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Photo courtesy of Martin Schweig
Thanks to Martin Schweig for sending this Monday morning post of a tiny Toad Lily flower that's blooming next to his Koi pond (see post here). Now I can spend the day basking in the excitement of the World Series!!!, and continue working on a post about a neighborhood connection to Margin Call which opens at the Chase Cinema later this week.
One evening last week, during one of Jim's end-of-the-day "de-stresser" forays into Forest Park, he happened upon artist Ifeoma Anyaeji working in a grove of trees just east of the Grand Basin. He learned that the artist, who hails from Nigeria, is a graduate student at WU's Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Read more about Ifeoma's impressive background on her website. The artist wound up in St. Louis as a result of a Google search for high-quality art programs in the U.S.
Recycling is Ifeoma's theme, and twice a week (Mondays & Wednesdays) she leaves her studio space at the Lewis Center and heads to the park where she weaves plastic bags into roping for her art pieces or to crochet into purses (see photo on website here). In her native country Ifeoma also made sandals with crocheted toppers, but in an email she explained that she can't find the proper glue she needs here in St. Louis.
Ifeoma's creative approach to re-purposing this ubiquitous material demonstrates that there are other ways to recycle rather than a commercial industrial approach (like making more of the same!) Isn't it amazing that a string of plastic bags, one of the scourges of the environment, can actually look lovely strung from a tree? And that an artist from Nigeria is able to create a teachable moment using beautiful Forest Park as a backdrop.
For information on Ifeoma's purses look for her in Forest Park (Mons. and Weds., weather permitting) or contact her at i_and_g2000@yahoo.com.
Though I helped organize the Big River Food Swap that took place last Sunday afternoon, I didn't know what to expect as I carried eleven jars of my spicy tomato chutney over to 449 N. Euclid. The food swap idea was something jeweler Jennifer Walker, a tenant in the building, and I had been kicking around most of the summer. Based on Jennifer's enthusiasm and what I had read about food swaps in other cities on Facebook, we decided to give it a try.
As each of the twelve participants, including tenants of the building, neighbors, and friends from South City, arranged their contributions and put out samples, the 1st Big River Food Swap stoked love at first bite--or sight.
One of the first impressions I had was how clever and varied the array of foods and handmade items were. For instance, neighbors Kate Donnelly & Nick Frisch brought a basketful of Baskerville Farm eggs from Nick's family's farm, above, with handmade labels.
Designer Kelly Reding, who restyles vintage clothing, made greeting cards and gift tags using old stamps from her collection.
Kelly's husband, writer Nick Reding, brought delicious wild Illinois smoked duck breast complete with a detailed ingredient list. My chutney occupied the same table as Nick's duck and we quickly found that the combination was quite delicious.
Each swapper listed the ingredients in her/his offering on the blue swap sheet, shown above, and then walked around the room sampling and deciding which items they wanted to swap for. Some of us worried that we may not have enough of our own product for each person, but somehow the swapping worked out, and everyone seemed pleased with their choices.
An interesting and not surprising sidebar to the afternoon were conversations between swappers about how some of the foods were made. Jennifer Walker, who is passionate about candy making (see her pecan logs and cranberry clusters above), and Kate Danna, who brought a tray of delicious candy apples, waxed poetic about the joys of tempering chocolate, which I know from experience is anything but joyful.
Kristie Chromie and Liz Sloane, photographers who form LPhotographie, are new tenants in the building. The pair unexpectedly dropped off mimosas and a fabulous lunch that included orzo salad, sugared bacon, and a cheesy strata, before heading upstairs to continue working on their airy studio. Someday I'll have to pry Liz's drop-dead-delicious gooey butter cookie recipe out of her to share with you.
When I got home I laid out my basketful of goodies for a photograph. In addition to the eggs, cards, pecan log, and duck breast, it includes jeweler Christiane Danna's basil pesto, neighbor Carter Hand's Swedish cookies complete with baking instructions hand-written on the wrapper, Barbara Scott's sweet potato soup, and a package of neighbor Anne Scheuerman's thick bing cherry scones. In the upper right of the photograph you'll see the remains of Kate Danna's candy apple that didn't last long around here.
All of us who took part are still talking about how much fun it was. In fact, we are already discussing a holiday version of the Big River Food Swap, which will include more crafts and definitely more food.
The snapshots of pre-run "warm ups" are much more interesting to me than the shots of an actual run. Such was the case last Sunday as neighbors and CWEA Board Members (above) gathered at Euclid and Maryland for a 5k run cleverly titled "Just for the Health of It." Artist Mary Engelbreit designed the really cute poster for the event sponsored by the Central West End Association, Health Literacy Missouri, and Sante at the Chase Park Plaza. Only a few of the 100-plus people who registered for the event exhibited any signs of pre-run jitters. For most, it was a Sunday morning social occasion.
A group with t-shirts labeled "you'll survive" gathered next to Coffee Cartel, above.
The runners applauded CWEA President John Berglund (in yellow shirt below) who thanked the participants and other sponsors before the starting bell sounded shortly after 9 a.m.
Runner #781, Associate Editor of the St. Louis Beacon Bobby Duffy above, is a huge CWE supporter and a dear friend. For non-runners there was a walking component to the event and I have a great mental image of this group as they head north on Euclid--yaking the entire way.
The event appeared to be a great success so let's hope there's another 5k run "same time, next year."
CWEnders A. J. Brewington, Marcia Smith, Barbara Martin, Diann Cage, Emma Hand, Jim and myself are planning a "stoop" sale tomorrow at The Pierce Arrow Building, 4814 Washington (just east of Euclid). We've gathered some great stuff so drop by between 9 and 3 and take a look!
P.S. - Enter through the parking lot.
Last evening I decided to forego my usual Tuesday yoga class in favor of taking a leisurely stroll up Lindell to get a closer look at one of the major events that was causing traffic congestion in town--a fund-raiser for President Obama at the Carnahan residence. Downtown there was, of course, the Cardinal-Phillies game (with an unfortunate outcome), the Wilco concert, and Obama's arrival at the Renaissance Grand.
My first stop as I headed west was the serene Murphy Lake across from the entry to Westmoreland and Portland Places, above.
For out-of-town readers, this is one of the beautiful mansions that line Lindell Boulevard, which borders Forest Park from Kingshighway to Skinker.
An electronic sign at Union announced that Lindell was closed from DeBaliviere to Skinker for the Obama event. When I started seeing parked cars, and people walking with picnic baskets and folding chairs, I realized there was also a Twilight Tuesday Concert at the Missouri History Museum above, adding even more traffic congestion.
Concert-goers also set up chairs and barbecue across Lindell at DeBaliviere. Amusingly, when I asked several people who was playing, no one knew--or at least they had only part of the name correct (it was Dirty Muggs). One couple said they didn't really pay much attention to who was on tap, they just like to get out of the house and make these Tuesdays part of their routine.
Some dressed up for the occasion above, or wore their message where they sat, below.
There were hot dogs on the grill at Twilight Tuesdays, and a much different scene a half-block west.
Barricades and police had cordoned off the Carnahan residence in advance of the President's appearance.
And there were demonstrators, below...
When one of my neighbors told the demonstrators, above, that their message was ridiculous, one yelled back that this was about raising taxes. Hmmm, I cattily thought, I bet most of the people who would be affected by a tax increase were home getting dressed for the $25,000 a ticket fund-raiser.
Walking home with a very quiet Lindell at my back was a real pleasure.
And as I got closer to home this gorgeous scene just confirmed how lucky we are to have all of this entertainment and diversity right in our own backyard.
Ultra-hip 10denza (from the Italian tendenza meaning "following a trend") opened the middle of September at 44 Maryland Plaza in the space formerly occupied by Design Within Reach. The often-heard assumption that shopping on Maryland Plaza is somewhat exclusive and expensive will be blown away when you enter this urban emporium. Chris Lanter, below, the creator and "arbiter" (as he identifies himself on his business card), has been observing the commercial real estate market in the CWE for a couple of years, waiting for the right space to become available. An aficionado of pop culture and current trends, Chris knew that this eclectic neighborhood was the only place in town where his vision of a shop would fit.
Chris started working as a d.j. while in college and for a time afterwards. So, naturally, one of the first things you'll notice when you walk into 10denza is the music playing in the background. There are 5 ipod listening stations where you can preview a wide variety of music available for purchase. Chris avidly reads music reviews and listens to new artists to introduce. He offers new releases featuring imports from Europe, D.J. mixes, alternative, and electronic music, $13 to $19.
There are a few tables containing a large selection of coffee table books on art, design, music, pop culture, and as Chris said, "street stuff," $20 to $50. I was told the books are meant to be handled, and there are comfortable chairs, below, to sit and peruse.
10denza has a "no pressure" staff--Kerrie Knoll & Darren Compton (not photographed)--who add to the very relaxed vibe, and the shop stocks a wide range of merchandise you won't find elsewhere, $5 to $800.
There is a display wall with shoes for women, left, and men, below, in casual and sneaker style.
Brands include Puma, Pointer, and ALife, $55 to $160.
There is jewelry too, including this set, shown left, from Brooklyn-based designers Digby & Iona.
10denza carries casual, comfortable clothing for men and women ranging from "arty" t-shirts starting at $30 on up to jackets at $700.
Chris also supports local designers, stocking clothing from Vintage Highway and CWEnder Amy Johnson, who designs under the name of Kay-oss. Amy's adorable skirt, right, is $190, and in the shop window you'll see one of her great black dresses with tiny ruffles on the cuffs. I watched three of them get snapped up on as many visits.
Personal tech gear includes ipad covers above, $29.95, headphones, and other tech accessories. A new shipment of winter clothing including mittens right, $25, and unusual knit hats upper right, $45, is now on the shelves.
Brightly-colored TOY watches, above, come in "jellys," $160, or "velvety," $225 (not shown). 10denza also carries sunglasses, $100, from a philanthropic Brooklyn company named Contego, that sends a pair to a charity with each purchase. The glasses are named after Nobel Laureates.
Chris's 10 year-old daughter, Olivia, and 13 year-old son, Blaise, help with merchandising decisions. Blaise, who knows a lot about what's hip in toyland, suggested the Kid Robot collection, toys designed by different artists. Toys range in price from $5 up to $200, some of which are shown in the glass jars on the counter above.
Toygiants by Daniel & Geo Fuchs is an illustrated journey into the world of toys, right.
You too should follow the trend and stop by 10denza when you have some time to browse, enjoy the music, and the company. The shop is a wonderful addition and such an enjoyable experience.
10denza, 44 Maryland Plaza, 12 to 8 Monday - Saturday, 12 to 5 Sunday, (314) 361-1010.
