Save the Date - Cleanup November 8

I'll send more info closer to the event, but go ahead and save the date on your calendars if you can. There's a cleanup and honeysuckle hack along the River des Peres from 1-5pm on November 8.

Thanks!

Ben

Riverview Casino Information - Good Topic for Discussion for River Kids

There is a County Council meeting this coming Tuesday to discuss the approval of a zoning change that would allow a development group to move forward with its plans to turn a 377-acre plot of land between Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area and Interstate 270 in to a casino complex.

This is a situation where one group sees the tax revenues and job opportunities as necessary and valuable to the local economy, another sees the casino as a powerful investment opportunity, while environmentalists see the value of the land as a natural resource, habitat for nesting eagles as well as many other birds and land animals.  Another group, calling themselves the Common Sense Coalition, argues that the development plan runs contrary to the "Spanish Lake Community Area Study" and the St. Louis County General Plan that are currently in use.  There are also some tax payers pointing out that the development will cost the residents millions in taxes to fund the necessary infrastructure surrounding the casino.

No matter what your current position, this is a VERY worthy topic for discussion.  If there was a meeting this week, I would have the kids take the roles of the various interest groups and debate the issue...Though I hope that most River Kids and families might oppose the development because of their attachment to the rivers and their mission to protect them, in reality there will always be those out there who prioritize differently. This is a great opportunity for them to realize how complex these issues become and how to begin to deal with that complexity.  Whatever they believe, sitting around talking about it won't affect much change...and it may allow tremendous change to happen without opposition.

So, I urge you to, at the very least, read up a little on what's going on and have a conversation about the situation.  St. Louis Business Journal has published several articles and there's more information on the Spanish Lake Community Association website - www.spanishlakemo.org/content/opposing-casino-complex-riverview-drive

(If you find any more good reading on the topic, pass it along.)

More than just discussing, you may also want to take action.  There is County Council meeting this coming Tuesday evening.  If you or your River Kid would like to share some of your thoughts in writing about whether or not the Council should change the zoning laws governing the property to allow the development, please feel free to forward them to me, and I will hand them on to a representative from the MO Coalition for the Environment who will be in attendance at the meeting.  Or you may attend the meeting. I'm not sure of the location or time...I'll send that separately when I hear back about those details.

Ben

Council Meeting Information

Here's the information I received from Caroline Ishida, Staff Attorney for MO Coaltion for the Environment, on the County Council meetings for discussion of the Riverview Casino Project:

October 27 (this Tuesday) and November 3, 2009.

The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. in the St. Louis County Council Chamber, Administration Building, 41 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105. If you're planning on speaking plan on getting to the meetings by 5:45 to fill out a speaker card so the Council knows to call your name during the public comment period.

If you can't make it to the meeting this Tuesday, then there is also the one on November 3 if you can attend that one.  If you'd like to write comments for someone else to read this coming Tuesday, that would be great, you can email them to me and I can forward them along to someone who will be at the meeting.  If you'd like to pass them on to someone who you know is planning on attending the meeting to have them read, that's great, too. Also, if you live in St Louis County and want to submit comments (from you or the kids, in writing) to a County Council member (if you don't live in the County you can always send them to Councilman Mike O'Mara because his district is where the casino would be built up in Spanish Lake).  Mike O'Mara's email address is: momara@stlouisco.com

FYI - I have my three kids by myself on Tuesday evening, so it doesn't seem possible for me to be at the meeting.  I will be sending my thoughts on though.  I've been paddling that area for the past 4 months and I've seen amazing things, including blue heron rookeries, eagles nesting, beavers swimming and building, and wide-eyed River Kids taking it all in by the campfire.  I can't imagine paddling to the takeout at the south end of Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area as the face of an enormous casino complex looms just down river. I'm sure some of your kids who've been out there would feel the same exact way.

Ben

Paddling Crew

I have confirmation from the following kids that they are going paddling

with me Thursday:

Lev Handmaker
Cody Krutzsch
Gerald McAdoo
Lawrence Jones
Lydia Meyer
Ella Pomatto

I believe there are a couple others planning on going as well, but I haven't
received confirmation yet after the date changed.

If you are not on this list and want to go, I need to know ASAP. And if
there's someone on this list that is not planning to go, please let me know
that as well.

Thanks!

Ben

Mike Clark Trip - This Thursday

TO RK FAMILIES:

FYI TO 4th and Eric:

For all those interested in paddling this Thursday:

We are planning on leaving NCS as close to 3:30 as possible...as soon as
everyone gets to my room.  I have permission forms and waivers from some
people already.  If you have not given me a waiver, there is one attached
for you to fill out and bring or send with your child.

I'm doing a count TODAY (Tuesday) to so I can send Mike the number of
paddlers.  If you have not already done so, please let me know that you are
planning on sending your child with me.  I don't want to leave anyone behind
because of a missed communication.

TO BE CLEAR - Even if you planned on the last trip, I need to know that you
are planning on THIS WEEK'S TRIP.

Here are the details:

We are planning to meet at the performing arts room ASAP and leave NCS at
3:40; we'll return to NCS by 8:30pm.  We will meet Mike at North
Riverfront Park a little after 4pm, portage our canoe to the water and
paddle across to Mosenthein Island where we'll clean for a half-hour before
gathering around the campfire for veggie kabobs, hot dogs, chips, and
drinks.  We'll return to Riverfront Park and portage back to vehicles and
leave by a little before 8pm.

Those kids and adults wanting to join us should come prepared in a variety
of ways:

1) Wet feet - Waterproof Boots are preferred, but shoes that can get
wet/messy are an absolute minimum.  No sandals through winter.

2) Cold conditions - boots and thick socks will help here.  It is also
important to wear enough layers and pack extra clothes in a drybag.  I
Will bring one big drybag and we have individual drybags in the Performing
Arts room for those who would like to borrow one.  They are $18 if you'd
like to own one.  They will come in handy multiple times this year.  Polar
Fleece, wool and polypropylene clothing will still keep you warm even if you
are wet.  COTTON clothes are the ENEMY when wet and cold.

3) Food and Water - we will provide veggie kabobs, chips, lemonade,
Water for refills, and tea.  Kids should bring a filled water bottle, and
afternoon snack (if they want one) and food of your own for dinner if
The aforementioned does not sound good.

4) Light - We will be returning to vehicles as it gets dark, so we will need
some lights. If you have a headlamp, it will be very helpful to have along
on the trip.  Hand-held lights are only moderately useful as they keep you
from using your hands to carry things during portage.

5) HW Warning - Kids may work on HW in the vehicle on the way, but you have
HW that cannot be done in the vehicle, it will have to be done when you get
home.

6) Weather - It looks like it will be rainy and in the 60's.  If someone
could cash in a little Karma and clear off the clouds I'd appreciate it.  If
not, we'll be needing rain gear.  I keep emergency backup gear with me, but
please send your child prepared.

Note: We were late last time thanks to a slow portage and my cell phone was
out of charge.  That was a bummer of a situation that I don't intend to
recreate.  I set the ending time at 8:30 instead of 8pm this time to be
realistic after realizing it is just too tough to make it back by 8pm, but
the later time doesn't mean we'll be back later.

Hope to hear from some of you and see you on the river this week!

Ben

Edit: Permission slip can be found here.