SPEAKING OF GARAGES....

Frame and cinder block garages and the occasional asbestos shingle are standard on St. Louis south side. Of course my two car garage is brick but I haven't done a photo of it. Yet.

Some garages were built with warmth and talent like this precious gem a block down from my home.
Hand made wood corbels painted baby blue. I'm not taking off points for the asbestos shingles due to the artistry of construction.

I'm charmed by the piece of metal that was added to the top of the service door. My neighbor made one of those for my garage door to prevent the rain from rotting the top.

Brick garage with a stand of bamboo:

Brick and cinder blocks:

Low tech folding doors (I have these!)

Rotting:

These garages were built on the angle that follows the houses on a gently curved street.

Update - MARTI FRUMHOFF Memorial Garden in TGS

Last week I met with Tim Moffit (left) and John Kohler from the St. Louis Dept. of Public Service to discuss the details of Marti's Memorial garden.

They are standing at what will be the East end of the garden. It will expand eight feet to the south and two to the north. It will be quite large, estimated at 3,000 square feet. The city will start working on it in 2-3 months. And we're getting irrigation!

I have to give a huge shout to 10th ward alderman, Joe Vollmer for approving a hefty hunk of funding to expand the space.

Of course we still need help with the funding that goes towards the physical planting (and purchasing the plants and trees), benches, the memorial plaque and long term maintenance. Go here to donate via pay pal: http://www.martifrumhoffmemorial.org/ or email me for my address to send a check. Please help us create this space for one little woman who was a force in our city!

TERRA COTTA FLEUR-DE-LIS

In the twelfth century, either King Louis VI or King Louis VII became the first French King to use the fleur-de-lis on his shield. Later, several English kings incorporated the symbol into their coats of arms to show their claims to the throne of France.

From the block of 3900 Juniata, the fleurs span the cornice of the building.



According to Chapter 1.20 of the City of St. Louis Revised Code, the City of St. Louis flag is the following:

"The flag with a solid red background has two broad heraldic wavy bars, colored blue and white, extending from the left top and bottom corners toward left center where they join and continue as one to the center right edge. This symbolizes the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Over the point of confluence a round golden disk upon which is the fleur-de-lis of France (blue) calling attention to the French background of the early city and more particularly to St. Louis of France for whom the City is named. The golden disk represents the City and/or the Louisiana Purchase. (Heraldically, the disk is a "bezant" or Byzantine coin signifying, money or simply purchase.)

The flag’s colors recall those of Spain (red and yellow or gold), Bourbon France (white and gold), Napoleonic and Republican France (blue, white and red), and the United States of America (red, white, and blue)."

COLUMNS - TGS

My house.
I found those wood storm doors in the alley over ten years ago and stored them in the garage until I found someone willing to cut them down and install them.

Roman brick on the porch and a stellar brick column with corinthian capital.

FRANK HARDT BUILDING

Brannon and Chippewa

THERE OUGHTA BE AN ORDINANCE...

And there is...click on the title above. Thanks to Steve Wilke-Shapiro for the link!

Louis Reed campaign signs pasted to boarded up buildings in north St. Louis. Once Reed was elected someone went back and pasted over Thank You sticker's instead of removing them.

Is it just me who finds it ironic that the new President of the Board of Alderman has allowed these signs to remain posted? Isn't there a time stamp on these signs?

Location: Maffit and Vandeventer.


Grand Ave.
Another location of Grand. There's more, these are just the ones I photographed.

CITY ORDINANCE 59267

Oh for crying out loud, did this ordinance really need a graphic?
Whilst driving by I wondered if I really saw what I thought I saw which was an actual item leaving the back door of the dog. I backed up. Yep, there it was exiting the pup and....Oh no you didn't!

I like to imagine the conversation that went on with the person who got this gig:
Boss: We need a graphic to go with this ordinance.
McJob: OK, let me read it...Say what?
(riotous laughter) Are you serious?
Boss: Just do it already.
McJob: Er...how graphic do you want this?
Boss: Do I have to spell it out for you?

State Rep Mike Daus relayed a hilarious story about this sign. He said he was at a meeting where alderman Joe Vollmer said a graphic was needed because dogs can't read.

FIVE CORNER INTERSECTION

I'm queer for five corner intersections.

Except in San Francisco where driving is madness and trying to find a parking spot will drive a nervous woman to drink. I once borrowed a friend's Monticello to drive around in SF. It was a V8 sedan with a hood as large as my bedroom. Driving up those hills and stopping at a stop light I couldn't see over the hood. I had to lean out the window to watch lights change.

ART DECO FOUR FAMILY

An Art Deco masterpiece, this four family near Potomac and Brannon has a magnificent black vitrolite facade. Love the landscaping.



'Diamond' vitrolite



Stained glass tulips on each door.

Certainly not the original screen doors. They were probably wood and matched the door behind.

This is one of the few buildings I've met that has face brick on all walls (as does its garage below)

Painted black to match the vitrolite!

Wormed brick.

The matching garage

A PERFECT BRICK ARCH

Ah.
This is what I'm talking about.

This four family is on my block and was rehabbed by the delightful Codd Brothers. (Bill, please note I didn't say Cobb) It retains the original doors (even though they've been painted) but check out that perfect arch! Click on the photo to enlarge and feast your eyes on the fabulous ornamental terra cotta that rides the arch and enjoy the perfectly placed and bolted stars.

I get to look at this daily. Eat your heart out.

What was the builder thinking?

I guess the person who rehabbed the front of this building tried to make it attractive. All I see is hideous colors and effed up doors. For someone as short as I am, I would never be able to see out the peep hole...if there is one.

But check out the wonderful quoin brick corners on the building. Just hold something up to the screen to obscure the porch.

The horror.

Friend Bruk

On the coldest winter days a bundle of warmth with cold fingers arrives at my door to help me move stuff around. She hauls boxes to the car, debris to the alley, chases hangers, helps clean, gives advice, runs seams and has worked in my yard.

But these things aren't what make her invaluable.
It's that she's so worthy of love.

The front room of Bruk's home with her shine to music.


Here's Bruk in her studio


Some of the shirts:

Uniform shirt for Bruk's band MAIDRITE

Vintage 40's cotton patch

Her Rodeo Revival label

CLICK ON THE POST TITLE TO VISIT BRUK'S BLOG.

SCORCHED & CHISELED BRICK

Of course it's not scorched and the dark areas of these bricks were probably caused by pollution but it's late and my creativity at naming bricks at this hour has waned.
Check out the phenomenal dimension to these bricks:


Losing mortar


Because Cena never knows what I'm talking about when I say face brick.
It's on the front of the building and faces the street, see?

Poor terra cotta pyramid details are succumbing to weather erosion.