U2 360 Tour Concert at the Rose Bowl

Editors review:
Cholos Tacos Awesome
Black Eyed Peas Awesome
Slash Cameos with Black-Eyed Peas for "Sweet Child O' Mine" Amazing!!
Stage Awesome
U2 Amazing!!

Best concert we've ever been!!
What a display and the LA crowd was awesome. 100,000 fans pretty much enjoying themselves without and troubles!!

St. Louis Area Mommy Bloggers to Drive New Chevys

Write About Travel Adventures in Chevy’s Fun-Filled “Mommy Madness”

Now the fun begins for six St. Louis area moms who are also bloggers.

The Mid America Chevy Dealers Mom Squad will drive new Chevys for four weeks and blog about their travels and experiences as part of the Mid America Chevy Dealer’s “Mommy Madness” promotion.

“We have four weeks of fun-filled ‘Mommy Missions’ planned for our Chevy Mom Squad,” said Kathy Federico, president of the Mid-America Chevy Dealer Association.

Besides driving the new Chevy Traverse or the 2010 Chevy Equinox, Mom Squad members will receive a Flip Video to document their missions and a chance to win a girls’ spa trip for four. There are weekly ‘Mommy Mission’ gifts, including a $150 grocery gift card, a free one-hour massage from Massage Envy clinics and a few more surprises.

The Mom Squad will blog, photograph and video their four weeks of fun in their Chevy Traverse or Chevy Equinox beginning October 19 through November 15, 2009. They will also encourage other moms to test drive the new Chevy Traverse or the 2010 Chevy Equinox at any Mid America Chevy dealership. As an added bonus, test drivers receive a free one-hour massage gift card from Massage Envy clinics.

A look at the bloggers who make up the Mom Squad:

Megan Durham (halfpinthouse.com) is a crafter and home schools her four girls with husband Craig. She applied for Mommy Madness because her 13-year-old vehicle has 198,000 miles on it “and desperately needs a month off. Also, the stick people my kids drew on the back seats need to go to counseling.” She is a director of Classical Conversations, a community of homeschoolers. Besides her personal blog, she also blogs for WORLDmag.com and God’s World News for Kids. Megan resides in Maplewood. Durham will be driving the Chevy Traverse. She says, “What’s not to like? It’s new, it’s clean and it can provide me with instant directions with the push of a button. Plus, I really love driving a billboard on wheels.”

Emily Braig (peoplewanttofeelmymagic.blogspot.com) describes herself as “M.H.P.M.” (Married Hot Pregnant Mama) who has a spacious garage, a quirky, loving husband and a precocious 2 year old sidekick. Emily went from bean counter: master of the spreadsheet to kitchen counter: folder of the bed sheets; from rock ‘n roll to rock ‘n stroll; from convertible to convertible car seat; from first class and a Coach bag to coach and a diaper bag; from hot dates with him to play dates with her. She asks if her “traveling companion” Chevy has upholstery that is flame retardant and ‘Scotchgarded’? Emily resides in Florissant and will be driving the 2010 Chevy Equinox. When she received her Equinox she said, “This car rocks!”

Kim Julian (stlmommy.com) started blogging a year ago “after having my second son, leaving my position as a social worker and staying at home.” She says her blog, “has given me the ability to help others financially and allows me to work from home.” STLMommy has subscribers from across the nation. Kim sees Mommy Madness “as a wonderful experience for me and my family, especially since we are nearing the time for purchasing a new car. Plus, who doesn’t love driving a new car and meeting new people?” Kim lives in Barnhart and will be driving the 2010 Chevy Equinox. When she sat in the Equinox for the first time she exclaimed, “I’m excited about Mommy Madness because I’ve never had a new car. It will take me where I need to go and hopefully alleviate some of my own madness.”

Elaine Mooney (happylaney.blogspot.com) works as the winemaker at the Sainte Genevieve Winery. She received her degree from the University of Cal-Fresno in Enology, is a professional international wine judge and teaches many different wine related classes. She says she “enjoys traveling, playing my bassoon, cooking, photography and Grey's Anatomy.” She is the mother of two young daughters with her husband, John, a junior high and high school band teacher. “We met in marching band in college and have been together for 10 years,” she said. Elaine lives in St. Louis and will be driving the 2010 Chevy Equinox. She said, “I’m way excited to promote this car. I’m already starting to write blog posts in my head to show off the Equinox.”


Colleen Murphy (crazysoccermom.blogspot.com) blogs to find “humor in her daily chaos. Some of my older posts are pretty funny: I sent my youngest daughter to school in a full-habit nun costume on the wrong day.” She started blogging after her husband saw an article about a mom of six who had her own blog. “I figured, Why not me? My family would love it if I aired all our dirty laundry on the Internet.” She applied for Mommy Madness after a friend heard about it on the radio. She is excited about “driving a car that doesn’t smell like soccer shin guards.” Colleen is a resident of O’Fallon, Missouri and will be drive the new Chevy Traverse. As soon as Colleen sat in her Traverse she shouted, “I’m excited to have a car that has a window that rolls down. I can go through the drive through for the first time in two years!”

Danielle Smith (extraordinarymommy.com) started her blog a year and a half ago “as a place for moms to remember every day that what they are doing is extraordinary.” She works from home as a freelance consultant. Danielle is “always looking for ways to streamline the madness and share information that just may make life easier. It’s important that moms be involved when it comes to buying a car. We know what is right for our families.” A fun story about blogging: “I put a picture of my family on one of my sites, it was stolen and used for a life-sized ad in the Czech Republic…We ended up on the CBS Early Show, CNN, Fox News and NPR.” Danielle calls O’Fallon home. She commented, “I’m really excited for two reasons…one, it is a great opportunity to showcase the new Chevy Traverse. Traditionally, women have been left out of the car buying process. This allows Chevy to say we want you to understand your car and we value you as consumers. Secondly, I live Mommy Madness…if there is anything in life that can make my life ‘less mad’ that’s good. And, if I can share that with other moms- that’s a bonus!”

Chevy Mommy Madness is presented by Mid-America Chevy Dealers. The Mid America Chevy Dealers are comprised of 31 local Chevy Dealerships located in St. Louis and its surrounding areas falling into Missouri and Illinois.

For more information on Mommy Madness St. Louis go to www.MommyMadnessSTL.com.

Finding Grace opens October 23

EXHIBIT NAME: Finding Grace: Ten Years in Retrospect

DATES & TIMES: Exhibit Dates: October 23 to December 13
Opening reception: Friday, October 23, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.(free and open to the public)

Gallery talk and performance:
Thursday, November 5, 2009
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Gallery hours:
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.

EXHIBIT LOCATION: The Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission
6128 Delmar Boulevard on The Loop
St. Louis, MO 63112
(Free parking in the lot behind The Pageant; metered street parking)

Finding Grace:Ten Years in Retrospect, an exhibit commemorating the first ten years of the community collabARTive, an integrated part of the Transitional Housing Program of Peter and Paul Community Services. PPCS provides housing and supportive services to those who are homeless, especially those who experience mental illness or live with HIV.

The men and PPCS staff work along side artists and community partners to raise awareness about homelessness, give voice to the marginalized, strengthen connections and build bridges.

This interactive exhibit will include visual, video and performance art that honors collaborations and collaborators past and present. Curated by Con Christeson, Michele Ryker-Owens and Keith Buchholz.

Leslie Laskey: Tango

Through October 24

Leslie Laskey presents a series of paintings and drawings inspired by the Argentinean dance. Tango has been a great inspiration for artists, whether they are musicians, filmmakers or visual artists. A fully illustrated catalogue with an essay by Jim Harris accompanies the exhibition. In the Project Room and Front Room, the gallery presents a group exhibition “Legacy: The Work of Laskey’s Former Students”, by Leslie Laskey’s former students during his long-standing career as a Professor of Architecture at Washington University. In the Media Room, video artist Dickson Beall presents a single-channel video titled “CUT-OUT” (view it on YouTube).

Art catalogues from Bruno David Gallery Publications are available at Lulu.com (link). Visit our website at Bruno David Gallery (here). Visit the gallery blog at stlart.com (here).

Thank you for your continuing support and I hope to see you at the gallery! Bruno and the staff.

NEXT OPENING NIGHT IN GRAND CENTER
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts:
GORDON MATTA-CLARK "Urban Alchemy" (link)

Bruno David Gallery:
CHRIS KAHLER "Hybrid Dynamic" (link)
Front Room. "Dionna Raedeke: The Addition"
Media Room. "William Morris: 8ms"
Project Room. "Heather Woofter & Sung Ho Kim: Per.For.Mance"

PSTL Gallery:
LEO COLLAZO "Dredging the Sea of Tranquility"

Shown above: Installation view of Leslie Laskey: Tango at Bruno David Gallery, 2009.
Photo © 2009 Jim Olvera

101 ESPN’S RANDY KARRAKER ANNOUNCES EFFORT
TO PURCHASE THE ST. LOUIS RAMS

ST. LOUIS – WXOS-FM’s Randy Karraker announced that he is stepping up to the plate in a bid to purchase the St. Louis Rams NFL franchise. Karraker made this announcement on the air this afternoon at 5:05pm on 101 ESPN.
As a diehard St. Louis Cardinals football fan, Karraker was crushed years ago when the football team left St. Louis to move to Phoenix back in 1987. It was with hope and optimism that he became a St. Louis Rams fan when the franchise moved to St. Louis. Randy has covered the team for the past 15 years, and has become a staunch Rams supporter. With the Rams’ Superbowl victory in 2000 under Dick Vermeil’s leadership, Karraker’s love of the team was solidified.
With the recent debacle of Rush Limbaugh’s efforts to join Dave Checketts’ quest to purchase the team, and the rampant rumors about the Rams potential sale and move back to Los Angeles, Karraker was reminded of how bad it hurt when football left St. Louis. And although there are a reported six potential groups interested in purchasing the team, none have stood out from the rest of the competition. Rather than just sit and watch it happen again, Karraker decided to do something about it, and has created the Randy Karraker: Save the Rams Fund- and Fan-Raising Campaign.
Karraker says “I believe St. Louis deserves an NFL franchise and when football has been good in this city, it’s been greatly supported. Rather than sitting on my hands and doing nothing about it, I’ve decided to do everything I can to make a difference and help keep our Rams here.” He continues, “Whenever 101 ESPN’s “The Fast Lane” broadcasts on location, we will have the Randy Karraker: Save the Rams barrel on hand to collect donations, with all funds donated going to this grassroots cause to keep the Rams where they belong, in St. Louis.”
101 ESPN Program Director Jason Barrett notes, “Randy is pulling together all of the people he knows, and is calling on the public to raise the funds necessary to keep the Rams where they belong, right here in St. Louis.” Barrett continues, “He realizes this is a huge uphill climb and he doesn’t expect it to be easy. But Randy is going to do his best to make a difference and he hopes to do it with the full support of the public.”
Karraker notes, “In the event that we are not able to raise enough money to buy the Rams or in the event that Chip Rosenbloom’s family elects to sell the team to someone else, our funds will then be donated to the Special Olympics of Missouri.
For more information about upcoming appearances of “The Fast Lane”, or how to join and contribute to the Randy Karraker: Save the Rams grassroots fund-raising effort, please contact Program Director Jason Barrett at (314) 983-6230 or jbarrett@bonneville.com.

St. Louis Rams Fans will also be able to make contributions through the radio station’s web site by clicking on “The Fast Lane” page at www.101espn.com/section/wxos_shows_fastlane.
And for the latest Rams and NFL news, visit 101 ESPN’s web site at www.101ESPN.com.


About Bonneville International
Bonneville St. Louis is an affiliate of Bonneville International (www.bonneville.com), which was founded in 1964 and currently owns and operates 29 radio stations in the Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Phoenix, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Salt Lake City markets. It also owns and operates KSL Television (NBC affiliate) and has operating divisions of Bonneville Communications and Bonneville Satellite in Salt Lake City. Bonneville's motto is "Do good, do well, make a difference, and have fun."

In addition to competing aggressively in major-market broadcasting by structuring its business model on the three principles of building its people, making a difference in the community, and meeting aggressive financial goals, Bonneville also enjoys a longstanding reputation and is known industry-wide for its nationally recognized and award-winning commitment to serving the communities where it broadcasts.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Bonneville is known for its innovative business model and is a national leader in providing quality, values-oriented media products.

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SCIENCE CENTER ANNOUNCES LARGEST DINOSAUR EXHIBITION EVER TO HIT ST. LOUIS

Dinosaurs Unearthed Exhibition Arrives Nov. 7, Bringing With It Rare, Feathered Fossils and More Than 20 Life-Sized Dinosaurs Depicted in a Realistic Habitat“

Walking into Dinosaurs Unearthed is like stepping back in time,” said Brad Nuccio, Senior Vice President of the Science Center. “The impressive, life-like replicas of the dinosaurs in their environment paired with the most current scientific theories and information make it an incredible entertainment and educational experience.”

The exhibition highlights the latest theories in paleontology. Though dinosaurs are usually portrayed with scaled, reptile-like skin, most scientists now accept the theory that many were covered with feathers. Dinosaurs Unearthed explores this theory and presents some of the first life-sized models of feathered dinosaurs ever created. Each model has been hand-carved, with thousands of down-like feathers also placed by hand.

Visitors can also take control of several animatronic dinosaurs such as a baby Stegosaurus, Baryonyx, Parasaurolophus and an Allosaurus. Featuring new technology using electronics instead of hydraulics, these models demonstrate some of the most life-like motions possible with animatronics.

“We know how intrigued our visitors of all ages are with dinosaurs,” said Nuccio. “This exhibition has the sense of mystery and excitement that always surrounds dinosaurs, grounded in the latest science, which makes it completely new and unique.”

Not only are dinosaurs taking over the Science Center’s EXPLORADOME, but passers-by will also be greeted by a 57-foot long Apatosaurus on the front lawn of the museum, providing a preview of the amazing discoveries inside.

Half-price tickets for Science Center Members are $6.25 for adults and $5.25 for children. Tickets for Non-Members are $12.50 for adults and $10.50 for children. Call 314.286.4634 or email jweske@slsc.org for information on discounts for groups of 10 or more. Tickets and more information at slsc.org


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Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of the “10 Best Science Centers for Families” by Parents magazine and one of “America’s Most Visited Museums” by Forbes Traveler Magazine, - the only museum in Missouri to be named to either list - the Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX® Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Its mission is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning.

PRE-HISTORIC CREATURES TO INVADE THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN

Experience “DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time,” May 1 through Oct. 3, 2010

WHAT: “DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek through Time” dinosaur exhibition
WHEN: May 1 through Oct. 3, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
WHERE: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., south St. Louis
COST: Exhibit admission: $5 adults, $3 children (3-12), in addition to Garden admission.
Garden admission: $8 adults, $4 St. Louis City/County residents, free children.
INFO: www.mobot.org/dinoquest; (314) 577-9400, 1 (800) 642-8842 toll free recorded info


(ST. LOUIS): The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis is marking the golden anniversary of one of its most popular attractions, the Climatron®, by transporting visitors back in time to the golden age of dinosaurs. Feel the thrill of encountering a hulking Placerias, bird-like Bambiraptor or soaring Sordes in an unparalleled environment: hidden in the heart of a thriving tropical rain forest. Witness dozens of these realistic, pre-historic creatures when “DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time” debuts at the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2010.

Since 1960, the Climatron has easily been one of the most recognizable features at the Garden, noted as the first geodesic dome to be used as a plant conservatory. Inside, lush green foliage, cascading waterfalls and a warm, humid climate simulate an authentic jungle atmosphere.

“This exhibition provides a perfect introduction to the history of life on earth, extinction, and survival. How we manage our resources will have a major effect on the future of life, and there are many lessons to be learned from the past,” said Dr. Peter Raven, president of the Missouri Botanical Garden. “In addition to the educational value, there is also a real sense of excitement in experiencing these lifelike creatures in such an awe-inspiring setting. We hope it will evoke wonder, imagination and intrigue in visitors of all ages.”

On the “trek through time,” visitors of all ages will experience life in a tropical forest long ago, today and tomorrow. A smooth pathway winds through the 24,000-square-foot Climatron conservatory, where more than a dozen installations depict dinosaurs and reptiles from the Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic and Permian periods “frozen in time” amid the living flora. Encounter hungry herbivores, including a pair of toothy Heterodontosaurus and an eight-foot-long,bulky-bodied Placerias. Spot a flock of bird-like Bambiraptors hovering beneath green cycads, keeping watch over nests brimming with eggs. Identify a large Dimetrodon by the finned “sail” along its spine, or the three-foot-long Rhamphorynchus by its fur-covered wings.

Postosuchus, a pre-dinosaur age predator of Placerias, hides atop a cliff near a bamboo grove, while a hungry Syntarsus lurks beneath a large tree. See the Compsognathus tend to their nests near the basin of a waterfall as a trio of vigilant Oviraptors keep watch over their nests of offspring near a shallow pool.

Look up to find three hairy Sordes, ready to take flight from their perches in the trees. Two Quetzalcoatlus babies, also flying reptiles, huddle in their nest above a tank of fish, while their 30-foot-long parent flies high inside the neighboring Shoenberg Temperate House, a conservatory adjacent to the Climatron.

Outside on Garden grounds, a 30-foot-long, duck-billed Parasaurolophus nurtures its three young. A 32-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex can scarcely go unnoticed as it towers above the surrounding flora. On public display for the first time, a 30-foot-long pregnant Hypsibema, the Missouri state dinosaur, watches over its nest and greets visitors near the entrance to the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden.

The realistic DinoQuest dinosaurs and reptiles are a labor of love for creator Guy Darrough of Lost World Studios in Arnold, Mo. Darrough has been devoted to building life-sized models of these extinct creatures for nearly 15 years.

“My ultimate goal is to create an experience that is realistic enough to draw visitors into the arena of science and learning,” said Darrough. “The aesthetic appeal of these dinosaurs coupled with the surrounding vegetation is just incredible.”

The dinosaur discovery continues as visitors exit the Climatron into the Brookings Interpretive Center. There, visitors will be amazed to view a one-and-one-half-ton slab of sandstone containing over 200 bones from dinosaurs, turtles, fish and birds. Darrough obtained the slab from an excavation in Lance Creek, Wyo. and estimates the sandstone piece is over 65 million years old.

Children can hone their own paleontology skills by unearthing faux bones at a mini-dino dig site, climb and play in a dinosaur nest, envision themselves in the days of dinosaurs through green screen technology, and get an up-close look at the Dino Egg Incubator, an original prop from the set of the movie “Jurassic Park III.” Families can explore life in tropical forests today, discovering geckos and poison dart frogs, exploring the connections between animals and plants, and experiencing the many multi-sensory gifts that these bio-rich ecosystems give us. Visitors will also learn about tropical forests today and how Garden researchers are working feverishly to document, protect and preserve these at-risk ecosystems for generations to come.

Special themed classes, events and activities will be offered throughout the exhibition’s duration to enhance the DinoQuest experience, including “Jurassic Dark” extended Thursday evenings, DinoQuest Sleepovers, and a MovieFest. Additional activities include dinosaur-themed summer camp sessions, tropical forest ecology classes and guided tours for school groups, workshops for educators and family backpack adventures.

“DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time” is on display Saturday, May 1 through Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Purchase tickets on site or in advance beginning Spring 2010 at www.mobot.org/tickets.asp. Exhibition admission (which includes entry to the Climatron dome, Shoenberg Temperate House and Brookings Interpretive Center) is $5 for adults (ages 13 and over) and $3 for children (ages three to 12), in addition to Garden admission. Exhibition admission is free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m.

Regular Garden admission is $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County resident admission is $4 for adults (ages 13 to 64), $3 for seniors (ages 65 and over), and free on most Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Special admission rates apply during the third weekend of May, Labor Day weekend and the first weekend of October.

Become a Missouri Botanical Garden member to receive discounted DinoQuest exhibition admission of $3 for adults and $2 for children (ages three to 12), plus free admission on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Garden members also receive free general Garden admission. For membership information, visit www.mobot.org/membership.

DinoQuest sponsorship opportunities are available. Call (314) 577-9500 or visit www.mobot.org/dinoquest/sponsor for more information.

The 79-acre Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit. Free parking is available on site and at lots two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

For more information on “DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time,” visit www.mobot.org/dinoquest. For general Garden information, visit www.mobot.org or call the 24-hour recorded event hotline at (314) 577-9400 or toll-free 1 (800) 642-8842.

Also May 1 through Oct. 3, 2010, visit the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House at Faust Park in Chesterfield, Mo. to experience “Jurassic Bugs.” Thirty-inch dragonflies, foot-long cockroaches and a 10-foot sea scorpion are among the models joining a host of crawling, flying and nesting living creatures on display. For more information, visit www.butterflyhouse.org or call (636) 530-0076. The Butterfly House is a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

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HOST OF HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES THIS SEASON AT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN

WHAT: “Gardenland Express” holiday flower and train show
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closes early at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve; closed Christmas Day.

WHERE: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., south St. Louis, Mo.
COST: $5 ages three and up, in addition to regular Garden admission
($8 adults; $4 St. Louis City/County residents; free children ages 12 and under). Garden members are free.
SPONSORS: CBIZ & Mayer Hoffman McCann, P.C.; Central States Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Miss Marian L. Herr; Hobby Station; and Mr. and Mrs. William R. Orthwein, Jr.
INFO: www.mobot.org; (314) 577-9400, 1 (800) 642-8842 toll free



(ST. LOUIS): ‘Tis the season at the Missouri Botanical Garden! A host of holiday activities await visitors between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Experience the annual “Gardenland Express” holiday flower and train show, commemorating “150 Years of the Garden.” Celebrate Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Christmas traditions. Enjoy seasonal décor, from adorned trees to festive wreaths to sweet-smelling garlands. Take a class to brush up on your cookie-decorating and greeting-card-making skills. Stop by the Garden Gate Shop and Little Shop Around the Corner for unique gift-giving ideas, and more! Visit www.mobot.org for details on all of the holiday happenings.

Don’t miss the Garden’s final sesquicentennial celebratory event of 2009! The vibrant “Gardenland Express” holiday flower and train show chugs into town Wednesday, Nov. 25, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 3 (closes at 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31; closed Dec. 25). Watch as eight G-scale model garden trains travel along 800 feet of railway track in the Orthwein Floral Display Hall, through a bold, colorful palette of orange, purple, red, white and lime green botanicals. Look for several Garden landmarks in miniature, including the historic Linnean House conservatory, Museum Building, Chinese Garden pagoda, Piper Observatory and Tower Grove House (founder Henry Shaw’s original country estate). Archival images highlighting the institution’s 150-year history will line the walls in a tribute timeline.

The 2009 “Gardenland Express” holiday flower and train show is sponsored by CBIZ & Mayer Hoffman McCann, P.C.; Central States Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Miss Marian L. Herr; Hobby Station; and Mr. and Mrs. William R. Orthwein, Jr. Admission to “Gardenland Express” is $5 for ages three and over, in addition to general Garden admission; Garden members are free.

Seasonal décor decks the halls of the Ridgway Visitor Center, Tower Grove House and Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Nov. 21 through Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., view the annual Holiday Wreath Exhibition, featuring unique creations by some of the area’s finest floral designers. All wreaths are sold by silent auction bidding, with proceeds benefiting the Garden. Nov. 25 through Jan. 3, experience a Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House. The country residence of Garden founder Henry Shaw is decked with wreaths, garlands, floral centerpieces, greenery and holiday trees. Young visitors can enjoy storytelling on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and a special Seek-and-Find activity. Tower Grove House is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. (closed Mondays). Dec. 5 through Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Jan. 1), enjoy “Inspired by the Garden” Holiday Trimmings at the Kemper Center, featuring a 15-foot balsam fir tree decorated with over 50 “gourdaments” and gourd birdhouses to celebrate the Garden’s 150th anniversary. New this year, vote for the “visitor’s choice” award for your favorite gourd! All decorated gourds are sold by silent auction bidding.

Join the traditional Jewish holiday celebration, “Chanukah: Festival of Lights” on Sunday, Dec. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy festive Israeli music and dance, a menorah-lighting ceremony, and a traditional “shuk,” or marketplace. Listen to holiday carols, whisper wishes to Santa in his sleigh and smell chestnuts roasting on an open fire during “Christmas Carols in the Garden,” Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. Experience the contemporary African-American holiday “Kwanzaa: Festival of the First Fruits” on Wednesday, Dec. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, and authentic African drumming and music, centered around the feast table of the harvest.

Several seasonal classes tap into the holiday spirit. Create a Decorative Scented Wreath on Nov. 17 or join a Holiday Wreath Making Workshop on Dec. 5 or 12. Try your hand at making a 3-D Papercutting Ornament on Dec. 3 or 8, or create DIY: Christmas Cards on Dec 9. Decorate a delicious Gingerbread Cottage on Dec. 2, and prepare stunning sweets with Holiday Cookies and Cookie Decorating classes on Dec. 6 and 8, respectively. Seniors, enhance your Garden visit therapeutically with a Botanical Wreath program on Dec. 9 or Holiday Cookie Recipes on Dec. 11. Youngsters ages four and five can also celebrate the season alongside an adult during Garden Buds: Evergreen: A Special Tree for Me! on Nov. 19 or 22. Advance registration is required for all classes; visit www.mobot.org/classes for a complete list of program times and prices, or to register.

Shop the Garden Gate Shop for unique gifts, including candy cane, cupcake and cardinal-inspired goodies. Browse an array of holiday greeting cards, “green” items made from recycled materials, tropical-themed ornaments, books, decor and more. The Shop is located in the lower level of the Ridgway Visitor Center and is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; visit www.gardengateshop.org. Head down the street to the Little Shop Around the Corner for one-of-a-kind finds, including vintage jewelry, artwork, accent furnishings, garden décor and more. The Little Shop is located at 4474 Castleman Ave. (at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer) and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed January); visit www.littleshop.org.

Give the gift of the Garden this season! A Missouri Botanical Garden membership includes free general admission for two adults and children ages 12 and under to the Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, Shaw Nature Reserve and EarthWays Center, along with special discounts and invitations to members-only events. A regular level membership costs $65 ($60 for seniors age 65 and over). Purchase a new or gift membership Nov. 4 through 8 or Dec. 2 through 6 and receive 20-percent off (on-site sales only). For more information, visit www.mobot.org/membership.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, easily accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit. Free parking is available on-site on the west side of the parking lot (east side is temporarily closed this winter for improvements). Additional parking is available two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

The Garden is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Dec. 25. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County resident admission is $4 and free Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Garden members and their children are free. Admission to the Gardenland Express show is an additional $5 per person (free for members). Separate fees apply for classes.

For general information, visit www.mobot.org or call the recorded event line at (314) 577‑9400 or toll-free 1 (800) 642-8842.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is the oldest continually operating botanical garden in the nation, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2009. Missouri Botanical Garden: Green for 150 Years.

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The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is “to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment, in order to preserve and enrich life.” Today, 150 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education and horticultural display. Missouri Botanical Garden: Green for 150 Years.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in St. Louis, just south of I-44 at Vandeventer-Kingshighway (exit #287B). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Dec. 25. Grounds open at 7 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday. Admission is $8; free children ages 12 and under and Garden members. St. Louis City and County residents are $4 and free every Wednesday and Saturday until noon (exception: special admission rate events). Park for free on site and two blocks west at the Shaw-Vandeventer intersection. The Garden is easily accessible by taking the MetroLink commuter rail line to the Central West End station and picking up a Metro bus (www.metrostlouis.org). For general information, log on to www.mobot.org or call the 24-hour recording at (314) 577-9400 or 1-800-642-8842. For membership information, call (314) 577-5118 during weekday business hours. For volunteer opportunities, call (314)-577-5187 or visit www.mobot.org/volunteer. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a tobacco-free environment.

(Note: A section of the I-64/U.S. 40 highway is under construction through 2009. Before traveling, check www.thenewi64.org for updates or visit www.GetAroundStL.com for other helpful information.)

Metro Design Studio Salons “Suit Drive” and Makeover Event

To Benefit Dress for Success Midwest

Date: Monday, October 5, 2009
10:00 am until 4:00 pm

Location:
Metro Design Studio Salons - Chesterfield
1662 Clarkson Road at Lea Oak Drive
Chesterfield, Missouri 63017

Details: Metro Design Studio Salons will be hosting their first ever “Suit Drive” and Makeover Event to benefit Dress for Success Midwest’s “Suits to Self-Sufficiency” program, which provides work-related clothing to low-income women seeking employment.

The Dress for Success Midwest “Suit Drive” runs through Monday, October 5, 2009, and the general public is invited to participate. People who are interested in donating clothing, shoes and accessories may visit one of the four St. Louis area Metro Design Studio Salon locations.

Metro Design Studio Salons will also be conducting a Dress for Success “Makeover Day” at the Chesterfield location on Monday, October 5, 2009 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Metro salon professionals will donate their time and services to help with the makeovers for a select group of Dress for Success Midwest clients.

For additional details regarding Metro Design Studio Salons “Suit Drive” and “Makeover Day” event, or to tour one of the four studio salon locations, please contact General Manager Lise Napoli-Flynn at (314) 983-0444 or via email at metro.design@att.net. The public may also visit the company’s web site at www.mystudiosalon.com.

March Art at Marbles Gallery

Marbles Gallery exhibits “pieces” by artist Benji Rowan with an opening reception on Saturday, March 7 from 6-9 p.m. Also showing “third eye,” recent work by abstract painter Timothy A. Wagner. Both exhibits will run through March 31st. Open hours on Mondays 1-3 p.m. or by appointment. Marbles Yoga Studio and Gallery is located at 1905 Park Avenue in Lafayette Square. For additional information call 314.791.6466 or visit www.marblesyoga.com.

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Marbles Gallery exhibits “pieces”, mosaics and paintings by Benji Rowan through March 31st. Also, exhibiting “third eye” by abstract painter, Timothy A. Wagner.

Opening Reception:
Saturday, March 7 from 6-9 p.m.
Marbles Yoga Studio and Gallery
1905 Park Avenue in Lafayette Square
Meet the artist and enjoy a glass of wine
Free and open to the public

Mosaicist and painter, Benji Rowan, tells stories through visual cues in the images he makes. Shapes, colors, and figures come together to produce two dimensional narratives. His mosaics are decorated stories…stories that leave plenty of room for interpretation. Even when the only information is color and shape, he gives clues through the titles of a work to explain the situations. His paintings, while more representational, allow each viewer to draw their own conclusions. His work can be thought of as stills from a motion picture – what came before, or will come after, is for you to decide.

Artist, Benji Rowan, recently returned home to St. Louis after living in Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston and Austin. He received his art education from the St. Louis Community College, School of Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1999. A recipient of the Art St. Louis award of excellence, he has shown in juried exhibitions: San Francisco, Austin, and St. Louis. Collections: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis - Flat Files

Abstract painter, Timothy A. Wagner, illuminates the world of our natural and urban surroundings inspired by form, atmospheric space and color. Wagner develops a specific visual language that defines subject matter and content. The paintings evolve in layers that vary from thin transparencies to thick gestural forms to combine in an expression of his thought process and experience. Every layer of paint, every mark on the picture-plane becomes a crucial meaning of its history and the eventual resolution of the statement.

Emerging artist, Timothy A. Wagner, graduated from Webster University in 2008. Active with St. Louis Art Dimensions, his work has been included in both group and solo shows in the St. Louis area, Colorado, and Tennessee. He received the 2nd place Best of Show award at the Maplewood Let Them Eat Art Festival, 2007.

Open Mondays 1-3 p.m. Call 314.621.4744 to confirm additional hours or for an appointment www.marblesyoga.com

Marbles Yoga Studio and Gallery

Exhibiting St. Louis area artists in historic Lafayette Square

The Missouri Botanical Garden Announces 2009 Plants of Merit

Introduces New Category, Edible Ornamentals

(ST. LOUIS): Just in time for spring, the Missouri Botanical Garden identifies 13 new “Plants of Merit™” for the Midwest in 2009. The Plants of Merit distinction aims to build home gardeners’ confidence in selecting annuals, perennials, shrubs and vines, trees and now edible ornamentals.

Selecting good plants for the landscape can be challenging, especially when faced with numerous possibilities and limited information. The task is made even more complex when many new plants are introduced each year with which gardeners have little experience. The Plants of Merit program aims to promote diversity in the home gardening landscape.

To be nominated as a Plant of Merit, selections must not be invasive in our area; be easy to grow and maintain; grow consistently well in Missouri, central and southern Illinois, and the Kansas City Metro area; be resistant or tolerant to diseases and insects; have outstanding ornamental value; and be reasonably available to purchase.

Highlights of the 2009 Plants of Merit list include Serena series (Angelonia angustifolia), a great, tough annual for Missouri. Try using this brightly colored annual in beds and borders, but also in mixed combinations. Available in three colors, plus a mix, Serena series is a great height item for smaller combination pots, creating a center height element. It requires full sun exposure and is tolerant of our heat and humidity.

In the perennials category is Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium). This Missouri native has ‘yucca- like’ leaves with flowers that resemble thistle heads one-inch in diameter. It tolerates poor soils, and is best used in taller back borders, cottage gardens, meadows and naturalized areas. The seed heads are great in dried floral arrangements. Try using natural paints to add a little zip!

‘Citation’ yew (Taxus x media), a shrub, is not your ordinary yew. ‘Citation’ is a columnar type that does well even in shade. If wet conditions are avoided, this plant will thrive in average soil and tolerates urban conditions. Use as a screen hedge in lightly shaded to shade conditions.

In trees, Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) adapts well to urban conditions as a lawn, shade, or street tree. Another Missouri native, the Chinkapin oak has characteristics which do not resemble the typical oak leaf. These leaves are narrow, dark and glossy, with a serrated edge instead of a lobed airy leaf. The Chinkapin oak is a rather large tree, but easily sets its branches among the larger home landscapes, parks and even cemeteries.

The Plants of Merit program has a new category in 2009: edible ornamentals. This year’s pick is Ruby Perfection (Brassica oleracea). It’s a cabbage! Ruby Perfection produces three to four pound heads of edible red cabbage in 80 days, but also doubles as a colorful garden ornamental. It may be grown in the cool temperatures of spring or fall, but not in the heat of the summer. Harvest the cabbages for use in salads, slaws or as cooked vegetables, or simply enjoy their showy color in the garden.

The Plants of Merit program began in 1999. Partnering organizations include Powell Gardens, Mizzou Botanic Garden, the University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association, and Illinois Green Industry Association.

For more information on Plants of Merit, visit www.plantsofmerit.org. Plants of Merit brochures may also be purchased at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening and the Garden Gate Shop.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is the oldest continually operating botanical garden in the nation, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2009. Missouri Botanical Garden: Green for 150 Years.

Exhibition Art, Inside & Out opens March 6

WHO: The Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission

WHAT: Art, Inside & Out: paintings by John Barton and Phillip Hampton

WHEN: Exhibition: March 6 through April 12
Opening reception: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. March 6
Gallery talk: Wednesday, March 25; 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. talk
Gallery hours: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

WHERE: The Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission
6128 Delmar Boulevard on The Loop, St. Louis, MO 63112
Free parking in the lot behind The Pageant; metered street parking

Both John Barton and Phillip Hampton-the featured artists in the exhibition Art, Inside & Out-are painters, and art has been an integral aspect of their lives. Those lives, however, have been very different and their work is inevitably shaped by their individual experiences.

Barton, a self-taught or Outsider Artist and the son of a preacher, often has a spiritual message in his work which is inspired by his dreams and visions. As is typical of Outsider Artists, Barton had little or no contact with the institutions of the mainstream art world. He began drawing and painting at an early age but his art wasn't appreciated until late in life. "My paintings grew out of my experiences, thoughts, feelings. I'm 67 years old and I've wondered what all of this means. Needless to say, it's part of me. I've been an artist 'on the outside' maybe all my life," said Barton.

Grappling with such charged topics as human nature and religion, Barton's art is expressive and emotional-at times even tinged with pain. Hampton, on the other hand, approaches his art from an analytical and scientific point of view. A graduate from the Kansas City Art Institute and Professor Emeritus at Southern Illinois University, Hampton was one of three artists featured in last year's exhibition African American Abstraction: St. Louis Connections at the Saint Louis Art Museum. His abstract work is inspired by the self-imposed question "What is reality and what makes reality real?"

Through their work, Hampton and Barton each present us with unique and very personal points of view. Combined, their art shows us every aspect of life: the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful.

Art, Inside & Out is curated by Laurie Carmody Ahner of Galerie Bonheur.

Neuroday, Brain Science Expo at the St. Louis Science Center

WHAT: The first annual NeuroDay, Brain Science Expo at the Saint Louis Science Center will include The Real World: Neuroscience, a special brain-themed “house” created by Washington University graduate students, among many other activities.

At NeuroDay, attendees can test their accuracy with prism goggles, a device used to demonstrate visual-motor plasticity, or hold an actual human brain. Other highlights of the event include talks by neuroscientists, exhibitors from community groups, interactive presentations, demonstrations and hands-on activities that emphasize different aspects of brain research.

This event offers the public an opportunity to learn about the brain, the nervous system, and neurological disorders through interactive activities. It is part of international Brain Awareness Week, created by the DANA Alliance for Brain Initiatives and the Society for Neuroscience.

NeuroDay is a collaboration between the Saint Louis Science Center and Washington University funded by the National Science Foundation.

PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
Interviews with representatives from the Saint Louis Science Center and Washington University will be available before and at the event.

Visuals:
Hands on Your Brain: Examine a real human brain.
The Jelly Bean: How taste and smell interact.
Electro-occulargrams (EOGs)
Stroop Task: How fast can you say the color?
Electric Fish Tank
Sniffy the Virtual Rat

WHEN:
Saturday, March 7, 2009 10am-3pm

WHERE:
Saint Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

COST: FREE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Beth Bishop McClure, Saint Louis Science Center, 314.289.1455 (o), 314.267.9916 (c), ebishop@slsc.org

Trademarks:
Thank you for your interest in covering the Saint Louis Science Center. We ask that you include the full names of our institution: Saint Louis Science Center, OMNIMAXÒ Theater, and James S. McDonnell Planetarium when writing your story.

Saint Louis Science Center
The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of the “10 Best Science Centers for Families” by Parents magazine and one of “America’s Most Visited Museums” by Forbes Traveler Magazine, - the only museum in Missouri to be named to either list - the Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAXÒ Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium., the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Its mission is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning.



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