I’ve mentioned Rebuilding Together-STL before. The mission is to help elderly and disabled homeowners with limited income maintain their homes. One day every year (this year will be April 21st) the non-profit organizes volunteers in order to repair 100 homes that have been identified throughout the year.

Houses are nominated by aldermen, social workers, neighbors, churches and the owners themselves. Each house goes through an application review. If they pass the application review, a home inspector visits the site to assess the condition and extent of work needed. In January the 100 houses for that year’s Rebuilding Day are identified. All materials are provided so the homeowners pay for nothing.

Needed:

Volunteers for Rebuilding Day

Volunteers for Special Events Committee

Most of Rebuilding Together-STL’s funds come from corporate donations. In addition, the Special Events Committee sponsors three events each year. This year we will be doing a Trivia Night on July 28, A Pumpkin Hunt on September 29 and and an Art Auction on November 10.

If you’d like to be part of special events committee or volunteer for Rebuilding Day or BOTH, email me and I can give you more information.

Yesterday morning I attended the Downtown Report sponsored by the St. Louis Business Journal and hosted by the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The speakers were Chris Goodson of the Gilded Age, Steve Smith of the Lawrence Group and Todd George of Pinnacle.

Most impressive aspect: It started at 8am and the auditorium was packed.
Interesting Nugget: Pinnacle hired one of the police force captains as their head of security.

Reason: Better benefits package

Most interesting question from the audience: Which is more important for building density downtown, fixing the schools or attracting amenities like department stores, grocery stores and cultural opportunities?

Chris Goodson’s response (brave in my opinion for even attempting)-First the amenities, thereby attracting more people who will hopefully stay, funneling more students into the system. Not sure I agree.

Predictable audience preoccupation: Will City and County ever merge?

Answer: Economically it is the right thing to do. Politically it may be impossible

Most memorable quote: “Tourists from the County”