A Full Weekend Around the Metro Area

Last Saturday (17 May) was quite an interesting day from a social standpoint, as it would take me to three different events in three different parts of Metropolitan St. Louis. It started at The Heights in Richmond Heights with a morning meeting of the Missouri Professional Communicators (MPC). After a continental breakfast and some networking, the attendees took in a presentation by Beth Heidrich, the founder of St. Louis Culinary Tours. Joined by Moira Ross, owner of Plum Vintage Rentals, Heidrich told us about her experiences in food and in public relations, and how they came together to promote her business. It was a very interesting talk. I had not been to an MPC meeting in over a year, and several people of the group hoped I would be back as a member. By the way, I was the only male in the entire room.

After that meeting, I was bound for Trailhead Brewery Co. in St. Charles for my first event as member of the Singles Over 50 Meetup group. The eight of us there had lunch at the establishment--a brew-pub--then went for a walk up and down Main Street with its historic buildings and specialty shops. This Meetup was particularly nice for me as I finally met my friend Lisa Foster for the first time in person. Lisa and I had been in touch via social media and phone for several months, but we finally met face-to-face.

Soon after walking back towards where I parked off Main Street, I got in my car and headed towards the Chase Park Plaza Cinema in St. Louis' Central West End (CWE) for my first event as a member of the Singles Cinema Meetup group. (I joined both these Meetup groups that week.) We were there to see the new movie "Million Dollar Arm," a fact-based story of a US sports agent seeking baseball pitching talent in India. The film starred Jon Hamm, a St. Louis native and star of TV's "Mad Men." We all liked this film, and then almost all of our party walked just over two blocks to Rasoi, an Indian restaurant, for dinner. It was my first time at that restaurant and I really enjoyed the service and the tasty food served there. (I had the Curry Chicken, which was not too spicy for my taste.) Quite a fine day, from Richmond Heights to St. Charles to the CWE in just over 12 hours.

I was in Maryland Heights the next morning refereeing two girls' soccer games at the Real STL complex in Creve Coeur Lake Park. The games went well--I was in the middle for a rather intense under 13 girls' match--and we had good weather. Back home after the matches, I joined my parents for dinner that night at Tucker's Place in Mehlville, where we celebrated my Mother's birthday.

Back to work on Monday morning (19 May), and things have been going well so far. I found out I have some vacation time due and have an idea how to spend at least part of it. Tuesday night, I went right after work to Calvary Presbyterian Church in Mehlville for the IPMS/Gateway meeting. That meeting featured a model contest for the club's Modeler of the Year and a build night, where members could work on their model kits.

Summer unofficially starts tomorrow with the Memorial Day Weekend. I hope all of my fellow Americans do take time to remember those who fell in battle for our country.

Later.