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Local Motion - Jan. 20-Feb. 2, 2010
*Everyone’s looking for a way to help relief efforts in Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake that shook the impoverished island nation and has left thousands dead. Meds & Foods for Kids, a non-profit organization founded by CWE-based pediatrician Patricia Wolff, is preparing to escalate its already-substantial efforts in Haiti and is seeking donations to help. The organization provides an enriched peanut paste to Haiti’s malnourished children. Visit www.mfkhaiti.org for more information.
*Speaking of helping others, New Music Circle will host a fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 to benefit local bass player — and frequent NMC collaborator — Zimbabwe Nkenya. Nkenya suffered a stroke in the fall that has made it impossible for him to play and thus earn a living. All proceeds from the donation-only event will go to Nkenya and his wife, Deborah. The event will be held at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd. For information visit www.newmusiccircle.org.
*If you live in the CWE or drive through the neighborhood at night, it’s hard to miss the new lighting that illuminates the historic Park Plaza condo building at Kingshighway Boulevard and Maryland Avenue. The lighting project is part of the renovation of the landmark into 86 condominiums. Webster Groves-based Randy Burkett Lighting Design Inc. did the job, which includes 113 lights placed all over the 28-story building. The company also “lit up” the Gateway Arch in 2000.
*Who says city streets aren’t safe? A couple of weeks ago, south county contractor David Swope was visiting the Word offices when he unknowingly dropped $700 cash on Euclid Avenue on the way back to his car. The money was from a job he’d just finished and he needed it for his house payment. Just his luck, a few minutes later St. Louis Police Officer Eddie Simmons happened on the scene, saw the money and brought it into the Euclid Plaza building at 625 N. Euclid. Simmons told building security officer Larry Greer and both started asking around to see if anyone had lost the money. Swope realized his mistake, called the Word and had a happy reunion with his cash. Swope donated $100 to the Ethical Society of Police, a fraternal organization in Euclid Plaza that Simmons runs.
*Companion Bread at 4651 Maryland in the CWE closed on Jan. 4. The St. Louis-based bakery and restaurant opened at that site in 2007. “This past year has been a challenging one for small independent businesses like ours,” said owner Josh Allen in a statement posted on the store’s website.
Allen said that Companion’s Clayton and Ladue cafes will continue to operate as is. “It has been a pleasure to be a part of this vibrant neighborhood and we hope to have a presence here in the future… to our dedicated employees and loyal customers, we truly thank you for your support.”
Before Companion, the site was for many years the home of St. Louis Bread Co. In fact, it was only the second Bread Company location after founder Ken Rosenthal started the company in 1987 in Kirkwood. In 1993 Rosenthal sold the company, which had grown to 20 local stores, to Au Bon Pain Co., now known as Panera, a national chain of more than 1,300 stores.
*If you happened to be watching the History channel on Jan. 19, you may have caught Washington University geology professor Jennifer Smith weighing in on the Sahara desert in a documentary. Smith appeared in the beginning of How the Earth Was Made: Sahara, ruminating on the presence of ancient marine fossils embedded in the Great Pyramid of Giza.
*Students at Clayton’s Captain Elementary School will have a new principal next year. The district recently appointed Sean Doherty as principal, beginning in the 2010-11 school year. Doherty, currently principal of Green Trails Elementary in the Parkway district, replaces Sandy Rosell, who is leaving after 10 years as Captain’s, er, captain.
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