Wednesday, Feb. 04, 2009

Around Town - O'Fallon Events and News

Free car wash
John’s Premium Car Wash and Quick Lube in O’Fallon is hosting its annual canned food drive for the entire month of November. The program “Help John’s Feed Those in Need in Our Community” is offering discounts and free car washes in exchange for donations. Donations of one can spurs a $1 off coupon, two cans spurs a $3 coupon and any cash donation of $20 or more donors receive a coupon for a free best wash to be used at any time. For more information, call 624-9366 or visit the Web site www.johnspremiumcarwash.com.

Library news
• Join us Thursday mornings at 10:30 for “Stories by Miss Gail”. Listen as stories are brought to life for children of all ages, by an experienced storyteller. Here are the upcoming dates and themes: Elephants; Nov. 19, Thanksgiving; December 3, Ladybugs; Dec. 10 and 17, Christmas. For more information, call the O’Fallon Library at 632-3783.

Grief seminar
Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, 1205 North Lincoln, Ave., O’Fallon will host a free Grief Seminar from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 21. The seminar will be presented by Greg DeNeal of Kaleo Counseling Services. DeNeal seeks to help those experiencing grief as a result of death, divorce, or trauma, and he also specializes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Anyone who has lost someone; a child, spouse, parent, in-law, friend should attend this seminar. This event is open to the public; please invite others whom might be in need. For more information or to register, call Blessed Savior Lutheran Church at 632-0126.

Food Pantry
The O’Fallon Community Food Pantry is seeking volunteers to help with the Scouting for Food Drive on Saturday, November 21 at the O’Fallon Township Hall, 801 E. State St. in O’Fallon. Volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help sort and stock donations. For more information, call 628-9837 or 624-4590.

Milburn Crossing
Milburn Crossing’s Preview Service Two will be at 11 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 22 at the new O’Fallon High School Milburn Campus. This will be a trial run of everything as it will be in January when regular weekly services begin. The service will feature the Milburn Crossing Worship Leader Matt Denny. Milburn Crossing emphasizes children’s full participation in the worship experience. Kids k-5th grade will be given the opportunity to join in the high-powered Kid’s Crossing children’s ministry during the message. A quality nursery for toddlers and infants is available.

Vocal band to perform
The public is invited to a concert of the BSLC Vocal Band at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22 at Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, 1205 North Lincoln Ave. in O’Fallon. The concert will feature the lead singer David Kempton. Last year David entered the "American Idol" contest and even though tens of thousands auditioned, less than a hundred made it to last "producer" audition. David was there but was cut just before appearing in front of the judges. Last May David graduated with a degree in Commercial Music from Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois and is pursuing a career in music (preferably Contemporary Christian Music). A "free will" offering will be taken to help defray travel costs.

Pokeno game
Cambridge House is sponsoring a Holiday Pokeno from 10 a.m. till it’s over, on Dec. 4, at the O’Fallon Senior Nutrition Center, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. O’Fallon residents welcome. Please RSVP by Dec. 3 to 616-0752.

Hope for Heroes
Hope for Heroes is proud to announce expanded support of America’s deployed troops and Wounded Warriors located in and from the Midwest area this holiday season. Hope for Heroes is currently seeking tax deductible donations to support our military and their families, including those Wounded Warriors who transit through Scott AFB. Items needed are board games, playing cards, bath soap, both large and small personal hygiene items, powdered drink mixes, personal snacks, beef jerky, hard candy, gum, music CDs, movie DVDs, current paperback and hard bound books, hand held games, and small Christmas decorations. Items needed for Wounded Warriors are backpacks, socks, men’s underwear, (larger sizes) and new toys for family members of those who have been wounded.

We would also like to encourage cards and letters from area residents. The following organizations/businesses are recognized drop off sites: Auffenberg Dealer Group in the Metro East, Jack Schmidt Chevrolet O’Fallon, and VFW Post 805.

Hope for Heroes is encouraging businesses throughout the St. Louis area to collect supplies from employees and patrons to be mailed to deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan including America’s Wounded Warriors.

All items donated should be new or serviceable. Financial donations are encouraged to offset mail costs. For more information or large donations, call Chip Shaffer, (Wounded Warrior Parent) Hope for Heroes program coordinator at 618-567-5315 or e-mail grumman3@icss.net.

Scout items sought
The O’Fallon Historical Society is looking to expand its Girl Scout collection. The society is looking for any Girl Scout items from troops in the O’Fallon area dating before 1970. For more information, contact the society at 624-8409 or by e-mail at ohs@ofallonhistory.net.

Visit History
The O’Fallon History Museum is open free from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call 632-5834.

Veterans’ biographies
The Veterans’ Monument Association is still accepting biographies and photographs of any veteran inscribed on the pillars, for inclusion on the kiosk at the monument site. Send biographies of military careesr, not to exceed 500 words, and photographs to: O’Fallon Veterans’ Monument Association, P.O. Box 403, O’Fallon, Ill. 62269. If you wish to have your picture returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Any questions, call Jo Smith at 618-628-0451.

Animal Rescue
Spencer Animal Shelter at 1405 Highway 50 in O’Fallon needs donations. In addition to monetary donations, the want list includes dry puppy and kitten food; canned food for puppies and kittens; unscented clay cat litter; puppy and kitten collars; cat beds and cubbies; towels, bleach, dish or laundry detergent; newborn puppy and kitten dry milk replacement; puppy play yards (toddler play yards or baby gates), pet medications. (Leftover packaged medications accepted.)

Weight circles from Purina dry dog food bags and used or no longer needed pet items, in clean and usable condition, are also accepted.

Donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For large item donations, call 632-7387.

O’Fallon TOPS
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will meet every Monday night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Hwy. 50, O’Fallon. Weigh in at 6 to 6:30 p.m. TOPS is an international non-profit weight loss organization, providing information, motivation, and fellowship in attaining and maintaining weight loss goals as prescribed by a physician, with group support. For more information, contact Kathy at 624-8031.

VFW Fish Fry
O’Fallon VFW Post 805, 221 W. First Street, and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor a fish fry from 4 to 9 p.m. every Friday. Dine in or call 624-2651 for carry out.

K of C Fish Fry
The O'Fallon Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary continue to sponsor a weekly fish fry every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the K of C Hall, 402 E. Hwy 50, across from the city park. In addition to the traditional menu, oven baked salmon, barbecued pork steaks, and additional side dishes will be available. Dine in or carry out available. Orders can be called in at 632-6229.

Bipolar support
A support group is being formed for individuals who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and their families and friends. Participants will find support from others who are struggling with Bipolar and where they can learn about symptom management. The group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, at Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, 1205 N. Lincoln, O’Fallon. Call 632-0126 to register or inquire.

Theology on Tap
The Theology on Tap group sponsored by the New Creation Presbyterian Community in O’Fallon, meets at the Dandy Inn, 1030 Lincoln Hwy, at 7 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month. The gatherings wrestle with tough issues of faith and life in a “happy hour” setting.

Toastmasters Meet
The O’Fallon Toastmasters Club 994 meets each Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Community Financial Center, 800 S. Lincoln Ave. Each meeting gives members an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches and offering constructive evaluation. Visitors are welcome.

For more information, contact the club by email at ofallon-officers@freetoasthost.com or by calling Louis Smith at 632-8089, losmith@prodigy.net.