Favorite places; beloved faces; and first, second and third bases. What and who do we love in St. Louis and what do we want to improve? In our VOICE Your Choice 2005 poll, our readers told us St. Louis may not be a “Perfect 10” but they still found plenty to cherish about our city and its people.
Readers participated in our fourth annual poll by answering ten questions posted on our Web site and in the Vital VOICE. The responses are sure to contain a few of your best picks — and some surprises as well!
HARLEQUIN ROMANCE -- Favorite St. Louis Bookstore
1. Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid in the Central West End
314-367-6731, www.left-bank.com
Founded in 1969, Left Bank Books is one-third lesbian owned and has a cultural and progressive political focus. Specialties include: modern literature and poetry, the contemporary art and performing arts scene, political analysis, African-American , feminist, gay and lesbian literature; psychology and multicultural children's books. Author appearances and monthly book discussions, including the Lesbian Reading Group and Gay Men’s Reading Group are among the events offered by Left Bank Books.
2. Borders
3. Barnes & Noble
HART TO HART -- Favorite St. Louis TV personality
1. Tie: Karen Foss and Heidi Glaus
For 26 years, award-winning journalist Karen Foss has graced the airwaves of St. Louis, after joining the NewsChannel 5 team in 1979. The winner of numerous local Emmy Awards, Foss appeared on the March 2001 cover of the Vital VOICE as part of an in-depth interview in which she spoke about the evolving coverage of gay issues, and her lesbian sister.
Heidi Glaus has been co-hosting the popular afternoon entertainment show “Show Me St. Louis” since 1999. Glaus first came to Channel 5 as an intern in 1996 and soon landed a job as a production assistant for "Today In St. Louis" with Art Holliday and Jennifer Blome. In July of 1997 she was promoted to Associate Producer of “Show Me” and two years later began her on-air position.
2. Tie: Jennifer Blome and Ray Hartmann
3. Tie: Vickie Newton and Tim Ezell
HEARTBREAK HOTEL -- Favorite St. Louis Radio Station
1. 90.7 KWMU www.kwmu.org
Founded in 1972, KWMU is the National Public Radio station in St. Louis, bringing such programs as “All Things Considered” to local listeners. Its locally-produced shows include “St. Louis on the Air” and “CityScape.” With a 100,000 watt signal, KWMU reaches 2.4 million people in the bi-state area. Find out more about KWMU at http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu.
2. 88.1 KDHX
3. 106.5 The Arch
HEART RATE -- Favorite St. Louis Sport/Activity
1. Cardinals Baseball
The St. Louis Baseball Cardinals have won more World Series Championships than any team in National League history. Go ahead, you baseball buffs, count them — nine! And, there's more: the big, bad, Bird has copped six National League Pennants, three Central Division Championships and one Wild-Card Winner. Here’s a short list of Cards have been inducted into the Hall of Fame and had their jerseys officially retired: Stan "the Man" Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Dizzy Dean and Ozzie Smith.
2. People-watching
3. Rams Football
LOVE BITES -- Favorite Restaurant
1. Pho Grand
3195 S Grand Blvd
314-664-7435
Often crowded, but worth the wait, Pho Grand offers traditional Vietnamese fare reflecting a range of cultures. Dishes, influenced by Thai, Chinese, French and Cambodian flavors, are seasoned with fish sauce (nuac mom), shrimp paste, lemon grass, mint, basil and curry. Don’t miss Pho Grand’s famous Vietnamese iced coffee!
2. City Diner
3. King Louie’s
LOVE BUG -- Favorite St. Louis Healthcare Provider
1. BJC
4444 Forest Park Avenue
314-747-WEBB, www.bjc.org
BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health-care organizations in the United States, delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice.
2. Southhampton Healthcare
3. David Parks
LOVE POTION -- Favorite St. Louis Bar
1. Novak’s Bar & Grill
4121 Manchester
314-531-FOXX, www.novaksbar.com
Open in its new location for about one year, the New Novak’s is an attractive, spacious bar that draws both men and women. Drag shows, karaoke, open mic nights and Texas hold ‘em tournaments are some of the special events offered by Novak’s in addition to food, pool tables and patio. On most weekend nights, a throng of dancing patrons can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the front of the building.
2. Absolutli Goosed
3. Tie: AMP and JJ’s Clubhouse
LOVE SHACK -- Favorite St. Louis Neighborhood
1. Tower Grove
Whether you’re talking about Tower Grove South, East or Park, the Tower Grove area is a diverse community boasting a variety of restaurants and other businesses, easy access to Highways 44 and 40, and of course, proximity to Tower Grove Park. The architecture of the area is reflective of the rich heritage found in St. Louis; most homes are brick with stone foundations and have oak flooring, leaded glass windows and fireplaces.
2. Soulard
3. South Grand
HEARTBURN -- What You’d Love to Change About St. Louis
1. Eliminate Racism
Concerns about racism were on the minds of a majority of poll participants, who wished for more understanding and less judgment. Many individuals and groups are working to combat racism, including Show Me Equality (www.showmeequality.org) and The Diversity Awareness Partnership, whose Web site, www.makeadifferencestlouis.org, offers a number of practical suggestions. Just log on and click on “What Can I Do?”
2. Improve Diversity
3. End Homophobia
I ‘HEART’ ST LOUIS -- Favorite Thing About St. Louis
1. The People
With over 2.5 million residents, in twelve counties contained in two states, the St. Louis metro area is the 14th largest in the United States. The Gateway City itself, more than its suburbs, is a melting pot of many cultures. Many of those polled expressed gratitude for the people of St. Louis, who voted against Amendment 2 last August. The state of Missouri as a whole passed the amendment, which banned marriage equality in the Missouri constitution.
2. The Architecture
3. Tie: The Arts and Forest Park
Who VOICED their Choice?
Respondents told us they are predominantly gay or lesbian, but a wide variety of orientations and identities was represented:
Gay 38.7%
Lesbian 34.7%
Bi 8.0%
Straight 13.3%
Other 5.3%
Male 47.3%
Female 50.0%
MTF 0.0%
FTM 1.4%
Other 1.4%
What We Love
“Low cost of living compared to other cities”
“The unbelievable architecture and the fact that it is still undiscovered to others outside the city.”
“Diversity. Within one block you can find Vietnamese and American food, along with a dry cleaner and a gay bar.”
What We Want To Change
“Small minds, small hearts, small imaginations”
“The racial polarization. Can’t we all ‘just get along?’”
“Get people out of the bars and into the streets to be politically active.”
