WELCOME!

WHY WERE DOING THIS:

GROUPHUG St. Louis, in its second year, is an annual event that celebrates the people, places, and things that make St. Louis great. As a city and region we seem to be well aware of our deficiencies. By sending people out to hug their favorite St. Louis assets, we get a better sense of what weve done right, what were doing right as a city what we love about ourselves. Plus its just another excuse to throw a big party and watch as our friends literally hug our fair citys stock of fountains, bike lanes, and landmarks.

WHO IS DOING THIS? Organizers: CITY AFFAIR http://cityaffairstl.tumblr.com

We love St. Louis and recognize that it is an undercover worldclass city with innovative things happening and amazing places to discover. St. Louis is a city of opportunityaffordable, accessible, open to new ideas and ripe to re-establish itself as the center of our region while uniting with surrounding communities for the common good. St. Louis is a dynamic American city with a unique architectural heritage that contributes significantly to our quality of life. One of the major strengths of St. Louis is the determination of its citizens, who through collaboration can bring about real and positive change to our community. With a spirit of openness, we as a group and as individuals can begin to erode the fragmentation within the St. Louis community and connect those with a common goal enhancing the place we all call home.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

-OLD NORTH ST. LOUIS RESTORATION GROUP (Our wonderful venue!) -THE GRAMOPHONE (Beer donation!) -DJ ALEXIS (Music)

-MARTIN CASAS and FRONTYARD FEATURES (Projection Screen)

-DO314.COM, R&R MUSIC LABS, ST LOU FRINGE FESTIVAL, ST. LOUIS CURIO SHOPPE, STL-STYLE, AND MORE! (Event Promotion) -ROBERT BECK (Street Art)

The Cherokee clock is one of my proudest accomplishments, because I spearheaded the effort to restore it. The old, battered clock stood dormant for years, mirroring the decline of the commercial district itself. Today, it once again shines bright (and keeps the correct time!)-- a testament to the exciting resurgence of this colorful street. Viva Cherokee! -JEFF VINES

SEE NEXT SLIDE!

Jeff Vines ((NEWLY RESTORED CHEROKEE STREET CLOCK))

Andy Berkhout (Far L), Grace Woodward (L) and Regina Martinez (R) ((BROWN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK WASH U))

April Regester ((SHAKESPEARE IN THE STREETS CHEROKEE STREET PRODUCTION))

MARTIN CASAS ((LIFE IN ST. LOUIS))

Brian Frick and Amy Michael ((CHUCK BERRY STATUE DELMAR LOOP))

Ben, Maggie and Andrew Groth ((FOX PARK))

MARK REGESTER ((HOME IN BENTON PARK))

Amy Lampe ((ST. LOUIS SKYLINE))

Amy Lampe

((VICTORIAN FOOTBRIDGE FOREST PARK))

Amy Lampe ((FOREST PARK RUNNING PATH))

Amy Lampe ((MOONRISE HOTEL DELMAR LOOP))

Amy Lampe
((MURAL ON NORTH BROADWAY))

Amy Lampe

((VINCENTS MARKET IN SOULARD))

Amy Lampe ((GRAND BASIN FOREST PARK))

Matt Mourning & Company ((KARAOKE))

Matt Mourning ((RIPPLE ROW SOULARD))

Matt Mourning ((ELLEN CLARK HOPE PLAZA - BJC))

Matt Mourning ((SILVER TREE FOREST PARK))

Matt Mourning ((GIVENS ROW BUILDING JEFFVANDER LOU))

Matt Mourning ((IRON HORSE TRESTLE))

Matt Mourning ((BRICK STREET - DUTCHTOWN))

Matt Mourning ((LASALLE PARK))

Matt Mourning ((CITY OF NEW ORLEANS LAMP POST EMBEDDED IN A TREE IN BENTON PARK))

Chrystal Garcia ((FOREST PARK))

Em Piro, St Lou Fringe ((LOCUST BUSINESS DISTRICT))

Tara Daniels, St Lou Fringe ((LOCUST BUSINESS DISTRICT))

Nick Schnelle ((IN DENMARK, HUGGING A MAP OF ST. LOUIS))

The love and laughter of my friends flows and bubbles and delightfully buoys my spirit, making St Louis a beautiful place to live!
-STEPHANIE ARNDT

Stephanie Arndt ((LIFE, FRIENDS, ST. LOUIS))

Kara Clark Holland ((BENTON PLACE LAFAYETTE SQUARE))

Jessica Hollis ((PATS IN DOGTOWN))

Briana Motley ((THE GROVE))

Chloe and Alla, submitted by Teresa DicksonApresova ((FOREST PARK))

Jennie Bates ((MODERN VINTAGE DCOR, 11433 GRAVOIS RD))

Kelsey Mourning ((ST. LOUIS))

Kelsey Mourning ((EYE HEART ST. LOUIS MURAL IN GRAND CENTER))

Michael Powers ((MUNY))

Michael Powers ((GRAND CENTER))

Michael Powers ((MURAL IN THE GROVE))

Kelsey Mourning and Ryan Albritton ((EARTH RABBIT IN GRAND CENTER))

RYAN ALBRITTON set out to hug ALL St. Louis Microbreweries.

See the following slides for the results.

He got 3 out of
in the region.
((Its our fault for having so many microbreweries!))

Randy and Ben Vines ((DEL TACO FLYING SAUCER))

Alyssa Waring ((HAPPY JOES))

Kelsey Mourning & Alyssa Waring ((HAPPY JOES))

Michael Allen ((ST. MARYS INFIRMARY)) TITLE: GET WELL SOON

Otis Regester ((SKATE RAMP BENTON PARK))

Paisley Regester ((BOB CASSILLY SCULPTURE NEW CITY SCHOOL))

Rebecca Marler, submitted by Aunt, Michelle Lowe ((MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN))

Emily Beck & Zachary Heath ((GREAT HOSPITALS & RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS))

Mathilda Rose ((MAUDES MARKET IN DUTCHTOWN))

Steve Patterson ((EADS BRIDGE))

A T-REX-SIZED HUG DESERVES A WHOLE PAGE

((T-REX = Technology Entrepreneur Center @ Railway Exchange Building))

Peter Lacy ((LACLEDES LANDING))

Kristen Lewis

Thom Fletcher ((BIG MOUND MARKER NORTH BROADWAY))

Becca Lozano ((LAFAYETTE PARK))

John Clopton ((LAFAYETTE PARK))

James McKee ((BIKE RACK MARINE VILLA))

Carrie Lee Freeman, Tom Hanson, and James McKee ((OMALLEYS IN MARINE VILLA))

Carrie Lee Freeman, Tom Hanson, and James McKee ((MARINE VILLA NEIGHBORHOOD))

"I grew up and remain in the zip code distributed around the world on bottles, cans, and on draft. -Emily Beck

Emily Beck ((63118 ZIP Code))

Emily Beck ((WINKELMANNS PHARMACY - DUTCHTOWN))

Emily Beck ((HARTFORD COFFEE TOWER GROVE SOUTH))

Emily Beck ((TED DREWES DUTCHTOWN LOCATION))

Emily Beck ((ST. ANTHONYS PARISH DUTCHTOWN))

Emily Beck ((ST. ANTHONYS PARISH - DUTCHTOWN))

Linda Hennigh ((BENTON PARK WEST COMMUNITY GARDEN))

Mercy Paka ((SCULPTURE IN FOREST PARK))

Autumn Marie, Mercy Paka, and Sam Mueller ((SCULPTURE IN FOREST PARK))

Sam Mueller ((AUDI KS IN THE CENTRAL WEST END))

Mercy Paka ((COFFEE CARTEL CENTRAL WEST END))

Mercy Paka and Sam Mueller ((GRAND BASIN AT NIGHT))

Autumn Marie, Mercy Paka, and Sam Mueller ((MOOLAH THEATER))

Mercy Paka ((BEN & JERRYS IN THE LOOP))

Sam Mueller ((NEWS CHANNEL 4 KMOV))

Mercy Paka ((NEWS CHANNEL 4 KMOV))

Sam Mueller ((LOOP TROLLEY))

Sam Mueller and Mercy Paka ((ESQUIRE THEATER))

Ven ((TOWER GROVE PARK))

Ven ((TOWER GROVE PARK))

Growing American Youth, MLK Day Parade @ Old Court House, downtown ((SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ST. LOUIS))

This photo encapsulates much of what I love about St. Louis...a fantastic local restaurant with friendly staff and outstanding food, an eclectic storefront, the diversity of cultures demonstrated here through food, and the beautiful brick buildings and unique architecture of STL. Michelle Wiegand (SEE NEXT SLIDE)

Michelle Wiegand ((EVEREST CAF THE GROVE))

Jennifer Fenwick, submitted by husband Frank DeGraaf ((LACLEDES LANDING))

Deborah and Jordan Mourning ((SOULARD))

Deborah and Randall Mourning ((SCULPTURE NEAR NEW CATHEDRAL))

Andrew Riganti ((BALI CARGO SOUTH GRAND))

Jennie Bates ((HERBARIA SOAP THE HILL))

Dr. Michael Frachetti ((ST. LOUIS ART MUSEUM))

Nathalie Frachetti ((TURTLE PARK))

Myles Colvin ((TURTLE PARK))

Ryan Haynes and Max Montaldo ((TASTE BY NICHE CENTRAL WEST END))

Vincent Haynes ((BOWOOD FARMS and Caf Osage CENTRAL WEST END))

Vincent Haynes ((CULINARIA DOWNTOWN))

Vincent Haynes ((MAGIC CHEF MANSION COMPTON HEIGHTS))

Vincent Haynes ((PARK AVENUE COFFEE))

Vincent Haynes ((MODERN VINTAGE DCOR))

Vincent Haynes ((TOWER GROVE PARK SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE))

Paul Hohmann ((RAILWAY EXCHANGE BUILDING - DOWNTOWN))

Paul Hohmann ((SCULPTURE AT DELMAR METROLINK STATION))

Paul Hohmann ((THE DELMAR LOOP))

KDHX submitted an entire photo shoot hugging their building in Tower Grove East.

Heres a BEST OF.

Grace Mueller ((GREEN BRICK))

Milo, submitted by Amanda Doyle ((FUN AT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN))

Allison McCartney ((JEWEL BOX))

Alice Hintermann ((GASLIGHT SQUARE))

Submitted by Montrinaa Hill

Submitted by Montrinaa Hill

Lawrence Leto ((TOWER TACOS BENTON PARK WEST))

Scott McIntosh ((TOWER TACOS BENTON PARK WEST))

Kate Howell and Whitney Sewell ((GATEWAY ARCH)) TITLE: WE BUILT THIS CITY

Michael Keimeg and Whitney Sewell ((WORLDS LARGEST CHESS PIECE CENTRAL WEST END))

Whitney Sewell ((WORLDS LARGEST CHESS PIECE))

Whitney Sewell and Kate Howell ((Cathedral Basilica))

Kate Howell, Michael Keimeg, and Whitney Sewell ((CENTRAL WEST END LAMPS))

Juard Van Dijkhorst ((POCKET DOORS!))

This sculpture, by Bill Christman, has become not just a geographical landmark but a landmark of personal growth, too. My bandmate and I started playing open mics at Foam a little over a year ago, and the Cherokee Business District and community within has become an integral part of my life in St. Louis.
... I gave this sculpture that Christman hates, but I so dearly love, a long-overdue hug KATE PETERSON SEE NEXT SLIDE

Kate Peterson from the SpotOns (FOAM Open Mic) ((CHEROKEE STREET SCULPTURE))

Kate Peterson with Maude, her rescued Dachshund ((GATEWAY LOCAL DACHSHUND OWNERS SOCIETY [LODOWN]))

Law is part of Law and Order created by Benjamin Hawkins as a Federal Public Works Administration project. They are sculpted out of Indiana limestone and were completed in 1935. I just think they are cool in all their Art Deco goodness. They are a hell of a lot bigger then you think.
-RYAN REED, LANDMARKS ASSOCIATION OF ST. LOUIS

Ryan Reed ((LAW AT THE CUSTOMS HOUSE, A.K.A. CARNAHAN COURTHOUSE DOWNTOWN))

Mallory Nezam ((BIKING OVER THE HIGHWAY 40 OVERPASS))

R. Mutt ((THE LOO))

Rob Holzrichter ((FAMILY))

Emily Beck, Clark Kent, Kevin Ellison ((Saint Louis Superman))

Submitted by Jeremy Mehrle ((STL STyLeHOUSE ON CHEROKEE))

Jeanette Reynolds, Program Manager, St. Louis Earth Day ((RECYCLING IN ST. LOUIS))

Mary Cullins ((JACK BUCK))

Mary Cullins ((JACK BUCK)) TITLE: HUGGING MY IDOL, JACK BUCK!

Kara Bellavia ((PEARSON HOUSE WEBSTER UNIVERSITY))

Christina Chulka ((VESS BOTTLE 520 OFALLON))

Kara Bellavia ((TOWER GROVE PARK))

Christina and Raleigh Chulka ((PEGGY, OWNER OF WORLDS FAIR DONUTS))

Kara Bellavia ((OLD NORTH ST. LOUIS))

Christina Chulka ((THOMAS COFFEE FOREST PARK SOUTHEAST))

Christina and Raleigh Chulka; Kara Bellavia and Henry Bellavia-Lang ((HARTFORD COFFEE COMPANY))

Matt Fernandez ((REHABBING IN OLD NORTH ST. LOUIS))

Matt Fernandez ((REHABBING IN OLD NORTH ST. LOUIS))

METRO ST. LOUIS (Bi-State) ((METROLINK))

METRO ST. LOUIS (Bi-State) ((METRO CALL-A-RIDE))

METRO ST. LOUIS (Bi-State) ((METROBUS))

Court Sloger and Chris Mueller ((FERAROS PIZZA SOULARD))

Court Sloger ((4 HANDS BREWING CO.))

Chris Mueller ((BOGARTS - SOULARD))

Court Sloger ((SOULARD MARKET))

Brian ((TOWER GROVE PARK))

Chris Mueller

Brandon Willams ((SAINT LOUIS BLUES))

Karen Hoyt ((LAMBERT AIRPORT))

Karen Hoyt ((BISSINGERS CHOCOLATES))

Louie Quigle hugs ((BUSCH STADIUM))

Louie Quigle ((VIVIANOS ON THE HILL))

Vadim Scoreatin ((SCIENCE CENTER BLUE ANGELS PLANE))

Nick Frisella ((METRO LIGHTING))

Christa Frisella ((FOUNDATION GROUNDS))

Nikki and Lindsey ((CITY ACADEMY))

City Officials Working and Playing Together!

((Neighborhood Stabilization Officer Michael Powers & Alderman Scott Ogilvie, @ Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee))

Grace, Jake, Pradeep, Greg, Dr. Devi States, and Connie States ((EVEREST CAF, THE GROVE))

Greg Cooper, Jake Narup, Pradeep Rajendran ((HANDLEBAR, THE GROVE))

Jake Narup, Grace Hogan, Greg Cooper

((NEBULA COWORKING, JEFFERSON & CHEROKEE))

Jake Narup, Pradeep Rajendran, Greg Cooper

((CITYGARDEN))

Josie Griffin ((ST. LOUIS ZOO SCULPTURE))

Cameron and Janine Gassel ((TURTLE PARK))

Kristin Gassel and St. Louis Superman ((BUSCH STADIUM))

Kristin Gassel ((ST. LOUIS CURIO SHOPPE 2301 CHEROKEE))

Laura Wimmer ((CITY OF ST. LOUIS))

Laura Wimmer ((CITY OF ST. LOUIS))

Dana Gray ((CYCLING IN ST. LOUIS))

Im Lewis Reed President of the Board of Aldermen in St Louis City. Im hugging MO one of my favorite St Louisans and one of the owners and operators of MoKaBes. We are at MoKaBes located at Arsenal and Grand, my favorite St Louis Coffee House. MO and MoKaBes represent what I love about St Louis: the rich Cultural Diversity, Friendly People, Neighborhood Businesses and Community Pride.

LEWIS REED, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ((MO COSTELLO OF MOKABES))

SEAN THOMAS ((CROWN SQUARE, OLD NORTH ST. LOUIS))

SEAN THOMAS ((FAMILY, IN CITYGARDEN))

Ebony Wilson ((THERAPY BOUTIQUE, OLD NORTH ST. LOUIS))

PHIL JARVIS ((MORGAN STREET BREWERY))

Kathy Piloski, submitted by Christopher Castellanos ((WORLDS LARGEST CHESS PIECE))

((AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ST. LOUIS LOCAL GROUP #105))

THE END!
Did you vote for your favorite yet? Proceed to the Old North Gallery to vote on YOUR FAVORITE of the Top 20 GROUPHUG St. Louis 2012 photos as selected by CITY AFFAIR