BOTANICAL GARDEN OFFERS WALKING TOURS

Walking tours of the Missouri Botanical Garden, led by garden guides, leave from the ticket counter at 1 p.m. daily, except during Best of Missouri Market in early October. Free with regular garden admission or garden membership.

Eco-Cart demonstrations are presented every Saturday throughout the year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Brookings Interpretive Center. These fun thirty to forty minute hands-on activities are tailored to fit the age range of the audience and include ecological topics such as energy, chemical reactions, and decomposition. Free with regular garden admission or garden membership.

Garden Walkers' Breakfasts. In cooperation with the American Heart Association, the grounds open early every Wednesday and Saturday morning at 7 a.m. to encourage fitness walking. A heart healthy breakfast is available for purchase in the Gardenview Restaurant from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Garden admission is free to St. Louis City and County residents until noon every Wednesday and Saturday, except during Best of Missouri Market in early October.

Gardening displays this month feature "Mums" and "Naturescaping." 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Free with regular Garden admission or Garden membership.

Through Oct. 24: Wilderness Wagon Tours at the Shaw Arboretum continue. Ride the Wilderness Wagon for a guided tour of the Arboretum, with stops at the Trail House and Wetland. The Wagon leaves the Visitor Center on the hour. Noon to 3 p.m. Shaw Arboretum of the Missouri Botanical Garden, just off I-44 in Gray Summit, Missouri. Free with Arboretum admission, Arboretum pass, or garden membership. For more information or directions, call (636) 451-3512.

Through November 12: "The Prairie Portraits" exhibition continues, created by artist, Lana Gits, and photographer, Larry Godson, using photography and digital imaging. The plants depicted in the exhibition were photographed at Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve in Westchester, Illinois, about 30 miles outside Chicago. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monsanto Hall. Free with regular Garden admission or Garden membership. A portion of profits from sales will be donated to Save the Prairie Society.

Through December 31: Missouri Botanical Garden 2000 calendar display continues. During regular Garden hours. Grigg Lobby. Free with regular garden admission or Garden membership. Calendar will be available for purchase in the Garden Gate Shop. All proceeds from sales in the Garden Gate Shop support the Missouri Botanical Garden.

October 2-3: "Best of Missouri" Market. Country stands filled with Missouri farmer and food producer harvest. Craft makers offer items such as hand-turned pewter, hand-forged wrought iron, baskets, hand thrown pottery, willow furniture and jewelry. Country and bluegrass music, great food, and special craft demonstrations make Best of Missouri Market fabulous family fun 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special event admission rates apply.

October 13-24: Doll houses on Display. Magnificent doll houses and miniature rooms are on exhibit in Tower Grove House, Henry Shaw's Victorian country home. Delight in the incredible detail and exquisite craftsmanship of these tiny masterpieces, including Mary Wickes's doll house, a replica of the Dream House Miniature Shop, a Tudor-style house, a Swiss chalet, an eight-room Mansard roof mansion, a large scale replica of Tower Grove House itself, and many more. Admission to the House during the exhibition is $10 per person, which includes a beverage and dessert in the Gardenview Restaurant. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Presented by Tower Grove House Auxiliary to benefit Tower Grove House.

Oct. 16: Garden Story Time, an on-going program -geared toward children ages 4 to 10. Kids can listen to a story or two, create a fun project to take home that is related to the theme of the story, and learn about the fabulous world of plants. Guardians are welcome to attend, and children under age 4 must be accompanied by an adult. Held on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. in the book department of the Garden Gate Shop. No reservations are needed. Free. For more information, call Chris at (314) 577-5136.

Oct. 16-17: Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis show and sale. October 16 hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Orthwein Floral Display Hall. Free with regular Garden admission or Garden membership.

Oct. 23: The Maya Mountain Archaeological Project (Belize): Major Activities and Finds. Seminar by Peter Dunham of Cleveland State University. 2:00 p.m. Shoenberg Auditorium. Cosponsored by the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Archaeological Institute of America/St. Louis.

Oct. 23-24: Mid-America Regional Lily Society fall bulb sale. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beaumont Room. Free with regular garden admission or garden membership.

Oct. 23-24: Gateway West Gesneriad Society show and sale. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Orthwein Floral Display Hall. Free with regular garden admission or garden membership.

Oct. 24: Arts and Treasures of Latin America: Mexico 1999. Our second annual celebration of Latin American culture celebrates Mexico. Artists and craftspeople demonstrate ceramics, paper flowers, wood carving, and pinatas. Mariachi music, dancers in festive traditional costumes, exhibits, food, and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free with regular garden admission or garden membership.

Oct. 28: "A Place to Remember." Robert Archibald, president of the Missouri Historical Society, will present a lecture inspired by his new book, A Place to Remember: Using History to Build Community. The book poetically illustrates our active participation in the past and the importance of history in contemporary life. Following the lecture, Mr. Archibald will sign books at a reception. 7 p.m. Lecture in Shoenberg Auditorium and reception/booksigning in Monsanto Hall. Free.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Boulevard in St. Louis, just off I-44 and Vandeventer. The Garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas. Admission is $5 for visitors age 13-64 and $3 for seniors age 65 and over. Members and children age 12 and under are free. Residents of St. Louis City and County receive discounted admission of $3 for those age 13-64 and $1.50 for those age 65 and over. Also, St. Louis City and County residents are admitted free Wednesday and Saturday until noon throughout the year. Some special events may require an additional charge. Free parking is available on the premises.

The garden is easily accessible via public transportation by taking the MetroLink to the Central West End station and picking up the Garden Express shuttle bus. For more information about events, hours, directions, etc., visit the Garden's website at www.mobot.org or call the Garden Line at (314) 577-9400 or 1-800-642-8842.