respublica

We turn out

One thing I've noticed about St. Louis. People turn out in huge numbers for new things, special events, and festivals. When the news turned to the initial opening of the Aquarium, I told Dale (who wants to go) that we needed to wait until the newness wears off because it will be packed. And I was right. The lines to get in were several hours.

When the Blues held a parade after their championship this spring, hundreds of thousands lined the streets.

St. Louis turns out for things big time. Last week there was a story relating that the owner of Strange Donuts took ownership of the closed World's Fair Donuts near the Botanical Garden. The first day he re-opened that historic donut shop, he sold out in 3 hours. People lined up early.

This is St. Louis, people here turn out. This happens so often we all must have stories on battling crowds.

I remember the re-opening of Union Station back in the 80's. Filled with shops and a food court, we were walking through shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of others. Go to the Balloon Glow, the Greek Fest, the Italian Fest and you'll be neck and neck with so many others. This happens even with smaller local events, take the 100th anniversary of the Kruta Bakery in Collinsville a few months ago for example. So many people came streets had to be closed.

This is the best part of the St. Louis area. Make it happen and people come.

Ladders lead

Just an FYI

Mattresses 2

Ladders 3

As if we need one more downtown issue

St. Louis has had a huge uptick in car break-ins and car thefts this past year. It's to the point where many people have to give a lot of thought to going downtown. Now there is one more thing to be aware of. The city will be hosting the National Hockey League All-Star game on January 25 with more activities going on aside from the game. It's a sell out of course, lots of hockey fans excited for this game.

Now KMOV in St. Louis is warning everyone to be careful about buying tickets and merchandise because there will be scammers for everything. Think that cool t-shirt is great? It may not be official NHL clothing. To be authentic, apparel will have correct fonts, colors and spelling and attached tags will usually have hologram stickers. Don't buy tickets on the street, they stand a good chance of being fake.

Life as we know it these day, con artists everywhere.

On the other hand, this All-Star game is expected to add 20 million in revenue to St. Louis.

Speaking of the cold as I did in the post below...

This day in St. Louis area history is often cold and snowy. Check these out

Last year:

2016

2011

I have more from other years but you get my point.

Don't leave your car running

A St. Louis news item from KMOX's traffic reporter, Rodger Brand this bitter cold morning. "Three cars have reportedly been stolen within the last 20 minutes, all of them with the keys left in them running. To stolen in Brentwood, and one in Maryland Heights."

My guess is people went out to get their cars warmed up, went back in the house or coffee shop and someone came along and stole the cars. St. Louis seems to be rife with car thieves these days. My only thought was why are car thieves up and out so early when it's so cold. Nothing stops them, it seems. Do these guys track weather and go to places they figure will have unlocked cars warming up? How do they get to those places?

If you plan to turn your car on to warm it up, then use a second set of keys so you can lock that car. If you don't have extra keys, don't do it and go out and have some keys made.

2020 's first tally

Mattresses 1

Ladders 1

Mattresses and Ladders year end final total

It's interesting to keep a casual notice of the number of mattresses and ladders which fall on St. Louis roads. However, it's not just for fun, it's also useful so that we become aware of the vehicles around us. We tend to drive more defensively when we see cars and trucks loaded with things that could fall around us. The important thing to realize is that many more of these probably fell and weren't reported.

At the end of 2019 the final tally of these two things which fell is:

Mattresses 134

Ladders 136

This is a rare win for ladders.

Last year the final total for 2018 was Mattresses 136 Ladders 115

Week before Christmas tally

Mattresses 128

Ladders 134

Gas prices

This is in aid of nothing really, but we found it interesting. As we left the campus last night heading for Ted Drewes to get our Christmas tree, we passed numerous gas stations. The first was the Big Amoco famous for its huge sign and continuing on past stations on McCausland and Jamison. The prices ranged from 34 cents a gallon to 25 to 33 to 31 and 25 again.  Each being 2 dollars and change. We thought those were quite the variation in price for such a short distance between each one.

It had to have something to do with what municipality each station was in and the taxes each required. Still, 2.34 cents a gallon was certainly lower than what we saw in Collinsville yesterday.

As to Ted Drewes, it was packed with people. We innocently believed that after a long day of various church things, leaving at 5:30 after a beautiful Advent service put on by our students, the crowds would be less than during the day. We were so wrong. There were long lines at all the frozen custard windows, cars parked everywhere, and many other people looking for trees. But we found our tree immediately which is rare.

I was reminded by Facebook yesterday that on the same date in 2012 we were again at Ted Drewes getting our tree. The photo made me happy and sad all at the same time.

We often took Ferdie with us to get our tree at Ted Drewes. I miss him so much, especially seeing this picture with him and a smile.

 

The last month of the year

Playing catch up after the Thanksgiving long weekend. Here is the tally to begin the last month of the year.

Mattresses 126

Ladders 130

Last year in mid December the tally stood at Mattresses 126 and Ladders 112 so we are a bit ahead of mattresses this year and well ahead of ladders.