Dear Readers: You will soon hear about the Vital VOICE’s new vegetarian column that will start in our January issue. Coincidentally, I was invited by Pet Set columnist Stephanie Ernst to see the movie "Peaceable Kingdom" at the Black Bear Bakery on Friday, Dec. 5. "Peaceable Kingdom" is a documentary that showcased animal cruelty by the meat and dairy industries and extolled the myriad virtues of a meat-free diet.
What's fresh off Darth Vader's mug, doubles as a soup ladle, and is all the rage with emo daywalkers?
That's right; it’s these gargantuan Onasstacized sunglasses. Transforming their devotees into Gulliver on a praying mantis Lilliput, they meld distinctive facial features into a mirrored black Pangea. I've seen pairs that, on sight, would turn any well-adjusted alien abductee back into a slobbering ball of catatonic probe bait.
No, this isn’t about Valley Park, or any other Spanophobic anomaly to bohemian Midwestern sensibilities. This is about the retinal scourge of text messaging. Much like the electric slide, it’s hell to look at but once it hits critical mass, you almost have to join in. Boy did I try to resist. I insisted people just call me. With voodoo taxes and Reaganomic fees, I dreaded adding anything to my cell phone plan. Eventually, I gave in, and now my cell phone is steadily buzzing with texts from people with Ph.Ds and Master’s degrees that read as if originated from the Pixy-Stix stained fingers of some preteen reading Tiger Beat on their way to a Hannah Montana concert. Really, it’s excruciating:
By Pamela Schneider - Posted on December 24th, 2008
Dear Readers, By the time you read this letter, there is no telling what will have happened. Since last issue, domestic automakers are asking to be bailed out to the tune of 15 billion, InBev-AB has let go of 1,400 salaried employees, Sony has laid off 16,000 workers, the Tribune has filed bankruptcy and even the New York Times is evaluating what’s next. Every day, another company seems to bite the dust. It’s beginning to feel like Armageddon!
By Pamela Schneider - Posted on November 21st, 2008
Dear Readers,
Last week, while driving to work, I was listening to talk radio. The radio personality reported about some article that appeared on the front page of the Post-Dispatch and listeners were calling in to complain about the reporting. Given the difficult times people in our fair city are going through, I began to wonder more than ever, “Why does negativity sell?”
By Pamela Schneider - Posted on September 19th, 2008
Dear Readers,
For those who have not heard about the change in our publishing schedule, I will provide a brief explanation. I am certain that all of us are experiencing some sort of “tightening” of our budgets. St. Louis Network LLC is not exempt from experiencing that same tightening.
If the last 18 months have been a riveting, rollercoaster-of-a-ride in terms of the presidential election, then the last two weeks have taken us on a series of gut-wrenching loops and I’m still trying to find my bearings.
I was one of the record breaking viewers to watch the Democratic and yes, Republican National Conventions. For me, the Democratic offering was a cathartic and emotional experience and it was staged in pitch-perfect fashion for this former Hillary Clinton supporter.
August 16 was a rather historic day for marriage equality. America’s favorite lesbian, comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres married her long-time partner, actress Portia de Rossi in their Los Angeles manse. It was one of the highest profile ceremonies of its kind to take place since the California Supreme Court legalized same sex nuptials in the Golden State earlier this year.
Quitting meat for the month of January
Dear Readers:
You will soon hear about the Vital VOICE’s new vegetarian column that will start in our January issue. Coincidentally, I was invited by Pet Set columnist Stephanie Ernst to see the movie "Peaceable Kingdom" at the Black Bear Bakery on Friday, Dec. 5. "Peaceable Kingdom" is a documentary that showcased animal cruelty by the meat and dairy industries and extolled the myriad virtues of a meat-free diet.
Shades of Wrath
By Lucas Hudson
What's fresh off Darth Vader's mug, doubles as a soup ladle, and is all the rage with emo daywalkers?
That's right; it’s these gargantuan Onasstacized sunglasses. Transforming their devotees into Gulliver on a praying mantis Lilliput, they meld distinctive facial features into a mirrored black Pangea. I've seen pairs that, on sight, would turn any well-adjusted alien abductee back into a slobbering ball of catatonic probe bait.
Text messaging: Nglsh only please
Text messaging: Nglsh only, please
By Lucas Hudson
No, this isn’t about Valley Park, or any other Spanophobic anomaly to bohemian Midwestern sensibilities. This is about the retinal scourge of text messaging. Much like the electric slide, it’s hell to look at but once it hits critical mass, you almost have to join in. Boy did I try to resist. I insisted people just call me. With voodoo taxes and Reaganomic fees, I dreaded adding anything to my cell phone plan. Eventually, I gave in, and now my cell phone is steadily buzzing with texts from people with Ph.Ds and Master’s degrees that read as if originated from the Pixy-Stix stained fingers of some preteen reading Tiger Beat on their way to a Hannah Montana concert. Really, it’s excruciating:
What Next?
Dear Readers,
By the time you read this letter, there is no telling what will have happened. Since last issue, domestic automakers are asking to be bailed out to the tune of 15 billion, InBev-AB has let go of 1,400 salaried employees, Sony has laid off 16,000 workers, the Tribune has filed bankruptcy and even the New York Times is evaluating what’s next. Every day, another company seems to bite the dust. It’s beginning to feel like Armageddon!
Change
Dear Readers,
Last week, while driving to work, I was listening to talk radio. The radio personality reported about some article that appeared on the front page of the Post-Dispatch and listeners were calling in to complain about the reporting. Given the difficult times people in our fair city are going through, I began to wonder more than ever, “Why does negativity sell?”
In hard financial times, is your nest egg a solution?
BY PHILIP DEITCH
Belt tightening
Dear Readers,
For those who have not heard about the change in our publishing schedule, I will provide a brief explanation. I am certain that all of us are experiencing some sort of “tightening” of our budgets. St. Louis Network LLC is not exempt from experiencing that same tightening.
Obama must sling mud, or he will get buried
If the last 18 months have been a riveting, rollercoaster-of-a-ride in terms of the presidential election, then the last two weeks have taken us on a series of gut-wrenching loops and I’m still trying to find my bearings.
I was one of the record breaking viewers to watch the Democratic and yes, Republican National Conventions. For me, the Democratic offering was a cathartic and emotional experience and it was staged in pitch-perfect fashion for this former Hillary Clinton supporter.
Obama frames marriage equality as civil right
August 16 was a rather historic day for marriage equality. America’s favorite lesbian, comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres married her long-time partner, actress Portia de Rossi in their Los Angeles manse. It was one of the highest profile ceremonies of its kind to take place since the California Supreme Court legalized same sex nuptials in the Golden State earlier this year.
Supporting the arts
Dear Readers,