their parks and bridge the gap between the public funds available and the additional money needed to care for, restore and enhance all St. Louis County Parks. The foundation works with the St. Louis County Parks Department to identify the park system’s needs and opportunities, and then coordinates the fundraising, purchasing and project oversight necessary to build new amenities that will improve these parks. For more information, visit www.stlcountyparksfoundation. org.

Submitted photo

COMMUNITY VOICES Join us for Hazelwood Day

By Becky Ahlvin

After a very long year and a half with very few events, join Hazelwood as we bring back our annual fall festival! Formally known as Harvestfest, we invite you to join us for the inaugural Hazelwood Day Celebration! We have worked hard to revamp and refresh the event, making sure we kept the most loved parts of Harvestfest while bringing in new activities for the community. Hazelwood Day will be Sept. 11 from 3 to 10 p.m. at Howdershell Park, located at 6800 Howdershell Road. Admission is free for all attendees.

FReSh RAiN kicks the festival off at 3 p.m., followed by one of St. Louis’s favorite headlining bands, Vote for Pedro. Best known for their broad spectrum of music from modern rock bands like Maroon 5, Neon Trees, Bruno Mars, and U2, to classic rock performed by Queen, Cheap Trick, AC/ DC, and Journey, Riverfront Times awarded Vote for Pedro “Best Cover Band” and “Best Male Vocalist.”

While wondering around Howdershell Park and the festival, families can enjoy fire spinners and silk suspension performances from Sidewalk Sideshows. We are also bringing back the ever-popular horseshoe tournament!

To honor the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, Hazelwood Day will include a tribute to first responders with a Field of Flags. New this year, people of all ages are invited to explore city vehicles from the police, fire, and public works departments. For the kids, we will have inflatables and an obstacle course.

For the hungry attendees, food trucks will be ready to serve you up some of the best food around. Enjoy food from North County’s favorite Tuk Tuk Thai, as well as Chubby’s Food Truck, Dynamic Dishes, Big Boyz Burgers, Salsa Fiesta, and Kona Ice. Those over 21 years of age can enjoy the beer tent.

To keep up with the latest information about Hazelwood Day, visit www.hazelwoodmo.org/HazelwoodDay.

Becky Ahlvin serves as the Assistant City Manager – Economic Development for the city of Hazelwood where she manages the city’s economic development program, administering the economic development loan program, attracting new businesses and working to keep current businesses in Hazelwood.