Lifestyle

By Gregory Coan

For an IT guy, I have a pretty easy job. I’m part of a team of four, and I am the main Apple “guru.” While my compatriots spend their days cleaning viruses off staff PC’s and trying to figure out why the Microsoft email system isn’t functioning, I help students and staff produce videos, transform photos, edit artistic sound pieces – in short, I help people get things done.

This could be a big year for developer Paul J. McKee, Jr. The developer who has assembled hundreds of parcels in north St. Louis without announcing a solid development plan will have to decide whether or not to apply for a new Missouri tax credit for land assemblage before other developers do the same. Since McKee’s attorney Steve Stone drafted the first version of the tax credit, I’d bet that McKee has a strong interest in applying.

I became the caretaker or “doggy nanny”, for six Olde English Bulldog puppies two weeks before their arrival. Trying to gain the trust of Gianna, the pups’ very pregnant mother was no easy task. It took a while before I figured out what could fix her “pregnant jones,” and it turned out to be nearly anything liver-flavored. After four days, she was allowing me to rub her sides and touch her belly for an early introduction to my soon-to-be clients. On Feb. 29, they burst into the world in a successful race to win me over.

It’s a fair statement that competition spurs better customer service.

So, while AT&T’s U-verse TV and Internet service might not yet be available to the entire St. Louis viewing area, chances are the company’s local arrival in December 2007, got the local cable and dish providers pondering their own futures with customers.

A major political force within St. Louis wants to demolish a viable piece of architecture for parking, and an apathetic community is allowing it to happen--it’s an oft-repeated scenario in our city, and the fact that it is happening again is no surprise, but nevertheless, borders on the ridiculous. Though this sad story generally brings to mind turn-of-the-century office buildings falling for massive parking garages downtown, this chapter is different.

We’ve been itching for spring at our house, furry residents included. The dogs live for long walks and days when they’re free to come in and out of the open kitchen door as they please, both cats have been anxious to sit in open windows and watch squirrels, and Willy wants to get out and explore. Yes, now that warm weather is arriving, you, dear readers, will soon get all the details of Willy and Matty’s very first experiences with grass and ground, as we procure kitty harnesses and take the plunge.

You saw the commercials during the Superbowl -- “Anesthesia, ON,” and “Door, OPEN,” so you know that Microsoft has now made its way into the automobile industry. Recently, the very helpful Sharon Dash, Sales and Leasing Consultant of Paul Cerame Ford-Lincoln-Mercury on New Halls Ferry Road, invited us to test drive a Ford Focus with Microsoft Sync installed.

Last September, the Riverfront Times gave the Mullanphy Emigrant Home in Old North St. Louis the title of 2007’s “Best Lost Cause.” The historic building suffered the collapse of much of its south wall in a storm in April 2006 and had barely been saved from the brink of demolition when a March 2007 storm caused masonry on parts of the east and north walls to collapse. The building’s repair bill skyrocketed from $150,000 to $350,000. However, thanks to the efforts of the Old North St.

Editor’s note: Four Paws pet training product is in no way connected with St. Louis’ Four Muddy Paws pet store.

Ahhh, spring is here. What a perfect time to add a puppy to the family! While the vision of FiFi pouncing in the grass and tossing squeak toys around seems ideal; it is crucial to remember that there are not so wonderful times with a puppy as well.

BY P. RICHELLE WHITE

Spring nesting season is here, and not just for the birds. After a long winter spent cozying up beneath flannel sheets and staring up at boring beige walls, urban dwellers emerge to give the nest a feathering of fresh color and style.

This season, the color is green and the style is sustainable. And with so many eco-friendly options available this season, it really is possible to tread lightly on the planet without sacrificing style.