52nd City: November 2006

Gavin Tartowski Signs On

For those of you familiar with the film "A. (anonymous)," no introduction of Gavin Tartowski will be needed. Those unfamiliar should head to his website, www.myspace.com/gavin_tartowski, though we'd note that you should adjust your computer's volume, as you'll be greeted by a blast of pure, pop bliss in the form of the Tight Pants Syndrome's "Your Buzz is Safe with Me."

Okay, so back to Gavin.

He'll be hosting the 52nd City Variety Show at the Independent Art Market on Friday, December 8. Several august St. Louisans will be taking part, dispensing their talents in equal measure. (I, for example, will be reading a book about whorehouses in 19th century St. Louis. Really. Chris King, meanwhile, will dust off his kid's finger puppets for an abridged reading of "Hamlet." Really.) Despite Gavin's coming aboard, we note that several slots are still available and we'd love to fill them with you. Or your accordian-playing twin brother.

Gavin's also promising "audience interaction," so please, you are warned.

Toys and Martinis

I've seen the Malt Shop toysellers at Soulard Market a few times over the summer and fall, never stopping to take in their wares since, well, I don't really need any more toys in my life, at the moment. But some of you may. A friend passes along a note that Malt Shop will have a sale upcoming at Molly's, the longtime Soulard hippie hang that's become a yuppie drink emporium a couple years back. Could be interesting. And if you can't make it... of course! They're on Myspace.

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Don’t miss Malt Shop Toy Co.’s TOYSTOCK 2006!

MOLLY’S in Soulard (9th & Geyer) UPSTAIRS!
SUNDAY DECEMBER 3rd
1-5 pm

FREE STYLEE STOCKING w/$10 purchase (while supplies last)

This is the Malt Shop’s last event planned for 2006. It will be a great way to “stock up” on toys, see old friends, make new ones, and have some drink specials! I really hope you all can make it and PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS…

I really hope to see you all come out…This event it’ll make for a fun drunken Sunday afternoon with plenty of toys to go around. If I haven’t seen you in a while, please stop by and say hello… I miss you!

Be sure to check out www.myspace.com/maltshoptoys.

Much thanks and peace,

Howard Schwartz

Malt Shop Toy Co.

Gondolfi for Alderman

Well, well. Having heard some vague rumors to this effect, it wasn't a complete surprise to see that Galen Gondolfi's emerged as an officially announced candidate for the Aldermanic seat in the 20th Ward. (This press release was posted on the archcitychronicle.com site earlier today.) Though I've had pretty good dealings with longtime officeholder Craig Schmid, it's hard not to be intrigued by the possibilities offered up by Gondolfi, one of the key forces in making the Cherokee/Compton arts zone a going/evolving concern.

Below is the text of the message signalling his intent:

(St. Louis) – Community activist Galen Gondolfi is entering the race for alderman of the 20th Ward. Filing Monday at the St. Louis Board of Elections, Gondolfi made official his intention of seeking the post in the March 6, 2007 primary election.

Gondolfi's platform prioritizes affordable housing preservation, small business development and resident participation as critical issues facing the ward. As former president of the Benton Park West Neighborhood Association, Gondolfi is a seasoned community activist with an emphasis on "participatory politics." A Senior Loan Counselor with the local non-profit Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation, Gondolfi links first-time home owners and small business people with local, state and federal resources.

"The ward's greatest assets are its residents," declares Gondolfi. "We need an alderperson who not only listens to our residents, but acts on their behalf."

Gondolfi's campaign committee is co-chaired by Glenn Burleigh and Lizzie Kucharski, with Amber Dover serving as treasurer. The 20th Ward includes, in part, the neighborhoods of Gravois Park, Dutchtown, Marine Villa and Benton Park West.

North City Postcards

If you've not yet seen Claire Nowak-Boyd's Postcards from North St. Louis, well, it is eye candy of the best sort. If it were real candy, it would have vitamins and minerals, it wouldn't be a source of empty calories at all. The aim is to present upbeat, quirky, colorful images of the Northside at large. The Hyde Park mural is one of my favorites, also the newly-posted silhouette painting of a car mechanic on the side of Clemons Auto Repair.

Where You'll Find Us ...

For those who walk through the valley of moderation between Buy Nothing Day and the brain-eating zombie frenzy of post-Thanksgiving mall shopping, there is an entity known as The Rock & Roll Crafts Show, which will take place this weekend at Mad Art Gallery (2727 S. 12th Street). We will have mags there, including three-fers of all past issues, bundled at a kerraaazzy low price. Many Southside compatriots, including Marie Oberkirsch and Peat Wollaeger, will also be in attendance & selling their wares. From sweet little baby dresses made from old embroidered pillowslips to punky journnals made from old books, it's a large spread of merch, price-wise and sensibility-wise. Hell, there is even stuff there that's worthy of office Secret Santa, if you really want to make someone's day ... buy them some pirate stickers instead of Dr. Pepper-and-rum flavored lipbalm from Deals.

If The Key Fits

On Arsenal, just a few steps away from what was formerly Alibi's (and prior to that, the Bavarian Inn) there's an unassuming little lock shop, US Lock. I've driven past it lots of times and didn't even register it mentally. My friend the Union sheet metal worker has all of his keys made there - he says it's the only place that doesn't mess them up. I know when I've had to make a key after 5 (or, I'll admit it, when I was lazy or busy) and defa