TALK OF THE TOWNS

talk

OF THE TOWNS

by bill beggs jr.

The Metro

We’re halfway there! (Yes, despite the anti-science brouhaha and lamentable anti-vaccine frenzy, we hold with Dr. Anthony Fauci and believe there’s plenty of ‘there’ there.) So, on March 2 my wife and I got our first of two shots to protect us from COVID-19. We’re both scheduled for our second and final dose of the Moderna vaccine in 28 days— March 30. The contorted selfie is of yours truly, who, while trying to hold the camera ‘just so’ as not to grimace, as well as shed some light on the Band-Aid, didn’t realize one of our three scientist portraits snuck into the frame. Happy accident. That fellow is none other than Louis Pasteur: Pasteur, who died in 1895, developed the first vaccines for rabies and anthrax— both nasty, if not the wildly contagious

coronaviruses of their day. Pasteur’s research made many 20th-century medical advances possible, from Alexander Fleming’s penicillin breakthrough to the polio vaccines developed by Mssrs. Salk and Sabin. We of a certain age remember taking the first polio vaccine on a sugar cube. (My younger brother Jim was very unfortunate; in between vaccine rollouts, polio paralyzed his right leg from the hip down and he’s worn a leg brace since age 4.) While my bride and I are still on a half-dozen waiting lists, I got a call from a woman who ‘knows a guy’—she’s the Vaccine Whisperer—and we got in at the Maryland Heights Community Center. As luck would have it, right when we got home that day, President Joseph R. Biden made the stunning announcement that everyone should be vaccinated by May 30. Cate and I, who’ve quarantined for a year, already had a spring in our half step, which should be a full step by spring! We’ve heard we may not feel so hot for a spell after shot No. 2, but we’ll survive. Tragically, at this writing, more than a half million have not … and who knows what the long-term syndrome for 20% of survivors will involve? Pounding headaches? Kidney and liver damage? Worse?

St. Louis

Is it too soon to speak ill of the dead? When it comes to Rush Limbaugh, who passed away from lung cancer on Feb. 17, it might be for some. It certainly is for KMOX Radio, which has had to scramble to find another unsuitable replacement. But for many of us, Limbaugh satire can’t come soon enough. He ‘joked’ about women and the Black community and once ran an ‘AIDS Update’ segment that mocked the deaths of gay men. How droll. I like to imagine he’s somewhere spending eternity wrapping a Surgeon General’s warning on an endless supply of cigars. How’s that for karmic retribution?

U. City

When did squeaky-clean electronics gear become an environmental hazard? As far as I know, much of the manufacturing process occurs in a so-called ‘clean room.’ Nobody’s in danger of contracting tuberculosis, salmonella or (insert name of deadly disease here). I remember as a teen stealing into the woods with my dad with our dearly departed TV set’s cathode-ray tube and a sledgehammer in tow. After a few throws, he managed to hit it. It imploded and made the coolest sound! Of course, we left the mess right there. We’re both male and could be forgiven for that accident of birth. You see, our not-completely evolved gender just enjoys blowing stuff up, from lighting firecrackers and destroying model airplanes as kids to using tons of dynamite to bring down big buildings like the Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as adults. I mean, it’s just cool. Maybe it’s something in our unique DNA sequence? OK, full stop. Electronic waste, ‘E-waste,’ refers to any unwanted electronic device and usually contains hazardous materials, predominantly lead and mercury. Most citizens, even some men, know by now that a worn-out, busted or obsolete electronic device cannot simply be thrown in the garbage or left at the curb for pickup on big-trash day. That’s why most any area municipality has an electronics recycling event every so often, and one’s coming right up in U. City. We’d recommend you mark your calendar, but it’s this weekend, so just set your iPhone alarm for Saturday morning (March 13) to make sure you’re up in time for the event, 9 a.m. to noon at the U. City Community Center, 975 Pennsylvania Ave. (And if you’ve got the latest iPhone, what did you plan to do with the old one, huh?) Thanks to a grant, the first 100 TV sets and computer monitors will be accepted free of charge. After that, applicable fees will apply. Last time, we paid $5 to recycle a small flat-screen TV. For more info, visit ucitymo.org and click on City News.

☛ TT trivia WHERE DID RUSH LIMBAUGH GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE?

LAST ISSUE’S Q&A

1. How many seasons did Pujols wear No. 5 for the Cardinals? 2. When was he named National League MVP? 3. What’s his full name? 4. What does his family have in common with the family of Lisa and Greg Nichols? Congratulations to any reader who eschewed pumping up with digital steroids— resorting to Google—to come up with answers to the four questions in our last issue about everybody’s favorite California Angel, Albert Pujols! (Although the rest of you were ejected from the game, we think you’ll get over it.) 1. Pujols wore No. 5 for the Cardinals from 2001 to 2011. 2. He was named National League MVP three times: in 2005, 2008 and 2009. 3. Pujols’ full name is José Alberto Pujols Alcántara 4. Albert and Deidre Pujols have five children. Isabella, Deidre’s daughter from a previous relationship, has Down syndrome. So does Ally Nichols, daughter of Lisa and Greg Nichols.

CWE

On any given night at a concert (you remember those, don’t rock radio royalty, older and youngish, from veteran metro you?), dozens if not hundreds of men and women take care of DJ Mark Klose to KSHE-95’s Lern, along with familiar voices things behind the scenes. All kinds of things. Professionals (if not faces) like Randy Raley, John Ulett, et al. “There will have to set the stage, from taping down zillions of cables to be surprises,” Stevens notes. A l’il from an Ozark Mountain making sure the lighting and sound are just so to making sure Daredevil here, and a serving of Mama’s Pride there. But, your ticket isn’t counterfeit to helping you find your seats in like, what else? Your faithful scribe has thoroughly enjoyed the dark. There’s hella security, of course, bartenders, lot the drum solo by Klose. And Hagar? Cabo Wabo, indeed! attendants, cocktail servers, maintenance people … and Donations will go toward $1,000 grants to the people and on and on. Well, metro radio veteran, nationally syndicated places playing the music we love. So don’t miss the show, comedian and producer Ron Stevens is on a mission—from which will be available through May at keeplivealivestl.org. God, if you will. The people who typically cater to the needs Grants will be disbursed “for as long as we have checks,” and whims of rock says Stevens, who slums it with Grdnic on Westmoreland stars (above and Place in the CWE. For ‘interlopers’—or any St. Louisans who beyond verboten M&M colors) and the thousands of fans who clamor for rehydration, those lovers and makers of music have had pretty much nothing to do and nowhere to do it since last March. And they’re hurting, badly. But Stevens, a personality hometowners have known for decades over the airwaves—especially as half of a duo, ... BECAUSE IF THEY CAN’T ROLL, NOBODY CAN ROCK! his lovely wife Joy Grdnic being the other 50% (at least, of course)—is here to help, and he needs our help, too. Retirement, schmetirement! Stevens is spearheading ‘Keep Live Alive Saint Louis,’ a campaign to help idled musicians, engineers, road managers, crew—etcetera, etcetera—as the deadly pandemic grinds on. He’s parlayed his contacts at all levels of the music industry to produce a unique, free, live-stream benefit premiering this Friday (March 12) at 7 p.m. to encourage donations to our music-making brothers and sisters, because if they can’t roll, nobody can rock! ‘The Red Rocker’ himself, Sammy Hagar, and REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin appear—as do can barely remember where they went to high school for any number of reasons—Stevens and Grdnic have roots as deep as the Gateway Arch. As well as spinning classic tunes in the 1970s heyday of ‘Real Rock Radio’ and hosting radio shows on the east and ‘left’ coasts—the couple co-hosted a morning radio show on NYC’s HOT 97—they released two comedy albums as Stevens & Grdnic. Stevens, a former KSHE-95 program director, also wrote from life on the job for network television. (WKRP in Cincinnati, anyone?) Grdnic, ‘Renaissance-y’ in her own right, owns the Fountain on Locust. Yummy. For even more info, visit St. Louis Classic Rock Preservation Society at stlouisclassicrock.com

You have the power to make a difference.

The uncertainty of 2020 left many people feeling powerless. This year, we want to remind you that every moment spent in service of others can change a life – and the power to act lives within you. Harness your passion, turn it to action, and Rise Up with Purpose. Your gifts address the most pressing needs of our communities and light the way forward for us all. Give to SSM Health Foundation - St. Louis: givetossmhealth.org/donate.

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Around Town 1. MG Women

Our exclusive Veronica Beard spring trunk show will be held March 11 to 13.

9811 CLAYTON ROAD | 314.991.5262 MISTERGUYWOMENS.COM

2. Hindman

Trusted for more than 30 years, we offer appraisal and auction services for fine jewelry, fine art, furniture and decorative art property. We also provide local clients with seasoned expertise in the global art market.

32 N. BRENTWOOD BLVD. | 314.833.0833 HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

3. SLUCare Physician Group Otolaryngology West County

Today’s face masks and social distancing orders have made communicating more challenging, particularly for those with hearing loss. If you’re struggling to hear, SLUCare audiologist Dr. Dave Harris recommends having a baseline hearing test. 10

Kids 4. Special Solutions

We provide strategies that are especially helpful for success with online classes, but are applicable to success in any class by improving students’ organization, time management and planning skills.

9225 MANCHESTER ROAD | 314.475.5035 SPECIALSOLUTIONS.COM

5. Cub Creek Science Camp

With 300 animals, a six-element ropes course, and more than 100 activities ranging from arts to archery, Cub Creek Science Camp is not your average summer camp.

16795 STATE ROUTE E, ROLLA, MO | 573.458.2125 CUBCREEKSCIENCECAMP.COM

6. Sport Court

We enjoy creating multiuse backyard courts for families that want a safe place for their children to be active. Play everything from volleyball and basketball to roller hockey and racquet sports, all on one court.

636.451.0400 SPORTCOURTSTLOUIS.COM 11

7. Whitfield School

Move, engage, create and play at Whitfield this summer! Offering a day camp, STEM camp and sports camps, we have something for everyone.

175 S. MASON ROAD | 314.434.5141 WHITFIELDSCHOOL.ORG/ABOUT/SUMMER-CAMPS Nonprofits 8. Assistance League of St. Louis

We are an all-volunteer organization that transforms the lives of children and adults through programs that empower and provide opportunity to the most vulnerable in our community.

30 HENRY AVE. | 636.227.6200 | ALSTL.ORG

9. The Bach Society of Saint Louis

Join us for a grand evening March 19 that will feature a stunning performance by Grammy award-winning baritone Nathan Gunn and a performance by a select group of the Bach Society Chorus.

3547 OLIVE ST., STE. 120 314.652.BACH (2224) BACHSOCIETY.ORG 12

10. The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Join us June 5 for our 2021 Illumination Gala to support cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center. Call 314.286.0602 or visit illuminationgala.org.

1001 HIGHLANDS PLAZA DRIVE WEST, STE. 140 314.286.0600 ILLUMINATIONGALA.ORG Senior 11. Clarendale Clayton

Innovative luxury senior residences coming to the corner of Clayton and Hanley roads feature independent living, assisted living and memory care.

INFORMATION CENTER: 7700 CLAYTON ROAD, NO. 103 COMMUNITY ADDRESS: 7651 CLAYTON ROAD 314.789.8173 | CLARENDALECLAYTON.COM

12. MCKnight Place Assisted Living & Memory Care

The community features beautifully landscaped gardens, outdoor spaces and walking paths. We have all-inclusive services, along with amenities like a theater, art room, greenhouse and much more.