[university city]
Three-and-a-half years ago, Samuel Scott was killed by a drunken driver in U. City as he pedaled home from his job at Dewey’s Pizza. He was just a block from home in February 2012 when the driver, whose blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit, plowed into Scott’s bicycle from the rear in the 7400 block of Delmar. I don’t remember at the time seeing a photo of the 19-year-old victim, just a couple of mugs of the suspect, a 30-something Kirkwood woman who accepted a plea deal. She was sentenced to three years in prison for the wreck and was eligible for parole within a year. But there is a color photo in a protective clear plastic sleeve attached to a thought-provoking memorial near the spot where Scott was struck: a bicycle (complete with a helmet lashed to the seat) locked to a street sign on the south side of Delmar at Bemiston. It has been painted white; even the helmet and typically black handlebar tape and tires are white. A weather-worn wooden plaque on the signpost above the bicycle gives a few details about the tragedy; a metallic permanent bouquet adorns the center of the handlebars above Scott’s photo. There is no resentment, no rancor in the plaque’s text. It is, instead, a poignant reminder to travelers that cyclists and motorists both must exercise great care: The rider’s name and age start an epitaph, which continues, ‘This bike has been placed to remind cyclists and drivers to always remain cautious of one another while sharing the road. Let us join together to prevent another avoidable tragedy.’
Bob Nation, mayor of Chesterfield, apparently is an irascible fellow these days. Which is not to say he’s just a little grumpy from time to time, as we all are. But could the battle he’s fighting on the sales tax allocation formula against nearly every other municipality in the county be taking its toll on his professional judgment? Reportedly, Nation has been prone recently to profanity in dealings with at least one city employee, and also during a breakfast meeting last month with other county mayors. This is the guy, remember, who suggested Chesterfield secede from the county for warmer climes; well, if he doesn’t get what he wants, why not just reattach to St. Charles County? That was a tad humorous, but things aren’t so funny around here anymore. The mayor could find himself censured by the city council, depending on a vote by lawmakers early next month. Meanwhile, a suit that the city (spurred by Nation, we reckon) had filed against the state alleging the amount Chesterfield pays into a sales-tax ‘pool’ is unfair was nixed at that level. Nothing changes if nothing changes, except in this case the mood of the mayor, which has darkened considerably. The city is a remarkable retail success story, as illustrated by the success of both outlet malls in the valley—before construction began, observers wondered aloud how soon after completion which of them would fail, if not both. But these days retail construction continues apace with a Burlington outlet and a Cabela’s-style Gander Mountain. There’s plenty of sales-tax clinkage out yonder in Chesterfield. No need for screeds or greed, wethinks.
[st. louis]
ACCESS Academies has received a $10,000 grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis, earmarked to help smooth the transition from middle school through high school and beyond for minority and disadvantaged parochial-school students. The ECF grant for this year supports Access’ Graduate Support Program, which has been an important element of its outreach efforts. Established in 2005, ACCESS Academies has made available graduate support directors to Archdiocesan middle schools to help ease the academic, social and emotional journey for children of lower-income families. The funds will ACCESS continue to pay for college entrance exams and help with test prep. Directors mentor kids as they apply to colleges and may even accompany them on campus tours. The numbers help tell the tale—this is education, after all, where measurable outcomes are key: Officials say more than 600 kids have benefited from the program, and that 98 percent were admitted to college-prep high schools last year. Ninety-nine percent graduated on time. Perhaps most significant, 94 percent were accepted to a post-secondary institution. Boeing’s ECF accepts one-time gifts from employees, or makes payroll deductions to support efforts such as this. The fund covers all administrative costs so that every cent of every dollar donated directly benefits the recipient(s).
[webster groves]
Another vacant building, another … disco? Not likely, since the erstwhile Webster Groves YMCA building is in a residential neighborhood and catty-corner from the city’s public library—but one can still hope. If one is disco-deprived, that is. The Webster Y closed Oct. 2, and all programs were consolidated at the Kirkwood facility, which is larger and newer. Incidentally, the 1.2-acre site is zoned such that a commercial or multi-family use would not be allowed. It could be razed in favor of a single-family home … even a park, playground or … library? Maybe an annex connected by a bridge or tunnel to the existing, state-of-the-art facility? (Well, there’s never enough parking already.) No decision on the fate of the property is expected until next year. Perhaps a community center? Certainly the swimming pool and gym would be attractive for such a purpose, but I think out loud as a former Webster-Glendale resident who still drives a WGHS junior past the old Y every so often. Anyhow, so what’s all this mishegas about a disco, already? Well, we ventured a few issues ago that the old Clayton Police HQ might be retrofitted as such. Point is, since the demise of the 64West club near Hampton, oh, 25 years ago, there haven’t been many places to kick up your heels in the county or city, unless you’re at a wedding reception or reunion. You have to go to Washington Street and environs downtown, or to a place like the Oz in Illinois. Not that I can dance, or really want to all that much. I’m only thinking of those who can and will.
Some say life is like a quilt, with each significant chapter portrayed by representative images. What more appropriate venue for a quilt show than a senior living center, where residents have so many chapters to record? Eight South County churches, including St. Justin Martyr in Sunset Hills, again have joined together for the 2015 Autumn Quilt Show at Fountain View Assisted Living in Sunset Hills, which begins with an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 1. The show runs through Nov. 7 on the campus of Fountain View, the assisted living facility at the not-for-profit Friendship Village Sunset Hills, which is situated on 52 rolling acres. Visitors can admire the quilts made by church members and quilting groups daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Public voting will determine which two quilts receive cash prizes: One quilter will receive $1,000, another $500.