EVEN MORE ST. LOUIS ART AND CULTURE

We're outdoors for awhile as we ride through the Missouri Botanical Garden said to be the oldest public garden in the United State and founded by English immigrant Henry Shay. It's also considered as on of the top three public gardens in the world. The New York Botanic Gardens is one of the other three. The landscape houses a collection of important sculptures from around the world. Highlights of this 79-acre-Eden include: a tropical rain forest inside the Climatron geodesic dome that features endangered plant species: a Victorian garden; Chinese garden; Seiwa-En, the largest authentic Japanese garden in North America and an elaborate Missouri Adventure-themed Children's Garden.

Laumeier Sculpture Park is a 98-acre park containing a collection of more than 80 contemporary sculptures in internationally acclaimed artists. It specializes in interpretive exhibitions and education programs. Hiking trails will take you to many of the works. As for me, I toured areas around the main entrance.

One more art museum, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, located near the Fox Theatre. On the first Saturday of every month they host, "Feast Your Eyes", to combine art and food that features creative, art-inspired tastings by a local chef. Then we got to view the connection between the culinary dishes and works by CAM's current exhibiting artists.

Then there was this movable chess board with white pieces having something to do with Yoko Ono.

The night that I dined at The Hill, I went to see Victor/Victoria at a theatre company called Stages, in the Chesterfield area of St. Louis. The show itself is entertaining in regards to the book and music. I mean you have the music by Henry Mancini and Frank Wildhorn with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn. However, I can't say that the performance lived up to my expectations in regards to talent. Many were good but the leading lady ruined it for me.

One other side trip was a quick view of the LGBT area known as The Grove. For those who are couch potatoes, it's also the locale for a show called Sweeties, a soul food restaurant. I'll be back next year to take in the Pride Parade.

ST. LOUIS ART AND CULTURE, CONTINUED

I believe we are in downtown St. Louis at Lindell Blvd. and Newstead Avenue in front an ornate cathedral. My notes say, "The life of Saint Louis IX, crusader King of France and the city's namesake and patron saint, is vividly portrayed in the vestibule of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Built in 1907, this incredible structure combines Byzantine and Romanesque architecture styles with the largest collection of mosaics in the world. More than 41 million pieces of tesserae in 8,000 fill more than 83,000 square feet. The west chapels are the work of Tiffany and Company and the main altar and another chapel feature the work of Gorham." I went inside to view the impressive and intricate artwork.

At home I live across the street from Forest Park, where they have a golf course, tennis courts, ball fields, a bandstand, horseback riding and various trails. Here in St. Louis, there is also a Forest Park. This one has similar amenities as well as various attractions such as the Saint Louis Art Museum. This day they were presenting Monet's Water Lillies, which will run through January 22, 1012.

The museum has two floors of art that include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with particular strength in 20th-century German art. One thing that I noticed was that there was a space adding a new exhibit. Not only did they ask that you be patient and wait for it, but they provided a few couches to sleep on until the date arrived. Free admission, too.

I was going to do a segway tour of the park, but found it just a bit too much on my feet and leg. This 1,300-acre park served as the main fairground for the 1904 "Meet Me in St. Louis" World's Fair, just as the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park held both the 1939 and 1964 World's Fair. This park is about twice the size of New York's Central Park and houses the St. Louis Zoo, Science Center, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum and The Muny Theatre.

Can't take them all in but did manage one more; the Missouri History Museum, which displays the contributions and artifacts of St. Louisans who have contributed to American and world culture including musicians Miles Davis and Chuck Berry, writer T.S. Eliot and designer Charles Eames. I yeah, I also took in lunch to talk with Everett Dietle who told us about the museum's unique acting troupe and upcoming major exhibitions.

A tour of an area known as The Loop, renowned for its nightlife. "On one Wednesday every month, at 9 p.m. sharp, a white Cadillac pulls into the parking lot of St. Louis' Blueberry Hill club. Chuck Berry, 83, pulls his guitar case from the trunk and descends a deep set of stairs to the Duck Room, ready to prove yet again that rock & roll isn't dead as long as the man most credited with inventing it is still picking and screaming"...from the May 2010 issue of Rolling Stone. Chuck Berry's star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame sits at the entrance to Blueberry Hill as well as a new statue of "Father of Rock'n'Roll". We later got to see him make an quick appearance at the Kiel Opera House.

THE HILL, ST. LOUIS, “BIG” ITALY

There are two cuisines that tourists seek out in the United States for authenticity. Does a city have a "Chinatown" or "Little Italy"? In St. Louis, Missouri I encountered what I would term "Big Italy" and area known as The Hill, with the colors of the Italian flag as the background of the title.

Aside from the dozens of great Italian restaurants the Hill is also one of the city's most tightly-knit Italian-American communities. I visit to the are revealed a sense of people who greeted each other and most likely attend church together for both worship and social meetings as well as a number of Italian societies.

For instance, there is The Fratellanza, the oldest Italian American organization in the United States. The Fratellanza Society was organized on November 11, 1866 and was incorporated on December 6, 1866 as a fraternal and benevolent society under the Societá Unione e Fratellanza Italiana (Italian Fraternal Union).

Of course, what truly counts to a visitor is the Italian specialties available as I began my tour with Volpi's to sample the salami and prosciutto. I sampled the prosciutto to compare with what they produce with the imported Parma from Italy finding it to be a little less salty and just as good.

Onto Di Gregorio's Market feeling lie a "kid in a candy store". We are looking at groceries that are imported from Italy. Wines, olive oils, vinegars, canned tomatoes, cheeses, and more. They have kitchenware and cookware. Head to the deli counter for salads and a variety of their store made sausage. I met with manager Toni Ribaudo for a tour of the store.

Larry Fuse, Jr. is the owner of both Gelato di Riso and Lorenzo's Trattoria. Gelato drew me as I wanted to see how authentic it was. A glorious variety of flavors; no disappointment.

Off to Missouri Baking Company as Mimi Lordo gave me a view of the kitchen as well as a taste of a cannoli, biscotti, cupcake, cookies and cinnamon raisin bread. Unfortunately they were out of sforgiatellis.

I later dined at Lorenzo's Trattoria where mostly Northern Italian is featured. What did I eat? Appetizer of fried shrimp and calamari. Carpaccio with watercress, truffle oil and shaved parmesan cheese. Ossobuco, braised with saffron risotto and orange gremolata. Was simply in the mood for a good carrot cake and more gelato.

If you would like to experience the Hill, check out Joe DeGregorio Guided Tours of The Hill, which provides an opportunity to learn about the neighborhood lasting from 2 to 6 hours to include:

• A lecture at St. Ambrose Church on the colorful history of the Italian immigration to the area, why they came and stayed, plus a primer on local Italian-American culture and customs, with highlights of the significant differences between the Northern and Southern Italian immigrants.

The culinary, architectural and religious aspects of the neighborhood will be covered plus the current climate and challenges of continuing time honored traditions. The presentation, as with featured stops listed below, will include numerous colorful stories of the hardworking and proud families-and celebrities- who have made the Hill so remarkable.
• A ravioli making demonstration at Mama Toscano's. This third generation run store is one of the few markets remaining in the US that make commercial ravioli by hand. The visitors will see for themselves this ancient and meticulous process.
• A visit to wonderful Italian markets such as DiGregorio's, Viviano's, Volpi's and Urzi's is almost a must during your sojourn. Savor and sample delicious wine, tasty cheeses, unique imported and locally made delicacies; learn the history of these stores and of course feel free to browse or purchase some of these epicurean delights. You will find an array of Italian made crafts and souvenirs awaiting you as well.
• A tour Wednesday through Saturday can include a stroll through Girasole', an Italian craft store that besides jewelry, offers cook books and literature.

For further information go to www.explorestlouis.com