Every Saturday, I would drop off Akyrah and three other students to the STL | LIFT Skills Center. The Skills Center is a new addition to the STL | LIFT program this summer and Akyrah is the only student out of the four who is a girl. Even though I had been driving her for weeks now, it was late into the summer when I first had a conversation with Akyrah. It was just us two in the car and we were on our way back from the Skills Center to the gardens. The light at Kingshighway

I swung by the gardens before heading to the community center. I needed to clear out the room where the girls would be doing yoga that afternoon. I was looking for an extra set of hands and I found them in Makayla. I ask about her music preference as we climb in the car. I generally let the students who ride with me pick but she wasn't too concerned so I put Rihanna on shuffle and we headed out. When we arrived at the community center, I did everything as instructed. Unlocked

Third Degree Glass Factory is the second business we are featuring in our DIDyouKNOW section of our series! This artisan glass gallery & studio, open 10 AM - 5 PM everyday, offers classes plus monthly events with music & demonstrations and is a place where the community artists can come create and sell their artwork. Something you may not know about the company is that co-found of Third Degree Jim McKelvey is also the mind behind Square, INC. In February 2009, Jim McKelvey lo

Annual Historic Shaw Art Fair (October 6 – 8) – Check out art from 135 exhibitors as you stroll along the Historic Shaw district at the Shaw Art Fair Oct. 4 and 5. This fair has been happening since 1993! Come admire the surrounding architecture, walk your dog, enjoy fare from food vendors and bring the kids for fun in the activity tent. Proceeds benefit the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association. http://shawstlouis.org/attractions-amenities/historic-shaw-art-fair/ Best of