Those of you who pronounce it 'see-we' can stop reading here, you are not welcome.
Just kidding.
This weekend, everyone's favorite American holiday, Halloween, will once again rise from the crypt and the Adult costume party at Maryland and Euclid will once again bring out the those paying homage to political, current events, or internet memes, the girls unleashing their.. well you know..and everything else mixed in.
The outdoor street party is always worth a look, and if you happen to love dressing up, you might want to enter the costume contest.
Read More......
Showing posts with label Central West End. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Central West End. Show all posts
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Renting in St. Louis, Part Duex
While there are big stories brewing, involving Jeff Smith, the only Jewish State Senator in MO, and two new Jewy apps for the Palm Pre, we should check back in on our friends and see if all is well in new apartment paradise.
When we last left off with our protagonists, they had just signed a 2-year deal on a fantastic apartment in the Central West End at a great price.
My friend returned to Israel to finish up his service in the IDF, and his girl friend was back in Colorado for a week before joining him.
All seemed well in the world until. . .
I get a frantic text from the friend still in Colorado. I call her and she is clearly upset. The owner fired the woman he had hired to manage the leasing of the apartment, and she had called indicating that, since she had been fired, and the owner wanted to sell, not rent, that the deal was off.
So there they were, without an apartment, and about to both be thousands of miles away.
Now, I'm not a law school student, but I've spent enough time around them to understand the concept of contracts, and more specifically, breach of contract.
I was able to contact a friend who has the three of the most useful letters after his name: Esq. and fill him in on the situation.
He agreed that the whole thing was fishy and that the owner and leasing lady were in the wrong. So he went to work to restore a little bit of order and sanity to this ridiculous situation.
After several rounds of letters, emails, and conversations. . . not to mention a few months, the owner relented and decided to honor his contract.
Good news for my friends, who will be moving in tomorrow.
Good new for me, cuz I always need an extra place to crash in the West End.
Read More......
When we last left off with our protagonists, they had just signed a 2-year deal on a fantastic apartment in the Central West End at a great price.
My friend returned to Israel to finish up his service in the IDF, and his girl friend was back in Colorado for a week before joining him.
All seemed well in the world until. . .
I get a frantic text from the friend still in Colorado. I call her and she is clearly upset. The owner fired the woman he had hired to manage the leasing of the apartment, and she had called indicating that, since she had been fired, and the owner wanted to sell, not rent, that the deal was off.
So there they were, without an apartment, and about to both be thousands of miles away.
Now, I'm not a law school student, but I've spent enough time around them to understand the concept of contracts, and more specifically, breach of contract.
I was able to contact a friend who has the three of the most useful letters after his name: Esq. and fill him in on the situation.
He agreed that the whole thing was fishy and that the owner and leasing lady were in the wrong. So he went to work to restore a little bit of order and sanity to this ridiculous situation.
After several rounds of letters, emails, and conversations. . . not to mention a few months, the owner relented and decided to honor his contract.
Good news for my friends, who will be moving in tomorrow.
Good new for me, cuz I always need an extra place to crash in the West End.
Read More......
Friday, June 12, 2009
Next Dor Board Meeting Update
Last night the board of CRC unanimously approved use of the house for the Next Dor project.
This marks a huge step in the process. Michael Staenberg committed to raising the money necessary to rehab the building and challenged the young adults in attendance to 'put some skin in the game' by also raising some money.
Some of the questions that came up included how the organization will function, how it will interact with CRC, how it will reach out to new people, and what an ideal line up for a week of events might look like, and how we plan on managing security.
It's time for you to weigh in. How should Next Dor move forward? What ideas or operational considerations should be brought into the mix?
Big things are happening and you can be a part of them.
Read More......
This marks a huge step in the process. Michael Staenberg committed to raising the money necessary to rehab the building and challenged the young adults in attendance to 'put some skin in the game' by also raising some money.
Some of the questions that came up included how the organization will function, how it will interact with CRC, how it will reach out to new people, and what an ideal line up for a week of events might look like, and how we plan on managing security.
It's time for you to weigh in. How should Next Dor move forward? What ideas or operational considerations should be brought into the mix?
Big things are happening and you can be a part of them.
Read More......
Monday, April 6, 2009
Best of the Yidnternet
Good for the Jews: Newsweek rates Central Reform in St. Louis one of the top 25 congregations in the US.
Bad for the Jews: CRC is described in the article as "St. Louis's [sic] only congregation". See the other 24 here
In our ongoing coverage leading up to Pesach (Passover), we bring you the Grad Student Hagaddah, for all our homies locked down in ivory towers.
Finally, the New York Times wrote a fantastic story about Michelle Obama's cousin, who is a Rabbi. The story gets into some really important issues of race and Judaism. One of those, 'who is and who isn't' deals. Worth a read. Read More......
Bad for the Jews: CRC is described in the article as "St. Louis's [sic] only congregation". See the other 24 here
In our ongoing coverage leading up to Pesach (Passover), we bring you the Grad Student Hagaddah, for all our homies locked down in ivory towers.
Finally, the New York Times wrote a fantastic story about Michelle Obama's cousin, who is a Rabbi. The story gets into some really important issues of race and Judaism. One of those, 'who is and who isn't' deals. Worth a read. Read More......
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Catch A Fire
This past Friday night, 50 people, ranging from Wash U undergrads, graduate students in OT, PT, Med school, law school, young professionals, and a few bums gathered at a beautiful mansion in the Central West End to celebrate Shabbat.
What does this mean for the future of St. Louis' Jewish community?
Aside from showcasing my press release skills. . . nothing that dramatic perhaps, but all the same, getting together that many young, interesting, and interested people to simply connect with one another is pretty cool.
There is probably a lesson for the Federated community in here somewhere, but I can't quite put my finger on it (at least until I figure out how to monetize it).
Maybe it was the wine. Perhaps the copious amounts of free food. It might have something to do with not letting in socially awkward people.
Hyperbole is a passion of mine. But let me explain why. This is was the first event that I have been to in St. Louis since I graduated that brought together so many young Jews without preconditions or expectations (ok, so maybe we asked for a bottle of wine here, a salad there).
Its been a personal struggle to justify being in St. Louis as opposed to Chicago, New York, Boston, DC, or Tel Aviv.
But a little more than a year out of school, I think we've changed something.
Sure, it's small, but it's proof that it is possible to have a thriving young (and I don't mean sans-AARP membership) Jewish community in St. Louis.
Read More......
What does this mean for the future of St. Louis' Jewish community?
Aside from showcasing my press release skills. . . nothing that dramatic perhaps, but all the same, getting together that many young, interesting, and interested people to simply connect with one another is pretty cool.
There is probably a lesson for the Federated community in here somewhere, but I can't quite put my finger on it (at least until I figure out how to monetize it).
Maybe it was the wine. Perhaps the copious amounts of free food. It might have something to do with not letting in socially awkward people.
Hyperbole is a passion of mine. But let me explain why. This is was the first event that I have been to in St. Louis since I graduated that brought together so many young Jews without preconditions or expectations (ok, so maybe we asked for a bottle of wine here, a salad there).
Its been a personal struggle to justify being in St. Louis as opposed to Chicago, New York, Boston, DC, or Tel Aviv.
But a little more than a year out of school, I think we've changed something.
Sure, it's small, but it's proof that it is possible to have a thriving young (and I don't mean sans-AARP membership) Jewish community in St. Louis.
Read More......
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Scottish Arms
Just got back from the best meal I have ever had in St. Louis, no joke...
The Scottish Arms, a hidden gem (at least to me) in the CWE, boasts authentic Scottish food, as well as one of the most extensive Scotch menus in the world. Rosh and I went on a whim (and a Fish n Chips recommendation) after a hard fought game of water polo. I could not give this place a stronger recommendation... A quick run-down:
When you go, wear more than just gym shorts and sandals, although they treated us well, Rosh and I learned this the hard way. This is a little nicer than your typical corner pub, so don't be afraid to dress like it.
Beer: I had the Scottish Belhaven Twisted Thistle, which was the perfect mix of amber ale with some fruity undertones. Rosh when with the Smithwicks, which if you have never had is a good introduction into darker beers. They have an extensive list of beers on tap from a host of countries. This would be a great bar to go to in addition to a great restauarant.
Appetizer: We bit the bullet and ordered the haggis, which if you don't know what it is, probably for the best. This haggis was fried and came as a fritter, which gave us the nerve we needed to order the traditional Scottish dish. Jew Alert!!!!: It tasted a lot like chopped liver, which we all know is a good thing. Definitely a good gamble
Entree: You never can go wrong with fish n chips, but here, you can actually go right. Tender, sweet, delicious. Really really really good, and if something so simple is prepared so well, I can only imagine what some of the more imaginative menu items (pork chop, cornish hen) are like
Dessert: Rosh had the goat cheese cheesecake (you saw that right) and I went with one of the dozens of Scotches they offer. Both unique, both delicious, both something that I would come back for. You know that burning feeling you get after a shot of Jack, or even Johnny? Well I had one of the cheapest Scotches they offer, and there was none of that. Just sweet Scotch goodness. Scotch scotch scotch, I love scotch... never truer.
In short, don't wait any longer to try out the Scottish Arms, its a great date restaurant and is certainly one of the more interesting places you can try in St. Louis.
Read More......
The Scottish Arms, a hidden gem (at least to me) in the CWE, boasts authentic Scottish food, as well as one of the most extensive Scotch menus in the world. Rosh and I went on a whim (and a Fish n Chips recommendation) after a hard fought game of water polo. I could not give this place a stronger recommendation... A quick run-down:
When you go, wear more than just gym shorts and sandals, although they treated us well, Rosh and I learned this the hard way. This is a little nicer than your typical corner pub, so don't be afraid to dress like it.
Beer: I had the Scottish Belhaven Twisted Thistle, which was the perfect mix of amber ale with some fruity undertones. Rosh when with the Smithwicks, which if you have never had is a good introduction into darker beers. They have an extensive list of beers on tap from a host of countries. This would be a great bar to go to in addition to a great restauarant.
Appetizer: We bit the bullet and ordered the haggis, which if you don't know what it is, probably for the best. This haggis was fried and came as a fritter, which gave us the nerve we needed to order the traditional Scottish dish. Jew Alert!!!!: It tasted a lot like chopped liver, which we all know is a good thing. Definitely a good gamble
Entree: You never can go wrong with fish n chips, but here, you can actually go right. Tender, sweet, delicious. Really really really good, and if something so simple is prepared so well, I can only imagine what some of the more imaginative menu items (pork chop, cornish hen) are like
Dessert: Rosh had the goat cheese cheesecake (you saw that right) and I went with one of the dozens of Scotches they offer. Both unique, both delicious, both something that I would come back for. You know that burning feeling you get after a shot of Jack, or even Johnny? Well I had one of the cheapest Scotches they offer, and there was none of that. Just sweet Scotch goodness. Scotch scotch scotch, I love scotch... never truer.
In short, don't wait any longer to try out the Scottish Arms, its a great date restaurant and is certainly one of the more interesting places you can try in St. Louis.
Read More......
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Sanctuary
So Y? already teased this in talking about the weekend, but Friday's Shabbat dinner and "after-party" deserve more than just a passing mention. Luckily, I am here to pick up the pieces for you all who missed out. So Y?'s parents were in town, which meant Shabbat dinner at the sanctuary. Granted, I had to bring my own chair, beer, and candles, but I scored an invite. (Sidenote: Schnucks's in the CWE only sells Shabbat candles in packs of 72, so the candles are on me for the next 35 Shabbats!) Anyway, dinner had all the amazing interactions you would expect when two parents (one of whom is a rabbi deeply learned in Torah) enter the world of the young professional on a Friday night. Save for the candles, challah and wine, nothing and no one was sacred as the chicken marsala and potato chips flowed like honey from the kitchen.
So, around 11:30 (four hours after the dinner began) we decided that it's probably time to conquer the world beyond the sanctuary. As we are determined to find new things to do in the city, we headed out to check out some SLU bars, figuring that its a major urban university (albeit Jesuit) there's gotta be something good going on. And was there ever...
So we get down to SLU and park by a place called Magnolia's. Everyone's pumped up and ready to go, fat and happy from dinner, when the bouncer tells us it's a $3 dollar cover plus a one drink minimum. A ONE DRINK MINIMUM? Sounds kiiiinda like an East Side joint you're thinking? Us too. So we move on, only to be greeted at the window of the next bar by stereotypical white shirtless dude. So now we're stuck. I mean, this is St. Louis so of course there are only those two bars within walking distance. So, being the resourceful smart Jewish folk that we are, we ask some passerbys what exactly is Magnolia's? "A gay club dude."..."No, really, man, what is it?"... "It's a GAY CLUB."
So we start looking around, really paying attention to our surroundings, and the tight pants give it away, that Magnolia's really is a gay club! Not that there is anything wrong with that, and it certainly was the most popular place around SLU that night, but not quite what we were looking for when we set out for some Shabbat night exploring.
I guess the lesson here is that when you commit to finding new things in St. Louis, you gotta be ready for anything. So when you come out with us, consider yourself warned, you never quite know where you might end up. But in a place like St. Louis, where so much is too often the same, isn't that a good thing? Read More......
So, around 11:30 (four hours after the dinner began) we decided that it's probably time to conquer the world beyond the sanctuary. As we are determined to find new things to do in the city, we headed out to check out some SLU bars, figuring that its a major urban university (albeit Jesuit) there's gotta be something good going on. And was there ever...
So we get down to SLU and park by a place called Magnolia's. Everyone's pumped up and ready to go, fat and happy from dinner, when the bouncer tells us it's a $3 dollar cover plus a one drink minimum. A ONE DRINK MINIMUM? Sounds kiiiinda like an East Side joint you're thinking? Us too. So we move on, only to be greeted at the window of the next bar by stereotypical white shirtless dude. So now we're stuck. I mean, this is St. Louis so of course there are only those two bars within walking distance. So, being the resourceful smart Jewish folk that we are, we ask some passerbys what exactly is Magnolia's? "A gay club dude."..."No, really, man, what is it?"... "It's a GAY CLUB."
So we start looking around, really paying attention to our surroundings, and the tight pants give it away, that Magnolia's really is a gay club! Not that there is anything wrong with that, and it certainly was the most popular place around SLU that night, but not quite what we were looking for when we set out for some Shabbat night exploring.
I guess the lesson here is that when you commit to finding new things in St. Louis, you gotta be ready for anything. So when you come out with us, consider yourself warned, you never quite know where you might end up. But in a place like St. Louis, where so much is too often the same, isn't that a good thing? Read More......
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