Lindenwood University added its name to the hat as the latest school to open a campus in downtown St. Louis.  Lindenwood is leasing 6,300 square feet of space at the five-story 1409 Washington Avenue building.

This is the university's 10^th satellite campus and features newly constructed classrooms with Internet access and other high-tech features. Initially, classes offered at the new facility will include undergraduate courses in communications and graduate programs in business, communications, and human resources. All classes will be offered through Lindenwood's College for Individual Education (LCIE) program, an accelerated format designed for working adults.  Annual enrollment for the campus is 500 plus and made up of mostly downtown residents and workers. 

Other institutions offering classes in downtown St. Louis include Webster, Fontbonne, St. Louis Community College, Patricia Stevens, University of Phoenix and Keller School of Management.

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The Downtown CID engaged a research company to provide a baseline assessment of discretionary (non-work) usage of Downtown St. Louis by residents of St. Louis City and seven contiguous counties on both sides of the river. Over 750 random telephone interviews were conducted representing proportionate samples from each of the included counties.

The survey examined perceptions of cleanliness, safety, parking and amenities; the desirability of downtown as a place to live and work; and the value of downtown to the region.  The survey was conducted in October 2008 and is one in a series of surveys that will track changes in usage and perception over time.  This will measure success in effecting real and perceived improvements to downtown.  To review the survey results, click here.

The Downtown Visitors Guide - the official visitors and newcomers guide to downtown St. Louis is ready!  This very popular guide features every attraction and point of interest in downtown St. Louis including every attraction, restaurant, museum/gallery, hotel, club/bar, retail establishment, and personal service provider in downtown that would be of interest to newcomers and downtown dwellers (visitors, conventioneers, new employees, new residents, consultants, temporary employees, visitors, etc.).  The publication continues to be one of the most widely requested pieces that we have and is placed at various locations throughout the region, including suburban shopping malls, Schnucks and Dierberg's grocery stores, Visitors Centers (downtown, Forest Park and the Airport), hotels and more. Click here to view the guide or, to request more copies, click here.
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This year the CID is using a variety of winter plantings in the 250-300 planters maintained.  Plantings included twenty-seven Dwarf spruces along Washington Avenue, sixteen evergreens and pansies on Tucker, twenty ornamental cabbage and pansies in other various locations, along with a handful of evergreen bough cuttings on parts of Olive.  Trees and perennials have also been planted in the soon to open OPO Plaza. 

Plant material for spring 2009 has already been ordered.  Most will be growing in the City greenhouses.  As usual, the hanging baskets will be planted starting in February and growing out in the City greenhouses.  For more information, contact Kelly Yeager at 233 314.436.6500 ext. or click here.

In 2008 the Downtown Guides were equipped with a handheld device to assist and track daily interactions with the public.  To date, nearly 74,000 customer assists have been tracked on those devices.  This count includes assisting downtown dwellers, workers and visitors with directions, escorts to their vehicles, citizen assists, business checks, reporting maintenance issues to the City and much more. 

General Reminders:

If you see litter, debris or graffiti on the streets of downtown that needs attention, call the Litter Patrol Hotline at 314.436.6500 ext. 400.

If you need someone to escort you to your car, day or night, call or Downtown Guide Escort Hotline at 314.280.4817. 

Valentine's Day Promotions

A number of downtown restaurants, retailers and hotels are offering promotions to celebrate your Valentine's Day festivities.  From free champagne to chocolate covered strawberries, there's something for everyone to enjoy or buy.  Click here for a full list.

CVS Pharmacy has opened in the lobby of the AT&T Building in downtown St. Louis.  The pharmacy carries most cough and cold products and other health care related items like pain medications, feminine supplies, antacids, etc. The store also has a small over the counter section and accepts all Prescription insurances including Medicare and Medicaid.

Next door to the pharmacy is a Minute clinic which has two Nurse Practitioners that can see patients and prescribe prescription drugs when clinically appropriate.  They also accept most insurances as well.  The Minute Clinic can also give flu shots along with other vaccinations. The Minute Clinic hours are 8 am -4 pm Monday through Friday and the pharmacy is open 7:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday.

Downtown's first ever animal hospital and boutique has opened in the former Creepy Crawl space on Tucker Blvd.  The upscale pet center offers high quality veterinary care, a doggie day care, grooming, an upscale boutique hotel for cats called Feline Four Seasons, pet sitting, dog walking and an array of pet products.  Doggie Day Care open from 7 am - 7 pm, main hours are 8 am - 6 pm. 

Great Cuts has opened a downtown location on the ground floor of the Fashion Square Lofts Building. The salon offers haircuts for men and women, highlighting, color, waxing (facial), blow drying and styling at reasonable pricing.  Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment necessary.  Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 7 pm, Monday - Friday, 10 am - 9 pm.  

Left Bank Books has opened its 2^nd location in downtown St. Louis on the ground floor of the Louderman Building.  The 5,000 square foot store features an extensive book and magazine collection, book signings by national and local authors and is the only book dealer in the downtown area.  Hours are Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday 11 am - 4 pm.  Former President Jimmy Carter will be at Left Bank's downtown store to sign his new book on Tuesday, February 10 at 5pm.

Annie Malone has opened a new café on the seventh floor of the Carnahan Building at 1114 Market Street.  The Café offers breakfast, lunch, and snacks and its environment provides the opportunity for the public to learn more about services, programs, events, and volunteer opportunities offered through Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center. A portion of the Café's proceeds will be used to offset the costs of Annie Malone's programs and services. Annie Malone serves more than 800 children and families, annually, through its residential treatment program, therapeutic school (Emerson Academy), transitional living program, early learning center and respite care services.  Hours are Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Breakfast is served 7:30 am to 10:00 am and lunch is available 11:00 am to 2:30 pm.

El Borracho Mexican Cantina has opened in a 2,100 square foot space in the Locust Business District. The new restaurant is a joint venture between nightlife veterans Pete Ferretti and Buddy Coy of LoungeConcepts (Pepper Lounge, Mandarin) and restaurateurs Pat Shannon and Gary Shannon Jr. (Mike Shannon's).  El Borracho's menu, created by executive chef/partner John Griffiths, features affordable fresh authentic Mexican food that is "drunk" with flavors- patrons will be able to customize signature items such as tacos, burritos, and tamales, in either authentic Mexican or Americanized "Gringo" style. El Borracho also features specialty drinks made with fresh-squeezed juices such as the signature Borracho margarita, an exotic avocado-mango margarita, and the Paloma cocktail, a southern Mexican favorite made with Jarritos grapefruit soda.  Hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 4 PM - 1:30AM, with a happy hour from 4 PM - 6:30 PM daily featuring $3 house margaritas and $3 draft beer pitchers

Come sample some of the El Borracho drinks and cuisine at their Grand Opening on Friday, February 12, 2009 at 4 pm. To RSVP, click here.

Dominic Galati and John Ruggeri have opened a new highly visible restaurant on the ground floor of the Gateway Mall Building. The restaurant space is spacious and offers fabulous views of the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse. The bar area has been expanded and features a private dining room (The Board Room) that seats 30, and a pizza oven. Gio's is also accessible from the building's main lobby which features a new full-glass entry. In addition, the expansive bar area has been opened up and now offers full-glass views to the south of the easily accessible beautiful Gateway Plaza patio. Gio's is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The menu features pasta dishes, fresh seafood, beef, lamb, chicken and veal with an extensive wine list to compliment the dining experience. Bar Gio features lighter fare including appetizers, salads, sandwiches and gourmet, homemade pizzas.  Hours are Monday - Friday, 11 am - 10 pm, Saturday 5 pm - 11 pm. 

National Wear Red Day

The American Heart Association is encouraging everyone to wear red on their national Wear Red Day on February 6, 2009. The red dress and the color red are symbols for women and heart disease and the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement.  Thousands of people, employees at more than 10,000 companies, national and local news anchors, and talk-show hosts will wear red to support the cause.  In recognition of American Heart Month, many businesses and organizations throughout St. Louis are going red in the coming weeks. 

WeCar, the downtown car sharing program, is celebrating their one year anniversary with a "Friends and Fob Party".  The event will be held at 4 pm February 12, 2009 at 316 North 8th Street, 6th floor. Meet other WeCar members, meet your neighbors, and enjoy the celebration. Your WeCar Key Fob will be your admittance ticket for you and your friends. RSVP by February 5^th by clicking here.  

Geile-Leon Marketing Communications is encouraging households and businesses to participate in the 2^nd Annual St. Louis Earth Hour on March 28, 2009. Participants simply turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances during the "Power Hour" lights out period from 8:00-9:00 p.m.  The activity hopes to raise awareness towards the need for action on climate change.  To learn more about Earth Hour nationally and the Geile Leon sponsored event in St. Louis click here.  

The Gateway Arch and the historic Old Courthouse are celebrating African American Heritage month through the month of February.  Festivities include "Cathay Williams - A Buffalo Soldier", Company A - 10^th Memorial Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers , "A Black Woman's Civil War Memoirs by Susie King Taylor", Story of Bill Pickett  and much more, all being held at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial at 11 North Fourth Street.  The Historic Old Courthouse is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The Museum of Westward Expansion at the Gateway Arch Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  All daily and special programs are FREE of charge.  For reservations and additional information call 314-655-1700

The St. Louis Public Library in downtown St. Louis will feature "The Qwest for Black Citizenship in the Americas" for their 2009 Black History Month theme.  Activities include Donna Brazile on February 9^th at 1301 Olive Street.  She will provide the Library's Black History Month Keynote Address in which she will discuss this year's Black History Month theme and sign her book Cooking With Grease: Stirring the Pots in America. The library will also feature The Quest for Black Citizenship in St. Louis: An Evening with Sylvester Brown, Jr. on February 23, 2009 at 7 pm.  For more information, click here.

The Delta Dental Health Theatre, which works to improve the overall oral health and healthy habits of children and families, has received a monetary donation totaling $13,260 from The Missouri Foundation of Health (MFH). The MFH donation has enabled to organization to update its financial software systems and hire a financial consultant to work with the executive director and staff to enhance their financial management skills and help to ensure the future financial health of the 30-year old Delta Dental Health Theatre.

Located on Laclede's Landing at 727 N. First Street, The Delta Dental Health Theatre offers a unique blend of fun, entertainment and education to promote healthy life-choices. Guests enjoy an interactive 45 minute program that includes an educational video, puppet theatre and interactive games and discussions that educate and inspire children and families to take care of their smiles and to adopt a healthy lifestyle. More than 10,000 children visit the theatre annually, underscoring the important role it plays in educating area youth.