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After viewing parts of the New Line Theatre's production, Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll, St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke today agreed to drop his bid for a permanent injunction that would have barred the play from opening as scheduled.

The crux of the matter is the show's location: The Ivory Theatre, formerly St. Boniface Catholic Church. When developer Pete Rothschild bought the church from the Archdiocese in 2005, he agreed to a deed restriction, which stipulated the church would not be used as a venue for performances geared toward "an adult audience rather than the general public."

"When I bought the church, I signed this thing. It's a little bit broad. They didn't want strip clubs and topless joints," says Rothschild. "Then this show comes along. In truth, it's completely innocuous. But then they saw the ad in Alive magazine that said, 'Leave the kids at home.' New Line's ad called it 'adult entertainment,' and they freaked out."

So, what else is verboten in churches the Archdiocese has cut loose from the flock? Well, according to documents filed in the Archdiocese's request for a restraining order, the owner of the building formerly known as St. Boniface Catholic Church cannot:

"use the name St. Boniface or any derivative thereof in connection with any operations or activities on the subject Property"

or

"use the Property or any portion thereof as a facility, place of business or other place in which: (a) a congregation, society or other assemblage of persons meets for worship or other religious observance or activities, promoted or defined as Roman Catholic, but not possessing the express ecclesiastical approval of the Roman Catholic Church; (b) human abortion, sterilization, euthanasia or other acts which are contrary to the Ethical and Religious Directive for Catholic Health Care Services promulgated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops... (c) pornographic or soft pornographic books, pictures, discs or other media or materials directed to an adult rather than a general audience... (d) massages or tattoos are provided; (e) a tavern, bar, night club, dance club or dance hall is operated, or in which is operated a restaurant in which alcoholic beverages are sold and served."

-Malcolm Gay

Jenna Bauer, founder of SCOSAG (a.k.a. the South City Open Studio and Gallery), is stepping down as executive director.

Carolyn Simon, a graduate of Washington U., takes over. Simon has worked with the south St. Louis nonprofit since early last year, teaching and serving as operations director.

If you haven't heard of Jenna Bauer, or heard of SCOSAG, it's high time you did. Fresh out of Webster University with a bachelor's degree in painting, Bauer birthed SCOSAG in a small stone house in the middle of Tower Grove Park in 2002. She was 25, and she had a vision of using the creative arts to bring kids together -- especially kids who wouldn't otherwise get such an opportunity. Within a few years, the program's summer camps and year-round workshops were thriving, and in 2005 SCOSAG opened a ceramics studio in the nearby Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. The nonprofit's annual Wall Ball bash, which features local artists making art while partygoers bid on it via silent auction, took honors in this week in RFT's "Best of St. Louis" issue as "Best Fundraiser."

As Webster faculty member Gary Passanise told Ivy Cooper when Cooper wrote about Bauer for RFT in 2004: ""She took a BFA, a degree that is pretty useless except as a way to go to grad school, and she invented this thing to do. She's an incredible force."

(A disclaimer: My daughter has attended SCOSAG's summer camps in Tower Grove Park almost since their inception. My wife and I have supported the group for as long as we've lived in St. Louis. And on a few fortunate occasions, we've managed to wheedle a babysitting commitment out of Bauer.)

Now, after five years spent creating and running an art workshop/studio/camp for the kids of St. Louis, Bauer says she's ready to move on.

"My original plan was to create something for the community and then at the right time step back," she says. "One person can't be the sole focus of an organization forever."

So what's next? "I'm focusing on my painting, getting my Web site going, putting together a jazz group and working on my [singing] repertoire." She also plans to apply to art schools for admission next fall, probably on the east coast. And, not surprisingly, to stay close to SCOSAG by signing on for some sessions as a counselor.

"Regardless of what happens, we're committed to having SCOSAG continue to exist, continue to serve underserved populations," Bauer adds, likening the program to water -- an element that fills in whatever gaps it encounters.

-Tom Finkel

This week Gut Check doffed its cap to the winners of the Best of St. Louis 2007. (Even though our love for Terrene caused some confusion.)

In addition, we wondered what flavors would be appropriate for St. Louis Rams soda.

We envied Portland, Oregon.

We shared a second kitchen nightmare with Gordon Ramsey.

We found another reason to love tacos al pastor.

There's much more at Gut Check. It's low-sodium chicken soup for the soul.

-Ian Froeb

Not totally satisfied with your weekend itinerary? Never fear, Go! is here! This regular feature highlights everything from rock shows to art openings, from delicious dishes to hidden-gem hangouts.

Friday, 9/28

Simply Devine: Kick off St. Louis Wine Festival weekend at Bacchus at the Basin tonight from 6:30 to 9 p.m. A $50 ticket will grant you access to this festival preview party, which includes wine tasting, music and hors d'oeuvres at the Grand Basin near the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information call 314-721-0072.

Keep On Keaton On: The Webster University Film Series presents Three Ages, the first in a series of films by silent film actor and director Buster Keaton. The show starts at 8 p.m. inside Moore Auditorium (470 E. Lockwood; 314-968-7487). Matthew Everett has the details here.

Up In Arms: After a nice silent film, why not liven the night up at The Scottish Arms (6-10 S. Sarah Street; 314-535-0551). Enjoy its yummy beer selection and worth-getting-chubby-for cheddar soup.

Saturday, 9/29

Shall We Dance?: Even if it's been awhile since you broke out those stellar moves, join the celebration of dance in all forms at Dancing In The Street and Off the Wall. Grand Center at North Grand and Lindell boulevards will be gettin' into the groove from 2 to 10 p.m. Click here for the details.

Sweet Meat: After working up a sweat from salsa dancing, stop to replenish with a meal fit for a truck driver at Big V's Burger Joint –- which means you'll probably have leftovers depending on what you order. Oh, and try the BLTA -- named best in St. Louis.

Cuckoo For COCA: If you are still mobile in wake of your feast, hit up The Founders' Theatre at COCA (524 Trinity Avenue; 314-725-6555) for Rockapella –- an a cappella five-some, whom you might remember from that early '90s game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?. Catch the group's last performances today at 1:30 and again at 3:30 p.m. for $17 to $20.

Sunday, 9/30

Morning Booster: If you wake up today with a desire for some outstanding sustenance, then strut to Rooster (1104 Locust Street; 314-241-8118), who was just awarded in the RFT's Best Of St. Louis issue for having the best breakfast in St. Louis.

Red Light Special: Learn more from the oldest profession in the world than how to make a quick buck. At "Prostitutes, Madams and Archaeology," Assistant Professor Valery Altizer will give a free lecture about how artifacts from ladies of the evening piece together a greater understanding of society from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site (2658A Delmar Boulevard; 314-340-5790).

Wine and Wine Again: End the day (and weekend) with Chardonnay at the St. Louis Wine Festival from noon to 6 p.m. in Forest Park. Ms. Day, who will most certainly be in attendance, fills your glass with additional information here.

And be sure to check out what's going on this weekend in the St. Louis music scene at A to Z.

-Jeanette Kozlowski

I wish you could've been there. Last night Andrew Carroll and Jeff Shaara took the mic at the main branch of the St. Louis Public Library downtown and told the story of how Operation Homecoming came to be. The book, in case you haven't heard of it, is subtitled Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front, in the Words of U.S. Troops and Their Families. It's a collection of eyewitness accounts of life in 21st-century wartime culled from the private journals, letters, e-mails and other writings of soldiers and sailors, airmen and marines.

The National Endowment for the Arts created the project. Boeing funded it. More than 10,000 pages of writing were submitted and painstakingly whittled down to just under 400. Not a single word was censored by the government or the military. Together the individual reflections tell a narrative you probably haven't heard, and probably should.

I wish you could've been there because I had every intention of note-taking in order to tell you what Carroll, best-selling editor of War Letters and creator of The Legacy Project, and Shaara, a prolific author of historical fiction, had to say about meeting the nation's military men and women -- boys and girls, some of them -- all over the globe. How surprised our troops were to learn that it's their voices -- not CNN, or FOXNews -- that the folks at home really want to hear. How writing helped many of them unload some of the emotional clutter they were packing up and storing away, perhaps to their and their loved ones' eventual detriment.

I ended up not even pulling out my pen and paper. This was not my narrative to share.

Considering Carroll read a few letters aloud last night, I don't think the National Endowment for the Arts or Random House is going to mind if we republish two of those selections (after the jump).

Your daily guide to what they're whispering about in the next cubicle.

HERE
On A to Z, Keegan Hamilton chats with Flaming Lips' Michael Ivins.

Ian Froeb says goodbye to Best Chinese and hello to House of India.

Faces' (totally unscientific) survey reveals that 67 percent of its clientele think it's “important for their bars to offer HIV testing...." The East St. Louis nightclub has been closed since May 1, 2007, for remodeling.

Who knew abandonment could look so beautiful. (Via Ecology of Absence)

To follow up the list of celebs who make her want to do Kathy Bates, The Beautiful Kind did find a few she'd like to, uh, hang out with.

THERE
Let's hope Michael Vick doesn't get any ideas from this. (Via Boing Boing)

Here is a silly timeline that illustrates the epic madness surrounding iPhone third-party applications.

Only something this pointless and ridiculous would go down online.

EVERYWHERE
The Internet gets cut in Myanmar.

Under the impression that the restaurant offered a limited food menu as late as 1 a.m., we awarded Terrene "Best Late Night Dining" in this year's edition of Best of St. Louis. In fact, Terrene's kitchen is open no later than 11 p.m. We still love 'em, though -- and we stand by our "Best Outdoor Dining" pick!

-Tom Finkel

Super snaps to the Ladue News, which appears to have broken a chunk of the evolving St. Louis Centre story that earned banner placement in the Post-Dispatch yesterday. The eminent LN -- like the Post, part of the Lee Enterprises empire of fine journalism -- had the scoop back on August 3!

Not that anyone (besides blogger Antonio French) is keeping tabs on who's breaking what these days......

-Unreal

Radio station WGNU (920 AM) will abandon its talk-show format and replace it with "urban" gospel. As we first reported in June, the iconic local station was in sales talks with St. Louis-based Radio Property Ventures, owner of Christian talk station KXEN (1010 AM). The $1.25 million sale of the station became effective yesterday afternoon.

Burt Kaufman, principal owner of Radio Property Ventures, says WGNU's format change will take place within the next two to three weeks. None of the weekday shows currently broadcast on the station -- including Lizz Brown's controversial Wake Up Call -- will be retained.

"We're going to play a variety of Christian music," says Kaufman. "Interspersed between the music will be a few Christian programs. In the evening we'll switch to urban gospel and have a call-in show from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. dedicated to urban issues."

By "urban" Kaufman says the station will target an African-American audience. Rotating hosts will anchor the evening talk show. The station's current general manager, Esther Wright, will retire, effective immediately.

Founded in 1961 by the late Chuck Norman, talk-heavy WGNU bounced from the AM dial to FM and back to AM during its 46-year run in St. Louis. For a time it was the area's top-rated station. Norman passed away in 2004, leaving ownership of the station to a trust controlled by his attorney, Lisa Krempasky.

For more about Chuck Norman and his legacy, see this Riverfront Times story.

Krempasky, herself the subject of an in-depth investigative story published in Riverfront Times last fall, has been at the center of dozens of lawsuits in recent years accusing her of fraudulently duping investors of millions of dollars in real estate schemes. Property records show that she loaned out multimillion-dollar sums from the Charles Norman Trust to fund real estate transactions. In July her onetime colleague, Doug Hartmann, was indicted on charges of bank and mail fraud.

Meanwhile, former employees of WGNU say Norman left them gifts of $10,000 in his trust. But few -- if any -- of those ex-staffers have seen any money. With the sale of station, it appears Krempasky will once again profit handsomely from her association with Norman and WGNU. FCC documents list the sellers of the station as the Charles Norman Trust and the Estate of Charles Norman, both of which Krempasky serves as sole trustee and representative.

-Chad Garrison

Your daily guide to what they're whispering about in the next cubicle.

HERE
Annie Zaleski declares the death of punk.

Gut Check gets the details on a new restaurant in Webster Groves.

Proof that you don't need a car to survive in this town.

The City of St. Louis wants your photos for a new website. (Via Urban Review STL)

What's wrong with plain ol' dog tags?

THERE
OK, so that's what Katie Couric gets paid all that money to do ... to destroy journalism.

Don't mess with the all-knowing Video Professor -- because he'll probably sue you!

What happens when Chuck Norris gets put in a blender? Watch, and learn.

EVERYWHERE
The iMac guy comes forward.

The Best Of St. Louis '07 is in the house, baby!

It's strictly business for Paul Friswold as he takes a look at Corleone: The Shakespearean Godfather, playing at the Regional Arts Commission.

Ella Taylor reviews The Bubble, a new film from Israeli director Eytan Fox.

Brooke Foster is hungry for more Over the Rhine indie-rock (and some pie).

In Homespun, Christian Schaeffer checks out The Incurables self-released album Songs for a Blackout.

Dennis Brown and Paul Friswold give us the scoop on the local theater scene.

Spotted on New Florissant Road:

Oh, if only the King of Kings could save us! Or, if not a king, then perhaps a Prince?

-Unreal

Your daily guide to what they're whispering about in the next cubicle.

HERE
Ian Froeb only wishes he could take a bite out of this dessert.

Beavis and Butthead make an appearance on A to Z.

Now that Centene Corporation is moving to Ballpark Village, what will happen to "Bldg. B" in Clayton?

Lisa at Clearview speculates that we are all just one step away.

The ramblings of Umar Lee, a featured Local Blog O' the Week in 2005, can now be seen on video.

THERE
$$$ocial networking: Microsoft might be willing to pay the big bucks for Facebook, and a seventeen-year-old cashes in on her MySpace designs.

Got a question? Remember, you can always ask a ninja.

Get out your tinfoil hat -- it's conspiracy time! (Via Boing Boing)

EVERYWHERE
Who would kill monks?

What's up with the Wicked wallpaper at stltoday?

On the one hand, you want to congratulate 'em for landing a tidy online-advertising deal. On the other hand, it makes for an interesting backdrop to stories like this one. We've been a little busy around here, what with the imminent thud of the 2007 edition of "Best of St. Louis," but we might give St. Louis' Only Daily a jingle tomorrow morning.

Not sure whether we'll also ask 'em about their apparent newfound admiration for their little-sister paper, the Quincy Herald Whig, though. No offense intended to young Cheyenne, but you gotta wonder how desperate the Metro editor was to fill a 30-inch hole with...what? (We'd link to the original story in the Herald Whig, but that august Lee Enterprises publication doesn't offer free online content. The nerve!)

-Tom Finkel

Norman Rockwell's stolen oil painting Russian Schoolroom was missing for 33 years before it turned up this past February in the private collection of movie mogul Steven Spielberg. It might take another 33 years for the courts to determine the painting's rightful owner.

In May, Jack Solomon -- who owned the Clayton gallery from which the painting was stolen in 1973 -- filed suit in federal court in Nevada demanding that Spielberg and the FBI return the painting to him. At the same time, Judy Goffman Cutler -- the Rhode Island-based art dealer who sold Spielberg the painting -- filed suit in New York alleging that Solomon defamed her in an RFT article this past spring. Goffman Cutler has since provided Spielberg with another Rockwell painting in exchange for title to Russian Schoolroom.

As we reported earlier this month, Goffman Cutler dropped her defamation suit against Solomon in August. Now those same charges have resurfaced -- this time in a counterclaim her attorneys filed last week in federal court in Nevada. Goffman Cutler charges that Solomon defamed her to the tune of $10 million and cost her the Spielberg account, worth another $5 million. She maintains she's the rightful owner of the painting and argues that the statute of limitations has long since expired with respect to Solomon's right to reclaim the piece. Goffman Cutler is also suing the Art Loss Register, which is assisting Solomon in reclaiming the painting, for $5 million.

In related news, on Sunday the Providence (Rhode Island) Journal published a front-page article outlining the bizarre connection between Russian Schoolroom and a St. Louis-based plot to assassinate civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

That story, too, was first reported in RFT, back in June.

We'll keep you posted as the cases crawl through the courts.

-Chad Garrison