Is anyone here at Westmont at Chesterfield currently in a long-distance relationship?  If so, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced and how do you overcome them?  I’ve tried it once, and it just didn’t seem to work.  It’s quite possible that it was just because I was too young to be able to accept the limited time we spent together.

There’s a new romantic-comedy movie that opens this weekend and focuses on the subject.  It’s called Going the Distance and stars Drew Barrymore and Justin Long (the cool guy from those Apple/IBM commercials).  Here is the trailer, along with movie times for AMC Chesterfield 14, Wehrenberg Chesterfield Galaxy 14 and AMC Creve Coeur 12.

What kind of business do you want to learn how to operate?

Whether it’s a pet store, a deli or even your own chiropractic practice, I’d wager that most people at some point have thought about starting their own small business.  After all, the entrepreneurial spirit is a driving force of the “American Dream.”

Well, the City of Chesterfield wants to help you realize that dream, so they’ve partnered with the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce to offer a 10-week course on the Fundamentals of Small Business.

The course is designed to assist new small business owners and those contemplating starting a business by reviewing basic principles of owning and running such an enterprise.  Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to start to develop a business plan or validate an existing one. Other course topics include, utilizing cash as a strategic tool, handling tax and legal obligations, insurance needs, negotiating with customers and suppliers, managing stress, setting business goals, and financial planning.

If that sounds like information that you could use to help get your small business off the ground, then make plans to sign up.  The $170 course begins on Wednesday, September 22 and runs each Wednesday for 10 consecutive weeks from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  To register, or to find out more information, call 636.537.6720, e-mail scantlon@chesterfield.mo.us, or visit www.chesterfield.mo.us.

(Photo Credit: thetrainingcycle)

Do you currently carry renter’s insurance?  Westmont at Chesterfield Apartments strongly advises their residents to get a policy.  It’s really not as expensive as you may think.  In fact, you can save money on your policy in quite a few ways.  Here is one in an article I found about saving money on renter’s insurance.  Check out this video too.

Organization Affiliation: Many renter’s insurance companies offer a discount for being affiliated with certain organizations. These can range from credit unions, college sororities, or just having a certain credit card. Call your service center and ask them for a list of the organization affiliation.

Cop Out

Action star Bruce Willis and ace comic Tracy Morgan play bickering-but-got-your-back Brooklyn buddy cops. Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) directs the gritty, goofball goings-on as the guys hunt for a stolen 1952 mint-condition baseball card, a hunt plunging them into a gunslinging war with a deadly drug ring. Batter up, fans. The boys are ready to take you out to the ol’ brawl game!   Rated R.  Genre: Comedy, Action & Adventure.

The closest Redbox kiosks to Westmont at Chesterfield are at McDonald’s (1701 Clarkson Rd) and Dierberg’s (1730 Clarkson Rd).

Have you been to the Chesterfield Mall in the past few weeks and noticed those big plastic spheres that were floating in what looked like a swimming pool over by Macy’s?  You may have wondered, “what in the heck is that?”  I know that’s what I was thinking the first time I saw them.  They’re called H20 Balls and besides being a great workout, they’re actually a lot of fun!

If you guessed that people actually get inside of those things, you’re absolutely right.  Once inside, you get to do the unthinkable…walk on water.  Yup…while the plastic ball floats on the water’s surface, you get to walk around (without actually getting wet).  Trust me, it’s quite an experience.  After 5 minutes, you’ll probably be breaking a sweat or two.

The cost to give it a shot is $7 for 5 minutes.  Try it out and ask one of the attendants to explain some of the “water walking” techniques that you can try out.  Oh yeah, and it’s for both kids and adults so you can make it a family experience.  For more information call 636.532.0777 or visit www.Chesterfield-Mall.com.

(Photo Credit: ksdk.com)

In a nutshell, The Expendables is a bout a crew of highly skilled mercenaries that are hired to overthrow the dictator of South American country. Of course things get hectic and a lot of stuff gets blown up and bad guys get beat up.  What did you expect?

The Expendables opens this weekend in theaters all around St. Louis and Chesterfield.  Here are the showtimes for AMC Chesterfield 14, Wehrenberg Chesterfield Galaxy 14 and AMC Creve Coeur 12.  Check out the trailer below.

Got a bike?

Do you ride a bike?  No, not the Harley-Davidson type.  I’m talking about the one that you pedal yourself .  Biking is such a great activitiy.  There are so many pros to doing it; from weight loss to muscle toning to saving gas on your daily commutes and errands.  Whether you ride a real bike on the road, you’re taking spinning class at the local gym or you’re working out on the excercise bike in the Westmont fitness center, you will no doubt feel the burn in your legs to let you know that are getting stronger.

Bike riders in the metro St. Louis area should be interested in knowing about the 47th Annual Moonlight Ramble that kicks off at 12:00 a.m. from The Muny in Forest Park on August 22.

Typically drawing more than 10,000 riders, the ride begins just past midnight and follows a short (9 miles) or a long (19 miles) route through the streets of Saint Louis City and County. Family-friendly activities before and after the ride, commemorative T-shirts, and the chance to be part of a unique spectacle draw recreational cyclists of all ages and skill levels, many of them returning year after year.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people participate in the event each year.  There is an admission fee to participate, as the event serves as a fundraiser for low-cost outdoor recreational activities for the entire family.  You can purchase tickets here.  Tickets will give you a commemorative glow-in-the-dark tee, admission to Vendor Village before the ride, a map of the route, snack and post-ride party.

(Photo Credit: pauldineen)

When I saw the name of the recipe earlier today, it immediately grabbed my attention.  Beer…chicken.  How can you go wrong with that?  I haven’t even tasted it yet, and I’m already imagining that this must be the official dish of heaven.  I just love the ingredients.  I’m planning on making it this weekend.  Hey, if it goes over good, maybe I’ll get a booth athe Tower Grove Farmers’ Market (4256 Magnolia Avenue, St Louis) and make it available to the masses.  No need to keep all of this goodness to myself.

OK, maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but I am excited to see how this turns out.  I love beer, but I never thought of marinating chicken with it.  Interesting.  Any interesting recipes of your own?

Beer Cooked Chicken: Ingredients

Chesterfield-area children are headed back-to-school and we all know what that means…back-to-school shopping.  Clothes, school supplies and computers will all be in high demand over the next month, so making plans as early as possible to get your child equipped with what they need to be productive students is important.

Of course we all want to save money on school supplies and clothes.  One of the best ways to do so is to take advantage of Missouri’s state “tax-free” shopping holiday that runs from this Thursday (Aug. 5) through midnight on Sunday (Aug. 8).  And just so your clear, the reprieve on taxes is only mandated at the state level.  Some local jurisdictions may still charge local taxes.  Off hand, I know that the St. Louis Mills Mall in Hazelwood is waiving local taxes and they are only about 20 minutes from Chesterfield.  You can confirm other local tax-free areas at the Missouri state website.

Below is a list of items that will be tax-exempt this weekend.  Happy shopping!

• Clothing (items up to $100)
• School Supplies (up to $50)
• Computer Software (up to $350)
• Computers/Laptops (up to $3,500)
• Computer Peripherals (such as scanners or printers) (up to $3,500)

Do you know what “churrasco” is?  Churrasco is the centuries-old Brazilian way of roasting meats over pits of open fire.  The “gauchos” (Brazilian cowboys) always prepared their food this way for festive occasions and family gatherings.

Brazilian steakhouses that prepare all-you-can-eat churrasco meals have been growing in popularity in the United States for some time now.  In fact, we have one right here, about 5 minutes away from here at Westmont at Chesterfield.  If you haven’t been to Bacana Brazil (16123 Chesterfield Parkway West) yet – and you love your meat cooked over an open fire – they you should make plans to check them out.

It’s pretty cool how they serve the meat too.  First, you grab your side dishes from the gourmet salad bar.  Then whey you sit down at your table, you turn a little card up, signaling the chefs to bring their dozen-or-so  fire roasted meats to your table for carving.  When you are done, you flip the disc back over until you are ready for more.  If only all restaurants operated like this!

Student Appreciation Day
Enjoy their churrasco dinner on Tuesdays for only $19.95 with valid student I.D.

Sushi Sunday
Every Sunday they offer sushi during dinner hours from 5pm to 9pm for no extra cost.

For more information,  call them at (636) 532 6969 or visit their website.  Need directions?  Here you go…

1. Head southeast on Westmeade Dr toward Clubhouse Cove
2. Turn left at Justus Post Rd (0.4 mi)
3. Turn right at Chestfield Pkwy S (0.1 mi)
4. Make a U-turn at Fontaine Dr and Bacana Brasil will be on the right

(Photo Credit: imagensporfavor)