October 2010
Warm & Modern How to bring it
Halloween
Happenings Where you goin?
Architectural Finds Reclaim your history
the
Champagne
Brunch
HOME
Victory Fund Celebration
This issue is dedicated to THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP
Complimentary Copy
‘ n THiS ISSUE
7 11 17 21 23 25 27 29 30 31 34
Winterize Your Home How Gay Do You Want To Be Today? Warm Modern : How To Bring It! Halloween Happenings Christine Elbert Hot House Scene & Styling Pet Costume Contest Champagne 4 Everyone! Salivating Over Salvage Non-profit of the Month
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Volume 11, Issue 10 Index Darin Slyman – Publisher/Editor vitalvoicemag@gmail.com Tess Tulley – Director of Business Affairs tesstulley@thevitalvoice.com Jeff Kapfer – Art Director design@thevitalvoice.com Colin Murphy – Senior Writer/Web Editor colin_murphy@sbcglobal.net R. Lee Bond – Associate Editor rleebond.vitalvoice@gmail.com Drew Baumgartner – Marketing/Vital VISION Dbaumgartner05@gmail.com Kristen Goodman – Marketing/Vital VOICE kristengoodman@ymail.com Dieta Pepsi – On Air Hostess/Vital VISION dietapepsi@gmail.com
Contributors Colin Murphy – Writer Lee Bond – Writer Rajeev Tailor – Writer Ace Ujimori - Photography Darin Slyman – Photography Richard Nichols – Photography Jeremy Deweese- Photography Special Thanks Garrett Haas Ray Davis Rudy Haas-Davis Jimmy Jamieson Randall Jenson ADVISORY BOARD William A. Donius Thom Halter Colin Murphy Jay Perez Pam Schneider Kellie Trivers Sharon Tucci
ONLINE thevitalvoice.com facebook.com/VitalVOICE twitter.com/VitalVOICEmag youtube.com/TheVitalVISION ADVERTISING Tesstulley@thevitalvoice.com 314.256.1196 (office) CONTACT Vital VOICE Magazine 4579 Laclede Avenue #268 Saint Louis, MO 63108 VitalVOICEmag@gmail.com 314.256.1196
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Photo by Katherine Bish
Dear
Friends, Welcome home homos and all of my LGBT brothers and sisters. With the autumnal chill fast approaching and winter not far behind, we thought we would take a look at the proverbial home – since we spend more time there during these seasons. There are many elements that make our house a home. Associate Editor Lee Bond takes a look at where to find oldworld architectural details and how salvaging these “finds” can enhance your surroundings. I would also like to welcome new writer Rajeev Tailor to the team. Raj works for Circa Properties Inc. and will be contributing to our editorial staff. This month he explores how you can make modern interior design warm and cozy. Indeed, there is a plethora of home goods peppered throughout this month’s magazine.
Also, something special is happening this month! On October 20th the Missouri History Museum will be hosting the premier of “50Faggots”. Senior Writer and Web Editor Colin Murphy interviews St. Louis native Randall Jensen and the cast of this new and exciting web TV show in his 1 out of 10 column. Vital VOICE is gearing up for the holiday season with pumpkin carvings, bar crawls and your guide to the sexiest and exciting Halloween events this year! On next month’s menu—we’re cooking up a fun and fabulous food issue! Have a safe and fun Halloween! Cheers,
Darin Slyman Publisher
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10 EASY STEPS
to winterize your home
and save some $$ With winter right around the corner, Vital VOICE asked local home maintenance guru Stacy M. Brinkley for some tips on how to best prepare your home for the St. Louis weather. The biggest financial cost to homeowners each winter is utilities and weather damage. By taking even a few of these steps, you will notice a huge savings in your bank account. So—if you want to tighten those purse strings this winter—it’s time to button down your home.
1. Replace damaged winter strips on doors & windows. 2. Change the furnace filter frequently. 3. Check the foundation around your home & seal any
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heat no lower than 55-degrees when leaving to prevent pipes from freezing.
Ceiling Fan Installation Fiber Optics Code Violation Corrections Generators Pools & Spas
8. Plant flowering bulbs &move potted plants indoors. 9. Turn off outside faucets & remove hoses, bring inside or cover them from the elements.
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How Gay
do
YOU
1 Out of 10 Ain’t Bad!
want to be Today?
Written by Colin Murphy – Senior Writer/Web Editor Photography by Ace Ujimor
As the dust settled on Chicago’s Halsted Market Days, the husband and I drove north to The Windy City to find out just what all of the buzz was about surrounding “50Faggots”. 11
The longitudinal, auto-ethnographic online documentary series celebrating how individual effeminate gay men survive and thrive in today’s American queer communities has been making waves since its July debut. “50Faggots” marks its St. Louis premier, Oct. 20 with a screening at the Missouri History Museum and offthe-hook after party at Erney’s 32 in The Grove. The event is sponsored by The National Conference for Community and Justice of Metro St. Louis and the Missouri History Museum. Now let’s just get this out of the way— faggot is an ugly word. But for a growing number of gay men it is worn as a badge of honor.
“When I hear faggot now it means strength because I took the power away a long time ago from the word,” explained castmember Cyon Flare.
Indeed, the class’ final charge was to do a project on a diva. But the biggest divas Jenson knew at the time were either drag queens or his best friend, Aaron Gray. He chose to profile the latter. “I was like, you know what—I’m going to take a home video camera, and I don’t even know how to film—and I’m just going to do this impromptu interview with him with the camera rolling,” recalled Jenson. “And that initial footage is the footage that you see in the very first part of ‘50Faggots’.” With that Jenson, who has a double major in Women and Gender Studies and Anthropology with a minor in Queer Studies immediately started thinking about doing an ethnography on effeminate gay men.
“If I had issues at all about being gay it wasn’t about whether I liked a guy—it was about the “Of course everyone fact that I was knows it’s derogatory and so many people not achieving a have the pain certain type of attached to the word, masculinity,” he but respectfully, I explained. “It’s think that’s a chosen the challenge response.” of what a man is supposed to be like that I really feel a lot of homophobia is about.”
“50Faggots” is the brainchild of St. Louis native and Growing American Youth alumnus, Randall Jenson. The ambitious project was started in 2005 as an assignment for a class called Deconstructing the Diva.
“We learned about people like Barbara Streisand, Dolly Parton and Maria Callas—all of these strong women through history who challenged gender and stepped outside the box,” said Jenson. “And of course if you are a big ole sissy or faggot, you’re going to want to take this class.”
According to Jenson, there are things that are challenging for some gay men. What’s more, there are places that are challenging and can stifle their expression
of who they are—but there are also spaces that let them thrive. And that is what “50Faggots” focuses on. “The people that I follow are not victims,” said Jenson. “I’m not picking little Tommy in the corner. Maybe Tommy got picked on at one point in his life but now he’s a pretty fierce queen…All of these things have created a unique blend of media and anthropology and documentary and sort of feminist thinking and turned it into what it is now.” The first season of “50Faggots” takes place in Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York City and dedicates two years to documenting the stories of ten fabulous gay men. Together they discuss their professional and personal lives and whether outrageous or dramatic, the series is nothing if not compelling. “I believe it’s been received very well,” offered Flare, who performs his cabaret act at Chicago’s Hydrate. “From Chicago to D.C. it has been embraced in a way that I never imagined. The fact that people have shown interest and watched or questioned me—that’s phenomenal.” The goal of “50Faggots” is to show the diversity of the gay male community, to enhance and to allow more room for dialogue around issues of being gay men, and above all, accessibility. The project enjoys an award winning website and further screenings are planned across the country. “It was a little hard for me to see myself exposed,” said Jade Sotomayor of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fame. “It felt like a double edged sword because I didn’t want people to know certain things about my struggles … but on the other side people got to know who I am as a person and who I am as a person is because of those struggles.” Jenson joined forces with award-winning filmmaker Meredith Zielke to produce “50Faggots” which was paid for out of pocket and by community sponsors. The screening of Episode 1 of “50Faggots” with additional footage will take place, Oct. 20 from 6-10p.m. at the Missouri History Museum followed by the after party at Erney’s 32, Oct. 21. Jenson, Zielke and a host of cast members will be on hand at both events. For more info check out www.50Faggots.com 13
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Warm
MODERN
:How to bring it!
Written by Rajeev Tailor Photography by Jeremy Deweese
Fall is here and now is the perfect time to infuse your space with some modern design. Think I’m off a season or two? Yes, I’ll admit that modern design has the reputation of being cold, sterile even. Isn’t it always the bad guy in a movie that lives in the ultra chic, modern glass house? However, modern design can be incredibly warm and inviting while still being fresh and clean. In addition, a modern warm makeover can make your space more current and on trend which can lead to appreciated value (no really, its true!). What’s more, this increased value can be had for a modest investment in items that you can pack up and move with you. Intrigued? Here are some ways to blend the warm and modern in your space: 17
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Got Wood?
There really is no substitute for the warmth and character wood can give to a space. And while many modern spaces use either super light or dark wood finishes, you don’t have to limit yourself to the extremes. Warmer woods such as Brazilian Cherry, Tigerwood or Walnut can all be used successfully in a modern space. And don’t be afraid to mix it up a little. Just be clear on your primary and secondary choices and be mindful of mixing various types of grains and tones of finish. You want to stay away from mixing woods that are too similar to one another. Instead, juxtapose woods that bring out the inherent qualities in each other. An espresso stained oak buffet sitting on a walnut floor can be gorgeous. A red oak dining table on a cherry floor. Not so much.
Feel it Up!
The great thing about texture is it connects the visual with the tactile. You can look at a plush wool shag rug and know immediately how it feels. Yet, texture is an element often overlooked in modern design and that is one reason why spaces can come off feeling cold. Keep your color palette and pattern selection in check and pump up the textural variation in your accessories and fabrics. Selecting a bed coverlet that is quilted using a modern stitching pattern (small squares, for example) or a clean lined sofa featuring a largescale tufted pattern (sans buttons, perhaps) can help create a cozy vibe without being overly fussy and traditional. Even your walls offer possibilities. While I generally steer clear from wall coverings (remember, flocked wallpaper was once considered a good idea) a paneled upholstered wall behind a bed can be stunning.
Ménage a Many…
Unless you’re a Tibetan Monk living in the Himalayas, chances are you will have the urge to shop and collect things for your home. For this reason alone, a lot of people write off modern style. However, modernism doesn’t necessarily mean minimalism. A collection of objects you love artfully placed can add personality and character to your space. The key is to avoid displaying a hodge podge of objects that don’t relate to one another. Instead, think about creating a collection that resonates with you. This will offer you an ongoing framework and help create a cohesive aesthetic without being relentless. For example, I recently developed a penchant for white matte glazed pottery.
Put a Bulb in your Socket….
A well-lit room can be incredibly inviting while the opposite is also true. Unfortunately, we experience more of the latter. You’ve heard it before and I’ll say it again: install dimmers. It’s an easy and inexpensive project. Virtually all overhead lights need to be on dimmers to help soften the intensity and warm up the quality of the lighting. And don’t forget kitchens and bathrooms too. The last thing you want is for a dinner guest to leave a soft and inviting vibe and retreat to a bathroom lit up like an operating room. Also, consider dropping down the wattage of bulbs in lamps in your space that aren’t task oriented. I recently replaced the bulbs in my nightstand lamps down to 25 watts which, while sufficient for reading, now provides a warm, ambient glow. Also, try to vary the point source of your lighting; not all of it should be coming from overhead. And, while entertaining, tea lights and a few candles (unscented, please) add inexpensive warmth and atmosphere.
Go Ahead, Play with it!
Modern doesn’t have to mean serious. Including playful, personal elements adds authenticity and makes people feel comfortable and interested in the space. The way in which you add these elements can add tremendous warmth while still being thoroughly modern. Don’t know what to do with Grandma’s old dresser that’s sitting in your basement. It might be great painted in a high gloss charcoal gray with a milk glass top as your new dining room sideboard. Think about transforming ho-hum family photos by converting them to black and white and cropping them in fun, unexpected ways. And even that weird tangerine colored candy dish you bought at a flea market– which doesn’t go with anything-might just be the perfect, whimsical finishing touch. Raj Tailor has a background in architecture, design and real estate. He is a realtor with Circa Properties Inc. and an independent designer.
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Halloween
happenings
October 30
October 9 – 30
October 29 – 31
Erney’s 32 once again transforms itself into Halloween Central for the 2nd annual Massacre on Manchester, complete with costume contest and outdoor bars! This is sure to be the swanky and sexy party of the month.
Super Hero Night, Oct 9th: Embrace your inner Wonder Woman for Marvel-ous prizes.
Join Frank ‘N’ Furter and his motley crew in “The Rocky Horror Show” LIVE at Novak’s Bar and Grill, Oct. 29th, 30th, and 31st at 8:30 p.m. The cult classic comes to life complete with sassy audience, cascading toilet paper, and an array of other classic props proving this kitschy, rock ‘n’ roll, and sci-fi gothic more fun than ever. Tickets on sale, Oct. 1st. check out novaksbar.com for more information —“Campy Trash.” – Time.
Bartender’s Revue, Oct 10: See your favorite bartenders and staff from around STL perform (in drag!) in this revival of the campy annual benefit show started at Faces. HUGE Halloween Blowout, Oct 30: Cash prizes and scary drink specials.
SOUTH
BLVD.
October 24 – 31
October 30
October 29
In honor of the highest of gay holy days, Rehab marks HallowQUEEN weekend by having the inaugural Grove Pumpkin Carve the Sunday prior as a Food Outreach benefit, (Oct. 24). Costume contest at 1a.m., (Oct. 30). And Show Your Support Sunday for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, (Oct. 31).
Check out Halloween in the CWE! There will be a children’s costume contest and parade starting at 11 a.m., followed by trick or treating to area businesses. At 1 p.m., the dog costume contest and parade get underway. At 8 p.m., the adult costume contest and party start. The main stage is set up at the corner of Maryland and Euclid.
The South Grand businesses are teaming up to present the spectacular “South Grand Creepy Crawl”. On Friday night from 9 p.m. to midnight you can parade around to Absolutli Goosed, Al Waha, Barbarella, CBGB, Magia Italiano, Petra Hookah Bar and Urban Lounge. 10-bucks gets you a bottomless cup for a fun and affordable night. 21
Elbert
Bringing Stability to Community Written by Colin Murphy – Senior Writer/Web Editor Behind Christine Elbert’s dynamic personality lies a dedicated, Mid-Western work ethic rooted in the family business. The USA Mortgage Account Executive started working for her father’s Pontiac Buick GMC dealership in Washington, MO as a car-wash-kid at age 12. But Elbert quickly worked her way up through file clerk, secretary, warranty clerk, receptionist, service writer, car salesman, business manager and finally, new and used car sales manager. “We were the first car dealership to be a sponsor of Pride,” recalled Elbert. “The dealership was sold in 1998, and I continued working for the new owners until 2004 when they merged Elbert Pontiac Buick GMC with their other GM store.” Elbert then went to work for Loanscapes, a local mortgage broker, before moving to the office space at 3612 Arsenal in 2005. She was approached by USA Mortgage about starting a branch office for their mortgage bank in 2007 and has been with the company ever since. “I love the job I do,” she explained.”I get to assist people in making what truly can be a dream for so many people a reality, and a big part of my job is the education process. I believe in dealing with my clients face to face—I want to be more than a voice on the phone, or a name on an email.” In true Elbert-fashion, the LGBT community mainstay strives to take the fear out of what can seem to be an overwhelming process. In fact she enjoys herself best when helping people become comfortable with the process and getting excited about purchasing their home. With Elbert there are no stupid questions and she loves seeing the look of empowerment in the process on clients’ faces. “I truly believe that knowledge is power,” explained Elbert. “Especially when it comes to finances and our community, and I like being able to be a part of that.” Elbert admits that the housing industry is experiencing one of its biggest times of change given the nation’s economic ills. But she embraces the challenge and takes comfort in the knowledge that she can help people navigate these changes to make the best decisions possible for themselves. “I think financial stability has always been a big part of people just feeling safe, and in the LGBT community, that has really held true more than usual,” said Elbert, who was one of this year’s St. Louis Pride Parade Grand Marshals. “I come from a small town, and community is really important to me,” she concluded. “Be it my Tower Grove South community, my LGBTA community, or my family and circle of friends. The more stability we can give each other—be it where we live or how we live—the stronger we all become. And I have a job where I get to live that philosophy daily.” For more info contact celbert@usa-mortage.com
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Plan for your family’s rainy and sunny days. Wills Divorce Emergency Plans Partnership Agreements Child Custody and Support When you think your family needs legal help, it’s important to choose lawyers with experience helping families like yours. At Strickland Jansen, we help non-traditional families navigate a legal system that wasn’t designed with them in mind. In good times and bad, we have the skills to help. Strickland Jansen, PC 12755 Olive Blvd., Ste. 120 St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 485-9167 http://stricklandjansen.com Family law is for every family: it’s not just our motto, it’s our philosophy. Call today for a free phone consultation if your family needs help.
Show your Support Sundays Rehab August 29th 2010 facebook.com/rehabsaintlouis.
Every Sunday you can “Show your Support” for local LGBT non-profits at Rehab Bar. Simply show up any Sunday between 1pm to 7pm and ask for the beer bust. Every Sunday Rehab selects a non-profit of the week to donate a portion of beer bust proceeds to. It’s only $10 for allyou-can-drink beer! Hungry? Rehab has an amazing and extensive food menu at affordable prices. Things are cooking at Rehab.
&
Scene Styling
Fashion’s Night Out
Project Runway Watch Party
The hottest city looks of the season were presented by Nicole Benoist Edgerton of St. Louis Magazine and Suzy Bacino of Ladue News. Designer Anthony Luciano was on hand to create a one-of-a-kind handbag. Students from Washington University’s Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts illustrated fashion design while guests sipped on fashionable cocktails. This year NM saluted the Contemporary Art Museum, Food Outreach and Jazz St. Louis Summer Fusion 2010
Vital VOICE has teamed up with Just John’s for this year’s PROJECT RUNWAY-Season 8 Watch Party.
Neiman Marcus September 10, 2010 neimanmarcus.com
Just John’s September 9, 2010 www.facebook.com/justjohnsclub
Every Thursday, Just John’s airs Project Runway, which includes St. Louis’s own fierce and flawless A.J. Thouvenot and Michael Drummond in its creative cast! Stay tuned for all the Drama and Design. 27
The
Strength of our Shield!
dfg
AUTO • HOME • LIFE
Greg Tainter
636-938-5500
GTainter@ShelterInsurance.com 1-800-SHELTER ShelterInsurance.com
Pet Costume Contest This month, The Vital VOICE teamed up with Four Muddy Paws to bring you the Halloween Pet Costume Contest! Proud parents submitted photos of their furry friends sporting their spookiest, sassiest, and most adorable Halloween attire. Facebook fans from far and wide voted by clicking “Like” on their favorite pooch or pussy’s pic. Although each and every one of the contestants are fabulous in their own right, we’ve gotta give props to the most popular pets- our 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners!
Squish Jones – 1st Place
Alice Bone – 2nd Place
Officer Bailey – 3rd Place
Congratulations, Squish Jones! You’ve won a special gift from Four Muddy Paws! ...and to the rest of our dapper dogs and classy cats- keep on werkin’ it! Woof!
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Champagne 4 Everyone! Written by R. Lee Bond “I always say, if you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu,” opines Jolie Justus, Missouri state senator and out lesbian. Her quote has become the unofficial motto of what sums up the Victory Fund. Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped elect thousands of openly gay candidates to state and federal offices around the country. The VF views LGBT office holders as torchbearers for absolute equality. As elected leaders, they become the face and voice of a community who speak authentically about themselves and the community they serve. While the VF is based in Washington D.C., it has already helped elect several openly gay officials to Missouri positions. In fact, 90% of candidates the VF helps are located outside of large cities. While Missouri isn’t considered a hotbed for LGBT politics, the VF welcomes the challenge and views these difficult areas as perhaps even more crucial in the fight for equality. In light of this, the VF is hosting a champagne brunch in St. Louis to celebrate local (and nationwide) LGBT elected officials and provide crucial support to new candidates. The goal of the brunch is to introduce St. Louis to the VF and allow people to discuss what the organization has already achieved within the Missouri region and what that means for the future. Join us on Sunday, October 24 at 11am for the first-ever Victory Fund Champagne Brunch in St. Louis. The brunch will feature Leslie Jordan, master of ceremonies, and Simone Bell, Georgia state representative. Hurry and reserve your seat today! Visit www.victoryfund.org/stlouis or call Martin Espinoza at 202.567.3306.
g n i t a v i l Sa over Salvage Rethinking Written by R. Lee Bond Photography by Richard Nichols
“Used”
Most have heard the adage (probably uttered by a grandparent), “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” This comment is usually disregarded (perhaps with a slight eye-roll) as an anachronism of a fading generation. But it got me thinking… Will I be able to say the same thing down the road? Honestly, when it comes to quality home furnishings, I’m probably not going to give my “wood” (a.k.a. compacted sawdust) desk a loving caress and reminisce. Frankly, this is a pervasive, and probably permanent, fact of modern culture and the demands of an expanding population. Building our cities and our homes must be fast and (relatively) cheap. The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, for instance, was erected in a mere five years. And so, in what used to be the hinterland of American cities, is now an expanding suburban sprawl. Population bursts and the lightening-fast construction of many of our
suburbs, track mansions and other prefabulous homes created a need for cheap and fast home décor as well. IKEAs, Crate & Barrels, Walmarts, etc. fulfill that need and profit greatly from it. They’re generally cheap, fast and convenient – wham, bam, thank-you-ma’am! But in a home where everything is brand-new, ordered and coordinated, character and individuality tend to be missing. That’s not to say that these megastores don’t have a rightful place in this world, but there are other choices to help infuse a little je ne sais quoi into your home décor. Enter Regan Young, a salvage antique and architecture aficionado, plus a contractor . Right off the bat he hits the nail on the head, “If you’ve been in one house in the ‘county,’ you’ve been in them all. I just don’t like repetition, and there’s so much original stuff out there.”
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Fall Diversity Weekend
October 29th - 31st For more information, visit www.eurekapride.com
There’s just
character in this
Regan will be opening his new shop (a giant warehouse) in late October,* where he can properly display a vast accumulation one-of-a-kind pieces from long-lost basements and attics right here in the St. Louis area. In this new store, located in the old Lemp Brewery, you’ll find old wood for just about any project, metal hardware, light fixtures and antique furniture (usually from the early 1900s). It’s an incalculable inventory of everything unique and salvaged. “There’s just character in this stuff,” says Regan pointing around his shop, “The visual character that you see, but also the history that you can’t.” Regan is a contractor by trade who has worked on several local design projects, including the interiors of The Good Pie and Novak’s. Whether it’s a business owner who’s opening shop or the homeowner who’s looking to decorate, Regan offers personalized service, tailorfitted to whatever the need. He installs old and salvaged doors, windows and floors – essentially anything that involves recycling old materials for a new purpose.
STUFF
And if you want to alter a piece or it’s in disrepair and needs refurbishing, Regan will work with you until you’re satisfied. He’s drawn to oddball jobs and says he likes to “kick ideas around with [his] customers.” The real reason, however, why massproduced furniture is so popular is because it’s cheap and convenient, but unfortunately it’s also poorly crafted. “These days they’re basically making things out of cardboard and plastic,” says Regan. Indeed, purchasing well-crafted or antique furniture is usually an expensive and slow undertaking. Regan admits, referring to his inventory, “It’s really hard to put the time into finding this stuff – and time is money of course.” But St. Louisans should consider themselves lucky because Regan’s goal is to be the “one-stop shop” for unique salvage antiques. “I want to make it easy for people to put some personal creativity into their decorating,” he says. Furthermore, shopping at Regan’s isn’t going to put a hole in the wallet unlike, for example, some of the shops along
Cherokee Street. In fact, his prices rival any discounted home décor store. “I haven’t been to IKEA in a long time,” jokes Regan, “but at every turn I realize I’m always cheaper than buying anything new.” And there is another benefit to buying salvage pieces: “The green factor is a big part of it,” states Regan. He says that he’s always been drawn to the salvage business because of the fact that he’s reusing what’s already there. He laughs, “I’m a big fan of the woods – no more just clear-cutting the woods for me.” So, in sum, you’re getting stellar service, quality goods that have character, age and originality, using only recycled goods and not paying a premium price for any of it… What’s there to lose except an IKEA addiction? “Yes, sometimes all of it can be intimidating or overwhelming,” say Regan, “but I want to encourage people’s creative spirit – I get a kick out of that.” *Contact me for more info & updates at rleebond.vitalvoice@gmail.com
Vital VOICE dedicates this issue to our Non-profit of the month
Therapeutic Horsemanship There is a place in St. Charles County where miracles happen, almost every day. The healing power of horses moves kids to speak, helps them learn to walk, gives them a sport, a relationship, a chance to be in control. In 1975, Therapeutic Horsemanship was an idea, shared by three extraordinary St. Louis women who believed in the power of equine-assisted therapy for children with disabilities. Today it’s one of the top therapeutic riding facilities in the country. What began 35 years ago with borrowed horses in a friend’s barn has evolved into a state-of-the art, 90-acre facility and a herd of 24 specially trained therapy horses serving more than 200 riders of all ages. “People thought we were a little crazy,” remembers co-founder Dr. Susie Deusinger, now Director of the Physical Therapy program at Washington University’s School of Medicine. “But it has provided an incredible chance for many to experience the freedom of movement!” Still, it’s the “miracles,” seen so often at TH, that co-founder Sandy Rafferty most vividly recalls. “This little boy named Jack started riding when he was two years old and he hadn’t walked yet. After riding for a couple of weeks, the horse’s movement helped him gain the muscle and the balance so that he could take his first step. First steps, first words, there are so many stories like that.” For the past three decades TH has provided the region with award-winning equestrian therapies, made possible by the support of the community. More than two-thirds of TH operating revenue comes from contributions, gifts, grants and sponsored events. In addition to the dedicated staff, a fleet of volunteers offer more than 40 hours each day to keep the programs and facility running smoothly. Karen Hyatt is a volunteer and her son Andrew is a rider. “The cost with the horses and the barn, it’s astronomical. [Yet] to be able to help these kids and adults become independent human beings, you can’t put a price on that.” And TH continues to expand its services, launching Horses for Heroes this past spring. The program translates many of the therapeutic benefits to America’s wounded service personnel. “I wasn’t even aware of hippotherapy until my VA doctor mentioned it,” says Lt. Colonel Helen Horn. Now she wishes she had known sooner – a wish she holds for all wounded vets. TH is nationally accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and serves riders living with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, MS, Down Syndrome, ADHD and many others. More than 80% of TH therapy riders are under the age of 18 and all have some type of disability. TH programs also offer alternative physical therapy options to those with spinal, brain and motor disorders and injuries. For more information, visit www.thstl.org or call 636.332.4940
Fri, october 29, 7:30pm Sat, october 30, 7:30pm Ward Stare, conductor one of the greatest suspense thrillers of all time, this cinematic masterpiece comes alive on Halloween weekend with Bernard Herrmann’s spinetingling score accompanying film, by the St. louis Symphony.
Costume Contest!
Come dressed as your favorite alfred Hitchcock movie character and be entered to win a prize pack from the rFT, KMoX and the STl Symphony. doors open one hour before concert for contest participants.
314-534-1700 stlsymphony.org
718 N. GraNd Boulevard
LESLIE JORDAN
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
SIMONE BELL
GEORGIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE