Very Hot Days and Nights, with a CITY Match Included

Weather has been very hot here lately, with temperatures topping 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) and heat indices topping 100 degrees F (38 degrees C).  I tried to stay inside as much as possible, but yesterday afternoon (26 July) I braved the heat and humidity to pick up Julie from her apartment and head downtown to the St. Louis CITY SC match.

After parking, we walked to the Schlafly Tap Room for the St. Louligans party. Julie and I got dinner from the Cluck Oink Moo Sliders food truck. She got two Chicken Salad Sliders with fries, while I selected two Bacon Blue Sliders with fries. They were most tasty. I washed my meal down with a Schlafly Summer Lager.

After dinner, we walked towards the St. Louligans tent, where Julie and I enjoyed being with two puppies from Metro East Humane Society. We also played the game of Plinko. I went first and did pretty well, but others (including Julie) did much better. It was all good fun, though, as the money raised by playing Plinko also went to Metro East Humane Society.

After the party, we joined with the other supporters to chant and dance before marking to Energizer Park for the match. It was a short march this time, due to the heat. Julie and I got our drinks and found out way to the Supporter Section. There was a giveaway of bucket hats that night and we found them most handy.

St. Louis Blues great Chris Pronger brought out the match ball, then came to the supporter section to wave a flag and hit the big drum before the match.

Then, CITY SC played Minnesota United FC. CITY had the run of play in the first half, scoring off a penalty kick to lead 1-0 at halftime. Minnesota United took charge in the second half, scoring twice off of penalty kicks for a 2-1 win. Disappointing for sure.

Julie and I walked back to my car and I took her home. We'll meet up this Wednesday night, when CITY hosts the Premier League's Aston Villa in a friendly. That should be fun.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

Cluck Oink Moo Sliders: Facebook

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

Metro East Humane Society: Home | MEHS

Energizer Park: Energizer Park | St. Louis CITY SC

This Weekend: Show Me Space Sci-Fi and Pride St. Louis

Yesterday morning (28 June), my IPMS/Gateway mates Scott Wadyko and Bill Wagner picked me up at home and we drove to Bonne Terre, Missouri. That was the town hosting Show Me Space Sci-Fi, a conference hosted by The Space Museum and Grissom Center. The museum asked Gateway to run a science-fiction (sci-fi) model contest, and we agreed. Our club had seven members attending the event.

I joined with Regina Morris to staff the model registration desk. (Regina's husband, Marion Morris, ran the contest.) This was the first time Show Me Space had a model contest, and it went well. This contest drew 33 entries from 8 attendees. This included me with a Roswell UFO that I built some years ago with Soviet markings. It was for Gateway's Same Kit Contest back then.

This event also had displays of science-fiction movie and TV robots and props. Several cosplayers were also in attendance. There were also tours of the museum. The contest judging in the early afternoon went smoothly and quickly.

The scene then shifted to the Civic Auditorium at Bonne Terre City Hall, which was a few blocks from the Grissom Center. Earl Mullins, the museum's director, served as master of ceremonies. Three speakers followed, beginning with former astronaut Dr. Tom Jones, who spoke of his own and his colleagues' experiences on Space Shuttle Missions, which he compiled for his book "Space Shuttle Stories."

The other two speakers were Dan Monroe, host of the YouTube channel Movies, Music & Monsters, which looked at sci-fi movies and TV from the 1950s to the 1980s. Last to speak was Lancer Winkel, professor of digital animation at Missouri Western State University, who spoke on The Allure of Space & Science Fiction," explaining how sci-fi stories and spaceflight have influenced human outlooks on their present and future.

After Mullins presented awards to the top cosplayers, Marion Morris announced the contest results. Awards were presented to the top three models in each category, plus three special awards (Best of Show, People's Choice, and Curator's Choice) were announced. Overall, it was a fun time and a nice way for Gateway to reach out to the sci-fi modeling audience.

Late this morning, I was in downtown St. Louis for the annual Pride STL Parade. I joined with other Enterprise Mobility workers--mostly from corporate headquarters in Clayton--in showing support for the LGBTQ+ community. I chatted with a few colleagues I knew and helped with decorating a stakebed truck that would be in the parade.

We stepped off around 12:30 p.m., going west on Market Street from 10th Street to 15th Street. It was not as hot as it has been in past Pridefest parades, so that was most welcome after the excessive heat we had in this area last week. 

After the parade, I helped make sure the supplies were reloaded into a box truck. Noticing St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page nearby, I introduced myself to him and we chatted briefly. It was my first time meeting Dr. Page. Then, I walked back east to the Stadium West Garage, where I parked my car, and headed home.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

IPMS Gateway Chapter: IPMS Gateway Chapter

The Space Museum and Grissom Center: The Space Museum and Grissom Center

Dr. Tom Jones: TOM JONES – ASTRONAUT SPEAKER

Dan Monroe: Dan Monroe | Movies, Music & Monsters | Sci-Fi, Hollywood Props & Pop Culture

Lance Winkel: Lance Winkel

Pride St. Louis: Pride St. Louis

Enterprise Mobility: Introducing Enterprise Mobility

Off to Help with Urban Legend at Circus Flora

One week ago, tonight (4 June), I was at the Big Top in St. Louis' Grand Center starting to volunteer for the new season of Circus Flora. Their 2025 season show, "Urban Legend," began last week. I was there with a few volunteers to help finish setting up the seating and to watch the dress rehearsal show.

I returned there last Sunday (8 June) for the matinee performance. After helping tidy up the seating area, I was stationed at one of the Big Top entrances to greet the audience. I offered programs for the show; plus, this day I also gave away Circus Flora cups courtesy of Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital. One of their recent patients served as honorary ringmaster for the day.

"Urban Legend" features the clowning of Daredevil Chicken, the trained dogs of Mutts Gone Nuts, and the highwire exploits of the Flying Wallendas.

There's also hand balancing from Kyran Walton, the rollerskating duo of Alexis & Mary, the juggling of Book Kennison, and the perch pole of the Dauntless Duo. Also, there's acrobatics courtesy of Circus Harmony's St. Louis Arches.

Yo-Yo the Storyteller leads us through this tale of a monster stalking the city and the efforts to deal with it. Joining the company for all this are the clowning of Daredevil Chicken, the aerial rope performance of Madison Ward, and the trampoline wall act Off Axis. Live music is performed by the Circus Flora Band.

It's always a great time when you see a Circus Flora show, and "Urban Legend" is no exception. I look forward to volunteering with the circus, having done so since 2014. Tonight, I will be back for another volunteer shift.

"Urban Legend" runs through 22 June. Check it out. The whole family will love it.

Later.

Links to Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Circus Flora: Circus Flora | A St. Louis Tradition For Over 30 years

Grand Center Arts District: Grand Center Arts District | A Landmark Destination for the Arts

Siteman Kids: Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital - Siteman Cancer Center

Circus Harmony: Home - Circus Harmony

  

CITY and US Women's Soccer at Energizer Park

This past Saturday afternoon (31 May) had the first of two soccer matches at Energizer Park for me. St. Louis CITY SC was hosting San Jose Earthquakes and I arrived well before kickoff at the Schlafly Tap Room for the St. Louligans pre-match party. I got a beer from a Schlafly beer test (their Summer Lager) and a gyro from the Go Gyro Go food truck. I also bought raffle tickets and contributed to the St. Louligans' Charity du Jour, Action St. Louis.

I then joined the supporters' march into the stadium for the match, which was the first for CITY under caretaker head coach David Critchley. CITY scored just before halftime on a Joao Klauss effort to take the lead. San Jose equalized in the 83rd minute, but CITY won it on an Edward Lowen penalty in stoppage time. The victory was most welcome for CITY and its supporters.

Last night (3 June), I drove from work in Ballwin back to Energizer Park, this time for a women's friendly between USA and Jamaica. I arrived in the stadium just after the two teams arrived on the pitch and while former USA international and St. Louis native Becky Sauerbrunn was honored for her career. 

After witnessing this ceremony, I made my way to my seat, which was on the upper deck of the North End. This gave me a great overall view of the pitch.

The match opened with the US dominating possession, but not able to find the back of the net until the 19th minute, when Ally Sentnor scored. She added a second tally 10 minutes later and the Stars and Stripes took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

A number of substitutions were made during the second half as new lineups were evaluated. One player brought in was Lynn Biyendolo, who entered the match in the 58th minute. Two minutes later, she hit paydirt to make it 3 to the good for the USA. Biyendolo added a second goal two monutes from time and the Americans ran out 4-0 winners.

It was quite an entertaining match, the scoreline notwithstanding, and Sauerbrunn was working as a studio analyst for TNT's match telecast. I caught a glimpse of her and the other studio analysts and host interviewing Sentnor after the match.

After a long day at work and this match, I came home a happy man.

Later.

Websites of Entries Mentioned in this Post:

Energizer Park: Energizer Park | St. Louis CITY SC

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

Go Gyro Go: Go Gyro Go | Greek and Mediterranean Gourmet Cuisine

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

Action St. Louis: Action St. Louis

US Soccer: U.S. Soccer Official Website | USWNT & USMNT

2024 Communications Honors from Missouri Professional Communicators

Yesterday (24 May) was a great day for me. After picking up Julie from her place, we went to Fitz's South County for the Missouri Professional Communicators (MPC) Communications Contest Celebration. 

I was among ten MPC members who entered this contest, which honored communications work done in 2024. A team of judges evaluated each entry and awarded a place (First, Second, Third, or Honorable Mention), along with making constructive comments about each entry.

After soft drinks and hors d'oeuves, MPC co-president Janice Denham announced the contest results. She recognized each contestant, going in order of number of entries per person (least to most). For each contestant, Denham told of their entries, where they placed, and briefly what the judges thought of those entries.

Denham came to me announced that all six of my entries earned an award. I knew in advance that two of them took First Place, and now I knew which ones. One was the press release announcing last year's Gateway Chapter International Plastic Modelers' Society (IPMS) Invitational. The judges lauded it for presenting information in a clear and concise manner. My other First Place went to the IPMS Gateway Facebook page, which I manage. The judges' comments praised the good quality of photos, the ease of navigating the site, the organization of the galleries, and the impressive page engagement figures.

These and the other First Place winning entries from MPC are eligible for the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) Communications Contest. Those results will be announced at the NFPW's Conference this September in Golden, Colorado.

My Editor's Notebook column in the IPMS Gateway newsletter, The Arch Scaler News, earned Second Place. The judges really liked the conversational tone and its positive call to action for members, along with information about upcoming activities. The newsletter itself received Third Place, the judges liking the plentiful good information in it. They did suggest I economize where I can, using fewer but larger photos and keeping out unnecessary words.

I also took Third for my second blog post about last year's IPMS/USA National Convention. The judges thought my writing held up well but wanted more details on the sessions I attended there. Finally, my account of last year's NFPW Conference in St. Louis, which appeared in the newsletter NFPW Agenda, earned an Honorable Mention. The judges liked my "play by play" of the conference.

After the awards were presented and the last congratulations shared, our celebration ended. I asked Julie to take photos of me with the certificates I earned, and she did.

Julie enjoyed being at the celebration and chatting with the other attendees. She was my guest two years ago at this event. After we left Fitz's, I drove Julie home and we parted with a hug and kiss.

After dropping Julie off, I ran off some IPMS Gateway Regional Contest flyers and dropped them off at three hobby shops--Mark Twain Hobby Center, Schaefer's Hobby Shop, and Checkered Flag Hobby Country--before coming home.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Missouri Professional Communicators: Missouri NFPW affiliate | Missouri Professional Communicators | Clayton

Fitz's South County: South County | Fitz's Root Beer

IPMS Gateway Chapter:  IPMS Gateway Chapter

IPMS/USA: IPMS/USA | IPMS/USA Home Page

National Federation of Press Women: Home

Trivia Night, Museum Tour, and Soccer Refereeing: My Weekend

After a busy Friday at work (25 April), I drove to the Crestwood Community Center for the Eliot Chapel Trivia Night. Julie had reserved a table at this fund raiser for her church. Julie's roommate Joan and some others joined us at our table, one of 22 tables of trivia players.

The night's theme was "It's a Jungle Out There," and Julie had plastic sun helmets for our party to wear that night. The night's questions had animal themes. We did fair, finishing in the middle of the pack among the tables. I did have good luck in the raffle, winning a book lover's basket of books, snacks, a mug, and a candle. Overall, a fun night with friends.

Yesterday morning (26 April), I made my way to downtown St. Louis, going around the course for the St. Louis Marathon, to get to Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. There, I joined with several other Missouri Professional Communicators members to get a guided tour of the Museum's current display: "Ghost Soldiers: The Combat Con Artists of WWII." This exhibit, on loan from the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, has been at Soldiers Memorial since last January and will run there until this Memorial Day (26 May). 

I had toured "Ghost Soldiers" last January and found it most interesting to see the efforts of a group of US soldiers in Europe who used inflated vehicles, fake radio traffic, sound effects, and phony generals to confuse the Germans and help the Allies in World War II. (I took these photos during my January visit.)

After the museum tour, I got lunch at QuikTrip, gas for the car at Circle K, and groceries at Walmart.

Early this morning, I drove to the Lou Fusz Athletic Training Center in Earth City, Missouri to referee three matches in the Midwest Invitational Tournament. (This facility was formerly Rams Park, where the National Football League's St. Louis Rams had their practice facility and office before the team returned to Los Angeles.) After checking in at the referee table in the lobby, I made my way to the field where I worked three seven-a-side matches involving boys' teams in the under 8/9 and under 10 age groups. Each match had 25-minute halves, with about 10 minutes between matches, and I was working them alone. Fortunately, the matches went well and there were no serious issues with them.

After my games, I went to a MotoMart convenience store to add air to one of my car's tires, then had lunch at the attached McDonald's. Today, it was the Quarter Pounder with Cheese combo. A satisfying end to my morning.

Relaxing at home after lunch, I was watching the Blues on TV in Gane 4 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Winnipeg Jets. The Blues won 5-1 to even the best of seven series at two games each. (Yes!)

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Eliot Unitarian Chapel: Home

Crestwood Community Center: Community Center | Crestwood, MO

Soldiers Memorial Military Museum: Soldiers Memorial Military Museum | Find Yourself Here.

Missouri Professional Communicators: Missouri NFPW affiliate | Missouri Professional Communicators | Clayton

Lou Fusz Athletic Training Center: LFA Training Center - Lou Fusz Athletic

MotoMart: Home - MotoMart

McDonald's: McDonald's: Burgers, Fries & More. Quality Ingredients.

Easter Weekend 2025

It was a wet weekend here. Lots of rain this past week and into yesterday morning (19 April). I stayed at home during the day, working on a ship model for next month's IPMS/Gateway meeting. It's the Hatsuharu, a Japanese destroyer of World War II. I received this 1:700 scale kit at the March Gateway meeting from a donation of ship kits to the club. The Modeler of the Year Contest in May will have the Special Category of "Free Shipping" for models from this stash. I did major painting of the Hatsuharu with assembly of components (such a gun turrets, superstructure, and exhaust stacks) to come.

Late that afternoon, I drove into Downtown West St. Louis for St. Louis CITY SC's match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. I began by attending the St. Louligans party at Schlafly Tap Room. (Due to the weather, it was held indoors.) Julie did not go with me, as she was helping her roommate Joan celebrate her birthday.

I mingled with the fellow St. Louligans, drank some Schlafly beer (including tasting three of their newer brews), and watching the start of the St Louis Blues' playoff game on TV.

About one hour before kickoff, it was time to assemble for the march into Energizer Park for the match. The St. Louis City Punks and STL Santos came to the corner to join the St. Louligans and Fleur de Noise for sone chanting before we marched.

After marching around Energizer Park, we entered the stadium and found our places in the Supporter Section in the North End. Some minutes before the match, former University of Missouri football quarterback Brady Cook delivered the kickoff ball before he walked over to our section to wave a banner and pound the big drum.

The match pitted CITY, which was 12th in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer, against the Western Conference leading Whitecaps. The home side kept things close and seemed to have taken the lead in the first half; however, it was overturned after Video Assistant Referee review on an offside.

 

The match ended in a scoreless draw; a disappointment in that an apparent winning goal was denied, but happy that CITY kept a clean sheet against such a good team as Vancouver had.

After relaxing at home this morning, I went to Julie and Joan's apartment for Easter dinner. Several of Joan's relatives were also there and it was a nice dinner featuring ham. After the meal, we got into conversation until mid-afternoon when we all decided to all it a day. It's back to work in the morning for me.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

IPMS Gateway Chapter: IPMS Gateway Chapter

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

Energizer Park: Energizer Park | St. Louis CITY SC

Major League Soccer: MLSsoccer.com - The Official Site of Major League Soccer