Once More at SLIFF 2021

Midday yesterday (20 November), I drove to the Tivoli Theatre in the Delmar Loop neighborhood for my final volunteer shift at this year's St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF). I was in the lobby scanning tickets (printed and on mobile devices) of patrons attending films early that afternoon. I used an iPad equipped with a QR code scanner to scan the tickets.

During my shift, I scanned tickets for three films showing at the Tivoli's three auditoriums: Any Day Now (a Finnish feature about an Iranian boy and his family seeking asylum in Finland); Try Harder! (a documentary about San Francisco high school seniors seeking admission to their favorite colleges); and, Delicate State (a drama about a couple expecting a child in a near future US torn apart by civil war).

Late in my shift, I traded places and stood outside one of the auditoriums handing out fan ballots and festival surveys to the patrons.  I then rested at a lobby table for a few minutes until the venue captain released me from my duties with SLIFF's thanks. I thanked them for working with me and hoped to talk and work with them again soon.

After that, I walked east on Delmar to Subterranean Books, an independent bookseller. I browsed there for awhile before leaving. Then, I walked west to Blueberry Hill, where I stopped at the bar to enjoy an Incarnation beer from 4 Hands Brewing.

Then, I headed home to mow the front lawn and collect the leaves that fell onto the lawn. Made a great deal of progress on that, but much needs to be done with the back yard.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

St. Louis International Film Festival: St. Louis International Film Festival | Cinema St Louis

Delmar Loop: Visit The Loop

Subterranean Books: Subterranean Books | Subterranean Books, One of The Great St. Louis Independent Bookstores (subbooks.com)

Blueberry Hill: Homepage - Blueberry Hill

4 Hands Brewing Co.: Home | 4 Hands Brewing Co. | St. Louis, Missouri (4handsbrewery.com)

SLIFF Concludes, Plus Work and Meetings

One week ago Thursday night (9 November) found me at the Tivoli Theatre (https://www.landmarktheatres.com/st-louis/tivoli-theatre) in the Delmar Loop for my second volunteer assignment of this year's St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) (http://www.cinemastlouis.org/about-festival). I handed out fan ballots and demographic surveys for the film "The Light of the Moon," a drama about a woman in New York City dealing with being raped. This screening replaced the originally scheduled film for that night, "The Upside," which was pulled before the festival due to the sexual harassment allegations against its producer, Harvey Weinstein. "The Light of the Moon" was very well done, and I stayed after the movie to catch some of the panel discussion on sexual assault, as well as helping collect ballots and surveys.

Back at work the next morning, it was a usual busy (for much of the day) Friday, but all went well.

Saturday morning (11 November), I drove to the Missouri History Museum (https://mohistory.org/) in Forest Park for my next SLIFF volunteer stint. I helped pass out ballots and surveys for two films screened there: The French (but dubbed into English) animated feature "Mune: Guardian of the Moon," a nice family-friendly film; and "Nat Bates for Mayor," a documentary about a mayor's race in Richmond, California in 2014. I was able to get a break midway through my stint, so I grabbed lunch at Bixby's restaurant (http://bixbys-mohistory.com/) and browsed through the Museum Shop (https://mohistory.org/shop). In the latter, I found copies of the book "The Aerial Crossroads of America: St. Louis's Lambert Airport," which the Museum has published and which I helped out a bit in research.

After my shift ended at the Missouri History Museum, I went to Coffee Cartel (http://www.thecoffeecartel.com/) in the Central West End for a latte. I sat in the shop for awhile enjoying my beverage and the view out the window.

After a break at home, it was on to Winifred Moore Auditorium at Webster University (http://www.webster.edu/) for my fourth SLIFF volunteer assignment. This was a screening of a restored print of "Wanda," a 1970 crime drama that was written by, directed by, and starred Barbara Loden. It was quite a good movie--very sparse dialog, no music, a basic movie that was the antithesis of Hollywood product. I enjoyed the movie, in between distributing and then collecting ballots and surveys.

Home on Sunday, I worked on the November issue of The Arch Scaler News, the newsletter of IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/). This month, I am taking over from Brad Vaughn as newsletter editor, a job I held in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, with advances in word processing and desktop publishing, I can do a much better quality newsletter than I did back then.

That night, I was at Brown Hall at Washington University (https://wustl.edu/) for my fifth and final SLIFF volunteer assignment. It was providing surveys and selling concessions at the documentary "Intent to Destroy." It was about the Armenian Genocide just over 100 years ago and the making of the 2016 feature film "The Promise," which was set during that time. I was most impressed by this film, seeing film and pictures of that period that I had never seen anywhere before. I came home tired but happy to have helped out in at least a small way in making SLIFF a success.

I followed a busy (as usual) Monday (13 November) at work with a meeting at Christian Academy of Greater of St. Louis (http://public.cagsl.net/) in Overland for the monthly board meeting of Viva Brasil STL (https://www.vivabrasilstl.org/). Carolina Holtmeyer, the board president, invited me to attend because she and other board members think I would be a great fit for their board. I went with an open mind, but came away with a good impression. I told them I would be interested in serving on their board for 2018. Elections for that will be held at next month's board meeting.

After work Tuesday and Wednesday, I came home to work on The Arch Scaler News. I assembled the articles and photos into a document that would be sent via email and US Mail.

Early yesterday morning, I drove to the corner of Bayless and Union/Weber in Lemay to buy a newspaper for Old Newsboys Day (http://www.stltoday.com/old-newsboys-day/). Held one week before Thanksgiving since 1957, this program raises money for St. Louis area children's charities by volunteers selling a special edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Articles inside the paper tell of the children impacted by these charities. People paid what they could for the newspaper--I paid $5 for my copy.

Back home after that, I finished the newsletter and printed a handful of copies at OfficeMax (https://www.officedepot.com/) in Mehlville, for those members who wanted a mailed copy. Then, I got postage on them at the Post Office and mailed them out. That night, I send the majority of members The Arch Scaler News via email, along with a copy of the revised Constitution and By-Laws, to be considered at the meeting this Tuesday night. I was very happy to get this first newsletter of my new stint done.

Last night, I was at Creve Coeur Airport (http://crevecoeurairport.com/) for this month's Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) meeting. This event was the launch of the new book "Swift As An Arrow: The Story of Thomas Benoist, Pioneer American Aviator," by Melody Davis (grand niece of Benoist) and Gary R. Liming, a board member of the Society. I bought a copy of the book, signed by the co-authors, and watched a slideshow on Benoist that Liming presented to the audience. Several descendants of Benoist were in attendance at the meeting. I also put in my reservation for the Society's Christmas party next month, to be held at Creve Coeur Airport.

Later.

Film Festival and Election Day

One week ago tonight (6 November) found me at Moore Auditorium of Webster Hall, Webster University (http://www.webster.edu/). It was my first volunteer stint at this year's St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) (http://www.cinemastlouis.org/about-festival). I was an usher handing out fan ballots, SLIFF patron survey forms, and festival programs to audience members as they entered the theater. After the audience was taken care of, I could watch the movie, then collect the ballots and survey forms, and help tally up the audience votes. Last Sunday had a double feature, starting with the 2016 documentary "Long Live the King," about the enduring fascination with the 1933 classic film "King Kong." It was a very nice film, and was followed by some discussion lead by Tom Stockman, editor of We Are Movie Geeks (http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/). Then, it was the second half of the bill, the aforementioned "King Kong," which I had not seen on a big screen with an audience before. It was thrilling as always.

My brother Rick and his family (wife Melissa, son Alex, and daughter Kate) had a fine time with my mom and me. More with my mom, since I was away at work and SLIFF much of the time they were there. They returned to Charleston on Tuesday. I was back at work on Monday.

After flexing out of work Tuesday afternoon (8 November), I drove to ROC Ministries (http://rocmin.com/) in Mehlville to cast my vote in the national election. I was most happy to do my patriotic duty. Most of my candidates and issues lost, and I will leave it at that.

I put in a full day of work Wednesday, then was back at St. Louis Community College at Meramec (http://www.stlcc.edu/MC/) for the Portuguese Language: Beginning II class. Our instructor Elizabeth from Viva Brasil Association of St. Louis (http://www.e.vivabrasilstl.org/home) guided us through more Portuguese, including numbers, months, and days of the week.

Off work Thursday (10 November), I got my hair cut by Great Clips (http://www.greatclips.com/) on South County Centerway in Mehlville. I met a friend for lunch at the St. Louis Bread Co. (https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html), also on South County Centerway.

That afternoon, I was off to the Tivoli Theatre (https://www.landmarktheatres.com/st-louis/tivoli-theatre) for a SLIFF volunteer shift. I was outside the theater where a collection of five documentary short subjects with the theme of Valor. I did not see these films, but saw the stars and producers come into the adjourning theater for the US premier of the film "Drawing Home."

After my volunteer shift, I was off to the Plaza Frontenac Cinema (https://www.landmarktheatres.com/st-louis/plaza-frontenac-cinema) to watch a SLIFF film "Jules & Dolores (O Roubo da Taca)," a caper comedy from Brazil, which I enjoyed a lot.

I got off work a few minutes early on Friday, which was unusual, but welcome nevertheless. I did work at the rental branch yesterday morning, and that went very well.

I got a bit of a lunch while on my way from work to Brown Hall at Washington University (https://wustl.edu/). My SLIFF volunteer shift spanned the end of one narrative feature, "Phantom Boy," and all of the next one, "Heidi," a 2016 German/Swiss version of the long-time favorite children's story. I didn't see either film, as I was at my volunteer station just outside, but both were very well received by the audiences.

This morning found me at World Wide Technology Soccer Park (http://saintlouisfc.com/soccerpark) to officiate three Premier League under 12 girls matches. These were all nine-a-side, small field matches. I ran line on the first two matches before working the middle on the third match. All three went well.

After a shower and change of clothes at home, I went to my fourth and final SLIFF volunteer shift, at .ZACK (http://www.zack.events/) a new performing arts incubator in midtown St. Louis. I caught the tail end of the documentary "The Last Laugh," about comedians dealing with or avoiding the Holocaust. There was a break of some minutes, then we had one more documentary feature, "Tower," about the 1966 mass shooting at the University of Texas at Austin. I thought that was a terrific film. SLIFF is ending with its awards show as I write this; the results will be posted on the Cinema St. Louis website tomorrow (Monday), I would presume.

Later.

A Weekend with Coffee, Soccer, and Car Models

One week ago today (22 October), I spent some time at the Drury Inn & Suites (https://wwws.druryhotels.com/PropertyHotelServices.aspx?Property=0164) in Brentwood for a business expo, presented by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce (http://www.brentwoodmochamber.com/). My friend Gina March--a former Webster University colleague--is the chamber's executive director and she invited me to this event. I wondered around tables staffed by Brentwood merchants of many kinds, ranging from financial services and restaurants to healthcare. I ran into two people of note at this expo. One was Peggy, aka Krazy Peg, who I knew from a Meetup group I was in a few years ago. She and her husband run a print shop and we chatted for a bit. I was also chatting with Kitt Weis, an Edward Jones financial advisor who graduated from Mehlville High three years after I did and who knew my brother Brian. It was nice getting caught up on things with Kitt.

After some time at the expo, I headed to the Tivoli Theatre in the Delmar Loop for the volunteer orientation for the St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) (http://www.cinemastlouis.org/about-festival), which runs 5 to 15 November at several St. Louis area venues. The volunteer coordinator went over the duties of the volunteers--including offering programs, survey forms, and ballots to the attendees entering the theater; and, collecting survey forms and ballots after the show. I have volunteered for three shifts; I will tell you more closer to the time. I also received several SLIFF posters and promotional cards to have posted around the St. Louis area to promote the festival. This will be my fifth year as a SLIFF volunteer and I'm looking forward to this!

At work last Friday morning (23 October), I brought in some doughnuts from Krispy Kreme (http://www.krispykreme.com/) in Fenton for my colleagues. They included Hannah, the new management trainee who joined our branch the day before. She is brand new to the company, but I feel she will do very well. We had a busy Friday (especially in the late afternoon), but the day closed out very nicely. I was back the next morning to work, and we got through the morning very well.

After work Saturday, I headed to Rise Coffee House (http://risecoffeestl.com/) in the Grove for the Saint Louis Area Sippers (Coffee Meetup) (http://www.meetup.com/Saint-Louis-Coffee-Meetup/) get together. Eight of us got together for some refreshments and talk, which is always most interesting. It it great with these meetups in checking out various coffeehouses I would not have otherwise known, and each place having a charm of its own.

Back home after the meetup, I changed clothes, ate supper, and headed to Saint Louis University's Robert R. Hermann Stadium to cheer on the Billikens men's soccer team (http://www.slubillikens.com/SaspxportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27200&SPID=93202&SPSID=632571&DB_OEM_ID=27200) against Atlantic 10 Conference rival Davidson. SLU won the match 1-0, scoring early in the second half of a match they pretty much dominated. The win keeps the Billikens' chances of qualifying for the season-ending A-10 Tournament looking good.

The next morning (25 October), I was at the Kirkwood Community Center (http://www.kirkwoodmo.org/content/City-Departments/1856/community-center.aspx) for the Midwest Model Vehicle Association-St. Louis (MMVA) (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/MMVAStLouis.html) Fall contest and swap meet. I joined with two other IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) colleagues in staffing our table at the show. I brought in an assortment of my models and Doug Barton brought in two club displays: "The King and His Court" (stock cars from Richard Petty's final NASCAR season in 1992) and St. Louis-built Chevrolet Corvettes. We also had flyers promoting our contest on 10 September 2016. I didn't stay for the entire show, but I did have a look at the contest models and shopped at several of the vendors.

That night, I went online and made hotel reservations for my trip to Chicago early next month. Going on hotels.com (http://www.hotels.com/), I got some very nice deals for the two nights I'm staying--first in Springfield, Illinois on the way over, and then in Chicago after the model show that day. More on this trip in the upcoming posts.

Work has been going well this week. Busy much of the time, but we are getting our customers completely satisfied, which is the important part. After work Tuesday night (27 October), I joined with other colleagues from our area for a happy hour at Double D (http://doubledstl.com/) in Brentwood. I enjoyed the company for a few minutes before having to leave to attend this month's IPMS/Gateway business meeting at Marion Morris' house in Maplewood. There, the board members present planned next month's meetings and discussed a bit of other business.

Last night after work, I drove to Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) to get my photograph taken for the church directory. I brought a blazer, dress shirt and tie that I changed to for the photo session. It was done in just a few minutes and I was on my way home.

Today on my off day, I bought some sanding tapes and a magazine from CRM Hobbies (http://www.crmhobbies.com/) in South St. Louis, and dropped off a pair of dress trousers at a tailor shop for a minor repair. I used those sanding tapes in smoothing out some parts for a model kit I hope to finish in time for the IPMS/Butch O'Hare Chapter (http://butchoharemodelers.com/) show I'm attending next Saturday (7 November) in Downers Grove, Illinois. Looking forward to it.

Later.