July - Southampton

The Official Newsletter of the Southampton Neighborhood Association • July 2006
Next Southampton Neighborhood
Association Meeting
Date:
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Refreshments will be served
Time:
7:00 p.m.
Location:
Southampton Presbyterian Church
Lower level gymnasium
4716 Macklind Avenue (at Nottingham)
SNA Officers, Board Members
& City Officials
Chad Stockel, President
752-9972 • [email protected]
Ron Coleman, Vice President
832-3872 • [email protected]
Andrew Barrett, Treasurer
351-6343 • [email protected]
Your Name Here, Secretary
Contact us to volunteer!
Stephen Gregali, 14th Ward Alderman
(includes Macklind to Kingshighway)
622-3287 • [email protected]
Donna Baringer, 16th Ward Alderman
(includes Macklind to Hampton)
641-8377 • [email protected]
Sandy Colvin, Neighborhood Stabilization Officer
613-3169 • [email protected]
Nancee Nocchiero, Public Affairs Officer
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
444-0168 ext. 1 • [email protected]
JOIN THE SNA AND
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Join or renew your membership to the Southampton
Neighborhood Association today.
Simply fill out this form and mail it with your annual
membership dues of $10 per household.
New Member
Will the fun ever end? The Southampton Neighborhood Association is hosting a neighborhood picnic
at Willmore Park, located at the northwest corner of Hampton and Gravois, on Saturday, July 22 from
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Attendance prizes
include Muny tickets and donations from area
businesses.
Pack a picnic lunch and bring your favorite outdoor game or
activity so you can join your neighbors for some good oldfashioned family fun. Music, kids games and activities will be
provided. The SNA Social Committee will also offer grilled hot
dogs and sodas for a reasonable cost. The picnic will be held
The water balloon toss kept some people cooler than others
under Pavilion 1, which will be marked with a “Southampton” at last summer’s neighborhood picnic.
banner. Pavilion 1 is the very first area on your right as you enter
the Park off of Hampton Avenue. Parking and restroom facilities are nearby. We hope to see you there!
Macklind Avenue Business Open House
Creates Buzz of Promising Success
Walking Wednesdays Continue
Pat Theodore, Block Captain Chair
352-7137 • [email protected]
Southampton Neighborhood Summer Picnic,
Saturday, July 22
Both business owners and neighborhood leaders were pleasantly surprised at the nearly 250 people seen walking along
Macklind Avenue and into businesses during the first Macklind Avenue Business Open House and kickoff to the
“Walking Wednesdays” initiative held May 24. Southampton residents were joined by Aldermen Donna Barringer and
Steve Gregali, Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury, and State Senator Harry Kennedy as well as neighborhood leaders
and residents from surrounding neighborhoods. Business owners proposed holding another open house next spring, if
not as early as this fall when two new businesses, the Murdoch Perk and the Macklind Avenue Deli should be open for
business. Walkers were offered a preview of the Deli’s design plans and a taste of the sample pastries that the Perk will
be offering.
Quite a buzz is developing about the area as new businesses come online, beautification efforts begin and a master plan
for Macklind Avenue unfolds. In addition, three other businesses – Home Eco, Raineri Construction, and Compass
Title – have opened in the last year, while Café Harry has remodeled their interior and expanded their menu within the
last month. Opportunities are still available for startup business looking at being a part of the district and embracing the
neighborhood. Prime storefronts at Nottingham and Macklind, and Devonshire and Macklind are now available.
“I think the newer Southampton residents crave what the older Southampton residents remember – being able to walk to
take care of shopping and entertainment needs,” said Ron Coleman, vice-president of the Southampton Neighborhood
Association. “It’s just that for a few decades, some people thought it would be a good idea to get in their car and drive
everywhere. I think we’re over that now, as much as we can be. We’re seeing a new generation of resident and business
owner taking charge of their future and being committed to their neighborhood. After all, its a positive quality of life
issue when you have everything right were you need it. You can’t put a price on that.”
Keep walking the neighborhood on “Walking Wednesdays” and every day. Try discovering a new business each week,
spend your money in the neighborhood if possible, and know that with each purchase, you are helping create a great
future for yourself and Southampton.
Membership Renewal
Name_______________________________
Address:_ ____________________________
__________________________________
Homeowner
Renter
Business/Property Owner
Phone (optional):___________________________
Email (optional):_ __________________________
Please make your check payable to:
“Southampton Neighborhood Association” and mail to:
Southampton Neighborhood Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 5183
St. Louis, MO 63139
Businesses were busy
entertaining about 250
walkers for the first
Macklind Business
District Open House.
President’s
message
Hello all,
I’d like to start with a big
THANK YOU to all of the
businesses along Macklind
Avenue who participated in
our first “Walking Wednesday.”
The turnout was exceptional,
and it was great to see so many
neighbors and residents from
other neighborhoods enjoying
themselves. The event was a
big success and helped to serve
Chad Stockel, President,
notice that Southampton is a
Southampton Neighborhood
growing neighborhood and a
Association
great place live. I’d also like to
thank Ron Coleman, our VicePresident, who helped organize the event on behalf of the
Neighborhood Association. It was an outstanding effort by all
involved.
Turning to upcoming events, we have our annual picnic in
Willmore Park, July 22, 2006. We’ll have events planned for
kids and adults, and be cooking hot dogs on the grill. We hope
you’ll all come out and have as much fun getting to know your
neighbors as you did on Macklind Avenue in May.
I’m meeting with several residents and community leaders
regarding the Southtown Centre and potential tenants. We
recently took an informal survey via the Yahoo! Group, and the
responses were forwarded to anyone and everyone connected
with Southtown. Any news will be relayed on our Yahoo! Group,
as well as in this newsletter and at our meetings.
I’d like to urge as many of you as possible to consider volunteering
for committee positions within Southampton Neighborhood
Association. While we have a great roster of volunteers right
now, many hands make light work, and having more neighbors helping us will lighten the load for all. We’re specifically
interested in help with newsletter layout, newsletter ad sales,
block captains, and possibly a business relations committee
to help serve as a liaison with the Southtown, Macklind, and
Hampton/Chippewa business groups. Whether you rent or own
a home, Southampton is your neighborhood, and I urge you to
get involved to make it a better place.
Thank you very much, and I hope to see you at our July
meeting,
Chad Stockel
President, Southampton Neighborhood Association
Community Updates
Business and Commercial Development
The Southtown Business Boosters, a group of residents from the neighborhood, is looking into ways to help Sansone
Group, the exclusive leasing agent for Southtown Centre, and developer DDR (Developers Diversified Realty) lease
the remaining spots in the development and support the businesses presently there. They had a successful meeting with
Sansone’s Southtown broker, Adam Stein, on June 16th who stated that they have letters of intent, and are currently
negotiating leases with three businesses interested in going in at Southtown. One is a local pizza chain (5600 sq. ft.
near Cold Stone Creamery), one is a “hard goods” outlet, carrying both furniture and electronics (7000 sq. ft.). The third
is some sort of office (1600 sq. feet). They’re also looking into a police substation at that location. Mr. Stein said he’s
hoping some of these retailers will be open in six months. The meeting went well. A few local business owners were
there (Southwest Bank and Coldstone Creamery), and Mr. Stein is willing to meet with the Boosters again in 5 or 6
weeks to keep them informed. • The Southtown Business Association (formerly the South Kingshighway Business
Association) met with a representative of Union Pacific this month to examine enhancing the appearance of the train
trestle on South Kingshighway. They were told that sanding, priming and painting the entire structure could cost
upwards of $200,000, so they will be working with them to find some low cost alternatives this summer. • The Jubilee
Church (currently located in Webster Groves) is still set to purchase Kriegshauser Mortuary, with a closing date on or
around July 20th. They’ve been in touch with Alderman Gregali, and there are no pressing issues with purchasing the
property. • The city is still preparing its independent assessment of the Avalon, prior to making an offer to the owner.
Bulk Trash Pickup
Be reminded that July has five Mondays, and that our bulk refuse collection is on the 4th Monday of each month, not
the last Monday (i.e. July 24). If you’re signed up for the Yahoo! Group, you can choose to receive reminder emails. What
will be picked up?:
•
•
Up to three items • Large items, such as household furniture, appliances, etc.
Yard or building refuse such as shingles, logs, plaster, etc.
Also, did you know that it is against the law to throw the following items out with the trash?:
•
•
Appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, ovens, etc. • Tires from motor vehicles and trailers
Batteries from motor vehicles • Oil from motor vehicles
You can, however, recycle your items with the City! Place these items out for collection, along with your other bulky
trash on the 4th Monday of the month. Waste oil and auto batteries can also be recycled at many service stations and
some auto retailers or service centers at any time that is convenient to you.
Dog Park Fundraising is a Success! Memberships Now Being Accepted
Two recent fundraisers have brought the Southwest City Dog Park closer
to construction. A yard sale was held in June with items donated from
many residents of South City interested in helping the dog park. Over
$1,800 was raised in sales, and over $200 was collected in donations at
the sale. On June 16 a trivia night was held in partnership with Stray
Rescue of St. Louis, which rescues stray animals in need of medical
attention, restores them to health and places them in loving adoptive
homes (www.strayrescue.org). The trivia night was nearly a sold out
crowd. Approximately $2,100 was raised for the dog park from trivia
night admission fees, raffles and 50/50 drawings. Everyone had a great
time answering tough trivia while also helping two organizations that benefit dogs in St. Louis, both strays and pets.
The SW City Dog Park Committee wishes to thank all those who donated items for the yard sale, shopped at the yard
sale, played at trivia night, worked at the yard sale or trivia night, and especially Heather Seitsinger for organizing the
yard sale. The Dog Park Committee also wishes to thanks the Board of the St. Louis Hills
Homeowners Association, who recently donated $1,000 to the dog park from their Run
for the Hills funds. Dog park funds now total approximately $14,700, which is close to the
target amount for fencing for 1.2 acres in Willmore Park. Plans are to open the dog park
this Fall.
edicare Part D
edco
GHP/Caremark
The dog park is now accepting early memberships, which will help cover costs of other
items for the dog park (e.g., trash cans, maintenance, insurance, etc). Please consider signing
up early to help us meet our goal. Annual fees are as follows:
•
City residents: $50 first dog, $10 each additional dog
•
Southampton Neighborhood Association (SNA) members: $35 first dog, $10
each additional dog. If you live in the Southampton Neighborhood and are not
a Neighborhood Association member, consider joining - it’s only $10 and will
save you money on your dog park membership!
•
Non-city residents: $80 first dog, $10 each additional dog
Application materials can be found on the dog park’s website www.swcitydogpark.org,
or on the Southampton Yahoo! Group. You may also register at neighborhood meetings
or by calling Missy Krauss at 481-0308 to request an application. Please complete the
application, sign, and mail it with your check and a copy of current vaccination records to
Southampton Neighborhood Association, ATTN: SW City Dog Park, P.O. Box 5183, St.
Louis, MO 63139. You will receive a dog tag and code to enter the dog park before the
opening of the dog park. See you at the dog park this Fall!
4 Easy Steps to Join the Free
Southampton Yahoo! Group
View messages via the group website or
have them emailed to you weekly, daily
or individually. You will never receive
junk emails!
1
Type
www.groups.yahoo.com
into your browser window.
2
Under the heading, “Join a Group,” type:
Southampton Neighborhood
Click the Search Button.
3
In the resulting window,
click on the link:
Southampton Neighborhood.
4
In the next window, follow the instructions and complete the
subscription form.
Southampton Neighborhood Association is a non-political, nonprofit, neighborhood group dedicated to improving the quality of life and promoting community spirit in Southampton Neighborhood. The
Association exists solely for the benevolent and educational benefit of the Community and in no manner for financial gain or profit. Its objectives are to advance and promote the public interest of Southampton
Neighborhood. The Association shall advocate zoning in land use that is proper and appropriate for the community and it shall oppose the action of any individual or institution which is detrimental to the
community. Southampton’s boundaries are Kingshighway on the east, Hampton on the West, Chippewa on the north and Rhodes on the south. As property owners and residents, we strongly advocate the
preservation of real estate property values.
Street Name Snapshot
Here’s to Your Neighborhood Health
Wherry Query
Wherry Avenue originally was a storm water ditch called Wherry Creek where rain
collected and drained into the River Des Peres. Eventually the creek was paved as a road.
That accounts for why the street runs diagonally to adjoining streets.
It was named for Mackey Wherry, a St. Louis surveyor and engineer. According to
Wherryfamily.com and family historian Daniel Wherry, the first generation of the
Wherry family came from North Ireland, or Scotland around 1670 and settled in Chester
County, PA. Mackey Wherry’s grandfather purchased land in 1746 from William Penn,
founder of the State of Pennsylvania.
In 1798, Mackey Wherry (1766-1828) came to St. Louis before the Louisiana Purchase.
He married Louisa Camp (1768-1825) in 1800. From 1801 to 1810, Louisa bore him
seven children: Joseph Antoine, Mackey Manuel, Daniel Boone, Samuel Camp, John,
Louise and Ann Oliver.
In 1823, Mackey was appointed city clerk and collector of revenue. In all, three generations
of the Wherry family held the St. Louis City office of register. Mackey Wherry also
has the distinction of having organized the city’s first police force. One wonders: Is it
coincidence so many members of St. Louis finest reside in Southampton?
– Carol Keller, Milentz Avenue
Information for these feature stories was taken from The Streets of St. Louis, a History of St.
Louis Street Names by William B. and Marcella C. Magnan, information on the internet,
and wherryfamily.com.
Bike Southampton!
Those of you (and you know who you are—one of “you” is writing
this article!) who don’t bike because of the hassle of hauling your twowheeler to an official bike trail are about to lose your favorite excuse! Bike
St. Louis Phase II will bring striped bike-paths to a route that runs through
the heart of Southampton and continues on to points north, east and west.
From Lansdowne east to Donovan and south to Eichelberger, bikers will
have the choice to continue east on Eichelberger, or head north-northeast
on Wherry to Macklind and continue north toward the Hill—or head west
on Southwest toward Maplewood. The planned project is an extension
of the original Bike St. Louis route that starts at Lindell and Kingshighway
and extends through scenic portions of downtown, Lafayette Square, and
Tower Grove Park. According to the www.bikestlouis.org website, the
partnership’s goal is “to create a way to connect the parks in the City for
cyclists and to provide safe commuter options.”
“The bike trail will promote our area, encourage new businesses
to locate on Macklind and even help slow down speeding cars,” says
Alderwoman Donna Barringer. Some local businesses even plan to install
bike racks and signage to make it even more fun—and convenient—to
enjoy all the benefits of exploring our beautiful neighborhood. So what
are you waiting for? Get out to the garage, haul out that bike that’s been
in hibernation since who-knows-when, clean’er up and get ready to bike
Southampton!
Tim Fox, Neosho Street
St. Louis Biking Resources
Thanks to landscaping and gardening company
“Gardens By
Hilary” for offering to take
care of the Wedge
at Wherry and
Macklind. The
owner lives in
Southampton
and it will be
nice to have this
area tended on a
regular basis.
The Great Rivers Greenway – Taxpayer supported initiative to build a
regional system of greenways, parks and trails. Their “River Ring” project
will comprise a 600-mile web of 45 greenways encircling St. Louis.
www.greatrivers.info (314/436-7009)
Bike St. Louis – Aldermanic project connecting parks in the City for
cyclists and providing safe commuter options through signage, lane
striping, education and maps.
www.bikestlouis.org
Trailnet – Not-for-profit organization promoting bicycle and pedestrian
activities, and a premier trail system.
www.trailnet.org (314/416-9930)
Changing Market Conditions
Those of you who have worked with me in the past know that while I will not always tell
you what you want to hear...I will always tell you what I believe to be the truth! Yes, market
conditions have changed. Not as drastically as many headlines would have you believe, but
enough that Sellers need to check their attitudes and expectations a bit.
Truth #1: Expect longer days on the market. While we had become so accustomed to 0-30
days on the market, we are now experiencing 45-90 plus days on the market on average. How
can you reduce those days on the market?
Truth #2: Condition & price your home to sell. Let’s talk condition. First de clutter, get rd of
everything that is messy, in the way or uninviting. Then clean & paint. Are your floor coverings
out of date? If so replace them. Expose hardwood floors, buyers love them. Many sellers often
say “it’s only carpeting, they can replace that themselves.” Buyers don’t want to & they don’t
have to! There are too many other homes to choose from. I have said it before and I’ll say
it again...“Watch HGTV” or go look at some new construction display homes and see if you
don’t fall in love with them. Mental note, it’s not really the house, it’s the stuff in the house that
makes you feel good there. When it’s empty it’s just another house. When a house has dated
& worn out furnishings, buyers struggle to see the bigger picture. Staging your home with a
few new inexpensive items can reduce days on market and increase your sales price. Now for
pricing your home.
Truth #3: Houses are now selling for less than what a seller could command a year or two
ago. Sorry, but I told you I would tell you the truth. Don’t price your home at what you feel
it is worth, ( remember you have an emotional attachment value, the buyer does not). Rather
price it comfortably in the market, you don’t want to be the highest property out there unless
someone with factual knowledge, like your agent, has told you your home is “extra special.”
Be in the mid range of the pricing index. Other wise 60-90 days later when your house is stale
on the market, you will decide to come down anyway. But it may be to late by then, because
you lost your buyers, to a home that was a better value. Be wary also of the agent that puffs
your price & hopes up, they are not doing you any favors only setting you up for anger &
disappointment later, when your home is not sold and you have just invested 3 months of your
life in keeping it clean & perfect everyday, only to have no one show up to look at it.
Truth #4: Always be show ready & accommodate buyers & their agents show schedules. Rather
than feeling inconvenienced when someone wants to show, be glad & grateful. Opportunity is
knocking & if you don’t answer, your neighbor down the street will!
Truth #5: If you will follow good advise & do the truths mentioned here you will reduce your
days on market and end up with more money in your pocket when your done.
Call me to get a FREE DVD showing, “How to dress your home to sell,” or, “Price your home
to sell.” Hurry, call for one today, supplies are limited!
Sandi Taschler • 457-6777
Southampton is where I grew up. I know your
neighborhood first hand. I have specialized in selling
Southampton homes for 13+ years & have helped 100‘s
of buyers & sellers accomplish their goals! I can & will
help you too!
www.Talk2SandiTaschler.com
Familiar Faces
Familiar Places
Lisa Chiodini-Stewart
Branch Manager at The Hill
Terri Seipp
Branch Manager at Southtown
With Southwest Bank at Southtown
and The Hill for 25 years
With Southwest Bank
at Southtown for 10 years
For the financial services you need, from
people who truly know the neighborhood,
call or come by and see us!
Member FDIC
© 2006 Southwest Bank of St. Louis
The Hill • 2301 S. Kingshighway • (314) 776-5200
mySouthwestBank.com
Southtown • 4210 S. Kingshighway • (314) 352-5797
n Here’s
n Street
to Your Neighborhood Health
Name Snapshot: Wherry Avenue
Updates
nCommunity
Message
n President’s
nMacklind
Avenue Business Open House Success
n Neighborhood
Picnic, July 22
In This Issue...
Postmaster: Dated material. Please deliver PROMPTLY
P.O. Box 5183
St. Louis, MO 63139
Southampton
Neighborhood Association
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ST. LOUIS, MO
PERMIT No 9161
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