AMIA 2009

Lady Luck, Catfish, and the Blues

Feeling lucky? There are at least a half dozen casinos in the area. Local laws require that the casino be on the waterway so you have several casinos up and down the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The closest and one of the newest is Lumiere Place. If you enjoy a good burger, the  Burger Bar is reputed to have the best in town. We are about a 4 hour drive from Graceland, but if you can't make the trip the "world famous" Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Tour is playing each night at 7pm. 

If your are feeling the blues while in St. Louis then BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups is probably the best place for Blues music fans. Located close to the conference hotel, at 700 South Broadway, the house boasts about it's colorful past. From it's website, "since its original construction in the mid 1800's, in an area then known as "Frenchtown" with a further 3 story addition at the turn of the century, the location has been used as a home, boarding house, reception hall, merchantile, millinery, transient hotel, bar, diner, and a House of Ill Repute with 37 rooms between its 2nd and 3rd floors."

Big George Brock is in town on Friday night.

If it's down-home St Louis style cooking you crave check out BB's menu for beans and rice, catfish po-boy sandwich, or one of it's famous soups. 

Art, wine country, and the Ozarks

Missouri is at peak fall color so those of you who have a day or two before or after the conference may want to explore the area.

 

Just 20 minutes out of the city is the awesome and incredibly fun Laumeier Sculpture Park...

If you can't find the time to make the actual trip in person, it's definitely worth taking a look at their collection online.

Missouri wine country is a fairly well kept secret. However, prior to prohibition, Missouri was the second largest state for wine production in the country (NY was #1). The industry took a while to recover but has been growing steadily in the past few years. The country side is beautiful and you may find yourself surprised at the quality of some of the wines. If you have time for only one place - I suggest Hermann, Missouri.

 

If you have a little more time on your hands you can explore and plan a trip on the websites Missouri Wine Country and Missouri Wine. Below is a video from the Missouri Division ofTourism.

If you are interested in outdoor recreation, hiking, or exploring the A little further Southwest is the Missouri Ozarks region. Two of America’s clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park area to protect a wild river system.

Out and About - Amenities around the Hotel

Most of you will, at some point, venture out of the hotel looking for some food, drink, and entertainment. There are a few areas that should peak your interest.

The most obvious, and right outside the hotel is the Arch.

 

The Gateway Arch Riverfront website provides information about planning your visit including: trips to the top of the Arch (not for the claustrophobic), the Museum of Westward Expansion at the base of the Arch, and the Old Court House - site of the historic Dred Scott case.

Close by is Laclede's Landing -the site Pierre Laclede settled in 1763 as a fur trading post and named St. Louis. The 9-block area consists of cobbled-stoned streets and "vintage brick-and-cast-iron warehouses dating from 1850 through 1900, now converted into shops, restaurants, and bars."

 

The Landing has a decent website. Not all of its amenities are listed, but it does have a good map and walking tour section with pictures.

Another great area is Washington Avenue may be a place to start your exploring. Just 6 blocks north of the hotel, Washington Avenue was once a prosperous canyon of architecturally beautiful brick buildings housing shoe, clothes and fashion manufacturers.

The street fell into disarray over time, but a large revitalization project has helped to bring it back to life. There is an emerging neighborhood of residential lofts, galleries, bars and clubs, restaurants, and other entertainment. A few online guides offer a sample of what you can find.

Here are a few highlights:

The Dubliner

Flamingo Bowling

Mosaic (Lounge open till 3am)

Just a block over from Washington on Locus Ave. is Roosters - the best place in St. Louis for breakfast and weekend brunch. 

Last but not least, the Culinaria - A Schnucks Market  on the corner of Olive and 9th is a "hybrid urban market grocery" which offers a coffee bar, gelato, wine, spirits, and prepared foods. 

 

Best of St Louis

               

Just in time for AMIA 2009, the Riverfront Times Best of edition is released.

The Riverfront Times is an authority on St. Louis events and entertainment. You can find info on weekend events, festivals, shows, and nightlife in our St. Louis. This newspaper is owned by Village Voice Media.

The Annual Best of edition highlight over 400 top picks in the following categories:

• People & Places
• Sports & Recreation
• Arts & Entertainment
• Goods & Services
• Restaurants
• Food & Drink
• Music
• Bars & Clubs

There will be a hard copy at the main information table during the conference (for those of you who still like to get newspaper ink on your hands while you get your information).

The Ville

[Bartender at J’s Hideout.  Photo by Michael DeFilippo]

The Ville is St. Louis' Harlem, a close-knit black community that has made prodigious cultural contributions to the life of our city. The small, nine-by-five-block neighborhood is home to the former Homer G. Phillips Hospital and Sumner High School, the first school west of the Mississippi to provide secondary education for black students. Annie Malone, one of the country's first African-American millionaires, made her fortune while living in The Ville. Among Sumner's famous alumni are rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry, singer Tina Turner, tennis great Arthur Ashe, comedian and activist Dick Gregory, actor Robert Guillaume, opera diva Grace Bumbry, opera's first black male soloist (and Bobby McFerrin's dad) Robert McFerrin, former local newscaster Julius Hunter and the American League's first black MVP Elston Howard.

The Ville is also home to some fun bars that serve up interesting conversation and strong drinks for a nice price.  The trio of taverns below are within a few blocks of each other:

J's Hideout Cocktail Lounge
4257 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.

This cozy, laid-back establishment has two big-screen TVs, perfect for watching a game. The dapper gentleman wearing a suit behind the bar is the proprietor, J.D. Bratcher. On a recent visit, one of the hot topics of discussion was the difference between a barmaid and a bartender (apparently, there's more to it than gender).

Harlem Tap Room
4161 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.

Established in 1946, this club claims to be the oldest bar in St. Louis. The building that houses it was constructed in 1883. It features an enticingly backlit liquor display that is well-stocked with premium brands.  A decal on the mirror over the cash register cryptically reads "Every Goodbye Ain't Gone."  They offer table service, and the canned beer is ice cold (literally).

 

Zack's Lounge
1904 Whittier St.

Zack's is a tiny shotgun bar that's a bit off the beaten path (and, amusingly, right next-door to a church).  The regulars, some of whom have been going to Zack’s for 20 years, are delightfully interactive.  One of the many hand-lettered signs on the wall declares "What go on in Zack's stays in Zack's." As Mel Waiters said, "The smaller the club, the bigger the party."

Note: Bring cash; your plastic is no good here. All three bars have jukeboxes and dart machines.

Posting from Guest Contributor: Brian Marston (Washington University Library Web Services Developer)

The Delmar Loop

Residing mostly  in "U City" or University City (creatively named after its proximity to Washington University) and partly in the city of St. Louis, "The Loop" refers to the portion of Delmar Blvd. that formally served as the turnaround for streetcars . Stretching 6 blocks, The Delmar Loop has been named one of the best 10 streets in America.

Attracting a diverse crowd, The Loop offers a variety of restaurants/bars, venues, and shops.  Although it's sprouted it's fair share of chains, The Loop strives to keep things local. Some highlights include:

St. Louis Walk of Fame - The sidewalks of the Delmar Loop honor the St. Louisans that have made their mark on the world. Be sure to look down and see what honoree you're stepping on!

The Tivoli - The Tivoli Theatre, built in 1924 and restored in the 1990s, will host The Reel Thing.

Blueberry Hill - Named for St. Louis' Chuck Berry (who plays there one weds a month.  Sorry, he'll be there Nov. 16th), Blueberry Hill is a landmark restaurant. This favorite is packed with pop culture memorbilia. I can't say it's the best food, but it's worth stopping in for a beer. 

Vintage Vinyl -Formerly the Varsity Theater (home of the Rocky Horror Picture Show) and currently one of the few remaining independent record stores.

Pi - If it's good enough for President Obama than it's good enough for me! Pi serves up deep dish pizza that won the heart of Obama during one if his campaign stops in St. Louis.

Fitz's - I can't recommend the food, but if you if your looking for a float this is your place. Equipped with its very own vintage bottling line, Fitz's is famous for its rootbeer.

Star Clipper - Comics and more!

The Pageant - A small, well designed (there's a bar and bathrooms on the balcony!), concert venue that attracts a wide range of performers. Whilst AMIA is in town AFI will hit the stage on Nov. 4, Neko Case on Nov. 5, and  Son Volt on Nov. 6. Click here for tickets.

Have any questions about The Loop? Don't hesitate to ask!

Driving to St. Louis? Some tips.

With three kids, flying has become less of an option for me than in the past. As such, family vacations often means choosing a destination that we can get to in a day's drive. I am amazed at the number of places I can reach fairly easily. 

If you are on a budget and considering driving or carpooling with some colleagues here are some sample driving times: Chicago - 4 hrs; Kansas City - 4 hrs; Omaha - 5.5 hrs; Little Rock - 5.5 hrs; Dallas - 9.5 hrs; Milwaukee - 6 hrs; Indianapolis - 4 hrs; Cincinnati - 5.5 hrs; Pittsburgh - 9hrs; Nashville -4 hrs; Atlanta - 8hrs; Memphis - 4hrs. 

The outer ring of the map below shows a 500 mile radius from St. Louis - definitely a 1 day trip.

A few longer trips, but all doable in a single day.... Toronto, Denver, Charleston, New Orleans, Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, and Panama City (all within 10-14 hrs... I have done these).

The secret to longer drives (especially with kids) is an early start. I like to get on the road between 5-6am. By the time the kids are waking up we are a good 200 miles down the road. It have tried many places but Cracker Barrel is our favorite morning stop. We usually pack a picnic lunch and stop at a rest stop on the highway - healthier food and a much better place to stretch out.

I grind my coffee beans and use a french press every morning... so I'm a bit of a coffee snob. Good coffee is hard to find on the road, so if you are tired of Red Bull, and don't mind patronizing the global coffee giant Starbucks, here are a few places to stop for that last pick-me-up before reaching St. Louis.

From the North: Springfield has a Starbucks exit 98. From the South: not much between Memphis and St. Louis but there is a Starbucks in Cape Girardeau. From the West: It's worth a few extra minutes to go off the road into town in Columbia, Missouri to visit Coffee Zone at 11 North 9th St. (it has good Mediterranean food too). From the East: Terre Haute, Indiana has a Starbucks (3hrs away) as does Effingham, Illinois (1.5 hrs away).

And if it's lunch or dinner time as you pass Effingham it's definitely worth it to stop and visit Firefly Grill. Really! They have awesome food!

In defense of "St. Louis style" pizza

Welcome conference attendees!

My name is Nadia Ghasedi, Cataloging and Preservation Archivist at Washington University Film and Media Archive and St. Louis native.  As David mentioned, St. Louis has a lot to offer and we hope you take some time to the explore the city during your visit. 

Before you all arrive in St. Louis, I thought it best to bring to your attention a sensitive issue for some St. Louis natives. I am sure many of you have never heard of "St. Louis style" pizza, but I want to dispel some myths you may hear prior to arriving. Outsiders often disregard it as a legitimate pizza style, claiming that only St. Louisians have heard of or revere St. Louis style pizza. I am here to say that it is real.  Check the "all knowing" Wikipedia if you don't believe me ;) In addition, I hope to break, what seems to be, the current trend to dislike St. Louis style pizza if you are a non-native.  St. Louis style pizza lovers unite!

What is St. Louis style Pizza?

St. Louis style pizza is ultra thin crust, usually topped with provel cheese (and whatever other toppings you like), sprinkled with oregano, and cut into squares.  That's right, provel. Not provolone. Provel is a local cheese. It has a kind of "stick to your teeth" texture. Nevertheless, I could eat it by the pound.

Why would anyone hate on St. Louis style pizza?

That's a great question. A dear friend and fellow AMIA member once equated St. Louis style pizza to "saltines with cheez whiz and ketchup".  Upon hearing this my husband, also a  non-native, agreed, comparing it to frozen pizza. What I find most curious is that despite their apparent disdain for St. Louis Style pizza, they gleefully consume it. On a recent visit, that same friends of mine, sheepishly requested we order from Imo's. Interesting...

Where can I get St. Louis style pizza?

As mentioned on the Wikipedia page, there are numourous eateries in St. Louis that serve up St. Louis style pizza. The most ubiquitous chain is Imo's, the "square beyond compare". I tend to prefer Cecil Whitiker's, but enjoy Imo's as well.

I know that St. Louis style isn't everyone's cup of tea and I don't expect it to be (don't worry, St. Louis has plenty of other pizzerias).  But, I want to stress that St. Louis style pizza doesn't need to, and shouldn't, replace all styles of pizza. It's impossible to compare it's wafer-like crisp to a deep-dish Chicago style.  Like it for what it is, St. Louis style. You can eat the other stuff too. 

So, if you get the opportunity, ignore what you've heard from the "haters" and give St. Louis style pizza a chance.