TCB > July 2004

Is There an Echo in Here?

According to a post in The Commonspace Forums by Brian Horton, who picked up the news from an entry in the Arch City Chronicle blog by Dave Drebes, Tim Woodcock has been tapped to be the new editor at the West End Word.

Tim wrote the very first newspaper article about the physical Commonspace. It appeared in the 12/24/02 edition of the West End Word. The charming Brit lives in a house that was rehabbed by Amrit and Amy Gill, who were named "Best Developers" in The Commonspace's Editors' Choice awards.

Posted by Brian Marston on Thu., Jul 29, 2004 at 5:05 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | People , The Media

Art and Life

There's a lot in the works for Grand Center, home of The Commonspace. Vince Schoemehl laid out the game plan in an editorial in the Business Journal in May. Grand Center, Inc. is spending $100,000 on an intensive marketing campaign to promote "The Intersection of Art and Life" in the district. Their website has been redesigned to reflect the new theme. The marketing push, which also includes lots of in-kind advertising, is designed to go hand-in-hand with a $250 million redevelopment program.

Stop by and visit us sometime soon to see what all the buzz is about.

Posted by Brian Marston on Mon., Jul 26, 2004 at 9:48 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | Business District

Geek Alert

I ordered three computers for The Commonspace today. (Well, parts for three computers — I've got to put them together when they get here. If anybody is up for helping with that, let me know. I could also use some help configuring the webcam.) The total cost, including shipping and the webcam, was $2,268.14.

The interesting/weird thing about these machines is that they won't have hard drives. Instead, they'll run Morphix off a CD. Oh yeah, and the cases have colored bubble lights. Tacky, yet cool!

Here's the parts list:

PCChips M811LU Motherboard
AMD Duron 1.8GHz Processor
SPEEZE 60mm CPU Cooler for Socket A/370
eVGA nVIDIA GeForce4 MX440-8X Video Card
Crucial 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-2100 4T
ASUS Black 52X QuieTrack CD-ROM Drive, CD-S520
ASUS Black 52X32X52 QuieTrack CD-RW Drive, CRW-5232AS
NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive
D-Link Air 2.4GHz Wireless PCI Ethernet Adapter, DWL-520
CTX International 15" LCD Monitor with Speakers
Maxtop Sentinel Type II Riot Black Mid Tower with 350W Power Supply, CSX-7788KEB
GrandTec Virtually Indestructible 109-key USB keyboard, FLX-2000, black
Designer Scroll Optical PS/2 Mouse

Posted by Brian Marston on Mon., Jul 26, 2004 at 8:26 PM
Link & Discuss (4 comments) | The Commonspace

Arch You Glad to Head Home?

So, I'm wrapping up a week and a half of work-related dallying in San Francisco (I highly recommend that you all find a way to spend next July here; 72 degrees every day, sunny, and then cool and foggy and great at night; bliss!)...but I haven't felt too far away because of a great piece of artwork serendipitously placed on the wall about three steps outside my hotel room door.

It's a big, color photograph of The Arch, gleaming in all its stainless glory against a blue summer sky. Credits on the wall say it was shot by one Joseph Sobiesiak, Jr., and that I can purchase it, or rent it for a mere $75 for three months.

Which I might seriously consider doing if I weren't going to be able to look at the real thing tomorrow night.

Posted by Amanda Doyle on Thu., Jul 22, 2004 at 1:58 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | Other

Show Me Da Lou

Tune into "Show Me St. Louis" on channel 5 today at 3 p.m. for a segment about The Commonspace breakdancers. It's a promo for the Jammin' at the Zoo party on Wednesday.

Posted by Brian Marston on Mon., Jul 19, 2004 at 1:01 PM
Link & Discuss (2 comments) | The Commonspace

Corporate Rock

The madcap mayhem of Ulcer, Inc. returns to Mississippi Nights on Saturday, July 24. The all-ages show starts at 8 p.m. It's $6 to get in.

Here's a promo shot of the band. I'm the one on the floor, bleeding profusely. Confused? Don't be -- none of it makes any sense. This show will feature the amazing SciBot Industries robots (plural!). Other than that, I can't divulge any of the plot line (because we haven't made it up yet).

Also on the bill are NIL8 and Opus. I've never seen NIL8, but I've had one of their tapes in the boombox in my basement for the last five years because I'm too lazy to put in another one on the rare occasions when I work out. Rock, rock, rock!

Posted by Brian Marston on Wed., Jul 14, 2004 at 4:33 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | Other

Bike Rentals at the Arch

The Gateway Arch Riverfront and The Touring Cyclist have teamed up to provide St. Louis with a new and exciting way to tour the sights and sounds of the city or leisurely cycle the path along the riverfront by opening a new bike rental shop.

The Touring Cyclist will operate the bike rental shop located below the Arch on Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. Rentals are available Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Riders that visit the shop will be provided with several suggested bike paths to explore, including the St. Louis Riverfront Trail along the Mississippi, and trails leading to the City Museum, Union Station, Anheuser Busch Brewery, and Forest Park. Maps provided show detailed directions to guide bikers along the various paths. Bike rentals cost $12 for 2 hours and $25 for all day. To accommodate individuals, families and groups, tandem bikes, trailers and tag-a-longs are available at additional costs. For more information contact Tom Etling or Lindsey Ruud at 314-621-4040.

Posted by Brian Marston on Wed., Jul 14, 2004 at 3:28 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | Business District

#8 BJH

U.S. News ranked Barnes-Jewish Hospital as the 8th best hospital in the country in its annual roundup.

Posted by Brian Marston on Wed., Jul 14, 2004 at 12:01 AM
Link & Discuss (1 comment) | STL in the News

Blake Brokaw

This week's RFT features a really good cover story by Ben Westhoff about Blake Brokaw that includes a quote from an interview I did with him in September 2001. Blake is a great source of inspiration, cautionary tales and business lessons.

Posted by Brian Marston on Tue., Jul 13, 2004 at 1:56 AM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | People , The Commonspace , The Media

Brent Hall

Every once in a while, something amazing happens that makes the world seem like a magical place. Last night, 20-year-old Brent Hall showed up at The Commonspace. He's biking back to Bangor, ME, from Flagstaff, AZ. His last visit to The Commonspace was on August 29, 2003, when he was headed the opposite way and left the most amazing entry in our journal. He's staying with Amanda and me tonight before he heads out in the morning.

Posted by Brian Marston on Tue., Jul 13, 2004 at 12:13 AM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | People , The Commonspace

Jammin' at the Zoo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2004
Media Contacts:
St. Louis Zoo (314) 781-0900
Janet Powell, ext. 233; Christy Childs, ext. 239

YOUNG ZOO FRIENDS TO HOST "JAMMIN' AT THE ZOO" SUMMER PARTIES
ON JULY 21 AND AUGUST 18

Gather your friends together for the coolest patio party in town this summer! The Young Zoo Friends will host Jammin' at the Zoo on Wednesdays, July 21 and August 18, from 5:30-10 p.m. (rain or shine). Enjoy two great evenings of live music and entertainment, food and drinks lakeside at the St. Louis Zoo.

Enjoy the "ice-cold" party on July 21 with music by Javier Mendoza and Brandy Johnson, plus special performances by Commonspace breakdancing troupe.

The party on August 18, features music by Paint the Earth, Soul Tyde, DJ Mark Lewis and an art exhibition by Justin Tolentino.

Cash bars will serve beer, wine, soda and frozen specialty drinks. A variety of food will be available for purchase. Party-goers can register to win a trip for two to Las Vegas. One trip will be given away at each event.

Meet the Zoo's WildCare Institute staff involved in conservation projects across the globe. Proceeds from the parties help support the Zoo's conservation efforts at home and around the world.

Admission is $5.00 per person at each event. Zoo Friends members (with valid membership card) and one guest receive free admission. Those who purchase a membership at the door will receive free admission for two. Ages 21 and up only, please. Reservations are not needed. Enter at the south entrance on Wells Drive near the Z-O-O pylon and Highway 40. Free parking provided on the south lot.

The Young Zoo Friends are a group of professionals in their 20s and 30s who support the future success of the Zoo through volunteer, fundraising, educational and social opportunities.

Jammin' at the Zoo co-chairs are Tori Clear and Greg Schowe.

For more information, call 314/768-5440 or visit online at www.stlzoo.org/yzf.

Jammin' at the Zoo is supported by Riverfront Times, Funjet Vacations, Stardust Resort and Casino, and Z-107.7.

Posted by Brian Marston on Mon., Jul 12, 2004 at 2:21 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | The Commonspace

MS 150

Special offer! This week only! Register for the MS 150 team sponsored by The Commonspace and the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation and see Stage 13 of the Tour de France live on the Big Screen at Regal Cinema at St. Louis Mills this Saturday FREE, as our guest!

In collaboration with Regal Cinemedia and OLN, the Tyler Hamilton Foundation will present a live viewing of Stage 13 of the 2004 Tour de France. Come view the fireworks on the 3rd Mountain Stage from Lannemezan to the uphill finish at the Plateau de Beille. So join us for breakfast and watch the Tour de France on the BIG screen while hooting and hollering with fellow cyclists.

Saturday, July 17, 2004
6:00 AM
Regal St. Louis Mills 18
5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd
Hazelwood, MO

This is a fundraiser for the Tyler Hamilton Foundation, which champions two causes: competitive cycling and the fight against multiple sclerosis.

To join the MS-150 Commonspace/Bike Fed team, drop a line to Jason McClelland, at jmcclelland@stlcc.edu.

For info about the Tour viewing, visit www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1150915.

If you can't be in Plateau de Beille, be at the theatre!

Posted by Brian Marston on Mon., Jul 12, 2004 at 1:59 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | The Commonspace

I Got Served

The votes are in, and Ryan "Opie" McCoy won the bboy video contest. His entry is dope. (QuickTime, 320 x 240, 4:55, 13.4 MB)

Posted by Brian Marston on Wed., Jul 7, 2004 at 2:32 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | The Commonspace

Century Building Petition

Amanda spotted this signature on the petition:

2629
dylan gill
st louis city
st roch school
Save the Century--give it to my dad and he will fix it.

Dylan is presumably Amrit and Amy's son.

The petition is up to 2,738 signatures.

Posted by Brian Marston on Wed., Jul 7, 2004 at 2:14 PM
Link & Discuss (2 comments) | Other

We Had the Sexy Even Before the NY Times

If you were among the lucky in the audience at last month's Free Candy, you will likely recognize many of the products (the Cremesicle, the Wabbit) mentioned in this article about Passion Parties...

Posted by Amanda Doyle on Tue., Jul 6, 2004 at 12:06 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | The Media

Studda Step

Combine 194 still photos and what do you get? My entry in the video contest for the June Breakin' session. Check it out y'all. (QuickTime, 240 x 180, 1:45, 3.4 MB)

If you're gonna do something, be obsessive, I say.

Posted by Brian Marston on Sat., Jul 3, 2004 at 2:45 AM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | The Commonspace

Free Candy Photos

Photos from the June episode of Free Candy are up. The theme of the show was "vices."

Posted by Brian Marston on Fri., Jul 2, 2004 at 2:51 PM
Link & Discuss (0 comments) | The Commonspace