Xenophobia and Xenia

X...this letter gave me fits last year, but since I had signed up multiple blogs to the challenge last year I really had to stretch.  I used X Marks the spot, the city of Xenia Ohio, and X...well here, take a look

There are 6 cities/towns with the name of Xenia in the United States.  One in Colorado in Washington County at 4,534 feet of elevation, Kansas in Boubon County at 1,040 feet, one in Iowa in Dallas County at 1,027 feet, also one that used to be in Hardin County, but there's very little documentation of this, Illinois has a Xenia in Clay County at 534 feet (this location is now known as Altanta), and the one most known for the horrible tornado in Ohio.

Additionally, there used to be a city/village in Missouri named after Xenia Ohio as a matter of fact, that no longer exists.  There is a sign marking where the village used to be in Nodaway County.  It moved to Pickerington when it was by passed by the railroads and ceased to exist back in 1870.
There was a small skirmish during the Civil War between The Union from the Iowa Calvary and the Confederates from southern Nodaway County.

XENOPHOBIA:
 fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign

**After the close of April's A-Z, I plan to continue to write a post a day in the month of May using again the A-B-C's as my guide.  My focus for the month of May will be Spain.  I've been planning and almost have every letter thought out.  If others are interested in continuing to blog daily using our A-B-C's, please let me know.  We could start a linky and continue what we've begun during April.  I don't imagine it will be anywhere near the scope of the annual April Challenge.  But, if you're interested, please let me know in your comment.  And even if you're not up for another blog challenge, do stop back in, I have much to share from recent travels to Spain.**

If you're a new follower, please let me know so I can reciprocate.

Vom Fass in St. Louis

 Vom Fass, a most unusual shopping venture located at 7314 Manchester Road, in Historic Maplewood (St. Louis, Missouri).  A wonderful selection of imported oils and vinegar.

 Wine and Liqueurs a plenty.

 Scotch, Special Single Malts and Irish Whiskey.

You're able to taste before you purchase, select the size you want and obtain ideas of how to mix and match from a very well informed and friendly staff.  In addition to the shopping and tasting before you shop; they have cooking classes, wine and Scotch Tastings and menu's.  The selection of Balsamic and Fruit Vinegars is astounding. 

Vom Fass was opened on Dec 9, 2009 and has become quite popular with the locals.  But, fear not you can order on line if you're not in the area.  But, if you're going to be in the area, do check out their cocktail class and coffee crawl.


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66, Missouri

While I don't make a habit of looking down when I walk...look what you can see if you actually look around when walking.  It was raining the day we spent time walking the historic area of Maplewood Missouri, so pictures were a quick snap and move on.  I didn't even take time to read the plaques that day.  But, found several that were very interesting.  The signs says 66 Park in Theater (drive in).  Young folks may have to look that up.  lol  This was locaetd at 9438 Watson Road.  It was built in 1947 by Flexer and after one year taken over by Wehrenberg who operated it til it's closing.

This was located on historic route 66.  I get my kicks on Route 66...something else young folks might need to look up.  We old folk well remember the song and the tv show.  This open air theater advertised "cool breezes" long before air conditioning came about.  There was a playground up front for kids, pony rides, ferris wheels even throughout it's history.    Teens called it the passion pit.  It held 800 cars and had 4 concession stands.  The picture was taken by Chuck1231 and uploaded to Cinema Treasurers(along with 2,551 others). 

Drive In's popularity lessened with more available on tv, with folks going to the movies and having air conditioning.  66 Park in Theater closed after the 1993 season, and was demolished March 19th, 1994.  Though I also found information that said it was razed in 1996.  It made room for a grocery store, National and after that a Schnucks.  Now there's a shopping center there and all that remains is memories of historic route 66, drive in movies are a thing of the past.

Hope you'll take time to listen, Nat King Cole Singing Get your kicks on Route 66

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
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Historic Maplewood's Saratoga's Bowling Lanes in Missouri

St. Louis Missouri is a most unique city with many different sections and very different neighborhoods.  There are in fact, 79 different neighborhoods listed on official records.  One area is Maplewood.  The historic area of Maplewood is fun and interesting place to spend a day.  There many shops, cafe's and area's of interest.  We did not see a shopping mall, but cute, unique and old school shops as well as newly formed shops to visit.

Walking down the main street you see these historic markers for landmarks along the way.  Notice the sidewalk isn't plain ordinary concrete.  Saratoga Lanes is the oldest bowling alley of it's kind west of The Mississippi River.  It's been in existence since 1916.  This small, 8 lane upstairs bowling alley is truly old school.  There are pencils and paper to keep your score, not electronic flashing screens posted on the walls.  It's located at 2725 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood Missouri 63143.  It's often rented out for corporate and birthday parties.  It has been designated a National Registered Historic Place.

You can bring your own food, or have your event catered; as food isn't served...though snacks are available in vending machines.  You do need to purchase beverages there.  It is highly suggested you book your event or your game well in advance, as it's quite popular and books up early.  In addition to bowling you can shoot pool.

Reviews I read indicate it's quite smokey there, but I wonder if that was before St. Louis got up with the rest of country with smoking bans in public spaces.

I'm sorry we didn't go in, and actual see the place; but it was raining and I very quickly took this photo with the thought I'd look at it later, so didn't actually even read it between the rain drops.  There will be other trips though, so may re-visit this site.


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(6 & 4 log)

Cafe Osage in St. Louis

 Doesn't this plate make you want to pick up a fork?  Mixed grain pancakes with bananas foster type compote.  It was absolutely yummy.  Darling Daughter and I had a fantastic brunch at Cafe Osage in the Central West End in St. Louis. 

 Now that most interesting thing is...when you first walk in, you're in a nursery.  See seeds!

 A nice gift shop, both of garden and non garden related items.  During warm months you can dine outside on their patio among the beautiful plantings.

 Shop before or after you dine, there's plenty to pick from.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served. I highly recommend Cafe Osage and hope to return.

HandleBar in The Grove St. Louis

There's a story behind the animal prints and me climbing up on this rather large bike sculpture, (HERE), but for now let me tell you about Handle Bar.

The bike sculpture is outside the bar, and once inside you understand why.  Bikes also hang from the walls and ceiling,

It's a friendly, neighborhood establishment located in The Grove in St. Louis on Manchester Avenue (4127)

Where it's not uncommon to see people really relaxing, playing games or cards.

Born in Moscow, Tatyana immigrated in 1999.  She was homesick for her native land, but soon fell in love with the city of St. Louis and moved there in 2005.  She rode her bike through all the parks, The Riverfront, and interesting neighborhoods St. Louis has to offer and realized she could truly commute on her bike, not something possible in Moscow.  She was free to pick a destination, hop on her bike and just pedal.  She opened HandleBar in 2010 at the Old ChurchKey Bar5 location to share her interest in healthy food with a bit of a Russian influence (unusual for bars), local beers, local artists, and bikes.  Bikes as art, bikes to sell, bikes to ride. 

The Grove..seems to be a newly named neighborhood area in St. Louis.  Manchester Road, parts there off are part of Historic Route 66.  St. Alopysius Church was vacant for years, demolished and some of the brick and other items were used in the building/rehab of ChurchKey, now HandleBar.

**I'm reminded of a saying, Get your kicks on Route 66.......and you still can.

Stop in, enjoy a brew, play a game and enjoy!

Street Art in St. Louis Missouri

These words popped immediately into my head when I saw this street art out the car window in St. Louis. I almost always have my camera in my purse when traveling. You just never know when you'll see something of interest. Take time, look around when you travel. Travel is more then your final destination.

If I had a hammer
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening
All over this land
I'd hammer out danger
I'd hammer out a warning
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters All over this land

This words come from the song "The Hammer", written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays back in 1949.
The song was written in support of The progressive movement and song by Pete and Party on June 3,.
1949 in New York at a testimonial dinner for leaders of The Communist Party who were on trail here.
The progressive movement wanted change in tenement housing, change in child labor laws, and improved
working conditions for women.  Art in many forms speaks.  The purpose of these words was probably
forgotten by August of 1962 when the song,  hit the top ten song by Peter, Paul and Mary.

Demo Man is a 20 foot statue made from "stuff laying around". Don Bellon of Bellon Wrecking and Salvage Company had a small statue on his desk, a gift from his wife titled, "The Wrecker". He liked this little statue and wanted a larger version of it. When outdoor art became popular this was made and placed on Vandeventer at Highway 40 across the street from his business. It's visible from Highway 40.

Perhaps next trip, I'll be able to get a picture without the electrical box blocking part of it by parking the car.

Look around when you travel, you'll be amazed what you see, and what you can learn.

**Just deleted 67 comments in my spam folder that were nicely caught by the blogger spam filter, and reviewed 9 comments half of which were good to post, the other half I marked spam. The filter works great folks. PLEASE get rid of your captcha it takes time, it's annoying, it's hard to read, and it's unnecessary. It makes people not want to leave comments**

St. Louis, Missouri

The beginning of day 1 of "Girls Time" in St. Louis. My daughter picked me up at the airport we headed to Cafe'Ventana for brunch. A fabulous New Orleans style cafe with beignets (pronounced ben-YAY), Paninis, Souffles's and live jazz on the weekend. I had an early morning flight so was starved. First let me say St. Louis is one of my favorite cities, so much to see and do; and The FOOD!

It's located on West Pine Blvd in a residential area. I think you see the apartments next door. It's quaint inside and out.

Fresh fruit attractively served and my fabulous Souffle's and Herbal Tea. It was excellent!

Looking the opposite direction on Pine you can see the entrance to St. Louis University. Look at the wonderful architecture. We ran a few errands, and checked in our hotel. They were good enough to let us check in early.

Lunch was G-R-E-A-T, just like Tony The Tiger would say. We each enjoyed a glass of wine, shared this Insalata Caprese salad and a gourmet pizza that I forgot to photograph. It was yummy. The Good Pie is definitely on my must return list. If you go in the evening, I would suggest calling for reservations. When we passed it later it was packed! The Good Pie is not your average pizza joint. It's located 3137 Olive.

Next up for us ladies, painting pottery! I've never painted pottery before; though my daughter is quite good at it. This was my piece before it was fired. I attempted to do some designs with stencils and decided it look like 3rd grade work; so I painted over it. Far too big a project to do for the first time. Now she tells me! We were there for hours! I've not seen how bad it looked after firing, as I've not been back to St. Louis. She has it. I'm told, it should be brighter and shinnier after the firing process. Believe I'll stick to my yarn and knit and crochet, I'm far better at it. (check out some of my work HERE
The inside of my daughters piece. These bowls will be used for salsa and chips. We painted pottery at The Painted Zebra in Kirkwood; though neither my daughter nor I would recommend this shop. Brushes are terrible (my daughter had the only good one, at least that's part of the excuse I used for my mediocre work), tables aren't clean and the pieces being picked up after firing are handled very casually. People walk in, pick them up saying there there's without matching any receipts up. We were both floored! Price to paint is reasonable, variety of items to paint is large, no puff paints are available, stencils aren't in any order. The shop seems very hap hazard. My daughter assured me this was not like other shops she had painted in before.
Wrapping up she adds her name to the bottom. Look at that detail she painted all around the outside rim of the bowl! I need to have her send pictures of our bowls to see what they look liked when she picked them up.

We had dinner outside at a local Italian eatery we've frequented many times LaGra. It's a Tapas style Italian with jazz on the weekends. Menu is variety and very reasonably priced. It was dark and we were seated on the patio; so sorry folks no pictures this time round. But I will no doubt be back there. It's located in Dogtown.

A full and long day we headed back to the hotel and crashed. Day two was more relaxed. Breakfast at the hotel (it's free and good), followed by a massage at Massage Envy in Brentwood. The massage was wonderful, and I highly recommend this particularly location. Friendly and helpful staff. We had a lite snack and relaxed a bit at the hotel before our FABULOUS FABULOUS dinner at Lorusso's, my favorite place to eat in St. Louis. It's in The Hill and never disappoints. We enjoyed the piano music as we have many previous times. Jim Becker a darling senior can play anything. The food, service and ambiance is unbeatable. (too dark for pictures, must see what I can do about that next trip).

I love St. Louis and I really love my special girl time with my daughter.

**Details of One Lovely Blog Award Here, will be adding a few more; so stay tuned.

Turtle Park, St. Louis, Missouri (Dogtown-Forest Park)

Remember to click to see pictures larger
Exit 34A, Skinker and Clayton Roads is the spot. The walk bridge you see is at the intersection of Tamm and Oakland Avenue's in St. Louis, Missouri. Some will argue this is Dogtown, some will say it's the far southern end of Forest Park. At the very least it is were the two neighbors join and come together.
Cute little turtles lining the walking paths make a good place for children to sit.
And who could resist climbing on such a large repile? Seriously, there are children of all ages here. Climbing, walking, photographing.
Funny the small children didn't seem to be afraid of this large creature with it's mouth opened. These fantastic cement sculptures are the work of a local artist, Robert Cassilly on land donated by Mrs. Sonya (Sunny) Glassberg.
And yes, the park is in-fact named Turtle Playground. In August of 1996 it was officially opened. There's parking on the street and plenty of place for bikers, walkers and those with strollers on a sunny afternoon. You could try your hand at identifying a Snapping Turtle, Soft-Shelled Turtle, Mississippi Map, Box Turtles or a Stink Pot as they all reside here in cement form. There's even a long snake which makes a place to sit, or climb along side the walkway.

With the covered walkway over the freeway there's easy access to the park. Though I must admit this is the first time we've actually visited the park; we've seen the large turtles from the freeway many many times in our travels there. Take time, get off the freeway and enjoy it; it's well worth the effort.

The park is open daily til 10 pm and is free!

Budweiser Brewery, St. Louis, Missouri

We toured The Budweiser Brewery when we traveled to St. Louis. It was still an American owned, family owned company at the time. Sad to know after all the traditional things we saw it no longer fits that category. The plant is spotless, the guided tours are interesting and educational. I particularly enjoyed the historic buildings, and pictures of the original family members.

The building that served as the school for family and workers is still in use, occupied as office space now.

This is a good tourist item for a rainy day and general travel throughout St. Louis.

At the end of the tour you do have options of tasting. I'm not a beer drinker; but my husband and daughter enjoyed that part. I'm a wine drinker. Didn't want to give the wrong idea here. There's pop for the kids too, so no one is left out.

Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri

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This statue was the symbol of the city, until replaced with The famous Arch. Apothesis King Louis IX of France resides in Forest Park.

Forest Park:
City owned
Opened to the public in 1876
One of the largest parks in the country
500 acres larger than Central Park in New York (1,293 acres)
Location of The 1904 Worlds Fair
Historic Buildings
Golf...3 courses
Beautiful landscape
Trails for walking, biking, roller blading
Zoo
Art Museum
History Museum (Missouri Historical Society)
Birding paradise
Muny for opera, Shakespeare and more
Science Center
Ice skating rink (largest outdoor rink in the midwest)
fishing, boating, picnicing

No wonder 12 million people visit this fantastic park every year. My post is a bit unusual above, just listing some of things one can do or find to enjoy while visiting Forest Park. Winter, Spring, Summer, or fall....day or night or both. You really must tour this park, and really once is not enough.

I've lost, from computer to computer I think some of the many pictures I took on various trips there. Here though are a few I took at night. I highly encourage everyone, people of all ages, people with or without pets....come romp and enjoy!