#and ted grant gives off bi vibes

[mattzerella-sticks]

The silhouette of a figure in the doorway. A picture of Hawaii before WWII.

I am hoping beyond hope that a plot dream I've been having has escaped containment inside my head and has infected some poor writer to bring my dream to life.

[darlacook]

Why Amazon HQ2 should come to St Louis aka Why I love the Lou and you should too.

Hey Jeff Bezos! I know you are being inundated by every city and state that wants the new Amazon HQ2. They are going to tell you about the great tax deal they can offer and the business climate. About how many employees you can find in their area. The housing costs, the schools, the land they will give you. 

All good and I am sure super important to you. But that shouldn’t be the only consideration. And given who you are and your Seattle campus I am sure it is not.  (I know someone who works there, and may I say I am jealous! Puppies in the office!).

I want to tell you about the other side. The personal side. The fun side. After all, no one, even you works all the time. All work and no play makes even Jeff a grumpy boy I am sure. Welcome to what I call "the Lou and you". Not the official city slogan, but one I think is more fitting.

So let me tell you about the other St. Louis. Not the business side, though it will have businesses in it. But the fun side, all within easy driving distance. About the places and things St Louis offers. We are more than fly over country. We are fun, vital and exciting. Let me show  you my favorite spots. I have been to them, or they are on my bucket list which is rapidly dwindling.

Standard disclaimer: I have nothing to do with the cities bid. I am sure they are properly horrified and sure I am totally ruining the chance by addressing you directly. But what the heck, I don't know what they told you and I thought you should see it from the other side. Who knows it better than its own folks.

Once you are done I hope you can see what a great city we really are. We are nothing like we are sometimes portrayed on the news, or by other cities. After all this is a competition, and may the best man, or rather city win. And if you ever come to St Louis,we would love to show them to you in person. At least let us treat you to City Museum and a nice drink, on my dime.Even if we don’t win.  Ever slide down a whale? Hang over the side of a building in a school bus? Ride a Ferris Wheel above the city? Wanna?

So here is some of the things I love! I hope you will too.

Arch. Kinda looks like an A if you allow the cross bar fell off. But a great ride to the top if you’re not too claustrophobic. Well worth the tram ride in the egg which is a funky experience of its own. - Art Hill - the destination to sled in winter and have hot chocolate. - Adventure Valley Paintball Park - shoot a friend (with paint). - Architecture - we have amazing buildings that awe.

St. Louis Black Repertory Company - Nations largest African American theater company - Butterfly House - just what it says, see the butterflies -  Beer! from big brewer to small craft we got it covered - Big Muddy Blues Festival - Blues music! - Blue Berry Hill - Excellent food, great drinks! - BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups - world class jazz, blues and food. - Bi-State Pet Food Pantry - feeding pets for those in need.

Casinos - we have several and sorry I don't hang there though my mom does. - City Garden - fun for the whole family. Splash and play. - Chess Hall of Fame - play a game - Crown Candy - providing the best candy and milkshakes since 1903 - Cherokee St - shop until you drop! - Casaloma Ballroom - Dance like no one is watching - City Museum - Adult and kid playground, simply amazing - Crystal City Underground - fun in the caves, try boat rides or disc golf, all underground. -  Cahokia Mounds - pre-Columbian Native American city and site of solstice celebrations. - Chuck Berry Statue - and memorabilia. - City Cycling Tour - see St Louis from a bike.  - Creepyworld Haunted Screampark - 13 haunted houses in one location.  - Creve Couer Lake -320 acre lake and recreation area. - Cathedral Basilica - Roman Catholic church - graced by many artisans.

Dance St Louis - see internationally renowned dance troupes. - Delmar Loop Planet Walk - Take a three-billion-mile walk (2,880 ft.) from the Sun to Neptune.

Entertainment. We got it all. Muny for musicals, Cracked Fox for DJ's, Voltaire and burlesque. Festivals, halls, you name it. Don't miss the Greekfest or St. Patty's Day parade. Or join First Night on the New Year for family fun. - Eckerts Orchards - pick your own strawberries, apples, pumpkins, pet a goat.

Forest Park - Former site of a World's Fair and one of the largest urban parks in the USA is amazing and hosts many great events: Pagan Picnic - just what it sounds like. - Strange Folks - a place to buy and sell amazing hand made stuff - Great Forest Park Balloon Race  - Hot air balloons.

The Gardens aka Botanical Gardens - Festivals, flowers, what more do you need? - Fabulous Fox - live theater in a Art Deco venue, gorgeous! - Mari Gras - the second biggest in the USA - Fair St Louis - one of the biggest 4th of July events anywhere, on the Arch grounds! Grafton Flea Market - One man’s junk really is another’s treasure! - Graffiti Wall - Amazing artworks. -  Golf - we got putt putt - miniature, 9 and 18 holes.  - Gooey Louie - The Place for Gooey Butter Cakes. - Indescribably delicious. - Great Rivers Greenway - More than 110 miles of off-street greenways.

The Hill - Italian food. Bakeries, restaurants, fun! - Hidden Valley - Skiing! Sledding, Tubing - Moonrise Hotel - boutique hotel with roof bar on the Loop. - St. Louis Haunted History Tour - walk through history, see a ghost.

Immigrants - We have lot of varied immigrants from all over the world. They bring their own unique cuisine and festivals. Never a shortage of stuff to learn and try.

Jewel Box -  The jewel of Forest park and public horticultural facility. - Jefferson County Pet Food Pantry/Thrift Store - reselling donated goods to raise money to keep pets home and out of shelters. Also arranges spay/neuters/shots.

Kiel Opera House -  major venue for opera, ballet, and orchestral since 1934! - Katy Trail - bike, hike, jog all 237.7 miles.

The Loop - 6 blocks of funky and eclectic shops and restaurants - Lacelede’s Landing - riverfront dine and shop - Lemp Mansion/Brewery - aka Suicide Caves! - Libraries - St Louis is one of the best read cities!

Museums - Chess museum, Art, History, - did we mention they are all free to get in? - The Muny- theater under the stars - Science Center - hands on museum for all ages, -Magic House -interactive museum for kids -  Grants Farm - home to Ulysses S Grants cabin and the Busch family home with trams and animals

National Blues Museum -Celebrating the genre- The National Black Tourism Network - Black History Tour.

Onondaga Cave - Meramac Caverns - Take a tour underground. - Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - Historic Route 66 crossing over the Mississippi River. One of the world's longest bicycle/pedestrian bridges. - Open Door Animal Sanctuary - No kill rescue.

Parks - Powder Valley - Nature center see the bees! - Laumier Sculpture Park - just as described and see a giant eyeball. - Purina Farms - come see the animals and dog park - Six Flags- theme park -  The Pagent - amazing touring site for musicians - Pulitzer Art Foundation - contemporary art. - PBR St. Louis - country music. - Pin-Up Bowl - bowling and martinis.

Queeny Park - ice skating, animals, fun all around.

Raging Rivers Water Park - slip and slide all day. - Repertory Theatre of St. Louis - Live professional theater. - Renaissance Faire - join a joust! Sing with the pirates. Have a turkey leg. - Riverboat tours - take a ride down the Mississippi.

Seasons - We have all 4! - Sports - baseball, hockey, soccer - St Louis Fringe - arts festival - Soulard Farmers Market - oldest farmers market west of the Mississippi - St. Louis Symphony - orchestras at their finest.  - Stray Resuce - stray animal rescue.

Ted Drewes - frozen custard at it's tastiest - Turtle Playground - where else can you climb turtles! - Tiger Sanctuary - Big cats! They even purr. - TechShop - do it yourself tech with lots of machines. - Transport - we have light rail and it is expanding. We have bike trails and bike lanes.

Union Station - Former train station now a hotel and excitement destination.  Universities - we have several world class universities.

Vaughn Cultural Center/Urban League - African American arts and cultural center.

Wolf Sanctuary - come howl - Wild Bird Sanctuary - more raptors than you can shake a stick at - Wineries - come to wine country, have a drink - Wax  Museum - 200 figures! see stars, leaders, zombies. - World Aquarium - pet a stingray. - Weber Grill Restaurant Grilling Academy - learn to grill. Give it that dad vibe.

Xtra special folks. We got them! And they will welcome you. You can go from urban, to suburban to rural in just a short time.

Yucandu Art Studio - hands on art studio for all ages.

St Louis Zoo - free to get in and animal friendly! - Zip lines - race through the park way above the ground. - Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club - literacy charity and a personal fav.

I tried to keep it kind of short so it is readable. This isn't even all of it. Just my favs. So come on down, we would love to have you.