Webster-Kirkwood Times – March 4, 2022

SAINT MARTHA’S HALL

Breaking the cycle of domestic violence

by Melissa Wilkinson

A new drop-in center in South St. Louis County is one more way a local organization is helping victims of domestic violence.

Founded in May 1983, Saint Martha’s Hall is a St. Louis nonprofit group that provides shelter, resources and compassionate care for women and children in the process of escaping or moving on after an abusive relationship.

over 7,000 women served, the pandemic got Saint Martha’s board members thinking about what else they could provide for the community.

“During the pandemic, we realized it was very difficult for women and their kids to come quarantine for 14 days. They still needed the services, but we couldn’t offer it unless they were going to stay in the shelter,” said Board Member Kathy Rehmer of Shrewsbury. “The staff realized we needed another location for people to drop in and get the services they need, whether it’s help with court orders or applying for jobs.”

On Jan. 3 of this year, Saint Martha’s Drop-In Center opened at 4733 Mattis Road. Whereas the shelter provides a secure location for women to escape abusive situations, the drop-in center aims to help those in any stage of an abusive relationship with anything they might need.

Funded by donations and federal, state and local grants, the group operates a shelter in an undisclosed location that can accommodate nine women and 15 children for up to 12 weeks.

But after nearly 40 years and

“The drop-in center offers a homey environment where we hope women are comfortable seeking our services in a confidential setting,” said Board Member Amy Howe. “We have crisis intervention and support services, remote access to apply for orders

Horizons St. Louis-Kirkwood

Inspiring a brighter future for students most in need

by Don Corrigan

After a pandemic period of virtual instruction for students, Kirkwood’s Horizons St. Louis Program hopes to hit the ground running, and the pool swimming, this summer. The program serves area youth in need.

Horizons supports project-based learning to strengthen literacy and math skills for kids and provides fun recreational activities. It’s all accomplished with a team of professional educators in a five-to-one student to teacher ratio.

own, lose ground academically during summer vacation. The slide is especially pronounced among the disadvantaged. That is why we have this special enrichment program to address their needs. There is an emphasis on literacy, reading comprehension and math skills.”

Teachers reconnect kindergarten through fifth grade students to the joys of learning with a curriculum centered on six-week themes. A Horizons reading specialist works with individual students to improve literacy skills.

Public Library and the fire department.

A painting titled “Resilient Hope” by Angela L. Chostner hangs on a wall at Saint Martha’s DropIn Center. The center is located at 4733 Mattis Road in South St. Louis County.

The swimming component of Horizons is one of the most important, and fun, aspects of the summer program.

“We are all about addressing the ‘summer slide,’” explained Marie Kelly, president of the Horizons board. “Almost all students, through no fault of their

But it’s not just about hitting the books seated at a desk for hours. The program has included Saint Louis Science Center visits, a soccer camp, track camp, an Olympic Field Day, trips to the Kirkwood

Students can literally “get into the swim of things” at Kirkwood High School’s natatorium. The swimming program is adjacent to the classrooms at the high school where academic sessions take place.

“The swimming component of Horizons is very important,” said Horizons Executive Director Lakeshia Robinson.

“Kids learn to swim and achieve a sense of accomplishment and confidence to take on their academic challenges.”

Kelly noted that the demographic served by Horizons has a high mortality

«continued

For almost four decades, Saint Martha’s Hall has advocated for victims & survivors of domestic violence.

| photo courtesy of Horizons St. Louis

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The Webster-Kirkwood Times is a local newspaper published every Friday by WKTimes LLC. The purpose of the Times is to provide a forum for expression of community news, interests, personalities, culture, events and ideas. Letters and columns do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers.

CIRCULATION

Circulation is 35,875. Direct home delivery to residents in Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Des Peres, Glendale, Oakland, Rock Hill, Shrewsbury and Warson Woods totals 28,725; store stack distribution in the above communities plus nine additional communities totals 7,150. Circulation audited by Circulation Verification Council, St. Louis, Mo.

Kindness Comes In All Packages

by Jaime Mowers (Just Jaime)

email: jmowers@timesnewspapers.com.

I especially love this month’s stories of kindness, and I hope you enjoy them, too. Special thanks to these readers who called to share their stories with me. One of my favorite quotes is: “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change,” (Bob Kerrey) and I think these stories are a perfect example of that.

I was at Aldi in Crestwood a while back and had just finished my shopping when two young girls came up and said, “We bought these for you,” and handed me a bouquet of red roses! I said, “For me?!” They said, “Yes,” and then scampered away as I stood there, dumbfounded.

I went to my car and looked around for them because I wanted to tell them how much they made my day. I was suppose to have been on vacation, but my health care provider didn’t think it was a good idea for me to travel due to COVID and I had very reluctantly canceled my trip.

I should have been on my trip, but since I wasn’t, that was why I was at the grocery store ... I had no food and I needed milk, etc.

I don’t know if I looked extra forlorn as I picked up my groceries and that’s why the girls got me the roses, but it was at a time when I really needed a boost. It also just so happens that red roses are my favorite flower! I don’t know who these teenage girls were, but I’m a senior citizen and it made a big difference in my day and my week. It really took me by surprise, too.

I had a friend coming to dinner the next night, so I had the roses for the table, which was perfect! My friend also surprised me with such kindness — she went to the trouble of bringing certain elements I would have encountered on my vacation to my home! She even brought small bottles of soaps and lotions like you would get at a hotel. I can’t believe the trouble my friend went to for me, but the roses from the teenagers ... I really can’t get over that. Things like that really make someone’s day, and it really does make a difference.

—A Grateful Webster Groves Resident

I’m 90 years old, and when I read your latest column, it took me back 50 years to a stranger’s act of kindness. I was on Highway

40, except this was before it was really even an interstate. We had an old station wagon, and I had my two young kids with me in the car. It was pouring down rain — just buckets of rain — and I had a flat.

I pulled over and put my flashers on. A car pulled up behind me and a gentleman came up to my window and asked if he could change the tire for me. He was driving a big, beautiful car and he was dressed in a suit and top hat — so there he was in a suit and top hat looking like a million bucks, standing out in the pouring rain and changing the tire for me! I couldn’t believe it! It just goes to show you that kindness comes in all packages.

Afterward, he just went on his way, but I thought surely he’s headed to an office somewhere for something important and I’m sure he had to go back home and change clothes. I didn’t get his name, but I have never forgotten him.

—Joann Rogers, Lemay

Do you have a story of kindness? Drop me a line at jmowers@timesnewspapers. com or give me a buzz at 314-968-2699.

Adapted by Patrick Barlow From the novel by John Buchan

Woman Sentenced After Helping Scam Artist

public service announcement for the FBI warning others against becoming the victim of a scam and then aiding the scam artist.

by Jaime Mowers

An 81-year-old Kirkwood woman was recently sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to charges of helping a Nigerian scam artist with whom she had fallen in love.

Glenda Seim pleaded guilty in federal court on Nov. 2, 2021, to two felony counts of identity theft related to her participation as a “money mule” in various fraudulent transactions totaling up to $1.5 million on behalf of her online romantic interest, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri. A “money mule” is a person who receives fraudulently obtained money and merchandise on behalf of a scammer, and then forwards the proceeds to the scammer.

Although sentencing guidelines for the felonies recommended four years in prison, Seim was sentenced on Feb. 24, 2022, to five years of supervised probation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. She was also ordered to repay her victims.

The judge showed leniency in part because of the remorse Seim has shown, along with her willingness to film a

In the nearly two-minute public service video, Seim describes how she fell in love with a man she had never met, and then ignored friends, family members, law enforcement officers and even FBI agents who told her to stop sending the man money and being party to his fraud.

Seim details in the video how she met the man she called her love online in 2014. He claimed to be a U.S. citizen with business interests in Nigeria. Throughout the years, he would ask for Seim’s help in paying fees, taxes and penalties to the Nigerian government or his business associates, claiming he couldn’t leave Nigeria until those fees were paid.

Despite having never met him and communicating through text only, Seim started sending him money from her retirement benefits and pension. He then asked her to pawn electronic equipment he had others send her in the mail and then forward the money to him.

“When I couldn’t get the money he wanted, he asked me to open personal and business bank accounts,” Seim relayed in the public service announcement.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Seim, who now lives in Webster Groves, then

began receiving wire transfers from people she didn’t know, depositing counterfeit and fraudulently obtained checks into financial accounts she opened, allowing her love interest to fraudulently transfer funds from various businesses into her accounts and accepting unemployment insurance payments on behalf of people she didn’t know. A check drawn on the retirement account of a romance scam victim for $100,000 was among Seim’s fraudulent deposits, and she kept a portion of it before providing the balance to her online romantic interest.

Despite multiple warnings by wire transfer agencies, bank representatives, police officers and FBI agents — along with the forced closing of her financial accounts — Seim continued to transfer funds on behalf of her love interest. Between June 2014 and February 2021, she attempted to conduct fraudulent transactions between $550,000 and $1.5 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Since 2015, bank employees, local police officers and federal agents told me that my love was a scam, and that I needed to stop or I could go to jail,” Seim said, narrating the video. “I didn’t listen to anyone else but my love — the love I had never seen nor spoken to. Now I don’t have a choice of whom I’ll listen to — I’ll be listening to the judge.”

Webster Groves Results In On Fed Money “Balancing Act”

is expected by fall, according to city officials. The city has until the end of 2024 to allocate the federal relief funds.

by Kevin Murphy

It’s a nice problem to have: How to spend $4.6 million gifted (federal taxpayer monies) to the city of Webster Groves as part of The American Rescue Plan.

The federal plan provides major financial aid to local governments, such as Webster Groves, to offset increased costs, lost revenues and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In total, Webster Groves will receive $4.6 million in two payments. The first payment, $2.3 million, has already been received, deposited to a city account in September of last year. The balance

From Jan. 11 to Feb. 24, the city received 132 citizen submissions on its “ARP Balancing Act” program, posted for 45 days on its website. Visitors to the site were able to prioritize their preferences by assigning dollar amounts to a list of about 30 choices that appeared in five categories.

The five categories were:

• Investing in Webster Groves residents;

• Investing in Webster Groves housing;

• Investing in Webster Groves business and non-profit community;

• Investing in Webster Groves public infrastructure;

• Investing in the city of Webster

Webster Groves School District

Groves.

The Webster Groves City Council on March 1 heard the “very preliminary takeaways” of how citizens would best like to spend the federal government’s $4.6 allotment. Leading items in each category as selected by the public were:

• Fund a utility tax rebate for lowincome seniors;

• Fund a home repair program;

• Create a small business microgrant program;

• Create and fund a program for improved bicycle traffic;

• Fiscal sustainability — restoration of revenue.

Assistant City Manager and Director of Finance and Administration Eric Peterson commended the community for its input, describing the participation

«continued on page 10

District Going Mask Optional On March 7

by Melissa Wilkinson

The Webster Groves School District will no longer require masking for students or staff beginning Monday, March 7, following a vote at a Feb. 25 board of education meeting.

All schools in the district will move to a mask-recommended environment this Monday, with the exception of the Walter Ambrose Family Center. Students there, who are too young to receive COVID-19 vaccines, will continue to wear masks, as will staff when around students.

Superintendent John Simpson said optional masks will be contingent on the positivity rate in an individual school. Should any school reach a threshold

of 1.5% positive COVID cases among students and staff in its cumulative seven-day total, that school will require masks again for two weeks, at which point a new cumulative total will be calculated. If the new total is still 1.5% or higher, masks will be required for another two weeks.

Students and staff who are not vaccinated will be required to quarantine at home for five days if deemed a close contact of someone who tests positive.

“We’ve been in close consultation with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and medical professionals from the start and we have not deviated,” said Simpson. “Everything we’ve done

has been endorsed or recommended or reviewed by them and this is no different. The regional data is trending in a very, very favorable direction, and those experts believe it’s only going to continue in that direction.”

Though the St. Louis County mask mandate is no longer in effect, the board also voted to require masks at board of education meetings if any of the district’s schools are requiring masks at the time.

The Webster Groves School District’s 1.5% threshold mimics that of the Kirkwood School District, which went mask-optional on Feb. 22 under the same conditions.

Schnucks WG Welcomes New Coffee Shop

As part of an initiative to introduce local suppliers, Schnuck Markets, Inc. recently welcomed Northwest Coffee Roasting Company to Schnucks in Webster Groves. The Central West End-based coffee shop and café offers espresso shots, lattes, drip coffee, egg wraps, smoothies and more.

The 788-square-foot retail shop within Webster Schnucks is now open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It occupies the former Jamba Juice space at the front of the store.

“We’re honored to welcome Northwest Coffee into our stores as we work to bring our customers more local products and introduce to them suppliers that are reflective of the diverse communities we serve,” said Isabella Lombardo, Schnucks manager of strategic partnerships and strategic planning.

Later this spring, customers can expect to find five varieties of Northwest Coffee Roasting Company’s artisanal coffee on shelves at select St. Louis-area Schnucks stores.

“We’re thrilled to be opening our doors at Schnucks’ Webster Groves location,” said Jason Wilson, owner of Northwest Coffee Roasting Company.

“We’re excited to introduce our artisan coffee to the area and continue to inspire people to ‘control the narrative’ — a phrase customers will notice on our product packaging.”

Northwest Coffee Roasting Company’s original location at 4251 Laclede Ave. in the Central West End will remain open.

Kirkwood Schools District Unveils New Financial Dashboard

The Kirkwood School District Board of Education at its meeting on Feb. 28 presented its new financial dashboard, a tool to promote transparency for taxpayers interested in seeing how their tax dollars are spent to support learning.

Updated monthly, the financial dashboard includes detailed information about expenditures, revenues and revenue sources. Information is available for the operating fund, which accounts for the majority of the district’s funds, as well as other dedicated funds such as construction, including Prop R, maintenance and technology.

The dashboard also includes a breakdown of expenses to allow taxpayers to see how much of the budget is dedicated to each area of district operations. Additionally, viewers can see some of the yearly facts and figures that influence the district’s finances including enrollment, bond rating and per pupil expenditures.

The dashboard can be viewed online at kirkwoodschools.org/ financialdashboard.

— PLEASE NOTE —

The “Tips For Tax Filing” article that appeared in last week’s issue of the Times should have been attributed to Scott Hedrick, manager at SFW Partners, LLC.

81-year-old was “money mule” in longterm romance scam, ignored warnings from FBI

Public input gathered on best way to spend $4.6 million from feds

Our school board has failed Webster Groves. In 2016, we ranked 16th in Missouri. Now we are 38th. Over 35% of our students lack proficiency in English, science and mathematics.

I am a Missouri certified educator. My mission is to stop the slide. I will bring back educational excellence.

HELP RESTORE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE TO WEBSTER

GROVES

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Introduce metric-driven approaches for driving and measuring academic success

JUSTIN

Single-father of two daughters at Clark Elementary

Proud product of/advocate for public schools

Former President/Treasurer of Webster Groves Public Library Board of Trustees

Board of Education-Appointed member of the WGSD Finance Advisory Committee

Over 15 years experience in public finance and board governance/ communications

Brentwood

Mike Smith

Financial Advisor

1401 S Brentwood Blvd. Suite 725 314-961-6955

Des Peres

Mark E Audet, CFP®

Financial Advisor 12412 Powerscourt Dr. Suite 152 314-965-0147

Brian T Donelon

Financial Advisor 12444 Powerscourt Dr. Suite 215 314-984-0427

Kirkwood

John J Caruso Jr, CFP®, AAMS®

Financial Advisor 100 West Adams Avenue 314-966-0060

Nathan Rockholm

Financial Advisor 204 N Clay Ave. 314-822-0346

Sunset Hills

Scott F Modde, AAMS®

Financial Advisor 10805 Sunset Office Dr. Suite 200 314-984-0239

Warson Woods

Tim Graham, CFP®

Financial Advisor

Dierbergs Warson Woods Center 9957 Manchester Road 314-961-3841

Webster Groves

Jerry Herber Financial Advisor 8144 Big Bend Blvd. 314-961-5243

Bryan M O’Dell

Financial Advisor 134 W Lockwood Ave. 314-963-1254

Webster Groves

Kevin W Poe, AAMS®

Financial Advisor 8049 Watson Road 314-961-7690

Steve Schleiffarth Financial Advisor 134 W Lockwood Ave. 314-963-1254

Educators Oppose Parents’ Bill Of Rights Act

As lifelong educators, we are strongly opposed to the Parents’ Bill of Rights Act of 2022, which is now being considered in the Missouri Legislature. The first part of the bill is indeed a list of parental rights, ones that parents already have by law (and is therefore pointless). The second half of the bill is a deliberate attempt to tell teachers and school districts what they can and cannot teach about U.S. history. It bans the use of specific resources and specific words, and basically says that teachers may not tell the truth about our

history, but instead must promote the myth we have been taught for years —that we have made no mistakes, done no wrong and have nothing to learn from.

Censorship like this can only harm our kids. They need the facts in order to become clear thinkers, understand their country and figure out the roles they want to play in helping it become still better. Censorship like this, along with the threat of legal action that is also included in the bill, can only instill fear in our teachers, to the point of driving them out

of the profession, or at least away from Missouri. Teachers already endure many job stresses for low pay.

It’s beyond foolish to make teaching more difficult and less attractive, and to make the problem of finding and retaining good teachers much worse. It is also beyond foolish to keep our kids in a bubble of ignorance. Those are bound to be some of the effects of this bill if it passes.

Bill & Margaret Rowe Shrewsbury

Support Students, Educators In Teaching Truth

I support teaching truth in social studies and history in our schools. When I look back on my education, I realize that so much truth was left out or glossed over. I never learned about the extent of planned segregation in housing and its impact. I never learned about the East St. Louis race riots. I never learned about the burning of Black-owned businesses in Tulsa. Reconstruction and Jim Crow were minimally covered.

Our children need to learn the truth of our history and decide for themselves how these events have affected our country and where we want to go from here. Our young people are the future of our country and they deserve the truth in their education.

This is a very important school board election. There are people in fringe groups running in many of these elections and using language and talking points

that might cloud what they really stand for. Make sure you do your research, make sure you know who candidates are affiliated with and funded by, decide who you want to support, then vote. Our children and educators need us to stand with them for teaching truth.

Barbara Salsich Richter Kirkwood

Stealth Public School Agendas From The “Far Left”

In response to another letter, let’s continue the conversation about stealth agendas in the Webster Groves School District. It’s dawning on more people that for years now, a far left group of activists has been stealthily pushing school board candidates and willing school administrators to force their desired political ideologies onto young children in WGSD classrooms. The results are clear — academics sliding, chaos at the high school, staff leaving, enrollment dropping at an unprecedented rate and a hapless school board.

Last year the district stealthily adopted a new activist social studies K-8 curriculum from the far left Southern Poverty Law Center with help from a

It was so disheartening to read the “Oops!” article (Feb. 25, WKT) regarding the unnecessary demolishing of a Kirkwood home that was 75% completed. For two years, everyone in the world has experienced tremendous stress while trying to navigate a once-in-a-century pandemic.

The buyers of the home must have been so relieved that the O’Briens’ reaction to the 1.6-foot boundary error was that they “preferred the variance be granted, as it would mean less of a hardship.” The O’Briens showed true compassion in choosing not to nitpick such a small mistake. They knew that the buyers

This is in response to the letter concerning the proposed railroad merger of the Kansas City Southern and the Canadian Pacific Railroads (March 3). The two railroads in question currently interchange only in Kansas City, Missouri, with a branch line extending

In response to Clark Hotaling’s letter, “Influencing Elections In Webster,” I have to disagree. I have been watching from a distance the changes that have taken place since the inception of the current council and city manager, and they are concerning, to say the least.

There has been a concentrated effort by the city manager, her deputy

consultant that calls himself a “race critical theorist.” Those of us who quietly asked for broad discussion before WGSD began pushing self-evident political ideologies onto children learned some disturbing lessons.

WGSD also stealthily adopted an antiracism code of conduct/discipline policy, and stealthily renamed it the equity policy after criticism. Anti-racism is the ideology that states that white children can never not be racist, they can only try to be anti-racist. Look up what it has to say about the conjoined twins of racism and capitalism. Maybe this is good. But school board members like Alex Kahn and Allen Todd, who are up for re-election on April 5, didn’t think bringing this into schools

had sold their home and their furniture was in storage. Kirkwood Board of Adjustment Members Mark McLean and Gil Kleinknecht indicated they felt MRM Manlin was “doing its best to compensate the O’Briens.” This home was demolished because Board Members Paul Ward, Joe Roeser and Paul Schaefer decided to show no mercy to any of the parties.

“I’m a carpenter and builder ... ignorance of the law doesn’t matter. If you make a mistake, you’ve got to fix it,” said Paul Ward.

Mr. Ward is not the first person to do something unconscionable that happened to be perfectly legal. The last paragraph

from that area to Springfield, and East St. Louis, Illinois. At best, Canadian Pacific railroad crews disembark their train and Kansas City Southern crews embark in Kansas City. The merger would not necessarily mean additional trains along that route. And being that the northern

and certain council members to hush any community inquisition into their actions. They have gone so far as to block public comment in the city council meetings if those comments don’t favor their agenda.

I was especially shocked by Councilman Franklin’s attack on public workers and the mayor at a recent

was worthy of a serious discussion?

If Missouri adopts education funding that follows students, not systems, it will be the fault of activists pushing their politics in classrooms, not those who want it out. Let’s ask candidates to pledge to introduce a WGSD policy that explicitly forbids the district from pushing political ideologies, with meaningful consequences. Because, as we are seeing, the present system will not last if one group thinks they can do whatever they want with other people’s children in classrooms.

Carter Nixon Webster Groves

Not Just For Catholics

This is in reference to the Feb. 25 article in the Webster-Kirkwood Times, “Fish Fry Fridays.” While the article accurately highlighted the ethos of these wonderful events, and even detailed some culinary variations, it was somewhat disappointing that interview sources were exclusively Catholic.

In fact, millions of Eastern Orthodox Christians around the world will celebrate Easter this year on April 24, 2022, following the Julian instead of the Gregorian calendar. However, while the dates differ, traditions and the ethos of what is considered by Orthodox Christians to be the holiest season of the year are shared with Christian brethren … including the Friday Fish Fry.

In 2021, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Fish Fry was voted #2 in the area by St. Louis magazine readers. The great news is that this year on March 11, 18 and 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., Webster-Kirkwood Times readers can get a taste for themselves at the Family Life Center on South Forty Road in Town & Country.

The Greek-style menu includes baked and fried fish, spanakopita, Greek mac and cheese, baklava and more and will be available for dinein. The events are open to the public, with plenty of free parking, and delicious treats prepared by the best Hellenic chefs in St. Louis.

Deborah Dugan Des Peres

Laura Arnold For WG Mayor

of the article proves that the lawyer for MRM Manlin was correct when he stated: “The way this ordinance reads is at best unclear about when this boundary survey is happening in the process.”

Mr. Ward, the self-described carpenter, thought nothing of destroying other carpenters’ hard work, all for an 18inch mistake that the Kirkwood Board of Adjustment is partially responsible for. This demolition was a sickening display of sheer ruthlessness, nevermind the utter and complete waste of demolishing a family’s brand new home.

Rebecca Alexander Glendale

I have known Laura and listened to her before she ran for Webster Groves City Council. I am a member of the North Webster Neighborhood Coalition. Laura is also a member and has been an active member for over five years. I’ve lived in North Webster all of my life. When I’ve gone to Laura with problems in North Webster, she has always had time to listen. If there was anything she was able to do, she would. If she couldn’t help, then Laura would direct me to someone who could help.

This is the kind of mayor we need again in Webster. Mayor Gerry Welch also always listened. To Laura, it will not matter if you live north, south, west or east in Webster. She is very honest, caring and takes her responsibility to the community of Webster Groves very seriously. She is who we need for our next mayor of Webster Groves.

Kathryn DeHart Webster Groves

council meeting. As a result, he has lost the vote of my family. It appears the average citizen is up against the wall with the current council/city administration. They are attempting to build a political machine that is unquestionable by citizens. At this point I think it’s refreshing to see a group that represents the citizens countering the agenda of the

council and city administration.

I would also like to give kudos to Mayor Welch for bringing this all to the forefront at a recent council meeting. Do we want a council and administration that is beyond accountability to the citizens? I know I don’t!

Thomas Millas Webster Groves

Missouri route only goes to Springfield and East St. Louis, Illinois, the idea of an increase in the number of trains along this route is also unlikely.

Chuck Derus Oakland

Ms. Jennifer Moorehouse from Webster Groves wrote about Laura Arnold’s integrity and willingness to always listen to anyone. She has no color barrier. Her support goes far past food distributions to those in need.

Bringing Effective Leadership and Meaningful Experience to Work for Webster Groves

The Mayor of Webster Groves is the face of our community. She must have a broad perspective, bring all segments of the community together, and carefully weigh decisions to be successful. Kathy Hart will bring an unparalleled record of effective leadership and meaningful experience to the position of mayor.

Meaningful Leadership Experience

Kathy Hart:

• Served on the Webster Groves City Council for 12 years, during which Webster Groves experienced fiscal, infrastructure, and service accomplishments

• Has led countless projects reflective of her commitment to community service

• Served in leadership and award-winning positions with the Missouri Bar Association

• Led planning, capital, and DEI initiatives as board chair for Nerinx Hall

• Extended her leadership capacity by training to become an internationally certified Prosci Change Manager and completing Lean and SMART project training

Leadership Priorities to Move the City Forward

Kathy Hart will:

• Lead a review of City processes for changes to streamline City-provided services

• Restore the ability to work together in a peaceful and productive way

• Lead real community engagement about future housing needs and opportunities for the community

• Strive for continuous improvement and change that moves the City from the status quo to an acceptable vision and actions

Together We Can:

• Restore stability in our budgeting and fiscal decisions, in our staffing, and in the reputation that has made Webster Groves such a desirable community with professional, quality municipal services.

• Pursue development opportunities in context with the characteristics that define the community

• Bring all voices together to shape the future of our town.

www.kathyhartformayor.com

Visit Kathy’s website to learn more about Kathy, request a yard sign, volunteer for her campaign, or make a donation.

You can reach Kathy at (314) 570-7144. Join her for coffee and conversation on Fridays in March from 10am – noon.

Kathy Hart is endorsed for Mayor by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2665 and the Webster Groves Police Officers Association. She is grateful for the confidence they have placed in her and values the contributions public safety staff bring to the City.

Paid for by Hart for Mayor, Toni Hunt, Treasurer

“All In” For Laura Arnold For Next Webster Mayor

Some of you may know me from the annual Webster Groves community events I help organize like “Porchfest,” the “World Peace Concert” and “Webster On Wheels.”

I was taught and believe in looking for the good and positive in others versus criticizing the bad and negative. Thus, while I do not know Kathy Hart well, I like her as a person and believe that she was a good and fair city council member during her tenure. I have nothing at all against her.

But I am choosing,,without reservation or hesitation, to go all in

for Laura Arnold for mayor of Webster. Here are my top two reasons why: First, to me, nothing is more important than trust between people. As such, communities move forward at the speed of trust. No trust, no progress. And I trust Laura, her character, her leadership and her judgment unconditionally, established over a 20year friendship between our families.

Second, the word “community” is the combination of two words — commune + unity — and means “to share together as one.” For as long as I have known her, Laura has never sat

quietly on the sidelines, but instead has always been “in the arena,” tirelessly engaging, connecting, sharing and giving back across a multitude of civic organizations, including city council, for the good of us all and to help unite our community as one.

In closing, if you look for the good and positive in Webster Groves, you will find Laura near the center. She will be an exceptional mayor!

Dave Buck Webster Groves

Making The Best Of Crossword Puzzle Foul Up

The Feb. 25 Webster-Kirkwood Times crossword puzzle started out fairly innocent.

1. Across: “Trims a photo.” The answer is, of course: C-R-O-P-S.

1. Down: “Wrecking ball swinger.”

C-R-A-N-E, obviously. Wait a second. This sounds familiar. Sure enough, these are the same clues that appeared in the Webster-Kirkwood Times crossword puzzle we just completed last week. My mind immediately shifts to how I can turn this into a prank with my spouse, who has tolerated my humor for years.

My plan is to slyly fill out the entire crossword puzzle and proudly display it for her at our daily Cheerio’s breakfast with our three children. She will exclaim: “Oh, my! How did you complete this so fast, and without

any help from me on a single word?” She will, for a moment in time, stand in awe of my supreme crossword wizardry. This will be the day I become a legend in my own home. The man who completed a crossword with zero help ... that she knew of at least.

Using last week’s puzzle as my guide, I get to work filling it out confidently, in ink.

20. Across: “Lion families.”

P-R-I-D-E-S, without hesitation. It all fell apart here. 20. Across doesn’t exist on this week’s grid. Just a sad looking 20. Down, with an accompanying dead end for 20. Across. How could this be?! It appears the joke was on me. The clues were from last week, but only select answers fit. My prank was ruined. Touché, WebsterKirkwood Times.

Not to worry. The in-laws like your puzzles too, so I left this one out for them to complete when they get to town. The looks on their faces will be priceless. Now, I sit and wait ...

Weitekamp Glendale

Good Grief!

Hixson Shepherd For WG Council

Election season in our fair city is heating up, sending some into hiding and others onto front lawns to dance with our yard signs. I’m in the latter category, and on behalf of myself and other neighbors on Oak Street in northwest Webster, I am here to sing the praises of city council candidate Emily Hixson Shepherd. Webster would be incredibly lucky to have Emily working for us at city hall.

Because of our proximity to the proposed Douglass Hill project, many in our neighborhood were learning about it from the earliest town halls. Emily, like many of us, was a proponent of development, and especially affordable housing in that area. But the more we learned about Douglass Hill, the more distant those dreams became.

Emily was a trusted voice as the redevelopment project worked its way through city government. For one thing, she stayed calm. For another, she did the hard work of informing herself — and the rest of us — digging into the weeds of planning documents, attending council and commission meetings, connecting with city officials and listening to what everyone had to say. She kept an open mind, ready for compromise if the opportunity arose. People all over Webster recognized this and came to depend on Emily for an honest assessment of the project and process.

This is the kind of leadership we need at city hall. Emily is intelligent, informed and qualified, but most important, Emily will listen to and represent all of us. Those values of connection and collaboration can help us build a stronger Webster.

Anne Yard Webster Groves

by Lydia Diamond directed by chanel bragg

First Student is proud to provide the community with safe and reliable student transportation. If you’re looking for more than just a driving career, consider a position on the First Student Team. Not only is this an excellent driving opportunity, but it’s also a way to support your community while working at a job you’ll truly love.

Michael Jennings Webster Groves

Brad

YEARLY BUDGET SURPLUS/DEFICIT

WG City Council must T HE B L EEDING

What is going on at Webster Groves City Hall?

This City Council (Arnold, Bliss, Franklin since 2018; Alexander, Richardson, and Smith since 2020) are remarkable for their massive budget deficits and ineffective administration.

• Before 2019, the city council ran surpluses for 5 of the previous 6 years, from 2013 to 2018. (Moody’s Opinion Letter, above)

• But since 2019, this city council runs only deficits – unsustainable deficits – for 3 of the past 3 years, and for 5 of the next 5 years. (Chart, above, all numbers from the city’s website)

• “We have used reserves every year since 2019,” said WG Director of Finance. (01.04.22) What changed? Our mayor warned: “Maybe we should examine the spending spree of the past year.” (Welch, 02.01.22)

• This City Council’s chronic deficits are the most visible symptom of larger problems at City Hall: “Suddenly we have gone from a City coveted for excellence in finance, service, and efficiency – to one in great peril.” (Welch, 02.01.22)

• “What is happening to our City now is wrong, destructive, and cannot continue.” (Welch, 02.01.22) Deficits destroy an organization from within.

• And our city employees already know it: “In the past ten months we have lost at least 26 staff members. Staff morale is now the worst I have seen in any organization and with these new policies it is falling to levels that imperil the services we provide.” (Welch, 02.01.22)

This City Council (Arnold, Bliss, Franklin since 2018; Richardson, Smith, Alexander since 2020) have given us “new policies” that burdened our city with chronic deficits, “new policies” that infect our city employees with low morale and imperil our city’s delivery of basic services. This City Council can’t stop the bleeding.

Starts at the Top

Arnold Bliss Franklin

Richardson Alexander Smith

Webster Groves: Spending Federal Dollars

as “awesome,” with the average visitor to the site spending 20 minutes reviewing choices and making decisions.

“These were outstanding numbers for our first time out with this tool,” Peterson said at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The results showed a “wide disparity” of thoughts about many of the suggested programs, with a lack of any clear citizen mandate on how the funds should be utilized, Peterson said.

As Webster Groves faces projected future budget deficits, there was strong support for using the ARP funds for revenue replacement.

“The fact that you complain of a budget deficit of $4.2 million when you have a $4.6 million relief package for this exact reason is absurd,” commented one citizen on the ARP Balancing Act simulator. “Please use these funds wisely and ensure city services and employees remain intact.”

In all, Peterson said there were 111

citizen comments made on individual spending items offered for the public’s consideration.

Another citizen priority for use of federal funds is in creating a program for improved bicycle traffic — a “big winner” in improvements to city infrastructure, according to Peterson. One citizen commented:

“So many bikers come through Webster Groves. Let’s make our city a biker’s destination. It’s sustainable and healthy. Make it easy and safe for all kids to walk and bike to school.”

Some of the least favored options were funding kiosks in the business districts, funding an “on-demand” micro transit system and creating a homebuyer down payment assistance program.

Mayor Gerry Welch called the public input data “extremely interesting,” and encouraged “those of you who care about our city” to take a look at the information on the city’s website at webstergroves.org/623/AmericanRescue-Plan-Funding.

Webster Groves

Phillip Jordan Officer Of The Year

Officer Phillip Jordan has been named the 2021 Webster Groves Police Officer of the Year.

Jordan, who was honored at the Webster Groves City Council meeting on March 1, led the department in traffic citations and arrests — six for felonies and one of a drug dealer selling products to high school students.

He was nominated by the department and recognized by the Shrewsbury Police Department for catching and detaining a suspect who vandalized multiple vehicles in Shrewsbury and was suspected of thefts in Webster Groves. The suspect was later charged with a felony and nine misdemeanor charges.

“Officer Jordan consistently exhibits the positive traits and attitude that exemplifies those expected of Webster

Groves Officers, and has helped make Webster Groves a safer community,” said Webster Groves Police Chief Dale Curtis.

Deer Hunt; Officer Honored In Des Peres

The Des Peres Board of Aldermen on Feb. 28 voted to apply for a permit from the Missouri Department of Conservation to hold a controlled deer hunt using sharpshooters on private or city-owned property.

The board agreed to once again contract with White Buffalo, a leading expert in population control of whitetailed deer, to manage the hunt that will be held in the winter of 2022-23. The cost is not to exceed $50,000, which has already been budgeted.

Des Peres Public Safety Officer

Donald May was honored as Public Safety Officer of the Year 2021 at the same meeting.

Prior to coming to work in Des Peres in 2017, May was with the St. Louis County Police Department for eight years. He has bachelor degrees in political science and criminal justice from Southeast Missouri State University.

Officer Donald May

Webster Groves Police Officer Phillip Jordan holds up his certificate of merit and certificate of recognition at the March 1 city council meeting after being named the city’s Police Officer Of The Year. | photo courtesy of city of Webster Groves

March Madness For Webster University’s Undefeated Women’s Basketball Team

Webster University’s women’s basketball team, along with team supporters, erupt in cheers Monday afternoon, Feb. 28, after Webster University is put on the NCAA National Tournament Brackets board during a live stream of the tournament selections announcement. Webster University was one of only 64 Division III teams promoted to the championships. Webster clinched the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Championship on Saturday, Feb. 26, by completing the regular season undefeated (25-0), earning a place in the national tournament. Webster University will play against Mary Hardin-Baylor College on Saturday, March 5, in the first round of the NCAA Division III championships. | photo courtesy of Webster University

New Drop-In Center For Saint Martha’s Hall

of protection, safety planning, referrals to community agencies like housing assistance, shelters and legal services, and information and support for family and friends. There are also programs for children including a learning center, daily living skills, emotional regulation skills, parenting support and community resources.”

Operating out of a refurbished farmhouse, the drop-in center is set up like a cozy living room where women can sit down with a cup of coffee, meet with experienced advocates and discuss next steps, whether it be a hot meal, legal services, filling out job applications or talking with a caring listener. The dropin center also provides resources for friends and family of abuse victims.

“We’ve tried to set it up like you’d go to your neighbor’s house and have tea and a cookie and chat for a while. That eventually leads to whatever needs there may be and we see what we can do for them,” said advocate Diana Camren. “When you’re in an abusive relationship you feel so isolated, so it’s very important to us that people can come in and sit with someone face to face.”

The drop-in center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary and all services are free of charge.

1,000 Women a Year

In addition to the drop-in center, Saint Martha’s Hall participates in outreach programs, speaking with community organizations about its

mission. That’s how Rehmer, a board member of nine years, learned of the program.

“My daughter was at Nerinx Hall, and the Mothers’ Club had the previous executive director of Saint Martha’s come talk about the mission,” said Rehmer. “I went up to her afterwards and said, ‘You really need to get this message to the girls. They need to understand this stuff if they’re in a relationship.’ I said I was interested in helping and two years later, they asked if I would consider being on the board.”

Advocates from Saint Martha’s

are available to present educational programs on services offered and topics related to the organization’s work. Brochures and pamphlets are also available.

“We want people to know who we are and what we do,” said Rehmer. “You don’t want to need it, but boy, you sure want to know it’s there if you do.”

Making resources available to women is only part of the outreach. Saint Martha’s also aims to educate young men to help them recognize abusive tendencies and avoid patterns of abuse.

“We need to change male behavior.

That’s why this problem exists,” said Bob Springer, a board member and former board president. “I have a son and I want him to know what a healthy relationship is. It’s just as important to me as what my daughters are going through. We’re trying to improve the situation and to let men and boys know that we’re not going to turn it around without their help.”

Springer, of Kirkwood, said Saint Martha’s Hall is aiming to expand its outreach through programs and social media. The new drop-in center is the organization’s first-ever expansion, but it’s certainly not the final one.

“Once we get this up and going, we can expand it to other places in St. Louis, and maybe even beyond,” said Rehmer. “We’ve got a new 10-year plan to serve 1,000 women a year in some way, and over the next 10 years we plan to educate one million people on domestic violence.”

Signs of Abuse

A frog won’t leap into a pot of boiling water, but a frog will sit in a gently warming pot of water until it’s hot enough to cook — this well-known paradigm illustrates how so many women fail to recognize they are in an abusive relationship.

Victim advocate Diana Camren, who has worked with Saint Martha’s Hall for 26 years, said that while physical abuse is easy to recognize, often there are less obvious red flags for other forms of abuse.

Many abusers, she said, are controlling to the point of not allowing their partners to make decisions for

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Shown in the Drop-In Room at the new Saint Martha’s Hall Drop-In Center are, from left: Board Members Bob Springer and Kathy Rehmer, Drop-In Center Director Carla Maley and advocate Diana Camren. | photo by Ursula Ruhl

Saint Martha’s Hall

Sometimes it’s a matter of taking in that information and starting to realize what’s happening is not ok.”

themselves, such as what to wear or who to spend time with, often requiring victims to ask permission to do anything.

Abusive partners will also often threaten to harm their victims or themselves if the victim does not behave the way they want. Stalking, extreme jealousy and destroying personal belongings are also red flags.

“A lot of movies portray jealousy as this romantic thing, but it’s not. It can be very dangerous,” said Camren. “Destruction of property — especially things like photos or clothing, things that are an extension of who the person is — through cutting or burning can be a big sign.”

Camren said something many people overlook is abuse of pets. She said a huge correlation exists between violence toward animals in the home and violence toward women. That’s why Saint Martha’s Hall partners with the Animal Protective Association to provide foster care for pets while victims are in the shelter.

As an advocate for over two decades, Camren has seen a full gamut of victims — as young as 16 and as old as 80. Not all of them understand what they’ve been through.

“At the drop-in center, many people coming in don’t even recognize their situation as abuse,” said Camren. “They’ll say, ‘I’m in a bad relationship,’ or ‘I’m having marital issues.’ They might not be ready yet, and we’re going to meet them in that place.

Still others are convinced that they are at fault for what has happened.

“Abusive partners don’t take responsibility for themselves. By the time an abuser has reached the point of convincing her that it’s her fault, so much has gone on that she believes it,” said Camren. “It doesn’t happen overnight. Most of the time it’s an intentional process. There’s good times and there’s abusive times. In your mind, it’s just the ebb and flow of a relationship.”

Despite what they’ve been through, Camren said she’s truly inspired by the women Saint Martha’s Hall has helped through the years.

“They have so much courage. I don’t know if there’s anyone else who has the strength to go through what they did and survive it and retain their kindness,” she said. “After this long, I’m at the point where I’m seeing people who have truly survived. They’ve come through, they’re sometimes working in the field now, and their children are healthy and successful and thriving.

“It’s a very intimate thing they share,” Camren continued. “I’m humbled and honored to be brought into that world.”

To speak with an advocate, donate to Saint Martha’s Hall or learn more, call 314-533-1313 (24 hours a day) or visit saintmarthas.org. Call the dropin center during business hours at 314-487-2062.

FAMOUS FACES

Help First Congregational Church Rebuild Kentucky After Tornado

First Congregational Church of Webster Groves invites the community to help in the mission of rebuilding Mayfield, Kentucky, after a tornado devastated the town in December.

People are asked to help financially support this mission by participating in the “National Day of Awesomeness” on Thursday, March 10. Donations will go directly to the official foundation

established for the rebuilding efforts, the Mayfield Long-Term Recovery Group, a 501(C)3.

Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Community Foundation of West Kentucky, Attn: Mayfield DRS, P.O. Box 7, Paducah, KY, 42002. Please write CFWK-STL in the memo spot. Donations can also be made online via PayPal at www.firstchurchwg.org.

Public Notice: “Voluntary Withdrawal” from Medicare

Peace Haven Association, located at 12630 Rott Road, St. Louis, MO, notified CMS on March 1, 2022 of its intention to withdraw from Medicare.

Peace Haven, federally recognized as a Religious Non-medical Health Care Institution since 1965, has requested a termination date of April 1, 2022 from the Medicare program. As of April 1, 2022, Peace Haven will no longer bill Medicare for Federal subsidized funding for Christian Science nursing services provided at Peace Haven. This decision by the Board of Trustees of Peace Haven was made after months of thoughtful discussion and deliberation.

Peace Haven, which is annually licensed by the state of Missouri as an “intermediate care facility,” will continue to provide Christian Science nursing care without interruption for those relying wholly on Christian Science for healing. All financial funding needs will be handled through various private funding sources.

Any questions regarding this public notice may be directed to the Executive Director of Peace Haven at admin@PeaceHavenAssociation.org.

First grade students at Clark Elementary School in the Webster Groves School District are learning more about American history by choosing a historical character and portraying that person in a video title “Famous Faces.” Above: Rye Sehy plays Helen Keller. | photo courtesy of the Webster Groves School District

PUT AN END TO WORRYING ABOUT FALLING, BY LEARNING HOW TO LAND SAFELY

BY: DR. BETH TEMPLIN, PT, DPT, GCS GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Statistics on falls and fall-related injuries for adults over 65 are grim. Missouri specifically has one of the highest death rates associated with falls in the United States. It's a topic that has been on my mind for quite some time.

Because of this, we've created a new program at HouseFit, which aims to flip those statistics on their head. We are approaching the concept of falling from a completely new perspective. Instead of focusing only on fall prevention, we are now going to address fall preparedness

Fall preparedness focuses on what to do when you lose your balance and fall. More specifically on learning to fall without getting injured. During our new Safe Landing Workshop, you will learn safe falling strategies and exercises to help your body prepare for a fall.

Through practice, in a controlled setting, these methods will teach you how to fall in multiple directions: forward, backward and sideways.

This Workshop Series Is Perfect For People Who:

Feel nervous or anxious about falling.

Want to learn how to land safely when they fall.

Have stopped leaving the house because of a fear of falling.

Want to be proactive about their fitness and independence.

Have a progressive condition that makes falling more likely.

Have already sustained an injury as a result of a fall.

Want to learn exercises to prepare their bodies for falling safely.

If you're ready to put an end to worrying about sustaining an injury when you fall, then this workshop series may be perfect for you.

Area Crime Reports

Des Peres

• On Feb. 23 at 10:18 a.m., two window panes were discovered damaged on a vehicle at 13358 Manchester Road.

• On Feb. 26 at 1:53 p.m., police were called for a subject riding a bike at 12129 Manchester Road who was reportedly yelling obscenities.

• On Feb. 28 at 1:06 p.m., a juvenile at Dierbergs, 1080 Lindemann Road, was asked to leave the store after knocking down items in an aisle.

• On Feb. 28 at 10:11 p.m., a customer at McDonald’s, 12120 Manchester Road, caused a disturbance because he did not get any sauces to go with his chicken nuggets.

Glendale

off the roadway. The driver was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

• During the week of Feb. 21-27, police responded to three shoplifting incidents in the 1200 block of S. Kirkwood Road, 17 residential/business alarms, 17 motor vehicle accidents and two crisis intervention-related incidents, and assisted the fire/EMS department on 48 calls.

Rock Hill

• On Feb. 20, a suspicious subject was seen in a vehicle parked on a lot in the 9400 block of Manchester Road. The plates were identified as stolen, and the subject was arrested and released pending application of a warrant.

• On Feb. 20, a pack of cigarettes was stolen from a clerk at a business in the 9800 block of Manchester Road.

• On Feb. 22, several items were stolen from a vehicle in the 1200 block of Charlane Court.

PUT AN END TO WORRYING ABOUT FALLING, BY LEARNING HOW TO LAND SAFELY

A gradual approach is used where you start by practicing in slow motion from a low level close to the ground and gradually work your way up to faster speeds and full height fall.

When: Each Friday from March 25th through April 29th from 1:001:45pm.

Where: 3809 Lemay Ferry Rd, 63125

BY: DR. BETH TEMPLIN, PT, DPT, GCS GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST

*Limited to 8 participants. Call (314) 939-1377 to sign up for your Free Assessment or visit our website at www.housefitstl.com/safe-landing for more information.

Statistics on falls and fall-related injuries for adults over 65 are grim. Missouri specifically has one of the highest death rates associated with falls in the United States. It's a topic that has been on my mind for quite some time.

This workshop series is a six-week program with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. Participants will be screened by one of our Physical Therapists before starting.

• On Feb. 26 at 3:06 a.m., a resident of the unit block of Algonquinwood Place reported observing two suspicious persons wearing hooded sweatshirts exit a small, dark-colored vehicle and begin rummaging through unlocked vehicles in the subdivision. A backpack was stolen from one of the vehicles, but located on the side of the road and was returned to its owner. All other vehicle owners reported nothing missing from their vehicles.

This Workshop Series Is Perfect For People Who:

Feel nervous or anxious about falling.

Want to learn how to land safely when they fall.

• On Feb. 26 at 7:59 a.m., a resident of the 100 block of Austin Place reported her vehicle was stolen sometime overnight. The vehicle was left unlocked with the keys inside. The vehicle was located on Feb. 27 at 1:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of California Ave. in the city of St. Louis.

• On Feb. 21, an officer observed a parked and unoccupied vehicle on the shoulder of the 7400 block of Watson Road, and determined it was reported stolen out of the Bellfontaine Neighbors Police Department.

• On Feb. 23, a caller at Walmart, 7437 Watson Road, made a delayed report of the theft of several pairs of eyeglass frames. The investigation is ongoing.

HouseFit

3809 Lemay Ferry Rd. Saint Louis, MO 63125 (314)939-1377 info@housefitstl.com www.housefitstl.com

Because of this, we've created a new program at HouseFit, which aims to flip those statistics on their head. We are approaching the concept of falling from a completely new perspective. Instead of

Have stopped leaving the house because of a fear of falling. Want to be proactive about their fitness and independence. Have a progressive condition that makes falling more likely. Have already sustained an injury as a result of a fall.

• On Feb. 26 at 8:28 a.m., officers investigated a single vehicle crash at the intersection of North Sappington Road and West Kirkham Avenue.

Want to learn exercises to prepare their bodies for falling

• On Feb. 26 at 9:33 a.m., a resident of the 1300 block of Beverly Avenue reported her unlocked vehicle was rummaged through during the night. Nothing was reported stolen.

• On Feb. 26 at 10:08 a.m., a resident of the unit block of Cambridge Court reported finding a motorized Walmart scooter abandoned at the rear of his property. Kirkwood police officers responded and returned the scooter to the Kirkwood Walmart.

• On Feb. 27 at 1:03 p.m., a resident of the unit block of Cambridge Court reported finding an abandoned TJ Maxx shopping cart at the rear of his property line. Officers took custody of the cart and returned it to the store.

Kirkwood/Oakland

• On Feb. 21 at 7:56 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Manchester and Geyer roads for a motor vehicle accident. One of the drivers was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

• On Feb. 25 at 6:35 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Bodley reported the theft of his black 2020 Volvo S60. The vehicle was left running, unattended, while the victim went back inside to grab a bag of trash. St. Louis County police officers observed the Volvo in North County, but the vehicle eluded them. Later in the day, it was located, parked and unoccupied, in the 63106 neighborhood.

• On Feb. 25, early in the morning, a victim in the 400 block of Fairwood Lane reported her silver 2013 Toyota Camry was stolen. The vehicle was left running, unattended, to warm up. The stolen Toyota was located later in the day, parked and unoccupied, in the Pagedale neighborhood.

• On Feb. 26 at 7:24 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of West Adams and South Ballas for a vehicle

• On Feb. 23, a customer of Aldi, 7369 Watson Road, reported one of her vehicle’s license plates was missing. It was entered as lost or stolen in a law enforcement database and the investigation is ongoing.

• On Feb 26, a caller at Dierbergs, 7233 Watson Road, reported the theft of two bottles of alcohol. The investigation is ongoing.

• On Feb 26, a child’s shoes were stolen from Rockin’ Jump, 7375 Watson Road, while the child was playing.

• On Feb. 27, an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 7300 block of Lansdowne and determined the driver had an active Shrewsbury warrant. The 27-year-old man was arrested.

• During the week of Feb. 21-27, along with regular calls for service and traffic enforcement, the Shrewsbury Police Department responded to nine motor vehicle accidents and two residential and commercial alarms, and assisted the Shrewsbury Fire/EMS Department on 26 calls.

Warson Woods

• No report was submitted this week.

Webster Groves

• On Feb. 22 at 1:26 a.m., a victim at a business in the 1200 block of S. Laclede Station Road reported someone forced entry into their vehicle and stole their purse.

• On Feb. 22 at 9:01 a.m., a victim in the 500 block of Lee Ave. reported someone entered their unlocked vehicle and stole several tools.

• On Feb. 26 at 9:01 a.m., a victim in the 100 block of Gray Ave. reported that sometime between Feb. 25-26, someone entered their unlocked vehicle and stole the vehicle’s key fob.

• During the week of Feb. 21-27, the Webster Groves Police Department responded to 445 calls for service, 16 auto accidents and five alarms, and assisted the Webster Groves Fire Department 42 times.

This workshop series is a six-week program with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. Participants will be screened by one of our

Shrewsbury

Summer Programs At Horizons St. Louis-Kirkwood

rate from drowning. She said statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that minority students die at three times the rate of the national average from water incidents.

Robinson and Kelly said it’s gratifying that 100% of parents come to watch their students perform in swimming classes. They added that many parents are pleased to see their kids learning something that they missed out on.

Once Sprog, Now Horizons

For 50 years, the Kirkwood youth program was known as Sprog — a portmanteau of Sponsors Program — and was based at Grace Episcopal Church most summers. In 2018, the Sprog board determined it was time for the program to affiliate with Horizons National in Connecticut and move to Kirkwood High School.

Horizons has experience with summer programs in various locations throughout the country and provides resources, leadership training and tools to evaluate student progress through data comparisons.

“Everybody says: ‘Yes, but does it work?’ Do we address that summer slide?” said Robinson. “We can answer that confidently now with data, with pre-testing and post-testing of students. Horizons has given us PQA — Program Quality Assessment Tools.”

Kelly, a past president of the Kirkwood School District Board of Education, added that Horizons has helped refine the program’s mission. She said the goal is to eliminate the “opportunity gap,” with an emphasis on

diversity, equity, inclusion and quality learning.

Quality learning puts the emphasis on literacy, and literacy is essential when it comes to succeeding in math. Students who excel at reading comprehension are in a better position to tackle math problems, according to Robinson.

Students don’t just get a head full of facts and equations at Horizons. They also get a stomach full of healthy snacks donated by Kirk Care, Great Harvest Bread Company and local grocery stores. Students also learn healthy eating habits and how to cook quality treats. They are encouraged to take home ingredients from kitchen projects and replicate the

Pandemic Took A Toll

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges across the board for education, and Horizons is no exception. Robinson said students now need “emotional learning” beyond academic learning.

Larry Morgan, a teacher at Westchester Elementary School in the Kirkwood School District, agrees with Robinson. Morgan has taught with Horizons for several summers.

“I began the summer teaching in 2019 when the program was still called Sprog, and then when it was transitioning to

Horizons and the pandemic hit,” he said. “The virtual learning by computer was not ideal. A lot of learning was lost and we faced challenges.”

Morgan said children were isolated and scared during the lock down. Their parents did not have answers for them with all of the mixed messages about the virus. He said many children also lost a sense of how to regulate themselves emotionally under stress.

According to Morgan, Horizons St. Louis in Kirkwood is a great venue for meeting the challenges. That’s because it’s about socialization, as well as academics, and children need to learn how to interact again.

“I can see it’s going to take some time to get back to normal,” said Morgan. “Horizons can help. It’s an educational continuum with students and families. It’s not just a summer gig. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Clayton attorney and Kirkwood High School graduate Bob West is also proud to be a part of Horizons as a board member. West was president of Sprog for 36 years and recalls when the program started as a nonprofit in 1970.

“I have a lot of good memories with Sprog, but it was time to affiliate with an entity like Horizons,” said West.

“We are now a more professional, more academically sound and a more highly certified organization.

“Horizons St. Louis in Kirkwood deserves to be supported,” said West “We’re not a summer camp. We’re not a summer school semester. We’re a very needed summer experience for kids who deserve our support.”

For more information about Horizons, visit the organization’s website at Horizonsstlouis.org.

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or

recipes for their families.

Horizons St. LouisKirkwood students “get into the swim of things” at Kirkwood High School’s natatorium during the summer of 2021.

| photo courtesy of Horizons St. LouisKirkwood

Ozzie Smith Does The Honors At Grand Opening In Webster

Home & Garden

Alliance For Interracial Dignity

The Alliance for Interracial Dignity will meet on Thursday, March 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in person at Webster University’s East Academic Building, Room 102, 545 Garden Ave.

This month’s meeting features Hicks-Carter-Hicks, a consulting firm specializing in organizational development from a diversity, equity and inclusion perspective. The firm will

present findings from the assessment it recently completed in Webster Groves. The study, which took place during 2021, included input from over 30 city employees and 600 community members.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Masks required. For more information, email hello@ allianceforinterracialdignity.org.

Boy Scout Trivia Night March 11

Parents and friends of Boy Scout Troop 165 invite the public to a trivia night on Friday, March 11, at the Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. and trivia begins at 7 p.m.

Enjoy 10 rounds of trivia, games, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Attendees may bring their own food and drinks. Tables are $120 in advance for a table of eight or $160 at the door. All ages welcome.

For questions, to reserve a table, donate or sponsor a round of trivia, contact Heather at 314-649-3263 or troop165trivia@gmail.com.

Ozzie Smith of St. Louis Cardinals baseball fame was on hand to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Ozzie Smith IMAC Regeneration Center of Webster Groves on Thursday, Feb. 24. Located at 220 W. Lockwood Ave., the center specializes in back pain, sports medicine and non-surgical options for joint pain and movement restriction conditions. Several of the center’s staff members, along with members of the Webster Groves/Shrewsbury/Rock Hill Area Chamber of Commerce, joined Smith at last week’s grand opening event. | photo by Ursula Ruhl

Obituaries

Blair, Giles Allen Jr., of Webster Groves, died Feb. 21, 2022. He was 93.

Giles was a principal in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. After retirement, he was a docent at the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, a bagpiper for the John Ford Highland Pipe Band, and a weight-room coach at YMCA gyms in Webster Groves and Kirkwood.

He was born in North St. Louis to Giles A. and Ruth Christian Blair. Giles Jr. graduated from Beaumont High School and was a Men of Beaumont member. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from The University of Missouri-Columbia, where he played center for the Missouri Football Tigers in the late ‘40s. Giles earned a master’s degree in education from Washington University and was a Korean War Army veteran.

He was predeceased by his wife, Prudence Waddock Blair, and sister, Marjorie Blair Cassidy. He is survived by his children, Annie-Laurie Blair (Allyn Vonderchek) of Cincinnati, Giles Allen Blair III of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Rebecca Ralls Blair of Shrewsbury; a granddaughter, Rebecca Vonderchek, and a grandson, Blair Vonderchek, both of Cincinnati; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was a dear friend to many.

Giles loved animals — particularly dogs and wolves. Donations are appreciated to the APA and the

Endangered Wolf Center. Special thanks to staff and caregivers at Sunrise Senior Living of Webster Groves and Accent Hospice.

Services will be in the spring, with burial in Emmanuel Episcopal Church Memorial Garden in Webster Groves.

Felton, Karen Petty, 66, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.  A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, March 12, at 10 a.m. at Wellspring Family Church, 5293 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Please visit www. stlouiscremation. com for more details.

Lueders, Jack, 76, passed away March 1 from complications of stomach cancer, surrounded by family and friends. A wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather “Papa,” and friend, he was deeply loved and will be missed by all.

A life-long resident of Webster Groves, Jack attended St. Louis University High and St. Louis University. A retired businessman, he was an avid golfer when a member of Westborough Country Club and later Tapawingo. He was known for his great sense of humor and love of life.

Jack leaves behind his wife of 55

years, Pat, and three children: son Darren, wife Gina, and granddaughter Francesca; daughter Glenda BraxtonBrown, husband Jeremy, and granddaughter Stella; and daughter Lesley Davis and husband Jay. He was preceded in death by father, Harry Lueders, and mother, Ruth Bollinger Lueders. He will be greatly missed by sister Nancy Held, brother Kevin Lueders, and brother Paul Lueders, and their families. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Strudell, Fred David (Dave) reached the end of his wonderfully full life on All Saints Day 2021, three weeks shy of his 99th birthday.

Born in Dallas, Dave primarily grew up in Webster Groves. After graduation from Webster High, Dave attended Westminster College and Washington University. In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and trained at Central College, Notre Dame and NYU, before serving as Aerologist in the Philippines.

After WWII, Dave earned his actuarial degree at the University of Michigan. He returned to Webster to eventually become lead actuary at Reliable Life Insurance on Lockwood. Dave joked that his office later became the Robust Wine Bar.

Dave found his life partner in Webster-born Barbara Kell. They raised children Jim and Anne (Keller) in Glendale and Kirkwood. After 56 years

“That’s What She Said” March 4 At The Sheldon

Kirkwood resident Jenny Pratt will produce and direct “That’s What She Said St. Louis,” where 10 St. Louis-area women will share personal stories of success, heartbreak and overcoming barriers.

The one-night live event will be held at The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Ave., on Friday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m.

“I am incredibly proud to bring ‘She Said’ to St. Louis and to introduce you to 10 of your newest best friends,” said Pratt. “These women are your neighbors,

your colleagues, your friends and they are ready to share laugh-out-loud, tearjerking and thought-provoking personal stories to help us all feel more connected. After being home for the better part of two years, a night out with friends is something we all can look forward to.”

A portion of the show’s proceeds will benefit St. Louis’ own Rung for Women, a non-profit to empower women to grow and achieve economic success, holistic well-being and a joyful life.

To purchase tickets, visit shesaidproject.com/2022-stlouis-mo.

About The She Said Project “That’s What She Said” is a platform for everyday women to share their extraordinary stories. Founded by three friends in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, “That’s What She Said” performances use woman-centric storytelling to collectively raise women’s voices. Besides live shows, the project empowers girls and women through workshops, shoe drives and other community-focused events and programs.

of marriage, Barbara preceded Dave into death. Dave is survived by his three adoring grandchildren, loving daughterin-law Amy and dear sisters Margaret (Shaw) and Virginia.

Throughout life, Dave was an avid St. Louis baseball and Michigan Wolverines fan. He loved music in many forms, especially classical, and enjoyed the St. Louis Symphony season after season. Dave and Barbara filled their passports with stamps from three continents. Dave loved to play bridge and belonged to many groups, including at Aberdeen Heights where he made many friends and savored his final decade. Dave was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood and volunteered for many organizations, including Meals on Wheels.

A small family gathering was held. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or Easter Seals of Missouri.

Obituary Policy

Obituaries in the Webster-Kirkwood Times cost 80 cents per word plus $25 for a photo. Residents and former longtime residents of the Times distribution area receive the first 40 words free. All obituaries are subject to editing for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Deadline to submit an obituary is Wednesday at 10 a.m. for that Friday’s paper. Email obits@timesnewspapers. com, call 314-968-2699 or visit www. timesnewspapers.com for details.

County Seeks Public Input On Spending Federal Monies

St. Louis County has released a public survey asking for input on how to spend roughly $84 million in federal pandemic relief funds.

The survey asks residents for their preferred uses of the money for broad categories including public health, economic support for small businesses, resources for mental health and substance abuse issues, housing assistance, childcare and education, water and broadband infrastructure and road repair.

Respondents can also submit their own ideas for projects. To fill out a survey, visit stlouiscountymo.gov/ community-needs-survey.

A funeral doesn’t have to be expensive. Nor, does it have to be spartan. It doesn’t even have to be a funeral. If you’re open-minded enough to explore the options, talk to us. Serving St. Louis County

Lynn

whatever you want it to be.

You have the right to be 100 percent satisfied with the Home Health Care you receive

“ We guarantee that we will be sensitive to your needs while respecting your pride and independence. Please call us"

Schenck, Director of Client Relations

Mrs. Felton

Mr. Blair, Jr.

Mr. Lueders

Mr. Strudell

Personal stories of success, heartbreak & overcoming barriers

First Community Credit Union Now Open In Kirkwood

Grant’s Farm Job Fair March 5

Grant’s Farm, 10501 Gravois Road, will hold a job fair on Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to find candidates for roughly 225 seasonal jobs. Starting pay varies by position, but all positions will receive at least $12 per hour.

Job seekers will have the opportunity to interview with a hiring manager and possibly be hired on the spot.

Open positions include feeding and caring for animals, leading tours, guest relations, merchandise, bartending, and food service. Team members get discounts on food and merchandise,

and can request particular shifts and days off. Job descriptions are posted online at www.GrantsFarmJobs.com.

Job seekers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, whether or not they are able to attend the job fair.

The 2022 season opens on Saturday, April 30, and Grant’s Farm is aiming to be fully staffed by April 11. The farm will be open weekends only until the summer season starts on May 27, when the park will be open daily. Grant’s Farm will also be open for special tours as part of its “Spring Break Sneak Peek” in March.

Stupidity. When you see pictures of dead Ukrainians, of grieving couples, and of orphaned Ukrainian children, know that your President paid for some of this with your money. The U.S. buys daily billions of dollars of oil from Russia that pays for the fuel in Russian tanks and the bullets in its guns. Beyond that, Mr. Biden has crippled our oil industry so that we and others must buy oil from Russia and others. Thousands of lives have

been sacrificed for the sacrosanct progressive dogmas of “climate change” and “defossilization.” Dazzling stupidity. Just as “diversity” has become a coveted virtue that trumps merit, the blind religion of climate change is absolute and brooks no disobedience or exceptions. Even for killing innocent humans. In earlier times, we would call this something worse than stupidity; we would call it a crime and a sin.

GO FLY A KITE!

Conservatives Corner by Dan O’Neill, Glendale, MO

John O’Brien and his son, Dunavan, take advantage of the nice weather on Tuesday afternoon, March 1, to fly a kite at Blackburn Park in Webster Groves.

| photo by Ursula Ruhl

Grant’s Farm is seeking seasonal employees for many positions including feeding and caring for animals. | photo courtesy of Grants Farm

The Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of the First Community Credit Union-Kirkwood Branch, 13057 Manchester Road, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“Laurie was wonderful to work with in selling my home. She was responsive, timely, and worked diligently on my behalf. I am really happy that I chose Laurie as my agent. “ -Trustee A

“I could not be happier with Laurie! She was there for us every step of the way! Very professional but also very personable! I can’t thank her enough for everything she did for us!” -Jesse M

“Laurie adapted to our ever changing situation and was a true advocate for us. She kept us informed and communicated in a timely manner. She had incredible knowledge of our shopping area which helped in the negotiations. She was the all-star on our home buying team!” -Derek and Julie

Kirkwood. This home

| photo by Ursula Ruhl

Marilyn Adaire

314.239.9191 (direct) madaire@lauramccarthy.com

Specializing in executive housing in the central corridor. Marilyn assesses the market, anticipates changes and turns on a dime. Clients appreciate her ability to prioritize, think creatively and streamline their involvement. She structures deals with skill and finesse. “Sold” is her middle name.

Experience | Knowledge | Trust

Andel-White & McDonald

Real Estate Group

314.609.0139 (Andel) 314.609.0192 (White) 314.600.3223 (McDonald) landel@lauramccarthy.com

List Well. Buy Smart. That’s our mantra as we focus on the things that matter to you. Personal assistance in successfully maneuvering the market. Expert advice. Undeniable tenacity. Cooperative spirit. Seamless service. And, always your best interest at heart!

Marquita Auffenberg

314.478.4919 (direct) mauffenberg@lauramccarthy.com

I help families and individuals to navigate the real estate process gracefully and with fun, play and ease. I use a process that eliminates the mystery and guesswork. My clients are then left with more time, energy, and emotional vitality to do the things that matter the most to them.

Jill Azar 314.616.8836 (direct) jazar@lauramccarthy.com

Jill’s experience with real estate allows her an informed opinion on market value. The client also has helpful insight and it’s important for them to work together to create a successful partnership.

Ellen Dolan

314.799.5476 (direct) edolan@lauramccarthy.com

I do more than sell homes, I sell the life that comes with it, which requires a deep understanding of the local area as well as each client’s wants and needs.

Missy Fish

314.956.0022 (direct) mfish@lauramccarthy.com

I want to be YOUR agent! I promise to be THAT agent who will price/prep your home, so it SELLS quickly and for the most $$$! OR, Looking for a new home? I will craft an offer that will WIN that ‘food fight’ for your favorite listing!

Mike Huggins

314.288.9157 (direct) mhuggins@lauramccarthy.com

Listening and learning enables Mike to ensure that his client’s goals are his goals. Whether it be a first-time purchase or a unique listing, he has the communication tools, marketing, and expert backing to get the job done with ease.

Sara Jensen

314.443.8884 (direct) sjensen@lauramccarthy.com

Sara was born and raised in Kirkwood and is now raising her family with her husband in Kirkwood. This combined with Sara’s 20-year real estate experience gives her the knowledge and expertise to assist her clients with all of their real estate needs.

Anne McCoole 314.780.3370 (direct) amccoole@lauramccarthy.com After 30 years of experience bringing buyers and sellers the excellent advice, service and results they deserve, it is my pleasure to ask for your consideration to do the same for you in 2022! Become My Next Success Story!

team goes beyond the usual expectations!

Margy Beggs-Irwin

314.348.8289 (direct) mbeggs@lauramccarthy.com

I believe that honesty is such an important part of providing fine customer service. Clients rely on facts and expertise to make informed decisions and I will do what I can to provide that information.

Lucyann

Boston

314.323.4036 (direct) lboston@lauramccarthy.com

Combining personal service with professional expertise, my experience in real estate goes back many years to when I wrote Distinctive Properties stories for Ladue News. When I’m not working with clients, I volunteer at the Missouri Botanical Garden and write monthly garden stories for St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles magazine.

Jackie Chehval

314.323.7653 (direct) jchehval@lauramccarthy.com

CASTLE, COTTAGE, CONDO Starting Expanding Downsizing

I will help you find the house you want to call “HOME”!

Helen Costello

314.651.7792 (direct) hcostello@lauramccarthy.com

Helen’s top priorities are educating, communicating, and guiding clients through the real estate process and exceeding their expectations. She is energized by her loyal clients and stand committed to the highest level of service.

Kathy Crane

314.304.6106 (direct) kcrane@lauramccarthy.com

Kathy’s vast knowledge of the local communities, extensive roster of contractors to assist clients, and certification as a relocation specialist are invaluable assets to her clients, as she guides them through the buying and selling process from beginning to end.

Katie McLaughlin

314.283.8444 (direct) kmclaughlin@lauramccarthy.com

Katie grew up in real estate alongside her mother who owned her own real estate company. Real estate seemed like the perfect career since she had been in training most of her life. Katie has continued to build a strong client base over the last 20 years due to her hard work and dedication to her clients.

Leslie A. Owens

314.276.5858 (direct) leslie@LeslieAOwens.com

I treat every client as if they are my only client and work hard to make the process an enjoyable and memorable experience. I appreciate that many of my clients trust me enough to refer their friends and family to me, it is my highest compliment.

Nancy Percy

314.578.3342 (direct) npercy@lauramccarthy.com

As a top producer with Laura McCarthy Realtors for 35+ years and a longtime resident of St. Louis, Nancy is knowledgeable in both buying and selling with innovative ideas, solution oriented, a hands-on approach and in-depth appraisal skills.

Mary Raizman

314.458.6895 (direct) mraizman@lauramccarthy.com

“Today’s housing market requires an agent with good experience in order to reach your goals. With 26 years in the business, whether you are selling a beloved home or looking for a new place to call home, I will work tirelessly for you. Put me to work for you today!”

Mary Ellen Stephens

314.598.1325 (direct) mstephens@lauramccarthy.com

As a native Saint Louisan and graduate of Saint Louis University, Mary Ellen draws upon her experience as a Sales and Marketing Manager at Enterprise to deliver the highest quality of service to her clients. Developing strong relationships is the foundation of everything she does both personally and professionally.

(direct) cthierry@lauramccarthy.com

My passion for real estate runs deep. Before ever becoming an agent, I was helping people find their dream home. Now clients say my 30+ years of marketing expertise, extensive network, knowledge of the STL market, and commitment to customer service make me one of the best agents to sell your home.

“There’s Never Been A Better Time To Sell Homes”

Local realtor predicts very strong real estate market with floodgates opening in March

by Julie Brown Patton

While home sellers love to list properties when new flowers are blooming, a local realtor says listing during the spring season might also mean more competition.

“It’s always challenging to convince sellers that the spring market actually begins every year during the first week of January,” said Katie Dooley Curran, a St. Louis County realtor and Compass St. Louis founding partner.

Curran predicts a very strong real estate market again for the rest of 2022, and said she believes the flood gates will open in March due to a lack of residential inventory for the first two months of this year.

A January 2022 report from membership association St. Louis Realtors revealed this year’s real estate market began where last year’s left off, in which existing home sales reached their highest level since 2006.

The report, which combined statistics from St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis, predicts that 2022 will be challenging, with the inventory of existing homes at the lowest level recorded since 1999.

New listings decreased 11% for residential homes, but increased 5% for townhouse/condo homes. Inventory also decreased 26% for residential homes and 42.3% for townhouse/ condos. Houses are also selling faster in both categories.

With a limited market, sale prices are edging upwards. According to the study, the average residential property in the month of January 2022 sold for $254,195, an 8.2% increase from January 2021.

With lower inventory in the St. Louis region, Curran said she tells her clients to trust the process.

“My approach begins by educating buyers and getting them prepared to possibly compete for their dream home,” she said. “I’m constantly networking to identify unique and often hidden opportunities. My clients know

Curran said there’s never been a better time to sell a house. She confirmed that the Webster Groves-Kirkwood

Leanne Setien

As a resident of Glendale, no one knows the value of where we live like someone who has personal investment in our community. I have an extensive knowledge of the neighborhoods in Kirkwood, Glendale, Webster and surrounding areas.

Give me a call, text, or email if you would like to speak with me about the current market and your plans for the future.

I am the agent that is not only experienced and passionate, I am an agent that’s main goal is that my clients’ are happy and find the home buying/selling process enjoyable.

area

“The

people are just a few reasons why our community continues to be appealing,” she said.

Curran said she believes the Webster Groves-Kirkwood area real estate market will continue to appreciate during 2022.

“Interest rates are still historically low, which enables buyers to purchase larger homes,” she said. “Buyers are enjoying maximum returns on their investment. Inventory is at a record low and demand is extraordinarily high.

“However, homes are more than just an investment,” she added. “Homes are a place where families are raised and memories are made.”

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage was 3.45% in January 2022, compared to 3.10% in December 2021. That interest rate was 2.74% in January 2021.

Proper preparation of a house often results in multiple contract offers, with the seller being able to have maximum leverage, according to Curran. However, sellers can earn significantly more by applying new paint and minimizing furniture, she added.

Regarding whether home prices will rise, stabilize or fall during the second quarter of this year, Curran said home prices should never be priced higher than the “comps” — comparable properties in the area in which people are looking to buy or sell.

“You must price accordingly. Once you become active, the market will always tell you what you’re worth,” she said.

As time goes on and inventory increases, Curran said prices should stabilize as buyers spread out.

“The past two summers stayed strong, which is not typical,” she said.

She added that today’s buyers are much more educated, savvy and discriminating.

“I think the past two years have taught

Leonmarie Benner

I’m working to connect the dots and leveraging technology to identify the perfect home.”

is desirable due to its sense of community, walkability, charm, central location and the emerging restaurant and retail scene.

burgeoning restaurant scene, unique architecture and friendly

A home in the 400 block of West Monroe Avenue in Kirkwood. Although this home is not for sale, Kirkwood is a very desirable area where homes sell quickly, as is the case in Webster Groves. | photo by Ursula Ruhl

Sale Prices Keep Increasing

of my buyers’ sales,” she said.

the average consumer to work on their home by doing repairs and remodeling with tasteful finishes,” she said.

Real estate industry sources indicate home buyers in 2022 are seeking the several structural amenities — a multipurpose laundry room, exterior lighting, EnergyStarrated windows, outdoor living spaces and functional kitchens.

Add to that list personal touches such as security, swimming pools, fitness areas, community engagement spaces, technology, accessibility and privacy, as well as open, soothing views.

Curran said locally, kitchens must be updated with a clean-line décor and no personalization. Bathrooms should also be updated with a clean-line approach, and if the space allows, adding the feeling of a spa.

“Outdoor living is the latest rage, especially since COVID hit two years ago,” she said. “We built our veranda in 2008. It’s our sanctuary, and I’ve been a huge proponent about adding them to all

Curran said she believes her offering of Compass Concierge is a differentiating benefit.

“A lot of sellers don’t have the money upfront for fresh paint, new light fixtures, fresh landscaping, repairs and staging. Compass Concierge enables our sellers to do all of these things by offering an interest-free credit card, which the seller pays back at closing,” she explained.

“We offer this because we know this will increase your proceeds at a higher percentage.”

Curran also was appointed as the St. Louis member of The Private Client Network of Compass, which means she associates with Compass Premier agents throughout the United States.

“This enables me to personally assist family, friends and clients who are buying out-of-town by connecting them to agents who will give them concierge type service like I do,” she said. “I stay in contact with these agents and collaborate throughout the transaction as needed. It’s so important to know who you’re working with in another market to trust pricing, and to have someone attentive to your individual needs without feeling like just another deal to them.”

Curran said local homeowners can judge selling now versus later by analyzing data regarding minimal days on the market with multiple contracts on the homes that meet specified conditions.

“You may pay more on the buying side, but you’re making more on the selling side, therefore it’s a wash,” she said. “The end result is you are where you want to be happily ever after.”

Negotiating With Contractors

Spring is the season for fixing up a home. Homeowners who aren’t interested in doing the work themselves can turn to contractors to make sure the job is done not only to code, but on time and efficiently.

After receiving an initial estimate from a contractor, homeowners may wonder if there is any additional wiggle room in contractors’ costs. Certain contractors are willing to negotiate while others are firm in their prices. However, learning the basics of negotiation can put homeowners in position to save money on renovations.

• Do Homework. Getting the best price typically requires shopping around and not settling on the first bid. Experts recommend getting at least three estimates on the same job — and be sure to let each contractor know that you are soliciting multiple bids. This alone may entice a specific contractor to give their best offer up front.

• Pick The Right Season. Home renovation work heats up during certain seasons or times of year. General contractors may be more willing to negotiate for a lower price depending on when their busy season may be.

• Talk About Supplies. Even after getting a good bid, speak with a contractor about lowering costs even more by choosing less costly supplies.

• Ask To Do A Portion. Homeowners should be honest with the contractor about budget and figure out if there is any way for them to do some of the work to lower costs. The contractor can give homeowners jobs that are within their abilities, which can shave dollars off the final price.

• Know Rights and Laws. Understand the laws governing contract language in Missouri. Contracts should also spell out the change order process so that expectations of changes and costs will be known in advance.

Katie Dooley Curran

St. Louis Had 7th Most Homebuyers Under 25

Region saw many homebuyers under age 25 in 2020

The red-hot residential real estate market of the past two years has shown some recent signs of cooling off, but finding a home remains challenging for many buyers. Intense competition and rising prices have made it especially difficult for young, first-time homebuyers to make a purchase.

Some unique, pandemic-related economic factors have contributed to the current state of the market, but some of the largest structural factors driving the current market are generational. Baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964, who total more than 70 million Americans — are increasingly choosing to age in place as they reach retirement.

Simultaneously, the millennial generation — those born between 1981 and 1996 — are now America’s largest generational cohort and at a peak age for buying a first or second home. Together, these forces mean that more buyers are competing for fewer homes. Freddie Mac estimated last year that the U.S. needs 3.8 million more homes to meet current demand.

Despite these challenging conditions, young buyers have nonetheless made progress in homeownership in recent years. The homeownership rate for adults under 25 reached 25.7% in 2020, matching a previous peak from the height of the housing bubble in 2005. While the Great Recession reduced the share of adults under 25 who owned

homes, that figure remained higher throughout the 2010s than it had been in the 1980s and 1990s.

Data on home loans from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act also confirms young adults’ increasing levels of homeownership. Of all age groups, adults under 25 saw the largest percentage increase in the number of home loans originated between 2019 and 2020, increasing by 16.9%.

However, the same data also points to the competition that young buyers may face: The number of home purchase loans originated increased in every cohort from 2019 to 2020, and adults under 25 were the second-smallest age cohort, representing only about 160,000 loans out of 3.4 million total.

For young adults interested in homeownership, some geographic

locations prove more favorable than others. Many of the states with the highest shares of home purchase loans from adults under age 25 are found in the Midwest, led by Iowa at 10.5%. The Midwest tends to have lower home prices, which makes home purchases more attainable. Many leading metros for young homeownership are also found in the affordable Midwest and South.

In contrast, high-cost states including Hawaii (1.3%), California (2.1%) and New Jersey (2.2%) have much lower shares of home purchase loans from young adults. With lower earnings, and less savings and equity accumulated than their older counterparts, young adults are more likely to struggle to afford homes in these markets. The data used in this analysis is from

To determine the locations with the most homebuyers under 25, researchers at Inspection Support Network calculated the share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 25 years old. In the event of a tie, the location with the greater total number of home purchase loans accounted for by applicants under 25 years old was ranked higher.

The analysis found that 6.1% of all conventional home purchase loans in the St. Louis metro area were for homebuyers under the age of 25. Out of all large U.S. metros, St. Louis had the seventh largest percentage of under-25 homebuyers in 2020. Below is a summary of the data for the St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois metro area:

• Under-25 share of home purchase loans: 6.1%

• Total under-25 home purchase loans: 2,126

• Median loan amount: $145,000

• Median loan-to-value ratio: 95.0%

Median interest rate: 3.25%

For reference, below are the statistics for the entire country:

• Under-25 share of home purchase loans: 4.6%

• Total under-25 home purchase loans: 161,520

• Median loan amount: $165,000

• Median loan-to-value ratio: 95.0%

• Median interest rate: 3.25%

For more information and complete results, access the original report at www.inspectionsupport.com.

the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Only conventional home purchase loans originated in 2020 were considered.

Your home is a place where you can build boldly and also rest easy. It keeps you safe and gives you a place to return after your adventures. It’s a canvas for your dreams and a platform for your future. Wherever your home is now and wherever you want to go–whether in St. Louis or St. Lucia–we’re always here, ready to help. At RedKey, we’re in it for you .

Outdoor Spots That Combine Art, Science & Beauty

by Julie Brown Patton

The most popular outdoor hardscaping designs this year are stamped patios with sitting walls, columns, a fire pit and low-voltage LED lighting, according to Mark Hoffman, owner of Hoffman Concrete, LLC.

“We expect 2022 to be even busier than 2021 for a range of reasons,” he said. “Outdoor living really took off during the pandemic.”

Hoffman said due to people not being able to travel, many families decided to invest the money they would have spent on vacation into their backyards, stamped concrete patios, in-ground and above-ground pools, outdoor kitchens, fire pits or fireplaces, outdoor entertaining spaces, covered patios, pergolas and retaining walls.

His newly relocated shop in Barnhart, Missouri, offers complete tear-out, removal and replacement of driveways, sidewalks, patios, porches, steps, pool decks, footings, walls, garage floors, curbs, gutters and pavement repairs.

Hoffman said supplies have been increasingly hard to come by throughout the pandemic, so hardscaping jobs take more planning than they previously did.

“I found that out the hard way early on during this pandemic,” he said. “We now get our resources from all over the United States.”

Hoffman added he’s had to purchase several supplies in bulk to guarantee that the products would be available to his crews. Since the pandemic started, Hoffman said his company’s average project is four to six months out from

signing. He said most projects last from between one to three weeks.

In-ground pools are usually three to four months from start to finish — as long as the supplies are available, Hoffman said.

“Pools have been the most difficult projects to complete due to supply problems and our vendors not knowing what’s coming in and when,” he said. “Things have gotten better now that everyone knows that it takes way more planning than it used to before the pandemic.”

Hoffman said most of his company’s customers are going with stamped decorative concrete or exposed aggregate. Because stamped concrete — also called imprinted or patterned concrete — is a textured surface, it’s often more slip resistant than conventional concrete. It’s typically created by using rubber stamps designed from “real stone” molds to imprint the concrete to resemble natural brick, slate, cobblestone, tile or even wood planks.

“We’ve added several new stamped options to our collection to offer our customers different looks,” he said.

Hoffman Concrete, a family owned and operated company, was just recognized with a Business Hall of Fame Award for three consecutive years from the Affton Best of 2022 recognition program. The annual initiative honors businesses making positive enhancements to customer service while providing longterm value.

One hardscaping/landscaping trend for 2022 is that more homeowners desire evening and year-round use of outdoor living spaces, so they need level, dry places to have heaters, outdoor

furniture, motorized shades and other accessories.

Other general trends reflect expanding outdoor spaces, adding water features, renovating front yards,

building outdoor kitchens, putting in pet-friendly upgrades such as dog runs with synthetic turf, inserting native plants, establishing pollinator-

Developing fabulous, private outdoor gathering spots is the name of the current landscaping game.

Outdoor bars and television areas are becoming increasingly common as homeowners ride the trend of “bringing the outdoors in” to create a watering hole for families and friends right in their own backyards. | photo courtesy of Hoffman Concrete

gardens, increasing outdoor lighting, planting screen shrubs, seeking out more eco-friendly practices and creating naturalistic, outdoor ambiance.

In 2020, 67.2 million households purchased at least one plant because it benefited pollinators or birds, according to the Garden Trends Report. This interest has led to new landscape features and backyard retreats that intentionally include designated areas for bird feeders, birdbaths and fruiting shrubs or trees that offer birds food

or shelter.

Some design industry sources predict more elaborate set-ups. Outdoor bar areas with televisions, for example, are on the horizon as the new, coveted watering hole among friends as people “take the indoors out.”

“We’re really excited to have the opportunities to bring all of our customers’ dreams to life,” said Hoffman. “The one thing I would recommend is to be patient and not to expect anything to happen too quickly — most of us contractors are very busy and short-handed, but we’re worth the wait.”

Limit Energy Consumption

According to Energy Star, the U.S. Department of Energy and Consumer Reports, homeowners who want to curb their energy consumption can consider upgrading, repairing or replacing the biggest energy consumers in their homes. The following appliances tend to consume the most energy in a typical home.

• Heating and Cooling Units. Nearly half of all energy used in a home is consumed by HVAC systems. Regularly inspecting and servicing the system can conserve energy and save money.

• Water Heater. Energy Star suggests replacing water heaters that are more than 10 years old. Also, washing clothes in cold water can reduce energy consumption.

• Kitchen/Laundry Appliances. Trade in old appliances for new models. An Energy Star-rated refrigerator uses 50% less energy to run than a refrigerator manufactured 15 years ago. Innovations in laundry appliances also help make units more efficient without compromising on performance.

How To Decorate Small Spaces

Warm weather often inspires renewed vigor in decorating or organizing a home. People who live in apartments, small homes or condos or those who have embraced the “tiny house” movement must rely on clever decorating to maximize their spaces. Here are some ideas when space is at a premium.

• Go Vertical. Utilize vertical space, such as lights hung on a wall beside a bed instead of lamps on a night stand, or bookshelves and other shelving to keep

items off of the floor.

• Bench Seating. Benches can provide more seating when entertaining guests and also can be moved to the living room or elsewhere as needed. Place a small bench in a foyer and put some wicker bins beneath for storage.

• Utilize Natural Light. Rooms that have ample light can seem more spacious. Pull up blinds (or skip them if privacy isn’t an issue) and use the sunshine to help spaces appear more airy.

How To Cut Costs On Home Renovations

Still have an avocado green kitchen or a dank and dark living room? Perhaps there’s only one bathroom for a family of six? Answering “yes” to any of those could serve as the catalyst for a home renovation project.

Home improvement projects come in all shapes and sizes — some with huge budgets and others that are more cost-conscious. Regardless of what homeowners hope to achieve with their renovations, a common goal across any price point is a desire to save as much money as possible. Home renovations can be expensive, but there are several ways to cut costs.

• Assess The Merit Of The Project. Remodeling magazine publishes a “Cost vs. Value Report” every year that lists the average cost and return on investment homeowners can expect of various types of projects. For those planning to sell a home soon, it might be best to focus on repairs and renovations that will generate the most substantial returns.

• Hire A Contractor. Even avid doit-yourselfers can often benefit from a contractor’s expertise, particularly for complex tasks. Don’t waste money

by trying tough jobs yourself — rely on an experienced contractor who can get supplies for less money and will do the job right the first time. Compare bids from several different contractors and figure out the best value.

• Refurbish Existing Features. Rather than a complete gut and rebuild, figure out where you can revitalize

existing fixtures and more. For example, refinishing existing cabinets can save you up to 50% compared with the cost of new cabinetry, according to Angi (formerly Angie’s List), a cost comparison and business review resource.

• Choose Midgrade Materials. Certain materials may be all the rage,

but they often come with a higher price tag. Angi reports that granite counters could be $60 to $100 per square foot. However, a composite or laminate that looks like granite and wears well may be $10 to 40 per square foot. Figure out where middle-of-the-road materials can be chosen for maximum value.

• Avoid Peak Seasons. Consumers will pay more to install a deck or a pool right before the outdoor entertaining season. There may also be a premium to get work done right before a major holiday. Consult the calendar to find an off time for a renovation and book it then to save.

• Do Some Prep Work. You might be able to save by doing some of the demolition and preparatory work yourself. For example, tear up old carpeting before the installation of new tile floors, or mend and patch up walls before a paint job.

• Buy A Display Item. Former showroom kitchens and baths often are sourced at a fraction of their recommended retail prices. Retailers often update their displays and existing showroom items may be scored at a discount.

Annual Home & Garden Show March 3-6 At America’s Center

The 44th annual Builders St. Louis

Home & Garden Show will take place March 3-6 at America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza in downtown St. Louis.

Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 12

and free for children ages 5 and under. Tickets are $5 after 5 p.m.

Attendees will find ideas, inspiration and expert advice from hundreds of local home improvement pros. Roughly 300 companies in 1,000 booths will fill more than five acres of exhibit space in America’s Center for the show. Everything for indoor and outdoor

living spaces is under one roof, saving homeowners time and money as they find what they need to create their best home life.

The Home & Garden Show can be a fun day out for the whole family, with a little something for everyone. In addition to all of the home and garden exhibits, this year’s show will include a display

and presentation of exotic live animals by Show Me Snakes, demonstrations by Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel, a kids’ play area and chalk art competition, a chance to win a fire pit and more.

For more information about the show, purchase tickets in advance or see parking options, visit STLHomeShow. com.

Sara Macellaio, Connie O’Connell, Connie Lee, Maria Elias

taking time to tackle that CLUTTER

by Julie Brown Patton

Interior design experts suggest that clutter isn’t just the stuff on the floors of homes — it’s anything that stands between people and the life they want to live.

However, knowing how and where to start a decluttering process can seem daunting. Enter the local team at Saint Louis Closet Co., which creates structural systems for master bedroom closets, kids’ closets, linen and coat closets, mudrooms, drop zones, laundry rooms, basements, garages, pantries, Murphy beds, bookcases, entertainment centers and wardrobe units.

Saint Louis Closet Co. also handles home offices and commercial spaces such as mail rooms, supply closets and file spaces. The female-owned company has served the area since 1991.

“For people who are feeling lost about messy closets and spaces, we always recommend starting small and working your way through your home, one space at a time, so you don’t get overwhelmed,” said Jennifer Quinn Williams, president of Saint Louis Closet Co. and lifetime Kirkwood resident. “Sometimes even starting with one drawer can spark the organization bug in you, and you’ll be surprised how awesome it feels to organize and declutter your spaces.”

Williams said many people purchase lots of smaller bins, organizers, hooks and products hoping that each of those small items will help them get organized, when in turn, they end up adding to the existing clutter.

Some interior designers recommend that people first organize the room or space they spend the most time in so progress can be truly noticed. Others specifically suggest starting with bathrooms. Yet other designers stand by starting with one drawer, shelf or spot to get inspired.

Williams has her own ideas. To begin an organizational journey, she said people should first select the location where the most organization is needed.

“Sometimes directing your attention to a space that multiple family members use is the best place to start. Think mudroom, laundry room or pantry,” she said. “Once the family starts to get organized as a whole, it will be easier to organize each individual’s rooms and closets.”

To help jump-start the process, Saint Louis Closet Co. offers free in-home design consultations to analyze, measure and inventory the spaces and items that

Saint Louis Closet Company can declutter any room of a house — from laundry rooms to garages, to bedrooms and pantries.

| photos courtesy of Saint Louis Closet Company

A few tips from Saint Louis Closet Company on how best to take on the daunting task of decluttering

Home Decluttering from page 14

want to get organized.

“It’s important to discuss your problem areas and how you and your family work with certain spaces,” Williams said. “For example, do your kids play a lot of sports and sports equipment is an issue? Do you work from home and need a dedicated home office away from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Do you love shoes and need more space than most to store your collection? “It’s important to be honest with your designer and yourself about how your family lives.”

For those who would like to start their personal decluttering plans, Williams suggested calling Saint Louis Closet Co. to schedule a free in-home design consultation. Within a week of the call, a designer will make home visit.

“If your time permits, they will plan on the spot and provide you with designs and a price,” she said. “Once you make a decision to purchase the organizational system, we will put you on our install schedule and begin custom manufacturing your closets at our manufacturing facility.”

Williams added that Saint Louis Closet Co. offers a variety of closet styles. Those who are interested can drop by the store at 2626 S. Big Bend Blvd. in Maplewood to see the selections.

“You have the ability to adjust, add or subtract from your closet system at any time,” she said. “We offer a variety of TFL (thermally-fused laminates) colors, and we’re not just limited to closets. Our process and our systems are unique.”

Saint Louis Closet Co. provides a safe, floor-based, 100% custom closet system built from thermo-fused laminated

shelving, which is adjustable from floor to ceiling, and attached and secured to walls for safety.

Williams said there are no pre-made parts or sizes at her company.

“All of our systems are designed, manufactured and sold out of our 30,000-square-foot headquarters in Maplewood with state-of-the-art machinery. This allows us to customize each product 100 percent,” she said.

Almost all installations take a day or less, Williams added. Because all of the company’s organizational systems are adjustable, she said it’s important to fine-tune shelving and rods to the perfect position for items. Saint Louis Closet Co. also offers numerous

accessories such as baskets, belt and tie racks, drawers, telescoping rods and jewelry organizers.

“We also recommend purchasing all matching hangers so all your clothes hang at the same lengths, allowing you to stay even more organized,” Williams said, adding that her company can recommend several St. Louis professionals who can assist with helping customers stay organized once new shelving is installed.

“We feel taking an overall global approach to the organization project in your home will help,” she said. “Start with a good foundation and build from there.”

Laundry Room Renovations

Does it seem like the hamper is always full and the washing machine is constantly running? Families with children at home are doing laundry frequently, and those with pets may find there is ample laundry to wash as well. With so much laundry being done, homeowners may want to consider updating their laundry rooms.

• Assess Equipment. For those with aging appliances, a laundry room renovation can start with an investment in new ones. New models have large capacity loads, tend to be energy-efficient and have innovative features. Purchasing front-loading models also can free up space directly above the units making room for other items.

• Figure Out Needs. A laundry room need not be limited to laundry. Many homeowners make large laundry rooms catch-all spaces that can serve as utility or mud rooms, pantry overflows, or off-season storage areas.

• Add Some Natural Light. If possible, include a window in the room. Natural light can help make the room more enjoyable.

• Think About A Utility Sink. Many washing machines drain out to waste pipes in the floor or wall, but homeowners also can opt to have them empty into a utility sink. This sink also provides a convenient place to handwash items, clean tools or paintbrushes or store items.

• Include Some Flair. Include wall hangings, plants, accent items, and even task lighting.

| photo courtesy of Saint Louis Closet Company

A RESTAURANT REINCARNATED

Beloved Kirkwood eatery Green Parrot Inn now has new life as single-family home

by Melissa Wilkinson

Famous for its fried chicken and namesake bird, The Green Parrot Inn has spent its most recent years as a singlefamily home. It was the home’s unique history that attracted new owners John and Sara Chung to purchase it earlier this year.

Before it became a local legend, the 106-year-old building at 12120 Old Big Bend Road was originally a home built by William Bopp and wife Cora in 1914. In 1922, they sold the home to Louis and Martha Newbarth, who turned it into The Big Bend Inn and, allegedly, operated it as a speakeasy until 1933.

In 1938, the property was purchased by James Toothman and wife Mary, who renamed it The Green Parrot Inn after his sister Tena May Dowd’s Kansas City eatery of the same name.

In addition to fried chicken, the restaurant was well known for its side dishes of Spanish rice and Parker House rolls with honey butter. In its heyday, the dining room saw hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of guests per day.

Eventually edged out by competing restaurants, The Green Parrot Inn continued serving until 1983, after which it lived briefly as a banquet hall

before its reincarnation as a two-story, 5,000-square-foot single-family home.

Former owners Zack and Erica Vance purchased the home in 2017, unaware of the building’s history. They soon learned of it’s importance to the Kirkwood community.

“I had a plumber come in not long after we moved in and he said, ‘Is this The Green Parrot? I’ve been looking for this place for years,’” said Zack Vance, originally from North Carolina. “I don’t know why, but I was kind of hooked at that point. It was really exciting to see someone’s face light up when they saw it.”

Zack Vance threw himself into studying the site’s history, checking out every document at the Kirkwood Historical Society to learn more about his new home. After deciding to move, the Vances hoped to pass 12120 Big Bend to someone who could appreciate its history as much as they have.

They found such buyers in John and Sara Chung. The couple were searching for a home for John Chung’s parents, who were preparing a move to St. Louis.

“My dad came across this house on Zillow and he immediately texted me and said, ‘You need to go look at this house,’”

Once a famous Kirkwood restaurant known as the Green Parrot Inn, the building at 12120 Old Big Bend Road has returned to its origins as a single-family home. The current owners are John and Sara Chung. | photo courtesy of Emma Sammuli of Arco + Associates

The Green Parrot Inn, which closed in 1983, was known for its famous fried chicken, rolls with honey butter and Spanish rice. At its peak, the Green Parrot’s dining room, pictured above at right, saw hundreds — or even thousands — of guests per day. The Green Parrot was eventually edged out by fast food competitors and closed in 1983. The structure briefly existed as a banquet hall before its renovation as a single-family home. | photos courtesy of Anne Dunajcik

Kirkwood’s Famous Green Parrot Inn

said John Chung. “Just looking through the photos, he felt there was something about it. His heart was already set, but when I was doing the walk through was when I could see how my dad would fall in love with this home.”

Memories Of The Past

Though the house has been modified during its transformation from restaurant to residence, elements of The Green Parrot — as well as its other past lives — remain.

The home is still a true example of the Craftsman style, with much of the original quarter and rift-sawn Missouri

white oak flooring and unique door and window openings intact. Hiding behind the large magnolia tree on the southfacing side of the structure are one of two double-arched chimneys, which were an uncommon feature of the time.

Elements of the home’s former identity as a speakeasy are also visible to discerning eyes. A 3-by-4-foot section of stone on the northwest corner of the basement foundation, which was filled at some point, would have lead directly toward Quinette Cemetery and away from raiding policemen.

The home also boasts a fireplace made of Missouri red granite and a second-floor window boasts a stunning view of the Meramec Valley, perfect for watching fireworks on New Year’s Eve or the Fourth of July.

The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the William Bopp House and the Green Parrot Inn on April 5, 2006. The site has been recognized as a local historic landmark by Kirkwood since 1985.

As an added bonus, purchase of the home included an original Green Parrot Inn recipe book, featuring Tena May Dowd’s process for her most famous dishes, including fried chicken, of course. The recipe requires an aluminum-covered skillet and “the best lard money can buy.”

John Chung’s father eventually came to take a look in person. As a general contractor, he was in awe of all the detail in the architecture. But it was the stunning history of the Green Parrot home that ultimately drew the Chung family to become its newest caretakers.

An original Green Parrot cookbook was included with the sale of the home.

“What drew him to the house wasn’t just the architecture,” said John Chung. “It was the story.”

Latest Trends In Eco-Friendly Home Design

An eco-friendly home offers many benefits. Plus, many of the latest trends are simply beautiful. Here are some to consider for a new home or remodel.

• Bamboo Materials. Bamboo is a renewable resource that’s a great alternative to hardwood. It’s popular for flooring and can also be used for bathroom and kitchen cabinets. When buying bamboo, look for a high-quality, sustainable producer since cheaper versions can be less sturdy.

• Passive House. Go beyond efficient appliances with an entire house that uses little energy. “Passive house” is a movement that refers to a design process that creates buildings that have a small ecological footprint and require little heating or cooling. Use the philosophy to guide decisions from adding solar panels on the roof to boosting insulation to stay warm.

• Reclaimed Pieces. One of the quickest and easiest ways to have

a positive environmental impact is buying as little new as possible. Create something rustic by recycling or upcycling an old or vintage item with a new coat of paint or a fresh wood stain. Try deconstruction instead of demolition — “unbuild” the structure and find elements to salvage or reclaim.

• Water Conservation. Wasting water is expensive and leads to higher utility bills. Upgrading a home with water conservation features can go a

long way, and most are designed to look sleek and minimalist. Opt for low-flow showerheads, toilets and sink fixtures.

• Insulated Concrete Forms. Many homeowners now prefer to build with insulated concrete forms because the material offers better energy efficiency and performance than traditional wood. Homes built with them also provide better fire protection and can help save as much as 60% on heating and cooling costs.

The PAT COURSAULT Team

Michael Coursault

Jenny McMillin

An upstairs sitting area in the Green Parrot home presents a stunning view of the Meramec Valley, perfect for viewing fireworks on the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve.

The master bath of the Green Parrot home features an original keyhole window with exposed stone. | photos courtesy of Emma Sammuli of Arco + Associates

Emerging Deck Trends For Modern Homes

Custom-built decks can expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces. Decks can surround pools and create outdoor patio areas that make it easy to establish multi-tiered living spaces, improving the functionality of outdoor areas.

Certain deck trends have emerged as industry experts’ top picks for the upcoming remodeling and renovation season. Decks are reimagined in many different ways with continually evolving trends. Creating the perfect deck space can add value to a home for both buyers and sellers. For those thinking of revamping an existing deck, or building an entirely new one, these are the latest trends.

• Established Perimeters. “Picture framing” is not a new trend, but one that has taken greater hold in recent years. The term refers to aesthetically appealing designs that conceal the ends of deck boards for a clean finish. Some designs feature contrasting material colors on the ends for even more impact. This helps create refined perimeters for a polished look.

• Rooftop Decking. Urban areas can also benefit from decking to create usable outdoor spaces. In fact, many new condominium and townhouse communities are incorporating rooftop decks into their designs, particularly in communities with water views or other impressive vistas. HGTV experts suggest that rooftop decks feature light colored materials and fixtures to help keep the area cool even in direct sunlight.

• Distressed Hardwood. The trend for using distressed hardwoods at home has migrated outside, according to Builder and Developer, a management resource for professional homebuilders. Some decking manufacturers have recently introduced low-maintenance composite deck boards that mimic the look and feel of distressed, rustic hardwood flooring. This weathered appearance gives the look of age without the upkeep of real aged wood.

• Wooden Walkways. Decking can be the more traditional design people envision with a patio table or outdoor furniture, but it also can consist of wooden walkways or a low-laying patio to accentuate the yard.

• Mixed Materials. Homeowners may be inspired by commercial eateries, breweries and urban markets in their exterior design choices. Decks featuring composite materials and aluminum railings blend sophistication, urban appeal and comfort.

• Personal Touches. Homeowners can customize their decks with personal touches. It’s not unheard of to wrap columns in stone or glass tiles for more impact, and a vast array of decking colors now enables fun interpretations for outdoor areas.

• Fire Pit Conversation Area. Many decks can incorporate water or fire elements for visual appeal. Gasfueled fire elements can expand the functionality of decks beyond the warm seasons or make enjoying them practical on cool nights.

Custom-build decks can expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces, surround pools or establish multi-tiered living spaces, improving the functionality of outdoor areas.

WHAT HOMES SOLD FOR WHAT HOMES SOLD FOR

Closing

599 Virginia Ave.

2 beds, 2 baths, 871 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $205,700

1134 Cheshire Lane

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,768 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $356,200

323 Reavis Place

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,528 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $242,200

1604 Holly Drive

4 beds, 3 baths, 2,395 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $444,100

7 Woodhaven Road

5 beds, 6 baths, 3,243 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $745,400

1324 Wells Ave.

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,088 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $188,200

849 Tavalon Ave.

2 beds, 1 bath, 940 sq. ft. Sold on 2/15/22 Sold: $205,200

650 Hollywood Place

4 beds, 2,867 sq. ft. Sold on 2/14/22 Sold: $539,500

450 E. Lockwood Ave. Apt. 301

2 beds, 2 baths, 2,028 sq. ft. Sold on 2/11/22 Sold: $443,200

340 Hazel Ave.

4 beds, 3 baths, 2,184 sq. ft. Sold on 2/10/22 Sold: $465,800

520 Sunningwell Drive

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,176 sq. ft. Sold on 2/8/22 Sold: $250,400

211 Lithia Ave.

2 beds, 2 baths, 826 sq. ft. Sold on 2/8/22 Sold: $179,900

214 Carmel Drive

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,913 sq. ft. Sold on 2/7/22 Sold: $325,000

807 Cornell Ave.

1 bed, 1 bath, 540 sq. ft. Sold on 2/3/22 Sold: $80,200

633 N. Forest Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,715 sq. ft. Sold on 2/1/22 Sold: $321,300

1503 Belton Ave.

3 beds, 3 baths, 2,030 sq. ft. Sold on 1/31/22 Sold: $461,900

7259 Murdoch Ave.

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,288 sq. ft. Sold on 1/31/22 Sold: $251,000

220 Clara Ave.

5 beds, 4 baths, 3,515 sq. ft. Sold on 1/28/22 Sold: $669,900

8515 Big Bend Blvd.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,628 sq. ft. Sold on 1/27/22 Sold: $376,700

1400 S. Rock Hill Road

4 beds, 2 baths, 1,995 sq. ft. Sold on 1/26/22 Sold: $412,000

9726 Whitestone Terrace

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,239 sq. ft. Sold on 1/25/22 Sold: $281,500

334 Marion Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 2,146 sq. ft. Sold on 1/24/22 Sold: $439,500

5007 Hi View Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,080 sq. ft. Sold on 1/24/22 Sold: $231,300

341 Spring Ave.

2 beds, 1 bath, 1,260 sq. ft. Sold on 1/24/22 Sold: $310,800

11 Hardith Hill Court

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,945 sq. ft. Sold on 1/20/22 Sold: $307,500

535 Hollywood Place

4 beds, 3 baths, 1,988 sq. ft. Sold on 1/19/22 Sold: $320,200

723 Florence Ave.

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,780 sq. ft. Sold on 1/18/22 Sold: $332,900

7308 Lansdowne Ave.

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,140 sq. ft. Sold on 1/18/22 Sold: $186,000

Experience Matters

Kathleen enjoys lending her experience and market knowledge to all her clients. Whether buying a cozy starter house or making their dream home a reality, her clients can count on her to help them achieve their goals.

Kathleen has experience in communities ranging from Tower Grove to Wildwood with prices ranging from $100,000 to $1 million.

Kathleen Walbaum

Kathleen Walbaum 314.550.0365

This two-bedroom, two-bath home at 955 Tuxedo Blvd. in Webster Groves sold for $494,000 on Jan. 1, 2022.

This 1.5-story all brick home at 11 Hardith Hill Court in Rock Hill sold for $307,500 on Jan. 20, 2022.

Christy Thompson

Heidi Long

Kathleen Lovett

Laura Donovan

Laurie Busch

Terri Wolfner

Lisa Mullen

Andrea Maddock

WHAT HOMES SOLD FOR WHAT HOMES

629 Locksley Place

4 beds, 2 baths, 4,589 sq. ft.

Sold on 1/7/22

9823 Honeycut Lane

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,935 sq. ft. Sold on 1/18/22 Sold: $322,800

504 Sherwood Drive

5 beds, 4 baths, 5,159 sq. ft. Sold on 1/14/22 Sold: $1,283,000

407 S. Laclede Station Road

2 beds, 2 baths, 840 sq. ft. Sold on 1/13/22 Sold: $237,700

325 N. Laclede Station Road

2 beds, 2 baths, 913 sq. ft. Sold on 1/12/22 Sold: $178,400

912 Fairdale Ave.

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,253 sq. ft. Sold on 1/12/22 Sold: $220,100

586 Hollywood Place

3 beds, 3 baths, 2,052 sq. ft. Sold on 1/12/22 Sold: $531,300

7703 Suffolk Ave.

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,176 sq. ft. Sold on 1/12/22 Sold: $242,900

955 Tuxedo Blvd.

4 beds, 2 baths, 2,393 sq. ft. Sold on 1/11/22 Sold: $494,000

Sold: $966,700

1140 S. Rock Hill Road

5 beds, 4 baths, 3,074 sq. ft. Sold on 1/7/22 Sold: $646,100

429 Sherwood Drive

4 beds, 4 baths, 3,389 sq. ft. Sold on 1/7/22 Sold: $1,014,600

1206 Santa Fe Drive

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,126 sq. ft. Sold on 1/7/22 Sold: $249,300

8978 Big Bend Blvd.

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,004 sq. ft. Sold on 1/6/22 Sold: $225,100

This four-bedroom, five-bath home at 629 Locksley Place in Webster Groves sold for $970,000 on Jan. 7, 2022.

464 Catalina Ave.

3 beds, 3 baths, 2,081 sq. ft. Sold on 1/5/22

Sold: $516,900

832 Atalanta Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 2,003 sq. ft. Sold on 1/3/22 Sold: $383,000

638 Cannonbury Drive

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,196 sq. ft. Sold on 1/3/22 Sold: $230,600

« continued on page 27

This elegant and stately 1.5-story Spanish Colonial home at 429 Sherwood Drive in Webster Groves sold for $1,024,300 on Jan. 1, 2022.

Selling in the community we love with over 40 years of combined experience. Helping families make the right move and personally seeing you through the process to closing is what we do best. Call us today!

WHAT HOMES

WHAT HOMES

1007 Oakland Ave.

464 Gabriel Drive

4 beds, 3 baths, 3,025 sq. ft. Sold on 2/23/22 Sold: $635,200

435 Julian Place

5 beds, 4 baths, 3,200 sq. ft. Sold on 2/22/22 Sold: $778,100

415 George Ave.

2 beds, 1 baths, 863 sq. ft. Sold on 2/21/22 Sold: $195,000

245 Commerce Ave.

2 beds, 2 baths, 672 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $99,899

1236 Avery Court

2 beds, 1 bath, 2,146 sq. ft. Sold on 2/17/22 Sold: $288,900

816 Queen Anne Place

4 beds, 3 baths, 2,276 sq. ft. Sold on 2/17/22 Sold: $428,500

529 Coulter Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,813 sq. ft. Sold on 2/17/22 Sold: $414,900

4 beds, 2 baths, 1,532 sq. ft.

Sold on 2/17/22

Sold: $371,100

690 Trailcrest Court

3 beds, 4 baths, 2,114 sq. ft. Sold on 2/17/22 Sold: $339,700

433 Dickens Ave.

4 beds, 4 baths, 2,601 sq. ft. Sold on 2/16/22 Sold: $600,400

246 Peeke Ave.

4 beds, 4 baths, 2,672 sq. ft. Sold on 2/15/22 Sold: $572,500

534 W. Essex Ave.

2 beds, 1 bath, 962 sq. ft. Sold on 2/10/22 Sold: $274,900

216 Altus Place

4 beds, 4 baths, 2,894 sq. ft. Sold on 2/10/22 Sold: $745,200

436 S. Van Buren Ave.

5 beds, 4 baths, 5,513 sq. ft. Sold on 2/9/22 Sold: $1,647,600

863 Twin Pine Drive

4 beds, 4 baths, 2,258 sq. ft. Sold on 2/8/22 Sold: $610,500

13153 Longstone Lane

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,548 sq. ft. Sold on 2/8/22 Sold: $200,300

323 Caroline Ave.

2 beds, 2 baths, 899 sq. ft. Sold on 2/7/22 Sold: $260,300

509 W. Washington Ave.

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,112 sq. ft. Sold on 2/4/22 Sold: $278,700

924 Curran Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 2,084 sq. ft. Sold on 2/4/22 Sold: $363,900

1640 Andrew Drive

3 beds, 3 baths, 1,972 sq. ft. Sold on 2/3/22 Sold: $450,700

515 Mariedale Drive

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,392 sq. ft. Sold on 2/1/22 Sold: $210,800

228 W. Woodbine Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,801 sq. ft. Sold on 2/1/22 Sold: $448,700

Built in 1908, this home at 337 W. Woodbine Ave. in Kirkwood has been expanded to over 2,200-square-feet in the main house. It sold for $539,900 on Jan. 7, 2022.

WHAT HOMES SOLD FOR WHAT HOMES SOLD FOR 63122

1948 Greenglen Drive, Apt. 201

1 bed, 1 bath, 657 sq. ft. Sold on 2/1/22 Sold: $99,400

746 Windberry Court

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,423 sq. ft. Sold on 1/31/22 Sold: $392,000

204 E. Sarah Ave.

4 beds, 3 baths, 2,211 sq. ft. Sold on 1/31/22 Sold: $462,900

11820 Big Bend Road

4 beds, 2 baths, 2,586 sq. ft. Sold on 1/31/22 Sold: $336,400

531 Goethe Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,512 sq. ft. Sold on 1/28/22 Sold: $431,800

611 Candleberry Court, Apt. A

2 beds, 1 bath, 810 sq. ft. Sold on 1/27/22 Sold: $135,700

638 Hawbrook Ave.

3 beds, 3 baths, 2,397 sq. ft. Sold on 1/24/22 Sold: $693,900

750 Hawbrook Road

4 beds, 2 baths, 2,758 sq. ft. Sold on 1/24/22 Sold: $908,000

413 Scott Ave.

3 beds, 3 baths, 2,470 sq. ft. Sold on 1/19/22 Sold: $741,500

1017 W. Frisco Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,580 sq. ft. Sold on 1/19/22 Sold: $304,400

405 E. Madison Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,642 sq. ft. Sold on 1/19/22 Sold: $511,000

606 W. Washington Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,328 sq. ft. Sold on 1/18/22 Sold: $344,600

445 Alice Ave.

2 beds, 1 bath, 1,269 sq. ft. Sold on 1/18/22 Sold: $263,500

12120 Old Big Bend Road

4 beds, 5 baths, 5,043 sq. ft. Sold on 1/18/22 Sold: $858,100

437 Dickens Ave.

4 beds, 4 baths, 1,903 sq. ft. Sold on 1/14/22 Sold: $454,600

948 Barrett Station Road

4 beds, 3 baths, 3,705 sq. ft. Sold on 1/14/22 Sold: $621,300

437 Dickens Ave.

4 beds, 4 baths, 1,903 sq. ft. Sold on 1/14/22 Sold: $456,200

1992 Greenpoint Drive. #1992

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,104 sq. ft. Sold on 1/14/22 Sold: $180,000

2822 Ozark Drive

3 beds, 3 baths, 2,396 sq. ft. Sold on 1/13/22 Sold: $826,400

14 Glenhaven Dr.

3 beds, 3 baths, 1,875 sq. ft. Sold on 1/13/22 Sold: $482,700

431 Lee Ave.

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,300 sq. ft. Sold on 1/12/22 Sold: $333,800

673 Westchester Court

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,535 sq. ft. Sold on 1/11/22 Sold: $370,500

1631 Dearborn Drive

4 beds, 3 baths, 3,087 sq. ft. Sold on 1/11/22 Sold: $659,600

337 W. Woodbine Ave.

4 beds, 2 baths, 2,200 sq. ft. Sold on 1/7/22 Sold: $539,900

94 Thorncliff Lane

This 1.5-story home at 204 E. Sarah Ave. is located in a highly soughtafter Kirkwood neighborhood. It sold for $464,300 on Jan. 1, 2022.

4 beds, 3 baths, 2,934 sq. ft. Sold on 1/7/22 Sold: $460,800

412 Belvedere Lane

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,068 sq. ft. Sold on 1/7/22 Sold: $278,700

Located at 445 Alice Ave. in Kirkwood, the second floor of this home consists of two bedrooms and a full bath.

Real Estate AGENT PROFILES

WHAT HOMES

1286 Andrew Drive

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,359 sq. ft. Sold on 1/7/22 Sold: $302,900

401 Fairwood Lane

4 beds, 4 baths, 3,150 sq. ft. Sold on 1/6/22 Sold: $795,600

230 E. Clinton Place

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,305 sq. ft. Sold on 1/6/22 Sold: $172,800

737 Luckystone Ave.

2 beds, 2 baths, 1,316 sq. ft. Sold on 1/5/22 Sold: $260,200

1215 Lin Manor Drive 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,520 sq. ft. Sold on 1/5/22 Sold: $469,500

1149 Arbor Creek Drive Apt. 1C

2 beds, 2 baths, 920 sq. ft. Sold on 1/5/22 Sold: $154,100

HOMES

900 Dwyer Ave.

4 beds, 3 baths, 2,918 sq. ft. Sold on 1/4/22 Sold: $217,000

2018 Briargate Lane

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,668 sq. ft. Sold on 1/3/22 Sold: $380,200

418 Couch Ave.

5 beds, 4 baths, 2,800 sq. ft. Sold on 1/3/22 Sold: $853,300

610 Pamela Lane

4 beds, 4 baths, 2,424 sq. ft. Sold on 1/3/22 Sold: $620,100

2621 N. Ballas Road

5 beds, 7 baths, 4,107 sq. ft. Sold on 2/18/22 Sold: $1,301,100

12385 Creekhaven Drive

4 beds, 4 baths, 4,041 sq. ft. Sold on 2/17/22 Sold: $695,800

13549 Weston Park Drive

6 beds, 6 baths, 6,052 sq. ft. Sold on 2/16/22 Sold: $1,552,400

11929 Clayton Road

4 beds, 4 baths, 4,036 sq. ft. Sold on 2/15/22 Sold: $682,900

28 Westwood Country Club

5 beds, 7 baths, 5,564 sq. ft. Sold on 2/11/22 Sold: $1,838,100

2711 Covington Place

4 beds, 5 baths, 5,524 sq. ft. Sold on 2/10/22 Sold: $1,932,600

863 Twin Pine Drive

4 beds, 4 baths, 2,258 sq. ft. Sold on 2/8/22 Sold: $612,400

12726 Wynfield Pines Court

5 beds, 6 baths, 5,900 sq. ft. Sold on 2/4/22 Sold: $1,040,700

2226 Dunroyal Drive

4 beds, 4 baths, 3,279 sq. ft. Sold on 1/31/22 Sold: $506,100

918 Des Peres Drive

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,008 sq. ft. Sold on 1/21/22 Sold: $287,500

1409 Fawnvalley Drive

5 beds, 5 bathrooms, 5,104 sq. ft. Sold on 1/21/22 Sold: $1,285,100

841 Windemere Ave.

4 beds, 4 baths, 3,080 sq. ft. Sold on 1/5/22 Sold: $608,10

Beth Rogers

Real Estate Consultant

• Licensed since 1990 • Specializing in the Lindbergh and Rockwood school districts

• Giving back to the community as a member of the Crestwood/Sunset Hills Rotary since 2010

10805 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 102 St. Louis, MO 63127

Cell: 314-452-2384 Office: 314-775-0370 bethrogers@kw.com BethSellsStLouis.com

A home is about how you feel when you walk through the front door — the way you can instantly envision your life unfolding there. This is about more than real estate. It is about your life and dreams. Let Beth, along with her team of professionals, match you with the home of your dreams!

Matching You With the Home of Your Dreams

This five-bedroom, four-bath home at 436 S. Van Buren Ave. in Kirkwood sits on a massive 33,700-square-foot lot. It sold for $1,642,000 on Feb. 9, 2022. This

This home at 12726 Wynfield Pines Court in Des Peres, with five bedrooms and six baths, sold for $1,040,700 on Feb. 4, 2022.

(Des Peres)

Perks Of A Townhouse Lifestyle

Townhouse living is experiencing a resurgence, and many people may be surprised to find how this lifestyle choice fits with their home ownership goals.

Townhouses are a great way to get the benefits of single-family living without the responsibility of having a detached property — typically at a more affordable price. Here are some of the advantages townhomes offer that home buyers may want to consider.

• Ownership. Unlike an apartment, townhome residents own their homes and the land they’re built on.

• Spacious Square Footage. Townhouse builders are masters at maximizing interior space through innovative design. A simple search on Trulia or Zillow will often yield many townhomes that boast anywhere from 1,500- to 3,000-square-feet with three or more bedrooms.

• Maintenance. Townhouse communities often collect a maintenance or homeowner’s

association fee each month that covers upkeep of the grounds. Depending on the area, this fee may cover the cost of leaf and snow removal, landscaping and pool maintenance, which gives townhouse owners more time to relax on the weekends.

• Amenities. Many townhouse communities are now designed with lifestyle in mind. Modern townhouses may have tennis courts, resort-style swimming pools, fitness centers, walking trails and children’s playgrounds right on the premises. In addition to the parks and fitness areas, many of these communities have common areas and green spaces that encourage residents to meet and socialize. This affords townhouse owners ample opportunities to socialize and meet their neighbors.

• Proximity To Town. Whether they’re in the city or suburbs, townhouse communities tend to be built in booming areas that are close to trendy towns, shopping centers, metro hubs and good schools.

The Benefits Of Water Features

Many homeowners aspire to make their homes appear as beautiful and welcoming as possible. Exterior renovations may be high on homeowners’ to-do lists, and landscaping is oftentimes a key component of those projects.

When planning gardens, homeowners may benefit by considering more than just flowers and shrubs while giving thought to other elements that can breathe vitality into their landscape designs. Water features can do just that, as such features provide more than just visual appeal. Water features can take landscapes to the next level with sounds, texture, movement and beauty. Here are some tips.

• Aesthetic Appeal. Water elements stand out against the greenery and foliage and can be used to create focal points around the garden or yard. A single fountain can draw the eye, while a trickling stream or waterfall can deliver water to various spots in the landscape.

• Soothing Sound. Rain drops on a rooftop or waves lapping on a shoreline elicit feelings of harmony and relaxation. Water features can bring that gentle sound close to home, further enhancing the ambiance.

• Brings Texture. Water has its own unique and fluid texture that can provide stark contrast to blades of grass or the hard lines of architectural elements, such as pergolas or retaining walls. A pond or fountain can soften lines.

• Enhance The Natural Ecosystem. Water features can attract wildlife to a property. Birds may visit to take a quick sip, and dragonflies are sure to dart and hover over the ripples. Inviting natural wildlife to the yard can

add hours of entertainment through enjoying the animals and insects.

• Remedy Problem Areas. Rather than fighting with the landscape, homeowners can adapt it. An area of the yard prone to soggy conditions or flooding can be transformed into a pond or waterfall to work with natural surroundings.

• Foster A Passion. Many people turn to water features so they can explore the hobby of nurturing an outdoor aquarium. Koi ponds are relatively easy to install and maintain, and the vibrant fish add visual appeal.

• Add A Personal Touch. Water features are as unique as the homeowners who create them. To set landscaping apart from neighbors’ homes, homeowners can add fountains, ponds or flowing water elements to their properties. Decorative water features also can be melded with pools and spas to help these man-made recreational areas seem like they were carved right out of the natural landscape.

GARAGE SALE

1.

2. Stop by the Times office and pick up your 4 FREE red and white garage sale signs to help advertise your sale.

3. Sell your stuff! But if your sale doesn’t go as well as you expected because the weather turned bad or you just picked a bad day, call us within 7 days of the original ad date and we’ll run another garage sale ad FREE within 30 days!

home is $552,717 $252 104.4% 8 OUR AVERAGE SALE PRICE

of AVERAGE PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT FOR OUR LISTINGS

trust. Having a relationship built on trust will allow you to feel comfortable throughout *These statistics include all of our listings in the Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and Glendale areas from 2021.

entire process. Even then, don't be afraid to ask tough questions. Real Estate AGENT PROFILES

Plan ahead. My consistent answer is that it's never too early to have a plan. As soon as you are considering a move, give us a call. Planning ahead allows you to maximize the time available to prepare your home for the best possible outcome. Plus, having more time to measure the market and consider all of the possibilities is always a good idea. What should I look for when choosing an agent? How soon is too soon to talk about buying or selling? Aren't homes practically selling themselves right now?

stress enough the importance of working with someone AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET FOR OUR LISTINGS ~John Jackson

you'll ever have. SALES PRICE % TO LIST PRICE FOR OUR LISTINGS