The Chrysler Plant

As I understand it this demo work is being done because the owners don't want to keep the heat on, which would be necessary to keep the code required sprinkler system from freezing this winter. Its about money. Maybe demo is the right answer, maybe not...does anyone have any insight?

There are more than a half dozen excavator with various implements on the business end chomping away on various parts of the structure.

Where We Live

These maps , from Bill Fisher, have made the rounds in the last few days - at least they have in my Twitter world. They show ethnic/racial distribution of populations in cities. The first is Chicago, the second is St. Louis and the third is a close up of my Tower Grove neighborhood. I like the multi-colored dots in my neighborhood.

Habitat and FPCC Partnership Continues

The light at the end of the long hall is the bright light of education outside the Lecture Hall where Habitat and FPCC gave a full day's training to a room full of people intent on making a difference. Here Art Stauder and William McHugh teach the basics of blueprint reading to future Habitat Crew Leaders.

Old North Progress

The first images is a vintage 'flounder' behind a new Habitat foundation going in. The rest document the progress of a LEED Platinum 'flounder' going in this summer. Click on the images to enlarge.

F.O.B. Day at Habitat St. Louis

This is just a third of the folks whom came out to help paint at the Habitat for Humanity jeffvanderlou site yesterday for a couple of different reasons. First of all, working with Christy Marshall of St Louis at Home and a group of designers to do some interiors for Habitat home buyers. Secondly, F.O.B. stands for 'Friends of Bill' and over 40 friends and family of the late Bill Croghan got together to work on this annual project just like he did. A nice way to get together and be involved in transforming our community.

http://stlmagblogs.typepad.com/secretary_of_the_interior/2010/04/friends-of-bill-paint-day-april-24-2010.html Please check out this post by Bill's niece, Brittany Farb.

The Big, Big Tour

Click on the image to go to the website.

St Louis’ only FREE City-wide tour of for-sale residential properties will kick off its 2010 Big BIG Tour on Sunday, March 28, 2010 from 9am to 2pm with the City Living Expo.
The City Living Expo and Big BIG Tour starting point is Compton Drew ILC Middle School, located at 5130 Oakland Avenue just west of the St. Louis Science Center. Compton Drew School is a great central location, allowing attendees to easily explore the Big BIG Tour properties listed throughout the City. Big BIG Tour properties will be open to view between 10am to 2pm on March 28. Specific open house times for each property are listed in the free tour program available for you to pick up at the City Living Expo.

Accompanying the Tour is the very popular City Living Expo located at the starting point. The Expo is a chance for real-estate related services, local businesses, non-profits and schools to connect directly with the home-buying public. To familiarize themselves with the home-buying process, attendees can arrive early to talk with Realtors and architects, review financing options, meet with neighborhood and community organizations, as well as check out information on local schools.

Habitat ReStore

The ReStore had a fabulaous set up at the home show and, I hear, they did quite a bit of business. They had a hip set up, full of info and product. Congrats to them!

Habitat in Old North

Contemporary materials, high performance, neighborhood scale and respect for the heritage of Old North will make 2010 Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis' finest year. These homes will shoot for LEED Platinum certification.

Habitat and SIPS

The Habitat Crew is doing a fine job in Florissant on the final home of the 2009 build. This home features SIPS (Structural Insulated Panel System) and if you click on the image you can see some detail and the important role of sealants in the installation.

Cleaning the Mississippi River

St. Louis Beacon story on stormwater/wastewater treatment and the Mississippi River gives me a photo credit and re-links to the voiceover stuff I did for them in Dencember.

Artica 2009

http://www.artica.org/wp/ is a link to an outsider art festival this Saturday from noon to midnight just north of Laclede's Landing. I don't know much about it other than it sounds interesting and there is some mighty fine graffiti up that way. There is also the start of a hobo camp call Dignity Harbor in this area and I'd like to find out a bit more about it and look for ways to help.