On the one hand, I love the fact that my 5-year-old is light years ahead of where I was in kindergarten. We were learning to recognize colors; he is learning to recognize the circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems.  We were learning shapes; he is learning the food pyramid.

During the cold, blistery days of February, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a great place for eagle watching. But once the warm weather arrives, the bridge is full of bikers, joggers and walkers enjoying the beautiful view. Come celebrate the glory days of the Mother Road at the 2011 Route 66 Festival at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Visitors will be entertained with live music, entertainment, Route 66-themed products, refreshments, activities and a chance to learn about the rich history of this iconic road.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who think there is nothing to do in St. Louis. Seriously? If you don’t believe me, check out our “Things to Do” section. And not only are there a zillion events in our area, many of them are absolutely free. Summertime outdoor concerts are a perfect example. So pack your lawn chairs and chill some adult beverages — here are some of the most popular places your family can enjoy free music under the stars.

“Mommmmm, what’s for dinner?”

Those words send shivers up my spine. My dread is twofold: 1.) chopping onions make my eyes tear up like I’m watching Marley and Me 2.) unless I am making macaroni and cheese with a side of pop tarts, my answer will probably not be greeted with enthusiasm. But on Thursday the entire family can happily feast on their favorite foods at the annual Dining Out For Life event.

A few weeks ago we reported on the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Regional Competition. Under strict rules, time constraints and limited resources, teams of 25 students built a robot to perform tasks against a field of competitors. Students from more than 40 high schools in Missouri and eight other states battled their bots at the Chaifetz Arena in March. The top performing teams not only earned bragging rights but also a ticket to the preeminent celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) at the National Championships.

Luckily for us St. Louisians, the worldwide FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Championships are being held next week at the Edward Jones Dome.

Celebrating swampy, bug-infested marshes is not on the top of most people’s to-do list. Many people would just as well drain the land and put it to better use. But wetlands are the most productive ecosystems in the world. They help clean water, reduce flooding and provide homes to many plants and animals. In fact, wetlands are so important that protecting these areas are one of the primary goals of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

In the 1989 blockbuster film Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) builds a baseball field in the middle of a cornfield after a disembodied voice urges him to “Build it, and they will come.” Maybe that’s what happened to the masterminds behind one of the most unique food charities in the world, CANstruction.