Vol. 23, No. 51
LOSING WAIT
Thousands of St. Louis children are stuck for years in foster care before they get permanent homes. The feds are demanding the wait be shorter. But for the city, that's easier said than done.
By D.J. Wilson
IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE ST. LOUIS
Jobs are leaving, the tax base is shrinking and the population is dropping. North County is feeling the squeeze.
By Laura Higgins
ALL THIS AND A PAY RAISE TOO
Former state Sen. J.B. "Jet" Banks will probably make at least $36,000 a year as a retired felon
IT'S THE SHOES, IT MUST BE THE SHOES
In college athletics, the kids live under the rules and the coaches and shoe companies rule
RIM SHOTS
Tuning in to Alan Greenspan and local radio commercials
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
Protests from the Rev. Cleo Willis' and droppings from the Weather Bird
What Is Your Prediction For The Coming Year?
By Wm. Stage
DECEMBER MADNESS
College "scandals" expose hypocrisy of NCAA cartel
By Ray Hartmann
CENTRAL STATION
With a little help and a lot of determination, a group of young progressives brings an arts and social collective to the Hill neighborhood
By Jason Toon
BEAUTY IN THE BEEST
Sun Sawed in 1/2 bring a new sound to their Bewilderbeest
By Jordan Oakes
SHUTTERED ROOMS
Two Washington Avenue clubs close, to mixed response
By Randall Roberts
POST-CORPORATE COLONIZATION
A local musician relates how he and his bandmates were chewed up and spat out by the major-label monster
Yukon Goldfinger
Bond -- Dennis Bond -- brings delicious innovation to the Chesterfield Valley
By Joe Bonwich
RIB TICKLERS
Diamond-in-the-rough 'cue joint Art & Wardy's Box Lunch delights downtown diners
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
Written and directed by Anthony Minghella
By Andy Klein
ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
Co-written and directed by Oliver Stone
By Luke Y. Thompson
AMERICAN MOVIE
Directed by Chris Smith
By Bill Gallo
THE CIDER HOUSE RULES
Directed by Lasse Hallström
By Jean Oppenheimer
FAUX, FAUX, FAUX
A Disney-trained designer descends on the Alton Belle Casino's new venture, the Spirit of America
By Eddie Silva
BLINDED BY THE LIGHTS
The cheesy-yet-compelling spectacle of thousands of lights at Santa's Magical Kingdom
By Byron Kerman
THE LITTLE FIR TREE
By Brian Hohlfeld (Imaginary Theatre Company)
By Sally Cragin
PIPING HOT
William Partridge brings Christ Church Cathedral's 5,000-pipe organ to magnificent life
