The Men's Issue J U N E 2 022
Champions play here Professional golf’s finest return to St. Louis
September 6–11, 2022 Norwood Hills Country Club
Don’t miss the excitement when legends like Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, John Daly, Vijay Singh, Bernhard Langer and defending champion David Toms compete at the Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson. Last year’s record-setting event provided over $1 million for youth and charities in North St. Louis County and beyond. Pro-Am foursomes, hospitality packages and tickets available at AscensionCharityClassic.com
© 2022 Ascension. All rights reserved. Players subject to appear.
June 2022 PUBLISHER S
Gordon Montgomery gordon.montgomery@citylifestyle.com Kelley Lamm kelley.lamm@citylifestyle.com
LIFESTYLE LETTER
Honoring Men Who Impact
COPY EDITOR
Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com AD DESIGNER
Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER
Antanette Ray CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S
Mel Boban, Julie Brown Patton, Robin Seaton Jefferson, Judy Peters
Whether a father, a coach, an uncle or a boss, being a male role model and leading by example can make a lasting impact on those watching. We can all probably think of a man in our life that has had a big influence on us at one time or another. Whether it was someone pushing us to be a better version of ourselves, someone who sees the best in us, someone we look up to for guidance, or even someone we don’t personally know but that inspires us, we can recognize the impact these role models can make on our lives. This month we are honoring men and their contribution to the betterment of our community and to their families. To all the men out there that are making a difference in someone’s life, big or small, we applaud you. The lasting impact that you are making and the ripple effect that often ensues is worth it. Happy Fathers Day,
CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S
Maddi Manheimer, Virginia Harold Photography
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Proverbs 3:5-6 Clayton City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Clayton area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Clayton City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but
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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R
the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
Go Cards! Marcia Moore Design
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Dig In & Devour DRIVE-THRU BBQ
Saturday, June 11 Noon – 3 pm
Summer is the time for barbecue, and on June 11, we’re serving up smoky deliciousness – drive-thru style! Lunch is on us, and you won’t even need to leave your vehicle. Our Drive-Thru BBQ is a wonderful way to meet our professional team and sample our savory chef-prepared dining. We’re looking forward to meeting you. This will be a socially distanced event. Masks required.
RSVP TODAY: 314-400-2504 Continue Your Life Story With Us ANTHOLOGY OF CLAYTON VIEW
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JUNE 2022
inside the issue The Gentlemen’s Issue
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20
36
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F E ATU R E D
D E PA RTM E NTS
20 Reflections Of Men
4
Lifestyle Letter
10
City Scene
14
Business Monthly
16
Local Experiences
20
Local Limelight
26
Locals Only
32
Local’s Choice
36
Healthy Lifestyle
40
Travel Journal
44
Must See
48
Events
50
Trend Setter
What These Gentlemen Like The Best About St. Louis Community
32 Clayton Author Analyzes Lincoln “Did He, A Freshly Minted Lawyer, Strike You As A Rising Man?”
36 Honeymoon Chocolates
Making An Impact, One Chocolate Bar At A Time
44 ’Old Men Dispense Advice’ In Clayton They Even Have A Sign And Admirers
O N T H E C OV E R
Photography: Maddi Manheimer Tim Cunningham, Andy Strickland and Nick Ragone inside The Cigar Club at The Ritz Carlton
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JUNE 2022
city scene
Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1
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1: CLASS at Wild About Chocolate event enjoys working on machine making chocolate-covered pretzels. 2: Clayton Chamber of Commerce, Wild About Chocolate event. Executive Pastry Chef/two-time winner of Cupcake Wars. 3: STL Story Stitchers Artists Collective Peace in the Prairie at World’s Fair Pavilion, Forest Park. 4: Raptors from the World Bird Sanctuary greeted visitors at City Museum. 5: Opening ceremonies at the Clarendale Clayton Ribbon Cutting. 6: A gorgeous view from the newly opened terrace at Clarendale Clayton. 7: National Puppy Day was celebrated at the St. Louis Wheel at Union Station.
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C I T Y SC E N E
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14 ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF ST. LOUIS
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8: National Puppy Day was celebrated at the St. Louis Wheel at Union Station. 9: One-of-a-kind, aircraft The NASA Aero Spacelines “Super Guppy” joins Spirit-of-St. Louis-Air-Show & Stem Expo. 10: Principia School was selected as a 2022 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. 11: Only 27 Green Ribbon schools were selected for these honors this year nationally. 12: Assistance League of St. Louis hosted New York Times Bestselling author Elizabeth Berg. 13: Trainer Andy Moulton and his K-9 unit demonstrating tactical procedures benefitting the Ten8Project. 14: Sarah Lenert, Nick Sansone and Andy Moulton speaking about Ten8Project hosted by the Jewell family. 10-11 Photography by Missouri Green Schools (MGS) Partner Network
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Where will the Road take you?
JUNE 2022
business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.
Lunch With Dr. Jeff Pittman, St. Louis Community College Chancellor
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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY
Jeff Pittman, Ph.D., chancellor of St. Louis Community College, will be the featured speaker at the Clayton Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch with a Leader presented by St. Louis Community College-Forest Park on June 21 at the ClarendaleClayton. He will discuss the future of Missouri’s largest community college. Reservations are required for luncheon and may be made online ClaytonCommerce.com or by calling 314.726.3033.
Want to be featured?
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Clayton
Clarendale Clayton Independent Living Residence Opens Residents, partners, local dignitaries and community leaders attended Clarendale Clayton’s ribbon cutting ceremony and reception. Located in the heart of Clayton, this is the area’s first luxury, high-rise, full-service senior living community. Pictured center, Clayton Mayor Michelle Harris.
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Principia School Hires New Boys’ Head Basketball Coach Principia School Director of Athletics Shawn Brown named Jay Blossom as the school’s next head coach of the boys’ basketball program. He has more than two decades of coaching experience. “Principia will soon be on the main stage of the St. Louis basketball world. Additionally, the brand-new, state-of-the-art Simon Field House will be the jewel of high school basketball facilities in the state of Missouri,” says the Missouri Basketball Hall of Famer.
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JUNE 2022
local experiences The best places and things to do in our area.
Summer is almost here, and we have you covered for a list of places to get active or relax, grab a drink or bite to eat, and enjoy great company with friends and family. Our go-to list of activities will have you ushering in summer in all the right ways.
Guys on the Town ST. LOUIS AR TWOR KS: Juneteenth 2022 in Delmar Loop (5800 and 5900
blocks) will be hosted from noon to 5 p.m. on June 11 with art, music and food. 5959 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO ANHEUSER MUSEUM AND ESTATE: Time for the Strawberry Festival with popular Original Kimmswick Strawberry Jam and 200-plus craft, food, vendor and corporate booths. 6000 Windsor Harbor Lane, Imperial, MO STIFEL THEATR E: Chris Rock: Ego Death World Tour comes to town June 11. Catch one of the world’s most important comedic voices. 1400 Market St., St. Louis, MO DAVID BR UNO GALLER Y: Cindy Tower exhibit: Good Will Combines; her paintings break divisions between materials of artmaking and ordinary things such as old dresses. 7513 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, MO TOWER GR OVE PAR K: The Schlafly Biergarten occurs every Friday (4-8 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) during June with rotating food trucks and occasional live music. St.Louis, MO
St. Louis Walk of Fame
Scan for more photos and the full list.
Want to recommend a local experience? Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.
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REFLECTIONS OF MEN What These Gentlemen Like The Best About St. Louis Community
What’s there to most like about the Arch City metropolitan region? First, it’s wonderful to be located in the heartland of the USA. With fiercely independent frontier-town roots, layered with Midwest modesty, St. Louis earned the nickname ‘Gateway to the West’ for good reasons. Now known for loyal sports fans and Blues music, let’s count other highlights from these gentlemen who navigate various careers and cultures in the area.
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADDI MANHEIMER
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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | A RTS + CULTURE
CHARLIE BRENNAN
M I K E CL A I BOR N E
K MOX H O ST ( R E C E N T LY R E T I R E D A F T E R 3 4 Y E ARS )
ST. LOUIS CARD IN AL S S P ORTS BROACAST ER
“The generosity, ethics and accomplishments of the people -- basically, the unique social captial -- is what I’ve often thought I would miss if we ever left St. Louis. When it comes to helping others, St. Louisans will step up to the plate. Here, there’s a quality of people you meet who have an old-school set of values regarding honesty and integrity. And there are so many with world-class talent in the fields of music, medicine, law and sports.”
“The spirit of competition, whether it be in sports or business. So many cities have passed us by. But we’ve turned the corner in St. Louis, and are just trying to grow our community.”
CONTINUED >
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JAMES BOMMARITO
D OUG VAUGH N
OW NE R , TO N Y ’ S R E STAU R A N T
KMOV S P ORTS AN CHOR/RE P ORTE R
“ It would be the region’s great restaurants, especially Italian cuisines. I also enjoy the weather and the fact that we’re a great sports town.”
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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | A RTS + CULTURE
“Nearly everyone you meet is friendly. Most people are nice to one another and have the typical Midwestern trait of being courteous and polite. Not everybody, of course, but the overwhelming majority of people you come across, especially now that Stan Kroenke is gone, are very pleasant.”
TIM CUNNINGHAM MU S I C I A N / R&B SA XO PH O N I ST
“Originally from Lansing, Michigan, I’ve been in West St. Louis County since October 1994. I really like the area’s diversity, and it’s been a very welcoming place to live. People are generally kind and willing to assist others with whatever they can. I come from a fairly small town of roughly 126,000, then moved to Chicago in 1992, which was a huge change for me. It was so big, it overwhelmed me. My wife and I decided to give St. Louis a try because a college football teammate of mine was living here when playing for the St. Louis Football Cardinals. We found a home in two days, and have never looked back. I love it because it’s not too small, and not too big. There are lots of things to do and you don’t have to travel an hour to get there. Gotta’ love St. Louis!”
N ICK R AG ON E AS CE N S ION E X E CUTIVE VICE P RE S ID E N T AND CHIE F MARKE TIN G OFFICE R
“The love of giving, community and sports stood out immediately to us (as former New Yorkers). St. Louisans are among the most charitable communities in the country. There’s a real pride and devotion to helping others. It’s really inspiring to be a part of it, and it caused us to put down deep roots and call this home. We’re never leaving now.”
CONTINUED >
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ANDY STRICKLAND
T R AV I S NOBL E
ST. LO U IS B LU ES R E PO RT E R - BA L LY S PO RTS M I DWE ST
ATTORN E Y AT L AW
“St. Louis has more to offer than most people realize. It’s the creativity, art, music, food, schools, entrepreneurial ambitions and lifestyle -- plus the people making it happen. I love how easy it is get from point A to point B. It has everything I like about big cities, and the people are nice with Midwestern hospitality. You just feel comfortable here.”
“It’s a great place to raise children.” This attorney is often touted as having the legal skill set to win cases others said couldn’t be won, and it’s attributed to him caring about St. Louis and the people in his life.
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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | A RTS + CULTURE
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From American Idol to Dirty Muggs, Frontman Nikko Smith Says He’s Right Where He’s Supposed to Be 26
LOCA LS ON LY | ENTERTAI NME NT
Dirty Muggs
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CONTINUED >
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“I found that it’s not about what you didn’t accomplish, but what you did accomplish. I don’t mean you couldn’t have done this or that, but you are where you are supposed to be because God put you on this journey.” -NIKKO SMITH Nikko Smith, Dirty Muggs lead vocalist
Cassandra Llea, Dirty Muggs lead vocalist
Cassandra Llea and Nikko Smith, Dirty Muggs lead vocalists
Though he shares his father’s name, he doesn’t use it to get ahead. He really doesn’t need to. He’s just that good. Osborne Earl “Nikko” Smith Jr. has made his own way, and he says his dad, baseball hall-of-famer and 13X Gold Glove winner, Osborne Earl “Ozzie” Smith, wouldn’t want it any other way. So, what happens when your father— “The Wizard”—is arguably the best defensive shortstop of all time, but you want to sing and dance? Well, Nikko Smith says, you sing and dance. And he’s been doing just that since he was a boy in the youth choir of the First Baptist Church of Chesterfield. A gifted singer, songwriter and dancer, whose soulful vocals took him to the top 10 of “American Idol,” Nikko first went to Los Angeles as part of a group of other young, hopeful musicians he had met when he was 14 working with Team 11—a compilation of some of the St. Louis region’s best singers and dancers formed by St. Louis television
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LO CA LS ON LY | ENTERTA I NME NT
pioneer and CEO of KPLR-TV, Ted Koplar. “We had grown up together in Team 11. We figured whatever comes at us, we’ll handle it together,” he says. But things didn’t go quite as planned. The group—dubbed “The Platinum Shades”—was offered an opportunity to work solely with the management company owned by actor and rapper, Will Smith. As it turned out, though, one of the members of the group abandoned the others in LA causing the deal to fall through. The loss was profound, but Nikko realized later that returning to St. Louis would put him exactly where he needed to be—a lesson that would prove a sort of mantra for him as the years past. As it turned out, tryouts for “American Idol” had come to St. Louis. It was 2005 and Season 4 of Simon Fuller’s mega hit singing competition on FOX—the one that made winner Carrie Underwood a star. Singing timeless hits, such as Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” and “I Want You
Back” by The Jackson 5, Nikko advanced to Hollywood and on to the Top 16. He was initially eliminated, but then fellow competitor Mario Vazquez withdrew from the competition. Nikko had barely unpacked his bags when he got a call from the show asking him to return. From there, he made it to the Top 10, which he says was all he really wanted, as the final 10 contestants were given the opportunity to record an album and tour the country. “So that gave me the exposure to do whatever I wanted and to come home to St. Louis,” he adds. Nikko returned to LA in 2014. He says at first, he went at the behest of his mom to look out for his sister, who had moved there for a job. The two lived in a little stucco apartment in Van Nuys, California. He says what started as a family thing became more of a “soul searching” mission. “I found that it’s not about what you didn’t accomplish, but what you did accomplish. I don’t mean you couldn’t
Nikko Smith, Dirty Muggs lead vocalist CONTINUED >
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have done this or that, but you are where you are supposed to be because God put you on this journey.” Nikko was performing with bands up and down the coast of California, and doing well for himself, when the the COVID-19 pandemic hit. So, he was driving up and down the empty streets of LA, working overnights in a hospital, and seeing things he never thought he would see. “I had an opportunity to think a lot, to reset, and I thought, ‘What is my goal?’ I am watching my niece grow up on Instagram.” Today, Nikko performs high-energy, choreographed shows with the “Dirty Muggs,” singing a diverse and eclectic set list with the top party band who puts their own incredible spin on chart-toppers such as “Uptown Funk,” “Truth Hurts” and “Come Together.” They play to standing room only crowds around St. Louis with lead guitarist and band founder, Dee Dee James—who toured with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Color Me Bad and Paula Abdul; lead vocalist, Cassandra Llea; bassist and keyboardist, KD Dobbins; bassist, Jordan Brewer; and drummer, Kevin Williams. And Nikko says he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be. Because after all, the end goal was always family and “just to be happy.”
Family photo of Nikko as a child with mom and Dad, Ozzie Smith
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LO CA LS ON LY | ENTERTA I NME NT
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Clayton Author Analyzes Lincoln
“ Did He, A Freshly Minted Lawyer, Strike You As A Rising Man? ” ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PAT TON
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LOCA L’S CH OICE | ARTS + CULTURE
As a former New Yorker, educator Jan Jacobi came to St. Louis in 1982. He took seventh graders on a field trip to Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, a reconstructed village regarding the 16th American president in Petersburg, Illinois. Since then, he notes he's been fixating, studying, writing about and providing a current voice to US President Abraham Lincoln. "I fell in love with New Salem, and felt I got a real sense of Lincoln there. Students came back asking for recommendations for related reading materials, but we found there was a gap of information for that middle school age range," recalls this Clayton resident of the past 30 years (his wife, Ginger, is a lifelong Clayton native). "So, students suggested that I write it." His latest book, Lincoln In Springfield, is a follow-up to his award-winning debut, Young Lincoln, which was published in 2018. The recent book offers insight into Abraham Lincoln’s time as a young professional and politician in Springfield, Illinois. "Follow along, to his first term as a Whig Congressman representing Illinois in Washington, D.C. As he argues cases, builds friendships with allies and rivals alike, marries, and begins his political career, the portrait of the presidential Lincoln will begin to emerge, though not without some stumbles along the way." Jan says Shakespeare and the Bible were Lincoln's two most favorite reads. This is the 50th consecutive year that Jan has taught middle school English and humanities. For 27 years, he served as head of the Lower School at St. Louis Country Day School and head of the Middle School at MICDS. For the past 10 years, he's taught seventh and eighth grade humanities at the St. Michael School in Clayton. In 2014, he was recognized as middle school teacher of the year by St. Louis Magazine. Lincoln In Springfield can be purchased at local Indie bookstores, such as Subterranean Books and The Novel Neighbor, online via Amazon, and of course, at Lincoln's home in Springfield. The book just earned a national 2022 Nautilus Award. It also won a Best of Illinois History Award from the Illinois State Historical Society in early April. Jan says he plans to complete a five-book series. He's currently working on the third book, to be titled Transformation of Lincoln. "Students engage with the stories, and say they feel they really know the president from reading my books. One suggested maybe it could all become the Harry Potter of Abe Lincoln," he quips.
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Honeymoon Chocolates MAKING AN IMPACT, ONE CHOCOLATE BAR AT A TIME
Virginia Harold Photography
ARTICLE BY JUDY PETERS
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H E A LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | FOOD + BE VE RAGE
Virginia Harold Photography
Cam and Haley Loyet started their business, Honeymoon Chocolates, in a dorm room during 2016 while attending Illinois Wesleyan University. They used the shared kitchen of Cam’s four-person dorm suite to make their chocolates and stored the chocolate-making equipment and ingredients in a 5-by-8-foot closet. "We had our first, full 50-kilogram bag of cacao shipped to that dorm, and I hauled it up three flights of stairs and stored it inside of that tiny closet,” says Cam. But what started as a hobby has grown from its humble beginning, now selling products in nearly 100 retail stores nationwide and recently opening a new factory and 5,000-square-foot retail store in Clayton at 16 N. Central Ave. The Clayton facility provides customers with an immersive experience, featuring a glassed-in kitchen that allows visitors to catch a glimpse of Honeymoon’s chocolate-making process. Cam says part of the strategy behind the new Clayton facility was to deepen Honeymoon’s connection with St. Louis. “We
were in close to 100 stores, but we just weren’t well-known in our hometown," he says. Honeymoon Chocolate’s goal always has been to make a healthier version of chocolate. The company, which won a 2021 Arch Grant, manufactures and sells “bean to bar” chocolate that includes no refined sugar, and is sweetened using only locally sourced raw honey. “However, our first and foremost reason for making chocolate is to address the decreasing supply of cacao and the decline of honeybees worldwide,” he shares. The Loyets and their craft chocolate company have a passion for making an impact on Third-World cacao farmers. “We feel we’re having a real impact on the small farmers we source from in Belize, Haiti and Uganda, mainly,” says Cam. “We quickly came to realize there were supply chain problems with the cacao beans because of the lack of skilled workers, and because of the extremely low wages they were being paid, CONTINUED > JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C L AY TO N
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Virginia Harold Photography
Virginia Harold Photography
Cam and Haley Loyet, owners
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H E A LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | FOOD + BE VE RAGE
they were finding other work options. We feel we’re making a significant impact on their livelihoods. For example, in 2021 our average price paid was $2.47 per kilogram. That’s ten times the fair-trade price floor paid to farmers.” Buyers of Honeymoon Chocolates can feel good in knowing that, for example, 60 cents of every raspberry and dark chocolate Belize Bar they buy goes directly to the farmer. In addition, the Loyets purchase directly from local beekeepers and give a portion of their proceeds to support honeybee research, apiarists and conservation of bees, which are critical to food and ecosystems. “Secondly, but just as important, is to allow our consumers to remove refined sugar from their favorite foods. A few positives in using honey compared to traditional cane sugar include a roughly 1.5 time multiple in sweetness (which decreases overall caloric content by 20 calories for a 2.5-ounce bar), a lower glycemic index, and trace amounts of beneficial enzymes, amino acids, antioxidants, B vitamins, and minerals," he says. The future for Honeymoon Chocolates includes increasing its product line, with plans to roll out miniature-size bars. They say they also hope to expand into retailers, such as Target and Whole Foods.
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Prepare to Excel!
two days of golf events for advanced high school and college players The Accelerated Golf Tour will consist of a series of approximately ten tournaments during June, July and the first week of August. Each tournament will be open to both male and female golfers. College coaches may be in attendance. Call us at (314) 494-6306 or Scan the QR code for schedule of events & entry forms
314-949-2020
www.CantorsDrivingSchoolMO.com
Family Owned and Operated More Than 50,000 Students Trained Since 1976 Door To Door Service | 7 Days A Week New, 5 Star Safety Rated, Dual Controlled Cars 24/7 Online Scheduling and Access Highly Trained, Experienced Male and Female Instructors
NOW HIRING INSTRUCTORS $28.50 AN HOUR Representatives are available Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm cantorsdrivingmo@gmail.com | B JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C L AY TO N
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Photography Nathan Fluellen
Austin T X
Visit
Get Away to the Live Music Capital of the World and Discover All That Makes Austin an Unforgettable Domestic Travel Gem
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This month, our City Lifestyle family of travel enthusiasts are thrilled to collaborate with Visit Austin to introduce an exclusively curated guide to this lively destination paired with a GIVEAWAY* opportunity to win a 2-night trip for two, with round trip airfare from American Airlines! When it comes to luxury accommodations, one of the most stunning hotels in Austin is the Commodore Perry Estate. This striking and historic property, once a 10,800-square-foot private mansion known to host Jazz era social extravaganzas, has been transformed into a modern and European-influenced spectacular resort now open to the public.
Beyond Austin’s true soul foods of barbecue and Tex-Mex is an entire mix of palate pleasers, from upscale Mediterranean and Asian to James Beard award-winning eateries. Geraldine’s inside Hotel Van Zandt is one of Austin’s iconic Rainey Street destinations. But first you should start your day with a cup of joe from Jo’s Coffee. Known for its iconic “i love you so much” mural-clad exterior on South Congress Avenue, patrons come for the hot coffee, good food, cold beer and people-watching. As for Austin’s retail and local maker scene, 2ND Street District boasts a mix of boutiques and shops. For the gentlemen, embrace the full district experience, shopping League of Rebels, a bespoke experience with tailor made lifestyle wear, or Bonobos, the pioneers of custom fit chinos. Then enjoy a fresh shave from Austin’s premier Finley’s Barber Shop. With hundreds of live music venues, you have plenty of options available to soak up the sounds. ACL Live at The Moody Theater is home to the beloved Austin City Limits television show and hosts about 100 concerts year round.
WIN a 2-night GETAWAY to Austin! City Lifestyle and Visit Austin are giving one lucky winner and a guest the chance to explore Austin, TX with a uniquely curated hospitality itinerary filled with three days of complimentary hotel, food, entertainment and shopping experiences. This giveaway closes on June 30, 2022. The trip must be taken by the end of 2022. For a chance to win, follow @citylifestyle and @visitaustintx on Instagram and tag unlimited friends and family on the June 1st giveaway post for additional entries to win.
$4,000 AUSTIN GETAWAY FOR 2 INCLUDES: • Flights for 2 on American Airlines
Photography Visit Austin Photography Commodore Perry Estate
• 2-nights at Commodore Perry Estate: includes breakfast daily and valet parking • Dinner for 2 at Geraldine’s: Chef’s Tasting - an open-ended meal for two, including food and beverages (does not include gratuity) • Breakfast for 2 at Jo’s Coffee • Retail in downtown Austin’s 2ND Street District: • $500 to League of Rebels • $50 to Bonobos • $50 to Finley’s Barber Shop • Tickets for 2 to ACL Live show of choice at Moody Theater (subject to availability and not valid for ACL TV tapings) • DIY Projects + Drinks for 2 to Upstairs Circus
Scan the code to ENTER to WIN at @citylifestyle on Instagram! JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C L AY TO N
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Celebrating 36 years!
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THEY EVEN HAVE A SIGN AND ADMIRERS ARTICLE BY ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON
The 16th century French writer François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld put it this way: “Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.” A group of older gentlemen who gather in Clayton on Friday mornings likely would agree with the writer's observation. They’re not only chocked full of knowledge, but they find joy in laughing at themselves. They actually have a sign: “Old Men Giving Advice. It’s Free.” Founded almost four decades ago by Jeffrey Korn and Mark Rubin, a businessman and a lawyer, respectively, and the late Jimmie Manion, a real estate executive and Korean War fighter pilot, the group started meeting for coffee when Straub’s operated a restaurant on Forsyth in Clayton. They later moved to what was the Howard Johnson’s restaurant on Clayton Road. Jimmie was 90 when he passed away last year. “On Monday through Thursday, we tell each other what to do,” quips Allan Silverberg, a 77-year-old current hospice worker and retired insurance and investment advisor. Most of the group—currently numbering between six and 18 people on any given Friday—are retired professionals and businessmen, though there is still a working lawyer and a St. Louis policeman among them. Most still work for free in one way or another. Aside from dispensing free advice, the majority of them volunteer for their communities. And they are busy. Michael Hutchison, 73, is a good example. The retired journeyman master carpenter is a registered nurse. He works with two universities and a nursing school as a sample patient. And he plays the viola in two local symphony orchestras. The group still meets in Clayton, but now on the front patio of Herbie’s restaurant on Maryland Avenue. Herbie’s isn’t even open in the morning, but owner Aaron
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R E S T A U R A N T H E R B I E ’ S
Teitelbaum started letting them occupy his empty tables outside when COVID-19 surfaced. Before that, they gathered inside, across the street at City Coffee and Creperie. They still buy their coffee from owner Anne Gallardo, who they say is their unofficial “den mother.” “We just have all this worthless knowledge and experience,” jokes retired electrical engineer, Howard Berger, 77. “I wanted to charge a nickel like Lucy on ‘The Peanuts Gang,’ but we didn’t want the liability.” Retired truck leasing executive Mike Bush, 80, says the majority of their “clients” are women in their thirties “asking how to meet men. I ask them, ‘What do you like to do other than your job? Meet someone who does what you do and join them. There are groups for everything in St. Louis.’” Almost without exception, the men in the group—most married for decades—said good marriages are made up of friends with common interests and values who are committed and respectful to each other and who never go to bed mad. Still, women do seem to flock to Herbie’s patio. Jenna Knatt ran across the elder advisors one day last summer while out walking. Now the 41-year-old business development manager and several of her friends—all in the commercial design industry—meet with the advisors regularly on the first Friday of every month. “They're always smiling and happy. They bring good values back into our lives,” she says. Businessman Alan Ludmer says he, too, has learned from his coffee-drinking counterparts, ironically by being silent. Alan is also a docent at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, a career coach and tai chi teacher. “’He who knows need not speak. He who speaks does not know,’” he says, quoting the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu. “I learn a lot by listening.”
Home Decor Worthy Of A Repeat Performance MOVING, DOWNSIZING, REDECORATING?
Encore is now accepting consignment items! Call Today for an appointment so we can help you sell your gently used furniture and home decor and put money in your pocket. You can call or send pictures now to photos@encorestl.net. Enjoy great customer service as you shop two beautifully displayed showrooms of upscale, gently used furniture, accessories and home decor.
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JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C L AY TO N
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JUNE 2022
“In Your City” Let’s Talk!
events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
JUNE 1ST
Whitaker Music Festival Series Returns
MI S S O UR I B OTA NI CA L GA R DE N | 7 :0 0 P M One of St. Louis’ favorite summertime traditions is back after a two-year hiatus. The Whitaker Music Festival offers a 10-week lineup of free Wednesday evening concerts under the stars. Pack a picnic. Live music begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 1 to Aug. 3. Free admission entry begins at 5 p.m. Last entry is at 8:15 p.m. JUNE 3 R D
Classical Cocktails Fundraiser
LIVE ON LOCATION JUNE 10TH, 8AM SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS AIR SHOW & STEM EXPO
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C O MMUNI T Y MUS I C S C HOOL O F WE B ST E R UNI V E R S I T Y – MA R I A H A L L | 6 :0 0 P M Join a fundraiser that offers designer drinks, timeless music and food. Cost is $95 each, and includes performance, appetizers and two cocktails. Dress for event is casual; venue has both indoor and outdoor spaces. Proceeds benefit Classic 107.3 (Radio Arts Foundation) and its mission to support classical music programming and the arts in St. Louis region. For specifics, visit Classic1073.org/Classical-Cocktails. JUNE 8TH
Parties In The Park
ST. LO UI S C O UNT Y ME M ORI A L PA R K | 5 :0 0 P M St. Louis’ longest running outdoor happy hour, Parties in the Park, for June will host the band Fanfare sponsored by Lathrop GPM LLP. Parties in the Park is a free and open to the public from 5-8:30 p.m. at 41 South Central in downtown
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Clayton. Drinks are available for purchase and a different food truck will be onsite each month. JUNE 11TH
NASA Aircraft Joins Spirit of St. Louis Air Show
SPIRIT O F ST. LOUIS | 9:00 AM The 2022 Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo, presented by Boeing, takes place June 11-12 headlined by the made-in-Missouri U.S. Navy Blue Angels. And now a one-of-akind, absolutely unique aircraft will be appearing in St. Louis for the first time ever. The NASA Aero Spacelines “Super Guppy” will be joining the event’s massive static aircraft ramp. J U N E 1 6T H
Art of Tasting
CLARE NDALE CLAY TON | 5: 3 0 PM Clayton Chamber of Commerce representatives will host a wine tasting event open to the public from 5:307:30 p.m. during which guests can sample a variety of wines -- up to six options, with an expert on hand to address questions. Music and light appetizers will be provided. The cost is $25$30 per person. Phone 314.726.3033. J U N E 2 1 ST
Lunch With Dr. Jeff Pittman, St. Louis Community College Chancellor
CLARE NDALE- CLAYTON Jeff Pittman, Ph.D., chancellor of St. Louis Community College, will be the featured speaker at the Clayton Chamber of Commerce's Lunch with a Leader presented by St. Louis Community College-Forest Park on June 21. He will discuss the future of Missouri’s largest community college. Reservations are required for luncheon and may be made online ClaytonCommerce.com or by calling 314.726.3033.
Want to be featured?
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Clayton
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JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C L AY TO N
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ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEL BOBAN
Dude’s Date LOCAL, FUN IDEAS FOR HIM Planning a fun date for dudes can be tough, but St. Louis is chock-full of spots to explore. Here are some of my favorite ways to make a date for your partner feel like a mini vacation.
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Sip and Shop: Schlafly in Maplewood always has something fun brewing. In the summer, the neighborhood hosts a market on Sundays with local goods. Make it a day date and explore the streets before grabbing a tasty local beer.
Pool Day: When the weather heats up, an upscale pool day would make the best surprise. Many area hotels, such as the Four Seasons, Le Meridien, Hotel Saint Louis and The Last Hotel, offer day passes.
Change Lanes: Looking for an adrenaline rush? He will love the chance to drive a rare exotic car at World Wide Technology Raceway. With no experience required, he can hop behind the wheel and drive the racing line.
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Get Wild: The Zoo is well known in St. Louis, and the staff offers a unique chance to go behind the scenes for special tours. Experience close-up interactions with favorite animals and leave with priceless memories.
Culinary Tour: Experience dozens of different local cuisines all in one spot at the City Foundry’s Food Hall in Midtown. Make it a tasting tour and rate desired dishes.
Friendly Competition: Stop by Central West End for dinner and head to Up Down, a gamer’s heaven. They are home to more than 60 arcade games and each one is just 25 cents to play.
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