BANNER
 
 

April/May, 2008               Celebrating 50 Years in 2008!                                Issue I

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Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of the CWEA Neighborhood News

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It's our pleasure to bring to you the first online issue of the CWEA Neighborhood News.  We hope to provide you the most up-to-date and helpful information as you navigate your way through living, working and playing in the Central West End.  We're tinkering with the format, content, and frequency so please feel free to make suggestions (via email link below) as to how we can improve our communication with you.  Enjoy!

 

Tricia Roland-Hamilton

    President


Click Here to Contact Us!

    
Membership Drive Underway
 
Livin’ here. Lovin’ it.

When you live or work in the CWE, you know it’s going to be a nice day when, on your way to work or school, you see the sidewalks lined with tables and chairs and the planters are filled. Springtime is not only marked by the blooming of the pear trees and red buds, but by the crowd of strollers and bikes parked in front of the cafes and coffee shops. Hibernating neighbors emerge and place bets on whether there will be a blizzard or a heat wave next week.

There is so much to love about our neighborhood and one of the ways we can keep it thriving is by becoming a member of the Central West End Association or renewing our membership during the 2008 Spring Membership Drive. With your annual membership contribution you receive a chance to win four Cardinals baseball tickets and a resident membership discount card to local favorites all year long! Your membership dues support safety initiatives, beautifies the streetscape, and makes possible great events like the Art Fair & Taste, the Central West End House Tour, and the Annual Glow in the Park. As a member, you’ll be connected to the people and events in the neighborhood and continue to make this a great place to live. Thank you for your support and happy Spring!
  To learn more or sign up today, go to http://thecwe.com.

Your Neighbors and Fellow Merchants,

Heather Navarro and Paul Deal, Residential Membership
Marcia Niedringhaus, Business Membership

 

Mark Your Calendars!

 
2008 CENTRAL WEST END HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR FEATURING THE ELEGANT MANSIONS
OF KINGSBURY PLACE

Saturday and Sunday, May 17th & 18th, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
                                               
See the history...
Experience the dining and shopping...


 
Join us for the exciting 2008 Central West End House and Garden Tour - a popular tradition for more than 30 years.  The tour draws more than 5,000 people to our historic and vibrant community (one of St. Louis Magazines "2007 Best Neighborhoods"). 

Chaired by neighbor Janet Meyer (ably assisted by Bill Latz), this years’ tour features the elegant turn-of- the-century homes of Kingsbury Place.  We are thrilled to be spotlighting one of St. Louis’ premier private places where the amazing craftsmanship of an era past is evident. 

 
                                   Ticket prices:     $20  days of the tour   
                                                           $18  in advance
                                                           $16  group of 15 or more
 

To purchase tickets, click on the invitation at right or go to http://www.thecwe.com and click on 2008 Annual House & Garden Tour.
 
2008 CENTRAL WEST END HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR 
PREVIEW PARTY
Friday, May 16, 2008
 
                                  6:00 - 10:00 p.m.                               
 
The historic mansions of Kingsbury Place will welcome you for an exclusive tour.  Libations will be plentiful, including Preview Party Signature Cocktails.  Cuisine from top CWE restaurants will await you in tents under the trees of this enchanting street.  To add to your pleasure, there will be live music.  Enjoy a signature cocktail, take a leisurely tour of some incredible mansions, partake in outstanding cuisine and maybe even a dance under the stars.
 

Tickets are $90 per person and are limited so make plans to join us for the extraordinary party!

For tickets go to http://thecwe.com to order online or call 367-2220.


 
2008 CENTRAL WEST END ART FAIR & TASTE
June 6 - 8, 2008

 

The 14th Annual Art Fair & Taste brings together the best local and regional artists and the area's most distinguished restaurants for this exceptional event that draws over 50,000 people annually. This year, the Art Fair & Taste will feature a Children's Pavilion, Live Entertainment all weekend, Art Demonstrations, and excellent restaurant fare. Thanks to our very own John Oleski and Paris Bouchard for their leadership as chairs of this year's event.

Come to support your historic CWE neighborhood and not only visit the many booths, but stroll among the antique shops, boutiques, and the many galleries located on CWE's own "Gallery Row".

 

                                  2008 GLOW IN THE PARK

                                       September 19, 2008

                                      6:30 p.m. till Midnight
 

Plans are underway for the 17th annual Glow in the Park, to be held this year on the race launch field.  Large, elegant and beautifully decorated tents will house this exclusive event and, as always, the glowing balloons will provide an indescribable backdrop.  Event Chair Patti Short and her committee are working hard to deliver an event you won't want to miss.
 

Planning & Development
 
The Planning and Development Committee recently heard a presentation on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 203k program for home and condominium renovation. HUD recently raised the FHA load limit of 203K rehab program to $281,251. The 203k program is HUD’s primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single family properties. To be eligible the property must be a one- to four-family dwelling that has been completed for at least one year; and retain some of the existing foundation system in homes that have been demolished or will be razed as part of the rehabilitation work.
 
Some Central West End residents may wish to find out more about the program. Go to //http://hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kabou.cfm or pick up a brochure at the CWEA office.

 
Neighborhood Parks
 
Neighbors gathered a couple of Saturday's ago to enjoy a Kennedy Park Primp and Play day.  More than 100 plants were planted with the help of 20 neighbors and a dozen kids.

 


Brendan Sullivan, with son Liam, Carter Hand with Maria Navarro, Heather Navarro & Tom Brackman.
 
News from BJC
 
A tunnel leading to the future loading docks of the BJC Institute of Health (former Wayco Garage Site) at Washington University will be excavated under Euclid Avenue.  The excavation will require installation of a temporary pedestrian bridge to allow for sidewalk access on the east side of Euclid, near the shuttle depot.  

Phase one:

-A portion of the Euclid sidewalk, just south of the shuttle depot, will be shifted slightly east to accommodate preparations for the excavation.

Phase two:

-A handicap-accessible pedestrian bridge will be installed over the excavation site, remaining in place for approximately eight months.

-Sidewalks on the east side of Euclid, and the north side of Children's Place, will remain open throughout construction.

-Shuttle service and access to the link and Metrolink, will not be impacted. 

 
More about the BJC Institute of Health at Washington University
 

Construction is under way on the BJC Institute of Health located at the southwest corner of Euclid Avenue and Children's Place. The steel frame will continue to take shape over the next eight months. The 11-story, 700,000-square-foot research building is scheduled for completion in December 2009.

The building will serve as home for BioMed 21, the university's initiative to accelerate scientific discovery and bring medical breakthroughs to the patient bedside faster. It also will house some ancillary services for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

 
CWE Neighborhood Security Initaitive Update
 
The CWEA Security Committee, chaired by neighbor Henry Edmonds, continues to work toward implementation of its Neighborhood Security Initiative (NSI).  The NSI began as a pilot project in October, 2007.  Its goal is to create an unwelcome environment for potential harm and enhance the safety and security of the neighborhood. 

A Security Committee representing six participating Special Business Districts (SBD's), along with CWE Midtown Development, Washington University Medical School and the CWEA has met weekly to provide oversight and guidance to the NSI. 

The combination of close coordination, sharing of information, brainstorming new approaches and establishing priorities has created strong momentum for continued success.  The Committee plans to formulate an overall neighborhood-wide security/safety plan, use a problem-solving approach to address safety issues, reduce reliance upon supplemental random patrols and discourage criminal behavior by creating a clean and unwelcome environment.

All are invited to attend our Security Forums, held the last Wednesday of the month, 5:45 p.m., at Schlafley Library.  Regular updates on the NSI will be provided.  For a copy of the NSI plan, please click here.
 
"REAL CHANGE" Campaign to Launch in CWE
 
In conjunction with the passing of a an ordinance cracking down on panhandling in the CWE, the CWEA will launch its "Real Change" campaign on Saturday, May 17th.  Its goal is to encourage residents and visitors to say no to panhandlers and, instead, give their spare change to local service providers. 

The campaign is designed to educate the public that those who give money to panhandlers are not helping people who truly are down on their luck. 

Parking meters will be installed at the intersections of Euclid and McPherson, Euclid and Maryland, Euclid and Laclede, and Euclid and Lindell, to collect change for agencies that provide support services to those in need.  Businesses will distribute cards describing the program and display decals indicating they "support real change". 

The new ordinance, introduced by CWE Alderman Lyda Krewson, makes panhandling illegal at night, at sidewalk cafe's, near bus stops and Metro stations and within any business establishment.  As always, any form of aggressive panhandling is against the law.  Panhandlers may not block the passage of the person they are soliciting or continue to beg after being told no.  Please call the police and Hi-Tech if you witness such activity.  Be sure to report location, a description of the panhandler and the offense witnes
sed.
****Upcoming Events****

Wednesday, April 30th
Security Forum
Schlafly Library
5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(Last Wednesday of the Month)

Friday, May 16th
2008 House & Garden Tour Preview Party
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

May 17th - 18th
2008 House & Garden Tour - Kingsbury Place
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

May 23th
Kick-Off of Real Change Campaign
Euclid & Maryland
10:00 a.m.

June 6th - 8th
2008 CWE Art & Taste

September 19th
Annual Glow in the Park
6:30 p.m. till Midnight
Share news of your upcoming events and activities. 

We're creating a community calendar and want to include happenings throughout the neighborhood. 

Send us your information!

 

Volunteers Needed

  • Office Help
     
  • House Tour
  • Art Fair & Taste

Click Here if You Can Help Us!

Livin' Here Lovin' It!!!

Join Your Neighbors and Merchants in Supporting the CWEA
Renew Your
Membership Today!

www.thecwe.com


 


 

We'll be creating a Community Chatter column in this space soon.  If you'd like to report on new moves, new shops, new neighbors, new babies, what's happening in the neighborhood, etc., give us a shout here.

Produced by the Central West End Association. 314-367-2220. http://www.thecwe.com
4902A Laclede Ave. (just above the Majestic) - Come by and visit!