Peach pie, peach cobbler, peach jam. Fresh homegrown peaches are one of the things to look forward to every summer. Beginning this Saturday, you can pick your own peaches at Eckert's Orchards in Belleville. Grab a pound or two and make your favorite recipe, or let Eckert's do the work for you and pick up a pie or cobbler at the Country Store. Fresh blackberries are also in season. You can find them all at the Eckert's locations in Belleville and Grafton.

Pick Your Own Peaches
Eckert's Orchards - Belleville
Beginning Saturday, July 26

For more information, read my profile of Eckert's Orchards.

(Photo by Medioimages, courtesy Getty Images)

If you're looking for another way to entertain your children this summer, I suggest checking out the fountain and wading pool in Tower Grove Park. It's a good place for kids of all ages. My son, who is almost two, loves to walk around the wading pool and play with the bubbling jets that shoot water into the air. He's not quite sure about the fountain with its larger bursts of water, but the older kids seem to love it. The fountain is located near the Piper Palm House and is open every day throughout the summer. The wading pool is closed on Mondays.

Also on Wednesdays, there are free concerts for children at the Piper Palm House from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Many parents and babysitters take their kids to the concert, then head over to the fountain for some play time.

Tower Grove Park

Muckerman Fountain
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Wading Pool
Tuesday - Sunday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Monday

Wow, that was fast! Tickets for the Missouri-Illinois Arch Rivalry football game went on sale this morning and they're already sold out. But then again, I can understand why the interest is so high. You've got two teams coming off great seasons and looking to do even better this year. If you weren't among the lucky ones to get tickets, ESPN is broadcasting the game at 7:30 p.m. on August 30. Now, as a Mizzou graduate it's not hard to tell where my loyalty lies (Go Tigers!), but I also want to know, who do you think will win the game?

It's no news that St. Louisans (and much of the country) are experiencing a sense of loss after this week's announcement that Belgian-based InBev will be the new owners of Anheuser-Busch. Emotions range from nostalgic acceptance to angst and anger. I've heard many people comment that they'll stop drinking AB products. I'm skeptical that there will be a massive drop in sales, but I am curious if regular Bud and Bud Light drinkers will feel bitter enough to begin buying other brands. Where do you stand? Will an AB product still be your beer of choice, or will you switch brands?

(Photo by Spencer Platt, Getty Images)