creve coeur | Jason Sommer’s father, Jay, is 98 and losing his memory. More than 70 years after arriving in New York from WWII-devastated Europe, he is forgetting the stories that defined his life, the life of his family and the lives of millions of other Jews who were affected by Nazi terror. For the J’s second installment in this year’s ‘Books and Bagels’ brunch series on May 27, Jason details his book Shmuel’s Bridge, which vividly recounts the trip to Eastern Europe he took with his father in 2001. As the duo travel from the town of Jay’s birth to the labor camp from which he escaped to Auschwitz, where many in his family were killed, the stories Jason’s father has told all his life come alive. So too do Jason’s own memories of the ways his father’s past complicated and changed his own inner life. In his book, the St. Louisan shows history through a double lens: the memories of a growing son’s complex relationship with his father and the meditations of that son who, now grown, finds himself caring for a man losing all connection to a past that must not be forgotten. Tickets are available to the public for purchase at the J; registration is required. Visit jccstl.com/event for more.

forest park
Most kids pretty much can play all summer, but several St. Louis organizations on May 30 will encourage them to put down the videogame controller and pick up a book or leave the couch to play outside—at least for a little while, every day. Play Day in the Park is hosted by The Magic House, Forest Park Forever, St. Louis Public Library and St. Louis County Library. One day can’t make your kids outdoorsy readers, but it sure can’t hurt! This family-friendly event is 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Forest Park Visitor and Education Center. While there, don’t miss the chance to sign up for the STL Summer Adventure Reading Program, a community summer learning program powered by the city and county libraries that hopes to inspire children to explore the world through play, building their confidence and creativity for lifelong learning. For the Summer Adventure, complete any 10 activities to claim your prize and be entered into a grand prize raffle. Earn a bonus raffle entry (up to 2) for completing 10 or 20 additional activities. Ages 0-17 who register between June 1-4 will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win two tickets to the June 10 Circus Flora show. Both library systems will offer programming throughout the summer, featuring music, comedy, magic, science experiments and more. Visit slcl.org/events or slpl.org for more details. Saturday’s hands-on activities for children include such activities as bubble play, outdoor art, parachute games, STEM activities and sports! Play is essential for children’s development, helping them build social skills, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities. Play Day in the Park aims to bring back the joy of play and encourage families to take a break from screens big and little to enjoy some good, old-fashioned outdoor fun.

the riverfront
Here’s one more reason to visit the area at the foot of the Gateway Arch, if you haven’t already this spring: Free bike rental for the remainder of May, which happens to be National Bike Month. From its base at 50 Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., Big Muddy Adventures is letting riders take a spin around downtown and carefully (bump, bump, bump) explore the cobblestoned area all along the banks of the Big Muddy. But it’s not all that bumpy down there, of course. Comparatively, the cobblestones of Laclede’s Landing aren’t like a miniature mountain range, being much smoother, and the streets downtown are suitable for all manner of vehicular traffic, of course, including bicycles. Otherwise, why bother? Well, for free, what’s to lose? Not your head, certainly, since helmets are required along any portion of the ride and are included with the rental, which is $15 per hour from June through November. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., four days a week (Thursday through Sunday). Bikes are available from Adult XS to Adult L, and any rider younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Here’s a little more incentive, if all you see is ‘free’: The national park is, in a word, fantabulous, and as it’s very walkable, it’s also great for a leisurely bike ride. If you haven’t experienced the beautifully relandscaped site yet, now’s the time! The rental location is one of those ‘can’t miss’ places: Right below the base of the Arch, at the bottom of the Grand Staircase. It’s a cashless business, so along with a valid I.D. you’ll need a debit or credit card. Visit the bottom of the home page at 2muddy.com, where you’ll also find details of Big Muddy’s core business: rolling down the rivers.

notable neighbors
creve coeur
An attorney with Brown & Crouppen, Brent Cantor probably couldn’t tell you right off the top of his head who won the Super Bowl in 2014, although he, too, was victorious that day, and not because he won the office pool. (He did not.) He made one of the most important decisions of his life on Feb. 2, 2014: To stop using drugs and alcohol. He hasn’t found it necessary in the 12-plus years since to pick up a drink or use a drug he was not prescribed. He has parlayed his experience into a robust 12-step recovery program, as well as stepped up his volunteer work to include the Missouri Lawyers Assistance Program (MOLAP). He’d reached out to MOLAP when challenges related to his addiction were coming to a head and found support from a recovering alcoholic who was with another firm. Volunteerism is essential in his family, as well as a tenet of his Jewish faith: Tikkun olam. At its core, this refers to the idea that people have a responsibility to improve the world—to make society more just, compassionate and whole. In modern usage, it often describes efforts to reduce suffering and promote the common good. “This is not entirely selfless,” Cantor points out. “I do it because it helps me!” MOLAP, a program of the Missouri Bar Association, must think he’s pretty good at it. “Most of my position is just about showing up,” he demurs. In any event, he’s now co-chair and in 2022 was honored with the annual James T. Britt Memorial Award, in recognition of his “work to advance the cause of relief and recovery for impaired lawyers and his pioneering contributions to the overall well- being of lawyers in Missouri.” One effort he has continually supported is consistent with other national mental-health initiatives: To destigmatize the still-pervasive belief that ‘good’ mental health has anything to do with strong moral fiber (whatever that is). And while MOLAP statistics show that only 10% of its efforts apply to substance abuse, Cantor points out that many problems show up among people who may not be addicts, but just tend to make poor decisions, like wanting or insisting they drive themselves home after having too much to drink at a professional event or meeting. Cantor is frequently a designated driver, both in professional or social settings. He continues to lobby for more ‘foo-foo’ (nonalcoholic) drinks at office parties and conventions. And he is a big proponent of having 12-step meetings on occasions such as a convention where a recovering lawyer may be away from home for a week or so at a time. And as we all may or may not be aware, we say with tongue planted firmly in cheek, as a profession, lawyers are the most prone to drunken debauchery. Or maybe that’s reupholsterers. All kidding aside, the law is a high-stress profession. Suicide takes its toll. For this, and other crisis situations, a volunteer must be well-versed in QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer. MOLAP may be the first time a troubled lawyer reaches out. That’s the first step, after all—admitting there’s a problem. Cantor gives credit where it’s due. “I couldn’t do any of this without the love and support of my wife, who takes care of all the really heavy lifting. Always.”