CHUCK BERRY MATTERS

Chuck Berry, sometimes called the father of rock and roll, was born in St. Louis and lived here most of his life. We got to hear him play a few times. Even though my interest in popular music declined through the years (I mostly like unpopular music now), it was always a joy to hear him perform. He often played, sometimes unexpectedly, at a bar and restaurant in The Loop called Blueberry Hill. A statue was erected in his honor in 2011 across the street. I was acquainted with the sculptor. After the dedication, he got me into Blueberry Hill for the party. I got a decent close up of the great musician, https://tinyurl.com/ybndyrot . 

Berry died in 2017. I think he would have approved of the sign.         

ANGRY, LOUD, PEACEFUL

There was a demonstration in downtown St. Louis yesterday afternoon. It started at what is euphemistically called the City Justice Center, the jail where criminal defendants who can't make bail are held pending trial. That was too far for my crumbly spine to carry me from my office but the crowd headed east on Market Street toward the Arch, where I met them.

My guess is that there were a couple of thousand people. The march was well organized. People were angry, people were shouting, but it was peaceful. There were more white people than black. Almost everyone wore masks but maintaining distance was out of the question. No politicians, no major leaders that I could tell but the city has promised to distribute masks at any future events.

There are many more of these photos but i have no energy to edit more. Maybe I'll add others later.          

Black Lives Matter

Look at the sign in the window. To whom? The riders?

On Manchester Avenue in The Grove. Remember, Ferguson is in St. Louis County.