10/11/07
BULL NOSED COLUMNS GLAZED BRICKS
Bull nose brick column.
Glazed green, and root beer brick columns!
I used to love this house until they painted the limestone steps.
Mosaic tile on the side of the porch.
Glazed green, and root beer brick columns!
I used to love this house until they painted the limestone steps.
Mosaic tile on the side of the porch.
MY MOTHER - HORTUS COURT
During the late 40's, my Mom lived on Hortus Court in a house her father rented.
I miss her something huge.
I miss her something huge.
10/9/07
SKATING ON THE RINGS OF SATURN
Back when I was a library bound teenager I befriended a girl named A---- who a walking collection of bouncing angles. She was an odd one, a smart hooiser with a rabid stink eye and a smile that was hedged with teeth. I used to think of her (and her family) as People of the Teeth. Their trenchant wit had the chomp of a whip.
She both intrigued and frightened me. She wasn't pleasant or generous, no, but she was an original.
Some of her originality may have been inspired by her older brother, a Viet Nam Vet who became an iron worker. He was a freaking terror. A----- once told me a story about how he was leaving the old Rusty Springs bar one night when some guy made a pass at his girlfriend. The bro picked up the receiver of the wall phone near the door, jammed in into the guys mouth and twisted it around forcefully. The guy lost a lot of teeth.
Turned out it was the wrong guy.
Viet Nam didn't kill him, it was a fall from a building he was working on downtown in the 80's.
I worked downtown in the late 70's and, while walking to lunch one day heard a whistle that I just knew was directed at me. Not a woof call but a Hey You whistle. I looked around and upwards and eight 'floors' up was her brother walking a girder and waving at me. That was impressive, I'd only met him twice and was surprised he spotted me in a crowd from that height.
A---- had a convoluted vocabulary loaded with mysterious expressions. One was, You are so far out you're skating on the rings of Saturn.
We were BF's for a decade. Eventually we parted. She found a higher power and I, well I had my molars pulled.
She both intrigued and frightened me. She wasn't pleasant or generous, no, but she was an original.
Some of her originality may have been inspired by her older brother, a Viet Nam Vet who became an iron worker. He was a freaking terror. A----- once told me a story about how he was leaving the old Rusty Springs bar one night when some guy made a pass at his girlfriend. The bro picked up the receiver of the wall phone near the door, jammed in into the guys mouth and twisted it around forcefully. The guy lost a lot of teeth.
Turned out it was the wrong guy.
Viet Nam didn't kill him, it was a fall from a building he was working on downtown in the 80's.
I worked downtown in the late 70's and, while walking to lunch one day heard a whistle that I just knew was directed at me. Not a woof call but a Hey You whistle. I looked around and upwards and eight 'floors' up was her brother walking a girder and waving at me. That was impressive, I'd only met him twice and was surprised he spotted me in a crowd from that height.
A---- had a convoluted vocabulary loaded with mysterious expressions. One was, You are so far out you're skating on the rings of Saturn.
We were BF's for a decade. Eventually we parted. She found a higher power and I, well I had my molars pulled.
10/1/07
TINY SQUARES BRICK & HOOSIER MORTAR
This is the story of astounding face bricks and 'mortar' out of a tube.
I am an admirer of bricks, especially face bricks. Face brick is the name for the decorative bricks that were used on the front of the house that faces the street. This photo illustrates face brick on the front of the building and regular (I can't bring myself to say 'common') red brick used on the side.
I love face brick! So when I discover a previously undiscovered (to me) brick, it's always exciting.
These are on Morgan Ford Road between Hartford and Connecticut. Cool bricks, huh?
Then there's the hoosier repointing job. That gunk is 'mortar' that can be bought in a tube. It's weird stuff, I've used it before to patch a small burrowed hole in my foundation. It has a fey spongy consistency as it slowly sets. I was pushing small rocks into it the next day and it was pushing back!
The only way to apply the goo is with a finger.
The trick I used is to coat my fingers with dishwashing soap (so the 'mortar' doesn't stick to me).
This was never meant to be used as brick mortar and mortar is not an adhesive.
That's Missy Van Winkle's Hand.
I am an admirer of bricks, especially face bricks. Face brick is the name for the decorative bricks that were used on the front of the house that faces the street. This photo illustrates face brick on the front of the building and regular (I can't bring myself to say 'common') red brick used on the side.
I love face brick! So when I discover a previously undiscovered (to me) brick, it's always exciting.
These are on Morgan Ford Road between Hartford and Connecticut. Cool bricks, huh?
Then there's the hoosier repointing job. That gunk is 'mortar' that can be bought in a tube. It's weird stuff, I've used it before to patch a small burrowed hole in my foundation. It has a fey spongy consistency as it slowly sets. I was pushing small rocks into it the next day and it was pushing back!
The only way to apply the goo is with a finger.
The trick I used is to coat my fingers with dishwashing soap (so the 'mortar' doesn't stick to me).
This was never meant to be used as brick mortar and mortar is not an adhesive.
That's Missy Van Winkle's Hand.
9/27/07
Dear Mayor Slay
Almost a year ago, I called in various code violations to CSB on 4251-53 Juniata St
The serious violations are the rotting back porch, missing mortar and the sidewalk.
I've read on Case Net http://stlcin.missouri.org/citydata/newdesign/csb.cfm?handle=15062000380 that the owner is on notice. What does mean?
I know the tenants in this four unit building and like them as neighbors. It's great that the building owner has such wonderful tenants.
It's annoying that my tenants have this view from their two floor porch every day. It's also embarrassing when I'm showing my flat to lease.
I've called in the tuckpointing problem to CSB. An inspector who was doing an occupancy permit on my building last summer also noted and cited the missing mortar. These photos are of the top of the building on the west side.
Those aren't shadows, that's missing mortar!
That top corner brick should be rebedded.
The sidewalk has serious problems. I've read on Case Net that it's on the 50/50 program but can these conditions safely wait that long? I recently bought an eighty pound bag of mortar and it was 9.00 (with tax). What's the hold up?
About four months ago, a new tenant moved in. Didn't the occupancy permit inspector (I assume she visited) note the condition of the porch during that visit? When the inspector visits here, she always views the back of my building.
Considering the building doesn't have any empty units and the rents being collected must total at least 1,600.00, why can't the owner afford to repair the sidewalk?
The back porch saga.
Only one of four handrails is attached to the bottom pole.
Porch deck is rotting.
The paint is peeling all over the first deck and porch divider.
The red arrows show where the downspout have been broken for years. It should drain under the pavement into the sewer line. It rusted through a few years ago, the rain splashes outside of the pipe and has caused the pavement to start sinking. Isn't this a code violation?
The lumber and ladder have been stowed under the rotting porch for a year. I'm guessing when an inspector visits, the owner tells them he's ready to start work any day.
The serious violations are the rotting back porch, missing mortar and the sidewalk.
I've read on Case Net http://stlcin.missouri.org/citydata/newdesign/csb.cfm?handle=15062000380 that the owner is on notice. What does mean?
I know the tenants in this four unit building and like them as neighbors. It's great that the building owner has such wonderful tenants.
It's annoying that my tenants have this view from their two floor porch every day. It's also embarrassing when I'm showing my flat to lease.
I've called in the tuckpointing problem to CSB. An inspector who was doing an occupancy permit on my building last summer also noted and cited the missing mortar. These photos are of the top of the building on the west side.
Those aren't shadows, that's missing mortar!
That top corner brick should be rebedded.
The sidewalk has serious problems. I've read on Case Net that it's on the 50/50 program but can these conditions safely wait that long? I recently bought an eighty pound bag of mortar and it was 9.00 (with tax). What's the hold up?
About four months ago, a new tenant moved in. Didn't the occupancy permit inspector (I assume she visited) note the condition of the porch during that visit? When the inspector visits here, she always views the back of my building.
Considering the building doesn't have any empty units and the rents being collected must total at least 1,600.00, why can't the owner afford to repair the sidewalk?
The back porch saga.
Only one of four handrails is attached to the bottom pole.
Porch deck is rotting.
The paint is peeling all over the first deck and porch divider.
The red arrows show where the downspout have been broken for years. It should drain under the pavement into the sewer line. It rusted through a few years ago, the rain splashes outside of the pipe and has caused the pavement to start sinking. Isn't this a code violation?
The lumber and ladder have been stowed under the rotting porch for a year. I'm guessing when an inspector visits, the owner tells them he's ready to start work any day.
9/24/07
TGS BLOCK CAPTAIN MEETING 08/24
The most recent Block Captain meeting featured local and state politicians. Scheduled to arrive but MIA was 10th ward alderman Joe Vollmer. In attendance, Senator Jeff Smith, State Rep 67th District, Mike Daus and 15th ward alderwoman, Jennifer Florida.
An announcement was made about the next meeting scheduled for November 19th which will showcase neighborhood talent: artists, musicians and crafts people will be showing and have their work for sale. 10% of the sales will be donated to the block captain fund.
Jan Clinite
The 15th Ward Democrats. http://15thward.org
Block Captain Kim Cole.
Still my hero.
Tim Garret, TGS resident talked about his gallery storefront that will be opening on Morgan Ford Road next month.
http://photoboothstl.com/
Jennifer Florida, 15th ward alderwoman, was excited to see me with a camera. Oh good, she said, I don't have a picture of me with Jeff. Whew, had she leaned any further to the left she would have been in the his lap.
J-Flo was using a crutch and bets flew around the room: Would she continue to appear in public with it until after the next election? I don't live in J-Flo's ward and if I did, I would have sign the recall petition. I have extensive issues with J-Flo as an alderwoman. Her defunct blog http://jenniferflorida.wordpress.com/ says it all and that all is nada.
Mike Daus, (TGS homeboy) took the lead and talked about his responsibilities as State Rep for the 67th ward. He politely resisted Jennifer Florida's attempt to go off point and start an unrelated argument. http://67thdistrict.blogspot.com/
Senator Jeff Smith looking more like a rock star then a politician. If you haven't seen the film, get it quick http://www.mrsmithmovie.com/
Jeff talked about three recent bills; Social Security, Education, and the Economic Development Package - He voted in support of Paul McKee which will ensure he won't get reelected (according to word on the street)
Steve Smith of the Royale is in the back standing next to Jan Clinite.
Mike Colona is in the foreground, he's going to run for State Rep, 67th ward (Mike Daus will be termed out in '08)
An announcement was made about the next meeting scheduled for November 19th which will showcase neighborhood talent: artists, musicians and crafts people will be showing and have their work for sale. 10% of the sales will be donated to the block captain fund.
Jan Clinite
The 15th Ward Democrats. http://15thward.org
Block Captain Kim Cole.
Still my hero.
Tim Garret, TGS resident talked about his gallery storefront that will be opening on Morgan Ford Road next month.
http://photoboothstl.com/
Jennifer Florida, 15th ward alderwoman, was excited to see me with a camera. Oh good, she said, I don't have a picture of me with Jeff. Whew, had she leaned any further to the left she would have been in the his lap.
J-Flo was using a crutch and bets flew around the room: Would she continue to appear in public with it until after the next election? I don't live in J-Flo's ward and if I did, I would have sign the recall petition. I have extensive issues with J-Flo as an alderwoman. Her defunct blog http://jenniferflorida.wordpress.com/ says it all and that all is nada.
Mike Daus, (TGS homeboy) took the lead and talked about his responsibilities as State Rep for the 67th ward. He politely resisted Jennifer Florida's attempt to go off point and start an unrelated argument. http://67thdistrict.blogspot.com/
Senator Jeff Smith looking more like a rock star then a politician. If you haven't seen the film, get it quick http://www.mrsmithmovie.com/
Jeff talked about three recent bills; Social Security, Education, and the Economic Development Package - He voted in support of Paul McKee which will ensure he won't get reelected (according to word on the street)
Steve Smith of the Royale is in the back standing next to Jan Clinite.
Mike Colona is in the foreground, he's going to run for State Rep, 67th ward (Mike Daus will be termed out in '08)
BRICK FENCE - 42 HARTFORD
Many years ago I met the owner of this house, he had made this brick 'fence' in his front yard. Dustin and Amy now live in it on 42 Hartford.
Cool bricks.
Cool bricks.
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