President’s Message

HeightsHeightsHeightsHeights AprilAprilAprilApril----May 2005May 2005May 2005May 2005

ComptonComptonComptonCompton

Setting The Agenda “Making a list and checking it twice” is the kind of excited effort an eight year old puts into forming a Christmas list. Delivering on such a list has a different reality that often requires more difficult choices. The event that recently brought the Board to this topic of priorities and setting an agenda was the loss of the Point Ir-rigation Project. Board Members Jim Orling and Scott Jackson together with oth-ers put in countless hours of work only to see three-quarters of the outside fund-ing dry up literally days before ground breaking. Believe me, we feel the heat of the breath from those clamoring, “What have you done lately?” However, Jim and Scott’s effort is no less than the sacrifice put forth by the many neighbors who organize and execute the events we all too often take for granted: Easter, Hallow-een, New Neighbor Receptions, Membership Meetings, the House Tour, Newslet-ter, Band and the list goes on. For Compton Heights, the agenda must be realistic yet contain those “wish list” items that require long term planning and sustained effort necessary to accomplish such goals. The agenda must balance multiple pro-jects working at various stages without stretching too thin the time of those in-volved. The agenda must represent a consensus that can stand unparalyzed by the harsh lashing of changing views and the minority opinion. I believe this organiza-tion should be focused on restoration, not just of physical structures but in build-ing the personal relationships we share that make us a cohesive neighborhood. It is around these principles that this Board is focused. At the Membership Meeting on June 8, we invite you to participate and share in this ongoing discussion of the future of your neighborhood. Kurt E. Wolfgram President

Inside: Garden Gazing Tuesdays (formerly “Weedless Wednesdays” and formerly “Tootling Tuesdays!” * Vote on ByLaw Revision on June 8 * Do You Like to Snoop? * New Board Member, Sharon Roberts * “Can You Dig It”?

Kurt Wolfgram, President 3525 Longfellow 314/771-1084 (Home) kwlawfirm@sbcglobal.net Lindsay Barth, Vice President 3120 Hawthorne 314/773-4757 (Home) DrLBarth@aol.com Scott Jackson, Secretary 3101 Hawthorne 664-1959 (Home) scott-jackson@swbell.net Betty Lindsley, Treas. & Membership 3214 Longfellow 314/664-7741 (Home) bclret@mindspring.com Bill Brush, Jr., Safety & Security 3025 Hawthorne 314/664-3694 (Home) double31@msn.com Jeanna Jackson, Real Estate & New Neighbor 2914 Allen 314/664-1061 (Home) jeanna@surgical.com

Jim Orling, Beautification 3446 Hawthorne 314/771-7458 (Home) arniesrmy@aol.com Pam Coffin, Neighborhood Relations 2904 Accomac 314/773-4286 (Home) pamela.coffin@mercer.com Richard Gaines, Fundraising 3439 Longfellow 314/771-5550 (Home) 314/444-1969 (Office) juvjudge@aol.com Rick Constance, N’hood Standards 3247 Longfellow 314/772-8630 (Home) rconst@swbell.net Sharon Roberts, Neighborhood Relations 3125 Hawthorne 314/664-8667 finrob@sbcglobal.net Kitty Swanger, Publications 3522 Hawthorne 314/776-7764 (Home) kittyswanger211@earthlink.net

Compton Heights Neighborhood Betterment Association Board of Directors

FREE Compton Heights Concert Band’s Annual Memorial Day Concert! Monday, May 30, 2005

Tower Grove Park, South Grand & Magnolia, St. Louis, MO 3:00 PM

Soloist: Robert Ellison, Baritone

BEAUTIFICATION - CAN YOU DIG IT? Maybe you've noticed the three new red maples planted by the Forestry Division along the Hawthorne side of the Grand Point. Also, a number of trees have been planted around the Heights in the past few weeks. Write down or save this web site to order free street trees from the City. Their planting season is about over for now, but they'll be planting again this late fall. http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestry_div/tree.html Spring is officially here!! That means it's time to get dirty out in the yard and gar-den. Here are a few tips for May and June.

MAY:

1. Pinch azaleas and rhododendron blossoms as they fade. Double flowered azaleas need no pinching. Fertilize azaleas after bloom. Use a formulation which has an acid reaction. 2. Don't remove spring bulb foliage prematurely or next year's flower production will decline. Either braid or rubberband daffodils to get them out of the way to make room for annuals. Bulbs can be moved or divided as the foliage dies. 3. Plant summer bulbs such as caladiums, dahlias, cannas, elephant ears. Begin plant-ing warm-season annuals. Begin fertilizing annuals. Continue at regular intervals. 4. Trees with a history of borer problems should receive their first spray now. Re-peat twice at 3 week intervals. 5. Pinch back mums to promote bushy growth. 6. Birds eat many insect pests. Attract them to your garden by providing good nest-ing habitats. (Continued on following page . . . .)

As the article in the 'special edition' newsletter indicated, we've been assured by the City that the $15,000 grant for Compton Heights (Sixth Ward) can be used by us for historic lighting. Once we can firm up the design and cost estimates we'll let you know. There are 110 street lights throughout Compton Heights!! Think about donating to the cost of a new light as a memorial to a friend or relative, or to celebrate an anniversary or holiday. Jim Orling

BEAUTIFICATION - CAN YOU DIG IT? (continued)

JUNE:

1. Deadhead bulbs and spring flowering perennials as blossoms fade. 2. When night temperatures stay above 50 degrees, bring houseplants outdoors for the summer. Check soil moisture daily during hot weather. 3. Apply a balanced rose fertilizer after the first show of blooms is past. Continue spraying roses with a fungicide to prevent black spot disease. 4. Apply organic mulches as the soil warms. These will conserve moisture, discourage weeds, and enrich the soil as they decay. 5. Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs before the month's end. 6. When using any gas powered equipment, be sure to allow the engine a few minutes to cool before refilling empty fuel tanks. Enjoy the warm days and cool nights! Beautification Committee

Do You Like to Snoop? Do you like to spend long quiet hours in dark, gloomy basements?? Do you like to dis-cover interesting facts about historic places?? If so, then Compton Heights Neighborhood needs you!! We need a few volunteers to continue the fantastic work that Bev Cochran initiated for the Compton Heights house historical files. We need volunteers to rummage around the archives at City Hall downtown looking up the origi-nal permits, plots, and records on our wonderful homes. In addition to completing our files, we are asking all neighbors for COPIES of photos, newspaper articles, magazine articles, and any other fun facts about the home that you have. If you are interested in this research, please contact me for your assignment. Even if you want to just research your own home, we will take it!! If you have any material you would like to contribute, just drop it by or mail it and I will make sure it is categorized and filed appropri-ately. Thanks! Lindsay Barth, Historian

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Sculpt & Stretch Classes are April 5th through May 26th.

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Real Estate Report as of April 13, 2005 Sold Date Orig. List Sale Price 3005 Allen 2/7/05 $248,500 $238,500 Active Date Orig. List New Price 3222 Hawthorne 8/5/04 $549,900 $534,900 3408 Longfellow 2/2/05 $549,900 $545,000 3011 Hawthorne 10/5/04 $624,900 $585,000 2950 Milton 3/9/05 $575,000 2911 Russell 3/23/05 $449,900 Pending Date Orig. List New Price 3107 Russell 3/18/05 $285,000 Expired Date Orig. List New Price 3118 Allen 2/01/05 $426,000 $350,000 For Sale by Owner Date Orig. List New Price 2909 Accomac 12/31/04 $425,000

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Garden Gazing Tuesdays Share Your Patio or Garden with Your Neighbors

May 17 through June 7, 2005

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Garden Gazing Tuesdays are social events - not gardening contests. They provide an opportunity to meet neighbors and see neighborhood patios and gardens. They are a wonderful way for the entire family to see the variety of formal and informal Compton Heights patios and gardens, exchange gardening ideas, and -- most importantly -- meet and visit with neighbors. Would you like to share your garden or patio with your neighbors? Contact Pam Coffin or Sharon Roberts to sign up. Balloons or signs will signify which patios and gardens are open on each Garden Gazing Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Gather the family and look for the balloons or signs on Tuesdays beginning May 17! Tuesday, May 17 -- Hawthorne & Longfellow east of Compton

Tuesday, May 24 -- Geyer, Allen & Russell

Tuesday, May 31 -- Accomac & Milton

Tuesday, June 7 -- Hawthorne & Longfellow west of Compton

To volunteer your patio or garden -- or if you have any questions, contact:

• Pam Coffin at 588-2528 (work) or 773-4286 (home) or pkcoffin@aol.com • Sharon Roberts at 664-8667 or finrob@sbcglobal.net

Thanks in advance to all who volunteer!

Easter—Cool Weather and “Cool” Easter Bunny! The 30th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Parade took place on Sunday March 27. It was chilly but it didn't rain. 68 children found about 750 eggs in far less time than it took to "hide" them. The police escort was late, so the parade took a shortened route, led by the Easter Bunny and President Kurt Wolfgram. Thanks to David & Betsy Carson, Sharon and Don Roberts, Dan Shelton, Kitty Swanger, Terry Lueckenhoff and all of the neighbors who brought cookies or cupcakes for their help with the event. Special thanks to Jim Orling for cleaning up the Point. The major dilemma of the day was deciding whether or not Easter Bunny could “talk”! One young fan chatted with “EB” endlessly, while another was heard to say, “I didn’t know the Easter Bunny could talk!” David Carson was our verrrrry “cool” Easter Bunny!

Easter Bunny (“EB”) and Fans! Photo by Betsy Carson

MEMBERSHIP DINNER AND MEETING

Wednesday, JUNE 8, 2005

The Annex at SqWires Restaurant and Market

All CHNBA members are cordially invited to attend the June 2005 Membership dinner and meeting, to be held in the Annex at SqWires Restaurant on Wednesday, June 8, 2005. The Annex entrance is on South 18th Street (around the corner from the SqWires Restaurant entrance, which faces Park Avenue in Lafayette Square).

6:30 pm -- Cash Bar

7:00 pm -- Dinner

8:00 pm -- Business Meeting

MENU: Baby Spinach Salad; Chicken Breast Grilled with Herb Provencal; Garlic Cream Pota-toes; Chocolate Blackout Cake & Kaldi’s coffee. A vegetarian dinner option is available if you request it at the time of registration.

The cost for the dinner is $30.00 per person. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE DINNER. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2005. NO LATE DINNER REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

If you do not register and pay for the dinner by May 27, or if you prefer not to join us for dinner, please feel free to attend the Membership meeting at approximately 8 pm. Seating will be available in the Annex. 2005 DUES MUST BE PAID ON OR BEFORE JUNE 8 IN ORDER FOR YOUR HOUSE-

HOLD TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE ON THE ISSUES TO BE DECIDED AT

THE MEETING. If you have not done so, you may pay your tax-deductible 2005 member-ship dues ($45.00 per household) with your dinner registration, or, if you want to attend the Membership meeting only, you may pay your 2005 dues at the door. Please return the form below to Sharon Roberts, 3125 Hawthorne, or Pam Coffin, 2904 Ac-comac, no later than Friday May 27. If you have questions about the dinner, call Pam at 773-4286.

*********************************************************************** Checks should be made payable to CHNBA.

_____ Dinners @ $30.00 per person Total enclosed: $_______________ _____ Check here if you are paying your 2005 dues ($45.00) at this time. Name(s): ___________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________ Phone:___________________

Your Chance to Host a Tip-Top Fireworks

Party! You will be regarded as the savviest party host in town this Fourth of July weekend when you and 15 of your friends watch the Fair Saint Louis fireworks from one of St. Louis’ most spectacular views − atop the 170-foot-tall Compton Hill Water Tower. The Water Tower Park and Preservation Society is raffling off a chance for you to win one of three private parties, complete with light snacks and Ted Drewes Fro-zen Custard, in the Tower’s viewing platform during the Fair Saint Louis fireworks displays on Sat., July 2; Sun., July 3; and Mon., July 4th.

The 360 degree view from the top of the historic Tower stretches as far as Illinois and the Jefferson Bar-racks Bridge, with a spectacular view of downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. The Compton Hill Water Tower is located at the Southeast corner of Highway 44 and South Grand Blvd. Parties start at 8:00 p.m., with fireworks running from 9:00 – 9:45 p.m.

Raffle tickets are just $5 and can be purchased from GEORGE THORNBURGH, our Compton Heights representative to the Water

Tower’s Board of Directors (Call George at 771-2086), or at the following loca-tions:

· Gringo Jones Imports - 4468 Shaw Blvd. · Botanicals on the Park - 3012 South Grand Blvd. · Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Gate Shop - 4344 Shaw Blvd.

Tickets will be drawn on Mon., June 6th, and winners will be notified within seven days. For more information, visit www.watertowerfoundation.org. Proceeds from the raffle will help support The Water Tower and Park Preservation Society’s efforts to restore the Tower, which was built in 1898, and its surrounding park to their original historic, Victorian splendor.

Safety and Security Report ♦ 03/09 31xx Russell Accident, car hit a fence and left the scene. ♦ 03/18 29xx Allen—Burglary 1st (residents were home at the time) 4:40 A.M. Resi-

dents heard a loud noise in their kitchen, which woke them up. Suspect only de-scribed as a black male wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt was leaning inside the kitchen window reaching for a stereo. Suspect then scaled a 7 foot privacy fence.

♦ 03/20 31xx Allen—Burglary 2nd (residents not at home) between 9:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. Unknown suspect entered through the kitchen window and stole a wallet.

♦ 03/20 31xx Allen—Destruction of property Victim's tire on his vehicle was slashed. ♦ 03/23 19xx Longfellow Pl.—Attempted stealing of a motor vehicle ♦ 04/02 34xx Hawthorne—Accident 8:00 P.M. The driver of vehicle #2 stated that

vehicle #1 passed him on his left side at a high rate of speed. He further stated ve-hicle #1 swerved to the right to avoid striking a parked vehicle, at which time vehi-cle #2 was struck on the driver's side front corner of his vehicle.

♦ 04/11 29xx Milton—Burglary 2nd The basement door was forced open. Tools, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures were stolen.

♦ 04/16 31xx Allen—Attempt Burglary 1st 9:15 P.M. Suspect attempted to gain entry while residents were at home.

Bill Brush, Jr.

Four Distinguished Young Lads Are the Flag Bearers for the 30th Annual Easter

Celebration (Photo by Betsy Carson)

CH Board Welcomes Sharon Roberts! Sharon Roberts is a very recent CH resident, having moved here with husband Don lit-tle more than a year ago. Since that time, they have opened their home for house tours on two occasions. They “jumped into” the neighborhood with both feet! Don said he would NEVER move to the City unless it was to Compton Heights. They had a home in Jefferson County in a lovely wooded area--so they really never thought of moving until one lovely Sunday morning in October 2003, they drove thru the neighbor-hood and noticed an "open house" at 3125 Hawthorne. And, as they say "the rest is history"! The couple was very glad to move back to South St. Louis, inasmuch as they have been coming into the City for years— Muny, Fox, Tower Grove Park (including the Summer concerts), and Botanical Garden. Sharon is on the Board of Operation S.P.O.T. (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today) and GeesePeace St. Louis. Don is a volunteer at Jefferson Barracks. They own Subway Sandwich Shops in DeSoto and Hillsboro, MO. Don and Sharon were married in 1984 and “share” five children, love to travel and have an RV. Their favorite places include National Parks, Europe and Civil War Battle Fields. They also love their cats! Welcome to the Board, Sharon, and welcome to Compton Heights, Sharon and Don!

Do You Want Neighbors & Friends to Know About Your Services?

At this time, our CH newsletter has limited circulation – residents and “Friends of Compton Heights - but we invite you to consider an ad in the upcoming issues. It is our goal to broaden the circulation to include neighboring residents and businesses. The newsletter is published bi-monthly. The Board of Directors recently adopted a policy related to advertising fees for busi-nesses and “free” ads for not-for-profits. Advertising fees for one issue are as fol-lows: Business Card - $10.00 Quarter Page - $20.00 Half Page - $40.00 Full page - $80.00 Ads for inclusion in multiple issues per year will be discounted. Please call or e-mail Kitty (776-7764) or (kittyswanger211@earhlink.net) if you are interested in advertis-ing in the newsletter.

Mark Your Calendars! • Tuesday, May 17 thru June 7

(6:00—8:00 PM)—Garden Gazing Tuesdays in Compton Heights!

• Thursday, May 12—(7:30 PM) 3rd District Public Affairs Meeting; 2832 Arsenal—5 Star Senior Cen-ter!

• Monday, May 30 (3:00 PM) —Compton Heights Band Concert in Tower Grove Park!

• Wednesday, June 8—Membership Meeting at SqWires. (See accom-panying info about a vote to change the by-laws)!

Our sympathy . . . to Karen Isbell, (3011 Longfellow) whose husband Philip Alderman died suddenly on April 9. Karen and Philip resided in CH for more than 15 years and very active in its ac-tivities. Philip was an avid cyclist and retired early from Defense Mapping Agency in 1995.

Membership Meeting to Include Vote on By-Laws As noted in a previous issue of the newsletter, at the December 2004 meeting, the Member-ship submitted sufficient signatures to the Board to provide for a Membership vote to change the by-laws related to the amount of dues. The current by-laws provide: Section 3.5: Dues. Each member of the Corporation shall pay $45.00 for a one-year mem-bership or $500.00 for a “lifetime” membership. “Friends” of Compton Heights shall pay $45.00 per year. Dues shall be collected by the Treasurer of the Corporation. Dues must be paid prior to the participation in a business meeting. New residents of the Compton Heights District who join the Corporation after June 30 shall pay dues constituting fifty percent (50%) of the amount of a one-year membership for the remainder of the first year. The proposed by-laws provide: Section 3.5: Dues. Each member of the Corporation shall pay $100.00 for a one-year membership or $750.00 for a “lifetime” membership. “Friends” of Compton Heights shall pay $100.00 per year. Dues shall be collected by the Treasurer of the Corporation. Dues must be paid prior to the participation in a business meeting. New residents of the Compton Heights District who join the Corporation after June 30 shall pay dues constituting fifty percent (50%) of the amount of a one-year membership for the remainder of the first year.

Bits ‘n Pieces . . . .

Ginger Austin, our new neighbor on Geyer, is a co-owner of Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro. Stop by 3200 Shenandoah and sample exquisite drinks, superb appetizers, and sparkling des-serts! (An interview with Ginger will appear in the next issue of this newsletter.

Want to Join the Compton Heights Group Email Group?

Alyson Robinson, 3405 Hawthorne Boulevard, and Steve Crouch, 2902 Milton, are the Moderators for the Compton Heights group email list. If you would like to be added to this group and receive emails of neighborhood interest, please email the following information to Alyson at alysonrobinson@earthlink.net:

∗ Your Name(s) ∗ CH Street Address ∗ Email address

Only Compton Heights residents and “Friends of Compton Heights" are on the neighborhood Yahoo list. If you change your e-mail address, you also need to no-tify Alyson or Steve to maintain your status within the group.

A BIG Thanks . . . .

TO our CH residents who generously opened their homes for the Grand South Grand Home & Garden Tour— Dan Shelton & Jon Davis and Sharon & Don Rob-

erts! TO Marilyn Horst for serving as the CH representative to the multi-neighborhood tour and to all those who volunteered during the weekend’s events! TO Sandy & Larry Koesterer for hosting the Friday night dinner for homeowners on tour! TO all residents who participated in Operation Blitz! TO all neighbors who drive the correct way on our one-way streets AND within posted speed limits! TO all neighbors who obey the leash law and clean up after their pets!

Plans are continuing to update the CH website, thanks to Board member Scott Jackson. Check out the current site at http://stlouis.missouri.org/comptonheights/