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May 1, 2026

    For over 14 years of exceptional service to our city, Margaret Saak has announced she is retiring. Her dedication went far beyond daily responsibilities, and her presence has made a meaningful difference to our team and community. We are deeply grateful for everything Margaret has done and wish her joy and fulfillment in the years ahead. If you see Margaret this week, please wish her a happy retirement!


    Garden Tour: The Bel-Nor Garden Tour is set to take place on Sunday, May 17th, from 12 noon-3pm. Join us to explore fascinating topics such as bees, chickens, and native plants, while enjoying the unique gardens in Bel-Nor.


    Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day. Advance ticket holders will receive maps via email on May 16th, or you can pick up a map at Clearview Park on the day of the event.

    On May 17th, tickets can be purchased online or at Clearview Park. Day of ticket purchases will need to pick up maps in-person.


    This event is organized by the Bel-Nor Beautification Committee. All proceeds from this event will go towards funding additional community activities throughout the year


    TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Eventbrite


    City Wide Garage Sale: The City of Bel-Nor and the City of Greendale are teaming up to host a one-day, multi-house garage sale on Saturday, June 13th.

    • For Sellers: Please email mayor@cityofbelnor.org by June 1st to sign-up

    • For Buyers: Addresses will be available for pick-up at Bel-Nor City Hall and on our website on June 8th. 

    • Event Date: Saturday, June 13th, 8am-1pm


    Pride of the City: Would you like to recognize a resident who maintains curb appeal, landscaping, and exterior maintenance? Nominate them for a Pride of the City Award! Email cityclerk@cityofbelnor.org with the property address, along with your reasons for believing they deserve this recognition.


    UMSL Update: University of MO President Mun Choi has appointed Bel-Nor resident Dr. Chris Spilling as the interim chancellor of the U of MO-St. Louis effective July 1, following the retirement of Kristin Sobolik.

    Spilling currently serves as vice chancellor for research and economic and community development and professor of chemistry. He brings more than 35 years of dedicated service to UMSL, during which he has played a central role in strengthening the university’s research enterprise, fostering innovation and expanding regional and national partnerships.

    Congratulations to Dr. Spilling!


    Little Free Library: A little free library is a take a book, share a book, free book exchange housed in a small box located in neighborhoods, typically in a front yard or public space. Operating on the honor system, anyone can take a book or donate one, fostering community and increasing book access 24/7. Bel-Nor has THREE little libraries:

    • Unity Lutheran Church: 8454 Glen Echo Dr. This little library has a rotating collection of children's books and books for older readers.

    • 3046 Delavan: usually books for the adult reader.

    • Bel-Nor Little Library: located at Clearview Park. It is filled with great books for children and adults.


    Neighborhood Preservation: As our street trees age, maintaining our tree canopy is crucial for Bel-Nor. It provides countless benefits to both the city and its residents. To learn more about the significance of trees in urban environments, click here. We encourage you to consider planting a street tree now to help sustain the tree canopy.


    To request a free street tree, email BelNorTreeBoard@gmail.com


    Neighborhood Safety: The spring is known to bring severe storms. Here are some helpful reminders:

    • Tornado sirens in STL county are now zoned. Sirens will sound for the immediate area of potential danger. Sirens will not sound throughout the county.

    • In a tornado, seek shelter in the basement or an interior room. Seek safety under a table or stairs for added protection.

    • Local news channel live stream on their website to follow the storm.

    • The National Weather Service recommends not to open windows during a tornado warning to minimize pressure. They recommend that a solid structure (no windows or doors open) has a better chance of escaping major damage.

    • Know how to turn off the water, gas, and electric in your home.

    • Make sure you have working fire extinguishers in your home.

    • Have back-up batteries charged and ready for phones.


    Meetings & Reminders:

    May 17: Bel-Nor Garden Tour

    May 18: BOA meeting at City Hall, 7:30 pm


    Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

    April 17, 2026

      Garden Tour: The Bel-Nor Garden Tour is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th. Please encourage your neighbors with great gardens to sign-up for this fun event and show off their hard work. To sign-up or nominate a neighbor for us to reach out to, email: BelNorBE@gmail.com 


      EarthDance Organic Farm School is a 14-acre non-profit teaching farm in Ferguson, MO, dedicated to sustainable agriculture, food justice, and community education. It operates as an organic farm school, a pay-what-you-want-you-can produce stand, and provides training for aspiring farmers and hobby gardeners. Many Bel-Nor residents have volunteered and trained at EarthDance. It is a great place to connect to your food and your community. If you are interested in learning more, check out their website: https://earthdancefarms.org/


      UMSL Psychology Services: The Community Psychological Service (CPS) is a not-for-profit outpatient mental health clinic at the University of Missouri-St. Louis that provides psychological services to the St. Louis area. They serve children, adolescents, adults and seniors on a sliding scale pay based on income. They offer a full spectrum of clinical interventions, including psychological testing, organizational consultation, and individual, group, couple, and family therapy.  The offices are located in the Eye Center Building on Natural Bridge Road. For more information call 314.516.5771 of click here.

       

      Touhill Performing Center: Check out the events at Touhill this Spring! They have a variety of options including free concerts. For a list of events, click here


      Neighborhood Preservation: Trees not only filter air pollutants, lower hot temperatures, help with erosion, and help reduce flooding, they also help prevent crime and accidents.


      Contrary to the belief that they provide hiding spots, trees are linked to lower crime rates. They foster stronger community ties, encourage more use of public spaces, and create a sense of ownership. Tree-lined streets encourage drivers to slow down, reducing the risk of traffic accidents. They create vertical “walls” that narrow the passage and encouraging drivers to slow down.

      For more information, click on this link from Yale University


      Neighborhood Safety: We are approaching the spring storm season. Here are some reminders:

      • Tornado Watch: conditions are favorable for severe storms and possible tornado.

      • Tornado Warning: Radar is indicating that a storm is capable of producing a tornado or one has been sighted.

      • STL County is now zoning tornado sirens. Sirens alarm in specific areas, not county-wide.

      • Severe Thunderstorm Watch:  Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

      • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a large hail or damaging wind identified by an NWS forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.


      Meetings & Reminders

      April 18: Tree Planting Day with the Tree Board in honor of Arbor Day

      April 20: Monthly BOA meeting at City Hall, 7:30 pm


      Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

      April 3, 2026

        April Elections: Early voting is open. Any registered voter can vote at the UMSL Millennium Center now through election day on Tuesday, April 7th. To look up your ballot, check polling places & wait times, check out the St. Louis County Board of Elections’ website:


        Voter ID: To vote, you must have a photo ID issued by the State of Missouri or the U.S. government that is current or have an expiration date after the date of the most recent general election. Examples include:

        • Missouri Driver or Non-Driver License

        • U.S. Passport or Passport Card

        • U.S. Military ID


        STL County Offices: Beginning this spring, several County government buildings, including locations in Clayton, Northwest Crossing, and South County, will be closed to the public on Fridays as department heads work through a significant budget shortfall and rising operational costs.While offices are closed to the public, County staff will continue working to address critical needs, including a backlog of applications for programs like the Senior Property Tax Freeze, property tax refunds, and benefits under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.Residents are encouraged to plan ahead for in-person visits and to take advantage of online services whenever possible as the County works through these challenges.


        Neighborhood Preservation: Callery pear trees, commonly know as Bradford pear trees, are considered invasive in Missouri. In 2025, the state of MO passed a law to prohibit plant nurseries from selling Japanese honeysuckle, sericea lespedeza, perilla mint, burning bush, and Callery pear. The law will go into effect on January 1, 2029.

        For the benefit of yourself and your neighbors, please refrain from planting these species, including Bradford pears, as you plan your landscaping in the coming years.


        Pear Buyback: If you remove a Bradford Pear from your property, you can receive a free native tree for your yard. This program runs March 16-April 16. For details on how to register and get your free tree, check out the details on the MO Invasive Plant Council’s website: HERE


        Neighborhood Safety: Exterior lighting can enhance home security, increase safety by illuminating hazards, and boost curb appeal. It deters intruders by eliminating dark hiding spots, prevents trip and falls on pathways, and extends the usability of outdoor living spaces into the night.


        Meetings & Reminders

        April 20: Bel-Nor Board of Alderperson Meeting at 7:30 pm at City Hall


        Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

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