This post is written by guest blogger, Nicholle Hinkle, Director of Donor Relations at United Way of Southeast Missouri.

A little over three years ago (when my parents became empty-nesters), my dad started mentioning this thing called “craft beer.” I had never really heard of it, so I just assumed it was something that my parents were getting into since they didn’t have me around to entertain them anymore - ha! Little did I know at the time that this “craft beer” thing was actually becoming a new trend and thousands of people across the country were jumping on the bandwagon whether through taste-testing the products or brewing their own. How cool is that?

Well, if you’re a craft beer lover like my dad, you’ll be glad to know that United Way of Southeast Missouri is presenting an opportunity for you to taste-test over 60 craft and locally brewed beers right here in downtown Cape! That’s right – Boos & Microbrews will be held in conjunction with Hop Heads of Southeast Missouri and Bluff City Beer Co. on Saturday, October 25 from 2 to 6pm in the parking lot at Broadway & Main. Tickets are only $30 in advance or $35 the day of and can be purchased at United Way of Southeast Missouri, BOLD Marketing or Hubrew. However, you can also purchase tickets online by clicking here.

Your ticket gets you a tasting cup to sample the beers, a voting slip for your favorite beer, the opportunity to enjoy live music by the Jerry Ford Polka Band, entry into the Halloween costume contest, the chance to win raffle prizes, play games and so much more! Food will also be available for purchase from 2 Sides Grillin’.

As if I haven’t already provided enough good reasons to attend Boos & Microbrews, here are the Top 5 Reasons to Drink Craft Beer:

1 – It’s a hot topic. Like I mentioned, craft beer has become a rapidly growing trend in recent years. Craft beer + you drinking it = part of the cool club.

2 – The ingredients in the home-brewed beer will be fresh, carefully selected and of high quality. Our partners don’t brew anything but the best and these beverages are purely one of a kind and can’t be purchased in the store.

3 – Many people are referring to craft beer as the ‘new wine.’ Through the endless choices of flavors and styles of craft beer, there will always be an option to go with any meal…and 2 Sides Grillin will have plenty of options.

4 – The lager louts and bearded stereotypes have been well and truly quashed by the fresh, young and hip crowd that follows the movements of craft beer. Young fellows in trilbies sip pints with grey-haired strangers, women and men stand side-by-side, cups in hand. Welcome to beer equality.

5 – The people behind the craft beer possess an overwhelming degree of passion and love for what they do. It is brewed by local people, for local people, and often targeting a specific local area. Oh, and doing so will benefit your local United Way.

Think A-line dresses, circle skirts, tight-knit sweaters, polka dots, and 1950s sock hops. Think VintageNOW 5 (VN5) Fashion Show on Oct. 17 in Cape Girardeau.

The annual VintageNOW Fashion Show pairs vintage clothing styles with items already in your closets. This year, modern accents will be added from several of downtown Cape Girardeau’s boutique retailers: Ophelia, Philanthropy, and Stash.

“I wanted to show how to take vintage items and make them modern. I wanted people to understand how to wear vintage, now,” said Deb Maevers, show director and owner of Pastimes Antiques on naming the event. Maevers and a talented team of stylists work in tandem to procure all of the clothing, mainly from her shop, and go to painstaking lengths to find the perfect recipe for blending multiple artistic eras and music during the show.

“It’s so much fun going through the vintage pieces we have in the store and envisioning how we can make them work today,” she explained. “Whether it’s pairing a vintage dress with a new blazer or set of pumps, or teaming a modern top with beautiful vintage pants and accessories, I love seeing the interconnected mix of old and new.”

The team of stylists includes Rachel Ross McNeely, Lucy Mitchell-Warmke, Nicole Fouché, and Sarah Watkins-Ferrell. McNeely has been involved since the first VintageNOW. Starting as a model, McNeely’s involvement crossed over into the styling team. Lucy Mitchell-Warmke became part of the team as a model for the second VintageNOW, and, like Rachel, has transitioned to stylist. Nicole Fouché is playing double duty this year as both a model and stylist. Sarah Watkins-Ferrell is new to the VintageNOW team for VN5.

“Sometimes all it takes is a ‘new set of eyes’ on a woman’s closet to help see things differently and upcycle items with new accessories,” said Watkins-Ferrell. “People don’t take enough time to play in their clothes and make things work in new ways.”

VintageNOW is all about making things work in new ways. The new partnership with boutiques makes VintageNOW a unique downtown Cape Girardeau event – even though the runway is across town at the Osage Centre.

“We love working with these outlets because consumers can go out and actually buy these vintage looks,” said Maevers. “Not only is it a bonus for our downtown and local economy, but it’s also teaching consumers how to tap into the offerings we have here in our hometown.”

Proceeds from this event benefit our local Safe House for Women. Formed in 1991, this nonprofit organization serves as a refuge for women and children under the influence of domestic violence. The Safe House for Women provides 24-hour crisis hotline services, intensive case management, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, court advocacy and referral services all free of charge to those seeking help. Aside from helping people in need, the Safe House for Women’s main objective is stopping domestic violence all together through community awareness programs and the support of community members like us. Please join us in support of this worthwhile organization and help make our community safe for all.

VintageNOW5

Friday, October 17

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Show starts at 7:30 p.m.

General tickets - $25

Runway tickets - $50

Tickets are available by calling (573) 332-8882

The following images are behind-the-scenes snapshots of the fitting process with stylist Rachel Ross McNeely and models Chalice Keith and Marti Hartle.

It’s officially Red October! Cardinal baseball postseason is filling the air. Located 100 miles south of St. Louis, it may be hard to find the rowdy, upbeat Cardinal spirit that we, as Cardinal fans, yearn for. Luckily, Downtown Cape Girardeau has many outlets for you to enjoy the games at and partake in the wild Cardinal atmosphere.

Autumn is finally here - let the crisp, cool breeze blow through your hair while taking in the game on the patio at Bel-Air Bar & Grill. Delicious food and drinks round out this venue for a delightful outdoor viewing experience.

Newly opened Katy O’Ferrell’s Publick House provides a casual, cozy environment along with delicious Irish food and a bar for your baseball viewing pleasure.

Looking for a tasty margarita to warm your stomach while taking in our next Cardinal win? Head to El Sol for delicious Mexican fare.

Hotshots has your hot wings and large beers to wash everything down. TV’s line the walls so there’s not a bad seat in the house.

For some romantic flair, head down to Bella Italia. Televisions above the bar provide prime viewing for just about any visitor in the restaurant while sopping up their delectable oil and cheese mixture with a piece of crusty bread.

Pull on your Cardinal gear and make your way to Broadway Biergarten to indulge in their fabulous appetizers and craft beers. The ambiance in this place is pretty close to first-base-line-in-Busch-Stadium quality.

Feel your Cajun roots and enjoy some red beans and rice or a shrimp po’boy while taking in the cardinal game in Broussard’s bar area.

Take in the games at each of these downtown bar destinations, Lodo’s, Last Call, Pour House, Rude Dog, That One Bar and D’Ladiums, for the ultimate party destination.

Cardinal Nation is a family - we love our fantastic team. We love the playoffs. We love the chase for victory. And we love coming together to celebrate. Pick one of these downtown hotspots, bring your team spirit and show our rival fans what it is to be part of Cardinal Nation!