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I admit, I'm one of the dorks who has a "CITY" sticker stuck to the rear window of his car. I'm sure you've seen the oval shaped, black & white stickers proclaiming that the driver of a particular vehicle is proud to live in St. Louis City.
I think the stickers are a great idea and I've seen more and more cars sporting the fashionable sticker. It's all about beating down that self-deprecating attitude that permeates the City's and the region's culture...and I'm all about getting over the past (can we forget about the 1904 World's Fair please?) and starting something new.
You can find these stickers at:
Pets in the City
1009 Russell Boulevard in Soulard
I got mine at the Washington Avenue Post
1312 Washington Ave. Downtown
I think the stickers are a great idea and I've seen more and more cars sporting the fashionable sticker. It's all about beating down that self-deprecating attitude that permeates the City's and the region's culture...and I'm all about getting over the past (can we forget about the 1904 World's Fair please?) and starting something new.
You can find these stickers at:
Pets in the City
1009 Russell Boulevard in Soulard
I got mine at the Washington Avenue Post
1312 Washington Ave. Downtown
I'm really, really happy the Chemical Building downtown is being renovated and turned into a residential building. The Chemical Building is probably one of my absolute favorite buildings downtown. From its gorgeous red color, to the undulating wall of windows, this building if simply amazing.
However, I'm not crazy about the name change developers apparently felt was necessary to market the property. The Chemical Building is going to be known as the Alexa. Yeah, I just threw up a little bit, too. I mean, no disrespect here Developer/Marketing men & women, but...I mean...blech! I realize "The Chemical Building" isn't exactly the sexiest name, but it has a history of over 100 years. "The Alexa" sounds a bit contrived to me...a bit faux elitist.
I don't know, I realize my complaint is small potatoes, but some things should just be left alone.
However, I'm not crazy about the name change developers apparently felt was necessary to market the property. The Chemical Building is going to be known as the Alexa. Yeah, I just threw up a little bit, too. I mean, no disrespect here Developer/Marketing men & women, but...I mean...blech! I realize "The Chemical Building" isn't exactly the sexiest name, but it has a history of over 100 years. "The Alexa" sounds a bit contrived to me...a bit faux elitist.
I don't know, I realize my complaint is small potatoes, but some things should just be left alone.
There are times when I look at my life, at my family, and I realize that I am one of the luckiest people in the world. Last week, after years of putting it off, I took my dad out to lunch and told him I was gay. I was nervous, but I can't say I was exactly scared. My dad, despite the fact that he identifies himself as "conservative", is the most open-minded, loving man on the face of the Earth, and that's said without hyperbole. I knew he'd be OK with it. Well, maybe I wasn't so sure, but I certainly didn't think my confession would bring us closer together.
"You had to have suspected something," I told him, "I ran around pretending to be Wonder Woman when I was five."
"You were the happiest kid I'd ever known. That's what I saw," my dad said, "Something changed when you were around 12. You shut us out & you shut down."
It was around 12 that I started to realize I was "different" from the other boys. No, actually they realized I was different from them, and they let me know about it. I withdrew into my own world. It wasn't a happy place, but it was a place where I was safe and it was filled with my favorite things...comic books, my drawing tablets and plenty of Madonna's cassette tapes. I spent hours locked in my room either drawing, listening to music or playing Sim City on my computer. I didn't want friends. Friends were bad, they were mean and when you got too close to them they always, always found a way to let you down. I had to change who I was to have friends. The mask I had to wear to be "myself" around the friends I had was well worn, and sometimes a little too tight.
Despite not wanting to associate with people, I did form a close relationship with the "sometimes hippy, sometimes goth" girl next door. We were outsiders, and our relationship was an odd one. We hung out all the time at home. Our summers were filled with afternoons jumping on the trampoline and listening to C&C Music Factory. In public, we barely acknowledged one another. I was "preppy" and she was...well, not. I wanted to fit in, she didn't. I was embarrassed of her, I didn't want people to know that we were friends, but I needed her. I often found myself trying to decide which was more important, keeping up appearances or keeping a friend. Looking back, I clearly identified & surrounded myself with people who thought they were as misunderstood as I was, much to my parents' dismay.
It wasn't until I got away from family and home that I found myself. Being away from them allowed me to grow, to get over some fears...on my own. It took years, the process started when I went away to college, but I finally found out what it meant to be me. I realized there would be some consequences for that revelation, but I was okay with that. However, I didn't want to lose my family.
As I told the story of a son's past my father knew nothing about, I saw understanding in his eyes. He was finally able to put the puzzle of my life together...now that he had all the pieces. He wanted to know if I'd been hurt in the past. He wanted me to know that he was sad that he couldn't protect me from those things, those people who would harm his son. I didn't expect him to be so protective of me, so understanding & supportive but, he's my dad, and I shouldn't have expected anything less.
"You had to have suspected something," I told him, "I ran around pretending to be Wonder Woman when I was five."
"You were the happiest kid I'd ever known. That's what I saw," my dad said, "Something changed when you were around 12. You shut us out & you shut down."
It was around 12 that I started to realize I was "different" from the other boys. No, actually they realized I was different from them, and they let me know about it. I withdrew into my own world. It wasn't a happy place, but it was a place where I was safe and it was filled with my favorite things...comic books, my drawing tablets and plenty of Madonna's cassette tapes. I spent hours locked in my room either drawing, listening to music or playing Sim City on my computer. I didn't want friends. Friends were bad, they were mean and when you got too close to them they always, always found a way to let you down. I had to change who I was to have friends. The mask I had to wear to be "myself" around the friends I had was well worn, and sometimes a little too tight.
Despite not wanting to associate with people, I did form a close relationship with the "sometimes hippy, sometimes goth" girl next door. We were outsiders, and our relationship was an odd one. We hung out all the time at home. Our summers were filled with afternoons jumping on the trampoline and listening to C&C Music Factory. In public, we barely acknowledged one another. I was "preppy" and she was...well, not. I wanted to fit in, she didn't. I was embarrassed of her, I didn't want people to know that we were friends, but I needed her. I often found myself trying to decide which was more important, keeping up appearances or keeping a friend. Looking back, I clearly identified & surrounded myself with people who thought they were as misunderstood as I was, much to my parents' dismay.
It wasn't until I got away from family and home that I found myself. Being away from them allowed me to grow, to get over some fears...on my own. It took years, the process started when I went away to college, but I finally found out what it meant to be me. I realized there would be some consequences for that revelation, but I was okay with that. However, I didn't want to lose my family.
As I told the story of a son's past my father knew nothing about, I saw understanding in his eyes. He was finally able to put the puzzle of my life together...now that he had all the pieces. He wanted to know if I'd been hurt in the past. He wanted me to know that he was sad that he couldn't protect me from those things, those people who would harm his son. I didn't expect him to be so protective of me, so understanding & supportive but, he's my dad, and I shouldn't have expected anything less.
Do you ever wish the people you worked with were as cool as you? Yeah, me too.
I was watching Nightline last night and they had an interesting story about the holiday window displays in various NYC stores. The window displays were super elaborate, with animatronic characters and crazy themes. I wondered why displays like this aren't being done in St. Louis.
Macy's is doing Downtown and their DT store a huge service by jumpstarting their holiday window displays that Famous Barr let go, and I plan on seeing those window displays soon. But maybe next year they could give the City and region something to really talk about...a real draw for their store and in turn downtown.
There are so many creative people in St. Louis, I'd love it if Macy's tapped a few of them to plan some really fun and fantastic displays next year. Those same creative people probably can come up with some budget friendly ways to pull of the impossible too. And why stop at Christmas? Maybe having really unique and interesting window displays all year could draw more people to the downtown store? Maybe change the displays every quarter or something.
Why stop with Macy's? Maybe downtown retail stores could compete with each other and with Macy's to make their storefronts really come alive. I realize that it might be cost prohibitive for some stores, but still, can you imagine walking past store after store of really whimsical window displays? I think that would get people talking. It's a marketing gimmick for sure, but those gimmicks are what get people to your store.
The window display's in NYC have become tourist attractions...why can't that happen here?
Macy's is doing Downtown and their DT store a huge service by jumpstarting their holiday window displays that Famous Barr let go, and I plan on seeing those window displays soon. But maybe next year they could give the City and region something to really talk about...a real draw for their store and in turn downtown.
There are so many creative people in St. Louis, I'd love it if Macy's tapped a few of them to plan some really fun and fantastic displays next year. Those same creative people probably can come up with some budget friendly ways to pull of the impossible too. And why stop at Christmas? Maybe having really unique and interesting window displays all year could draw more people to the downtown store? Maybe change the displays every quarter or something.
Why stop with Macy's? Maybe downtown retail stores could compete with each other and with Macy's to make their storefronts really come alive. I realize that it might be cost prohibitive for some stores, but still, can you imagine walking past store after store of really whimsical window displays? I think that would get people talking. It's a marketing gimmick for sure, but those gimmicks are what get people to your store.
The window display's in NYC have become tourist attractions...why can't that happen here?
The Southampton stretch of Macklind Avenue was buzzing this past Saturday. The Macklind Avenue Deli, which opens today, had a preview party Saturday afternoon and they looked rather busy. Hopefully that's a sign of things to come for the deli. It is definitely going to be nice to have a place to grab a sandwich that's so close. The Murdoch Perk, on the other side of the alley from The Macklind Avenue Deli, always seems to be busy. Home Eco is still open and hopefully doing well. I haven't been in that store for a while, maybe I'll do some Christmas shopping there.
There is a real change happening on Macklind. I've noticed more people walking the strip, and not just dog walkers. They're people who want to spend some cash in the neighborhood, relax with a sandwich or cup of coffee, it's a really nice change. I walk Macklind almost every day and I never noticed how dead the area was until these new businesses opened up and people started making those places a destination. I almost feel like I'm in the middle of something these days...Southampton is quietly putting itself on the map.
There is a real change happening on Macklind. I've noticed more people walking the strip, and not just dog walkers. They're people who want to spend some cash in the neighborhood, relax with a sandwich or cup of coffee, it's a really nice change. I walk Macklind almost every day and I never noticed how dead the area was until these new businesses opened up and people started making those places a destination. I almost feel like I'm in the middle of something these days...Southampton is quietly putting itself on the map.
I'm not sure why I chose this week to go on a diet & start watching what I eat, but I have a feeling that plan goes out the window today. I can get back on the horse...Monday!
Have a great holiday!
Have a great holiday!
The strip of Macklind Avenue in the Southampton neighborhood continues to evolve. The corner of Macklind and Nottingham will soon be home to 2 new businesess.
The former Krekeler's Market, closed since last year, has been renamed and repositioned as the Macklind Avenue Deli. The deli opens on November 27th according to the big sign they have on their new outdoor seating area. Across Nottingham, the old photography studio is being gutted and will house an "upscale antique store." I think both will be a nice addition to the neighborhood. I believe the only remaining vacant commercial space along Macklind is at Landsdowne across from Buder Elementary. A craft & scrapbook place occupied the space last year but it closed rather quickly. Hopefully we'll see that space fill up soon.
The former Krekeler's Market, closed since last year, has been renamed and repositioned as the Macklind Avenue Deli. The deli opens on November 27th according to the big sign they have on their new outdoor seating area. Across Nottingham, the old photography studio is being gutted and will house an "upscale antique store." I think both will be a nice addition to the neighborhood. I believe the only remaining vacant commercial space along Macklind is at Landsdowne across from Buder Elementary. A craft & scrapbook place occupied the space last year but it closed rather quickly. Hopefully we'll see that space fill up soon.
For some reason, comments aren't being shown until I republish the blog. If you do leave a comment, don't be discouraged, its there and will show up the next time I publish the blog.
I'm tentatively planning a trip to NYC in March...that is if I don't need a new roof. My roof started leaking (but only sometimes) and I'm not sure what's going on up there, and to be honest, I'm scared to find out. Why did I buy a house with a flat roof?
My 87 year old house has a way of wearing me down. There always seems to be a new, unexplained stain somewhere. The electricity buzzes and sizzles (my dad fixed that problem). The floor creaks in a new, unexpected way...a new crack wiggles across the ceiling. There are times I'm convinced the house is either haunted or getting ready to collapse. Sometimes I find myself wishing I'd purchased a new house because how can I afford to maintain such an old house? Would new construction really be any better? I'm contemplating marriage just so I can get hooked up with a second income.
If I need a new roof, my dream trip to NYC will have to be put off...but I'll be honest, the house is worth the sacrifice. It's mine...well, it's the bank's...and that feeling of ownership, of "home", really does make the cost of maintenance worth it...or at the very least, a bit more tolerable!
My 87 year old house has a way of wearing me down. There always seems to be a new, unexplained stain somewhere. The electricity buzzes and sizzles (my dad fixed that problem). The floor creaks in a new, unexpected way...a new crack wiggles across the ceiling. There are times I'm convinced the house is either haunted or getting ready to collapse. Sometimes I find myself wishing I'd purchased a new house because how can I afford to maintain such an old house? Would new construction really be any better? I'm contemplating marriage just so I can get hooked up with a second income.
If I need a new roof, my dream trip to NYC will have to be put off...but I'll be honest, the house is worth the sacrifice. It's mine...well, it's the bank's...and that feeling of ownership, of "home", really does make the cost of maintenance worth it...or at the very least, a bit more tolerable!
On my living room wall, I have a framed St. Louis street map from about 1903. It's fascinating to look at because, for starters, highways hadn't been built yet, so you get can see how St. Louis neighborhoods looked before they were sliced and diced by various interstates.
The second reason I like the map is because it maps out the various streetcar lines that criss-crossed the City. Street cars really were everywhere. From what I can tell, you were always within a few blocks of a street car line. An exception to this is in southwest city, which wasn't covered as well as other parts of the City at that time.
In 1903, the whole city had pretty much been built out except for parts of southwest and northwest City. My neck of the woods barely existed on this map. Southampton was nothing more than Bancroft on the north and Nottingham on the south, with Sulphur and Kingshigway being the west and eastern borders.
I would have been 2 blocks from a street car...it appears that a line ran down Devonshire. I wonder if that's why Devonshire is wider than all the other streets that surround it.
Can you imagine street cars in St. Louis once again? How easy life could be if they were still running. Just the social interaction you'd get on a street car would be worth the price of admission. Moving around the city back then seemed so easy...maybe I'm just looking at the whole thing through rose-colored glasses and it wasn't as great as it seems. It's hard to believe St. Louis demolished a really extensive street car system for...well, for what?
The second reason I like the map is because it maps out the various streetcar lines that criss-crossed the City. Street cars really were everywhere. From what I can tell, you were always within a few blocks of a street car line. An exception to this is in southwest city, which wasn't covered as well as other parts of the City at that time.
In 1903, the whole city had pretty much been built out except for parts of southwest and northwest City. My neck of the woods barely existed on this map. Southampton was nothing more than Bancroft on the north and Nottingham on the south, with Sulphur and Kingshigway being the west and eastern borders.
I would have been 2 blocks from a street car...it appears that a line ran down Devonshire. I wonder if that's why Devonshire is wider than all the other streets that surround it.
Can you imagine street cars in St. Louis once again? How easy life could be if they were still running. Just the social interaction you'd get on a street car would be worth the price of admission. Moving around the city back then seemed so easy...maybe I'm just looking at the whole thing through rose-colored glasses and it wasn't as great as it seems. It's hard to believe St. Louis demolished a really extensive street car system for...well, for what?
There are times when I'm barely aware that I live in the City. Sometimes I get so caught up in life, that I don't take the time to appreciate what's around me. I hate when I get caught up in the "home, work, home" pattern of existence, it's very unsatisfying. Currently, I'm so locked into this pattern I feel as if I have blinders on...not really taking notice of the City around me.
I want to get out and take some photos, look at some architecture, get to Tower Grove Park...I'd even like to get down to the Arch. I realize all these things are close, but sometimes life has a way of making things that are near feel miles away.
I want to get out and take some photos, look at some architecture, get to Tower Grove Park...I'd even like to get down to the Arch. I realize all these things are close, but sometimes life has a way of making things that are near feel miles away.
German Shepherds are truly one of the most beautiful breeds of dogs. With the wrong owner, they can be a handful and sometimes dangerous (like any dog), but with a committed and patient owner, a German Shepherd will bring you unlimited amounts of happiness. I love the loyalty and temperament of a well bred, well taken care of GSD.
I can't help but admire the graceful lines of pure bred shepherd...and the ears!!! Before they've grown into their huge ears, a German Shepherd puppy is one of the most adorable sights around.
Remember her?
Hadley is almost a year and a half now. Holy crap is she a handful! I think my mom described her best when she called Hadley a "bull". Hadley knows what she wants and she goes after it. One time we were playing in the backyard and she ran full throttle into my legs...sometimes the energy she has inside her gets a bit ahead of her thought process! She's so much like a human child, too. I can see when she's trying to test me, to push limits. She throws a fit when she doesn't get her way, just like a kid.
I love the little shit. I realize I'm biased, but there are times when I can't help but think I got the best, cutest dog in the world!
I can't help but admire the graceful lines of pure bred shepherd...and the ears!!! Before they've grown into their huge ears, a German Shepherd puppy is one of the most adorable sights around.
Remember her?
Hadley is almost a year and a half now. Holy crap is she a handful! I think my mom described her best when she called Hadley a "bull". Hadley knows what she wants and she goes after it. One time we were playing in the backyard and she ran full throttle into my legs...sometimes the energy she has inside her gets a bit ahead of her thought process! She's so much like a human child, too. I can see when she's trying to test me, to push limits. She throws a fit when she doesn't get her way, just like a kid.
I love the little shit. I realize I'm biased, but there are times when I can't help but think I got the best, cutest dog in the world!
"We need to persuade people to come back downtown," Pinnacle Chairman and Chief Executive Daniel Lee said.
Isn't that the standard, canned phrase every developer of a "this project will save downtown" makes?
While the estimated $1 billion Pinnacle Entertainment intends on investing at Laclede's Landing is welcome, aren't people already coming back downtown? Isn't downtown's improving health the x-factor that is making this project appealing for Pinnacle? Pinnacle's chairman makes it sound like the casino is downtown's silver bullet.
I've always hated the fact that there is a casino on the riverfront. It just seems wrong to me, but I suppose I'm in the minority. Lumiere Place, what the development is now called (puke!), will have a casino town built in its first phase with residential and retail to follow in a second phase. I don't know how they are going to develop the residential aspect of this project and make it feel non-cheesy and like a "neighborhood", but I'll have to wait to see the plans for phase 2 before I form any opinions.
If the uninspired architecture of Phase 1 is any indication to what Phase 2 is going to look like, I've already lost all hope. The casino/hotel to be built in Phase 1 is nothing more than a glass box with an exposed parking garage attached to its hip.
Despite the amount of money being invested and the hype City officials give this project, I can't help but feel there is a fundamental flaw with this project that I can't quite see yet.
Isn't that the standard, canned phrase every developer of a "this project will save downtown" makes?
While the estimated $1 billion Pinnacle Entertainment intends on investing at Laclede's Landing is welcome, aren't people already coming back downtown? Isn't downtown's improving health the x-factor that is making this project appealing for Pinnacle? Pinnacle's chairman makes it sound like the casino is downtown's silver bullet.
I've always hated the fact that there is a casino on the riverfront. It just seems wrong to me, but I suppose I'm in the minority. Lumiere Place, what the development is now called (puke!), will have a casino town built in its first phase with residential and retail to follow in a second phase. I don't know how they are going to develop the residential aspect of this project and make it feel non-cheesy and like a "neighborhood", but I'll have to wait to see the plans for phase 2 before I form any opinions.
If the uninspired architecture of Phase 1 is any indication to what Phase 2 is going to look like, I've already lost all hope. The casino/hotel to be built in Phase 1 is nothing more than a glass box with an exposed parking garage attached to its hip.
Despite the amount of money being invested and the hype City officials give this project, I can't help but feel there is a fundamental flaw with this project that I can't quite see yet.
According to a post on the Southampton Yahoo Group, the Southtown Business Boosters, a group trying to generate interest in Southtown Center (basically doing what commercial real estate brokers aren't doing), have been unsuccessful in their bid to lure Trader Joe's into the mostly vacant Southtown Center.
Trader Joe's states they are waiting for the St. Louis market to "mature." The poster said that he doesn't believe the Chesterfield store is doing all that well and that Trader Joe's has no plans for expansion in the St. Louis market until late 2008 at the earliest.
I applaud the Southtown Business Boosters' efforts. I have to wonder how much effort the brokers in charge of leasing the vacant spaces are putting into the Southtown Center project if a citizens group has to get involved to generate interest in some retail space. Hopefully, the SBB will bring a tenant to the center and they'll get a cut of the broker's commission. All's fair...
Trader Joe's states they are waiting for the St. Louis market to "mature." The poster said that he doesn't believe the Chesterfield store is doing all that well and that Trader Joe's has no plans for expansion in the St. Louis market until late 2008 at the earliest.
I applaud the Southtown Business Boosters' efforts. I have to wonder how much effort the brokers in charge of leasing the vacant spaces are putting into the Southtown Center project if a citizens group has to get involved to generate interest in some retail space. Hopefully, the SBB will bring a tenant to the center and they'll get a cut of the broker's commission. All's fair...
On a warm August afternoon, I visited the Campbell House located Downtown at 15th & Locust Street.
I rang the bell at the front door to gain access, and a minute later, a very cute employee opened the door and I was instantly thrown back in time 100 years. I paid $6 for a guided tour and instantly I was swimming in the fascinating history of Saint Louis and the Campbell House. I was lucky enough to be the only patron in the museum at that time, so my tour was personal and a huge amount of fun.
A map of old downtown St. Louis hung on the wall next to the front door. Interesting facts popped out at me instantly. Did you know that Tucker Boulevard is so wide downtown because there used to be open air markets in the middle of the street? Most of the churches downtown are still standing, only in the map, they were surrounded by beautiful houses and tree lined streets.
If there is a word to describe Victorian decor, it would be "overthetop." The front parlor was doused in multitudes of patterns and colors. Furniture filled almost every empty nook and the carpet was so detailed it almost boggled the mind. These people clearly did not understand the meaning of the word "simple." Rich wood adorned a small sitting room just beyond the parlor. Stained glass colored the sunlight from outside a blood red. Not everything was what it seemed in this room. The wood on the walls and fireplace actually had a grain on them that was painted to make it look like a more expensive type of wood! This technique was used throughout the house.
The kitchen was fascinating. Bells of different shapes and sizes formed a line near the ceiling on one wall. Each bell had a string attached to it which disappeared into the wall. My guide told me that each bell represented different rooms in the house, so when someone from, say, the main bedroom wanted some food, he or she pulled a string and one of the bells in the kitchen would ring. The ice box was interesting to look at because of the technology used to keep food cold, it really was ingenious.
The 2nd floor was a maze of small bedrooms for the help. I found it hilarious that the mother-in-law's bedroom was actually located next to the servant rooms. The 3rd floor was devoted to children and parents. A large hutch was pushed to the side in a landing area. Behind it you could see how the coal and pollution from 19th century St. Louis had actually stained the walls in the house, leaving a black, ghostly outline of the hutch on the wallpaper.
The house feels much bigger once inside than it looks from the outside. The way the house is partitioned and divided up makes you feel as if you are inside an elaborately decorated maze.
I highly recommend a tour of this amazing house. The museum is a wonderful resource for City history and offers visitors a truly unique take on life in 19th century St. Louis.
I rang the bell at the front door to gain access, and a minute later, a very cute employee opened the door and I was instantly thrown back in time 100 years. I paid $6 for a guided tour and instantly I was swimming in the fascinating history of Saint Louis and the Campbell House. I was lucky enough to be the only patron in the museum at that time, so my tour was personal and a huge amount of fun.
A map of old downtown St. Louis hung on the wall next to the front door. Interesting facts popped out at me instantly. Did you know that Tucker Boulevard is so wide downtown because there used to be open air markets in the middle of the street? Most of the churches downtown are still standing, only in the map, they were surrounded by beautiful houses and tree lined streets.
If there is a word to describe Victorian decor, it would be "overthetop." The front parlor was doused in multitudes of patterns and colors. Furniture filled almost every empty nook and the carpet was so detailed it almost boggled the mind. These people clearly did not understand the meaning of the word "simple." Rich wood adorned a small sitting room just beyond the parlor. Stained glass colored the sunlight from outside a blood red. Not everything was what it seemed in this room. The wood on the walls and fireplace actually had a grain on them that was painted to make it look like a more expensive type of wood! This technique was used throughout the house.
The kitchen was fascinating. Bells of different shapes and sizes formed a line near the ceiling on one wall. Each bell had a string attached to it which disappeared into the wall. My guide told me that each bell represented different rooms in the house, so when someone from, say, the main bedroom wanted some food, he or she pulled a string and one of the bells in the kitchen would ring. The ice box was interesting to look at because of the technology used to keep food cold, it really was ingenious.
The 2nd floor was a maze of small bedrooms for the help. I found it hilarious that the mother-in-law's bedroom was actually located next to the servant rooms. The 3rd floor was devoted to children and parents. A large hutch was pushed to the side in a landing area. Behind it you could see how the coal and pollution from 19th century St. Louis had actually stained the walls in the house, leaving a black, ghostly outline of the hutch on the wallpaper.
The house feels much bigger once inside than it looks from the outside. The way the house is partitioned and divided up makes you feel as if you are inside an elaborately decorated maze.
I highly recommend a tour of this amazing house. The museum is a wonderful resource for City history and offers visitors a truly unique take on life in 19th century St. Louis.
Driving north on Grand on my way to take photos from the Compton Hill Water Tower, I was struck at the amount of work that had been done on the Compton Gate Condos. You'll probably recall that arsonists set fire to this development this past summer.
Since the fire, every time I'd driven by the site the fence surrounding the property laid bent and broken, the concrete foundation sat gray and lonely in the middle of the dirt lot. That had all changed a few weeks ago.
The thing that sort of took me by surprise was the scale of the project. The building, taking shape nicely, almost towers above the street. It adds a nice presence to that stretch of Grand and the building sort of pulls some things together visually. It also makes that section of Grand feel a bit more important. It definitely makes the Jack in the Box next door seem out of place, maybe JITB will update the outside of that store as Grand develops...wishful thinking.
I hope this sort of development moves south to Gravois. The South Side Bank condo conversion is going to be a great thing, but it almost seems like it's an island unto itself...I have to admit, I'm not sure I'd want to live there. Well, I probably would for the views!
Since the fire, every time I'd driven by the site the fence surrounding the property laid bent and broken, the concrete foundation sat gray and lonely in the middle of the dirt lot. That had all changed a few weeks ago.
The thing that sort of took me by surprise was the scale of the project. The building, taking shape nicely, almost towers above the street. It adds a nice presence to that stretch of Grand and the building sort of pulls some things together visually. It also makes that section of Grand feel a bit more important. It definitely makes the Jack in the Box next door seem out of place, maybe JITB will update the outside of that store as Grand develops...wishful thinking.
I hope this sort of development moves south to Gravois. The South Side Bank condo conversion is going to be a great thing, but it almost seems like it's an island unto itself...I have to admit, I'm not sure I'd want to live there. Well, I probably would for the views!
I don't even know how to respond to a recent post made on PUB DEF Weekly.
KSDK aired a report on the fights that took place Saturday night at the Galleria in Richmond Heights. Richmond Heights police Sergant Marty Votaw said there has been an increase in crime at the Galleria now that the mall is served by the MetroLink.
"More people, easier access to the mall from all areas of the City and County. Whenever you make easier access and you get larger crowds, you're going to have more crime."
You can read the entire article at PUB DEF Weekly.
KSDK aired a report on the fights that took place Saturday night at the Galleria in Richmond Heights. Richmond Heights police Sergant Marty Votaw said there has been an increase in crime at the Galleria now that the mall is served by the MetroLink.
"More people, easier access to the mall from all areas of the City and County. Whenever you make easier access and you get larger crowds, you're going to have more crime."
You can read the entire article at PUB DEF Weekly.
KSDK Channel 5 hits a new low with a hard-hitting investigative story about spouses who cheat...and why you could get in trouble for snooping on that low down dirty dog! Everytime I saw the promo this weekend I kept expecting the announcer to lead in with "Next time on Hard Copy!"
I always laugh when I hear that the "I-Team" is on the case. I mean, "I-Team", give me a fucking break. You're reporters, not private investigators...although Lisa Zigman, in the right light, could make a believable Inspector Gadet. Style trumps substance every time in the local news game.
Local media has the audience and influence to make the residents of our City & region a more informed bunch, but stations waste their unique position of influence by airing fluff pieces that either scare, bleed or horrify. Do people really tune into this stuff? Sadly, the ratings must be there to support the tabloid nature of the news in this town, but is anybody demanding anything better?
I actually wrote KSDK a letter asking for more stories that focused on City issues, since I find most news outlets ignore the City unless a murder or some other crime or intrigue has taken place. I made it clear that I understood the City is just one municipality inside a much larger region, but there's 350,000 citizens who would like to hear some "news" about what's going on in their neighborhoods.
I never received a response. I didn't really expect to, but, still, I was hoping I would.
I always laugh when I hear that the "I-Team" is on the case. I mean, "I-Team", give me a fucking break. You're reporters, not private investigators...although Lisa Zigman, in the right light, could make a believable Inspector Gadet. Style trumps substance every time in the local news game.
Local media has the audience and influence to make the residents of our City & region a more informed bunch, but stations waste their unique position of influence by airing fluff pieces that either scare, bleed or horrify. Do people really tune into this stuff? Sadly, the ratings must be there to support the tabloid nature of the news in this town, but is anybody demanding anything better?
I actually wrote KSDK a letter asking for more stories that focused on City issues, since I find most news outlets ignore the City unless a murder or some other crime or intrigue has taken place. I made it clear that I understood the City is just one municipality inside a much larger region, but there's 350,000 citizens who would like to hear some "news" about what's going on in their neighborhoods.
I never received a response. I didn't really expect to, but, still, I was hoping I would.
OK, this new version of Blogger isn't all it's cracked up to be. In fact, it sucks.
I have to publish 3 times to get anything to show up, if the post shows up at all. I know this is all because I'm uploading my blog to an FTP site, but is anyone else having problems?
I'm just glad I'm working again...I couldn't post all weekend, so if you left any comments, and they didn't show up, things seem to be working now. Update: Comments only go show up after I publish the blog!
If anyone has any suggestions on a different tool to use other than Blogger that's easy to understand and customize, please shoot me an email!
I have to publish 3 times to get anything to show up, if the post shows up at all. I know this is all because I'm uploading my blog to an FTP site, but is anyone else having problems?
I'm just glad I'm working again...I couldn't post all weekend, so if you left any comments, and they didn't show up, things seem to be working now. Update: Comments only go show up after I publish the blog!
If anyone has any suggestions on a different tool to use other than Blogger that's easy to understand and customize, please shoot me an email!
Regular readers of my blog may remember me complaining about the carpet in my house. It's not that the tan, berber carpet was hideous or anything, but one of the reasons I bought an old house was so I could have hardwood floors. I knew that my house had wood floors underneath the carpet; however, I was worried about what kind of shape they were in. That fear kept me from plunging in and pulling up the carpet when I first bought my home. The other problem was that the hardwood that wasn't covered over with carpet was painted black.
This summer, after pinching pennies, I had saved enough money to have the floors redone. I had Blake Floor redo the floors and their bid was much cheaper than I expected. When Midwest Floor gave me a bid of over $3,000 to refinish 650 SF I think something in my head popped. Blake Floor came in at $1,200, and that included the quarter round...no brainer, right? Blake did a great job. There were some stains, especially under the black paint, that didn't sand out. Because I had thin oak floors, the workmen couldn't sand very deep, but all in all I'm really pleased with the work. Any visible imperfections I've decided can just be called "character."
Here's a before:
Here are some afters:
After living with the hardwood, I will never own a home that is carpeted. Carpet is just plain nasty. I don't understand the logic behind having fabric covering your floors. The stuff gets walked on, peed and pooped on...and then people lie on it! Aside from all that, hardwood floors make my crappy decorating look good!
This summer, after pinching pennies, I had saved enough money to have the floors redone. I had Blake Floor redo the floors and their bid was much cheaper than I expected. When Midwest Floor gave me a bid of over $3,000 to refinish 650 SF I think something in my head popped. Blake Floor came in at $1,200, and that included the quarter round...no brainer, right? Blake did a great job. There were some stains, especially under the black paint, that didn't sand out. Because I had thin oak floors, the workmen couldn't sand very deep, but all in all I'm really pleased with the work. Any visible imperfections I've decided can just be called "character."
Here's a before:
Here are some afters:
After living with the hardwood, I will never own a home that is carpeted. Carpet is just plain nasty. I don't understand the logic behind having fabric covering your floors. The stuff gets walked on, peed and pooped on...and then people lie on it! Aside from all that, hardwood floors make my crappy decorating look good!
Like most of you reading this, I have a small front yard. I love the size of my yard. Its manageable size makes cutting it during a commercial break simple as pie. As great as that is, I seriously hate yard work. Blech...not for me. Unfortunately, it's one of those necessary evils that keep popping up. Home ownership...who knew?
I currently have a yard full of leaves begging to be raked. Surprisingly, the thought of raking up those rainbow piles of leaves doesn't bother me all that much. I think it has something to do with the thought that all I have to do is rake the dead leaves into the street...where they magically disappear! It's the coolest thing!
Dumpsters and disappearing street leaves...how does life in the City get any better than that?
I currently have a yard full of leaves begging to be raked. Surprisingly, the thought of raking up those rainbow piles of leaves doesn't bother me all that much. I think it has something to do with the thought that all I have to do is rake the dead leaves into the street...where they magically disappear! It's the coolest thing!
Dumpsters and disappearing street leaves...how does life in the City get any better than that?
I cut through Forest Park each morning on my way to Clayton thinking it's a shortcut, but my commute has been getting longer and longer thanks to all the roadblocks being thrown up in my path.
A constant annoyance has been the short drive in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. The pavers are always being repaired, tinkered with, whatever. Every other month or so, there is a week or 2 that my shortcut to Clayton is reduced to one lane so a few guys can cut pavers, replace pavers, look at pavers, kiss & caress pavers...it's getting ridiculous. Ever since the area in front of the museum was redone, the repair men seem to have become as permanent a fixture at the museum as the statue of Saint Louis, King Louis IX of France.
How much is all this repair work costing, and why wasn't it done correctly the first, second, third, tenth time? Are the materials not strong enough to resist the pressures from daily traffic? Is there something going on beneath the pavers that was unforeseen when they were installed? It all seems like a big money pit to me.
A constant annoyance has been the short drive in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. The pavers are always being repaired, tinkered with, whatever. Every other month or so, there is a week or 2 that my shortcut to Clayton is reduced to one lane so a few guys can cut pavers, replace pavers, look at pavers, kiss & caress pavers...it's getting ridiculous. Ever since the area in front of the museum was redone, the repair men seem to have become as permanent a fixture at the museum as the statue of Saint Louis, King Louis IX of France.
How much is all this repair work costing, and why wasn't it done correctly the first, second, third, tenth time? Are the materials not strong enough to resist the pressures from daily traffic? Is there something going on beneath the pavers that was unforeseen when they were installed? It all seems like a big money pit to me.
He was a nice enough fellow, this potential vendor sitting across the table from me. In fact, he was kind of cute. The last participant of this planned IT meeting was running late, so Cute Vendor and I filled what could have been awkward silence with small talk.
"I see you guys are located in Soulard," I said after glancing at the address on his card, "Lots of great places to eat down there."
"Yeah, I don't mind being Downtown," CV said.
"Soulard," I thought, "is not 'Downtown'."
The more he referred to Soulard as "Downtown" the more irritated I got. The Neighborhood Nazi side of my personality was kicking in, full force...and Cute Vendor became decidedly less cute.
In the scheme of things, I realize his gaffe was no big deal, but I'm of the opinion that what makes the City great is its distinct neighborhoods. We should refer to those neighborhoods by their proper names. In very small, but important ways, respecting those neighborhoods, referring to them by their proper names and not lumping the whole City under the "Downtown" label helps create a sense of belonging for City Dwellers and a sense of place for those visiting our fair City.
"Clayton used to really intimidate me," CV said.
As soon as I heard his words, a huge smile spread across my face. The things & people that I let get to me! Feeling a bit embarassed, I chastised myself for getting worked up over the comments of a man who used to be scared of 5 square blocks of suburbia. I just sat back, feigned interest in the story he was telling and enjoyed his handsome face.
"I see you guys are located in Soulard," I said after glancing at the address on his card, "Lots of great places to eat down there."
"Yeah, I don't mind being Downtown," CV said.
"Soulard," I thought, "is not 'Downtown'."
The more he referred to Soulard as "Downtown" the more irritated I got. The Neighborhood Nazi side of my personality was kicking in, full force...and Cute Vendor became decidedly less cute.
In the scheme of things, I realize his gaffe was no big deal, but I'm of the opinion that what makes the City great is its distinct neighborhoods. We should refer to those neighborhoods by their proper names. In very small, but important ways, respecting those neighborhoods, referring to them by their proper names and not lumping the whole City under the "Downtown" label helps create a sense of belonging for City Dwellers and a sense of place for those visiting our fair City.
"Clayton used to really intimidate me," CV said.
As soon as I heard his words, a huge smile spread across my face. The things & people that I let get to me! Feeling a bit embarassed, I chastised myself for getting worked up over the comments of a man who used to be scared of 5 square blocks of suburbia. I just sat back, feigned interest in the story he was telling and enjoyed his handsome face.
For the last state elections, everyone & everything I've voted for has lost...today, I must admit, it feels good to be on the winning team!
It wasn't looking good for the McCaskill or Amendment 2, so I decided to go to bed around 11. I didn't lose all hope as I drifted off to dreamland. I knew that the City, county and KC area hadn't been counted yet but, I have to admit, I wasn't holding out much hope. I didn't find out the results of the election until I got to work and everyone was talking about how McCaskill won and Amendment 2 had passed.
I'm still amazed at the turnout in our region, and I'm glad that this time around, the urban areas decided they were going to call the shots. I wonder if voters in our most populated areas learned a thing or two about the power of the rural vote in the last elections and didn't want a bloody nose this time around. I'm looking forward to seeing exactly what the turnout was, especially in the City.
Preliminary numbers from the City prove to me that I'm living right where I should. It's a nice feeling knowing that my views and attitudes are held by a majority of city dwellers. That fact definitely instills a deeper sense of community within me.
It wasn't looking good for the McCaskill or Amendment 2, so I decided to go to bed around 11. I didn't lose all hope as I drifted off to dreamland. I knew that the City, county and KC area hadn't been counted yet but, I have to admit, I wasn't holding out much hope. I didn't find out the results of the election until I got to work and everyone was talking about how McCaskill won and Amendment 2 had passed.
I'm still amazed at the turnout in our region, and I'm glad that this time around, the urban areas decided they were going to call the shots. I wonder if voters in our most populated areas learned a thing or two about the power of the rural vote in the last elections and didn't want a bloody nose this time around. I'm looking forward to seeing exactly what the turnout was, especially in the City.
Preliminary numbers from the City prove to me that I'm living right where I should. It's a nice feeling knowing that my views and attitudes are held by a majority of city dwellers. That fact definitely instills a deeper sense of community within me.
There's an RFP out to redesign the expansive dead zone in downtown Saint Louis known as the Gateway Mall. You can view the RFP here (warning: it's a huge file).
The RFP is illustrated with various plans for the mall dating back to 1907. Some are interesting, most are not. There's a plan from the 80s that called for constructing buildings in the mall, eliminating the green space. That's where I'd go with a plan for the Gateway Mall. Downtown doesn't a mile of green space, it needs activity and moving bodies. One interesting suggestion in the RFP was to take the dead wall space of the parking garages across from Kiener Plaza and transforming them into multi-media attractions. I thought that was a clever idea and it could add some life to the place.
I'm looking forward to viewing the submissions...I'm just hoping someone has the guts to build the space out.
The RFP is illustrated with various plans for the mall dating back to 1907. Some are interesting, most are not. There's a plan from the 80s that called for constructing buildings in the mall, eliminating the green space. That's where I'd go with a plan for the Gateway Mall. Downtown doesn't a mile of green space, it needs activity and moving bodies. One interesting suggestion in the RFP was to take the dead wall space of the parking garages across from Kiener Plaza and transforming them into multi-media attractions. I thought that was a clever idea and it could add some life to the place.
I'm looking forward to viewing the submissions...I'm just hoping someone has the guts to build the space out.
I arrived at Buder Elementary at about 8 this morning. With voter ID card in hand, I easily bypassed the 2 men standing in front of the door handing out literature for their respective causes. I'm done with TV ads, mailers and phones calls, gentleman, I know how I'm voting.
An older man was slowly limping his way towards the sign-in table. I walked behind him for a few steps, trying to be polite and all, but the pace was excruciatingly slow, so I passed the elderly man and made my way to the table. The line was surprisingly short. Given all the media hype I expected the gym to be packed with voters, as it has been in the past. Perhaps I just got there before the rush. I waited patiently in the short line, but the the limping old man apparently had someplace else to be. When he finally reached his destination, he cut in front of me in line. Ah, the privileges of age.
When I reached the front of my particular line, I presented my ID card, signed the book and told the judge that I would like to vote electronically, please. Here's where I get frustrated. It's not with the voting machines, I actually found them quite user friendly and very easy to use. I got frustrated with my fellow voters.
Perhaps it's because I'm not really all that intimidated by technology, maybe it was a generational thing, or maybe it's because I read the ballot beforehand and knew how I was going to vote on each issue, but COME ON, it should not take you upwards of 15 minutes to cast a ballot! There were 3 electronic machines in use, and all of them were being used by...morons? Slow readers? Dolts? Careful voters? Whichever label I assigned to the 3 voters, I was still getting frustrated. People who decided to do a paper ballot and sat down at the same time I got in line for the electronic machine were finishing up their ballots before I even had a chance to vote!
I know, I know, in the scheme of things it's not that big of a deal...but all you had to do was press a button! Anyway, despite that minor frustration I found the poll workers helpful and friendly.
Ever since I've been a city resident, I feel a strong desire to be a part of the democratic process. I don't know what changed when I moved to St. Louis, perhaps I realized that I had a say in how our City is run, etc. etc., but I feel a responsibility to vote, and I vote during every election, big or small.
If you haven't yet, I urge you to vote. Especially this year, each vote will count. Good luck!
An older man was slowly limping his way towards the sign-in table. I walked behind him for a few steps, trying to be polite and all, but the pace was excruciatingly slow, so I passed the elderly man and made my way to the table. The line was surprisingly short. Given all the media hype I expected the gym to be packed with voters, as it has been in the past. Perhaps I just got there before the rush. I waited patiently in the short line, but the the limping old man apparently had someplace else to be. When he finally reached his destination, he cut in front of me in line. Ah, the privileges of age.
When I reached the front of my particular line, I presented my ID card, signed the book and told the judge that I would like to vote electronically, please. Here's where I get frustrated. It's not with the voting machines, I actually found them quite user friendly and very easy to use. I got frustrated with my fellow voters.
Perhaps it's because I'm not really all that intimidated by technology, maybe it was a generational thing, or maybe it's because I read the ballot beforehand and knew how I was going to vote on each issue, but COME ON, it should not take you upwards of 15 minutes to cast a ballot! There were 3 electronic machines in use, and all of them were being used by...morons? Slow readers? Dolts? Careful voters? Whichever label I assigned to the 3 voters, I was still getting frustrated. People who decided to do a paper ballot and sat down at the same time I got in line for the electronic machine were finishing up their ballots before I even had a chance to vote!
I know, I know, in the scheme of things it's not that big of a deal...but all you had to do was press a button! Anyway, despite that minor frustration I found the poll workers helpful and friendly.
Ever since I've been a city resident, I feel a strong desire to be a part of the democratic process. I don't know what changed when I moved to St. Louis, perhaps I realized that I had a say in how our City is run, etc. etc., but I feel a responsibility to vote, and I vote during every election, big or small.
If you haven't yet, I urge you to vote. Especially this year, each vote will count. Good luck!
A baby blue, rust covered pick-up truck, its flatbed full of other people's trash, slowly cruises down the alley. It rolls to a stop in front of a dumpster. What makes the dumpster the tired old truck parked in front of any more special than the 5 it just passed is unclear, but something about this particular container calls to the driver inside.
A scruffy looking man exits the vehicle. He moves towards the dumpster and props the lid open with a piece of trash he scavenged from inside the large, brown metal box labeled "No Yard Waste". With the lid secure, he begins his search. Pushing aside trash bags full of rotting table scraps, he finds something that catches his eye. It's a metal pipe. He throws it into his flatbed, which isn't full of "trash", but overflowing with metal objects of varying shapes and sizes. The man continues to sift through the dumpster but comes up empty and he decides it's time to move on. He looks over his shoulder, eyes the rusting bounty that weighs down his truck, and enters the vehicle. A minute or two later and he's gone.
Alley Scavengers. I'm sure most City dwellers have seen them. I often wonder why these people collect the things they do. The metal I can sort of understand, there's probably some monetary value to the metal, but how much could you really get for a load of trash? Other scavengers are interested in the more personal trash...small trinkets, household decorations pulled from trash bags, stained clothing. Some of the scavengers look a bit scarier than others. Some offer you a smile, most don't...some even scavenge in the rain with the only protection from a downpour being a plastic Target bag pulled over the head. I sometimes ask myself if these people are doing something illegal, or are they just harmless souls looking for comfort in someone else's discarded treasures.
The Alley Scavengers, perhaps there's no reason for me to feel sorry for them, but sometimes...I guess I just can't help it.
A scruffy looking man exits the vehicle. He moves towards the dumpster and props the lid open with a piece of trash he scavenged from inside the large, brown metal box labeled "No Yard Waste". With the lid secure, he begins his search. Pushing aside trash bags full of rotting table scraps, he finds something that catches his eye. It's a metal pipe. He throws it into his flatbed, which isn't full of "trash", but overflowing with metal objects of varying shapes and sizes. The man continues to sift through the dumpster but comes up empty and he decides it's time to move on. He looks over his shoulder, eyes the rusting bounty that weighs down his truck, and enters the vehicle. A minute or two later and he's gone.
Alley Scavengers. I'm sure most City dwellers have seen them. I often wonder why these people collect the things they do. The metal I can sort of understand, there's probably some monetary value to the metal, but how much could you really get for a load of trash? Other scavengers are interested in the more personal trash...small trinkets, household decorations pulled from trash bags, stained clothing. Some of the scavengers look a bit scarier than others. Some offer you a smile, most don't...some even scavenge in the rain with the only protection from a downpour being a plastic Target bag pulled over the head. I sometimes ask myself if these people are doing something illegal, or are they just harmless souls looking for comfort in someone else's discarded treasures.
The Alley Scavengers, perhaps there's no reason for me to feel sorry for them, but sometimes...I guess I just can't help it.
Thanks to the 15thWardSTL web site, I've learned that the South Grand Community Improvement District has launched a new web site at http://www.southgrand.org/ It's a professional and comprehensive web site and should help to promote South Grand to the world outside of South City.
I have to admit, I love the South Grand area, but I don't get there enough. My first trip to the South City Diner was just this past summer, and I've been a city dweller for 2 years! I think I can be forgiven though, I was spending most of my time devouring the spring rolls at Pho Grand and couldn't really be bothered with diner food!
I'd like to see "South Grand" extend beyond Utah someday. Gravois and Grand has such potential. With the South Side National Bank being converted into condos, I think now is the time to give this busy intersection the attention it deserves.
I have to admit, I love the South Grand area, but I don't get there enough. My first trip to the South City Diner was just this past summer, and I've been a city dweller for 2 years! I think I can be forgiven though, I was spending most of my time devouring the spring rolls at Pho Grand and couldn't really be bothered with diner food!
I'd like to see "South Grand" extend beyond Utah someday. Gravois and Grand has such potential. With the South Side National Bank being converted into condos, I think now is the time to give this busy intersection the attention it deserves.
Today, the Compton Hill Water Tower in South St. Louis was open to the public and I took full advantage of the rare opportunity. I'm not going to go into the history of this gorgeous water tower, you can read all about that by clicking on the link above.
$5.00 was the price of admission, and 198 steps later, I was soaring above Grand Avenue and taking in the view. The thing that struck me most was the amount of trees St. Louis has. Despite being in the middle of an urban city, at the top of the tower I almost felt like I was looking out on a provincial town in Europe. This picture illustrates my point:
Despite the dreary day, the fall color of the City was amazing, especially from above, and you could see for miles. Looking south, you took in Grand, the South Side National Bank, and beyond that the JB Bridge in South County, it was really beautiful.
I urge anyone thinking about taking a tour of the water tower to do it the next time they open it up, but even if it's not open, stop by the water tower & park. St. Louis is lucky to have 3 of these gorgeous water towers and they are all worth seeing in person.
I've posted more pictures of my excursion on my flickr site.
$5.00 was the price of admission, and 198 steps later, I was soaring above Grand Avenue and taking in the view. The thing that struck me most was the amount of trees St. Louis has. Despite being in the middle of an urban city, at the top of the tower I almost felt like I was looking out on a provincial town in Europe. This picture illustrates my point:
Despite the dreary day, the fall color of the City was amazing, especially from above, and you could see for miles. Looking south, you took in Grand, the South Side National Bank, and beyond that the JB Bridge in South County, it was really beautiful.
I urge anyone thinking about taking a tour of the water tower to do it the next time they open it up, but even if it's not open, stop by the water tower & park. St. Louis is lucky to have 3 of these gorgeous water towers and they are all worth seeing in person.
I've posted more pictures of my excursion on my flickr site.
For the past 2 years, the intersection of Macklind and Murdoch was home to a vacant dry cleaners. Stop by that same intersection today and you probably won't recognize the place.
The Southampton neighborhood is now home to a cozy new cafe named the Murdoch Perk. I'm absolutely in love with this place and it's the exact reason why I moved to the City. Having a place like this so close to my house is a definite perk for me and I hope more businesses like the Murdoch Perk open up along the burgeoning Macklind Avenue. It's such a pleasure to be able to step out of my house, take a quick walk and within 5 minutes have a warm & inviting, locally owned business, cater to me with bright smiles. How often do you get that at a Starbucks or McDonalds?
I was so impressed with the Murdoch Perk that I offered to donate my design & marketing services to them. It's so important to me to support the businesses in the neighborhood and I felt if I could help them out, I'd be doing the neighborhood and myself a huge service.
So, if you ever find yourself in my beautiful south side neighborhood, check out one of the shops and restaurants along Macklind Avenue. Who knows, you might just be helping South City's next hub of retail activity take off.
The Southampton neighborhood is now home to a cozy new cafe named the Murdoch Perk. I'm absolutely in love with this place and it's the exact reason why I moved to the City. Having a place like this so close to my house is a definite perk for me and I hope more businesses like the Murdoch Perk open up along the burgeoning Macklind Avenue. It's such a pleasure to be able to step out of my house, take a quick walk and within 5 minutes have a warm & inviting, locally owned business, cater to me with bright smiles. How often do you get that at a Starbucks or McDonalds?
I was so impressed with the Murdoch Perk that I offered to donate my design & marketing services to them. It's so important to me to support the businesses in the neighborhood and I felt if I could help them out, I'd be doing the neighborhood and myself a huge service.
So, if you ever find yourself in my beautiful south side neighborhood, check out one of the shops and restaurants along Macklind Avenue. Who knows, you might just be helping South City's next hub of retail activity take off.
I've lived in the City for a little over 2 years now and I have to say that this year's autumn is turning into the most colorful so far. Initially, I was a little let down by what looked like a lackluster year for fall color. I went to the Botanical Garden last Saturday to photograph some fall color, but I found the garden surprisingly devoid of the fiery color I was hoping for.
Fortunately, Tower Grove Park never fails to impress. The park was absolutely bathed in gold tones. The sun shone through the leaves and groves of trees lit up as if on fire. Even the trees in my quiet little part of Southampton are itching to get into the fun. Entire streets have been transformed into golden tunnels of leaves and tree branches.
Do yourself a favor, take time out to enjoy the sights of a City preparing for winter, it's an amazing sight.
Fortunately, Tower Grove Park never fails to impress. The park was absolutely bathed in gold tones. The sun shone through the leaves and groves of trees lit up as if on fire. Even the trees in my quiet little part of Southampton are itching to get into the fun. Entire streets have been transformed into golden tunnels of leaves and tree branches.
Do yourself a favor, take time out to enjoy the sights of a City preparing for winter, it's an amazing sight.
Hello, Saint Louis! Brick City is back, and just in time!
It's been a mixed week for my favorite schizophrenic city. She celebrated the Cardinals winning the World Series in a big way (thank God it's over), but the very next day, she had the "America's Most Dangerous City" sticker slapped on her ass. Yes, my return is timely and needed!
And what better time to start celebrating Saint Louis than in the fall, when she's busting out with color! I don't know about yours, but my block has been transformed into a tunnel of color filled with shades of gold and red, it's stunning.
Halloween was a blast! The block just to the east of me take their Halloween very seriously. It seemed as if every other house was not only decorated for Halloween, but animated with flashing lights and smoke. A few homes even had small tents set up, it was hilarious. One thing I can say about City folk, they don't pull punches when it's time to decorate for the holiday's...or the not so holiday holiday's. You gotta love Saint Louis.
Dear reader, we have tons to catch up on. I know it feels like we've been seperated for a long time, but I assure you that you will be up to date soon. The hiatus I went on in June was needed and welcomed, but I'm ready to write and explore the City with you once again.
So, I'm back!...if anybody's still reading...
It's been a mixed week for my favorite schizophrenic city. She celebrated the Cardinals winning the World Series in a big way (thank God it's over), but the very next day, she had the "America's Most Dangerous City" sticker slapped on her ass. Yes, my return is timely and needed!
And what better time to start celebrating Saint Louis than in the fall, when she's busting out with color! I don't know about yours, but my block has been transformed into a tunnel of color filled with shades of gold and red, it's stunning.
Halloween was a blast! The block just to the east of me take their Halloween very seriously. It seemed as if every other house was not only decorated for Halloween, but animated with flashing lights and smoke. A few homes even had small tents set up, it was hilarious. One thing I can say about City folk, they don't pull punches when it's time to decorate for the holiday's...or the not so holiday holiday's. You gotta love Saint Louis.
Dear reader, we have tons to catch up on. I know it feels like we've been seperated for a long time, but I assure you that you will be up to date soon. The hiatus I went on in June was needed and welcomed, but I'm ready to write and explore the City with you once again.
So, I'm back!...if anybody's still reading...