Just 7 years back, in 2012, Green-hearted architects Frank and Gay Lorberbaum and woodworker Paul Krautman launched an enterprise for city kids. Into an on-loan school gym space, they hustled wood supplies and sets of tools to empower children to design and build: furniture for their rooms and problem-solving skills for their own bright futures, every single Saturday morning.
Today Building Futures continues Saturday workshop sessions, takes tools and skill-building out to schools, collaborates with neighboring writing and cultural groups, runs very cool summer camps, and more STEAM-based project learning - in their own well-equipped city studio building!
Earthworms talked in 2013 with BF students, one of whom is about to enter Ranken Technical College. Today we welcome back Mister Frank (Lorberbaum), and meet program manager Mister Lawrence (Prograis) and Mister Jay (Reeves), BF's board VP who will take the helm in August of Boat Building Camp. Before this interview, these guys worked with 300 school kids, a normally constructive BF day.
Building Futures Summer Camps are registering now. Triple Play camp for students entering grades 4-6 fills each day of camp week (July 8-12 and 22-26) with with Design & Build, Printmaking and Caribbean Festival Arts, as BF partners with neighboring arts groups. Boat Building Camp (July 29-August 2), open to children entering grades 4-8. Scholarships are abundantly available.
Congratulations to visionary leaders whose work building futures for urban children is creating structures with wood, in many lives. Could yours be touched too? Volunteer help is WELCOME!
Music: Big Piney Blues, performed live at KDHX by Brian Curran THANKS to Andy Heaslet, Earthworms deep-Green engineer
Tussles over abortion rights are nothing new in the Show-Me State, and St. Louis Public Radio's Jo Mannies has observed many political and legal battles over the years since Roe v. Wade. She looks back with STLPR's Jeremy D. Goodwin.
St. Louis Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her transition onto the Board of Aldermen.
Hubbard represents the 26th Ward, which takes in a portion of western St. Louis. That ward includes neighborhoods like Skinker DeBaliviere, the West End, Hamilton Heights and Kingsway West.
Hubbard is a second generation member of the Board of Aldermen. Her grandfather, Joseph Clark, represented the 4th Ward. He also served as the head of the St. Louis NAACP and was the city’s first African American public safety director.
Back in 2012, Hubbard successfully ran for 26th Ward committeewoman — but decided against running for re-election four years later. When Alderman Frank Williamson chose not to run for another term, Hubbard jumped into a Democratic primary against Leata Price-Land and Jake Banton.
For the 23rd year in a row, Twangfest is gathering musicians from around the country in St. Louis this week for a four-day-long celebration of Americana music. Described by its all-volunteer organizers as “the big top of a musical three-ring circus,” the nonprofit festival is this time around bringing in everyone from the Columbia, Missouri-based Burney Sisters and The Delines of Portland, Oregon, to the rock band Superchunk.
Tan France is best known for his role as fashion expert on the hit Netflix series “Queer Eye,” where he and the rest of “the Fab 5” transform people’s lives – and bridge social divides – with inspiring lifestyle makeovers. Now France has a brand-new memoir out titled “Naturally Tan.” St. Louis Public Radio’s Kae Petrin discusses it with France ahead of his sold-out event this weekend at St. Louis County Library headquarters.
The St. Louis Blues have posted another historic playoff victory. Also, engineering researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla are trying to help protect houses against storms like the recent tornado in Jefferson City.
Phish, the Vermont-spawned jamband will open its summer tour with two shows at Chaifetz Arena this month. For a band that’s one of the country’s top touring acts, Phish remains strangely misunderstood. St. Louis Public Radio reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin explores the popularity and nuances of Phish with musicologist Jake Cohen, who presented at the first-ever Phish Studies Conference at Oregon State University.
In conversation with executive producer Alex Heuer, Charles Glenn looks back on many fond memories singing the national anthem before St. Louis Blues home games.
Krister Ungerböck often works with high-profile CEOs, coaching them on best practices when it comes to leadership, communication and employee engagement. But his efforts to help people lead well extend beyond the upper echelons of organizational management and into everyday workplaces as well as family life. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy D. Goodwin talks with Ungerböck ahead of his appearance at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
The St. Louis Blues players aren't the only ones bringing their best to the Stanley Cup Final. Soon to retire singer Charles Glenn, who performs the national anthem, plans a sparkling version he hopes will inspire the team. And organist Jeremy Boyer, whose music entertains hockey fans on game days, is drawing on the playing he does at church on Sundays.
Since 2007, the Muslim Community Services of St. Louis have annually put together a Memorial Day barbecue to serve patients and staff at the Jefferson Barracks Division of the VA Medical Center in south St. Louis County. They aim to create an environment where there is mutual learning and understanding in efforts to dispel potential misconceptions on both sides. Producer Lara Hamdan talks with some of the organizers and participants.
The 18th annual Green Living Festival returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden this weekend and offers patrons expertise on making links between sustainability and a healthy environment. Guest host Jim Kirchherr talks with Jean Ponzi, green resources manager at the Missouri Botanical Garden, to expand on the importance of sustainability and green living.
St. Louis Public Radio reporter Sarah Fentem joins "St. Louis on the Air" for analysis of the licensing situation at the state's only remaining abortion clinic and related topics.
Planned Parenthood's St. Louis clinic could lose its ability to provide abortion services at the end of the day. The organization is asking a St. Louis judge to order the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to not delay renewal of its license.
Cancer in its many forms has plagued humanity for millennia, and it’s still taking a relentless toll in the 21st century. The hope that scientists will eventually find a cure can feel like a long shot. But one Washington University scholar is making the case that cancer researchers are on the cusp of a breakthrough. In his latest book, “The End of the Beginning: Cancer, Immunity, and the Future of a Cure,” Michael Kinch offers readers a history of cancer research and treatments, as well as a view toward what’s ahead in this rapidly evolving field.
May is Older Americans Month, and senior citizens currently make up the fastest-growing age group in the U.S. Expanding along with their numerical ranks is a movement among older adults committed to enabling people to age in place – in communities of their choosing. Producer Evie Hemphill talks with three St. Louisans who are deeply invested in efforts to help seniors thrive right where they are.
Much of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's tenure has been marked by her handling of charges against former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. With her personally selected investigator facing a possible grand jury indictment, we examine where Gardner stands in the community and what the future may hold for her.
St. Louis Public Radio executive editor Shula Neuman discusses current issues pertaining to the law with a panel of legal experts. Topics include the recent wave of anti-abortion bills passed in Missouri, Alabama and other states; last week's espionage indictment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange; and the legal implications involving the indictment of former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner came into office 18 months ago as a reformer. She has made good on some of her campaign promises. But Gardner's tenure so far has been marked by controversy and confrontation over her handling of charges against former Governor Eric Greitens and her relationship with police.
State Sen. Andrew Koenig is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The Manchester Republican spoke with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum on the end of the 2019 session, including passage of the state’s abortion ban.
Koenig represents Missouri’s 15th District, which takes in a portion of St. Louis County. He represents cities like Kirkwood, Wildwood, Manchester and Ballwin.
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Koenig was first elected to the Missouri House in 2008 and served for four terms. He defeated former state Rep. Rick Stream in a highly competitive primary in 2016 for the 15th District seat, and easily defeated Democratic candidate Stephen Eagleton in the general election.
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