April 26, 2024

WHAT DOESTHE GATES WORTHMEANTO YOU?

T G

connection

Thegroundsareaperfectplacetospendtimewithmydaughter.Thereissomuch todo,andifyouparticipate,youmeetsomereallylovelypeople. NANCYMCEVOY “ ”

Celebrating35 YearsofExceptionalSeniorLiving

ExceptionalPeople. ExceptionalLiving.

314-993-0111 | T he G aTesworTh . com

Facebook.com/TheGatesworth One McKnightPlace, St.Louis, MO63124

The Gatesworthisanindependent seniorliving community convenientlylocated north of Highway40justoffI-170

TheGatesworthprovidestheperfectcanvastoenjoylife your way. Livinginanexquisitelyappointedapartmentsurroundedbybeautiful, lushgrounds,you’llfeelinspiredtopursuenewinterests, expand your knowledge, build friendshipsandembrace yourindependence.

Discover TheGatesworthandexperience exceptionalseniorlivingtoday.Call314-993-0111.

TheGatesworthiscommittedtoequalhousingopportunityanddoesnotdiscriminateinhousingandservicesbecauseofrace,color, religion,sex,handicap,familialstatusornationalorigin.

7800ClaytonRoad,RichmondHeights,MO63117

314.991.0900|stlinfo@rothliving.com

www.rothliving.com

PUBLISHER

Ian Caso

EDITORIAL

MANAG i NG ED i TO r

Ashley Klein > aklein@laduenews.com

D i G i TA l ED i TO r & STAFF W ri TE r

Amanda Dahl > adahl@laduenews.com

CO p Y ED i TO r & STAFF W ri TE r

Madeleine Ackerburg > mackerburg@laduenews.com

ASSOC i ATE ED i TO r

Emily Standlee > estandlee@laduenews.com

MU lT i MED i A r E p O rTE r

Daniel Puma > dpuma@laduenews.com

CONT ri BUT i NG W ri TE r S

Rebecca Davis, Drew Gieseke, Julie Hess, Alecia Humphreys, Connie Mitchell, Pat Raven, Nancy Robinson, Andrea Smith

SALES

V i CE pr ES i DENT OF SA l ES

Kevin Hart > khart@stlpostmedia.com

SENiOr MEDiA STrATEGiST

Katie Ray > kray@laduenews.com

MED i A ST r ATEG i ST

Michelle Brown > mbrown@laduenews.com

S p EC i A l pr OJECTS MANAGE r

Maggie Peters > mpeters@laduenews.com

C l ASS i F i ED ACCOUNT MANAGE r

Lisa Taylor > ltaylor@lee.net

ART

A rT D ir ECTO r

Laura De Vlieger > ldevlieger@laduenews.com

ASS i STANT A rT D ir ECTO r

Christopher Oth > coth@laduenews.com

CONT ri BUT i NG p HOTOG r A p HE r S

Christina Kling-Garrett, Bryan Schraier

Speaking as a metro-St. Louis native, I’m certainly biased – but I think my hometown is a great place to grow up. This issue of LN spotlights some of the ways young people in the area are learning, playing and expressing themselves.

The new Clark Family Branch of the St. Louis County Library is set to open July 9 featuring 74,000 square feet of brand-new amenities, including a colorful children’s area with a playhouse, activities and, of course, plenty of books. Check out associate editor Emily Standlee’s preview of the branch on p. 40.

Contributing writer Alecia Humphreys gets the inside scoop on one of the Lou’s most exciting new middle- and high-school sports teams: the St. Louis Lions Water Polo Club. Since their founding in 2020, the Lions have already garnered national attention and competed at the USA Junior Olympics. Join me in cheering on these young athletes on p. 14.

If you’re a parent to a tween or teen, you’ll likely find yourself shopping for clothes in the coming months – whether that be for warm-weather wear in the late spring and summer or for going back to school. Find unique styles by shopping some of the metro’s coolest juniors boutiques, as featured by copy editor and staff writer Madeleine Ackerburg on p. 44.

LadueNews.com

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LN ONLINE

From special events to world premiere screenings of LGBTQ+ films, find out what to expect at the Cinema St. Louis QFest. Visit laduenews.com to discover everything about the upcoming annual movie celebration, happening across two weekends on April 26 to 28 and May 3 to 5.

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2025WoodlandKnoll(Kirkwood)$2,770,000

2033WoodlandKnoll(Kirkwood)$2,745,000

2017WoodlandKnoll(Kirkwood)$2,525,000

2002WoodlandKnoll(Kirkwood)$2,455,000

2005WoodlandKnoll(Kirkwood)$2,370,000

2010WoodlandKnoll(Kirkwood)$2,285,000

8141StratfordDrive(Clayton)$2,280,000

1ToppingLane(DesPeres)$1,625,000

14FrontenacPlace(Frontenac)$1,399,000

28AberdeenPlace(Clayton)$1,150,000

7723CountryClubCt.(Clayton)$1,148,000

3HaciendaDrive(Ladue)$1,100,000

1008KirkhamAvenue(Glendale)$1,099,900

2ArmstrongDrive(Glendale)$985,000

11LindworthDrive(Ladue)$969,000

601NorthClayAvenue(Kirkwood)$939,900

7436ByronPlace(Clayton)$924,900

716S.MeramecAvenue(Clayton)$860,000

1468IvyViewCt.(Fenton)$839,000

227EastLockwoodAve(Webster)$799,900

829RendererDr.(WarsonWoods)$725,000

315WestonOaksCourt(Kirkwood)$679,000

7206CornellAvenue(U.City)$619,000

529ClifSideCourt(Glendale)$595,000

8935LitzsingerRoad(Brentwood)$565,000

7717DaleAve(RichmondHeights)$559,900

986BarnardCollegeLane(U.City)$522,000

901NanaLane(DesPeres)$450,000

5600LansdowneAvenue(St.Louis)$410,000

7424Williamsburg#1701(Shrewsbury) $399,000

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5312DaggettAvenue(St.Louis)$349,000

200S.Brentwood#6C(Clayton)$330,000

4328MarylandAve#5(CWE)$329,000

5629NottinghamAvenue(St.Louis)$329,000

1294GoldenGateLane(St.Peters)$324,900

8631EulalieAvenue(Brentwood)$305,000

4530McPhersonAve#2W(CWE)$275,000

6120WashingtonBlvd#301(CWE)$269,900

10431EaglewoodAve(Overland)$269,000

3651LafayetteAvenue(St.Louis)$205,000

314N.Broadway#802(St.Louis)$178,000

7446ZephyrPlace(Maplewood)$175,000

1040NorthHighway67(Florissant)$149,900

6708WynhillDrive(St.Louis)$99,000

10148NewboldDrive(St.Louis)$89,900

1. 1468IvyViewCourt • Fenton

NEWLISTING! Sunrisetosunsetthischarmingresidencesimply delights.Fromitshandsomebrickandstoneelevationtoitswelldesigned,light-filledspaces,casualeleganceabounds.Loveanopen floorplan?Thisoneboasts9-footceilingsandwide-plankengineered hickoryhardwoodsthatleadyouroomtoroom. $839,000

2. 2ArmstrongDrive • Glendale

NEWLISTING! WelcometothisbeautifulGlendalehomelocatedin afantasticneighborhood.Uponenteringnotice,thehardwoodfloors, prettymoldings,andcenter-hallfloorplan.Beyondthelivingroom,or thoughtheentrywayyouwillreachthehubofthehome,thekitchen andhearthroom,whichleadsoutsideaswell. $985,000

3. 28AberdeenPlace

• Clayton

LocatedinthesoughtafterHillcrestneighborhood.Sophisticatedand charming.Thefireflooroffersasittingroom,alargelight-filledliving room,asunroomcurrentlybeingusedasahomeoffice,andalarge eat-inkitchenwithcustomcabinetry,acenterisland,andbeautiful doorstotheidyllicbackyardwithain-groundpool. $1,150,000

4. 5600LansdowneAvenue

• St.Louis

NEWLISTING! Thehousefeaturesanupdated,open-concept kitchen,modernbathrooms,andhardwoodfloors.Foradded convenience,thesecond-floorlaundryroomislocatednearthe primarybedrooms.Additionally,thehomeincludesadetached garageandafencedbackyard. $410,000

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• Clayton

NEWLISTING! ThisquintessentialU.CityTudorgemchecksall theboxes.Revelatherfinedetails.Elegantstoneworksurrounds anarcheddoorwayandfrontpatio.Inside,animpressiveentry foyerwithwroughtcurvedironstaircase,exquisiteleadedwindows, carvedplastercornices,andbeautifulinlaidwoodfloors. $619,000

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• Clayton

NEWLISTING! Thepicture-perfectcurbappeal,thecharm throughout,andtheterrificlayoutarejustsomeoftheideal features!Thefirstflooroffersagraciouslysizedlivingroomwith picturemolding,agorgeousmantel,andFrenchdoorsleadingto aseparatebonusroom. $860,000

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• St.Louis

NEWLISTING! Thiswonderfulfive-bedroomhomestandsproudly boastingatimelessall-brickexterior.Fromthespaciousfrontporch enterthebeautifulwoodfrontdoorintothegraciousfoyerwhere naturallightfloodsthroughstainedglasswindows. $205,000

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• St.Louis

NEWLISTING! Feelthecharmasyouwalkintothelivingroom surroundedwithgorgeouswindows,includinganarchedJuliet balcony,astunningarchitecturaldetail.Nottobemissed! $329,000

1. 1468IvyViewCourt • Fenton

2. 2ArmstrongDrive • Glendale 8. 5629Nottingham • St.Louis

ByMaggiePeters >PhotoscourtesyofStoneHallCabinetry

Yourhomeisyourspace,anditshouldbeperfectlytailored tohowyouwantit–bothinformandfunction.StoneHall Cabinetryunderstandsthatcookie-cutterdesignswon’tfit everyhomeowner’sstyleorlifeandstrivestobringbotha uniquelookandconsistentqualitytoeachproject.

“Ithinkourexemplarydesignsmakeusstandout,”explains designerCarolineKerckhoff.“Ourdesignsarerootedinhistorical aspects.They’renotavant-garde,buttheydoalotthatotherdesigners andcabinetrycan’t.Ourteamworkshardatgettingthesecomplex designsexecutedwell.Eachislikeapieceoffineart.”

StoneHallCabinetrypridesitselfonitsexcellentquality,butits designsarewhattrulysetitapart.Itsteamcreatesacuratedexperience –spendingtimeonresearchandgettingtoknowtheclientsandwhat theyloveforbothdesignandfunction.

Foundedin2020,StoneHallCabinetryfocusesoncustominset cabinetrythatishand-builtandhand-finishedforeveryroominthe house.StoneHallCabinetryhasbeenfocusingondesignprojectsand executingcustomcabinetry,andforthelastyear,ithasbeenableto proudlyshowoffworkfromitsaward-winning teamatitsshowroominLadue.

“WesecuredtheLadueMarketlocation in2021afterwhatfeltlikealongtimeof searching,”Kerckhoffsays.“Inthefallof2021, westartedconstructionanddidatonofdesign work,andwehadourbiggrandopeningparty inMayof2023.”

WorkingwithbuilderPeriodRestoration, theshowroomisstyledlikeabeautiful,historic homeintheheartofLadue.Clientscanwalk throughandobserveimpeccablecraftsmanship andavarietyofbespokedesignsthatare StoneHallCabinetry’sstandard.Therelaxed atmospherehelpsclientsfeelathomeand envisionwhattheycanhaveintheirabode.

“Peoplelikethatitdoesn’tfeellikearetail space,”Kerckhoffsays.“Itfeelsgrand;the ceilingsarealmost13feettallandthereare highglossfinishes.Theylovetheblackand whitetilefloorsthroughoutandthecolors.”

Utilizingthespacewell,eachroominthe showroomisdesignedtolooklikeadifferent roomofthehouse,fromadiningroomthatis alsousedforclientmeetings,toalivingroom,twokitchensand twobathrooms.

“Itseemslikeeachclientisdrawntoadifferentpartofthe showroom,”Kerckhoffsays.“It’sthekindofspacethatpeoplesaythey wanttomovein.Itfeelshistoric,likeagrandhotel–itisn’tsomucha placewhereyoustop,asadestinationitself.It’saplaceyoudon’twant toleave.”

TovisitStonehallcabinetryshowroom,andtoseehowitskilled designersandartisanscanmakeyourspacetrulyyours,visitthe website,astheyarebyappointmentonly.

StoneHallCabinetry,9155ClaytonRoad,St.Louis,314-873-1154, stonehallcabinetry.com

I THINKOUREXEMPLAR Y DESIGNSMAKE USSTANDOUT OURDESIGNSAREROOTED INHISTORICALASPECTS.THEY’RENOT AVANT-GARDE,BUTTHEYDO ALOT THAT OTHERDESIGNERSANDCABINETR Y CAN’T.

Gut Check

By Connie Mitchell

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month, and the American College of Gastroenterology estimates that at least 5 percent of the population is all too aware of IBS based on personal experience. The National Institutes of Health puts their estimate at about 11 percent of the global population. Either way, millions of people have IBS, largely considered to be a disorder of the gut-brain interaction.

shifts to symptom management. There is no cure for the syndrome, which researchers think is multifactorial. Genetics, inflammation, gut motility and microbiome, and neural connections may all play a role. “We learn more and more about IBS every day, but because there is not one cause for IBS, it’s hard to find a medication or treatment that addresses all of these potential causes completely,” Hachem says.

With the increase in colorectal cancer cases among younger people in recent years, it’s important to know what symptoms differentiate IBS from CRC. While some of the symptoms may seem similar, IBS is a chronic condition that, while ranging from uncomfortable to debilitating depending on severity, does not increase the risk of CRC or affect life expectancy.

People who have IBS typically present to their physician with complaints of abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits (constipation and/or diarrhea) regularly for at least three months. “Most people who present to our clinics with IBS tell us they have had symptoms for years,” says Dr. Christine Hachem, a professor of internal medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and a gastroenterologist with the SLUCare Physician Group.

IBS is much more common than CRC. Hachem says the sudden onset of symptoms like abdominal pain, changes in bowel movement frequency and changes in stool appearance may warrant concern. Weight loss, bleeding and lab abnormalities are other red flags for cancer.

She adds: “Anyone at or over the age of 45 should have a colonoscopy to evaluate IBS symptoms, regardless, given the high incidence of young CRC.”

After diagnosing a patient with IBS, the physician’s focus typically

Patients should monitor their symptoms and diet to determine if there are correlations that may indicate possible triggers. Dietary and behavioral modifications have a large role in managing symptoms, she notes.

For some people, stress is a clear trigger, so stress-management techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises and hypnotherapy may help reduce symptom severity and frequency. When diet and lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to adequately manage symptoms, Hachem says there are FDA-approved medications that can help.

“IBS does not increase your risk for CRC, and many people with IBS do not need a colonoscopy,” she notes. However, she adds it’s important to not simply assume your GI symptoms are always related to IBS and thus miss out on CRC screening. Talk to your doctor about the most appropriate age to begin, based on individual risk factors and family history.

“IBS is probably one of the most common diagnoses we encounter,” she adds. “No doubt we come closer to figuring it out each day.”

Dr. Christine Hachem, Center for Specialized Medicine, 1225 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314-257-3760, physicians.slucare.com

Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314-977-9870, slu.edu/medicine

The Home Gym Game Changer

Like many students during the spring of 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Eliott Ekindi had to spend time away from campus and away from friends.Except Ekindi was a student-athlete who needed to keep himself in top shape in order to one day return to the tennis courts. Stuck inside and staring down boredom, he developed an at-home exercise tool designed as an all-in-one workout accessory: the Uclip.

“Uclips are the Swiss knives of the gym,” Ekindi says. “They’re versatile clips designed to optimize equipment you already own to save space and bring versatility to home gyms.”

Initially enrolled at Florida A&M, Frenchborn Ekindi returned home to finish the semester, where he was recruited by Saint Louis University to play tennis. During his sophomore year at SLU, Ekindi, who was studying mechanical engineering, received an assignment to solve a problem he’d recently encountered. He considered his limited workout space and sketched the first iteration of a Uclip, a 2.5-pound version of the U-shaped carabiner that could connect weights.

Ekindi found his engineering background to be fundamental in designing the product, but it also led to Ekindi overcomplicating the initial design. He wanted the Uclip to have infinite usefulness, without consideration for what worked best for potential customers. “The hardest part of getting Uclips off the ground was understanding what customers wanted and translating it to an engineering spec,” he says.

Since then, he’s shifted his approach to building the best possible version of the

product that people are more likely to use.

Uclips can repurpose weights by loading barbells with dumbbells, kettlebells, chains, bands and more, as well as upgrade weight equipment like T-Bar rows and dip bells for ease of use. Ekindi identifies his typical customer as a man in his 40s with a busy lifestyle, often a father who works out at home in the basement or garage, though Ekindi’s seen an upward trend in the market for women who like the Uclip’s ability to enable at-home leg workouts. The product went through 35 to 40 iterations before Ekindi was satisfied with his design.

“At the beginning, my parents helped me through paying overpriced lawyers and contractors,” Ekindi says. “They didn’t know how to launch a product either, so they were really supportive when things got rough and never let me down. I’m extremely grateful for their support and can’t wait to pay them back, even though they told me not to.”

The family found a manufacturer and distributor to bring the Uclip to market in the U.S., which can now be purchased on the company’s website or via Amazon. Ekindi is currently finishing the ESTEEM graduate programat University of Notre Dame in Indiana. During his time there, Ekindi has met incredible entrepreneurs who’ve gone through similar journeys. Ekindi, who, post-graduation, plans to follow in their proverbial footsteps and work on the Uclip full-time, adds: “I believe I can expand the product line to essentially build my future home gym – that’s the way I like to think about it.”

Uclip, uclips.co

They’re versatile clips designed to optimize equipment you already own to save space and bring versatility to home gyms.

– ELIOTT EKINDI

By Drew Gieseke Photo by Sarah Conroy

MissouriBaptist Medical Center

WeareBJCHealthCare.

Youdeserveextraordinarycare.

Our experienceddoctors, nurses, andcaregivers are right in your community providing routinetreatments andlife-changingcare. We're herefor you and your family–every day–becauseyou deserveextraordinary care.

Findcareat: missouribaptist.org

MEET THE

LIONS

By Alecia Humphreys > Photos by Christina Kling-Garrett

Since its founding in 2020, the St. Louis Lions Water Polo Club has been making a splash in the sports scene – and not just in St. Louis.

“Our first year was very exciting,” says Rob Peglar, coach emeritus and club director for the St. Louis Lions Water Polo Club. “We gained national attention with an article about the club (formed amid the pandemic) in the February 2021 edition of ‘Swimming World’ magazine, had a feature piece done by Caroline Hecker of KMOV, trained players for the inaugural 2021 girls high school season in the spring, and sent our first 16-under team to the USA Junior Olympics in July 2021. Three members of that team are now playing college water polo across the country.”

However, it’s important to note that the Lions welcome players at all levels.

“The club takes pride in having a very wide range of players – from raw beginners [that have] never played the sport before, to nationally recognized players both in college and at the USA national level through the USA Olympic Development Program,” Peglar says. “The Lions deeply value the players and their parents who make it all possible. The club goes out of its way to keep the practice environment fun and enjoyable, all the while working hard and teaching advanced water polo skills and techniques.”

Maintaining that balance is necessary, especially when training for a sport that was dubbed one of the most difficult during the 2021 Olympics.

“Water polo is an amazing sport unlike any other,” Peglar says. “It shares concepts of other ‘ball-in-net sports’ (for example, basketball, hockey, soccer, etc.), but is played in an aquatic environment, thus demanding excellent swimming and treading skills along with great endurance and technique. It’s exciting to play and is incredibly beneficial for physical conditioning and overall athleticism.”

The club goes out of its way to keep the practice environment fun and enjoyable, all the while working hard and teaching advanced water polo skills and techniques.

– rOB pEGlAr

However, it’s safe to say the club’s success goes beyond the team’s proficiency in the sport itself.

“It’s a combination of things – the focus, the values and the spirit of the club, along with the opportunities that the club presents to the players and its great relationship with parents and the community,” Peglar says. “We take pride in the fact that we have players from 15 different high schools and nine different middle schools. A good way to describe our leadership in the Midwest is that we are known as a ‘happy’ club with our players having very fulfilling experiences playing the sport, interacting with the club and, most of all, their teammates.”

The team spirit remains strong even for alumnae, some of whom have returned to help train the next generation of players. Now in its fourth year, the team is adding former Lion players, who are currently in college, to the coaching staff.

“[They] are the future coaches in the sport, especially at the high school level,” Peglar says. “So, we are both training new coaches and coaching players in a true effort to fulfill our mission – to grow water polo for girls.”

Peglar adds: “Back in March 2020 we envisioned something like this happening – a nationally known girls water polo club and girls high school water polo in Missouri – yet it is still amazingly fulfilling and gratifying to see it all take place.”

St. Louis Lions Water Polo Club, stllionswaterpolo.org

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SCENE Stately

By Nancy Robinson > photos supplied

Elevate your interior with fine art, gorgeous velvets and a tuxedo-style sofa that quietly commands a room.

The Mural Source by paul Montgomery presents Camee, one in a set of two art prints that measures 18 inches wide and 22 inches tall. The Mural Source is a resource for printed fine art murals and wallpapers in addition to art prints. (muralsource.com)

Thibaut’s Celeste Velvet is from the company’s lyra velvet collection, which includes an array of soft neutrals. Celeste is shown in the sand colorway on the Addison daybed. Also featured is the raffia palm wallpaper in the natural colorway. The wallpaper is woven of raffia fibers from palm trees and is soft to the touch. (greatcoverupdesign.com)

The rex sofa from Worlds Away is a clean-lined, skirted, tuxedo-style sofa that features a notched back. it’s upholstered in sage green velvet. (rustedchandelier.com)

DesignedandBuiltin1911byrenownedarchitectGeorgeW.Hellmuth, thisstatelyColonialsitsonanextra-widelot.Completelyrenovated overthelastfewyears,thishomefeaturesgenerously-sizedformal living&diningroomsplusaverylargefamilyroomwhichopensto anew,expansivedeckwithloadsofspaceforlounging&alfresco diningplusalargeyard/gardens.Updated,eat-indreamkitchenwith

centerisland&wetbar.Largeprimarysuitew/newerbathroom& adjoiningsunroom.Atotalof6bedrooms,3.5bathsPLUSa3car garagewithalargeworkroomononeoftheCWE’smostsought-after privatestreets.

Showingsbyappointmentonly.Offeredat$2,280,000

GladysManion.com | 314.721.4755 | ProudtobeFamilyOwnedandOperate d Since1936

Don’t Buy that Plant!

By Pat Raven, Ph.D. and Julie Hess

It is the height of spring! The early-season daffodils have gone, and the summer bedding plants have yet to come. My garden is filled with spectacular peonies, irises, alliums and other mid-spring beauties. What joy!

It’s hard to resist the local nurseries and garden centers when they are filled with blooming eye candy. It’s easy to purchase on an impulse, so be careful to constructively manage your plant lust. To make my shopping list, I stroll through the garden with a cup of coffee and the notes app on my phone. This is the way I plan:

„ Take inventory of winter losses. Since our zone has changed, I’m testing new limits of hardiness. The cardoon, fig, Easter lilies and crinum made it. I am still waiting for a few things to show signs of life, like the hardy banana and crape myrtle, but they need warm soil before they reappear.

„ Note which plants need to be divided now. My garden is so new that only a few things need the spading fork. The iris ‘Immortality’ has quadrupled in one year, and since it is relatively expensive, I only bought one. Solidago ‘zigzag’ performed well, literally growing like a weed, so one clump will now make four and I will still have a good bloom.

„ One of the best tips for successful landscape design is to repeat elements Tempting as it is, it is important to avoid the hodgepodge of onesies – one of this and one of that. It makes for a cluttered border.

„ Determine the effort you want to invest in your garden. My days of lugging huge potted plants in and out of the garage are over. I put the tender plants with potential to surviveinto the ground for good (the “hardy” banana and fig tree). The others found new homes.

„ Avoid the temptation of the bright and colorful plants on the aisle endcaps if they don’t fit your color scheme or layout It is hard to pass up a magnificent Begonia boliviensis cultivar, but is that brilliant color anywhere else in your garden? Choose your palette and stick to it.

„ Avoid plants that require a lot of special care. There are beautiful banks of azaleas at the Missouri Botanical Garden, but these plants require acid soil. Do you really want to try and remember when you last applied soil acidifier? The azaleas at the Garden get it through a special irrigation system, but most people don’t know that. Avoid plants that will require a lot of pesticides too. If a product kills insects, it will likely kill your bees and butterflies. Have fun with your spring plant shopping but remember that just because a plant is in the marketplace doesn’t mean it needs to come home with you. Many garden centers still sell plants that are considered invasive or are not winter hardy here. Use your rainy days to read up on these subjects or do a web search before you put something in your shopping cart. Be a discerning shopper and your garden will be better for it.

It’s hard to resist the local nurseries and garden centers when they are filled with blooming eye candy. It’s easy to purchase on an impulse, so be careful to constructively manage your plant lust.

SA LU TE AHERO

Showyourappreciation forthosewhoserveor haveservedourcountry.

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Space-Age Wellness

By Amanda Dahl

Experience zero gravity right here on Earth. You can test out the ultimate spa treatment in a sensory deprivation tank, which eliminates light and sound pollution, almost as if you’re floating in space. LN breaks down what to know before you float and where you can go in St. Louis for an out-of-this-world experience.

WHAT IS IT?

Dr. John Lilly, a physician and neuroscientist, conceptualized the sensory deprivation tank as a form of therapy, according to Forbes magazine. These tanks typically operate with water set at a temperature to match that of the human body, with Epsom salt added to enable floating.

ARE THERE BENEFITS?

Epsom salt, which contains magnesium, has historically been used to promote sleep and stress reduction as well as help the body to recover post-exercise, though according to Healthline, these benefits have only been scientifically proven through oral supplements.

“The real magic happens when the parasympathetic nervous system becomes activated,” says Sunrise Salt Cave, a holistic spa in Ballwin, on its website. “This also lowers the stress hormone cortisol in the body and balances the immune and endocrine systems.”

The wellness trend stems from recent research on the use of floating therapy, which has helped people cope with clinical anxiety. Today, the enclosed tubs are reported to offer benefits comparable to those gained through meditation, notably stress reduction and tension relief.

CAN IT BE DANGEROUS?

Not everyone who tries a sensory deprivation tank experiences it the same way. Though considered generally safe and low risk, some report feeling increased anxiety and nausea, which may subside upon return visits. Concerns about slipping beneath the water? “The water is so buoyant that you stay afloat,” Serenity Now Float Spa in O’Fallon, Mo. ensures on its website. “Even if you fall asleep, the worst that can happen is maybe getting a bit of salt water in your eyes.”

Check with your doctor first before hopping in a tank if you have any significant health concerns. Your instinct may be to tense your neck and shoulders to stay afloat, but trust the salt-laden water will do the job for you so you can focus on stilling your mind.

“People with claustrophobia consistently report having a pleasant experience while floating,” says Float STL’s website, a wellness spa with two locations in the St. Louis metro. “You remain in total control of the experience and can keep the door open or the lights on if you choose.”

WHERE DO I GO?

FLOAT STL

Multiple locations, 314-833-3444, floatingstl.com

SERENITY NOW FLOAT SPA

7760 Winghaven Blvd., O’Fallon, Mo., 636-265-0104, serenitynowfloatspa.com

SUNRISE SALT CAVE

14795 Manchester Road, Ballwin, 636-717-7777, sunrisesaltcave.com

PINK WILLOW CAFÉ

By Rebecca Davis > Photos by Shannon Weber

When Allison and Terry Tonsing moved back to the St. Louis area after years in Memphis, they made their home in Cottleville, a quaint corner of St. Charles county. The pair were enamored with the town’s charming atmosphere, dining choices and boutiques, but they felt like one thing was missing: a dedicated breakfast spot. Driven to make a lasting impact in Cottleville’s historic downtown, Pink Willow Café was born, boasting a robust menu of classics, a perfectly Instagramable interior and a transportive atmosphere that invigorates guests the moment they step inside.

The restaurant’s interior space is reminiscent of a cozy retreat, adorned with hand-painted willow trees and gradients of pink with warm gold and green accents. A banquette lines one wall with seating throughout, and a quick look around the dining room reveals friends gathered over a meal or just passing the time over coffee. There are options to eat outside, too: The business’ first-floor patio perched just above the street seats 16 people comfortably, with a larger rooftop space set to make its debut soon.

“In a few weeks there will be a new rooftop patio, which will be the first rooftop patio in Cottleville,” Allison Tonsing says. The rooftop space will be shared with the adjacent boutique hotel – Oak Street Inn & Lounge. “We’re going to complement each other really well,” she adds.

We’re kind of an elevated, bougie brunch spot. But what we keep hearing is that the food is really, really good.

Breakfast items include classics like biscuits and gravy, fried egg sandwiches, omelets and decadent French toasts made with thick-sliced brioche and sweet toppings. The lunch menu is equally flavorful, featuring burgers, salads and sandwiches on bread from Companion Bakery. The all-day breakfast and lunch menus are served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the breakfast-only menu is available from 7 to 11 a.m. Online ordering will soon be available, but for now, carryout orders can be placed in-house.

The drink selection is as thoughtfully constructed as the food menu, showcasing grounds from Kansas City favorite Messenger Coffee Co. in the form of espresso beverages like lattes, cortados, drip coffee and cold brew. “I love [Messenger Coffee Co.],” Allison says. “There’s a lot of Kansas City transplants out here in St. Charles County, so it definitely has a following.”

For those seeking a more spirited beverage, the café offers an array of brunch cocktails that go beyond the traditional Mimosa. Choices include the refreshing limoncello Spritz, the signature Pink Willow French 75, and a Mimosa flight showcasing four unique twists on the classic daytime favorite, including a rotating seasonal selection.

– AlliSON TONSiNG

Guests heading in for brunch will need to plan a little time to peruse the menu. The café offers a slew of breakfast and lunch options, all curated by chef Alesia Henry. “We’re kind of an elevated, bougie brunch spot,” Tonsing says. “But what we keep hearing is that the food is really, really good.”

The reception Cottleville residents have given its latest dining addition has been exceedingly positive. “It’s been mind-blowing in such an amazingly positive way – we have had a wait almost every day we’ve been open,” Tonsing says. “We want to be here for the long haul … providing a really fun, elevated brunch experience for the community.”

Pink Willow Café, 5523 Oak St., Cottleville, 636-733-6896, pinkwillowcafe.com

Houses of

Story and photos by Emily Standlee

SST. LOUIS

t. Louis stands out as an enigma for many reasons, one of which is our penchant for seamlessly integrating local bars, restaurants, bodegas and cafés into historic buildings, including homes. Rather than adhering to strict zoning delineations where districts and neighborhoods are exclusively residential or commercial, we embrace a blend of both. We’ve built the city up – and in some places, regrettably torn it down – to create something uniquely ours, brimming with character and charm. From the distinctive Flounder houses scattered across St. Louis to the Fachwerk construction style introduced by German immigrants in the mid-19th century, here are three relatively uncommon architectural styles that can be found on the streets we call home.

Art Deco

Although most of the buildings constructed in the Art Deco style in St. Louis tend to be businesses, theaters and even greenhouses –take the Jewel Box in Forest Park, for instance – one apartment building comes to mind as well. Built in 1928, the DeBaliviere Building proudly stands at the intersection of Delmar Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue, boasting an intricate façade of two-toned black and orange brick. It was built by St. Louis-born architect Isadore Shank, who also designed the Siegel and Limberg houses in Ladue, as well as office and government buildings and other residences around the city. As seen on the DeBaliviere Building, Shank was masterful when it came to playing with geometric applique patterns. “I think the architecture of Isadore Shank is one of the fortunate gifts that St. Louis can continue to enjoy for centuries to come, provided that its beauty is appreciated and protected,” writes Chris Naffziger on his blog, Saint Louis Patina.

Fachwerk

Given the influx of German immigrants to St. Louis during the mid-19th century, it’s no surprise that their influence is deeply ingrained in the city’s architectural landscape. While often overlooked due to its emphasis on interior structure rather than exterior appearance, Fachwerk can be seen in the oldest neighborhoods of St. Louis, notably Soulard, Hyde Park and Carondelet. “From the exterior, they appear to be ordinary frame houses, [so] they often go unnoticed,” notes a preservation plan document on the St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency website. “Fachwerk houses used a framework of heavy, braced timbers atop a masonry foundation. The spaces between the timbers were filled with brick nogging laid in courses.” Altogether, the use of Fachwerk-style construction was short-lived in St. Louis; the American method of light framing, which was easier to construct, later took its place.

Flounder

Another rare mid-19th century St. Louis build, the Flounder house – recognizable by its somewhat odd, triangular shape – can still be seen in the neighborhoods of Fox Park, Soulard, Benton Park and Old North St. Louis, among others. These buildings typically housed the working class and were characterized by asymmetrical roofs designed to facilitate water drainage. Often attached to larger buildings, they served as a practical solution for single families seeking to optimize limited space, particularly in densely populated areas. According to an article written by Nathan Jackson on the St. Louis History and Architecture website, nearly 300 Flounders remain in St. Louis today. “Of every city in the U.S., St. Louis has by far the most examples of this style of house, as the second highest number of examples are located in Alexandria, Virginia, which has a total of 65,” Jackson writes.

Delmar loop Soulard

Fox park

SteveandJoeMathes!

LiteraryHonors

By Andrea Smith

At the end of this month, writer Jamaica Kincaid is visiting Saint Louis University’s campus to accept the St. Louis Literary Award, an honor given annually to “a writer who deepens our insight into the human condition and expands the scope of our compassion,” according to a press release.

Kincaid is a professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has been the recipient of a Guggenheim grant, nominated for the National Book Award and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Here, we share an excerpt of our conversation with Kincaid, in which she discusses her work and pivotal life experiences.

YOU WERE BORN IN ANTIGUA, A CARIBBEAN ISLAND, AND CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AS A TEENAGER. WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?

My parents had more children than they could afford to support, and I was the oldest, so they sent me [to the U.S.] with a family to work as a nanny. In the meantime, I got a high school certificate, and I went to college at night in Franconia, New Hampshire.

TELL ME ABOUT THE TRANSITION FROM GOING TO SCHOOL AND WORKING AS A NANNY TO BUILDING A CAREER AS A WRITER.

I just got up, drove to New York and said I was a writer. It wasn’t a matter of confidence; I didn’t know you could succeed at it, and I didn’t know you could fail at it. I dropped out of school, moved to New York and began to have story ideas, and I would take them to a magazine.

I met all sorts of wonderful people who seemed eager to help me. I met a man in an elevator, and he introduced me to a man named George W. S. Trow, who was a writer for The New Yorker. George and I became friends.

One day he said, ‘Would you like to meet Mr. [William] Shawn?’ who was the editor of The New Yorker. I had no idea who Mr. Shawn was, but I said, ‘Oh, why, yes!’ because I said ‘yes’ to everything – everything was an adventure. It’s amazing I didn’t meet a serial killer.

Mr. Shawn published my work, and that was really the serious beginning of my writing. In a way, Mr. Shawn gave me the latitude, so to speak, to find my own voice – to say what I wanted to say.

CAN YOU SHARE ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE WORKING ON NOW?

I never talk about what I’m working on now, but I’ve just published ‘An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children.’ It goes from A to Z – the illustrations are by Kara Walker, the great artist – and it just talks about plants. It’s really for anyone of any color, white being a color. It’s for all children.

IF YOU COULD VISIT YOUR YOUNGER SELF AND GIVE HER SOME ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Oh, be bolder. I wasn’t bold enough, but maybe I wouldn’t have lived as long as I have. I’m 75 years of age. I can’t really complain. I’ve done very well for myself as a poor, uneducated, young immigrant.

ABSOLUTELY – YOU’RE BEING RECOGNIZED AS THIS YEAR’S ST. LOUIS LITERARY AWARD RECIPIENT! WHAT DOES THIS AWARD MEAN TO YOU?

I’m very honored and touched by it. It was completely unexpected. It’s been given to such distinguished people – correctly so. I hope this isn’t their first mistake! I’m taking it and holding onto it very tightly before they take it back. It’s beyond anything I could’ve dreamed of.

SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM

Art in Bloom Preview Party

The Saint Louis Art Museum held its annual Preview Party for Art in Bloom in late February. Guests enjoyed a light dinner, drinks, charcuterie and dessert while viewing 30 floral displays. Artists were available for conversation in the galleries, and guests had the opportunity to meet Art in Bloom featured speaker Doan Ly, founder and artistic director of a.p. bio floral design and photography studio. This year’s chairs were Ken Stuckenschneider and Cheree Berry. The exhibit ran March 1 to 3 and included featured events Floral Frenzy, Flowers After Hours and Family Florals.

Visit laduenews.com to see more photos from this event >

Art in Bloom provides a wonderful early start to the spring season while showcasing the museum’s grand collection in a new light thanks to lavish floral creations from talented designers in our own community,” says party chair Ken Stuckenschneider. Chair Cheree Berry adds: “Everyone who attended the preview party seemed to wander the galleries with wonder on their faces and a spring in their step. We’re so grateful to the sponsors, SLAM staff, floral designers and Friends Board who helped make Art in Bloom 2024 flourish.

– Ken Stuckenschneider and Cheree Berry CHAIRS

Mimi Boyle, Meredith Tonella

Story and photos by Christina Kling-Garrett

Frankie Howard, Whitney Hayes, Dairen Burress, Jess Hart

Matt Shields, Jennifer Cuddeback

Ryan Peacock, Victoria Hancock, Cecilia Brohammer

Stephanie Crouppen, Christie Pickell, Jen Lam-Ambler

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Neuropathy

Manageyour painand maintainyour balance

By:Dr.BethTemplin

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Ifyou'vebeenlivingwith neuropathy,youmayhave experienceddebilitating neuropathicpainornoticed you'refeelingmorewobbly onyourfeetdueto numbness.Youmayhave beentoldtherearenogood treatmentoptionsavailable, soit'ssomethingyouwill havetolearntolivewith.

selvestothisfateanddon’t realizeexercisecanhelp. Becauseofthis,I'veput togetheraFREEguide explainingthateventhough you'relivingwith neuropathy,itdoesnot meantha tyoushould expecttoloseyour independenceorlivewith painfortherestofyourlife.

Youmaynotknowwhenit wasthatyoustartedtohave paineveryday,butn owit's startingtolimitwhatyou're abletodo.Maybenow you'reevenhavingpainthat keepsyouawakeatnight, notlettingyourbodygetthe restitneeds.Orthe numbnesshasprogressed towhereyoucan'ttellifyou feetareontheground, leadingtodecreased balanceandevenfalls.If thisishappeningtoyou, you'renotalone.Wehear thisallthetime.Infact, Neuropathyisoneofthe mostcommonissueswe seeatHouseFit.

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D ANAADAMS CivicResponsibility

KIMBERLY BECK CommunityWelfare

Duringher34-yeartenureattheIllinoisStatePoliceMetroEastForensicScienceLaboratory,DanaAdamsborewitness to thedarkestaspectsofhumanbehavior–anexperienceshewas determinedtocounteract.

“IstartedRestoreDecor11yearsagoasawaytobringpeople togetherandfocusonthebestofthebestinpeople,”Adams says.“Ourconceptissimple:Weacceptdonatedfurnitureitems, restoreandpaintthemwithavolunteerstaff,givesomeofthe itemsdirectlytofamiliesinneed,andsellmostofthemtoraise moneyforfamiliesinourcommunity.”

AdamssaysRestoreDecorhasraisedmorethanamillion dollars,withmorethanhalfofthatsumdirectlybenefiting families in need.

“Allbyturningtrashintotreasure,”Adamssays,“we’ve keptthousandsoffurniturepiecesoutofthelandfilland demonstratedthepower oftransformation,not onlythrough restoringfurnitureitems,butalsobyimpactinglives.”

WhenKimberlyBeckfirstjoinedtheSalvationArmyEuclid Corps’GirlGuardsprogramasachild,shecouldn’thave foreseenthelifelongcommitmenttoservicethatwouldfollow. “Whattheywereteachinguswashowtogivebackinour homeandthecommunity,”Becksays.“Thoseprinciplesnever leftme.”

Tothisday,BeckcontinuestoworkwithTheSalvation ArmyandalsoservesontheboardsofSt.LouisCounty ContinuumofCare,BehavioralHealthNetwork,IvyAlliance Foundationandmore.SheisalsoamemberofAlphaKappa AlphaSorority,Inc.,TheNationalCouncilofNegroWomenand TopLadiesofDistinction.

“Ican’trememberatimeinmylifewhenIhavenotbeen serving,”Becksays.“IfIhavebreathinmybodyandactivityin mylimbs,I’llbeserving.IfirmlybelievethatIamblessedtobe ablessing.EverythingIcando,everythingIhave,IbelieveI’m supposedtoshareandgiveback.”

LIND AE STELL

VolunteerLeadership

Approximately22yearsago,aclosefriendencouraged LindaEstelltovolunteerattheMiriamSwitchingPost,an upscaleresaleboutiquethathelpssupportstudentsatthe MiriamFoundation.Onceshestarted,sheneverlookedback.

“Iloveit,”Estellsays.“Iworkattheshopprobablytwoor threedaysaweek,stagingandpricingandhelpingcustomers. Allproceedsprovidefundsforneed-basedscholarshipsfor students.Miriamisanonprofitschool,butthecostsfor individuallearningandspecialeducatorsareprettyhigh.”

EstellhasseenfirsthandthedifferencetheMiriam Foundationmakes.

“I’vegonetotheschooloftenandseestudentsintheir learningenvironment,whichisamazingforthestudentswho areonthespectrum,”Estellsays.“Ithasabigeffectonfamily life.[Basedon]thecommentsfromstudentsandparents,it’s prettydramatic.Theystarttoloveschool.They’relearning. It’samazing.”

ELEANORHIGGINS YouthEnrichment

Formorethan10years,EleanorHigginshasbeenpouring herheartandpassionintopreparinghundredsofunderserved youthforadulthoodthroughtheMathews-DickeyBoys& GirlsClub.

“Iofferdifferentlifeskillworkshops,[including]aserieson communicationskills,conflictresolutionskillsandlistening,” Higginssays.“Theseareallthingsthatcanstrengthen[achild orteen’s]leadershipskillsandconfidenceintheirlife,vision, goals[and]dreams,andreallyempowerthemtoseebeyond whattheywerepotentiallyseeinginthemselves.”

ThisissomethingHigginsbelieveswillhelptheyoungladies withwhomsheprimarilyworkstobecomesuccessfulwomen.

“Whatbringsmejoyiswatchingtheparadigmshiftin theirthinking,”Higginssays.“Maybe[theyfeel]thattheyhave limitations,andthey’renotcertainthattheyhavethegiftsor thetalenttobesuccessfulorgofortheirdreams.Towatchthat unfoldisjustsobeautifultome.Itjustbringsmealotofjoy.”

BILLIEKRAMME

HumanitarianConcerns

AlthoughBillieKrammeisanursebytrade,herdedication toimprovingthelivesofothersextendsfarbeyondher workhours.

“Idon’tthinkIhaveevermadeanintentionaleffortto ‘volunteer,’”Krammesays.“Instead,peoplewithneedswalked intomylifeandIjustwantedtohelpthem.Afewofthose peopleincludefosterchildren,refugeesfromEthiopiaandtwo homelessteenageboyswhoalllivedinourhomefordifferent periodsoftime.”

In2015,Krammetookhercommitmenttoanotherlevelby helpingorganizeBethellHill,anonprofitdedicatedtocultivating asupportive,inclusivecommunitywhereindividualswith developmentalandintellectualdisabilitiescansafelythrive andlivelifetothefullesttogether.

“WhatmakesBethelHillsuniqueistheinclusionofthose withoutdisabilitieswhowillbesupportiveneighbors–not caregivers–butgoodneighborsandfriends,”Krammesays. “Theybuyintoourmissionthatallpeoplearevaluable, regardlessofability.Thecommunityacceptsandsupports oneanother.”

DR.MELIND A LIGON CulturalEnrichment

Followinga25-yearcareerasanemergencyroomphysician, MelindaLigonwasdeterminedtomakeherretirement meaningful–notjustforherself,butforothersaswell.

LigonbeganvolunteeringattheMissouriBotanicalGarden andStrayRescueofSt.Louisbeforebeingintroducedtothe PrisonPerformingArts.

“Irecognizedtheimportanceofhelpingincarcerated individualslearntheskillsandgaintheconfidenceneeded tomakere-entrytosocietysuccessfulforthemselvesandthe generalpopulation,”Ligonsays.

ItwasthissamemissionthatdrewhertoLaughingBear Bakery,anestablishmentemployingformerlyincarcerated individuals,whichalignedperfectlywithLigon’scommitment toservice.

“Mypresentactiveboardmembershipsarewitharts organizations,primarilyDanceSt.Louis,StrayDogTheatreand ChorusofFoolsTheatreCompany,”Ligonsays.“Iconcentrate onintroducingpeopletolocaltheatreanddancefromall overtheworldbecausemanyhavenotexperiencedthese performancesinperson.Thishelpstocreatenewinterestsand passionsandsubsequentlysupportsactors,dancersandcrew, aswellascreatingfundingfortheorganizations.”

Forthe

ByEmilyStandlee >PhotocourtesyofSt.LouisCountyLibrary

St.LouisCountyLibrary DirectorandCEO

KristenSorthdiscusses

thenewClarkFamily BranchinLadue.

Bigthingsare happening overat1640SouthLindbergh Boulevard inLadue, where thenew Clark FamilyBranch, formerlyLibraryHeadquarters,isduetoopenonJuly 9.A monthbefore, onJune1,the PostEventSpace on thefirstfloorwillopentothepublic for a ticketed event withmusicianandauthorDarius Rucker; eventually, thatspace will facilitatethelibrary’spopularauthorseries.

Below,St.LouisCountyLibraryDirectorandCEOKristenSorth discusseswhylibraries,includingthenewbranch,aretrusted communityspacesforall.

TellusabouttheClarkFamilyBranch. Whatresourceswillitoffer?

TheClarkFamilyBranchisthefinalprojectoftheYour LibraryRenewedcampaignthatbeganin2014.Sincethen,sixnew librarybrancheshavebeenbuilt,and13havebeencompletely renovatedorexpanded.Completing[these]in10yearsisan extremelyuniqueaccomplishment.TheClarkFamilyBranchis astunningtwo-storybuildingencompassing74,000squarefeet. Whenfinished,itwillbethelargestbranchintheSt.LouisCounty LibraryDistrict.

Thefirstfloor featurestwo fireplaces, comfortableseating and a large browsing collection,[as wellas]the PostEvent Space, which will welcome14authorsinJuneincludingDarius Rucker, Doris KearnsGoodwin,NicholasKristof, Riley Sager, GabrielleZevinand Tomi Adeyemi. Upstairs, you’llfindthe brightly colored children’sspace, with a large playhouse,a fire engineandotherinteractive learningactivitiessuch aslight tablesand a magnetic gear wall.Two large touch screenswill offereducational gamesandactivities.There arereadingnooks where kidscancurlupwith a bookandother cozyseating throughoutthespace.

TheEmersonGenealogyCenterisalsolocatedupstairsand willhouseSLCL’slargegenealogyandlocalhistory collection. Thatspace willincludesixinteractiveFamilySearch screens

and arecording roomwhere peoplecan record their family histories.There’salso a dedicated room fordigitizingold photosor convertingVHStapestodigitalfiles.Onthesecond floor, teenswillhave accessto a high-tech creative space that includes a 3Dprinter,arecordingstudio,a greenscreen wall and a video game room.

Withthenewbranchgoingup, whatareyoumostexcitedabout?

Therearesomanyuniqueandvibrantspacesinthisbuilding, it’shardtopickjustone.I’msoexcitedforpeopletoseewhat ispossibleatthepubliclibrary–wehavelearnedalotoverthe last10yearsofconstruction.Thisbuildingistheculminationof everythingwe’velearnedandeverythingwewantedtoprovideto thecommunity.Thereissomethingforeveryone.

Whyarepubliclibrariessoimportant?

Publiclibrariesareamazingatmeetingpeoplewherethey are:Peoplecometouswithquestions,andwefindanswers.Our focusonliteracy,communityandimpactmeansthatwecantouch peopleateverystageoftheirlives.Welovethemandtheyloveus rightback.

St.LouisCountyLibrarycardsarefreetothosewholiveinor paypropertytaxestoSt.LouisCounty,St.LouisCityorSt.Charles County.Signupinpersonoronlineatslcl.org/library-services/ library-cards.

SLCLClarkFamilyBranch,1640S.LindberghBlvd.,Ladue,slcl.org

OtheramenitiesattheClarkFamilyBranch

18privatestudyrooms,anoutdoorreading deck,aquietreadingroom,acomputerlab, communitymeetingrooms,comfortable seatingandalargecollectionofbooks, music,DVDs,magazinesandmore

Lushlandscaping,acourtyardandanearby walkingtrail

ASmallBusinessCenterwithavarietyof resourcesforsmallbusinessownersand aspiringentrepreneurs

TheMICAproject supportsimmigrants arrivinginSt.Louis withlegalservices andeducationto helpthemovercome barrierstojustice.

FreshoutofWashingtonUniversity SchoolofLawin2012,Nicole MejiaandJessicaMayoidentified asignificantgapinSt.Louis’legal services:Immigrantsarrivinginthearea lackedaccesstovitallegalassistancefor asylumclaims,workpermitsandcitizenship applications.Determinedtoaddressthis need,thetwoclassmatesfoundedtheMigrant andImmigrantCommunityActionProject.

Today,12yearslater,thenonprofit organizationhasgrowntoastaffof16, includingtwoadditionalattorneysandfour accreditedrepresentativessanctionedby theU.S.DepartmentofJusticetorepresent immigrantsunderthesupervisionofa nonprofitattorney.However,despitethe growthinpersonnel,MarianaLeon,MICA Project’sadministrationcoordinator,says thatdemandcontinuestosurpasstheir capacitytomeetit.

ByConnieMitchell >PhotoscourtesyofMICA

Theorganization’s2023Impact Report statesthatMICA’sstaff represents1,117cases from44 countries,mostly fromCentral AmericaandMexico. MICAiscurrentlyunable toacceptnewclientsduetothe overwhelming volumeof requeststheorganizationisalready siftingthrough.

“February 5wasourlastopenday, and wereceivedabout245callsthatday alone fromabout180individuals,” shesays.“We have to go throughthatlist,sonow in April, we have about50more [requests]to getthrough.” Theorganization’slastopen daywas Nov. 6,2023.Individualsseeking

assistance afterthatdate were instructed to contacttheorganizationagainon Feb. 5,which ledtoan overwhelminginflux ofinquiries.Currently, noadditional appointmentdays are scheduledasstaff workdiligentlytoaddressthehighnumber ofcalls receivedin February

The KansasCityImmigrationCourt adjudicatesallnon-detainedimmigration casesinMissouriand Kansas,andonce an immigrantobtainslegal representation,the processofbeinggrantedasylumtypically spansseveral years. Leongivesan example: “If[a client]opensanasylumcasewithus,

we will representthemstartingthis year Butthey willnotbe goingto courtwith theirattorney topresentthatcaseuntil 2027or2028.Sothecasehasbeenopen withus forfiveyears.

“Whentheygo to court,ifthey win asylum, weclosethatcase, and we open a new casetoapply forpermanent residency, which takes acouplemore years,”Leon continues.“Then,once they’ve been aresident forthreetofive years,they canapply fornaturalization andcitizenship.”Accordingto Leon, mostcasesdonot resultinasylumbeing granted. Forthoseindividuals,thenext stepofteninvolvesappealingthedecision, which prolongstheirinvolvementinthe legal system foradditional years.

Last year, theMICAProjecthelped 17applicants receive asylum,more

than300obtain workpermitsandnine become U.S.citizens.However, the organization’ssupport extendsbeyond theseaccomplishments.TheClient SupportServicesteam conductsneeds assessmentsthat resultintailoredcase managementortargetedinterventions. Clientsarereferredtomentalhealth services, receive assistancecompleting trauma-informedaffidavitstobeused aslegal evidence, andare guidedby bilingualstaffinnavigating various U.S. systemsincludingacquiringdriver’s licensesandSocialSecuritynumbers.

“We have sucha passionatestaff,”Leon says. “Andit’sdefinitelynoteasy because youcanbecomedisillusionedwiththe system.Whenasylumisnotgranted, for instance,we may passionatelydisagree and workhard ontheappeal.”

Clientspayforservicesbasedon a slidingscale. “We’recommittedto workingwithlow-incomeimmigrantsto overcomethebarrierstojustice,”Leon adds.“We trytoeducateandadvocate togive theseimmigrant familiesand communities avoice and a senseof humandignity.”

TheMICAProjectis committedto further expansionbyactivelypursuing grantopportunitiesandengagingin fundraisingeffortstobolsteritsstaff capacity. “We needsupport fromthe communityto keepour work going,”Leon says.“We’re luckytohavereceivedgrant support,buttheneedinthe community isn’t goingtodecreaseanytimesoon.”

MICAProject,2650CherokeeSt.,St.Louis, 314-995-6995,mica-project.org

ByMadeleineAckerburg

Coming of Age

Distinctiveclothingstores inSt. Louisoffertrendyand age-appropriatejuniorsapparel thattweensandtheirparents bothlove.

PhotobyJenniferSilverberg

Navigatingthetransitionfromchildhood toadolescencebringsauniquesetof challenges,especiallywhenitcomesto findingage-appropriateclothing.Thankfully, St.Louisboastsawidevarietyofclothing boutiquescateringspecificallytotweensandteens,so parentscanstophearing,“Ican’tbelieveyouwantmeto wearthat,” andstarthearing,“Mom, we needto getthis!”

EnterEllieViv,anewboutiquemastermindedby mother-daughterduoAshleyandEllieHornsby.Witha missiontoempowertweenstoexpresstheirindividuality andcreativity,EllieVivoffersavibrantselectionof versatile,affordableandstylishclothingthatmergesthe latesttrends(thinkTaylorSwiftapparelandbutterfly shorts)withparent-approvedpieces.

“AtEllieViv,weunderstandtheimportanceof offeringstylesthattweensloveandmomsapprove of,”AshleyHornsbysays.“Ourcuratedcollectionisa reflectionofourdedicationtoprovidingfashionable, comfortableandage-appropriateclothing.I’mreally proudofthepositivemessagingbehindeverythingwe do.Beingatweeniskindofahardtimeinkids’lives,

sowetrytohelpthemfeelinspired,motivatedand confidentwithourclothing.”

EllieVivofficiallyopeneditsdoorsinMarchand reflectsadedicationtoprovidingstylishandsuitable ensemblesfortweens,includingspringstylessuch asback-buttonsleevelessrompersandasymmetrical hemcrinklejumpsuits.Tocuratetheclothingitems forEllieViv,Hornsbykeepsacloseeyeonfreshtrends thatresonatewithtweenswhilestillmeetingparental standards.Strikingabalancebetweenthepreferences oftweensandtheexpectationsoftheircaretakerswhen itcomestofashionchoicescanbeadifficulttask,but Hornsbyisuptothechallenge.

“We’reconstantlyonthelookoutfornewandexciting trendstobringtoourcustomers,”Hornsbyadds.“Itryto coverallthebasesandprovideoptionsthatbothmoms anddaughterscanlove.Asaparent,whatyouwantyour childtowearmightbedifferentthanwhattheywant towear,especiallyasthey’recomingintotheirteenage years.SoItrytokeepthatperspectiveinmindwhen curatingEllieViv’sclothes.”

ForHornsby,inclusivityisaguidingprinciple:“Itry toofferbrandsthatcatertodifferentsizesandbody types,”shesays.“Ithinkit’sreallycrucialasatween tobeabletogointoastoreandselectclothesthatare fashionablebutstillallowkidstofeelcomfortablewith theskinthatthey’rein.”

Anotherboutiqueempoweringteenstoembracetheir individuality,RettaJane,locatedneardowntownClayton, offersarefreshingapproachtojuniorsfashion.Witha focusonage-appropriateclothingthatmaintainsasense ofinnocence,ownerandfounderRettaTusseycraftschic designstailoredtotweensandteens,helpingthemto feelconfidentandbeautifulwhilestayingtruetotheir childlikespirit.

“AtRettaJane,weunderstandthatgooddaysstart withgoodoutfits,”Tusseysays.“Wecelebratemeeting girlswheretheyareatthisageinsteadofdesigning thingsthataretoomature.”

RettaJane’scollectionisdesignedtofitadolescents’ changingbodieswithelementssuchaselastic waistbandsforextrastretchandcomfort.Unlikeother clothingmarketedtowardteensandtweens,RettaJane’s clothingisdesignedwithqualitymaterialstostandthe testoftime.

“Eachpieceisawardrobeessential,”Tusseysays. “They’redesignedtobethecornerstoneofayoung woman’scloset.RettaJane’sstylesmaybewornin multiplewaysandareeasytomixandmatchtosuit thewearer’suniquesensibilityandstyle.”

EllieViv,322W.ThorntonAve.,RockHill,314-798-5511, ellieviv.com

RettaJaneoffersprivateappointmentsatitsLaduestudio. Emailhello@rettajane.comforfurtherinformation. RettaJane,rettajane.com

LOOKINGFORMOREPLACESTO

SHOPTWEENANDTEENFASHION INST.LOUIS?HEREARESOMEOF OURFAVORITES:

CAKEWISH

Offeringeverythingfromsparkly dressestocasualclothingand gifts,CAKEWISHisastyle sanctuaryforthespringseason, ensuringgirlscanexpresstheir individualitywithflair.

CAKEWISH,9218ClaytonRoad, Ladue,shopcakewish.com

LABREEZEBYPAISLEY

AnextensionofoneofSt.Louis’ mostbelovedboutiques, LaBreezebyPaisleyoffersa curatedcollectionofchicand on-trendclothingthatspeaks totheyouthfulspirit.

233W.LockwoodAve., WebsterGroves,314-475-3443, instagram.com/labreezebypaisley

MOSSBOUTIQUE

LocatedonhistoricMainStreetin St.Charles,MOssBoutiqueoffersa unique,trendyselectionofclothes andjewerlythatappealtomoms anddaughtersalike.

MOssBoutique,329S.MainSt., St.Charles,636-410-0625, mossboutique.com

Photocourtesyof EllieViv

Photocourtesyof EllieViv

To place an ad, call: 314-269-8810 or email: ltaylor@laduenews.com

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