THREE KINGS PUB AND 19TH ANNUAL DINING OUT FOR LIFE

Lupe loves the Three Kings pub!!!! They are the best thing to happen to the Loop for a long time! (Lupe admits to being most familiar with their Late Night Menu. But they are great for dinner if you are more of an early bird than Lupe. ;o)

And on the 26th they will be part of the Dining Out For Life In St. Louis! 25% of all proceeds to benefit St. Louis effort to assist those with AIDS!

Delicious dinner and worthy cause, and all in the Loop!!!

READING IS SEXY

So World Book night is coming, and there are many events planned in the Loop and around St. Louis. Subby is having a pick up party on Tuesday, April 17th, and a flash mob downtown is planned for World Book Night during the day. (12:30 on the April 23.)

http://store.subbooks.com/event/world-book-night-pick-party-april-17

PS-- Subby does sell the "Reading is Sexy" t-shirts. http://store.subbooks.com/reading-sexy-t-shirt

AL TARBOUSH REVISITED

Lupe added this "Edit" to her original http://delmarloop.blogspot.com/2010/03/al-tarboush-deli.html

Edit: 2012 Update: And a snack that one of the sisters (it is a family business, all the sisters are wonderful!) gave Lupe a snack suggestion of triangles of pita with a spread of garlic sauce and then hummus, toasted in the toaster oven for a minute.  Trying not to eat all the bread and both containers of garlic sauce and hummus is a challenge!

U CITY DUCKS

Smart mallards know that the nice ladies at Hon's Wok by Olive Schnucks will feed them bread crumbs... for real... no jokes... It is ironic, however, that the two older birds send the duckling to stand at the door, begging. "We'll sit over here by the cool car, you just go stand at the window and she will come out..."

WASH U AGREES WITH LUPE

What the Loop really needs is a grocers.
http://delmarloop.blogspot.com/2010/03/grocery-store-or-co-op-in-loop.html

Here is what they have to say about it:
http://news.wustl.edu/news/Documents/The%20Loop%20Area%20Retail%20Plan%20and%20Development%20Strategy%20-%20Action%20Plan.pdf

RAVEN WOLF: SPIRITUAL JAZZ IN THE ST LOUIS TRADITION

St. Louis is so lucky to have Raven Wolf!  If you haven't heard him playing his sax, Native American flute, or drums in front of Vintage Vinyl, or down at Soulard on Saturday mornings, well, you are in luck- because now you can buy a cd of this great music!

You can buy it directly from RavenWolf when you see him, as a cd  from  Pug Dog Records or the mp3's, or you can get it at Vintage Vinyl.

This is a youtube video of Raven Wolf in front of Vintage.

Raven Wolf is a real treasure and a fine fit to stand alongside other famous St Louis musicians: Oliver Sain, Willie Akin, and Mae Wheeler, among many,  many others.

THE ADJUSTMENT BY SCOTT PHILLIPS

Noir at the Bar "OG"  and ICE HARVEST author Scott Phillips has a new book out.  It connects with THE WALKAWAY and also COTTONWOOD, also by the author.

THE ADJUSTMENT.

Lupe always reads a Scott Phillips book in one sitting, cover to cover.  This one was no exception. It was definitely a good read!

You can have him sign it at BoucherCon on the 17th. http://store.subbooks.com/event/scott-phillips-signing-adjustment

LA TIMES review of THE ADJUSTMENT: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/08/book-review-scott-phillips-the-adjustment.html

CIRCUS FLORA AND THREE KINGS PUB HOUSE

A Circus is always fun! Especially if you go with a child. The laughter and delight of children will cure any ailment, as will a good Circus! Moreso if it is St. Louis own Circus Flora!!

Lupe loved especially The Flying Wallendas.

And locals Bateman and Robinson in the ring.

Afterward it was a late night FEAST at Three Kings Pub House!!!  The menu has options for everyone.  Veg, Carnivore, Dieter, plus generous but low-price appetizers for the Starving Student/Artist, and great bar for local thirsties!!!  Plus--partnerships with several local farms! They also have Jilly's Cupcakes, although a limited selection. Everything is delicious and they are community and local focused!

They are in the old Riddles location, and is it beautiful! Completely remodelled and updated, very spacious, and good acoustics for live shows and events!

Three Kings is just what the Loop needs!  Menu options and prices for everyone, super-friendly, helpful, fast, and mostly local staff!!! Truly a great new addition for the Loop!

6307 Delmar Blvd
University City, MO 63130
314-721-3355

LOOP OFFICIAL WEBSITE

The official Loop website has become very up to date and comprehensive! Events in the Loop are regularly posted, and categorized as in "gallery openings" "live music" etc.

Bookmark it and check it frequently, because there is always something going on in the Loop!

See you (where else?) in the Loop!!

CHANCE OPERATIONS

Tonight, in the nearby Central West End, Chance Operations presents Vintage Vinyl co-owner Lew Prince reading Arthur Brown. Music will be by the Loop's (and Lupe's) favourite street musician, saxophonist RavenWolf.

Chance Operations is hosted by artist, poet, musician, and Wash. U. alumni Tony Renner, and Webster University professor Chris Parr.

It's at Duff's, starts at 7:30 PM, and is only a $3 cover!

http://chanceoperationsstl.blogspot.com/

See you in the Loop! (And the Central West! At least for tonight!)

IN & AROUND THE LOOP

Well, the West End Word is Lupe's new favourite newspaper. You might recall this post on the new U. City parking regulations. Well, the new issue is full of great Loop news, most of it from David Linzee. (And much of it reporting on things Lupe also enjoys, including the sculpture series. Mr. Linzee is kindred spirit, it seems.)

So, the drum circle is back, but only til 7PM, which explains why Lupe keeps missing it. (Lupe works Sundays.)

Lupe was also reminded that the University City Festival is coming up on the 19th. All sorts of events will be going on, including live music, crafts, sports, bbq, and an interactive type of art show. It starts at 11 and ends about 8:30 PM. It seems mostly scheduled for Heman Park, but there are some activities at Centennial Commons.

Both are just a hop skip and jump from the Loop and this promises to be a really awesome event!!

Lupe also saw an ad in the Word for yoga in Forest Park every Sunday morning from 10 to 11. What a great way to start the day! Then head back over to the Loop for some pancakes at Blueberry Hill!

Or, if you are off work on Friday mornings, there is Naturalist Walking Tour at 10 A.M. Meet at the Visitor and Education Centre.

And don't forget that the performances of Hamlet in Forest Park will end next Sunday, the 20th.

There is just always so many exciting things happening in and around the Loop!!!

See you in the Loop!!

WORLD CUP FEVER AT MESHUGGAH

Lupe had too much fun at the 48 Hour Film Project last night and FORGOT about the World Cup! Can you believe it?

Anyhow, in Meshuggah this morning there were a lot of unfamiliar faces wearing football shirts from different countries. (Lupe uses the term "morning" very loosely to mean "when Lupe eats breakfast"--- whatever time that happens to be!)

So, if you want to watch the World Cup, head to Meshuggah early in the morning!!! Lupe will be drinking beer (can you watch football and NOT drink? Lupe has never tried), not a honey vanilla latte.

See you in the Loop!!!

GYRO HOUSE OWNER SHOT

EDIT: Here is the latest, as of 6/10/10.

The owner of Gyro House was shot and killed. Click on the link for the News report.

It was not Loop related, despite any wild rumours you might have heard. He had been gone from the Loop for many hours, no one followed him, and he was on his way back to close up his shop. It appears to be a random crime particular to Maplewood, not the Loop.

However, Loopies showed up en masse for the Memorial Service Monday night. RIP Ahmed Eltawmi, you will be missed! And much sympathy to the family for their loss.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/10000-reward-offered-in-case-of-murdered-Maplewood-man-95833494.html

I LOV IT!!!

Ever noticed "Tivoli" backwards (or upside down) spells I LOV IT!!!!!

LUPE LOVES IT!!!!

(Loopie The Mad Russian actually pointed this out to Lupe.)

See you in the Loop!!!

LOOP CLOSINGS

Lupe is very sad to report some Loop closings.

EDIT: And Game Crazy! Just noticed the sign this morning. All sales final. This is the only Game Crazy in Missouri!

Layal Hookah Lounge has been closed for a couple of weeks now. Lupe didn't notice at first because of all the scaffolding and construction going on in front of the bar. There is no information available, and Lupe could not find the facebook fan page alluded to on the "closed" note in the window.

Restaurants Miss Saigon and Modai in the East Loop are both closed, as well. ( Both links are to the RFT.)

Lupe is sad to see these businesses close, and wishes the owners and staff well in their new endevours!

SEE YOU IN THE LOOP!!!

VINTAGE VINYL AND RECORD STORE DAY

Much respect to Vintage Vinyl!!! Much respect to Papa Ray and The Prince!!!

They have out survived all of the other locals and even many of the chain music stores! After watching this feature it is easy to see why!

All of the in-stores they have done; all the promotion of local music and musicians; the shows they have sponsored; labels and promotional companies and record shows (including Papa Ray's on KDHX); and then there are all the musicians that have found employment haven at Vintage Vinyl!

MUCH RESPECT!

Living St Louis Video- Vintage Vinyl- Record Store Day 2010

See you in The Loop!!!

HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES IN THE LOOP

One thing Lupe has wished for many times is a romantic horse and carriage ride through the Loop.

Every now and then, Lupe leaves the Loop. Shocking but true! Lupe loves to go to Club Viva in the Central West End and dance to salsa (Thu & Sat) or reggae (Wed). (She also enjoys Herbie's and Brennan's.)

It was after 11 when Lupe arrived home from her travels last night, and when she heard the sound of the horses hooves clopping down Delmar, she thought she was dreaming!

Finally, Lupe's wish can come true. Last night there were not one, not two, but three carriages making their way through the Loop, east and west!

See you in the Loop!! For a romantic carriage ride!!

MORE LOOP CONSTRUCTION

The need for more crosswalks in the Loop became glaringly obvious this Wednesday as construction began on the southwestern corner of Limit and Delmar.

It has been frustrating enough dealing with the mess at Eastgate and Delmar. For reasons Lupe does not understand, the tuckpointing on that building requires several weeks of work and the scaffolding apparently needs to take up the entire sidewalk even when the work is not going on.

And was no one far-sighted enough to set up a temporary crosswalk? Or to at least block off the parking spaces and make a temporary, safe, contained way to walk in the street?

Lupe has learned that both the City and the County of St. Louis really only care about the revenue from the parking spaces. That is why they resist putting in more crosswalks.

(University City does not have domain over the road part of Delmar- just the sidewalks, if Lupe understands correctly. And no one seems to have domain over the traffic lights at the corner of Skinker and Delmar, which are off sequence, creating confusion when the northbound traffic is running.  Lupe has made phone calls and drawn diagrams of how the lights should be sequenced, but no one seems able to do anything about it.  It is mostly humorous, except late at night, when inebriated people are heading from the county "close at 130AM bars" to the city "open til 3AM bars".)

Fortunately, the construction company working at Limit only closed off the sidewalk and bus stop on Wednesday. It looks rather unattractive, but you can walk on the sidewalk and catch the bus...

... why the construction permit didn't set up a temporary bus stop for that one day Wednesday does confuse Lupe. After all, if you are dependent on public transportation to do things like grocery shop (or you are handicapped or elderly), the walk to Westgate, or Skinker, is a considerable difference, but perhaps that is another matter for another day and Metro...

See you in The Loop!!!

EDIT: Okay, Lupe cannot believe this! Tomorrow (20 May 2010) is Wash. U.'s graduation; U. City High's graduation is this weekend, and these two sidewalks are closed! Thousands of people are coming here from across the country, and some from around the world, and we cannot provide them with safe sidewalks or convenient bus stops!

(And Lupe is NOT going to raise her blood pressure by asking WHY? in such a pedestrian oriented neighbourhood is there NO BUS BENCHES!!! And please, do not say "panhandlers" because Lupe is too fed up with stupid excuses to hear that right now.)

At both Delmar and Limit, and Delmar and Eastgate, people are walking out in the street, of course. Those silly signs that say "danger" are largely ignored. If the cities of St. Louis and University City don't think it is important enough to block off parking, make a temporary sidewalk or crosswalk, why should a pedestrian take the silly sign seriously? (Say that five times fast... ;o)

To add insult to injury, while the scaffolding remains, day after day, at the Eastgate construction site, no work is going on!

Lupe wouldn't feel so discouraged, but everyone keeps saying "This is University City!" Or "That's St. Louis for you."  Public safety is a concern no matter what city you are in!

Metro Bus 314 982 1406

University City Public Works 314 505 8560

St. Louis City Public Works 314 622 4888