Talk of the Towns: 6.13.18

clayton
Every dog has his day. County police dogs got theirs in May. A bronze German shepherd sculpture was installed and stands forever at the ready near the bronze of a police officer and another of a firefighter in the memorial plaza behind St. Louis County Police Headquarters in Clayton. The 400-pound statue honors the dogs that serve county police officers. No dog has yet died in the line of duty. Coincidentally, two dogs, Zar and Lass, died of natural causes on the same day in 2016; one had retired and the other was in training. The statue was donated by P.A.W. (Pups At Work) Stoppers, the canine equivalent of Backstoppers, a nonprofit that provides financial support to families of police officers and firefighters killed or injured on the job.

P.A.W. Stoppers raises money to support training and equipment for area police dogs, and also pays for food and veterinarian visits after a dog has retired from active duty. Sometimes when they bark, county K9 unit ‘officers’ may be expressing gratitude that they’re not stuck behind a desk. Then again, maybe they aren’t. Of course, some of the dogs, most of them German shepherds, are trained to be aggressive. Their duties include tracking subjects, not all of whom are crooks; they can be missing children or residents who’ve wandered away from a nursing home. Other K9s are especially despised by drug dealers because they’re particularly gifted at ferreting things out—um, OK, they’re dogs. They sniff expertly for illicit substances or evidence thereof on suspects inside a vehicle, residence … or lockers. (“Huh? You did what at school today?!”)

the metro
Let’s talk transit, light rail in particular. Wouldn’t it be great to expand it farther throughout the area? Unfortunately, that would be getting ahead of our skis. Before we get into it, we all know there are serious problems. Who’s ultimately responsible for security? County cops? Private firms? To address these issues and others, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) and the St. Louis Regional Chamber welcome all concerned to take part in a special ‘Talking Transit’ event highlighting the MetroLink Security Assessment presently underway on both sides of the Mississippi River. Lurae Stuart and Angela Starr—of WSP USA, the New-York based consulting firm hired to execute the eight-month, $400,000 study—will lead the presentation, slated for 8:30 a.m. June 21 at the St. Louis Regional Chamber Collaboration Center, One Metropolitan Square, Ste. 1300. The assessment’s goal is to take a comprehensive look at security policies now in place on MetroLink. From there, recommendations will be made for improvements related to technology, environmental design and human capital deployment. Guests will hear from those spearheading the study and gain insight into what is planned for the coming months. CMT officials say consultants will draw on decades of experience in the operation, maintenance, safety and security of light rail systems nationwide to recommend a workable plan for improving MetroLink. This is a step toward actively addressing local challenges and helping the community regain confidence in safe and secure rides. Register online at cmt-stl.org—or simply arrive early. There is no charge for CMT members, and it’s $10 for nonmembers. CMT is a nonprofit that leads efforts for an integrated, affordable and convenient public transportation system. Light-rail expansion is the critical component that proponents hope will drive economic growth to improve quality of life in the metro.

maplewood
The free summer concert series at Ryan Hummert Memorial Park has begun, and the next show for music lovers bearing lawn chairs and blankets is The Foggy Memory Boys June 27. The Breakfast Boys play July 25 … detect a theme? Well, we don’t know whether any of the upcoming bands feature girls. Shows are monthly on the third Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., weather permitting. The RetroNerds take the stage Aug. 22, and on Sept. 26, The Midnight Piano Band tickles the ivories. They may even play other instruments. Check out the schedule for the Charles Glenn Group, who appeared May 23; you’ll probably be able to catch them elsewhere in the metro over the summer months. (Um, what’s the name of the next band again, those boys that play June 27? Sorry, senior moment.) The park is bordered by Sutton Boulevard, Oakview Terrace, and Lyndover and Zephyr places.

cwe
With iconic three-story columns outside and a balcony with 8-foot-high arched Rococo-style moldings overlooking the dance floor, the CWE’s stately Mahler Ballroom was built in 1907. As a dance studio. Music was different then. It was a quaint era when songwriters made a few coins (and publishers a bundle) off of sheet music, less than a generation before records and their manufacturing companies would start making musicians really squirrely. Fast forward 111 years: Artists are scared to death of folks illegally streaming music—and, despite its classical name, the Mahler is ready to rock. And. Roll. To wit: Jump-blues band Sweetie & the Toothaches kicked off the grand reopening May 30. Through a partnership with Talent Plus and The Ready Room, the Mahler’s first event is slated for Sept. 29. It’s not rock per se, but plenty of period elegance surrounding the classic film Casablanca. Billed as an all-star lineup of musicians and performers, the evening will include a concert, immersive theater performance, cocktails and dancing. Maybe even ‘the beginning of a beautiful friendship.’ From then on, the Mahler will offer monthly events, including top musical performers and featuring notable chefs and caterers. Designed by St. Louis Union Station architect Theodore Link, the architectural gem has been renovated into a modern event space. Featuring modern furnishings, select artwork, designer chandeliers and a bar with a cascading waterfall feature, the approximately 3,500-square-foot ballroom boasts 24-foot-high ceilings. The Mahler offers several unique spaces for celebrations, including a 900-square-foot garden courtyard, a modern, furnished apartment with full kitchen for pre- and post-event rentals, and a loft-style space for smaller groups. Upcoming events will be listed on the Mahler Ballroom’s Facebook page. The Mahler is owned by Karen Halper, who has renovated and reinvented other CWE establishments, including MaryAnn’s Tea Room and Enchanting Embellishments.

midtown
You don’t have to visit Charlie Houska’s gallery in the CWE to get a taste of his vibrant, effusive artwork, which is as positive and uplifting as much of the late pop artist Keith Haring’s output. Haring was internationally renowned, but Houska has made quite a statement locally, and some of his work is big as all outdoors. Well, not quite … he has a pet-inspired mural along the entire cinder-block wall of the pet shelter across from the parking lot of Hillside Animal Hospital at Macklind and Manchester and numerous canvases on the walls inside the clinic. They’re full to bursting of whimsical critters, largely cats and dogs, with the occasional occupied goldfish bowl. In addition to his murals and acrylic-on-canvas paintings, Houska’s art also has been featured on billboards. So he’s an artist you may already be aware of, but subliminally, as his work has appeared in a variety of forms, from credit cards to city buses … even Eames chairs and an Illinois license plate. Maybe you’ve seen some of his collaborative work at your child’s school: One of Houska’s favorite projects is Houskaballoo, where he works side by side with students on mural projects at their schools. If you don’t at least crack a smile when you see a Houska, better check your pulse.