…On a quiet spring Saturday afternoon any in St. Louis counties you will find kids playing basketball in the street imitating their favorite pro baller, either LeBron, Wade or whoever they idolize Shooting jump shot after jump shot trying to be the best they can. Well there is a new way for kids in St. Louis to play basketball now, D1 Basketball STL is taking over!

What is D1 Basketball STL

D1 Basketball STL is here to change the way that children and young adults play the game of basketball in St. Louis. The program was launched as a youth regional basketball program led by well known NBA professional basketball player Larry Hughes. The mission of the program is to improve the basketball ability, basketball IQ, aspirations, and commitment to personal success of the youth in the D1 Basketball STL program.

D1 Basketball Stl Skills & Drill Session

With teaming up with local gymnasiums D1 Basketball STL is making it more convenient then ever for young athletes to attend any of the sessions. D1 Basketball STL has only the most qualified coaches and trainers involved with the program. The program is weekly skills and drills basketball training,
specifically designed to enhance basic fundamentals through intense repetition throughout the training sessions. Members focus on ball handling, dribbling, correct shooting form and specific position skills lacking in most programs, while at the same time providing the fun, competitive and structured environment necessary to keep the kids interested and in the program long enough to improve their likelihood for success.

Larry Hughes and D1 Basketball STL understands what it takes to compete on a professional level and they are dedicated their time to pass on the knowledge and craftsmanship to a younger generation.

Follow D1 STL on Twitter and Like them on Facebook
Check out their Calendar
Watch a few Videos

D1 Basketball STL Skills & Drills Sign Up’s Click Here

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From a simple Happy Anniversary cake to a Custom 3D cake with two precious baby bums poking up for a set of twins first birthday, Knodel’s Bakery has you covered with custom cakes in St Louis and surrounding areas.

One of the oldest gems in north St. Louis Knodel’s Bakery stands at 6621 W. Florissant Rd. Smack in the middle of Goodfellow Blvd & Jennings St. Rd. Knodel’s Bakery has been around longer then any other baker in St. Louis. Founded in 1901 by Karl Knodel. The original bakery was located at 14th street and BentonAve.

Karl retired in 1930 and the bakery was taken over by his son, Sydney, who opened a bakery on West
Florissant Ave. in Jennings. He sold wedding cakes and special occasion cakes and custom cakes in st louis decorated by Julia Youngerman who had been trained by Karl as a wedding cake decorator.

Going on the fifth generation of decorators Knodels Bakery is still running strong. Coming a long way over the years the bakery business has change a lot of focus is going into custom cakes in st louis. The creativity that goes into custom cakes is a work of art. It truly takes someone inspired by what they do.

In Need of a Custom Cakes in St Louis?

Stay in touch with Knodel’s Bakery:

6621 West Florissant | Saint Louis, MO 63136

(314) 385-2001

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We suggest Knodel’s Bakery

for your go to custom cakes in St Louis!

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Gioia’s Deli

Built in 1918 by Challie Gioia, Gioia’s Deli has served up some of the finest eats in the city for almost a century! Gioia’s Deli is located at Macklind and Dagget  on The Hill, an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis city. Today, Gioia’s Deli stands as the longest family owned business on The Hill! Originally operated a grocery store and sold their famous homemade sausage named Salam de Testa. Later, Johnnie and Steve Gioia added a lunch trade to the family business with the Salam de Testa as the main attraction!

Gioia’s Deli

1934 Macklind Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 776-9410

In 1980 a new era began, when the Donley family purchased the Gioia family business and converted the grocer into a sandwich shop. The Donley family has carried on the Gioia family tradition by offering the finest delicatessen St. Louis has to offer!  After almost 100 years, one thing has not changed, the Salam de Testa, wich now goes by the Hot Salami is still the most popular item at Gioia’s Deli!

Gioia’s Deli on The Hill Menu

Gioia’s Deli Website

Here at STL Homelife, we encourage you to patronize family owned businesses in St. Louis! Nothing makes our city stronger than spending money with the small businesses that operate within our city!

Gioia’s Deli and Other Small Business Spotlights

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Are you ready to walk on the wild side?

Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo should definitely be on your list of must do wintertime events in St. Louis! Take a walk through the Zoos wonderful holiday wonderland, full of animated light displays, seasonal sounds, and thousands and thousands of bright and colorful lights! WIld Lights at the St. Louis Zoo is for the whole family!

Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo General Info:

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, Nov. 23 to Dec. 23, 2012

• Nov. 23-25; Nov. 30-Dec. 2; Dec. 7-9; Dec. 14-16; Dec. 21-23

Nightly, Dec. 26-30, 2012

Tickets to Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo will be sold until 8:15 p.m. each night.

The amazing lighting displays are constructed of hundreds of thousands of lights and create an assortment of enchanting formations. Some of the most popular light displays of Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo include:

• Penguins in paradise
• Swan Lake
• Fantasy butterfly garden
• Snowfall Flurry Walk
• Poppin’ prairie dogs
• Gingerbread Village
• Numerous trees and plantings ablaze in lights

How Much is admission to Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo?

• $4 for Zoo members (no passes)
• $5 for general public
• Free for children under 2
• Tickets to Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo will be sold until 8:15 p.m. each night.

Parking Information:

Free Parking for the Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo is available on the South Lot on Wells Drive near US40/I-64. Enter the event through the South Entrance.

ATTENTION: The Living World North Entrance and North Parking Lot will not be open for Wild lights at the St. Louis Zoo.

Food & Shopping

• Hot chocolate, meals and snacks will be available for purchase at Lakeside Cafe.
• Shop our gift shops during Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo and receive 10% off any purchase; Zoo members receive a 20% discount.

Wild Lights at St. Louis Zoo Sponsors

• U.S. Bank
• North Star Frozen Treats
• Prairie Farms
• Build-A-Bear Workshop® at the Zoo
• Media sponsor Fresh 102.5

More info on Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo

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Sweetie Pies St.Louis

Miss Robbie Montgomery, an ex-background singer for Ike and Tina Turner now owns the famous soul food  restaurant Sweetie Pies St.Louis located at ,4270 Manchester Avenue in the Grove, which serve up fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and pear cobbler at her family-operated restaurants for 15 years.  Seven year ago, Miss Robbie opened her second Sweet Pies St.louis in the Mangrove neighborhood,  which has attracted a high profile clientele that includes Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique and even President Barack Obama, is truly family affair, with Montgomery’s son, Tim Norman, serving as her business manager and right-hand man. They are ably assisted by Tim’s longtime girlfriend, Jenae, and to a lesser degree by Miss Robbie’s nephew Lil’ Charles, who “works hard at not working,” and can often be found behind the building taking a cigarette break.

Forget about “frou-frou” dishes with minuscule portions you find at swanky restaurants, Sweetie Pies St.Louis you get the real deal from perfectly flaky and moist catfish, to the fried chicken, to black-eyed peas and okra. from there meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and, everyone’s favorite, the ever so creamy macaroni and cheese. Miss Robbie jokingly scolded people for having too many starches on my tray. Sweetie Pies St.Louis is like family.  Although the Sweetie Pies St.Louis  always had a steady flow of foot traffic, the presence of cameras and a film crew makes it a prime stop for tourists visiting St. Louis. “[The show] increased our business 100 fold and that was one of my reasons for doing it,” says Miss Robbie.

So If you’re looking for “no nonsense” fried chicken, you’ll want to stop by Sweetie Pies St.Louis the Mississippi-style fried chicken is incredibly well-seasoned without having that, “did they use the entire bottle of Lawry’s Seasoned Salt?” quality. This is the fried chicken of mothers and grandmothers with a simple, flour-based dredge and fryer oil that’s hot and fresh, which gives the chicken a crispy, but not crunchy coating (yes, there is a difference). This place is king when it comes to “fried doesn’t have to mean greasy.” Sweetie Pie St.Louis chooses teradactyl-sized wings for their fried chicken and gives you not one or two, but four wings per plate. Pair that with a healthy helping of their Southern sides that makes Sweetie Pies St.Louis the best soul food restaurants in St.Louis with a new Sweet Pies St.Louis is on  3643 Delmar Boulevard.   Sweetie Pies St.Louis will be around for a long time.

Sweet Pies St.Louis

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Sweetie Pies St.Louis

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Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a center for botanical research and science education of international repute, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis, with 79 acres (32 ha) of horticultural display. The Missouri Botanical Garden a 14-acre (5.7 ha) Japanese strolling garden named Seiwa-en; theClimatron geodesic dome conservatory; a children’s garden, including a pioneer village; a playground; a fountain area and a water locking system, somewhat similar to the locking system at the Panama Canal; an Osage camp; and Henry Shaw’s original 1850 estate home. It is adjacent to Tower Grove Park, another of Shaw’s legacies.^[3]

In 1983, the Missouri Botanical Garden was added as the fourth subdistrict of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District.

For part of 2006, the Missouri Botanical Garden featured “Glass in the Garden”, with glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly placed throughout the garden. Four pieces were purchased to remain at the gardens. In 2008 sculptures of the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle were placed throughout the garden. In 2009, the 150th anniversary of the Garden was celebrated, including a floral clock display.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Missouri Botanical Garden:

 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110

(314) 577-5100

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St. Louis Concrete Companies

How do I find the right St. Louis Concrete Companies to install my driveway?

• Look at decorative concrete driveways in your neighborhood and get the names of the St. Louis Concrete Companies who installed the driveways that appeal to you most. Be sure to ask the homeowners about their experience with the St. Louis Concrete Companies and the quality of the workmanship.
• Get references for St. Louis Concrete Companies from friends, homebuilders or local ready-mix suppliers.
• Contact Stlhomelife.com to get a list of names of St. Louis Concrete Companies.

Once you come up with a list of St. Louis Concrete Companies, be sure to ask for references and get a list of projects in your area that you can check out. Also ask how long they have been in business, if they’re insured, whether they have any professional certifications, and if the St. Louis Concrete Companies you choose offer a warranty for their work.

 

Do I need to seal my new concrete driveway?

Any St. Louis Concrete Companies will say you should apply a high-quality sealer to all exterior concrete slabs exposed to freeze-thaw conditions. The sealer helps protect the concrete from moisture absorption, exposure to chemicals, and grease and oil stains. On decorative colored concrete, a sealer will also help enhance the color. Generally, there are two categories of sealers for exterior concrete your St. Louis Concrete Companies should offer: film-formers and penetrants. Penetrating sealers tend to offer the best protection from moisture absorption. Regardless of the sealer you use, be sure it’s applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

What is the cost of a stamped concrete driveway?

Your initial cost to install a stamped concrete driveway can range anywhere from $6 per square foot for basic stamped concrete (using just one pattern and color) to $15 or more per square foot for elaborate multi-pattern designs with special coloring effects. While stamped concrete is pricier than asphalt, you’ll get a much better return on your investment. Not only does a concrete driveway last longer and require less maintenance than most other paving materials, But many St. Louis Concrete Companies say it can help boost the resale value of your home by adding curb appeal any reliable St. Louis Concrete Companies will tell you this.

Will the St. Louis Concrete Companies I choose warrant their work?

Yes! Many St. Louis Concrete Companies will warrant their work, and you may be able to obtain an extended warranty (three years or longer) through your state concrete association, St. Louis Concrete Companies and concrete producers who participate in the program agree to follow certain installation criteria and quality-control standards and will correct-for the duration of the warranty-any problems that occur due to their negligence.

 

St. Louis Concrete Companies

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New Town St. Charles

Is it the people or the place that creates a neighborly community?
Residents of The New Town St. Charles are discovering that you need both in order to build the idyllic neighborhoods that seem to be part of the American psyche. Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) aren’t a new concept, but New Town St. Charles is one of the most successful large-scale New Urbanist communities built on the edge of suburbia. “If you just want to drive into your garage and stay in your house, this town isn’t for you,” says New Town St. Charles resident Elizabeth Kinney. “I’d rather sit on my porch and chat with the neighbors.”

Unexpected Design
We wove water through the New Town St. Charles neighborhoods, orienting the public squares, shops, and homes to the lakes and canals,” says Marina Khoury, project director for town planners Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company. “Many suburban developments pipe storm water into hidden back ponds,” adds New Town St. Charles architect Tim Busse. “We made it into a defining landmark.” The interconnected waterways speak to the importance of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers that converge nearby. Just as those rivers help connect a nation, New Town’s lakes, sidewalks, footbridges, and public greens are conduits for a tight-knit community.

“The New Town St. Charles developer, Greg Whittaker, spared no expense on the public spaces,” says Marina. “Even the smallest home is grand when you can step off your porch into a beautiful park.” New Town St. Charles is divided into five pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, each with a distinct town plaza, waterfront lots, and acres of green. Residents and visitors alike share the open-air skating rink in winter and stroll the plazas in summer. “You meet people when you have a tiny yard,” says New Town St. Charles resident Elizabeth. “We don’t just know our neighbors―we went on vacation with them last year.”

Mix and Mingle
New Town St. Charles shares roots with historic St. Charles but has its own active, outdoorsy vibe. The New Town St. Charles summer social scene revolves around free movies and music at the lakeside amphitheater on weekend nights. The town trucked in white Gulf Coast sand for beach volleyball courts and reserved a public green for the Bocce League. Brad and Brenda Reed moved their family from another suburban St. Louis neighborhood to an Arts and Crafts-style cottage near the outdoor amphitheater. “In our old neighborhood we told our kids not to cross the street. Here at New Town St. Charles, it’s just the opposite. In the summer they walk to the amphitheater to watch movies, and in the winter our son lives for hockey on the canals,” says New Town St. Charles resident Brad. “Once you get into a rhythm for this style of living, you learn to be more neighborly.”

A Sense of Place
Critics of New Town St. Charles point to Traditional Neighborhood Developments as being artificial and overpriced, but New Town St. Charles beauty runs deeper than a row of flashy facades. “Southern towns, and especially the town squares, have a charm,” says Tim. “We toured neighborhoods in St. Louis and across the South to tie ours to places that make people feel good.”

The New Town St. Charles neighborhood market is modeled after a popular mercantile that burned to the ground many years ago in historic St. Charles.

Plan a Visit
Think you might want to live in a community like New Town St. Charles ? You don’t have to move here―almost all of the amenities are open to the public. Wide sidewalks and narrow streets encourage you to park the car and explore. You’ll feel like a local before the day is through.

Find community information and events on New Town St. Charles 

Town Vibe
The New Town St. Charles isn’t for the suburban dweller looking for a big yard behind a privacy fence. The location is the suburbs, but it has the know-your-neighbors feel of a small town combined with inviting public spaces like those in Charleston or Savannah.

Can I afford in New Town St. Charles?

• A 626-square-foot, 1-bedroom, 1-bath loft in New Town St. Charles has a base price of $99,500.
• A 4-bedroom, 21⁄2-bath detached single-family home in New Town St. Charles recently sold for $417,000.

Where’s the old town?
Historic St. Charles, less than 5 miles south of The New Town St. Charles, is popular with tourists strolling its Main Street.

Where’s the best place to relax in New Town St. Charles?
“Almost half the homes have two-story porches,” says New Town St. Charles architect Tim Busse. New Town St. Charles is quite relaxing!

Homes With History
Many of the homes in The New Town St. Charles trace their roots to a Midwest version of the National Style or Missouri farmhouses. The National Style was popular during the westward expansion of America in the early- to mid-1800s. The style’s hallmarks are low-pitched roofs, wide bands of trim, and symmetrical placement of windows. “The New Town St. Charles homes are fairly simple to keep them more affordable,” says Marina. “Their elegance comes from attention to proportions and detailing.” We applaud this new neighborhood, New Town St. Charles and others like it for finding a balance between cookie-cutter cottages and a smorgasbord of architectural styles.

New Town St. Charles

Source – Southern Living

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Once a year the night skies of St. Louis light up above Forest Park due to the Annual Balloon Glow. This is year is no different! 2012 marks the 40th Anniverasry of the  The Great Forest Park Balloon Race! Year after year, the St. Louis Balloon Glow has drawn an enormous crowd of spectators to share in the excitement of the historic race!

St. Louis Balloon Glow 2012:

When: September 14th – 16th 2012

Where: Forest Park St. Louis, MO

What: 40th Anniversary of the St. Louis Balloon Glow

History of the St. Louis Ballon Glow

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race was founded by renowned balloonists Nikki Caplan and John O’Toole in 1973, and taken over by four, young, enthusiastic balloonists: John Marlow, John Schaumburg, Dan Schettler and Ted Staley in 1977. What started with four newly certified balloonists and a whimsical group dubbed the Mississippi River Balloon Transit Company, today hails as the organization of the most well-attended, single-day balloon race in the country.

Make sure you do not miss out on this epic event! The 40th Anniversary of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race is on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Central Field in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Balloon Glow will take place on Friday, September 14, 2012 also on Central Field. All events are free to the public –no admittance or parking charges. A detailed schedule of events will be available later this summer.

Congratulations to the 2011 winners:
1st Place –– Larry Owen– Private Entry
2nd Place — Joe Nusrala– Private Entry
3rd Place — John Daugherty– Private Entry

Parking Tips: Parking for the St. Louis Balloon Glow can be rather hectic, with so many people descending upon Forest Park, you may have trouble finding parking. It is highly suggested to carpool and park in the Dogtown neighborhood and walk over the Tamm overpass to Forest Park.

Check out the St. Louis Balloon Glow website.

St. Louis Balloon Glow

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Living in St. Louis

Welcome to STL Home Life! We are your source of information on living in St. Louis and the surrounding areas.

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