Guide to Missouri’s Sales Tax Holiday

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)

Recipes by the Dozen

If you haven’t gone shopping for Mother’s Day, don’t fret.  There is still time to get something unique and special.  I’m habitually a last minute shopper.  No matter the holiday I always seem to put it off.  Well, this year I did some “web surf research” and f0und some pretty cool, unique and inexpensive ideas that I think I can pull off before Sunday.  Here’s one…

Armed with just a printer and some paper you can quickly whip up an impromptu and customized cookbook with Mom in mind. What kinds of food does she like? Is she a real kitchen maven or does she struggle to even make a PB&J?

Check out a popular recipe site where you can access print-friendly recipes categorized by skill level. Bind your pages, add a fancy cover and you’re done.

If you want to check out a few more ideas, check out the Mother’s Day Central website.

New Redbox DVD Releases: Week of May 3

New Redbox DVD releases for the week (available Tuesday) include: Sherlock Holmes, Staten Island, Under the Sea, Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Nine

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

Westmont at Chesterfield: DVD Pick of the Week

Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law put memorable imprints on Holmes and Watson in this bold new reimagining that makes the legendary sleuth a daring man of action as well as a peerless man of intellect. Baffling clues, astonishing Holmesian deductions, nimble repartee, catch-your-breath scenes of one slam thing after another – director Guy Ritchie helms the excitement reintroducing the great detective to the world. Meet the new Sherlock Holmes! MPAA Rating. PG-13. Genre: Action & Adventure, Award Winners, Hit Movies. Starring: Jude Law, Robert Downey Jr.

Write a review! If you watch one of these new releases, login and let the community know what you think about it. If want to write a movie review for the community blog about a any particular movie that you found interesting (or even one that wasn’t so interesting), leave us a comment and let us know, or post your movie review suggestion to the community Facebook wall for us to see.

The Spirit of St. Louis Helps to Heal Haiti

We’re all aware of the tragedy that Haiti is going through due to the horrific earthquake that hit the island-nation last month.  We’ve been inundated with images and soundbites that chronicle the devastation, while also serving to remind us that there are those out there much less fortunate than us.

While Missouri is miles and miles away from Haiti, it’s hard not to think about how we can help their situation, even if only a little bit.  Here is a story in the Southeast Missourian about how a few St. Louis doctors, philanthropists and even a Chesterfield based humanitarian organization called Wings of Hope pitched in to help save the leg of a young Haitian boy in desperate need of their care.  It’s a great testament to the age old adage “every little bit counts.”  Truly inspiring!