Fun fact: it’s 36’x36’, weighs 15 tons, and at one point was the largest neon sign in the world.

“Things have changed for us in the last year and a half,” Lewis tells SLM's George Mahe. “The year started out strong, then sales slowed down little by little, while cost of labor and goods continued to increase."

https://www.stlmag.com/dining/grace-meat-three-closing-september-13-in-the-grove/?utm_campaign=St.%20Louis%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=436312177&utm_content=436312177&utm_source=hs_email

Spending in the Grove is down 3% in Q1 (Q2 should be out in the next week or so)

Hi everyone! I’m 29F and have been back in St. Louis for nearly 2 years. I’ve had the hardest time finding actual good friends. I am very socially awkward so I have a hard time making friends. So I’m putting myself out there in hopes I’ll make friends! A bit about myself: I live right outside of Downtown near Soulard. I’m an Interior Designer and work for a flooring and remodeling company. I’m in school full time for construction management. I love reading, shopping, antiquing, magic the gathering, Pilates/working out, concerts, painting/drawing, baseball, escape rooms, and traveling. I have quite the collection of bones and angel figurines. Once I’m comfortable with you, I become quite the yapper and listener. What I’m looking from you: you also enjoy some of the activities I do, and would like to do those with me. You also like wine and charcuterie nights at one of our apartments with spooky movies. You like to yap a lot, and have a lot of information to share. I love learning new things and being able to share my knowledge. You love to laugh, and try new things. If any of this interests you, feel free to DM. I’m tired of being lonely❤️

Finally made it into the reopened Scottish Arms on Wednesday evening.

I only tried the bangers and mash, but it was absolutely delicious. I kind of wish the beer menu leaned a little more Scottish/British, but that’s just my preference.

Anyway, not many customers in the place at 8 PM. I hope that’s not how it’s going for them because I’d love to see that place make it go of it.

I’m relatively young (20), and grew up in the metro-east suburbs but spent much of my childhood in and around the city. I’ve now lived in the city for the past year in the Southwest Garden neighborhood. I adore my neighborhood’s tree-lined, walkable streets. I love the brick and plaster townhouses that line our streets from Old North, to Lafayette Square, to Soulard, to Dutchtown. They all remind me of the history and foundation of our city.

They also remind me of what has been lost, how St. Louis has been gutted and destroyed. All of our historic downtown was cleared to make way for the Arch, with many of our oldest buildings being demolished. Nearly 500 acres of Mill Creek Valley, a neighborhood of over 5,000 residences housing 20k+ people, was destroyed to ‘remove blight,’ which really resulted in making way for SLU and HSSU to expand their campuses and I-64 to expand. Downtown, Dutchtown, Bohemian Hill, the Hill, Soulard, Benton Park, Forest Park South, Old North, our entire riverfront. Divided or entirely destroyed to make way for interstate highways that don’t even primarily serve the people displaced and separated by them.

I know so many people living here who love this city as much as I do. I know many more who are surrounded by blight—beautiful but rotting houses, dozens of acres of empty lots. Still more (including myself) are divided from their neighbors by massive, ugly highways.

I’m not just making this post to complain, I do actually have a question: Is there hope? Should I bother investing in building my life in this city? I love it here but the trends make it seem like it will only continue to get worse. The city hasn’t seen population or jobs growth at all in 20 years, but hasn’t seen substantial growth in nearly 70 years. Our population is less than a third of what it was in the 50s. The population now is less than it was in the 1880s. Will people investing in the city now just see their investment go to waste?

If the mayor in the 1950s had the power and funding to destroy 500 acres of dense housing, can someone now do the reverse? If I had the money and power, I would do massive housing infill in the most blighted areas, protect the beautiful architecture we have remaining, remove the highways that divide us, invest in massive public transportation projects to rival those of the cities that were once our peers. But, of course, I can’t do that. So will St. Louis ever turn around? or will it continue to decline?

Pic 1-3 Downtown Destruction, Pic 4-6 Mill Creek Valley Destruction

It’s TOO HOT FOR SEPTEMBER!!! And hitting the 90’s every day for another solid week??? TT

Can someone PLEASE help me understand what is happening with Missouri American Water? 80,000 gallons in one month, meter replaced, usage went back to normal, and now another shutoff notice

This is going to be long and I apologize in advance, but I genuinely need help from anyone who knows anything about water utilities, meters, Missouri utility laws, plumbing, consumer protection, whatever, because after about three years of dealing with Missouri American Water I feel like I am losing my mind and at this point I don’t trust this company at all.

My girlfriend and I own a home in St. Louis County and this has happened in some form for probably three years now, where we’ll have completely normal water usage and then seemingly out of nowhere get hit with an insane reading/bill that makes absolutely no sense. We dispute it, spend hours dealing with customer service, get told we probably have a leak, nothing is ever found and eventually our usage goes back to normal.

Last summer was by far the worst. We got a bill for around $600 for ONE MONTH because American Water said we had used approximately 80,000 gallons of water.

There are two adults living in our house, we don’t have a pool or some massive irrigation system, our basement wasn’t flooded, our yard wasn’t a swamp, there was no running toilet or burst pipe, literally nothing that could even remotely explain where 80,000 gallons of water went. So obviously we disputed it and asked them to send someone out, a technician came to our house, looked at the meter, told us it was old and replaced it on the spot.

After they replaced the meter, our water usage went completely back to normal, and this is still the part I cannot get past because we did NOTHING lol. No plumber came and repaired a leak, we didn’t replace a toilet, we didn’t repair a pipe, we didn’t change our water habits, nothing. American Water replaced the meter and the insane readings stopped.

At the same time, we already had an open investigation with the Missouri Public Service Commission over the 80,000-gallon bill. My girlfriend had written them a really detailed report because we wanted someone other than American Water looking into how the hell two people supposedly used 80,000 gallons of water in a month and where that water possibly went if it wasn’t flooding our house or property.

But after American Water replaced the old meter, they disposed of it, so the actual meter responsible for the disputed 80,000-gallon reading was gone and the PSC couldn’t examine it as part of the investigation. I still don’t understand how that was allowed to happen because we were actively disputing whether the reading from that meter was accurate, their own technician came out and told us the meter was old, replaced it, and then the physical meter that could have potentially answered that question was just… gone.

Meanwhile our usage went back to normal with the new meter even though we fixed absolutely nothing, and we were still responsible for the roughly $600 bill. Eventually we paid it because the alternative was having our water shut off and honestly, what the fuck else are you supposed to do? Nobody ever explained where 80,000 gallons of water went, nobody found the massive leak that supposedly caused it, but American Water said we owed the money and they also happen to be the company that controls whether water continues flowing into our house, so we paid it.

Fast forward to this year and starting around April, our reported usage starts going crazy again. For roughly the last five months, this two-person household has apparently been using around 17,500–18,000+ gallons of water every month, despite nothing changing about our household or water habits.

American Water sent a technician out in May who checked our current digital meter and told us it was running consistently, so once again the assumption was that something must be happening on our property and we needed to investigate our side before they would come back out and look at the meter again.

So we did exactly what they asked and paid a plumber out of our own pocket to come inspect our water shutoff valve, and to absolutely no one’s surprise at this point, he told us it was perfectly fine.

We then spent HOURS going back and forth with American Water trying to convince them to allow us to open another service request because they didn’t want to send a second technician out again within such a short period of time. This is where I start getting really fucking angry because at this point we had done exactly what they asked, we spent our own money to have a professional investigate the problem they insisted could be ours, he found nothing wrong, and we still had to argue with them just to get someone to come back and look at THEIR meter.

Eventually they agreed and the second technician came out last week. He checked the same digital meter while nothing inside our house was using water and the meter was completely still, which he specifically pointed out to us and said was a good thing because it indicated there was no leak.

So now I have one American Water technician in May telling us our meter is running consistently, we make NO repairs, we pay a plumber who finds nothing wrong with our shutoff valve, and then another American Water technician comes out last week and tells us the same meter is completely still when we aren’t using water and therefore showing no indication of a leak. I genuinely do not know what I am supposed to do with that information or how those things are supposed to make sense together.

And THEN there’s this month’s actual usage, which somehow makes even less sense.

We recently got a power washer and power washed our house, so this is one month where we KNOW for a fact we used more water than we normally do and I would have completely expected our usage to be higher.

Our reported usage this month is 2,700 gallons. 😂

So for months this house has apparently been using upwards of 18,000 gallons of water, but the month we actually use noticeably more water than usual we drop to 2,700 gallons? Again, maybe somebody who understands these systems can give me a completely reasonable explanation for this and I am genuinely open to hearing it, but American Water certainly hasn’t been able to explain it.

During all of this, our bill had been put on hold while we waited for American Water to send the second technician out, so we were not ignoring the bill or refusing to pay it, we were actively disputing the usage and doing what they told us to do. Once the technician finally came last week, checked the meter and told us it wasn’t moving while nothing in the house was using water, we knew we needed to call American Water again to discuss the bill because at that point their own technician had confirmed there was no indication of a leak.

So first thing Monday morning, we check our mail and there’s a RED notice from American Water saying we owe approximately $625 by TOMORROW or our water will be shut off.

I am fucking furious.

Our bill was literally on hold while we waited for their technician to come out, we paid a plumber because American Water made us investigate our own property before they would come back, the plumber found nothing wrong, we spent hours convincing American Water to even allow us another service request, their technician was just here last week and told us there was no indication of a leak, and before we’ve even had an opportunity to call them and discuss what happens with the disputed balance now that the service visit is complete, we have a red piece of paper saying give us $625 by tomorrow or we shut off your water.

I’m not asking for free water and I’m not trying to get out of paying a bill that we legitimately owe. If we used the water, we owe the money, period. What I want American Water to do is show me that we actually used it because after three years of this, “the meter is right” is not an explanation I’m willing to blindly accept anymore.

Show me how two adults used 80,000 gallons in one month last year with no catastrophic leak anywhere on our property, show me why that usage went completely back to normal after American Water replaced our old meter even though we repaired absolutely nothing, show me why this year we’ve supposedly been using 17,500–18,000+ gallons every month and then suddenly dropped to 2,700 gallons during the month we actually used MORE water, and explain why one of your technicians saw our current meter running consistently while another technician found it completely still when no water was being used, despite us repairing nothing in between.

I don’t know if this is an issue with their physical meters, the digital/remote reading technology, estimated readings, their billing system, internal records or something else entirely, but I do know that after dealing with this repeatedly, paying hundreds of dollars we could never get a real explanation for, paying our own plumber to prove the problem isn’t ours and spending HOURS trying to get American Water to even investigate their own equipment again, I genuinely believe something is deeply wrong with this company and the way they handle disputed usage.

At this point, yes, it feels corrupt to me.

Maybe that sounds dramatic to someone who hasn’t dealt with them, but I don’t know what else you call a system where the company tells you how much water you supposedly used, controls the equipment that measured it, tells you the equipment is accurate, puts the burden on you to prove there isn’t a problem inside your own home, and then ultimately has the ability to say “pay what we say you owe or we’ll shut your water off.”

We’re fortunate enough that if it comes down to paying $625 to keep our water on, we can figure it out, but that honestly makes me even angrier because American Water serves plenty of people who absolutely cannot come up with an extra $625 on essentially no notice while they’re actively trying to dispute whether they owe that money in the first place. If this is how difficult it has been for us to get answers while we have the time and resources to fight it, I cannot imagine what happens to someone who doesn’t.

At this point we’ve gone through the Missouri Public Service Commission, retained an attorney and started talking to local media, but I’m posting here because Reddit has people who know very specific things about very specific things 😂 and I’m hoping someone who understands water meters, utilities, Missouri regulation or consumer protection can tell me what the hell I should actually be asking for.

Can a meter produce readings that are this far off? Could this be related to the digital/remote reading system rather than the physical meter itself? Does American Water have raw or interval usage data showing exactly WHEN these thousands of gallons were supposedly consumed, and if so, how do I get it? Are these actual meter readings or estimates? Was American Water allowed to dispose of our old meter while there was already an active PSC investigation involving the accuracy of readings from that meter? And most urgently, can they disconnect our service over this balance when the bill had been placed on hold specifically while we waited for their technician to inspect the meter?

If anyone knows what records we should formally request from American Water, please tell me. Raw usage data, actual vs. estimated readings, interval data, meter history, technician notes, work orders, meter serial numbers, replacement records, internal account notes, literally whatever exists, I want it.

And if you’ve dealt with anything remotely similar with Missouri American Water, PLEASE tell me, especially if you had a massive unexplained usage spike, were told you had a leak, paid someone to investigate and couldn’t find one, and then watched your usage somehow return to normal without repairing anything.

I don’t know exactly what is causing this and I’m not going to pretend I do, but I know these numbers do not make sense, nobody has been able to explain them to us, and I am done handing over hundreds of dollars simply because the same company that says we owe it also has the power to shut off our water if we don’t pay.

I’m fucking pissed and I want answers

I drive past Love Bank Park on Cherokee multiple times a week, and really quickly it's gone from a pretty busy kids' play area with regular events, to a homeless encampment. They have a TV and multiple sound systems, I saw the other night, so it doesn't feel like a temporary thing. I get that it's not anyone's first choice, but...

Benton Park West spent / raised a lot of money to improve Love Bank Park, and there are businesses right next door that presumably are losing money as people don't want to run the gauntlet just to go and have a good time. Also, it's a residential area. Not sure I'd be thrilled at, on the very lowest level, the hygiene thing (it looks absolutely disgusting every time, like no-one is cleaning up after themselves), if I lived round there.

Although it's not exactly my back yard, I don't want to be accused of being a not-in-my-back-yard type. Are the city's homelessness programs non-existent now? Have the people who spent so much time improving Love Bank Park just given up? Should I presume our local authorities already know about it and aren't doing anything, or is it worth asking them to direct some resources or time there to help the people there?

I'm not expecting anyone to have a magic wand, and if I drove down a different street and never saw it, I don't know if I'd even be aware of it. Maybe it's just the new normal for the city.

Perhaps I should do more. Any volunteer organizations to recommend that work in this area?

This is an extremely niche topic, so I hope it's okay to post on this subreddit. I know board games are a big thing in STL and I'm sure there's lots of warhammer/dnd players, but I was wondering if there is much a of mini painting community here? Are there any mini painting influencers or events to follow/attend?

The St. Louis Office of Sustainability announced its participation in an exciting program called “Switch Together,” which allows homeowners to register their interest in switching to solar energy, then the program organizes a “reverse auction” with vetted installers to obtain the best prices via the group buying model, between 15-20% lower than standard market costs. I didn’t see this posted anywhere on r/StLouis, but thought there may be people interested in learning more or participating.

From the website:

“How does it work?
1. Register
Register your interest on our website. When full registration opens, we will email you to remind you that you can complete the form to find out if your roof is suitable. Your details will only be transferred to the installer if and when you choose to accept an offer. You will not receive any sales calls, nor will your information be shared with third parties.

2. Auction
We organize a reverse auction with qualified installers. The best bid wins the auction. The more people that have registered, the greater the discount will be. Once the auction has taken place, we meet with the installer and begin preparing your personal recommendations.

3. Personal recommendation
You will receive an email informing you that your personal recommendation is ready. This will include all the details of the winning products. Your personal recommendation will be based on your registration details. It will include your estimated costs, savings, and expected electricity generation.

4. You decide
You will have a little more than a month to decide if you want to accept the offer or not. During this period, additional webinars will be available to help you understand your offer and ask more detailed questions. There is no obligation to accept your personal recommendation.

5. Installation
If you accept your recommendation, we will transfer your information to the winning installer who will contact you for a survey and set an installation date. The survey process will verify your roof's suitability, and result in a final offer. If the survey deems your roof unsuitable, you can cancel the process.

How does Switch Together help you?
Switching to sustainable solutions such as solar can feel intimidating. Switch Together makes the process easier by simplifying the process and securing better value. Free virtual and in-person information sessions are also available to help you understand solar and feel confident in your decision.

- Save time: we handle the research, comparisons and installer selection for you.
- Peace of mind: all installers go through a rigorous vetting process, so you can move forward with confidence.
- Better pricing: when many households register interest, installers can offer pricing that’s lower than standard market rates.

What will be the discount compared to the market price?
Vetted solar installers in your area will bid their best price in a reverse auction. The winning price and installer are announced once the reverse auction has taken place.

The more the merrier!
The more residents that sign up, the better the winning rates will be. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to register so we can get a better deal, together!”

Read more about Switch Together here: https://switchtogether.com/en/solar/stlouis/info/how-does-switch-together-work

🎉 Come make some new friends with us!

Nice to Meet You is back at Handlebar on Friday, September 4th! If meeting new people as an adult feels harder than it should, that's exactly what these events are for. We give you an easy, low-pressure way to sit down, have some conversations, and hopefully leave knowing a few more people than when you arrived.

Whether you've been coming to NTMY for years or have never walked through the door before, we'd love to have you.

🗓️ When: Friday, September 4th

⏰ Time: 6 - 8pm

📍 Where: Handlebar - 4127 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

How the night works:

👥 We'll put everyone into small groups of 4 - 6 people

🔄 Every 30 minutes, we'll mix up the groups so you get to meet different people throughout the evening

💬 Each table has optional conversation prompts if you need a little help getting things started

And, of course, the perks:

🍕 Free pizza!

🥂 Arrive by 6:30pm for a free welcome shot! We take our headcount at 6:30 so the bar knows how many to prepare. Around 6:45, we'll get everyone together for a quick group toast to new friends and a great night. The bar chooses the shot, and a non-alcoholic option is always available.

A few things to know:

🔞 21+ only

🌈 Inclusive and welcoming to all identities

🤝 We're here to make friends! NTMY is a platonic social event, not a dating event.

Don't know anyone yet? That's kind of the point! 😄 We'll get you into a group and help get the conversations started.

We keep attendance around 30 people so the groups stay comfortable and everyone has plenty of opportunities to talk. Getting there a little early is always a good idea.

NTMY officially ends at 8pm, but there's no need to rush out the door. People often stick around afterward to keep chatting and hanging out with the new people they've met.

📅 Can't make this one? Our next NTMY will be Wednesday, September 16th. We're at Handlebar every first Friday and third Wednesday of the month.

Come say hi, grab some pizza, and meet some people you might not have crossed paths with otherwise. 😄

Check out our Partiful event link for more details and let us know if you can make it!

Be sure to follow our socials below to keep up with everything we’ve got going on! Alongside our regular Handlebar meetups, we also plan extra group outings throughout the month that are more activity-focused and casual. Over the years we’ve done everything from Mardi Gras and Pride meetups to picnics, museum trips, the Zoo, Botanical Gardens, City Museum, Main Event, The Festival of Nations, and more. We also host board game nights every other month at Pieces Board Game Bar & Café in Soulard. There’s always something new popping up, and we love giving people different ways to connect outside of the usual meetup format.

NTMY LinkTree to our Socials

Click here to join the NTMY Discord Server!

Hope to see you on Friday! 😄

Title. Must know.

Neat animated video on another police surveillance method using ads and location trackers from mobile apps you may already have installed (Starbucks or Waze for example, taken from the Wiki on FOG).

A MO babysitter is tracked at the beginning of the video and County PD comment on using it about 17mins in.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cq36YXrfyJE&t=590s&pp=2AHOBJACAQ%3D%3D&ra=m

wonder why people hate the idea of data centers growing in this region...

Found a Green Parakeet or Lovebird (?) near Gravois Road in Afton near SFP Landscaping. It later flew to Extra Space Storage. Seemed pretty social as it let me walk right up to it and even moved closer to me to investigate.

Anyone missing a bird?

Where do you think he's going to inevitably move them? Orlando?