Writer & Director to Present Free Screening of ‘CSA: The Confederate States of America’

In late August I did a post about the powerful new film entitled, CSA: Confederate States of America. In short, the film looks at what America might be like today if the South had won the Civil War and slavery was still legal. This Thursday evening the film will be presented (free of charge) by the writer & director, Kevin Willmott, at Saint Louis University.

Here is the press release:

CSA: THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

On Thursday, October 19, 2006, Kevin Willmott, writer and director of ” C.S.A. The Confederate States of America” will appear at the John Cook School of Business on the campus of Saint Louis University for the screening of his film, “C.S.A. The Confederate States of America.” The film, an official selection of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival,” will be shown in conjunction with the current exhibition at the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, “The Lincoln Legacy: Presidential Years.” Willmott will introduce the film and also conduct a post-screening question and answer session.

Spike Lee is the executive producer of “C.S.A: The Confederate States of America.” The film addresses a disarmingly simple question: What would our nation be like if, as the film supposes, Jefferson Davis’ Confederate States had won the battle for independence? The answer as imagined by Willmott is provocative and sometimes uncomfortable and, as the critics at the Sundance Film Festival noted, ” audacious,” and “frighteningly resonant.” See what the critics have been writing!

Willmott is an associate professor in the Film Studies Department at the University of Kansas. He teaches screenwriting, production management and a class in African-American images in film. He co-wrote the NBC miniseries, “The 70’s” that aired in May 2000. His first film titled, “Ninth Street” starring Isaac Hayes and Martin Sheen is a comedy/drama based on Willmott’s experiences while growing up in Junction, KS. His latest scripts are titled “Colored Men” and “Gotta Give It Up. Willmott and his wife, Becky, have five children and live in Lawrence, KS.

WHERE:
Saint Louis University
John Cook School of Business
3674 Lindell Blvd.
Anheuser-Busch Auditiorium (lower level)

WHEN:
Thursday, October 19
Film screening begins at 7:30 p.m.

NO ADMISSION CHARGE

DIRECTIONS:
http://www.slu.edu/campusmap/cook.html

INFORMATION:
http://thelincolnlegacy.com/; http://www.csathemovie.com/index2.html

PHONE:
314.977.2666

Again, I cannot over stress what a powerful statement this film makes. It will leave an impression on you! The Cook School of Business is caddy-corner from the Coronado in one of those new campus buildings designed to look old. Even though I’ve seen the film a couple of times I can’t wait to meet writer/director Willmott and hear what he has to say about the impact of the film. By the way, you’ll want to check your political correctness at the door when you arrive.

Washington University Medical Center Provides Motorcycle Parking

Today I am attending the St. Louis Great Streets Symposium being held at the Newman Center on Euclid in the midst of the Washington University Medical Campus. I’m actually writing this from the event — you gotta love wi-fi.

Upon arriving I found an out of the way place to lock my scooter. As I was getting ready to secure the lock a Wash U security person drove by and said the city would cut the lock and tow my scooter. He said I should take advantage of the motorcycle parking a block to the west. I had no idea they had motorcycle parking!

I thanked him and headed over to the area where he pointed. How wonderful to see a special section just for motorcycles and scooters. I’ll have pictures tonight but it was roughly 10 spaces in an unused area adjacent to a building. It is actually covered by virtue of the design of the building. Two motorcycles were there as well as two scooters, one a blue Honda Metropolitan.

So pulling out my computer this morning I began searching the Washington University Medical School website for a guide to motorcycle and bike parking. I found a nice map indicating where parking garages are located but nothing on their very helpful motorcycle parking. What is interesting is this symposium is about great streets. The topic includes making streets open for people, not just cars. But the literature on the event didn’t make note of the fact we are next door to a bus transfer station and MetroLink station. What a statement that East-West Gateway Council of Governments didn’t mention alternative means of arriving and “parking” for the event.

It is encouraging to see Ald. Phyllis Young (D-7th) and from Jim Shrewsbury’s office, Brandyn Jones and Pam Ross attending. It would have been nice to have seen more folks from city hall.

A Busy Weekend in St. Louis

If you are not sure what you are going to do this weekend let me suggest a few of the many things going on in St. Louis, taken mostly from press releases:

Tower Grove Harvest Festival: Oct 21-22

PUMPKIN PATCH, CRAFTS, YOGA, TAI CHI, LIVE MUSIC AND MUCH, MUCH MORE AT TOWER GROVE PARK

This October, one of St. Louis City’s newest and most successful farmers’ markets will celebrate the end of its inaugural season by hosting its First Annual Harvest Festival. The Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, together with community partners, The Southside YMCA, KDHX, The CommonSpace and Slay & Associates promises a full day of autumnal activities for the whole family.

Joining the Market’s regular cast of farmers, bakers, ranchers and artisans, the Tower Grove Harvest Festival, scheduled for Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, will feature the following activities:

– Various arts and crafts
– Face painting
– T-Shirt art
– Sack racing
– Food concessions by Missouri and Illinois small farmers and restaurants
– Pumpkin patch
– 5 bands each day (bluegrass to pop rock)

For additional information on the Tower Grove Harvest Festival visit http://www.tgharvestfest.com or email the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market at Contact@tgmarket.org.

Tower Grove Farmers’ Market’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the St. Louis area by providing a community activity that fosters social gathering and interaction while promoting sustainable agriculture and education.

[UR Note: The Tower Grove Farmers’ Market was co-founded by fellow SLU Urban Planning Grad Student Jenny Ryan.]

Downtown Living Tour

The Downtown St. Louis Partnership and Downtown St. Louis Community Improvement District present two Downtown Living Tours each year. These tours showcase various properties and include rental as well as sale properties. The Downtown Living Tours are the best way to explore the wide variety of neighborhoods and housing options available throughout the downtown area. As you stroll past new and familiar shops, restaurants, services, amenities and attractions, the tours are also a great way to get a feel for the excitement and convenience of downtown living.

The next Downtown Living Tour will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 21st & 22nd from noon to 5 pm. The starting point will be at the corner of Tucker and Washington Avenues. Click here for more information.

Fundraiser for Landmark’s Association of St. Louis

An auction will be held in the afternoon of Sunday October 22, 2006 as a fundraiser for Landmark’s Association of St. Louis. The event will be from 2pm to 6pm and will include a live auction as well as many silent action items. The $50 ticket includes a Hors D’oeuvres buffet, wine, beer and soft drinks. The event will be held at the lovely Coronado Ballroom at 3701 Lindell. For more information on tickets please call Landmark’s at (314) 421-6474. I’m hoping some of the funds will be used for a productive website.

Barkapalooza: Entertaining People & Pooches

The Party Animals, the young friends council of the Animal House Fund, proudly presents Barkapalooza, an outdoor benefit concert for people and pooches on Sunday, October 22 from noon – 5 p.m. in Langenberg Field in Forest Park.

The exciting line-up of bands includes local acts Modern Red, Upright Animals and the Dean Evans Band who are donating their time to help the Party Animals raise funds for the construction of the critically-needed new city animal shelter. However, Barkapalooza is much more than just a concert! Not only will you be entertained by three great local bands but your dog will be entertained, too. Fun for the four-legged set will include an agility course, speed course and pet contests such as Biggest Dog, Smallest Dog and Coolest Canine Crooner.

So bring a picnic, a blanket, your dog, your friends and family and enjoy a perfect fall day at the park for a great cause, complete with funnel cakes and cotton candy. We will also have representatives from HOK, the architectural firm donating their services to design the new shelter, onsite to help educate concert-goers about why the new shelter is a groundbreaking effort in the animal welfare world.

Before Friday, October 20, advanced tickets range from $20 for general admission to $50 for VIP which includes access to the VIP tent with complimentary Bud Select and a gift bag. Day of concert tickets are $25 at the door. Call (314) 968-5505 or visit www.animalhousefund.org for more information or to purchase tickets.

A ‘Sordid’ Party Planned at City Hall on Two-Year Anniversary of Urban Review

It seems fitting the 2-year anniversary of my blog falls on Halloween as some, especially those in elected office, find my frankness a bit on the scary side. What is frightening to me is that some of these folks are in office at all. Seriously, I’ve enjoyed the last two years commenting on planning & politics in the city and region.

So I thought to myself, why not have a party to celebrate? But this year Halloween falls on a Tuesday and I’ve got class that night anyway. Why not have a party on the Saturday night before Halloween. And since I write so much about the ‘sordid lives’ of folks at city hall that seems like the perfect place to hold such a party. Well, being the gracious person I am I thought why not let others in on this so when Bill Donius, President of Pulaski Bank, wanted to use city hall for his annual costume party I said why not.

Not buying it? OK, fine. I had no real plans to celebrate but it seemed like a good way to lead you into an announcement about the formerly private party at Donius’ Ladue home going public for charity: A Sordid Halloween Party.

We are hosting this big bash to provide St. Louis with a provocative and enjoyable evening of entertainment, good company, and the opportunity to raise funds for worthwhile charitable organizations. The beneficiaries of this year’s event will include Food Outreach and Doorways. Food Outreach provides food to patients living with AIDS and cancer, serving over 1300 clients per week. Doorways provides housing to those who are critically ill and their children.

Tickets are $50 per person or $150 for the VIP section (prices go up after today). And what do you get for that extra hundred bucks? You get to meet two stars from the acclaimed plays Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies: Delta Burke and Leslie Jordan!!! While I have not seen the plays I have seen the movie Sordid Lives on more than one occassion. As someone from the south, I can tell you they nailed the southern personalities quite well. But, back to the party.

Past parties, I’m told, have been an interesting cross section of St. Louis (straight & gay, monied to middle of the road, with a good dose of racial diversity), this year should be no exception. Hurry and buy your tickets online because prices go up after today. A portion of each ticket is tax deductible and the event is for a good cause. A costume is required for entry.

I’ll talk more about the two year anniversary of Urban Review later in the month.

Loughborough Commons: Getting the Lead Out?

I’m more than a little confused how DESCO plans to deal with lead contamination at Loughborough Commons. Site contamination, you might recall from a prior post, was among reasons cited in a report on why it was in the public’s interest to blight the site and offer tax incentives for redevelopment.

Today’s Post-Dispatch indicates removal as the means of remediation (emphasis mine):

A Desco spokesman said the company would finish preparing the ground before signing any additional leases. Among the tasks is removing lead residue from a site formerly used to make paint, the spokesman said.

Last week the Suburban Journal had a piece on the contamination issue that also seemed to suggest removal (emphasis mine):

“There is lead underground,” said Lori Willis, a spokeswoman for Schnuck Markets, Inc. “When it is removed as part of Phase 2 of our project, the work will be done in accordance with state and federal laws and under the guidance of the (state) Department of Natural Resources.”“DESCO is experienced in handling this. They don’t anticipate any problems and they will follow all safety procedures relative to the lead removal process,” Willis said.

But in the same article it is suggested the solution is not removal, but containment (emphasis mine):

The remediation effort will primarily involve containing the material in place so that it poses no risk, Willis said.The lead isn’t harmful if it’s covered, Brian McCurren, an environmental engineer for the state Department of Natural Resources, said. It’s only harmful to construction workers who come into contact with it, he said.

From the looks of the site they are going with containment but it seems odd even the spokesperson keeps saying removal.