St. Louis News Blog

Ray Hartmann, circa early 1990s?

​The St. Louis chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has elected Ray Hartmann, founder of the Riverfront Times, as one of seven people it will induct into the St. Louis Print Hall of Fame next month.

Hartmann will join six other nominees, including Carlos Hurd (a deceased Post-Dispatch scribe who bore an uncanny resemblance to Adolph Hitler) and Mark Vittert, local businessman who never wears socks (trust me on this) and whose money helped launch the RFT and St. Louis Business Journal.

See a complete list of this year's nominees here and view past winners over at this website maintained by the Missouri History Museum.

​The Humane Society yesterday released its Humane State Ranking, a comprehensive report rating all 50 states on a wide range of animal protection laws dealing with pets, animal cruelty and fighting, wildlife, animals in research, horses, and farm animals.

Missouri tied with several other states as No. 43 in the ranking, designating the Show-Me State as one of the worst places for animals in the United States.

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What the folks at MoDOT want to write...

​If you build it, he will come.

The words are apparently just as true for local freeways and motorists as they are for dead ballplayers and cornfield baseball diamonds.

On Saturday, KMOX quoted Missouri Department of Transportation spokeswoman Linda Wilson as saying: "The volume on I-64 has really jumped. Some sections have double to triple the amount of cars using the new stretches of highway."

MoDOT also reports that traffic on I-70 is down 10% while congestion on I-44 has slightly increased in the mornings and decreased at night.

One can easily argue that more drivers means the $524 million dollar freeway of dreams was a success. But what if the state would have spent the money on something like public transportation instead?

Is it a snow angel or a saint?

​It's a cold day in Hell.

How do we know this?

1. The New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl.
2. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for St. Louis calling for four to six inches of snow by tomorrow morning with gusty winds and temps not rising above freezing.

As of 7 a.m. west St. Louis already had a half-inch of snow and a lot more is predicted tonight. And unlike that inch of snowfall we had Friday, this time around it should be cold enough for the white stuff to stick to the pavement. Slick roads, warns the weather service.

If you haven't checked out the RFT Flickr Pool lately you should do so immediately. Go on, click this link. We promise you won't get RickRoll'd.

Looking for nightlife snapshots? Concert photos? Street art chronicles? Action from local sporting events? Completely random portraits of a club-toting wooden statue gallivanting around St. Louis a la the gnome in Amélie? Yup, check it out:

photo by jamjessop via Flickr

Terrorists beware: There's a new sheriff on the Arch grounds.

​There's a whole series of these strangely awesome photos (viewable after the jump) taken by Flickr user Jamjessop and uploaded last month.

Ruling makes it easier to accessorize someone else's ride.

​U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel issued a consent judgment yesterday calling the enforcement of an anti-leafleting law in St. Louis an infringement on the First Amendment right of free speech.

The judgment follows a complaint filed by the ACLU of Eastern Missouri on behalf of a group opposed to developer Paul McKee's controversial NorthSide development plan.

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St. Louis' sister city in the Lone Star State?

​A high honor was bestowed on St. Louis today: The National Trust for Historic Preservation named the city one of "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations."

The list has been published annually since 2000 and commends cities that "offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization."

Pretty snazzy, eh?

But while it's nice to finally receive some praise in a national ranking, reading over the press release raises a few questions. Specifically: did the authors ever actually visit St. Louis? And, where the hell is Bastrop, Texas, and why are they a distinctive destination?

This anonymous City Hall employee is already on board.

​Cue the Loverboy and ice down the Natty Light.

St. Louis City Hall could close an hour early each week -- at 4 p.m. every Friday -- under a proposal suggested yesterday by Comptroller Darlene Green.

The city is looking to offset a projected $45 million budget deficit projected for next year.

​ ​Picture this: an American country with no foreign debt, no credit-card debt and no income tax. A nation that didn't dope up millions of school children with Ritalin, yet a place where cannabis would be the president's specialty. 

Shannon Howard, creator of nocostl.com

​The good news is that there's now someone out there on the Internets making an effort to find good news about an area that's known for bad news.

The dedicated soul is Shannon Howard, a Florissant native who left the area, lived in Los Angeles and Knoxville for fourteen years and recently returned to buy a house in Ferguson, where she is now very active in the community. Yes, she swapped the oceans, climate and comfort of L.A. (and good moonshine of Tennessee) to live in Ferguson. That alone ought to give you a sense of her dedication to "NoCo," as she has dubbed it.

An author and journalist, Howard says she created nocostl.com as a way to "promote all of the positive things that are happening in North County and to hopefully change some minds about what this area really has to offer."

So what does North County really have to offer?

Wikimedia Commons

Updated 2:22 p.m. MoDOT spokeswoman Linda Wilson issued a statement this afternoon reporting that the Poplar Street Bridge is structurally sound. See her comments at the end of this post.

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Missouri Department of Transportation crews will examine the Poplar Street bridge today after a large chunk of concrete fell off the structure Sunday.


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The debris dropped from an exit ramp from the bridge and caused highway officials to shut down part of Interstate 70 for about an hour. It was hardly the first time the 43-year-old bridge has caused alarm.

The common blackbird is often cited for many of the collisions at Lambert Field.

​The Associated Press recently reported that bird-plane collisions across the United States rose dramatically last year with nearly 10,000 documented incidents -- up from a previous high of 7,507 strikes in 2007.

In some states, such as Texas and Minnesota, the number of bird-plane collision has doubled since 2005 thanks to increases in air traffic along bird migratory routes.

Closer to home -- and not mentioned in the AP's coverage -- bird-plane collisions at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport have increased nearly 300 percent over the past decade.

Internal Affairs: Coming to a neighborhood near you.

​The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has opened up two satellite offices for citizens to file internal affairs complaints against the agency.

The two new locations will be open from 12-4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at the offices of the St. Louis NAACP and the Thomas Dunn Memorials learning center in south city. In addition, citizens can still file internal affairs complaints at police headquarters, its three patrol divisions and online at slmpd.org.

The off-sites locations come as Chief Dan Isom attempts to clean up the department's image that has suffered in recent years from a well-publicized towing scandal and questionable policing.

A decent couple, Exhibit A

​The Crestwood Board of Aldermen next month is scheduled to review a city regulation that has 90 percent of the St. Louis suburb's neighborhoods zoned only for "family" households.

The review follows a lawsuit filed against the north St. Louis suburb of Black Jack, which in 2006 denied an occupancy permit to a couple because the unmarried man and woman did not fit that city's definition of "family."

In that case, the couple failed to qualify as a family because one of their three children was from a previous relationship. Black Jack then fined the couple $500 a week for living in their home without a valid occupancy permit.

No such similar feud has been made public in Crestwood, although the city was recently approached by the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council (EHOC) with concerns about its family zoning laws.

​This just in from the Columbia Daily Tribune:

The president of the Missouri Student Association, Tim Noce, is lobbying University of Missouri officials for a live tiger to be displayed inside the football stadium on game days.

Noce, a senior at the university, notes that Louisiana State University and Memphis University each have live tiger mascots. Mizzou, meanwhile, just has that lame Truman "The Tiger."

"A bunch of us were like, 'Hey, why can't we have one, too?'" says Noce, who admits that he's received a cool reception thus far from school officials.

A 1940s poster advertising the Admiral.

​She was originally built in 1907 as a side-wheeled steamboat named the "Albatross".

In 1940 she was transformed -- based on drawings from a female fashion illustrator named Mazie Krebs -- into a metal-encased, Art-Deco masterpiece. The $1-million makeover left only the boat's original steel hull and added five stories to its deck and the unheard of luxury of air-conditioning.

Rechristened as the "Admiral", the boat cruised up and down the Mississippi River from 1940 through the '70s taking as many as 4,400 passengers a time on its journeys.

In 1979 the ship was moored permanently onto the riverbank and became a nightclub. With the passage of riverboat gambling in Missouri in 1992, the Admiral was transformed into the President Casino. Now, after 70 years, the Admiral has officially fallen on hard times.

​So, you think you've got what it takes to be a G-Man, do you? Well, then, the F.B.I. wants to hear from you!

The feds are looking to hire 3,450 positions this year, including:

• 900 special agents
• 550 intelligence analysts
• 2,000 professional support staff (clerical, administrative, IT, HR, accounting, finance, paralegal, evidence tech, photography, scientists, public relations, translators, etc.)

And here's the good/bad news: Few -- if any -- of the positions are in St. Louis!

Wikimedia Commons

Would you pay $50 grand a year to go here?

​If you want to go to Washington University next year, you should aspire to be one of the following: 1) A stellar athlete, 2) Someone with phenomenal credit, 3) Super-rich or 4) Really good at proving to the people who give government grants that you need one. Mere mortals cannot possibly be expected to shell out annual tuition, which now stands at $39,400. This is $1,600 more than students are currently paying.

Mind you, that doesn't include housing, meal plan or health and activities fees, all of which will also be increasing. All told, a year at Wash. U. will now cost upwards of $50,000.

The South Broadway Athletic Club has hosted Golden Gloves boxing since the tournament was started by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in 1935. The club itself has stood on the corner of 7th Street and Shenandoah Ave in Soulard since 1904. Tonight, the legacy continues with 23 bouts, featuring amateur fighters from across the St. Louis area.

Image via

​But According to Bill McLaughlin, the SBAC's head boxing trainer, unless the club receives some sort of financial windfall in the coming year, it might be the last time they're able to host fighters from their own stable.

After struggling to make ends meet and pay for equipment, the gym is considering a switch to training mostly mixed martial arts fighters.

Been on the City Museum website lately?

Seen the rotating ad for the new robot thingie?

www.citymuseum.org

​Such a tease!

Now here's a timely question: Having been rolled out roughly two weeks ago, right about the moment that City Museum and its founder Bob Cassilly were settling a lawsuit in which a brain-damaged Kansas kid demanded damages for a head injury sustained at the museum, would you say Cassilly's latest "adult toy" (and we mean that in the least sexual way possible) is a) a really good idea b) a really great idea c) or truly awesome marketing?

umsl.edu

Lee, with wife Mary Ann.

​The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra has just announced that it plans to dedicate its all-Beethoven concert on Saturday, January 30 to longtime benefactor E. Desmond "Des" Lee who died last week.

Lee, who was 92, donated more than $70 million during his career as a philanthropist; the SLSO was one of the chief beneficiaries.

"Anyone who knew E. Desmond Lee was aware that his love for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra was boundless," said SLSO president Fred Bronstein in a prepared statement. "His support was tremendous, not just in treasure but in spirit. There was no better cheerleader for this organization. Des always understood the challenges inherent in sustaining a great orchestra and never lacked optimism and belief that it was a vital institution to this city."

The January 30 concert is part of the symphony's two-week-long Beethoven festival and will feature Leonore Overture No. 3, Violin Concerto and Symphony No. 5. Musical director David Robertson will conduct, with violin solos by Christian Tetzlaff. The concert will also be broadcast on KFUO (99.1 FM).

​Attention St. Louis City residents: If this guy knocks on your door in the next few weeks, don't worry. He's not -- we repeat not -- a Jehovah's Witness. Though he is attempting to convert you.

His name is Rex Sinquefield, and he wants your help eliminating the city's 1 percent earnings tax.

Sinquefield -- for the uninformed -- is a fabulously wealthy investment guru worth millions, or is it billions? We're not sure, but this we know: The dude's annual 1040 form contains a lot of zeros. And well, Sinquefield doesn't like that.

The man hates paying income taxes, which is why he's trying to get rid of Missouri's income tax as well as the one-percent earnings tax in St. Louis.

To that end, Sinquefield has just formed a campaign committee called Let Voters Decide that plans to start collecting signatures soon to do away with the city's earnings tax.

​Metro tonight is hosting the first of five forums scheduled for this month to outline its long-range plans.

This evening's meeting, open to the public, runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters on Lindbergh Boulevard.

The forums -- billed as "workshops" -- will examine Metro's five, ten and thirty year development plans. Metro is asking St. Louis County voters to approve a half-cent sales tax in April that will fund public transit expansion in the region.

Metro is also planning a sixth "web seminar" later this month to accommodate people who can't attend the five physical workshops slated for this month. More information on the meetings and Metro's plans here.

​

getbornbeat.blogspot.com

​That's the headline on the blog of the local reading series and poetry 'zine and, frankly, we don't think we can improve upon it. After three years, Get Born has decided it's not needed anymore and will be...um, getting unborn, after one final reading once the weather gets warmer.

"We started readings in the first place because there weren't any others like that at the time," says Joseph Sulier, one of the group's leaders. "There are a lot of readings now. It's served its purpose."

Nothing feels better than giving help to those who need it most -- unless you're giving help to those who need it most by drinking heavily, rocking out and eating chicken wings.

Seriously though, an entire country is devastated.

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​There are lots of ways you can contribute to the relief effort and have fun doing it. Local groups have organized benefit concerts, promotions and events where you can donate cash and canned goods.

Here's a quick overview of the local Haiti relief efforts. If we left anything out, please let us know in the comments.

Tonight @ The Royale:

Frantz Sanon, pastor at the French speaking Kingshighway Baptist Church will be at the Royale at lunchtime on Monday accepting support for his mobilization of medical supplies, blankets, clothing and other basic supplies he will be taking to his home country.

Stop in and purchase any beverage of your choice to show your support. If you kick in an extra buck (or two) on each beverage purchase, we will kick in another buck (or two). We will be running a Haitian Happy Hour all day w/ $2.50 Missouri Drafts, and we will also offer several drinks featuring Haitian Rhum Barbancourt. So just add an extra dollar or two with each beverage purchase and The Royale will match your donation and ring the bell to mark your donation for Haiti.

Tonight @ The Black Label Gallery Lounge:

Hits for Haiti, 8 p.m. Monday at Black Label.

Performing are Bradd Young, June 5th, Ruka Puff, Corey Black, Jay Kidd, Bryant Stewart, Rep. Chris Carter, Rockwell Knuckles, Aloha, Hitman DJ's, D Fresh, and more.

Donate cans, clothing, or a $10 at the door.

Presented by High Society, Delux magazine, Made Monarchs, and Radio Rock Music Group. www.blacklabelstl.com

Tuesday:

Syberg's restaurants will donate all profits from sales of chicken wings to Haitian relief efforts.

Pi pizza will also donate 20 percent of gross sales to Mercy Corps.

flickr.com/photos/eric_phillips

​Last January Nancy Moen, a writer for Mizzou Wire in the university's communication department, had an inspiration. It arrived in the form of math professor Peter Casazza, who walked by her office every day. Casazza has messy hair and 80s-style glasses. He does math research fourteen hours a day. In his spare time, he raises rabbits. He would be a perfect subject to kick off a new series of professor profiles: Nerds of Mizzou.

She wrote at the series' inception:

Think pocket protectors and brainpower because geek is now officially chic. As a "cool" nerd assumes the presidency, the shifting sands of American pop culture decree that nerdy is in. Gosh! Let the Napoleon Dynamites of the world rejoice.

Every month since, Moen has profiled a different nerdy professor. After a couple of months, students began to submit nominations and some professors, like April's Nerd Tim J. Evans, actively campaigned for the honor.

Now the time has come to vote for the Nerd of the Year. You can vote here. But first, let Daily RFT crib terribly from Mizzou Wire and introduce you to the candidates, starting after the jump. Trading cards to follow.

When Northwest Plaza opened in St. Ann in 1963, it was the largest shopping center in the world with five anchor department stores and 185 smaller shops, restaurants and boutiques. Centrally located near the confluence of I-70 and I-270, it was one of the area's biggest employers. Kids from all over St. Louis County would gather at the main fountain.

"It was where we hung out, skipped school and got in trouble," Steve Erdelen, 54, remembers fondly.

nocostl.com/2009/10/time-capsule-northwest-plaza

Northwest Plaza in its glory days, when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth. (Actually, 1966.)

​These days, Northwest Plaza is a dead mall. It has dwindled to less than 50 stores and Macy's, one of its two remaining anchors, has just announced plans to pull out later this year. The physical infrastructure has crumbled; before Dillard's departed, a pool of standing water beneath the store had made it a breeding ground for mold. Even the clothes were damp.

The city of St. Ann has been debating for several years what to do with the Northwest Plaza site. In 2007, it adopted a $250 million redevelopment plan that included building a new Wal-Mart.

Last month Erdelen set up a Facebook group called "I hung out at the fountain at Northwest Plaza as a teenager". In just three weeks, it has grown to more than 700 members. "They're doctors, lawyers, CEOs," Erdelen marvels. "It shows that just because you hung out at the mall and smoked some pot, it doesn't mean you're going to be a burnout. But once the fun stories were over, we began to ask ourselves 'What's going on at Northwest Plaza?'"

Erdelen began to wonder, given the money and influence of some of hits members, if he could convert the group's nostalgia into activism, to return the Northwest Plaza site to its glory days as a community gathering place instead of making it just another Wal-Mart.

Their first line of attack? A giant mall walk starting at 1 p.m. next Saturday, January 23.

​Good news from the 3rd battalion, 24th Marine Corps regiment based in Bridgeton: The 1,500-man ensemble is shipping out of Iraq, and, as Lt. Col. Shane Tomko puts it, "They're all in one piece."

Photo: Matthew Marek, American Red Cross

​The F.B.I. issued a media alert yesterday warning people of potential scams surrounding the massive relief effort underway to aid the victims of Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Haiti.

So how do you know which agency is legit and which is a scam?

Recognizable names like CARE and Doctors Without Borders are a good place to start. So, too, is Charity Navigator, a website that rates how efficiently charities raise and manage money.

Related content:
St. Louis Man's Home Becomes Epicenter of Haiti Earthquake Correspondence

Continue on to view the F.B.I.'s warning...