Nicki's Central West End Guide

Earth Day Festival 2013 in Forest Park

The St. Louis Earth Day Festival, which was held this past weekend on the grounds of The Muny in Forest Park, is 24 years old and the third largest in the country. Read article in Thursday's article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

A "Stop the Drones" booth, above, sat next to one devoted to meditation.

There was a display of electric vehicles including a 1974 VW Beetle that had been converted from a gasoline engine to electric power at a cost of $6000.

 

Young artists inspired by nature photographer Danny Brown

Photo courtesy of Brenda Hente

 After yesterday's tragic events in Boston, I hope you can find a little solace in this simple post about a collaboration between a teacher, Brenda Hente, above right, and nature photographer, Danny Brown, above left, that led to an exhibition of art by 7th & 8th graders from Olivette's Immanuel Lutheran School in Forest Park.

"Six degrees of separation" may be an overused expression, but it explains how these connections began. They revolve around Mark Glenshaw, the Owlman of Forest Park, and his seven-year study of the Great Horned Owls he observes and writes about on his blog. Brenda, who has been teaching for 26 years, is a regular visitor to the park, and seems, in my opinion, almost as knowledgeable as Mark when it comes to owls. In addition to many evening hours spent observing the owls in Forest Park, she follows a pair of Great Horned Owls in a wooded area near her home. While on an owl prowl in Forest Park a couple of years ago, Brenda met photographer Danny Brown, a Missouri Department of Conservation fisheries biologist.  At the time Danny, whose nature photography is highly regarded for its beauty and detail, was photographing the owls for his Nature Frames blog. Danny and Brenda became friends and she suggested that his photography be used as subject matter for her students' art curriculum. She called the class "Nature Frame Mondays." Twenty-three 7th and 8th graders studied the photographs on Danny's blog and learned about the animals posted there each week. The students also met the photographer in Forest Park, chose a photograph to depict, and worked on their multi-media projects over the course of the school year.

Last Monday evening Forest Park Forever sponsored an exhibition of finished work from Nature Frame Mondays in the Trolley Room at the Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, as part of its Voyagers of Learning Rendezvous program.

The Trolley Room at the Visitor Center was filled with excited artists, proud parents, and restless siblings, as well as staff members of Forest Park Forever. The evening concluded with slides presented by Danny Brown showing photographs of Missouri's natural wonders and wildlife.

Danny Brown, above, is shown with papier-mache bird sculptures made by the students. Examples of the photographer's work was on view at the opening alongside the art created by the students. See below:

Photo courtesy of Danny Brown

 

Photo courtesy of Danny Brown

The students shown above fashioned owl heads out of pottery with inspiration from Danny's photograph shown on the table. Unfortunately the charming pieces don't show up well in my photograph. My apologies to the artists! 

Photo courtesy of Danny Brown

Some of the art from the exhibition will remain on view at the Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor Center in Forest Park until Earth Day, Monday, April 22 May 13!

A stunning photograph of a hooded merganser taken in Forest Park was featured on a posting to introduce Danny Brown to readers of this blog last December.

Thank you Brenda for inviting me to the exhibition. (We initially met on an owl prowl a couple of years ago and have seen each other since while in the park observing the owls.) Nature Frame Mondays produced delightful work and it was wonderful to meet some of Immanuel Lutheran School's students. I also loved  the chance to meet Danny Brown last week, whose work I admire greatly. There is a link to his blog under "inspirations" found on the right-hand column.

A perfect day for a burn

Last Friday morning dawned with low humidity and a gentle breeze which, according to Bill Reininger, Park Operations Manager of Forest Park Forever, meant weather conditions were perfect for a controlled burn scheduled that day in Forest Park.

At the suggestion of CWEnder Tracy Boaz, Community Planner at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) I headed over to the Park to watch and take photos. Tracy explained that this is the 2nd year of a 3-year grant from the Department of Conservation to Forest Park Forever to pay for the burns. FPF's President and Executive Director Leslie Hoffarth added that the Department has been extremely helpful with technical and financial assistance to implement Forest Park's Master Plan. The Conservation Department has maintained a St. Louis office inside the Visitors Center in the Park.

Two areas underwent a late-winter burn on Friday, a narrow three-acre section across the road and east of the upper Muny parking lot, above, and a nine-acre parcel north of Steinberg Rink, below.

Before we headed over to the Steinberg area, Bill Reininger explained that burning is a more ecologically sound way to clear areas of invasive species such as honeysuckle, and is not as dangerous for the environment as using gasoline-powered mowers over the course of the growing season, or spraying chemicals. "Remember," Bill said," when residents of south St. Louis would burn their Zoysia grass? Burning is nature's way of putting nutrients back into the soil." When I asked Tracy and Bill what happens to wildlife in the area during a burn, they said that they purposely leave a section nearby untouched so the wildlife can escape into the tall grasses.

Later on, when we had moved over to the Steinberg Rink area, Leslie Hoffarth added to the discussion about wildlife, saying that, over the course of a few days before the burn, Forest Park Forever employees made as much noise as they could cutting down dead limbs, walking through the area, etc., to encourage wildlife to move away on its own.

Waiting for the area to be cleared of runners and bikers so the burn could start near Steinberg Rink were MDC's Tracy Boaz (in tan shirt), her husband Fred Ricks (in blue shirt), and others from both organizations.

Forest Park Forever notified the Fire Department, BJC, and neighbors who border the park that the burn was taking place on Friday, and employees stood watch on nearby trails to detour people in the park on that beautiful day.
Heather Nararro, Director of the Coalition for the Environment, above, happened to show up and wound up speaking with a KTRS reporter, right. Mark Glenshaw, the Owlman of Forest Park, was also in the area taking pictures. The burn area was nowhere near the territory of the Great Horned Owls (Sarah, Charles and current offspring), or he would not have been so relaxed.

Forest Park Forever hired Jon Wingo of DJM Ecological Services to implement the burn. His employees set the fires and operated a tractor with a water hose to keep the fire contained.

A few DJM employees carried water packs with sprays to protect trees as fire came near.

Though signs alerted the public of the controlled burn and advised not to call 911, a representative of the fire department was there nevertheless.

It will be interesting for those who frequent the park to watch the burned areas rejuvenate in the coming season. As I conclude this post up I am reminded of how much I take Forest Park for granted. How fortunate we are to have this treasure in our front yard. 

Thank you so much Tracy for suggesting I might like to share the burn event with readers of this blog. I learned so much while I was there and hope that I've been able to successfully pass some of that knowledge along.

Counting crows

If you are up early, or a light sleeper, you can't help but hear the persistent sound of crows exiting the neighborhood around 6:30 each morning, and then just as boisterously returning to the CWE at dusk, above and below.  

In December 2010, I included the following information in a post:

"Central West End resident and longtime friend Ellie Chapman asked if I knew anything about crows, a noisy bunch of neighbors to be sure...

'What's with all the crows flying around the CWE? We watch them flying by the hundreds morning and night. Last night they were chasing one of "our" hawks. They seem to choose a new roosting spot every night.'

To get the answer I went to the appropriate authority on the subject and emailed Martin Schweig, and this is his very interesting reply:

'In the fall, after the nesting and raising of their young is over, crows start gathering in increasingly large flocks. This social behavior seems to have great survival value over trying to make it alone. During the daylight hours the flocks seem to disperse to the city outskirts (Ladue, Chesterfield etc.) to feed and then in the evening they return to the city where there are lots of tall trees and it is warmer. (Here they also unload their meals from earlier in the day). There is a lot more light in the city so they can move about all evening long. They do not seem to need 8 hours of sleep every night. In the early spring, they start to pair off, look for nesting sites and abandon the flocks.'"

If you happen to be in Forest Park at the end of the day you'll see the birds resting on the Upper Muny Lot and Central Field, before heading back to the neighborhood for the night. Pondering the National Backyard Bird Count effort (see yesterday's post) taking place this weekend, where would you start counting crows?

Forest Park's Top Model

Noppadol Paothang Photography

Mark Glenshaw, the Owlman of Forest Park, recently posted news that a photograph of Sarah and one of her 2012 offspring, Christopher or Velvet above, made the February 2013 issue of Missouri Conservationist. I have copied some of what the proud Owlman said about this honor and about Nop Paothang's stunning photography below. Be sure to visit Mark's website as he tracks Charles and Sarah, the Great Horned Owls he has been following since December 2005.

Sarah continues to nest and although she is all but impossible to see in the high steep nest except when she takes short breaks out of the nest, she has recently been seen by thousands of people in Missouri and even beyond.  There is a gorgeous photo of Sarah and one of the 2012 owlets (Christopher or Velvet) in the new (February 2013) of Missouri Conservationist, the superb monthly magazine of the Missouri Department of Conservation.  The picture of Sarah is in an article on Short-Eared Owls written by and with accompanying photographs by Noppadol  "Nop" Paothang, one of the magazine's superb photographer.  You can see the article here and at the top of the article are nine separate photos.  The photo of Sarah is fifth of the nine photos. Check out her talons!  When people see with my camera equipment they often ask if I am a photographer.  I respond that I am a naturalist who takes photos.  Furthermore, I have friends and acquaintances who are professional or semi-professional photographer and to call me a photographer is to insult them!  Photos like these by Nop are abundant proof of the difference.

If you are not already a subscriber to Missouri Conservationist, I highly recommend that you subscribe to it immediately.  I look forward to its informative articles and superb photography every month.   A subscription to it is free to all Missouri households.  I am embarrassed to say that I have only been a subscriber for a few years but it is never to late. This link provides subscription information.

P.S. - On the subject of birds, the National Backyard Bird Count effort starts today through February 18th. On the website there is a printable list of the types of birds that inhabit our area. Here is the link (www.birdcount.org), in case you want to take part. There is no way to even begin counting the gazillion crows that seem to love the CWE. Will post that photo tomorrow. 

Celebrating a 7th Owliversary with a nesting

You've met Mark Glenshaw, the Owlman of Forest Park, on these blog pages many times over the past couple of years. Several neighbors went on an owl prowl with Mark in January 2011 and have followed Charles and Sarah, the Great Horned Owls and their offspring (see link here) on Mark's blog ever since. It was on Mark's 7th "Owliversary" (as he cleverly calls it), which happened to coincide with the end of 2012, that the Owlman discovered Charles and Sarah are nesting once again.

It is with Mark's permission and a toast to new life that I bring this sweet post from the Owlman's blog at the beginning of 2013. As you read it you'll notice that, in order to track flight patterns, nesting locations, etc., Mark has given names to each of the trees the owls frequent: Fleur de lis, Eastern Branch Tree, etc.

In Mark's words:

January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!  I hope 2013 proves to be a great one for you all!

Last night was one of those evenings with so much happening that if just one of the highlights had occurred, it would have been a great night.  Having seen Sarah check out some possible nest spots on December 30, I knew that I had to return the last  night to see if she had made her nest selection.  I arrived at the park later than I had wanted but I was armed with some vital information.  My friend and owl mentee, Brenda Hentee, had been to the park earlier that day.  She texted me that she had found Charles in The Fleur-de-lis Tree and despite a thorough search, she could not find Sarah.  As we texted back and forth, we agreed that Sarah might be nesting in The 2011 Nest Hollow and thus be out of sight. 

When I got to the park Charles was still in The Fleur-de-lis Tree.  I began to check a few spots for her not far from Charles in case she had relocated since Brenda's visit.  Charles began to blast out booming hoots.  To my delight I heard Sarah respond The 2011 Nest Hollow.  This hollow was high on my list of possible nest spots for 2013 as both owls, especially Charles, checked it out more than any other spot this fall and early winter.  They began to duet in earnest.  Here's Charles in The Fleur-de-lis Tree.

Sarah emerged from the hollow and flew to The Fleur-de-lis Tree.  I hoped that they might mate early but instead and true to form as of late, Charles flew into the hollow.  Here's Sarah in The Fleur-de-lis Tree. 

Thankfully, Charles did not remain long in the hollow, as he had often done so lately.  He flew and landed high in The First of The Three Trees, a spot that Sarah has frequented this breeding season.  They continued to duet and Sarah flew and joined Charles in the same tree albeit many feet lower.  I patiently filmed the duet and waited for it to go up that gear or two that usually occurs before mating.  The duet gradually intensified and Charles flew down to Sarah and they mated. After mating, Charles blasted off southeast.  Watch the palpable impact that Charles makes when he lands on Sarah before they mate.  

They mated at 4:59 pm just ten minutes after sunset.  I waited eagerly to see what would happen next.  Just shy of fifteen minutes later, Sarah made a slow, graceful descent at a sharp angle towards the bank of the river way.  Two possibilities leapt to mind: predatory attempt or time for a drink and/or bath.  The latter was the winner.  Sarah walked into the river way and began to drink.  It was too dark for video but bright enough to get a few poor but discernible photos of her drinking and looking vigilantly around between sips.

  

She drank for five minutes before making a short flight into The Eastern Branch Tree a mere 30-50 feet away from me.  Not for the last time, I was grateful that I was well concealed and behaving in an appropriately stealthy manner.  It was amazing to see her drink again so close to nesting.  She did this last year and you can read about it in this post on my blog.  Like last year, the needs of the growing eggs may demand more water/liquid consumption than other times of the year.  Owls get most of their liquid needs from the prey they consume.  In seven years, I have seen them drink and/or bathe fewer than ten times.

I was keen to see if/when Charles would return and if he would have prey for Sarah.  Charles did not disappoint. A mere twenty-five minutes after they had mated I began to hear Charles hoot from the southeast.  He moved closer and eventually flew to the 06/09 Nest Hollow.  His hoots were slightly muted as he had a small prey item in his bill!  Sarah flew to The Middle Tree and he joined her and gave her the prey.  I think the prey was a small bird or mammal.  From what I could tell, Sarah made quick work of the prey and they hooted gently as they perched next to each other.  I thrilled to see Charles return with prey as it demonstrates that he understands that Sarah is nesting and that he is now hunting for the both of them and if all goes well, the owlets too.  I have seen this behavior by Charles before on the first night of Sarah nesting and it always amazes.  It is as if a hormonal/behavioral switch is thrown and he goes out to grab prey as fast as he can.  I remember a similar occasion when he went blasting out to hunt on the first night of Sarah's nesting.  I saw him land in the distance and went to follow him.  I was less than halfway to where he had landed when the next thing I knew he was flying past me in the opposite direction with prey in bill on his way to give the food to Sarah.  

Charles flew off to another Cottonwood and began to hoot loudly and regularly, perhaps proud in the fact that he had done his duty and in fine fashion.  Sarah began to reply to him, flew to a neighborhood Cottonwood.  I wondered if a second mating might take place.  I did not have to wonder long.  Sarah flew to Charles' spot, landed right next to them and they mated for the second time in under forty minutes.

Heading northwest, Charles hooted in flight and even hooted for a bit after landing.  I hoped to see Sarah fly back to the now renamed 2011/13 Nest Hollow.  I watched patiently in the icy temperatures but she did not fly to the hollow or any other spot before departed fifty minutes later.  Interestingly she finally began to groom, something she had not done even after leaving the nest hollow.  It was tough to go but not-so-toasty toes and New Year's plans both at friends' and at home directed me away from the park.  An amazing evening with these amazing owls and a great way to end the year.  Thanks for reading!

And thanks for sharing this post Mark. Contact Mark to arrange an owl prowl or a talk at mglenshaw@gmail.com.

Meet the Hooded Merganser & photographer Danny Brown

CWEnder Fred Ricks, who is in my Saturday morning yoga class, introduced me to Danny Brown's blog which I am so happy to share with you. Tracy Boaz, Fred's wife, works at the Missouri Department of Conservation with Danny, who is a fabulous, fabulous photographer. Each Friday Danny adds a post to his blog, Nature Frames. I have put a link to Nature Frames under "CWE Links" on the right sidebar of this blog, so you can check in once in a while, or subscribe yourself.

Now meet the gorgeous Hooded Mergansers which Danny discovered recently in Forest Park and read his post below.

November 30, 2012

Last weekend, the day after Thanksgiving, I added a new species to my Forest Park photography list—the hooded merganser. It was my third morning in a row of before-daylight starts and I’d already sat for almost four hours waiting for a stubborn kingfisher. A northwest cold front was blowing through and I decided to stick around for another hour or two as long as the clouds continued to filter the sun’s rays. I hadn’t made one keeper image during the three mornings at Forest Park and just when I was beginning to feel like the set-up I’d been adjusting from day-to-day was wrong—yet again—I heard the jet engine roar of……divers? A second later, three hooded merganser hens dropped from the sky at my feet. As soon as they hit the water the lead bird swung around to get her bearings and gave me a great pose. I just put the center autofocus point on her eye and started clicking. I was lucky to catch her with her bill open enough to see the serrations that make this diving species lethal to fish. I’d never seen a merganser in Forest Park before but I immediately knew what I had as I’ve photographed them at other locations. Right after I captured this image all three of the tiny hens headed to the bank and began resting near some woody cover. They never moved from that position which was at an impossible angle for a shot. I assumed they were tired from flying all night.

The female hooded merganser is not even in the ballpark with the drake, looks-wise, but she is quite a sight with her copper-colored punk hair. I’ve attached an image of a drake for comparison (click on it to make it larger if you like) so you can see the dramatic gender contrast in the appearance of this species. I was hesitant to post a photo of the drake as it will likely steal some thunder from this sweet little hen. By the way, I photographed the drake at Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area and the image, my best ever for this species, has been featured in several publications. I like to use the drake image in workshops as an example of what can be done with a 300/4 lens for those who are unwilling or unable to commit to 500/4 which cost an additional $8000 to $9000. Using a 300/4 for duck and songbird photography requires much more preparation regarding your position and camouflage but it can be done if you are patient and persistent. Adding a 1.4 TC to the 300/4 is a big help but it really slows the autofocus down on my Canon, a problem for flight photography.

Hooded mergansers are a hoot to watch during the spring breeding season because the drake throws his head back and makes a loud grunt from his throat, kind of a guttural errr, errr. During that time he assembles his head feathers into a bizarre hour-glass shape. Spring is also a great time to witness some intense fighting between drake mergansers. These little sawbills can be downright vicious!

Please enjoy these merganser images as this species is much nicer to look at than to eat. I once tried to cook a merganser in a crock pot years ago and the result was a fishy-tasting, black pulp that reminded me of melted licorice…..disgusting!

Hen Hooded Merganser:  Canon 1DMarkIV; Canon 500/4 L IS with 1.4 TC; 1/200 @ f/5.6; ISO 400; RAW Capture; Gitzo GT3530LS Tripod with Wimberley II Head; Processed in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP)

Drake Hooded Merganser:  Canon 40D; Canon 300/4 L IS; 1/500 @ f/4.5; ISO 200; RAW Capture; Feisol CT3301 Tripod with Markins M-10 Ballhead; Processed in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP)

New Publication:  You might also enjoy my latest article in the December issue of  “Missouri Conservationist” on Woodland Voles. You can find it online at:  http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2012/12/plants-and-animals

Website Gallery Addition:  I just added a gallery to my website:  “The Wildlife of Forest Park.” Please take a look when you get a moment.

Thanks for Looking!

DB

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Viewing Tip:  If you receive Nature Frames by email from WordPress, you can click on the underlined title of the post and you will be linked to the actual blog where you will get a better view of the latest image and a much nicer presentation of the narrative. If you do not receive Nature Frames by email, it is very easy. Just type your address in the “Follow” box at the bottom of the post and WordPress will forward each new post to you. Thanks!

New neighbors start tradition anew in the CWE

I am still savoring a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and suddenly, it's Christmas in the CWE! Before tomorrow's festivities, the Holiday Window Walk and Holiday on the Plaza, force me back into a new reality, I want to share a Thanksgiving tradition that was transplanted to the neighborhood by some great new neighbors.

Jen and Tom Maclean (center), moved to the Central West End several months ago from Connecticut. In a six-degrees-of-separation chain reaction, Jen's son John (not pictured) dates our niece Abby, who lives in New York. After learning that the Macleans were being transferred to St. Louis (Tom is Director of Sales and Marketing for Guardian Life Insurance Co.), Abby, who has visited us here, raved about the CWE and suggested they look for a place in the neighborhood. The Macleans found a great apartment a block away from us and, as the "small world aspect" of this post continues, into the same building and on the same floor as our dear friends Annie and Joe Schlafly, who had moved back to the CWE about the same time.

In Connecticut, the Macleans had a Turkey Bowl tradition they wanted to recreate here when their children (l. to r. above, Pete, Julie, Kara, and Tommy), were in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. They invited their new St. Louis friends including the Schlaflys and their family, who were also in town for the holiday, Rita, James, and Sara Sowins, recent transplants from Los Angeles,  and us to join in.

The instructions from Tom Maclean were to meet at Lindell Field near the handball courts.  When we showed up all we saw was this large tent and a large crowd of rather imposing athletic-looking people on the field. Jim, who last played in a Thanksgiving football game in 1966, referred to this outing as his "46th year comeback game." As we approached the field he remarked, "This looks serious," while I said, "Wow, I didn't know the Macleans knew this many people!"

 

As we looked around though, we spotted our group (see below), and learned that the game in the two photos above was a long-standing Thanksgiving Day ritual between the ER docs and surgeons from Barnes-Jewish. It was comforting to know they were on the adjoining field, just in case of an emergency.
Tom Maclean (third from left) explained the rules of the two-handed touch game to the players,  and the game began. As a bystander, I could never figure out who was on which side, 

until a touchdown occurred and cheers erupted.

There's Joe Schlafly (in checked sweater) in the middle of the action, while daughter Julia Lilly had his back.
From left, Julie and Kara Maclean, Ellen, Cabanne, and Julia Schlafly, Jim Howard (Cabanne's husband), Joey Schlafly (home from Chicago), and Tommy Maclean.

The cheering section included our neighbors, James and Rita Sowins (seated), who recently moved into our building. I introduced Rita to Jen Maclean and that's when their friendship began. James is the Creative Director of Brown Shoe's Dr. Scholl's brand and was, as he said, "sidelined with injuries." Rita is a fabulous book designer.

Photo courtesy of Jen Maclean

The Sowins daughter, thirteen-year-old Sara, above, was perfectly content feeding Byron, the son of Julia and Peter Lilly. You'll see more of charming Sara when I post "Pasta Making 101"--she's my teacher!!!

Another Maclean tradition fortified the group after the game---delicious lox, assorted cream cheeses and bagels. Jim and Cabanne Howard, above, who preceded her parents in a move to the neighborhood, were rushing off after the game to prepare sweet potatoes for 20.

There were many others enjoying the beautiful Thanksgiving morning, including this spunky trio above, and the family group below, out for a walk in the park before their Thanksgiving feast.

Photo courtesy of a bystander

Here's the whole Turkey Bowl 2012 crew, a combination of players and cheerleaders. Thanks to Jen and Tom Maclean for sharing their tradition with new friends in St. Louis. It was the perfect start to Thanksgiving Day, one I hope will continue next year. Jim will probably take Ibuprofen before he heads out there next year--46 years is a long time between games. And it will take me a year to get ready for Turkey Bowl 2013. I'm working on my passing game!

Dining Underground in Forest Park

Follow the path around the statue of German-American Civil War General Franz Sigel at the Union Avenue entrance to Forest Park,

past the cat tails,

and you may come across Marie Jary and her husband, architect Sandy Talley (above), putting the final touches on a pop-up dining pavilion that has finally come to fruition after six months of planning. The curtain opens this evening on the first of the couple's six Demitasse 665 underground dinners in Forest Park. I was crushed to learn that all six events--three this week and three next---have been sold out  (see new info below) for quite a while. There is a private event scheduled for this evening (Thursday), and five others that benefit different charitable organizations, including Forest Park Forever, which arranged for permission to use the site, Ranken Jordan, and St. Martha's Hall. 

Architect and self-taught chef Sandy Talley designed the 12' x 50' structure (see model in photo above), and sited it to take advantage of Forest Park's recently installed stone amphitheater (which was donated by architect Bill Wishmeyer and family), and in the distance, a graceful bridge and the Park Plaza.

Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity worked alongside Sandy to build the structure, and will eventually help dismantle the temporary dining pavilion and take the materials away for a future Habitat project.

Photo above courtesy of Charlotte Lyons

 

Sandy and Marie have been holding underground dinners in various spots around town since 2009 (see CWEnder Katie O'Connor's account in St. Louis Magazine here). The structure, which seats 20, includes a makeshift kitchen. Most of the seven tasting courses will be prepared elsewhere, with limited finishing on site. To start each evening there will be a reception in the amphitheater next to the stream, pictured above. The cost for the dinner and wines--chosen by Marie Jary--is $125. But alas, unless you know someone who knows someone, you are out of luck--at least this time around. See info at end of post for openings this week.

When you see this structure up close you too may wish it could remain there permanently. The concept and execution are just magical. To get on the list for a future event, contact Marie Jary: demitasseunderground@gmail.com.

Photo courtesy of Marie Jary

This morning (Tuesday) I received an email from Marie Jary to say that there are a few cancellations for Thursday and Saturday night's events which benefit Forest Park Forever. The cost is $125 per person for an evening that will remain in the memory book for a long time. See menu and contact info below.

Photo courtesy of Marie Jary

There is one change to the menu. Halibut en papillote, which I understand was fantastic, has been substituted for the meat course.

If you'd like to experience Dining Underground in Forest Park Thursday or Saturday, while benefitting a good cause, contact Marie: demitasseunderground@gmail.com.

The first weekend in June was action-packed

A couple of years ago there was a Central West End Association committee that organized Happy Hours on Thursdays, called Mirthdays. Though I was not a board member, I was asked to help. The results of our efforts, to put it mildly, were a bust. The only people that joined us for the events were our significant others, and a few others who felt some unstated obligation to attend. After several attempts we gave up.

Enter a fresh crew of CWEA volunteers (sans moi!) who have planned this year's Happy Hours on the first Friday of each month, and folks, it's a whole new ball game. Last Friday the new, not quite "rocking" but much more popular, event was held at Taylor Park, on Taylor between Lindell and Maryland. The Happy Hour included an informal dedication ceremony for the new park. Because of the family-friendly location, parents brought young children who enjoyed playing around (and in) the central fountain while the adults visited. These events have become great way to meet neighbors and to learn more about the Central West End Association, though you don't have to be a member to attend.

CWEA President Doug Teasdale, in navy blazer above, welcomed the crowd and then introduced Alderman Lyda Krewson, above left. Lyda's remarks included praise for the many years of hard work and influence by the CWEA in helping to make the neighborhood what it is. The alderman also shared the back-story on the origins of Taylor Park, and her efforts, along with 17th Ward Alderman Joe Roddy, and the Parks Department's Gary Bess, to work out a deal with BJC (see post here) that eventually led to the acquisition of the property for Taylor Park. The second new public park in the CWE (Kennedy Park on Washington & Olive east of Euclid was the first) has become a popular spot for quiet reading, picnic lunches, exercise classes, and yoga. Earlier on Friday there was a poetry class. Lyda also pointed to the labyrinth incised in the elegant marble "floor," which is meant to be a meditative exercise. Follow the path, she was told, and you'll leave stress-free and clear-headed. 

Also shown in the photo above is Bowood Farms' owner John McPheeters, in tan jacket, who is largely responsible for the design of Taylor Park. Jim Dwyer (standing next to John), worked with Lyda Krewson and Gary Bess, Director of Parks, to put the pieces of the project together. Mr. Bess and Dan Skillman, Parks Commissioner, attended the event as well. Jim mentioned the establishment of the "Friends of Taylor Park," a crew of volunteers from the LIndell Terrace, Bradford Court Condominium, and 4545 Lindell, who meet on occasion to tidy things up. Anyone interested in joining the Friends' group, email Jim (jacomo@sbcglobal.net).

(And totally unrelated, how about the incidental product placement of the hometown brew shown lower right in the photo above?)

One of the many young families, above, who attended the event on a cool, gorgeous Friday evening.

And on Saturday afternoon, the first of the "7 Saturdays" events was launched in the Commercial District. Organized by the CID (Community Improvement District), street performers treated shoppers and diners to a little something different between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. The next 7 Saturdays event is scheduled for June 16.

 

A "hooper" from the St. Louis Hoop Club entertained passersby at the Maryland Plaza fountain. The Hoop Club is part of a pop-up group of young entertainers who gather at the foot of the Grand Basin in Forest Park to perform on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.

 

A trio of fabulous musicians that included Derek Grier (sax), Brendan Bradley (guitar and vocals) and Jason Washington (on "cajon") entertained at the busy corner of Euclid and Maryland next to the Coffee Cartel.

Over on McPherson beside Rothschild's, Jason Divad, a fire artist and comedic juggler from Kansas City, wowed the crowd with his skills and humor.

Young Jonah's mother said she and her husband heard about the 7 Saturdays event and decided to drive in to the neighborhood to see what was going on. They seemed to be having a great time.

Across Euclid, Roy Gokenbach and Tommy Halloran entertained beside the bust of T. S. Elliot outside Left Bank Books.

Oblivious to all the hoopla on the street, a family celebrated a birthday at Culpepper's at Euclid and Maryland. As we walked home after our tour of the neighborhood, we encountered the family again, with the youngest child attempting to push her older siblings home, below. It was slow going.

Visit CWEScene to see the line-up for the following "7 Saturdays" on June 16. And visit the CWEA website to find out where the next Happy Hour will be in July.