Nicki's Central West End Guide

View BBC's report on CWE: "Separate and unequal"

 

From the BBC website: "Each Wednesday the 'Altered States' video series examines how shifting demographics and economic conditions affects America on a local level." (view it here) 

"Margin Call" has neighborhood connection

 Photo courtesy of Cameron Goodyear

Last Thursday I received an email from my dear friend Mary Morgan asking if I wanted to conduct an interview with her son-in-law J.C. Chandor, above right, the writer/director of Margin Call, a new movie that has generated lots of buzz in advance of its October 21 opening. I chuckled at the thought that J. C., whom I do know, would be willing to pause between appearances with Kevin Spacey on talk shows or interviews with the NY Times and Wall Street Journal to conduct an interview with the writer of a CWE blog.

I've known J. C.'s wife, Cameron Goodyear, above left, since Mary and step-father Michael Morgan moved to Lenox Place in 1986. Cameron went to Mary Institute (MICDS) for a couple of years, and then left St. Louis to attend St. George's in Rhode Island. Cameron, J. C., and young children, Frances, shown above, and Miles (not pictured), currently live in New York State.

Before making Margin Call, first-time director J. C. Chandor's previous experience in film making was directing commercials. His intimate knowledge of the investment business comes via his father, who was an investment banker at Merrill Lynch for 40 years. J. C. wrote the first draft of Margin Call over a weekend in November 2008. In Rachel Dodes recent article describing Margin Call in the online Wall Street Journal, she explained: "The film, set during the height of the 2008 financial crisis, has an ensemble cast that includes Mr. (Kevin) Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Paul Bettany, Demi Moore and Stanley Tucci. It zeroes in on a group of executives trying to save their 107-year-old financial institution from imminent collapse: notably by selling off billions of dollars in mortgage-backed securities in a single day, before the bottom falls out of the market." The big-name actors in the film were such believers in the project that they agreed to work for scale and a percentage of profits.

After I passed on a possible interview offer, Cameron emailed that she and J. C. were attending the premier last night at New York's Sunshine Theatre. She thought all the cast will be there and as she said, "That's a fashion crisis!" Funny she should say that because what I remember about lovely Cameron is that she was quite the fashion plate while she lived here. That, of course, required a little extra preparation time before heading off to school in the morning, which tested the patience of the mother (often her own) driving carpool. Once I remember a scarf-as-blouse kind of get-up, which I felt certain made the ride out to Warson Road a much more pleasant trip for the Country Day students in the backseat. But back to the movie....

Cameron informed me that J. C. started working with producer Zach Quinto (who also plays a part in the movie) soon after he wrote Margin Call, but the pair didn't sell the U.S. distribution rights until the Sundance Festival, which the whole family attended. "So," Cameron said, "it really is a low budget Indie film, despite the stellar cast. Thanks for the support, Nicki!" It's my pleasure, Cam!

J. C. requested that the film's distributors include St. Louis on the list of opening cities for the movie, and perhaps because of the neighborhood connection, Margin Call is opening this weekend at both the Chase Cinema and Landmark's Plaza Frontenac--an unusual occurrence as local movie buffs know.

Two very different breakfasts in the neighborhood

Though Health Literacy Missouri at 325 N. Euclid is a relatively young organization, it has nevertheless managed to make a very positive impact on the CWE neighborhood in its short time here. CEO Dr. Arthur Culbert, shown above left, is a biking enthusiast who became involved with Trailnet  to help promote its "Shift Your Commute" program, which encourages St. Louisans to get out of the car and bike to work. The program includes a socializing component, called "Breakfast for Bikers," that is held in three neighborhoods, including the CWE. On the last Wednesday of every month bikers are encouraged to stop by Health Literacy's offices on their way to work to enjoy coffee and a free breakfast provided by HLM's neighbor, Central Cafe. About twenty bikers pedaled in to enjoy the event this past Wednesday. Sponsors include Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation, and the Central West End Association.

There are two other locations and days of the month for "Breakfast for Bikers" events. Kaldi's Coffeehouse on DeMun is the spot on the third Friday of the month, and the Downtown Bicycle Station at 1011 Locust, is the site the last Friday of the month.

TravelGreen Coordinator Emily Luten, above right, is charged with promoting "Shift Your Commute," the name given to this new program. Emily encourages bikers to register at the website where you can log your miles, learn carbon emissions saved, and calories burned.

Another upcoming event sponsored by Trailnet and the CWE's Schlafly Library is a Literary Ride through the neighborhood.  Next Saturday, July 9, there is a two-hour bike ride through the CWE touring literary landmarks. Meet at the Blockbusters on Lindell at 10 a.m. The tour will end at the Library, 225 N. Euclid, where neighborhood authors' books will be on display.

Another neighborhood organization that has jumped right into community outreach is Sante Health Club at the Chase Park-Plaza. General Manager Greg McCarthy, upper left, seems to be everywhere these days promoting a healthy lifestyle. Sante promoted the "Breakfast for Bikers" event to its members; the health club recently conducted a yoga class, open without charge to the community, where 300 enthusiasts practiced yoga mat-to-mat at the Chase's Starlight Roof ballroom; and on Monday evenings, there is an ongoing boot camp, also open to anyone in the neighborhood. In early September, Sante is sponsoring a charity biking event for MS. See Sante's website for more info.

Thursday night's Movie on the Plaza was a very different kind of breakfast, this one at Tiffany's, which drew a standing-room-only crowd to gather at the Maryland Plaza Fountain. The crowd started drifting in around 8:15, quickly filling every available chair. To keep the crowd entertained until it was dark enough to roll the film, Frances Thompson, Publicity Director of Maryland Plaza, arranged for one of the night's sponsors, Mary Jane's, to put on a fashion show. There was also a trivia contest, popcorn for all, and a free bottle of Stella Artois beer for those old enough to imbibe legally. Darkness fell around 9 p.m., and what we all came together for---two hours (plus one film breakdown that was quickly resolved) of the lovely Audrey Hephurn, Henry Mancini's music, and Truman Capote's imagination. It was a magical night.

Thank you to Frances and to all the sponsors, the number of which seems to grow with each film. Up next: "The Maltese Falcon" on Thursday, July 28.

And up next for Health Literacy Missouri: a post on its community garden.

2011 Schedule for Movies on the Plaza

Tonight's screening of "Chocolat" has been rescheduled for next Thursday, June 2, due to weather. Same time, same everything else, just one week later.

It's time to dig the lawn chairs out of winter storage and head over to Maryland Plaza Thursday evening for the start of the second season of "Movies on the Plaza." Frances Thompson, Marketing Director of Maryland Plaza, has lined up a great selection of films supported by a cast of generous sponsors, shown at the bottom of both posters, above and below. You might have guessed that Bissinger's would plan a special dessert menu to tie in with Thursday's screening of Chocolat. 

Trivia contests are planned before each movie with two or three possible winners; Stella Artois is offering a beer tasting (the first tasting will be complimentary)---and there is always free popcorn! Movies begin at dusk.

A chilly journey to the Land of Oz

One thing you can never count on is Mother Nature....witness Dorothy's whirlwind trip to Oz in the movie classic "The Wizard of Oz," shown last night on Maryland Plaza.  Weather was also a factor for the attendees at the fourth "Movies on the Plaza" Thursday evening....it was really chilly! That didn't deter the singers from Visitation Academy who were on hand for the pre-movie sing-along. Their beautiful voices and easy manner "on stage" made it easy for the children in the crowd to join in.

The popcorn vendors who have been handing out complimentary popcorn at previous "Movies on the Plaza" from a cart, went all out and dispensed popcorn and a wide variety of candies, while dressed as characters in the movie.
The realistic Scarecrow is the husband of the proprietor of the popcorn cart.
An enthusiastic staffer from the Saint Louis Science Center set up a "make your own slime" table that was a big attraction for the children who arrived early (the movie started at 6:30).
She also threw dry ice into the Maryland Plaza Fountain to stir up a Wicked Witches' brew.

As the crowd gathered under blankets for the start of the movie, a waitress from Bissinger's, sporting a dragon's tail, took orders for the chocolatier's special hot chocolate, the drink of choice on this chilly final movie night of the fall season. Thanks to Frances Thompson, marketing director of Maryland Plaza, for organizing this event, and for bringing her adorable tripletts along for us to meet. Thanks also to tireless Central West End Families & Friends organizer and Central West End Association board member Heather Navarro, and to John Berglund, CWEA president, for their participation in making this charming community event possible. Can't wait to hear about next season's selections for the second annual "Movies on the Plaza."

"Movies on the Plaza" presents "The Wizard of Oz" Thursday

Note the earlier starting time (6:30 p.m.) for the fourth and final "Movies on the Plaza" of the year, the beloved Wizard of Oz. Halloween costumes are definitely encouraged. A Wizard-of-Oz sing along and other pre-movie activities begin at 6 p.m. There'll also be complimentary popcorn and special treats for the kids.

Bissinger's will once again serve wine, hot chocolate, and selections from their sweet and savory menu. And The Cup (The Cupcakery's new name) is featuring a "Ruby" cupcake all day Thursday.

Thanks to Frances Thompson of Maryland Plaza for organizing this really fun neighborhood event, and a long list of generous sponsors that now include The Cup and Saint Louis Science Center (see poster for others). "Movies on the Plaza" has been so successful that there are plans to continue showing movies by the fountain again next summer and fall.

P.S. -  Please leave Toto at home (unless it's your costume). Bring your own chair and blanket! And there is no rain date.

 

 

"Some Like it Hot!" on Maryland Plaza Thursday night

 
If you've missed the first three movies shown on Maryland Plaza over the last couple of months, don't miss the fourth! The details are on the poster. Be sure and bring your own chair!  Thanks to Frances Thompson, Marketing Director of Maryland Plaza, and the generous sponsors (also on the poster) for putting this together. The final movie of the season is scheduled for the end of October.

"Casablanca" on Maryland Plaza a big crowd pleaser

 
As a play on the oft repeated line in "Casablanca" shown at the fountain on Maryland Plaza last evening, "here's looking at you Audrey and Quinn" standing in front of the popcorn cart appropriately labeled "Rick's Cafe Americain."  Behind the girls is Frances Thompson, marketing director of Maryland Plaza, who arranged the event with support from the Central West End Association, Central West End Families & Friends, Bissinger's, and Dave Mungenast Lexus. 
Whether because of much more hospitable weather, better publicity or both, attendance at last evening's event was many times greater than at the early August showing of "North by Northwest," when the temperature was a wilting 100 degrees at 9 p.m. 
Frontyard Features' inflatable screen is actually two-sided so that people on both sides had good seats, including sidewalk patrons of 'Scape. There are two more movie events scheduled, September 30 and October 28, so there is still time to get in on the fun. A couple of people mentioned before the movie began that they were probably going to skip out early, though I noticed they were still in their seats as the movie ended, waiting 'til the very last scene before leaving this wonderful community event.

Second Movie Night on Maryland Plaza next Thursday

If you missed the first movie night Frances Thompson, the marketing guru of Maryland Plaza, planned for a very hot night earlier this month, you have another opportunity to join the fun. "Casablanca" will be shown next Thursday, August 26, at 8 p.m next to the fountain on Maryland Plaza. All the particulars are on the poster (bring your own chairs, no dogs please! and there is no rain out date).

Thanks to the following sponsors who have made this and future movie nights, scheduled for September 30 and October 28, possible: Dave Mungenast, Bissinger's*, Central West End Families & Friends, the Central West End Association & Maryland Plaza.

*Bissinger's is planning a special menu so you can enjoy a glass of wine and a light dinner before or during the show.

Vino Gallery pits Merlot vs. Pinot Noir...a la "Sideways"

After yesterday's posting on the movie night on Maryland Plaza, several readers lamented that there wasn't much notice about that event. Sorry you missed the signs around the neighborhood and the notice I put on Sunday evening's posting.

But never-mind, because here is another movie night opportunity, this one scheduled for next Friday the 8th. Rachael Buehler and Alex Head, owners of The Vino Gallery, are planning a blind Merlot vs. Pinot Tasting starting at 7 p.m.  Stick around after the votes are cast and watch the film "Sideways." Tickets are $5 and seating is limited, so if you'd like to join the fun call (314) 932-5665, or look for them on Facebook.

It was one of those 100 degree afternoons when I went into the shop to get the details on the upcoming event, so I asked what wines Rachael would recommend for these hot summer evenings. She suggested Cottonwood Creek's "Organic" White, $9.99, and Red Car's "Box Car" Rose, $13.99, above.

By the way, The Vino Gallery holds wine tastings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check the calendar posted on the website for what's being sampled when.

The Vino Gallery, 4701 McPherson, Mon. to Weds. 11-7, Thurs. to Sat. 11-9, (314) 932-5665.