Places to Go, Things to Do

Maple syrup time in February

February is the beginning of spring for maple trees. And kids have a chance to see-and taste-how sap from maple trees is turned into delicious maple syrup.

There also are other outdoor opportunities for kids during February.

This also will be the final month for stocking of rainbow trout in area lakes. And there's a camp for kids to show how wildlife uses camouflage to survive in the wild.

Each month, Young Saint Louis.com highlights some fun events and activities you can attend during the month. We also provide links so you can get further details if you find something you like.

Editor's Note: YSL.com reminds you of two stories in this edition that outline extensive Black History Month programs in February. One is by the St. Louis Public Library and its city branches. The other is by the St. Louis County Library system. Both offer lots of things to attend all during February.

Here are some interesting Places to Go, Things to Do for February and advance notice for one in early March:

 

Maple Syrup Time Feb. 18th

The Rockwoods Reservation area in west St. Louis County will host a Maple Sugar Magic! event for kids and families on Saturday, Feb. 18. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What could be more enticing than a stack of pancakes with real maple syrup? And this comes with a guided tour for how the syrup is made.

February seems like the middle of winter sometimes. But, maple trees can feel spring coming and they start to pump nutritious sap from the roots to the tree limbs. For centuries, humans have been around to siphon off some of the sap for their own uses.

The event at Rockwoods includes a trip to the nearby "sugar bush" grove of trees to watch the tree tapping. Then, there's a stop at the Sugaring Shed to watch boiling to concentrate the sugar content into maple syrup.

No reservations needed. For information and directions, call (636) 458-2236.

 

A Camo Camp and Nature's Valentines

Two other February events at Missouri Department of Conservation areas are a camp to show how wildlife camouflage themselves to survive and another to show how to make Valentines from natural materials.

The Camo Camp will be Thursday, Feb. 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. It's especially for kids 7 to 12. It will be held at the Busch Wildlife area in St. Charles County. Kids will learn how animals camouflage themselves to survive.

For information, call (636) 441-4554. Reservations are required.

The Valentine Paper Making session will be Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in extreme northeast St. Louis County. Hours are 10-11:30 a.m.

You'll learn to use recycled paper and natural materials to make valentines.

For details call (314) 877-6014. Reservations are required.

 

A Fossil Hunt

The St. Louis Parks department will have a Fossil Hunt program on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10 to noon. The event will be held at the Greensfelder Park's Learning Center.

The program starts with a classroom session. Then, you take a hike in the park to search for fossils.

Advance registration is required and there is a $3 per person charge. For information, call (636) 391-0922, ext. 10.

 

The Winter Urban Trout Season

February is the last month that rainbow trout are stocked in 16 St. Louis area lakes. The stocking for the Winter Urban Trout Season started in November.

Over 36,000 rainbow trout were to be stocked during the season.

Eleven of the lakes are in St. Louis City and County. Three of the lakes are at Suson Park with one each in Tilles Park, Walker Lake in Kirkwood, Vlasis Park Lake in Ballwin, O'Fallon Park, Boathouse Lake in Carondelet Park, Jefferson Lake in Forest Park, January-Wabash Park in Ferguson and Wild Acres Park Lake in Overland.

In addition, five lakes in the Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles County are stocked.

For information, you can call the Fish Stocking Hot Line at (636) 300-9651. For details, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis/fish/fishing/winter/winter.htm.

 

Art Museum's Ford Family Sundays

The Ford Family Sundays in February is "Flowers Everywhere!" The free events are every Sunday at the St. Louis Art Museum during the month, from 1 to 4 p.m.

You can take a tour and focus on flowers in the museum's artwork. Then, you create a floral masterpiece of your own to take home.

For information, call (314) 721-0072.

 

Trailnet's new Riverfront Trail Center

The Trailnet facilities for hiking and biking in the metro area continue to grow. The group announced last month is will develop a new riverfront park just north of LaClede's Landing.

In addition, the old Laclede Power Co. building will be remodeled as a trailhead center for the Riverfront Trail hiking and biking trail. The park area will be called Rootwad Park. That name refers to the gnarly root stumps on river driftwood.

When completely remodeled, the Laclede building will include bicycle rental, a restaurant, new Trailnet offices and parking. Both the park and building remodeling are due to be completed next year.

 

Advance notice: Muny kids chorus auditions

Auditions for the children's and teen's choruses for the 2006 Muny season will be held early in March. If interested, plan now.

Children's chorus auditions (7 to 13) will be Saturday, March 4, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Teen's chorus auditions (14 to 19 years) will be Sunday, March 5, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Both auditions will be held in the Performing Arts Center at Saint Louis University High School at 4970 Oakland. Parking is available in front and in back of the building.

For more information, visit www.muny.org.