52nd City: June 2006

Building Arts Foundation: Flickr-ing

The St. Louis Building Arts Foundation is now adding some shots to flickr. Though it's a modest collection right now, a couple new images were added in the last two days. Looking forward to many more.

STL Writer's Workshop: New Site, Classes

Over the past few years, I've taken a couple of workshops through the St. Louis Writers Workshop. (I found both of them to be helpful, though I'll confess that as a somewhat-reticent-to-read-in-public guy, the otherwise female-only class makeups were, um, interesting.) The winning combination of a tune-up with two former instructors and my long and abiding love of tea, makes think that an upcoming, one-day workshop in a couple disciplines might be worth a look-see.

The STLWW website has been updated and given a fresh look. Click through to the site for the full info, but here's a short version of the single-day, The Right to Write workshop, coming up on July 23. And, yes, tea is involved.

Sunday, July 23, 2006
at Rainbow Village/Neve Shalom
1240 Dautel Ln.
Creve Coeur, Missouri 63146

Join us for a full day of writing, talking about writing, sharing writing, meeting writers, finding the writer within...

and

tea making for creativity
meditation as spiritual preparation for writing
music to release the deep story

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Adults sign up for any two of these one-hour sessions:

TALKING POETRY with Rabbi James Stone Goodman

CHAPTER ONE AND BEYOND with Denise Pattiz Bogard

TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT with Julie Earhart

THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH with Kathleen Finneran

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Teens (incoming 6th through 12th) sign up for:
(session runs two hours)

TEENS WHO WRITE with Seema Mukhi

QuikTrip Opposition in Clifton Heights

I attended my first Clifton Heights Neighborhood Association meeting last night. I have officially lived in the neighborhood since Friday night. I wanted to find out what is going on with QuikTrip’s efforts to locate at the corner of Hampton and Columbia, an effort I oppose. It was pretty clear that the other 100+ people in attendance were in agreement. Ballots were cast and then we listened to lengthy speeches by4th District State Senate candidates Jeff Smith and Derio Gambaro while votes were counted. Then 24th Ward Alderman Bill Waterhouse spoke and it was soon thereafter that things turned a little tense. He had received 250 signatures from folks in the neighborhood who supported the QuikTrip. He didn’t even know who had conducted the petition, but several attendees claimed that they had been approached over the weekend by someone claiming to be from the alderman’s office inquiring if they were for or against the store. The alderman claimed no one from his office had been sent to do this. Murmurs…suspicion…things were really starting to boil…especially after it was suggested that we void the vote and instead conduct a petition in opposition. Things got really chaotic after that. The people demanded to know the results of the vote: 6 for and 100 against QuikTrip.

"Everything Alternative"

This note is admittedly coming from a shame-faced fan of Korn and Linkin Park, but... 105.7 the Point has gotten a lot better in the last month, with the addition of the "shuffle" format that stations all over the country are adopting to counteract the iPod phenomenon. Opening up the playlist, which had been in the typical radio range of 50-100 songs played ad nauseum, the rock station has widened its rotation to include some acts and tracks that had been out of favor. In recent days, I've heard little-heard cuts from Fugazi and Faith No More, as well as KSHE faves like Metallica and Guns n' Roses. Admittedly, the station's "alternative" definition doesn't include something really outre like Gogol Bordello, but it's moving in a more-listenable direction.

Again, even this new mixutre isn't going to be to everyone's taste, but as someone who shies away from KDHX during the shows devoted to Eskimo music, it's a nice thought that some rock beyond Creed and Coldplay are avialable via the local dial.

Now if they'd just play some Sleater Kinney...

Bastille Day Trivia/"Faith" Issue Release

Though Bastille Day is traditionally associated more with the loss of one's head (at least if you are a monarch) rather than the use of one's head, we here at 52nd City have decided to be contrary. We're throwing a Bastille Day trivia night/2nd issue release party at Mad Art Gallery (2727 12th St.) on Friday, July 14. We'll post details as we have 'em. Price is the usual - $10 a head, or $100 a table. To clarify, showing up for trivia doesn't mean you are obliged to buy a mag - and if you'd like to come down and see the new issue right off the presses, there's no obligation to play trivia.

If you do want to play trivia, we are taking table reservations right now, so email us post-haste and let us know that you'd like to come play (all proceeds, as always, go to the production of our little mag). We may not have fireworks, champagne and the Tour de France like they do in Paris, but it should be a fun time. And if you've been on the edge of your seat waiting for our second issue (themed "Faith") this will be the first place to get your hands on it.

The Mad Russian

Ran into former "World Wide Magazine" star and radio jock Vladimir "The Mad Russian" Noskov outside of Saleem's last night. He mentioned that his deportment hearing would be held this Tuesday, with a district immigration judge coming in from Nawlins to handle the proceedings.

If you wish to burn sage, one way or the other, regarding this case: now's the time.

"Midwestern Goodness"

Stumbled across a site called MidwesternGoodness today that's quite enjoyable, and definitely a kindred spirit with 52nd City. In fact, they mention St. Louis on their "about us" page:

"MidwesternGoodness is based upon the principle of 'reppin where you’re from.' For far too long, the midwest has grown and cultivated talented people and groups from St.Louis to Cleveland, but then passed those individuals on to other regions. This site is about having pride in where we come from and developing our culture whether its the cornfields or the city. The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter where we come from in the midwest, it’s all goodness."

There's too much Chi-town in there for my taste, but I guess I'm sort of an extremist when it comes to boosting the Lou. I still say to them: Rock on!

Will Rock for Food

Last year, the following event took place at that cute, little, VFW Post over on Big Bend, you know, the one with the decommissioned cannon outside. I specifically remember three things: Father Mike Lydon of St. Pius introduced himself to me, though we'd met at least 15 times prior; the bass player of the band Fance was wearing a human-sized banana outfit, to tremendous comedic effect; and I brought cans of food purchased at Jay International, suggesting that someone eventually found a can of really weird beans at the St. Louis Foodbank.

Three things stand out for me from this year's event notice: there will not be a cannon outside of the venue; the drummer of Johnny O & the Jerks was in a writing class of mine at Webster this past semester, how awkward that will be for all of us; and everything in the world is happening this Saturday, June 24, one busy, busy night of activities.

Here's the word from Maplehood Rekkids:

SATURDAY, JUNE 24
@ the Focal Point in maplewood
WILL ROCK FOR FOOD III
this time, it's personal

Featuring performances by
The Aquatic Record
Corbeta Corbata
Gentleman Auction House
Johnny O & the Jerks
The Monads
doors at 7pm
all ages welcome
$5 w/2 cans, $9 w/none

THIS IS A BENEFIT SHOW FOR THE ST LOUIS AREA FOODBANK --
all proceeds from the door & from merch sales will go to the foodbank!
for more information, see www.maplehood-rekkids.com.

BFA Show this Weekend

Been meaning to toss this onto the web for AGES now, but a note from Brett Underwood reminds me to slap it up. Also, look for a feature on the same topic, written by yours truly, in the current edition of Playback.

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Get Your B.F.A.
Bad Folk announces the first-ever Bad Folk Art show at two venues on
Cherokee Street, June 23-25, 2006.

The show opens Friday, 6/23 at the Typo Gallery at 3159 Cherokee (at
Compton) from 7-10 PM. This space is the former Way Out Club as well
as the lobby of the Tin Ceiling Theatre. Art show hours continue through
Saturday and Sunday, 6-9PM.

Radio Cherokee will host the musical components of the show. A
performance on by Bad Folk will take place at 9PM on Saturday, 6/24.
Harmony Band
and Arthur Dodge will both play sets to open the show.

On Sunday, 6/25, Sherman S. Sherman will be joined by a cast of local
musicians to debut "Peck Of Dirt", his solo project. Sherman was
formerly in the Good Griefs and Fred's Variety Group. This show will start
at 8 PM.

Radio Cherokee is located at 3227 Cherokee (at Virginia) and it should be noted that this space will close its doors this summer in order that the owners may concentrate on their other endeavors along St. Louis' most diverse and art-active streets.

Come get your BFA. For additional information, see the website
www.badfolkbybadfolk.com or e-mail questions to
Tim@badfolkbybadfolk.com.

P.S. Bad Folk will also play Saturday, July 1 at Mangia Italiano.

Water, Water Everywhere

Next time you’re bored and broke or just need a little taste of the absurd, take a short drive.

Hiding in a pocket a bit northeast of the industrial wasteland and neighborhood called Marine Villa is a most remarkable home. I demanded the driver pull over in front of the house, allowing me a few moments to absorb the whole scene.

The house was on the smaller side, single story and sitting up on a low hill. The structure was ordinary. But, there was a fountain built into the sloping lawn. Lighted and huge, the fountain was the size and sort one sees outside large office buildings, only this one was someone’s front yard decoration. Water pumped, jumped and fell, creating a racket plenty loud to be heard through closed car windows.

As an added bonus, the entire interior of the home glowed a fluorescent turquoise color. The blue light poured out every window, outlining the people moving about within and illuminating their eclectic stuff- inside and out.

Directions are approximately thus: Go Chippewa past Broadway to Marine and turn right. The first left is Cahokia. As you follow Cahokia, it’ll force you left onto Kosciusko Street. Watch on your left for the house with the gargantuan fountain. Alas, no street number but it’ll be tough to miss.

Jenna Fischer & "Celebrities"

I don't know Jenna Fischer, a St. Louis native, popular character actress and screenwriter, wife to novelist and screenwriter James Gunn, and graduate of Nerinx Hall High School. But I'm only a generation removed, as every sixth person I know does have some connection to her. So...

I may as well root for Fischer when she appears on "Celebrity Poker Showdown," this coming Wednesday night. The curiously popular gameshow will feature Fischer against four other competitors: Rocco DiSpirito, Mario Cantone, Keegan-Michael Ray and Jordan Peele. Though I'm unsure who three of those human beings are, I'm sure they're on the highest levels of notoriety and are just somehow unknown to me. (As for Rocco DiSpirito, I confess to a one-time, guilty addiction to the quickly-axed reality show "The Restaurant.")

You can get details on the "Showdown" at bravotv.com, though my machine was repeatedly locked-up when visiting the site, so use your own best judgement on that site surf.

Goin' to the Liquor Store

Should everyone be vlogging? Really? These are the questions that I find myself asking almost daily in June, 2006. Why, just today, I was sent the following note from www.stlhiphop.com:

A few werdz from our sponsor: Beer Run
http://www.youtube.com/v/mH1D8CjcRJI
It was a dark and stormy night when b-gyrl & Willaka Pimpjuice went on
a beer run on a mission to hit every liquor store in the Lou, buying
and consuming a drink each time, needless to say they were f'kd up by the
time they got to the home of pig feets & pickled eggs.

Bibbs. Wrestling. Ovah.

South Broadway Athletic Club bad boy and local favorite wrestler Mr. Bibbs will be sitting out the next year's worth of matches.

While defending the MMWA-SICW Heavyweight Title against Jerome Cody during the May show, Mr. Bibbs sustained yet another back injury. Assuming the pain was just another addition to the long list of injuries he's sustained during his professional wrestling career (see the inaugural print edition of 52nd City) Mr. Bibbs planned on a few months out of the ring to recuperate.

Well rasslin' fans, he's more hurt than originally thought. Tests reveal a bulging disc in the lower part of his back, requiring an extended rehabilitation and possible retirement from the sport.

In the words of Mr. Bibbs himself, “You can’t fake gravity.”

The Cabin Inn's Future

Here's the latest on the Cabin Inn's condition, compliments of the ubiquitous "source close to the situation":

The Cabin Inn -- which now sports an expanded inside seating area, a rebuilt patio, an adjacent bathroom, and air conditioning -- has begun keeping the same closing hours as City Museum. And it will now open at noon. Abbie Grigaitis and her family (operators and heirs of the Pop's Blue Moon) will continue to run the Cabin.

Abbie herself plans to work through July, then take some time off to have her baby.

Bob has not decided decided anything about a post-Abbie Cabin. In past incarnations it has been a petting zoo, an ice cream parlor, a beer-and-wine bar, and (until this week) a full bar.

Smoking in the bar disappeared about six months ago when Abbie got pregnant. Hard liquor disappeared this week. Given the number of kids who hang out there and Abbie's "delicate condition", those are probably both good things. The smoke load was significant and the liquor hauling in a bar with no storage was tedious.

The reduced night hours and longer day hours mean that two semi-regular non-Abbie family members who worked nights -- Andy (ex-of Tangerine) and Michelle (ex-of Tap Room) -- are looking for new jobs.

Cine16 on Thursday

One, Rather Disassociated Cross

Just inside the eastern entrance to the Schnuck's "on the Hill" is the Cross from St. Aloysius Church. Assumedly, this was the primary one from behind the altar, though by the time I'd first walked into the place, the old building had been stripped to the studs. A large sign next to the piece only says that the Cross is on display at Schnuck's through August, as a gift from Scott Schnuck and Bellon Wrecking.

Whatever the positive motivations behind the move... this is one WEIRD sight. Yeesh.

Filmmaker Alan Zweig in STL

Documentarian Alan Zweig will be in town tomorrow night, answering questions about his film "I, Curmudgeon," which is described by the Webster U Film Series this way: "Harvey Pekar, Fran Lebowitz, Andy Rooney, and a cadre of notable grouches populate the latest film from Canadian director Alan Zweig. Getting to the bottom of their skewed perspectives proves challenging in this amusing and though-provoking film by the equally downbeat Zweig. Again combining the personal with the universal, Zweig digs deep into the nature of malcontents in a film that Eye Weekly called 'A testament to the power of negative thinking.'"

(Does this sound like anyone you know? I've got an idea, or two, of people who should be at this one... if not in this one.)

Another Zweig film, "Vinyl" will screen at the Winifred Moore Auditorium tonight, with "I, Curmudgeon," on Saturday and Sunday. Click here for more info.

"Throttle"

We were curious enough when a club called The Feisty Bulldog laid claim to a corner of cyberspace, as well as the old Spot venue in the Grove. Now we're even more perplexed by the arrival of Throttle, an affiliated room, it appears. The new Throttle will be opening later this month, featuring an appearance by Don Vito, the wacky uncle from MTV's overexposed "Viva La Bam."

We'll go, though we'd have been more excited by a celebrity hosting stint by Butch "Eddie Munster" Patrick.

World Cup Fever

There seems to be an article in today's Post-Dispatch about different places around town to catch the world's greatest sporting event, the World Cup. My new pals in AC Grassi have also sent along a link to a web resource that'll make traveling so much easier, at least for those who keep futbol in mind when bags are packed:

http://www.soccerbars.com/modules/soccerbars/

Included are some STL venues, though far from enough.

It's nice when the world wide web is used for good, rather than ill.

Some Things Don't Happen In Ladue

Saturday morning. 6:52. Shop n Save at the corner of Bamberger and Gravois.

I stood in the express line, paying for 80 pounds of ice as two women, a little worse for the wear, placed a Snickers bar and a 2 liter orange soda on the belt behind me. One of the women draped her arms around the other’s shoulders and buried a slurry face into her friend’s neck. She just sort of hung on there.

A well-built man wearing a security uniform approached from the opposite end of the check out lane. Having placed himself in the narrow channel, he edged closer to the pair while boxing me into an inescapable holding pattern. He spoke with a slight accent that I took to be African.

His stance made it clear that he meant business with these women as he demanded, “Is she drunk?” The clinger didn’t budge and her friend pretended not to understand. Security Man changed his wording, but not his tone, “Has she been drinking?” As the de facto spokeswoman for the duo, the one not obviously hammered challenged back. “Beer.” (This was spoken with two syllables and a jutting chin.)

“You don’t come in this store drunk! You got to leave! We don’t have drunks in here! Get out now!” As the man in blue fired off these admonishments, he physically pinned me to the check writing stand in an effort to reach the Snickers/Fanta/Beer ladies. The cashier finally called his attention to my immobility and he let me and my ice pass.

A full on verbal brawl ensued, overflowed into the parking lot and included more beautifully inflected insults from the guard (perhaps he was Caribbean?) and threats of physical harm from the now free standing drunk. It culminated in her throwing her cell phone at him to make calling the police easier and then wavering across the blacktop with a final directive expletive.

Mercy, I love the South Side.

R'n'R Crafts

To amplify Stefene's previous post... I wound up at the Rock and Roll Craft Show twice over the weekend, including a rather-packed Sunday afternoon visit. Bought a few things, but anticipate (ugh! money!) buying more from several folks in coming months and years. So, in thecommonspace.org style, here are some links:

Dan Zettwoch

Mardou

Justin Visnesky

Dinosaur Kewpies (no link! oh!)

Snowflake

David Early, proprietor of Radio Cherokee, has officially opened his new shop, Snowflake, across from Fort Gondo. They'll be open on Saturdays 'til two, and during art opening nights for Gondo, Beverly and Art Parts. I found out too late to stop in today but plan on stopping in as soon as I'm able.

Also excellent: the Rock & Roll Crafts Show. If you didn't make it today definitely stop by tomorrow, especially if you have a birthday, baby shower or graduation present to pick up. I was happy to find a little baby gift for a friend of mine who became a mama on Friday, utterly relieved I didn't have to go into the diabolical Babies 'R' Us, with all the tiny Real Tree-patterened sun hats and Baby Einstein tapes and boppies and $1,000 strollers ...

Cuban Food, Haircuts, Mixey-Mixey

I think it's fairly well-known by now that two topics that I feel passionately about are: Cuban food and progressive hair design. This almost goes without saying. So, it's intriguing that this e-mail (which includes the phrase "open bar") lands in my in-box, compliments of the one-and-only Dwight Carter:

Rockuniform, V-Vegaz and Mirasol join together to launch Stylin Industry Night.

Stylin' Industry night will be every Sunday starting with the Kickoff on June 4th! There will be an open bar from 9-10 sponsored by V-Vegaz. The rest of the night will be happy hour prices on beer and selected specialty drinks. There will be a small fashion show early in the night featuring a local designer. 'Stylin' was created to recognize the professionals who create style and glamour. Salons and stylist will get a chance to mingle with others in their industry. Salons, students, magazine stylists, product reps and make-up artists will be invited.

Dwight Carter, founder of Rockuniform, started his PR firm after organizing a designer contest for Fash-n-Bash at the Pageant in October, 2005. Since then, Dwight has been involved in Hairball and Venus Envy in addition to several trunk shows and charity events. Dwight signed on his first two clients, Mirasol and V-Vegaz, in March. You can also see him as a personal shopper at Ziezo in the U-City Loop!

V-Vegaz (6174 Delmar, St. Louis MO 63112), though best known for their skill with curly hair, have also mastered the art of cut, color and extensions. Their stylists have worked with local and national celebrities in the world of print, television and fashion design. Opened in August of 2005, V-Vegaz has been featured in several local magazines, as well as fashion and hair shows such as Fash n Bash and Hairball. V-Vegaz provides a progressive salon experience with vintage decor and energetic tunes to stimulate your senses. Future plans include a trip to Amsterdam for the World Hair Competition in November.

Mirasol (6144 Delmar, St. Louis, MO 63112) captures the unique flavors of Cuba, Central and South America with their fabulous dishes. This Loop restaurant also offers a tasty range of cocktails to compliment the exotic flavors delivered up by the kitchen. Mirasol has been featured in Sauce, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, and Alive Magazine. With their recent expansion, they now offer a private dining room that is perfect for parties, corporate events and rehearsal dinners.

Please RSVP your name and company to Dwight @ Dwight@rockuniform.com. Deadline is June 2nd.

Natural Expansion

Sweet potato chips. What's better? And where can I get them?

For years, the Natural Fact Deli on Big Bend has been my source for these particular gems as well as a huge menu of vegetarian, healthy and hand made options.

Imagine the disappointment and surprise as I rolled up for a grip of SPC's today and found patio tables blocking the entrance. A huge sign announced the restaurant's imminent move to a new "bigger and better" location in downtown Webster Groves at 20 Allen. (Around the corner from CJ Muggs.)

Owner Kevin Loida promises the same award-winning menu, a planned beer and wine license, later hours and live music. After final inspecions wrap up this week, he hopes to have the new digs open next Friday.

To avoid any possible sweet potato chip let down, I'd give a call first to make certain A) they're open and B) some crazy lady didn't buy them all in some sort of agitated fit.

Natural Fact Deli
314.961.2442