Nicki's Central West End Guide

Park Drive Cutoff

One of the topics of discussion at the very crowded 28th Ward Democratic Committee meeting November 17 at Dressel's Pub Above centered on the recent closing of the Park Drive cutoff at Lindell and Union. The cutoff was originally installed for automobiles when streetcar tracks ran down Lindell Blvd. (Union Ave.??? See comments below).  Alderman Lyda Krewson said that the intersection had been identified as dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists alike crossing into Forest Park. She emailed today to say that it isn't "all 'bout cars anymore...we are trying to take into account walkers, runners & bikers, without inconveniencing drivers." The road was closed temporarily as part of the City's "Complete Streets" Ordinance, which has been in effect for a couple of years. The ordinance "encourages guiding principles and practices so that transportation improvements are planned, designed and constructed to encourage walking, bicycling and transit use while promoting safe operations for all users." Park Drive is still a public street, just closed off, like many others.

The three homeowners that front the cutoff have access to their property, and emergency vehicles can enter, if necessary. Calls and emails to Lyda from 28th Ward residents have been 70% for the closure to 30% against.

The city recently painted new zebra crosswalks on all four sides, which provide a friendly notification to drivers to yield to peds/bikers. If the closure remains, Lyda hopes to have planters installed across the west end of the pie-shaped parcel instead of the concrete barricades, shown above. There isn't money in the city's budget to do much more beautification at this point. When asked at the meeting if the homeowners who front the parcel would be able to purchase the property, the Alderman replied that the cutoff would remain the property of the City of St. Louis.

A break in the action

My wings were clipped last week, big time. Last Monday evening while roaming the neighborhood looking for some interesting shots for the blog, I stepped off Bar Italia's patio and missed a little ledge. That's when I heard my right foot snap. I hobbled home and decided to ice it rather than spend the evening in the emergency room. On Friday, I had outpatient surgery to repair the break.

Now I am home with my foot in a cast, maneuvering around the best I can for at least two weeks. I wish I could say that the photo I took right before this happened was worth it, but it isn't that exciting, see above.

While I'm recuperating, there are stories in the blog hopper to share, and Jim will take pictures around the neighborhood in my place. In the meantime, if anyone would like to be a guest blogger, send photos and a few descriptive words to nickisbuzz@gmail.com, and I'll do my best to post your thoughts.

In summary, I'm enjoying my role as "Director," and love the fact that Jim is finally learning to cook.  What a great place to live when something like this happens. Straub's, Prescriptions Plus, Schlafly Library, two bookstores, and a multitude of restaurants are within easy reach of my personal assistant. 

And some words to the wise: "Look before you leap!"

7th Annual Holiday on the Plaza Saturday, December 3

The very popular Maryland Plaza fountain has been shut down, covered, and put to bed for the winter; and over the course of a few days last week the traditional Christmas tree was erected in its place. Lighting the tree is a major part of the annual Holiday on the Plaza event to be held next Saturday, organized by Koplar Properties and sponsored by Barnes-Jewish Hospital.  Other neighborhood businesses and organizations co-sponsoring the event, which benefits Grace Hill, include Central Reform Congregation, Science Center, Bowood Farms, Paul Mitchell The School, and The Cup. Home Depot and The Magic House are also sponsors. More details on poster below.  Holiday on the Plaza coincides with the opening weekend of the 2nd Annual CWE Window Walk Contest and related holiday activities taking place throughout the business district. See more details about what's in store on last week's post about the CID.

 

Sunday, November 27

Pop-up shop opens in DeBaliviere Neighborhood

I had heard a rumor, or perhaps it was wishful thinking, that Bea and Wade Crowder were opening their annual pop-up shop, featuring bargains for holiday gift giving, in the old Mezzanine space on Euclid. However, this morning Wade sent an announcement that they are set to open tomorrow at 5501 Pershing, between Union and DeBaliviere. 

A procrastinator's delight

Or, "how I learned to fall in love with the begonia all over again." Toward the end of August, I picked up a six-pack of white begonias on one of Bowood Farms bargain racks to fill in for other annuals that looked like they had had it. After the extremely hot summer, I thought I could get at least six weeks of bloom out of them.

Three months later, I'm wondering how much longer these annuals will last. Whether the growing season has been extended because our east garden is protected by the house, or whether we've had only the slightest touch of frost, there is still a lot of blooming going on---and it's Thanksgiving weekend! I have brought a few plants inside but just can't bring myself to throw out the annuals that are still blooming in the pots outside.

 

By now I should have cut back the gorgeous perennial Echinacea and clumps of Alyssum in the south-facing garden, but since they look happier than they did all summer long, I'd much rather let them be, above and below.

I hope you are still enjoying an extended bloom in your own garden. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving---we have a lot to be grateful for.

Last minute Thanksgiving treats

Looking for last-minute edible decorations or festive place card ideas for your Thanksgiving table? You might head to Bissinger's and pick up a bag of foil-wrapped dark chocolate leaves, $22 a pound, or autumn-colored chocolate turkeys, $3.75 each.

Bissinger's, 32 Maryland Plaza, Mon. to Weds. 10-6, Thurs. 10-10 (closed Thanksgiving), Sat. 10-Midnight, Sun. 10-8, (314) 367-7750.

And if you've been assigned dessert duty on Thanksgiving, what could be easier than an assortment of cupcakes from The Cup?  Flavors include dark chocolate Tuxedo (with pumpkin decoration), Double Chocolate (with turkey), Red Velvet (with leaf), vanilla buttercream Confetti, and Pumpkin Harvest (with sliver of Bissinger's pumpkin bark, yum!), $2.75 each.

The Cup, 28 Maryland Plaza Rear, Mon. to Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. (this Weds. 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.), Fri. to Sat. 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Closed Sunday, (314) 367-6111.

The CID, 16 months later

The Central West End Business Community Improvement District (CID), which was overwhelmingly adopted by voters within its boundaries (see original post showing map here), went into effect in July, 2010. Funds generated by the CID, a 1% sales tax collected by businesses in the commercial district north of Lindell Blvd., have been directed to two categories: physical improvements to the district including beautification and street cleaning, and marketing, advertising, and promotion of the shops and restaurants within its borders.  

Over the course of the past sixteen months I've photographed examples of the projects the CID has taken on. Many of these have not only benefited the businesses in the area, but the improvements have made the neighborhood a better place for residents and visitors as well. 

One of the most recent (and ongoing) improvements is the restoration of eight Winged Griffin light standards that identify the entry points to Maryland Plaza. The cast iron standards have been painted, the lighting elements upgraded, and the frosted globes in the lights have been replaced with clear glass, see photo taken outside Park Plaza above.

In the spirit of supporting local businesses, Bowood Farms was contracted by the CID to install and maintain the plantings in beds and planters throughout the district. Over the course of the summer and fall, urns located on corners have been planted and faithfully watered throughout the long, hot summer months, above and below. They were just recently replanted with cold-weather cabbages and white pansies (not pictured).

The beds along Maryland Plaza and at the Euclid/Lindell and Maryland/Kingshighway entries have also been planted and maintained, above and below.

Last spring, the CID arranged for the trees that line the business district to be pruned, above. In addition, you have probably noticed a crew cleaning the streets and sidewalks almost every day. The workers are from the area's Independence Center.  Getting that organization involved was an inspired idea that originated at Bowood Farms.

Another local firm, Dovetail, was hired by the CID as its marketing and advertising firm. Among its many accomplishments over the past sixteen months are the development of a website (CWEScene.com), a Facebook page, an extensive print ad campaign and monthly photography contests.  Dovetail designed sorely-needed Wayfinding signage, above, to encourage visitors to walk beyond the Euclid & Maryland area to the shops at Euclid & McPherson, and beyond to Euclid & Washington.

All the shops, restaurants, and hotels have been supplied with two-sided single-sheet maps of the district available to hand out to visitors showing businesses, churches, and other points of interest in both the CWE North and CWE South.

The CID also sponsors the Holiday Window Walk Contest, now in its second year. The event promotes the business district as a destination for holiday shopping with the tag line: "Shop, Dine, Drink and Enjoy the CWE All Season Long." Last holiday season the window at Shelton Davis Antiques, above, won one of the top three prizes. The buzz on the street this year is that shopkeepers have visions of even more imaginative windows, which will be unveiled on Saturday, December 3, when the Holiday on the Plaza festivities and tree lighting are scheduled. A panel of celebrity judges (tba) will choose three prize winners to be announced on December 19. The public is invited to cast votes for their favorite windows too. There will be five "People's Choice Awards," which will be determined by voting in the stores or by cellphone any hour of the day. Ten voters will be selected in a drawing and will win $50 gift certificates redeemable at any business within the CID.

The annual Holiday on the Plaza events, scheduled for December 3, are being coordinated by Maryland Plaza's Frances Thompson in cooperation with Dovetail. Several of the performers from last year's event will be returning to entertain strollers on Saturday, including the talented ice sculptor, who worked his magic at the corner of Euclid and McPherson, the popular chestnut roaster, and carolers dressed in period costumes. A horse-drawn carriage and a trolley will be traversing the neighborhood transporting visitors from one end of the shopping district to the other.  In addition, a photographer has been engaged to snap photos of attendees with their pets.

Dovetail is also promoting the CWE business district as a holiday shopping destination on two billboards located on Highway 64/40 near the CWE, using the "125 Reasons" campaign developed in April for print ads and on-screen advertising at The Chase Cinema and Moolah Theater.

The all-volunteer CID Board has many more ideas in the works that will be rolled out in the months ahead. The CWE isn't the only business district in the St. Louis area to have a CID (the Loop,  Brentwood Promenade, etc), but it's wonderful to see what has been accomplished in its short existence and to look forward to what the CID will continue to do for our neighborhood in the future.

Sunday, November 20

Artist-in-Residence Patrick Dougherty's installation at W.U.

After several people asked if I had seen the stickwork installation in progress outside the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Art at Washington University on Forsyth, I thought I had better check it out. I am so glad I did, as the renowned artist himself, Patrick Dougherty (see photo below), was there bringing bundles of sticks to the students while giving them guidance, as they finished fabricating the 20' tall structures, to be dedicated on Monday.

The artist, who is based in Chapel Hill, has completed over 200 stunning stickwork sculptures around the world. Dougherty is the Louis D. Beaumont Artist-in-Residence at the Sam Fox School this fall, and his class, which he is co-teaching with Professor of Art Ron Fondaw, is titled: "Masterclass in Art & Architecture: Stickwork on Campus."

While the students were studying plans or hard-at-work bending and weaving sticks into place, I didn't want to bother them with questions. However, I was told that the Sam Fox School website had information about the piece and the process (look here). Dougherty's class of sixteen students drawn from architecture, landscape architecture, and the visual  arts, assisted in the design and construction of the piece, which has taken approximately three weeks to build.

The as yet unnamed piece is constructed of tree saplings and other locally harvested materials.

The dedication of this fantastic installation, which is open to the public, is Monday at noon. The piece will be on view through December 2013---plenty of time to study it in every season and in all kinds of weather.