Butterfly Life Women’s Fitness Center, located at 2520 N. Hwy. 67 in Florissant, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its first anniversary on August 20. It offers a holistic approach to health and fitness. The owner of Butterfly Life, Regina Buren, cut the ceremonial ribbon along with staff, Mayor Robert Lowery of the City of Florissant and other officials. For more information, call Butterfly Life at 314-837-0600 or visit http://butterflylife.com/Members/florissant.
Festival For the Young Child Sept. 12
The Festival for the Young Child will be held on Saturday, September 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the James J. Eagan Center, #1 James J. Eagan Dive in Florissant.
The festival is a free community wide event sponsored by the Ferguson-Florissant School District’s Early Education Department and the City of Florissant. It highlights the importance of early education and a wide range of opportunities and services for expectant parents and parents with children from birth to age 5 while providing many fun activities.
Children will enjoy face painting, free pony rides from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., making birthday cards and party hats and decorating a very large birthday cake to celebrate the 25th birthday of Parents as Teachers.
Fredbird will visit from 11 a.m. to noon, and many costumed characters including Bunny Bread, Snerdlich, Smokey the Bear and clowns will appear.
Special performances will be given by Land of Smiles Show with Tooth Wizard and Plaqueman at 11 a.m. and the McCluer North Silver Strings at 10 a.m.
Children will have the opportunity to use their fine motor skills while building with kits provided by Lowes. Early Education will offer a building activity of large and small homemade blocks. St. Louis Science Center will let children build with their famous arch building blocks. Olympiad Gymnastics, sports activities and the Time 4 Fun inflatable will enhance gross motor skills.
Children will be able to explore a model of an eye, brush large teeth, touch wolf pelts and skulls and interact with live animals. Area museums will provide hands-on-activities as well. Children will get the chance to see a police car, fire truck and ambulance up close.
The Early Education Department and Leaps and Bounds will give children the chance to engage in sensory play. Left Overs will offer all kinds of fun materials to create artwork. Pampered Chef will engage children in cooking activities.
This free community wide event will be held rain or shine. Pick up information, access services while your child enjoys the activities.
For more information about this free event call 314-506-9069.
SHOW ME Safety Fair Sept. 12
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young children. In 2007, 6,532 passengers 14 and younger were involved in fatal crashes. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has collaborated with local partners to host 2009’s SHOW ME Safety Fair to help families learn about child safety.
This year’s Safety Fair will be held on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Louis City Fire Department Headquarters, 1421 N. Jefferson.
The fair focuses on proper usage of child protective car seats, the importance of buckling up, the use of bike helmets, household safety, and nutrition. McGruff The Crime Dog will be there to greet the kids, 100.1 The BEAT will be live on the air and much more.
For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/cps.
‘Nutracker’ auditions for kids Sept. 20
Nearly 120 young St. Louis-area dancers will be cast in Dance St. Louis’ Nutcracker at the Fox starring The Joffrey Ballet, during auditions starting at noon on Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Boys and girls ages 9 to 14, between 4 and 5 feet tall, who have at least one year of dance training, will play the roles of Christmas party guests, mice, soldiers in six performances December 3-6 at the Fox Theatre.
Children should arrive a half hour-before their audition time. Auditions are as follows:
• Noon: 4 feet-5 inches to 5 feet tall, ages 11-14, with five or more years ballet training
• 2 p.m.: 4 feet-5 inches to 5 feet tall, ages 9-14, with one to four years ballet training
• 4 p.m.: 4 feet to 4 feet-5 inches tall, ages 9-14, with one to four years ballet, modern or jazz dance training
Dancers must be at least 9 years old by September 20, 2009. Age 14 is the recommended maximum.
Girls should wear a dark leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers (no pointe shoes). Boys should wear a plain white T-shirt, dark tights, and ballet slippers. If possible, children should bring a non-returnable photograph to the audition.
Children do not need to pre-register. For more details on audition requirements, call 314-289-4105 or check dancestlouis.org.