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Monday, August 05, 2002
I have been voluntarily taking public transit for the past 2 years now. I used to catch a bus near Kingshighway and Arsenal
and take that to the Metrolink station, and then rode the Metro all the way out to Lambert where I caught another short bus
ride to my job. The commute took about 45-60 minutes each way. I enjoyed the time spent in commute and usually caught up on
some reading. A little over a year ago, my place of employment moved to downtown St. Louis. The commute now only lasted about
15-20 minutes by bus, which no longer gives me the amount of time needed to finish anything I start to read. So I gave up on
reading, and have found something I enjoy much more.
Taking the bus gives me an opportunity to do something I don't dare try while driving to work in morning rush hour. I sit
on a different side of the bus each day and take in all the city's architecture. The craftsmanship and detail put into homes
that were built around the turn of the century is amazing! Everyday, I see something different, and imagine how the area used
to look in the early 1900's when everything was still new. Sometimes I will take a different route home to see what other
buildings I have been missing. I can't complain... I don't pay for parking, the bus is already warmed up in the wintertime,
and during the worry-free ride between my front door and my office building, I take in a lot of my surroundings. Something
others are missing as they stare straight ahead, mesmerized on the taillights through the windshields of their cars.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
I for one had a sickening feeling come over me when I first heard and witnessed on television what is now being called the
most devastating attack on the United States. What could I do? There are actually serveral ways we can help. If you own a
flag, fly it outside your home, on your car, or in your window at work.There are several prayer services, vigils or emergency
blood drives you may want to attend. If giving blood is not a possibility for you, the American Red Cross can also accept
cash donations through 1-800-HELP-NOW, and the Salvation Army can accept financial contributions through 1-800-SAL ARMY. If
you wish to donate your services, you should contact a local American Red Cross office.
You may also want to contribute to one of the several funds to help ease the pain of those who have suffered. The 'New
York Bravest Memorial Fund' was established by Firehouse.com to
provide for the families of the hundreds of firefighters and emergency service workers who are feared among the thousands
injured, missing and dead following the terrorist attacks. You can also contribute to the 'September 11th Fund' established
by the United Way of New York City to provide relief to victims and their families of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Tuesday, February 06, 2001
 St. Louis
has the usual transportation alternatives, MetroBus and MetroLink. With a few more new bike lanes, riding a bike can also be
an option. Washington Avenue will soon be under heavy construction with some major pedestrian improvements as part of the
project. Good, we are trying to make it easier for us to get around.... What about all the tourists and visitors St. Louis
gets each year? They may not be familiar with our transit system and didn't bring a bike. Have you seen an active downtown
without a cab? Come on down, I will show you one.
I have never really noticed it before, after all, I live here. We had some guests at our downtown office who asked how
they might be able to catch a cab. I wasn't sure where to start looking. Isn't it odd that we work and live in a downtown
but need to flip through the Yellow Pages to get a cab? I thought I was crazy... after all, it was late and maybe the cabs
were not running anymore. However, two weeks later, the same problem had occured. I was standing near a busy intersection
waiting for my bus during rush hour, watching 3 people from out of town trying to catch a cab. During the 15 minutes I
watched, only one cab went by and wouldn't stop... it was occupied (more than likely by someone who had to use a phone).
Where are all the cab drivers I had heard so much negative press about last year?
Wednesday, January 31, 2001
 Our
nations economy is slowing at a time when most of Downtown St. Louis' projects are just beginning or looking for a way to get
off the ground. Will the redevelopment of downtown continue at a time when companies are starting to tighten budgets in
order to maintain financial stability? I think so. I don't doubt there will be a few projects that get canceled (and some
already have) or fail because someone was only interested in turning a fast buck, but the majority of the projects will
proceed. Work downtown seems to have come to a snails pace, but once winter melts, I think you will see the work come back
outdoors and become visable again. What ever happens, don't under estimate the strength of those who have become inspired in
the work they have begun or the potential the City of St. Louis still holds.
One last note... if we are to keep the ball rolling, we will need to seriously start thinking about supporting our
downtown. Thousands of people already call downtown home, and soon thousands more will make them their neighbors as they
move in next door. Can we keep them happy in their new digs? In my opinion, not with out more grocery stores like the
Bodega, or places to rent movies and have a cup of coffee after 5 P.M.
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