If you’re looking to become more involved in the Dutchtown community this year, one way to start is by attending the committee and board meetings of the recently formed Dutchtown Community Improvement District. You’ll have the opportunity to help craft the mission of the CID and be a part of its growth and success.

The Board of Directors and three committees generally meet monthly. Come to one or more of the meetings below to learn how you can participate.

Beautification and Maintenance Committee

The Beautification and Maintenance Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30pm. Meetings are usually held at the studio of Anthony Duncan in the old Stork Inn building at Virginia and Idaho. The committee will determine how to maintain and improve the physical environment within the CID through enhanced trash services, landscaping, etc.

Marketing and Development Committee

The Marketing and Development Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6pm at Urban Eats Cafe. The committee works to inform and engage stakeholders within the CID and the neighborhood, support economic activity, and attract and retain businesses.

Safety and Security Committee

The Safety and Security Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30pm at the Original Crusoe’s Restaurant. The committee aims to reduce crime and improve the perception of public safety in the neighborhood.

Board of Directors

The Dutchtown CID Board of Directors meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30pm at Urban Eats Cafe. The board further discusses the activities of the committees and votes on various matters. While voting is restricted to board members, all are welcome to attend the meetings and learn more about the CID in general.

Meeting times are subject to change. Check our calendar or the Dutchtown CID Facebook page for the most up-to-date meeting times and locations.

The Empty Bowls Project is an international movement to help end hunger. Guests are invited for a meal of soup and bread, and as a “thank you” for donating to local hunger relief, are gifted a handmade bowl as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in the world. Once again, Urban Eats Cafe is participating in support of St. Anthony’s Food Pantry.

Empty Bowls 2017 kicks off with Sunday brunch service on December 3rd. Hundreds of hand-crafted bowls will be available for donors to choose from and fill with vegan sweet potato and black bean chili or white bean chicken chili.

Come by Urban Eats again on Saturday, December 9th during the Dutchtown Shop Hop and again have a chance to donate, select your handmade bowl, and fill it with a variety of soups. David McBeth, the potter creating the bowls for the project, will be at the cafe creating more.

The Empty Bowls Finale Party is December 20th at the Liermann Loft above Urban Eats, in conjunction with the DT2 Holiday Party. Come by for food, drinks, live music, and pictures with Santa. While the party is free to attend, a donation of $15 or more is suggested, and in return you will receive a bowl and a voucher for soup from Urban Eats. Reservations are required and can be made through Eventbrite.

The Common Sound Festival, produced by Dutchtown South Community Corporation, is coming to Marquette Park this Saturday, September 30th. Join your neighbors and the greater St. Louis community as we celebrate through dance and music the common sound that flows through us all.

The festival, which runs from 1:00—7:00, will feature DJ Whiz, DJ Fonzo, and DJ Needles playing music all day, a variety of free professional dance workshops, live performances from Alma de Mexico and Beyond Measure Dance, and an assortment of food, beer, and craft vendors.

But the main event is at 4:30, when an attempt to break the world record for the longest soul train line! Only 427 people are needed, and you can commit to being there through this form or just show up!

VIP tickets are available and include two beers from sponsor Urban Chestnut Brewing Co., a festival T-shirt, and access to the VIP area inside the newly renovated Marquette Park Field House.

Volunteers are still needed for a few spots if you’d like to help make the inaugural Common Sound Festival a success. We’ll see you there!

Join your neighbors in Dutchtown West on Saturday morning for a neighborhood cleanup! Neighbors will meet at the corner of Spring and Meramec at 11am to spread out and pick up litter for about an hour. There will be gloves, litter grabbers, trash bags, and water available for the participants.

If you’re sure you can make it, please consider RSVP-ing by marking yourself as “going” on the Facebook event page, emailing info@dtstl.org, or sending a message using our contact form. But if you want to just show up that’s okay too.

DutchtownSTL.org would like to help you organize your own neighborhood cleanup too! Visit our cleanup page for a list of upcoming cleanups and to find out how to organize your own. We can help with making flyers and getting the word out. If you have any questions, let us know!

DT2, the Downtown Dutchtown Business Association, invites you to come down to Meramec Street this Wednesday evening for the Meramec Shop About! The shops around Meramec and Virginia will be staying open late until at least 7pm. Participating shops include Twice Blessed Resale Shop, Urban Eats, Callisto Comics, Logan’s Kids Resale, Bru Tea, and more.

In addition to the extra shopping hours, Urban Eats will have food and drinks available and live music provided by Jerry Rabushka on the piano.

Make a purchase at one or more of the participating shops to be entered into a raffle drawing to take place at 7pm at Urban Eats. You must be present to win a prize.