Nicki's Central West End Guide

Dr. George Benson's photos from the Himalayas

Following on the heels of Wednesday's post on last Friday night's gallery openings on McPherson, I want to mention a photography exhibit that occurred the same evening at Coiffures by Shawn, 312 N. Euclid. The salon is located above SubZero Vodka Bar. Gregory Smith, the proprietor of the salon for the past thirty years, and CWE resident and real estate broker Paul Mittelstadt, organized an exhibit of Dr. George Benson's photography. Dr. Benson, a retired psychoanalyst, lived with his wife, Virginia, on Pershing Place and later in the Greystone.

A small selection of the photographs that Dr. Benson, above, shot with his Hasselblad 500C large-format camera during his three trips to Nepal remain on display at the salon. (The photograph above Dr. Benson's head is not his work.)

Dr. Benson developed the photos he took on his travels to Nepal between 1980 and 1985 in his CWE home. Besides being an avid photographer, he enjoyed cycling, hiking, and mountain climbing, see photo above.

The group of photographs above were taken on Dr. Benson's treks through the Annapurna, Dhalguiri, and Everest mountains of Nepal, and also in the capital city of Kathmandu.

You can always count on Gregory to find ways to ramp up any occasion. SubZero provided drinks and appetizers from its new Market Bar, while in the back area of the salon stylists were on hand to offer free shampoos and styling using Moroccan Oil Hair Products. Also on hand were the creators of the locally-produced Smelly Things Candle Company. Coiffures by Shawn carries the company's line of 100% soy candles which come in a variety of fragrances.

Dr. George Benson's "Photographs from the Himalayas" will be on view at Coiffures by Shawn at 312 N. Euclid for several more weeks. Check out the website for hours.

A big welcome for the Philip Slein Gallery

The Philip Slein Gallery recently moved from a location downtown to 4735 McPherson Avenue and celebrated with a grand re-opening last Friday night. Fellow gallery and shop owners along the McPherson corridor rolled out the welcome mat with openings of their own. The street was crowded with art patrons and those who were curious about the art, or just wanted an excuse to get out and enjoy the beautiful May evening.

The photo above shows the gathering in front of the Philip Slein Gallery, left, and a view into the neighboring, eye-catching Halbert Rugs.

We stopped in to visit with Atrium Gallery owner Carolyn Miles and her husband Joe, above. I recently posted a story about Atrium's current exhibition, "Come'on to My House" by New York artist Christopher Tanner.

This time I persuaded CWEnder Mike Owens to let me snap his photo in front of Tanner's "Hand in the Pool of Maria Montez." I thought the shot would add a little glitz (which is why he's laughing) to his run for State Rep of the 84th District (that's us). VOTE FOR MIKE on August 7th!

Shelton Davis Antiques at 4724 McPherson, was also open late for browsers.

Centro Modern Furnishings at 4727 McPherson featured new arrivals from Antonio Citterio for Flexform and kept the party going with its notorious CenCen Punch.

Eleven-month-old Max, who was gallery hopping with his parents from their home in Benton Park, thought the cool Feltry chair at Centro was just about perfect. Ginny Stewart, co-owner with Todd Lannom of Centro, said the chair's quilt was taken off for the evening, so if you're interested in learning more about it, stop in Centro, 4727 McPherson. 

Art even parked at a meter in front of the Duane Reed Gallery.

The Duane Reed Gallery hosted two exhibitions. In the front room is work by artists Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles who collaborated on pieces they named "Reflections." They create their stunning art out of "off-hand" blown and sculpted glass, found objects, beads, and antique West African findings, above and below.

 

Matthew Paul Isaacson, Ceramics Coordinator/Gallery Director at Forest Park Community College, incorporates industrial manufactured porcelain tiles & fabricated stainless steel into his sculptures. Gallery owner Duane Reed said that Isaacson arrived a week earlier with boxes of tiles that he put assembled on site. Both exhibitions are a must-see! Check website for hours.

Greg Halbert (center), proprietor of Halbert Rugs at 4733 McPherson, had visitors guess the price of his rugs, which are new but look old. We all flunked--they are much more reasonable than they appear. 

It was a one-way ticket for Jackie Saccoccio's oil and mica paintings at the Philip Slein Gallery.  By the time we arrived there were ten red dots on the New York artist's work---all of her paintings sold to St. Louis collectors!! How's that for an opening night?

The gregarious Philip Slein, above, is shown standing in front of one of the Saccoccio paintings visiting with a few of the many people who stopped in to welcome him to the neighborhood.

Another one of Saccoccio's paintings, above, and a final shot of some of those admiring her art, below.

I ran into an old high school friend at the Philip Slein Gallery who jokingly asked why I didn't wear my shorts that evening. I replied that I would have if I still could, but instead I'd rather admire the beauty I photographed above---love the legs, love the red shoes--loved the whole evening! And welcome Philip...

Got Wheels?

"flash flea market" this week!

The Flora Conservancy of Forest Park's Plant Sale

Volunteers for The Flora Conservancy of Forest Park hold a yearly plant sale in the St. Louis City Greenhouses at 5600 Clayton Road. The greenhouses, located on the southern edge of Forest Park, border Highway 64 across from Forest Park Community College. This year's weeklong sale commenced last Saturday and will continue through this Saturday the 19th (see hours at end of post).

The Flora Conservancy of Forest Park, whose Director and former Forest Park Manager is CWEnder Anabeth Weil, is a not-for-profit volunteer organization (see some of the many volunteers in photo above), that landscapes and maintains plantings throughout Forest Park. The organization operates in partnership with the City of St. Louis Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department.

Volunteers take charge of growing the plants for the sale, which provides the bulk of the funding for the organization.

Plants are very reasonably priced, $3 on up. Hanging baskets, chock-full of a variety of shade-loving plants were marked $8. They were snapped up fast.

Volunteers also helped customers to their cars on Saturday, see above. In return for 30 hours of service beautifying Forest Park, Flora Conservancy volunteers are granted the privilege of overwintering tropical plants in the City Greenhouses. To become a volunteer, call (314) 289-5323.

The Flora Conservancy Plant Sale continues the rest of the week from 8 to 3, and Saturday the 19th from 8 to 11, cash or check only, 5600 Clayton Rd.

Herb Day at the CWE Community Garden

May 5th was Herb Day at the CWE Community Garden in the 5000 block of Waterman. This vegetable and fruit garden is being cultivated by CWE Board Member Arthur Culbert with assistance from the 4th grade class at New City School.

Two Saturdays ago Geoff Beal, an herbalist, offered an afternoon workshop at the garden that included a scavenger hunt for children, information on herbs and their benefits, and an  Hibiscus-blend iced tea from Kateri Meyer of the Traveling Tea Company. You'll find Kateri at the Tower Grove Farmers Market on Saturdays.

 

There was a teaching moment about beneficial bugs when a ladybug was discovered on an apple tree planted on the periphery of the garden, see below. Geoff Beal informed me that later on a wiggly earthworm showed up unexpectedly to the delight of the 3 to 9 year olds who were there.

Three-year-old Hazel tries out the architectural stonework that was salvaged from a neighbor's yard by Tom Brackman for use as an outdoor classroom. The community garden experience is being used by the 4th grade teachers at New City as a class on citizenship. The students harvest the vegetables they've planted from seed for two food pantries located in the neighborhood.

Last Monday the 4th graders were going to pick strawberries and spinach (below) for Trinity's Food Pantry. The other food pantry the students serve is at Second Presbyterian Church. I'll be posting a story on Second Church's program later.

Geoff Beal is a Professional Herbalist and Naturopath who does herbal health counseling with individuals over 20 years of age. To contact Geoff, who also loves to work with children (and adults) at schools, summer camps, community gardens, etc.: geofftheherbalist@yahoo.com.

k. hall "popping-up" on Maryland Plaza

k. hall, a Brentwood-based company that specializes in aromatic bath, body and home care products is opening a "pop-up" shop on Maryland Plaza next door to Moris Fashions. I snapped a photo from the sidewalk of the outside this morning and unfortunately wound up with lots of glare. Love these sunny days, just not for photography.

When I peeked into the space, there was a young woman stocking shelves with large bottles of lotion and other handsome-looking products. She said that they hope to be open by the end of next week.

I remember k. hall when Kelley Hall-Barr and her husband John Barr first started in business in an out-of-the-way location in UCity on Midland. As the business grew, it moved to a larger space on Manchester Road in Brentwood. Let's hope k. hall has a successful run as a "pop-up" in the CWE and the Maryland Plaza location becomes a permanent spot for the successful hometown business.

In response to a comment posted below Kelly Barr wrote, "We are going to carry flax and "free people" clothing...more and more items will come in over the next few months."

k. hall opened today, May 17 at 28 Maryland Plaza. The shop looks fabulous! Hours are Mon. - Sat. 11 to 7, Sun. 12 to 5.

 

ME's "Have Art Supplies, Will Travel" Workshop

For the past couple of years Mary Engelbreit has been celebrating her birthday by holding a Home Companion Workshop in her CWE Studio at Euclid and Maryland. This year's birthday celebration is scheduled for the weekend of June 9th and 10th. The editor of the late Home Companion Magazine and CWE resident Barbara Eliott Martin has been helping Mary organize the event, and two dear friends of mine, Charlotte Lyons and Kathy Curotto, are teaching. Another star in the crafting world, Amy Powers, will be there too. 

It's a great opportunity to see Mary's fabulous studio, enjoy a day or two learning something new, and of course, eat a little birthday cake. There are a few spots left, so dash over to the Workshop's webpage and sign up here. 

Out for a stroll with Ella and Miles

Photo courtesy of Emma Hand

Emma Hand, mother of Cali and Lilah, above, and creator of Snap Stories, sent photos of the girls walking Hannah Roth's Japanese Chins, Ella and Miles (Hannah's a big jazz fan). The young dog handlers, frequently called into service, appear to let Ella and Miles take the lead as they stroll about the neighborhood. 

Photo courtesy of Emma Hand

Ever the young fashionistas, Cali wears a tutu with pink leggings, while Lilah sports a STL-Style t-shirt that was a birthday present for Cali---you know how that works with big sisters, don't you? Both the World Chess Hall of Fame Gift Shop on Maryland and Left Bank Books carry the Winged Griffin shirt, $22.95 to $25. I checked with Bruce Shoults at The Great Frame Up at 22 N. Euclid who said he carries other great STL-Style t-shirts, just not the Winged Griffin.

Do you have your Passport?

If not, you definitely should pick up your Passport to the CWE before May 1st so you can take advantage of all that it offers for the entire month of May. Sale proceeds of the Passport benefit the Children's Education Alliance of Missouri, a state-wide nonprofit organization located on McPherson. CEAM focuses on affecting education-related policy change to improve the quality of educational opportunities for all Missouri children, especially those who do not learn in a typical classroom setting.

Peter Franzen, CEAM's Director of Development, has enlisted many local shops and restaurants who agrred to offer special deals, and placed them in a "passport" booklet complete with a map showing their locations and a list of special Passport-related events. The cost is $25. One can easily recoup the cost in one or two visits to restaurants; or the Passport will more than pay for itself at participating neighborhood shops and businesses. Enjoying the perks, while supporting a great cause, adds up to: "What are you waiting for?"

 

 

You may have spotted this poster that's been popping up in the windows of participating businesses left, including Shelton Davis Antiques, below.

  

A kick-off party will take place Tuesday, May 1st at The Vino Gallery, 4701 McPherson from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. You can purchase your passport online, at CEAM's offices at 4742A McPherson, The Vino Gallery, or at The Eye Bar which is offering $100 off any complete pair of prescription glasses and $50 off sunglasses.

More from CEAM's Peter Franzen: "Passport holders carry their Passports with them the entire month of May to redeem special offers at the best CWE spots.  Things like 'buy one, get one' offers at Pi, Starbucks, and Qdoba; appetizers and desserts with your meal - Duff's, SubZero, Llewelyn's; great discounts like 50% off introductory classes at CrossFit, 15% off or a free bronze initial charm at Jennifer Walker Jewelry; and more free things like House-made bavarian chips at Dressel's, ice cream at Coffee Cartel, a martini at Premium Lounge, gelato at Bar Italia, and a free trial membership at Sante Health Club in the Chase Park Plaza.  Of course there are many more great deals in the Passport that add up to a fun-filled month of May in the Central West End."