Blog

Check back here to continue to see people sharing their perspectives on the Historic Shaw Neighborhood. We are not without our challenges, but our community is standing strong together. [View the story “#Shaw” on Storify]… Read More

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of a resident who was shot last night in Shaw. The loss of a human life, no matter the circumstance, leaves us all with heavy hearts. A Peace Vigil and a Prayer Vigil are scheduled for tonight, October 9th, to begin the process of healing. More information on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Shaw.Saint.Louis. There are large-scale, long-term issues at hand. While incidents like this… Read More

  SNIA’s Beautification Committee received a grant from Brightside St. Louis for a Neighbors Naturescaping project at 39th and DeTonty. The Neighbors Naturscaping program is designed to help neighborhood groups come together to beautify their communities by planting gardens in public spaces.   We need volunteers: – Volunteers with trucks: meet Emmett Coleman at the Forest Park Greenhouse at 8:30am on Saturday, October 11th. – Volunteers meet at 39th and DeTonty at 9am for tilling, digging… Read More

“I think that I shall never see a highway as lovely as a tree…” This is the caption of an editorial cartoon that caught my attention as I looked through clippings in a binder marked A Bit of Shaw History from 1958-1971. With funds budgeted in a bond issue approved in a city-wide election in 1955, the City of St. Louis pursued building a depressed highway linking Tower Grove Avenue and Morganford Road. The mayor… Read More

Faces with in-love-for-keeps smiles and look-at-what-I-did smiles and I-am-just-me smiles grin at me from the window of Pinxit Photography on Shenandoah. From across the street, one’s eyes are drawn to these beaming, glowing, beautiful faces – there to cause one’s own smile in response, as the magic of a moment has been captured for all posterity by Shaw business owner and photographer, Raquita Henderson. Upon meeting Ms. Henderson for the first time, there is… Read More

Hey Shaw Residents! Looking for some ways to celebrate your love of Shaw? We have 3 ideas for you! 1) Who wants to volunteer at the festival of FUN on South Grand on Saturday, September 20th? Best part – they are making buttons that say “ask me about my neighborhood” so we can praise Shaw while serving food or picking up trash or whatever you choose. Click the link to sign up online to volunteer, it should be… Read More

SNIA is happy to announce the following recipients of the 2014 Shaw Helping Hands Grants. ARTS@SMOS: supporting parent-led & volunteer faculty, creative arts programming for K-8 students at St. Margaret of Scotland School Cornerstone Center for Early Learning: diaper service for enrolled preschoolers Isaiah 58 Ministries: health education and examinations to uninsured/underinsured women in the neighborhood The Micah Program at SLU: sponsorship of a Halloween Party for neighborhood youth at Mullanphy Elementary School Mental Health… Read More

The Art of Restituo Photo credit: Lynn Terry Photography Appointed to the corner of Shenandoah and Thurman Avenues, Restituo has more of a tucked-in sensibility situated as it is in Shaw. This paradox is telling as the interior simultaneously provides a relaxing environment and an atmosphere of frenetic energy. It’s the perfect place to smoke your favorite Forbidden Fruit Weed Strain from Fresh Bros. “It’s the New York Minute mentality.” owner, Nicole… Read More

Shaw Residents! The Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association (SNIA) has a Safety Committee that would love your participation. Paul Fehler is leading the charge and is looking for 3-5 more individuals to commit 30 minutes per month. The main task is to adopt the Neighborhood Ownership Model used by the city, which includes 3 main activities:   1) Citizens on Patrol, also known as walking around the neighborhood; 2) Court watch, also known as writing letters… Read More

A first meeting with long-time Shaw resident Birdie Chandler will leave one with two impressions, regardless of the conversation. The first is immediate. It is that deep, mellifluous voice, captivating due to the cadence, soothing due to pitch. Were you to close your eyes and listen to Ms. Chandler speaking, you might believe you were listening to poet and activist, Maya Angelou. Consequently, I always think of Angelou when I speak with Birdie… Read More