Nicki's Central West End Guide

Sunday, January 15

Crossfit-CWE to open Monday

Last Sunday I snapped pictures through the windows of Crossfit-CWE, which is scheduled to open Monday, January 16, at 393 N. Euclid between Mary Jane's and Left Bank Books. Inside I could see owner Mel Marten and general manager & head trainer, Mike Libbie, setting up equipment and putting the finishing touches on the new facility. Crossfit-CWE is one of 3000 CrossFit gyms around the country (10 in the St. Louis area).

CWEnder Mel Marten went to Washington University, and later worked in the investment industry for 15 years. He's always been passionate about sports, from weightlifting to yoga to marathons and triathlons. Three years ago, after two surgeries to repair ankle problems from the damaging effects of long-distance running, Mel started doing CrossFit (see Wikipedia definition here). He eventually became a certified CrossFit trainer, and then last fall, started putting the pieces together to open a facility in the Central West End.

CrossFit-CWE offers several one-hour classes a day (Monday through Saturday), with 5-10 members in each class who go through a warm-up, skill work, and full-body, high-intensity workouts with a trainer who gives personal attention throughout the session. The workout varies each day.

Mel Marten further explained that: "Crossfit combines strength training, endurance, and agility movements to get people in the best shape of their lives. Some people are intimidated to start the program, but we scale the workouts to each individual's ability." Mel says you'll love Crossfit because "the workouts are always different, and going through the pain with a class of friends makes it fun!" There are already about twenty people who have expressed an interest in joining, just waiting for the doors to open on Monday.

If you connect the dots between CrossFit and that universal New Year's resolution, you can check one major item off your list---just like that!

Crossfit-CWE, 393 N. Euclid, for membership information and class schedule, visit the website here.

Pujols sighting in the CWE!

Neighbor Jeff Stevenson just sent these pictures of a life-sized Albert Pujols figure he and his wife, Kathleen, have owned for the past few years. Each October, when the Cardinals are at their best, they have placed it in their living room window. When Albert signed with Los Angeles they determined it was time to relocate him to the recycling bin. But actually disposing of "Albert" proved difficult to do. Until today.

Jeff finally made the move. When Kathleen got home from the gym, she burst out laughing when she spotted "Albert" sticking out of a dumpster (the broken bat is Jeff's) east of Euclid between West Pine and Laclede. Don't expect to find "Albert" there now however. Jeff advised that a neighbor went dumpster diving and "rescued him so 'Pujols' might be around for a proper exorcisim at a future date."

Thanks Jeff for lightening up a cold Friday afternoon. Love the story and love sharing it with my readers.

Prunus Autumnalis: January 11, 2012

Earlier today I took pictures of cherry trees in bloom on Maryland Plaza. They are a variety called Prunus Autumnalis. John McPheeters of Bowood Farms told me that, as the Latin name implies, these trees bloom in the spring and again in the fall--- but in January?  When asked what effect Wednesday night's predicted cold snap might have on the trees, John replied that a freeze will kill the blooms, but not harm the trees.

Next to Bowood Farms' vegetable garden in the 4600 block of Olive there are three more Prunus Autumnalis in bloom. In the garden this afternoon, see below, there were beautiful lettuces that looked ready to be picked and added to one of Cafe Osage's winter salads.

Ah, January, the new March---in like a lamb...

These turkeys are high fliers!

The other day I put out a notice asking if anyone had more information about the current whereabouts of the wild turkeys whose presence has caused such a stir in the neighborhood. My purpose was to add to a story Todd Frankel, a reporter for the Post-Dispatch, was reserarching and which appears on the front page of today's edition (read it here). It was last evening (too late to share this info with Todd) that CWEnder Pat Rein sent the following account:

"For past few weeks they have been out very early walking down the middle of Taylor at McPherson, as though they own the street.  Walking south to the Taylor Place Condos, and feeding on something in the grass. To my surprise I have found them the last few days flying off the roof of the Lucerne (my condo) at North Taylor and McPherson and landing in Taylor Place.  Have not been able to get up there but hope they are not nesting and starting another family.

 

I was told on Monday by MO Conservation at the Visitor's Center (in Forest Park) that they cannot fly very high, but I personally saw them swoop down in front of me with their enormous wing spans.  I felt more than a little threatened and my dog (Alfred) really freaked out.  He is usually very brave with a fence standing between them.

 

I did not see them this morning (Tuesday), but it was warmer and I was told they like the cold.  I will try to get you pictures, if I can.  Know they do not like  Alfred.  They make a lot of racket when they become aware of him."

Thanks to Pat for her scouting report.

Meeting on closure of Field Station P. O. Thursday

My friend Kate Donnelly seems to hear the buzz as it happens. She emailed that the clerk at the Field Station Post Office mentioned that there is a meeting Thursday at the Schlafly Library on the proposed closing of that post office (see earlier post here), which is located at 625 N. Euclid.

I walked (yes, the boot is off!) over to the library to confirm the meeting, and it is indeed on the schedule---Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m.  A staff member in Senator Claire McCaskill's St. Louis office told me they are sending a representative; and I am waiting to hear back from Congressman Lacy Clay's office about whether they will also have someone in attendance. The Field Station Post Office is located in the same building as Congressman Clay's St. Louis office.

Please join me on Thursday to see what's up. The Field Station Post Office may be on the chopping block, but let's do whatever we can to save it!!

Field Station Post Office meeting this Thursday at Schlafly Library, 225 N. Euclid, 3 to 5 p.m.

A toast to Marjorie Hoeltzel

Gifted artist and longtime CWE resident Marjorie Hoeltzel (see post here) died Saturday. Extemely active until the sudden end of her life, Marjorie celebrated her 90th birthday with her family in New York City last March.

The last communication I had from Marjorie was shortly before Christmas when I emailed to ask if she had holiday traditions I could share with my readers. Marjorie was a huge supporter of this blog and would often send a chirpy message of encouragement. She told me that, with morning coffee in hand, she started each day with "Nicki's Central West End Guide." I would frequently run into Marjorie with her daughter, Rebecca Glenn, the former head of Forsyth School, as they were out and about tracking down a suggestion they had read about here. That tickled me, for I had learned so much from Marjorie over the years.

In August of  2010. Jim and I were invited to view Marjorie's rooftop garden (see post here). "Come at the end of the day," she suggested. "We'll have a glass of wine and wait for the moonflowers to open." The view was unforgettable, as is my memory of a dear friend.

Marjorie's memorial will be held on January 28 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 600 N. Euclid.

Postscript: Marjorie had a serendipitous encounter with another close friend of mine, former CWEnder Charlotte Lyons, on a train travelling into New York City.  At the time I had just begun writing the blog, so this was over two years ago. Though I can't remember now who boarded first, Marjorie and Charlotte (who did not know each other) wound up sitting together and struck up a conversation over drawings Charlotte was working on. One thing led to another---St. Louis and the CWE surfaced--and they remained email friends ever after.

Sunday, January 8

Kick it on down to the Kickstart Cafe

If you're looking for a different sort of jolt with your morning joe, head down to the Kickstart Cafe at 3537 Chouteau for a visual treat bar none. The pictures shown here have been languishing in my camera since before Christmas of last year waiting for an opportunity to share them with you. Yes, there's always something to blog about in the CWE, but sometimes even I venture outside the neighborhood.

Jim and I were headed to floral row when we decided to see what was behind the facade of this interesting structure located in a small industrial area across Chouteau from the SLU Medical School Campus. We were more than surprised at what we found inside---an espresso bar within a motorcycle showroom and museum.

It's hard to know whether to look up, or look down, there is so much going on inside the Kickstart Cafe.
This is definitely a spot where you'll want to linger and take it all in.

If you're in the market, or just curious, Michael Kiernan, the proprietor, lists available antique and classic motorcycles on Michael's Motorcycles' website. 

The Kickstart Cafe houses a large collection of all sorts of kitschy stuff (see above). In addition to furniture made out of motorcycle parts, Michael's wife, an artist, has her jewelry and pottery for sale here (see display case above).

Kickstart Cafe, 3537 Chouteau, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., (314) 772-5758. Driving directions: From the CWE take Vandeventer south to Chouteau and then east to 3537 Chouteau. The Grand overpass is currently closed to traffic.

Sunday, January 1, 2012