Blog updates for st louis
9.17.06
St. Louis' Great Forest Park Balloon Race
For the past 34 years, St. Louis has held these balloon races at Forest Park. And for the past 29 years, I've missed them. That's so sad because the atmosphere there was incredible. People, pets, free stuff...all on a comfortable Saturday afternoon. What was nice, too, were seeing so many families spending time together.
I didn't get a chance to see all of the balloons take off, and the wind was too strong for many of the specialty crafts, like the Energizer Bunny, but the day was worth it.
11:12 pm in 7.8.06
St Louis Photobloggers
I like linking to St Louis-based sites. So, here's another one, St Louis Photobloggers.
4.13.05
St. Louis smoking ban
A smoke free St. Louis is a wonderful thing. Smoking is an utterly disgusting habit that forces everyone around a smoker/smoking environment to partake of it.
Even when an establishment makes an effort to consider non-smokers, it usually ends up being a futile attempt at best. One comment over at Urban Review StL illustrates this point clearly:
Having a non-smoking "section" in a restaurant is the same as having a non-peeing section in a swimming pool.
Exactly.
3.7.05
Nelly, say it isn't so!
Brian from The Commonspace highlights the aptitude of St. Louis area students' spelling and artistic ability. Just for the record, Loyola Academy..."rapper" is spelled with two "P's"
Maybe they should have taken the commonly confused words test too!
1.13.05
The Northside, in Color
It wasn't until recently that I've stood back, and taken an appreciative look at St. Louis. In doing so, I've come across web sites of other locals that highlight the remarkable treasures St. Louis holds.
One of these hidden gems is shown in a photo essay of the Penrose Neighborhood. I call it hidden because it's located in an area that some people feel isn't a desirable location. Unfortunately, thinking like this undervalues the present and potential of this city.
11.22.04
St. Louis, a town like no other
I've been a resident of this area all my life (suburbs). It wasn't until I got my house that I actually moved into St. Louis City. Needless to say, it has been quite the change.
Since alleys are plentyful and garages are rare, I have to park my cars outside, which could be bad or good. Also, the city often forgets that to bring a neighborhood up, you sometimes have to tear things down.
Aside from those annoyances, I honestly can't see myself leaving from here. I absolutely love living in the city. Other people I've spoken to who moved into the city limits feel the same way. I'm not quite sure what exactly it is either. The downtown is only now starting to flourish. The whole metro area is racist as all get out (read Metrolink). And, we're the 4th most violent city to live in.
I've always described St Louis as a big city with a small city mentality. I mean, the downtown shuts down by 6 pm, literally. At the same time, everyone here knows each other. If not you personally, then after finding out what HS you went to and what year you graduated, a common ground is established and now you "know" that person.
Maybe it's the fact that everywhere east of the Missouri River is 30 minutes away from where you need to go. You move from where you grew up and still get there in time for dinner with the family. Or, maybe it's the collective belief that everyone from Illinois is the worst driver on the road.
Whatever it is, St Louis is home and I can't imagine saying that about any other place.