sunset hills
Adopting a dog or cat brings with it a lifetime of responsibility … well, the pet’s lifetime, anyway. But if you’re eager to adopt, how about a sculpture at Laumeier Sculpture Park? This is perfect for anyone keen on adopting something that they don’t have to feed or clean up after. Well, there is cleaning and upkeep, but you don’t have to do it yourself. You only have to pay for it—really part of it. The park features more than 60 largescale pieces throughout 105 acres, and supporters can adopt a sculpture to support its cleaning, maintenance and care. No, you don’t get to take it home—The Way, a bright red abstract created from 16 salvaged oil drums, would likely make neighbors complain to the residents association. Philistines! (well, it is 60 feet tall, after all). Any sculpture that’s on view and part of Laumeier’s permanent collection is available for adoption by individuals, families and groups such as classrooms or scout troops. Sculpture adoptions start at $25 for one year; adoptions starting at the $50 level come with a personalized adoption certificate, sculpture fact sheet and commemorative sculpture photo. (No autograph, sorry.) Laumeier is in partnership with St. Louis County Parks, however the nonprofit must raise more than $1 million annually from individuals, corporations and foundations to support sculpture conservation, education programs, temporary exhibitions and public events.
kirkwood
Dr. Thomas Williams, superintendent of the Kirkwood School District (KSD) since 2009, will retire at the end of the school year, capping a 40-year career in education. In a relatively short period, he accomplished much in KSD. Williams was at the helm during a period of rapid change in the district, gaining community support in 2010 to pass a $34 million bond issue for adding kindergarten classrooms, three elementary-school gymnasiums and additional science classrooms at Kirkwood’s two middle schools. Enrollment has increased by 700 students since 2009; in 2013, Williams’ team moved quickly to accommodate 190 students court-ordered to transfer from the then-unaccredited Riverview Gardens District … officials were notified of the influx just three weeks before school started! Williams was not one to rest on his laurels. District officials note his launch in 2016 of the KSD Task Force, organized to develop strategies for closing the achievement gap for African-American students. A chief focus for Williams was equity, which led to free, full-day kindergarten in 2012 and 1:1 instructional technology—an iPad for each student to use—in 2014. Meanwhile, graduation rates have increased, and the district’s score on the state’s annual performance report has improved. The board is developing a process for the next steps in its search for a replacement. Williams’ retirement is effective June 30. He plans a move to Arizona to be closer to his children and grandkids. More power to him!
ladue
Above the shoulder of Missouri highways are illuminated black signs that warn of weather conditions or accidents that drivers should be aware of a few exits before they arrive at a traffic snarl. In between the advisories or warnings of potential hazards—that is, when nothing else is going on—are messages from MoDOT on behalf of law enforcement, such as: ‘Click It or Ticket’ to remind drivers they should use seat belts, or FYIs about sober driving. Oftentimes, the short messages are amusing, or clever. Along I-64/Hwy. 40 in Ladue recently (and likely many other spots that feature the signs) was a double entendre that we hope caught the attention of two varieties of mobile miscreants: those who don’t use their blinkers, and those who text behind the wheel. The first type apparently expects you to read their minds; the second is a heinous side effect of technology. So the MoDOT signs, targeting both breeds of knucklehead, advise, ‘Turn Signals … The Original Instant Message.’
maplewood
Props to the municipalities of Maplewood and Richmond Heights, which have joined together to form the Mid County Chamber of Commerce. We received the inaugural issue of the new chamber’s newsletter a few weeks ago, and as so often when people pull together, the outcome is much more than the sum of its parts. The inaugural quarterly meeting of the chamber was yesterday (Jan. 24), and upcoming events and many engaging features can be viewed at midcountychamber.org, a website that’s easy on the eyes and a breeze to navigate. Maplewood and Richmond Heights are home to some of the region’s best breweries, an iconic, second-floor bowling alley, renowned restaurants and one-of-a-kind specialty stores. Not to mention a ginormous shopping mall. And they already share a school district, so the arrangement makes sense, if only for that. Headquarters is at 2915 Sutton Blvd. in Maplewood. Hey; it was eitherone municipality or the other—do you think they flipped a coin?
st. louis
‘Do Not Touch’ is printed on a series of clothing and accessories created by Charles Smith II, one of six entrepreneurs who took up residence as the inaugural class of designers at the fashion incubator that just opened at 1533 Washington Ave. downtown. Do not touch … the clothing or the wearer? It’s cause for cognitive dissonance, which is fine with Smith, who’s making his statement (as Smith II) with garments ranging from brightly colored chokers to black-on-white yoga pants and tone-on-tone black tops. Allison Mitchell’s handbags include one fashioned from the hide and fur of a springbok, on display in the bright, airy space right off the sidewalk in the StL’s one-time garment district, 15 blocks long back in the day. Four other designers had racks of wearable art displayed as they finished moving in, and the fashion cognoscenti mingled for a morning reception on the bottom two floors of the operation in the Art Lofts Building. A goal of $2 million was set in 2015 for the nascent Saint Louis Fashion Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating emerging designers and helping them become successful business owners. By this month, $1.5 million had been raised, with about $500k having been earmarked for building out the 7,500-square-foot incubator space. Proponents hope the incubator is key to rebuilding a fashion ‘ecosystem’ in the midst of a once-thriving manufacturing and retail district … tailoring equipment is on the second floor, and the space features everything from designers’ offices to a runway for shows, with a spacious, high-ceilinged, wood-floored entry area suitable for pop-up retail, fashion shows, receptions—and parties! Ecosystem, indeed—at the incubator level, it’s energetic, creative minds generating ideas they can bounce off one another while working together, not just solo. On another level, who knows … reviving the Gateway City’s fashion industry may be the next big thing!
