Nicki's Central West End Guide

A conversation with Jim Whyte of the Neighborhood Security Initiative

It was standing room only at Wednesday night's public forum sponsored by the Neighborhood Security Initiative at the Schlafly Library. Even Alderman Lyda Krewson and CWEA President Doug Teasdale were among those required to stand in the hall because the room was filled to capacity.  Someone joked that most meetings of the NSI draw four people, but this one, having to do with recent events in the neighborhood, drew lots of interest. The speakers, SLMPD Chief Dan Isom, Director of Public Safety Eddie Roth, 9th District Captain Jim Moran, and NSI Executive Director Jim Whyte explained what is being done to ensure the safety of residents in the CWE and neighborhoods throughout the City of St. Louis, where assault crimes are at an all-time high.

There was also a brief explanation of what the Neighborhood Security Initiative is about, but in case you missed the meeting, I wanted to share a conversation I had recently with Jim Whyte, above, the Executive Director of the Neighborhood Security Initiative.

Jim has been in executive director's position for eight months, and despite the recent tragedy, thinks his job "is the best job in the world." Jim and his wife Lori, a pediatric nurse, have 3 sons ages 17, 15, and 12. He is a Marine Corps veteran and retired as a lieutenant from the St. Louis Police Department after 20 years of service. In his final assignment he was based in the 7th District where he worked in homicide, on the Swat Team, and the Mobile Reserve Unit. As Executive Director of the CWE NSI Jim manages security patrols in five areas: the CWE North (Lindell to the south side of Washington/Olive, Kingshighway to Taylor), CWE South (Lindell to Forest Park Blvd., Kingshighway to Taylor), Southeast (almost to SLU Campus), Westminster/Lake, and Washington Place (see map below).

As Jim explained it: The St. Louis Police Department is obligated to provide coverage for the citizens of the city of St. Louis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to the services the police department provides, there are separate security patrols, overseen by the Neighborhood Security Initiative, that some of the immediate neighborhoods elect to pay for through a special tax on real estate.

In areas where voters have elected to create a Special Business District (SBD), a portion of taxes collected by the city is returned to each SBD to fund local intiatives. Each of the 5 participating Special Business Districts in the CWE contributes to the NSI according to a formula based on revenues. CWE North contributes $58,000 yearly. In addition to the SBD's, the Washington University Medical Center (WUMC) contributes $100,000 a year to underwrite patrols in nearby neighborhoods and has committed to increasing that amount to $200,000 next year. Jim Whyte remarked last week and repeated Wednesday evening that "the money that is put into the NSI is a testament to the fact that people of the CWE value the amenities of urban life."

Decisions about how to allocate patrol funds are determined by the commissioners of each Special Business District (SBD). The patrols are administered by the Neighborhood Security Initiative and funded by each of the 5 participating SBDs. The CWE North was the first neighborhood to form a SBD in the city of St. Louis, nearly twenty years ago. Several years ago the CWE North SBD Commission, made up of local residents and business owners who are appointed by the mayor and serve without compensation, contracted with The City's Finest as the primary supplemental security patrol provider. TCF is staffed by off-duty bike-mounted St. Louis police officers who have the same authority as when they are working their regular jobs, with the added benefit of radio communication through the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Most importantly they have the power of arrest, unlike ordinary security firms. TCF officers, managed by St. Louis police officers Charles Betts and Paul Henkhaus, are well-equipped to handle policing in urban areas.

Additionally, the Deputy Director of the CWE Neighborhood Security Initiative, Sarah Wickenhauser, is a certified crime analyst who has been with the organization for 1 1/2 years. Sarah reviews crime data received from the police department each morning, and assists in scheduling TCF officers accordingly. There are usually 8 to 10 TCF officers on bikes working throughout the participating districts in staggered shifts.

Wednesday evening and during our earlier conversation Jim stressed the importance of community involvement to help police prevent and solve crimes. One way to get involved is to sign up with the NSI to attend court bond and sentencing hearings when there are crimes committed in the neighborhood. Jim has organized a Court Watch group of concerned citizens who attend hearings to demonstrate to the court that we care how these cases are handled.  Jennifer Joyce, Circuit Attorney for the City of St. Louis, confirmed in one of her recent press conferences that citizen involvement makes a huge difference in the court system. If you'd like to sign up to join the Court Watch group and learn more about the criminal justice system in St. Louis, contact Sarah Wickenhauser (swick@cwensi.com). Sarah will also add you to the email list to receive crime updates, notices of meetings, and safety tips, etc.

Finally, the NSI and CWE North have researched, priced and will implement a $108,000 camera project in CWE North this Fall. Jim Whyte said strategically-placed surveillance cameras have been very successful in other cities. Other SBD's have earmarked funds for cameras, waiting to see how this is implemented in the CWE North. The NSI is looking for ways to expand the reach of the security camera systems. Businesses and buildings that have exterior cameras may want to share a video link with the NSI. This way a business doesn't have to monitor its own cameras and the data can be used more effectively by police. Under this approach, the NSI office would serve as a clearinghouse for all the security camera systems in the CWE. The NSI will take responsibility and provide upgrades as needed.

Jim loves the neighborhood for its "amazing diversity" and open-mindedness. He said he gets upset when the media bashes the neighborhood, and if the news is sensational, it gets even more coverage. He also said during our conversation and again Wednesday night, "What would it say about a neighborhood if it wasn't upset about crime?" Residents do want to get involved to preserve what we love about the CWE.

I know this is an overly long post with perhaps too much information, but I hope it helps clarify these important matters. 

The next CWE NSI public forum will be on September 26 at 5:45 at the Schlafly Library. The meeting will feature the Honorable Stephen Ohmer, Presiding Judge of the 22nd Circuit Court. If interest in the NSI meetings continues as it was Wednesday evening, the NSI will find a larger meeting space for the future.

 

Emma Hand & Anne Sommers launch Indie Mats

A friendship formed in the Central West End has developed into a brand-new business venture---"Indie Mats," frameless mats made right here in St. Louis, see wall above. The creators, Anne Sommers, left, and Emma Hand, right, are launching their product tonight at Pi's downtown location (610 Washington) from 5 to 8.

The friendship began in 2008 when Anne's future husband, Chris Sommers (co-owner of Pi), lived on the same block as Emma and Carter Hand. Anne wore several hats in her days working at Pi, most recently a baker's toque. She learned her craft under the tutelage of local pastry chef, Matthew Rice.

Both women said they can remember the day they started to think about doing something together--August 9, 2011--and from then on they met twice weekly to bring Emma's concept of frameless mats to fruition. 

It was Emma's love of working with photographs that led to the development of an earlier product, Snap Stories, clever do-it-yourself photo story books with titles such as "One Big Adventure" and "My Baby Face" (see earlier post here). With Emma's technical background and contacts from this first venture, and Anne's design sense and super-organization, the pair said they were on the same page 90% of the time. They came up with a color-coordinated set of mats they named Indie Mats, described by Anne as "independent free-spirited mats."

Anne and Emma would occasionally walk together in Forest Park when they felt overwhelmed by the process. It was during those walks that they came up with their best ideas, including naming the collection after Forest Park landmarks, i.e. Cabanne House, The Pavillion, and The Jewel Box.

When the design was finished, they first explored having the mats produced in China using Emma's contacts there. After months of delays and costs that were prohibitive, they tweaked the design and searched for local sources for production. The result is that four local companies are involved in the production of Indie Mats, including the packaging.

Each standard package of Indie Mats contains three color-coordinated frameless mats in sizes 16 x 20, 12 x 16, and 11 x 14, $39. There are also 9 sets of mini-mats (7" x 7"), $29. Each package of mini-mats contains 4 mats of the same pattern.

The tag line on the back of the box, "Indie Mats are made sustainably in small batches in St. Louis," is wonderful to see, isn't it?

Indie Mats are simple to use. Insert a photograph on the back and stick it to the wall using wall-safe mounting squares that are included in the package. There are also tabs on each frame should you wish to add a ribbon at the top. It's super easy to change the photograph and location of the mat, without worrying about patching holes in the wall.

The final photo, displayed in one of Indie Mats stylish frames, shows Anne and Chris Sommers at their wedding reception last October.

Meet Emma and Anne and get a closer look at Indie Mats tonight at the launch party at Pi, 610 Washington Avenue from 5 to 8. Or visit the imaginative website to order this product developed by young entrepreneurs right here in the CWE neighborhood.

P.S. - On a side note, Emma is a graduate of the neighborhood's Rosati-Kain, see Friday's post.

Sunday, August 26

Rosati-Kain celebrates 100th Anniversary!

Meet Rosati Kain's class of 2012. These 102 young women are the 98th class to graduate from the Catholic high school, which has been located at the corner of Lindell and Newstead for 91 years. The school, which draws its 400 students from all over the city and county, has a strong academic tradition with a 100% college acceptance rate.

Rosati-Kain began in the early 1900's as The Rosati Center and Kain High School, staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. They operated as two free learning centers for young women. In 1912 the two centers merged to create Rosati Kain High School and moved to the St. Vincent Seminary site at Grand and Lucas. The sisters covered their expenses by teaching needlework, giving music lessons, and with subsidies from their respective motherhouses.

For the first nine years of its existence, the school was located at the St. Vincent Seminary site at Grand and Lucas. It operated as two free learning centers for young women. The Rosati Center and Kain High School were staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The sisters covered their expenses by teaching needlework, giving music lessons, and with subsidies from their respective motherhouses. The two orders eventually combined the learning centers to form Rosati-Kain.

In 1919, Rosati-Kain moved to the Hayes Mansion at Lindell and Newstead. Three years later construction began on the current school building, a 3-story classical structure designed by Henry P. Hess (partially visible above) at 4389 Lindell.

In July I stopped by during an ice cream social the school hosted to "get to know the neighbors." That's when President Sister Joan Andert, a Sister of Notre Dame, took me on an informal tour of the facility. The poster in the main hallway (above) shows a much earlier graduating class, left, juxtaposed with a photo of two recent graduates. I was amazed to learn that in the 1940's there were over 1000 young women attending Rosati-Kain in two shifts, morning and afternoon. 

Another photograph shows cheerleaders from the 1960's, and

Kougar cheerleaders photographed during the 2010 athletic season, above.

Rosati-Kain has launched a Capital Campaign "Build the Dream...Live the Legacy" to raise 6.8 million dollars to fund construction of a new 24,416 s.f. three-story building in place of the two-story building above. The new building will house science labs, a library, a learning resource center, and virtual classrooms. To view the plans for this addition, look here.

Sister Joan said it's a misconception that the Archdiocease of St. Louis supports all the needs of Rosati-Kain. Faithful alumnae have always come through when the school needed money. She said former graduates have already donated $2 million dollars toward the total goal. The school however has never asked its alumnae for large capital gifts or gone to corporate sponsors, but to build this new structure they are reaching out to the community for help.

The other day as I drove past the school, incoming freshman, oblivious to the busy scene on Lindell, were divided into teams playing games intended to build friendships; and I thought how wonderful it is to have this visible sign of happiness and promise as part of the fabric of the neighborhood.

If you would like more information about how you can support the Capital Campaign, please contact Antonia M. Ponder, Director of Advancement, at 314-533-8513 ext. 216 or aponder@rosati-kain.org.

 Rosati-Kain, 4389 Lindell, (314) 533-8513.

Small things

Out my kitchen window there's a hummingbird resting---a rare occurrence indeed. In the garden an insect lights with gossamer wings, and Flowerpot Lepiota (non-edible!) appear in a blue pot. Small things add up to simple pleasures to be savored at times like these. I've been waiting for the right moment to post these photographs---I think that moment has arrived.

Sunday, August 19

Mike's Bikes opens on Euclid!

There's lots to like about Mike's Bikes, which just opened at 324 N. Euclid (next to Wolfgang's Pet Stop), not the least of which are the laid-back owners, Eric Schlling, left, and Matt McRedmond, right. Though the pair became friends as neighbors living downtown on Washington Avenue, they spent a lot of time in the CWE. Their "aha" moment came when they realized there was a need for a bike shop in this neighborhood with its large number of bike riders and proximity to Forest Park. 

After I met Matt and Eric earlier this week, I asked "so where's Mike?" It turns out that "Mike" is a made-up character. After many months of receiving mysterious hang-up calls on his cellphone, Matt finally answered saying "Mike's Bikes," and the calls stopped. When the pair was trying to come up with a name for the new shop, their friends asked how they could call it anything but...

Eric is the business person behind the operation and Matt is the avid biker, who has been building bikes for family and friends since his college days in Chicago. Colorful bikes were big on campus and friends would bring in older Schwinns for Matt to custom design, color-coordinating seats, tires, handle bars, pedals etc.

Mike's Bikes single-speed line, above, can be custom-designed so that the color of the rim, tires, seat and style of the handle bars are your choice, starting at $500. Matt's theory is that if you build your bike and love it, you'll ride it. Single-speed bikes, big in many urban areas, are designed for city riding, where more gears requiring more maintenance are unnecessary.

Mike's Bikes is a full-service repair shop too. It offers quick turnaround---most repairs can be completed in an hour or less, and the prices are terrific. The shop also offers bike rentals, which include a lock and helmet, for $10 an hour, $40 a day, or $100 a week. Weekend rentals are $75.

Mike's Bikes carries a great selection of bike gear, with more stock arriving every day. An array of bike helmets is priced at $50 each. If you don't see the one you want, they can order it and get it in quickly. The shelf above holds a selection of handle bars, pedals, and bike locks, which range in price from $25 to $40.

The photo above shows an example of Matt McRedmond's skill combining original and new parts on a older Raleigh model. Matt and Eric are bringing the stand, above, to the LouFest in Forest Park August 25 & 26, where they will offer free repairs while bikers enjoy the music.

Be sure to stop and say hello tomorrow, Saturday, for Mike's Bikes Grand Opening. The celebration starts at 10:30 a.m. with a bike ride in Forest Park. From 11 to 3 there will be music, giveaways, complimentary food and beverages (beer provided by Magic Hat Brewery).

Mike's Bikes, 324 N. Euclid, summer hours (May through September) are 10-6 Tues. to Fri., 9-5 Sat. & Sun., closed Mons., (314) 875-0080 (if they answer "Mike's Bikes," you've got the right number!).

Let me introduce you to CWEScene's revamped website

To introduce you to CWEScene's revamped website, I've chosen photos I took during last Saturday's "7 Spectacular Saturdays" event, organized by the Community Improvement District, for the Euclid commercial district north of Lindell. The CWEScene website, which promotes the area, was recently redesigned with a better user experience in mind. That effort includes an improved, more complete and searchable events calendar, an easier-to-navigate merchant directory, and a blog.
Jugglers Matthias Staley and Tom "Too Me" Eggers kept passersbys engaged and on their toes last Saturday evening at the corner of Euclid and McPherson.

The next of this summer's "7 Spectacular Saturdays" events occurs next Saturday, August 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. Because of the success of these events they have been extended into the fall (9/15, 9/22, 10/6 and 10/20). For more information on the neighborhood, its shops, dining establishments, and a calendar of upcoming events, be sure to check CWEScene's website.

CWE Pet Sitters, a mobile vet & a dog whisperer to the rescue!

In this neighborhood with its large population of pets, it is entirely possible that you may get to know a neighbor's dog before you meet its owner. This is especially true if your travels cause you to cross paths with Kim Traylor (lower right, above), proprietor of CWE Pet Sitters, or one of her employees (also above), out walking their four-legged charges in the neighborhood.

The possibility of not knowing your neighbors and their pets was precisely the reason Kim invited me to an informal gathering on pet safety last week. Many of Kim's clients lived in the apartment complex on Lindell that burned last month, and some of their pets perished in that fire. After that experience she realized the need for apartment and condominium dwellers to know their neighbors' pets, so they can take action in the event of an emergency. Kim thought she could start to get the word out on this important issue through my blog.

The informal gathering also included Kyle Smith (standing left), a dog behaviorist, and Pam Clary, a veterinarian who makes house calls!! Kyle is a self-taught dog whisperer who has been in business for 12 years. He originally worked with police canines, and then started working with family dogs with behavioral problems. Kyle's website explains that he "teaches dogs and humans balance through calm-assertive energy."

Last week Kyle Smith demonstrated how to work with a dog who's hard to handle using a neighborhood Corgi as his test subject. Kyle has many CWE clients, not because neighborhood dogs need more training of course, but because there are a lot of dogs living here. Basic obedience training starts at $44, and if there are serious aggression problems Kyle might suggest a 5-day "away" boot camp at his home in Wentzville. You can contact Kyle through his website, his email: stldogwhisper11@gmail.com, or (314) 600-6929.

I had seen Pam Clary's Mobile Veterinary Services truck parked on Newstead and Laclede sometime recently, but couldn't snap a photo before the stoplight changed. So I was very happy to meet her at the gathering. She was asked to offer the CWE Pet Sitter crew hot-weather health safety tips (below).

Dr. Clary demonstrated how to identify heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which would be highly possible during this summer's heat wave. I learned that dogs (and cats) feel warmer to humans because their normal body temperature is about 101 degrees. Dr. Clary, who lives in the CWE, has been making house calls in both the city and county for nine years. To contact Dr. Clary, visit her website or call (314) 799-0043. Her fees are available upon request.

Though Kim's 7 employees love taking care of pets, I was interested to learn about their other careers too. Melissa (wearing a hat) is a music teacher, Robin (in green shirt previous photo) is a professional soccer player, Seamus (sitting right) is a guitarist in a band called Wise Brothers, and Alex (standing) is a student.

Before I tell you more about CWE Pet Sitters owner Kim Traylor, I want to point out the cat, above, whom we noticed watching the dog safety lessons with great interest from the other side of the gate on McPherson.

Kim Traylor and her crew log 200 pet visits a week in the neighborhood. CWE Pet Sitters offers "safety, security and happiness" for your pet while you are away. Kim follows homeowners instructions explicitly, keeping a folder on each pet. She charges $15 a visit which includes 30 minutes of outdoor exercise (for a dog), followed by 10 or 15 minutes tending the pet in the homeowners house. I've engaged Kim to take care of our cat, also $15 a visit, and have always been extremely pleased with Bella's care. I've chuckled at texts that say our cat is eating well, which has never been an issue...unfortunately. Kim will also bring in your mail, and even water a plant or two. And this avid pet lover is available to come talk to your group about pet safety at no charge. Visit Central West End Pet Sitters website, email kim@cwepetsitters.com, or call (314) 882-5365.

Meet Boo McLoughlin, Director of Craft Alliance

The only way to explain why it has taken six months to bring you this post about CWEnder Boo McLoughlin, above, Director of the Craft Alliance, is that I haven't known where to start. My original intention was to introduce Boo, a friend for many years, as one of several directors of cultural institutions who live in the CWE ---the Central Library's Waller Maguire, The Repertory Theatre's Steve Woolf, the Art Museum's Brent Benjamin, St. Louis Actors' Studio's William Roth, etc.---but there is so much more of interest to know about her, and her connection to the neighborhood.

Boo, who has been director of the Craft Alliance since 2006, may be the only director of a cultural institution who follows her mother in the same role. Jody Kistner, Boo's mother, was the director of the Craft Alliance from 1965 to 1968 when the organization was located in the Central West End on McPherson east of Euclid. The institution moved to 6640 Delmar in 1969, and in 2008 opened a second location at the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center.

Boo was four when her family moved from Chicago to 59 Maryland Plaza, a home her parents purchased from her maternal grandparents. Boo and her siblings attended City House, a short walk down Maryland (at Taylor). It was after the family moved to 15 Hortense Place, and the six children were between the ages of four and eighteen, that Jody Kistner became Director of Craft Alliance.

Boo describes the CWE in the '60s as being "The Golden Age."  Stores such as Saks, Montaldo's, and Peck & Peck were on Maryland Plaza; Norton's Gallery and Ferrario were in the Terrace Building on Euclid; two galleries, the Sculpture Gallery at 388 N. Euclid (a co-op owned by 22 artists), and The Painter's Gallery, were located next door (where Kopperman's is). And the bohemian Europa 390 bar occupied the space where Duff's "annex" is now.

As Boo said, she was "drawn into the thread of the art-making world by the artists her parents entertained on Hortense Place." The Kistner children were encouraged to visit with the guests; one of the artists Boo remembers well was weaver Muriel Nezhnie Helfman, one of six founding members of the Craft Alliance. Eventually, Boo said, her father felt he had lost his wife to the Craft Alliance so, sadly, her mother resigned from that role in 1968. 

I snapped Boo, above, mingling with attendees at the 2012 Hot Tea exhibition (see below) at the Delmar Craft Alliance location in early March. The annual teapot exhibition is the most popular of any of the shows the Craft Alliance organizes each year. Over the course of a year 63,000 people visit the two facilities.

Before taking the helm at Craft Alliance, Boo worked for a short stint at CAM (Contemporary) as Director of Educational Outreach. When she heard about the opening at the Craft Alliance, she applied on a whim. Nine months into her tenure as director, Nancy and Ken Kranzberg, whom she had met when she was working at CAM, approached her about opening a second Craft Alliance location in Grand Center. The idea of a location on Grand captured Boo's imagination because it would serve city residents. She believes that art provides a way to reach out to the community. The Kranzbergs offered a space in the Kranzberg Arts Center and spurred the capital campaign to raise $1M to make the move and build-out possible.  Construction began at 501 N. Grand in January 2008, two years after Boo took the helm of Craft Alliance.

The gallery at the Kranzberg Arts Center is site-specific, meaning that visiting artists create art to fit the space. The art lives in that time and space, and the artist never exhibits the same way twice. I have shown several of the exhibitions that have been created there on these pages (see one example here). Craft Alliance at Grand Center has fabulous classroom space in the lower level for its many art classes, day-long workshops, and family events. The Art Department at St. Louis University also holds classes in the metal and fiber studios there. Those sessions fill up fast. Craft Alliance Grand Center also has individual studios for its popular "artists in residence" program, see earlier post here.

Boo McLoughlin learned at a young age that art has a transformative power to inspire. I find Boo's many accomplishments more than impressive, though she is quick to say that she has a wonderful staff who make her look good. I am also sure, because I knew her mother, that Jody would be so proud of her daughter for all that she has achieved as director of Craft Alliance.

Craft Alliance Delmar Loop, 6640 Delmar (314) 725-1177; Craft Alliance Grand Center, Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand, (314) 534-7528.