TALK OF THE TOWNS

talk

OF THE TOWNS

by bill beggs jr.

St. Louis

Throughout February, The Pageant will release limited-edition poster reprints every Monday at noon. All proceeds will support The Pageant, Delmar Hall and staff at both venues. These 12-inch by 18-inch numbered editions of 10—and only 10!—are available exclusively through the venue’s eBay store. Pageant management and staff are still combing through the archives from 20 years of rock ‘n’ roll, alt-country, alt-rock, comedy, Americana … plus other productions just too dang hard to categorize. Anyone who wants to replace (or add to) that velvet Elvis or Hendrix blacklight poster on the wall, check back Feb. 15 and 22 at 12 p.m. sharp.

☛TT trivia

HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF THE HILLY LAND IN AND AROUND ST. ALBANS ONCE COMPRISED THE ESTATE OF WHICH PROMINENT ST. LOUIS BUSINESSMAN?

The Metro

As they say (whoever ‘they’ are), if there’s a sucker born every minute, there’s a scam created every 30 seconds. (OK, we just said that.) The latest scams, plural, relate to the COVID-19 vaccine. There’s a lot of stress and uncertainty about who, where and when, and the ‘frustration’ needle for many of us who’ve already self-quarantined for almost nine months may be swinging into the red—the ‘desperation’ zone. And the cynicism of scammers thrives on impatient, desperate people. Don’t get sucked into any of these five solicitations detailed for consumers by the Federal Trade Commission. And there are probably many more yet to be reported. 1. Being asked to pay out of pocket for the vaccine. No. It’s free, unless there’s a small fee at the administration site. 2. Being asked to pay to get on a list for an appointment or for early access. You can get on a waiting list at any number of providers, but there’s no ‘cutting in line.’ 3. Being asked to respond immediately to a phone call, email or message via social-media. Solicitations? Never. 4. Getting contacted by ‘the government’ or ‘your health plan.’ Be wary. The first is definitely bogus. But your health plan or a legitimate provider may be calling to alert you to an available appointment. 5. Asking you to pay for the vaccine to be shipped directly to you. There are no secret sources of the vaccine, which in many cases needs to remain refrigerated in sub-zero temperatures until use. Bottom line? Be patient. We’ve all waited this long, after all, so it won’t hurt to hunker down just a little bit longer.

LAST ISSUE’S Q&A

1. What group originally recorded the 1960s hit song “Walk a Mile in My Shoes”? 2. Which of these were not released by Frank Zappa? A. “Weasels Ripped My Flesh” B. “Freak Out!” C. “Last Vacancy at the Roach Motel” D. “Chunga’s Revenge” E. “Sheik Yerbouti” F. “Mangled Baby Ducks” G. “Apostrophe” A1: Soul revivalists Lake Street Dive recorded an a cappella version of “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” for the Ad Council’s new national ad campaign, Belonging Begins With Us. Joe South hit the Top 40 in 1969 with the song, and Elvis Presley released a live version in 1971. A2: Of seven prospective album titles by Frank Zappa (with or without The Mothers of Invention), two were impostors: C. “Last Vacancy at the Roach Motel” and F. “Mangled Baby Ducks.”

St. Albans

The Inns at St. Albans has hired a general manager as part of its initiative to transform the property into a historic travel and meeting destination. In his newly created position, Schuyler Clark will be responsible for all operations at the complex, which dates to 1843. Last year the company began building a $4 million, 11,000-square-foot lodge that will add 12 overnight rooms (for a total of 24 at The Inns) and additional meeting space for up to 25. Scheduled for completion by mid 2021, the lodge is part of an overall vision to redevelop the property into a resort-caliber destination. The Inns at St. Albans, nestled in hills first charted by Lewis and Clark near the Missouri River, is perched on what was once America’s western frontier. The scenic area is steeped in Americana—from the Osage tribe to Daniel Boone and even industrialists. Theodore Link, renowned designer of St. Louis Union Station, built The Studio Inn. For many years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, St. Albans served as the country retreat of wealthy St. Louis families. Driving onto the vast property from the main road has given many a visitor the feeling of being magically transported into the Scottish highlands.

Clayton

Who’s ready for a could-be Facebook-sized, feel-good success story, but with what seems like a possible happier ending? Or at least with fewer rancorous Congressional hearings. When the economic lemon that is the coronavirus pandemic claimed in-school learning as a casualty last spring, Chuck Cohn had already been perfecting his lemonade recipe for more than 10 years. His ‘lemonade stand’ is Varsity Tutors, which started as a way of matching students with in-person tutors. Cohn had greatly benefited from friends at WashU who tutored him when he was struggling to comprehend calculus. In 2007, he launched the company from his dorm room as a way to market his friends’ services to a wider audience. Fast-forward to last spring, when digital meetings exploded via Zoom and entrepreneurs like Cohn were well-positioned to be wildly successful—and of maximum service. So, is Cohn a mensch? Well, here’s the mitzvah. When the pandemic hit, Varsity offered its remote-learning K-12 platform to students at no charge. (Mark Zuckerberg he ain’t.) The company approached $120 million in revenue for 2020. Of course, 2021 started off no less a lemon. But next thing you know, it’s all rainbows and unicorns for Cohn’s brainchild, now known as Nerdy Inc. A unicorn, at least, that is. That’s what a company becoming capitalized for $1 billion is known as in investment circles. Nerdy Inc. announced Jan. 29 that it had received a $1.7 billion investment. Gulp. So that means it’s off to Silicon Valley, right? Not so fast. Nerdy, which will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange as NRDY, will be the latest tech gem to stay right here in The Lou.

CLARIFICATION

Pat Hagin’s business partner at The Pageant is the inestimable, indefatigable Joe Edwards, who founded U. City’s famed Blueberry Hill in 1972. Due to an editing error—or, more likely, our software’s oxymoronic ‘spell-check’—Edwards was unfortunately mischaracterized in our Jan. 20 ‘Notable Neighbors’ feature. T&S regrets the error.

Ladue

Kent Evans of Ladue, who, in less uncertain times, is a Evans points out. “If you leave commercial real estate developer, considers himself them the entire grocery store, blessed that in the early 1940s, his great-grandparents they’ll only eat the best stuff.” acquired a farm. Now known as Pierce Creek Cattle The rancher must move the Company, it is located in Lonedell, Missouri, about an hour herd from field to field. Healthy south of the StL. Evans, 53, still drives his great-granddad’s grass needs about two months Ford 9N tractor, which came off the assembly line with to regenerate, so the roots only steel rims, due to the rubber shortage of WWII. As you mustn’t be chomped down to a can see in the photo, the venerable antique has tires on it nub. Meanwhile, the farm’s nearly nowadays; it runs just fine. Back when he was wearing a 80 years of history are represented construction helmet instead of a cap, Evans worked projects by something as ordinary as in the metro, chief among them the redevelopment of fenceposts. Generations ago, Crestwood Plaza, as well as jobs in Denver and Panama City they were fashioned from cedar. Beach, Florida. Since the pandemic has As those had his day job on ice since last March, have all but marketing is via social media. Remember the days of milk Evans spends his days ‘in the saddle,’ rotted away, Evans has been replacing and bread delivery to your door? Unless you were born in restoring 240-some acres of pastureland for cattle. There are about 60 head, soon to be more, since it’s right around calving season. “We’re WE’RE GRASS FARMERS ... AND THE CATTLE ARE REALLY them with steel. And there’s plenty of water, just not ideally situated. Suffice it to say, there’s only so much downtime on the farm. As a small the 1950s or earlier, of course you don’t. Well, Pierce Creek beef is delivered in much the same fashion as milk and bread way back when: from the butcher to your doorstep. What’s more, Evans’ business model doesn’t necessitate grass farmers,” he says—adding with a chuckle, “and the cattle are really JUST A BYPRODUCT. operation, Pierce Creek cattle are raised and processed humanely; no a stressful, overcrowded feedlot, dry ice and interstate transport via train, plane or semi. And as the land speaks to just a byproduct.” You may remember steroids or antibiotics. “They live on him, he’s more than willing to pass along what he’s learned the concept of crop rotation from mother’s milk and grass.” Marketing the to his neighbors. It’s not a high-margin business, by any grade school social studies; keeping grass and soil healthy beef is both old school and newfangled. Evans has about means. “It seems like everybody’s making money except the necessitates a similar approach. You can’t just let the herd 300 residential customers among the 3 million or so ranchers,” he says. Evans et al. are working to change that. graze wherever the heck they want. It’s highly inefficient, prospects in the metro, and most customer contact and Visit piercecreekcattlecompany.com.

1 in 7

Americans have a Developmental Disability. Of that population, 50% will require lifelong support. UCP Heartland provides this continuum of care.

Adult Day Services

Early Childhood Development Employment Resources Independent Living Support Respite Services Services Navigator

Youth Programs

Heartland MAKE AN IMPACT. JOIN THE MOVEMENT.

STRONGAre you ready to MAKE AN IMPACT by donating, volunteering or joining our team of support personnel who provide extraordinary care to individuals with Development Disease? 2021 Gala & Auction