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Weathering the storm: How Missouri garden centers are staying afloat during COVID-19

Tammy Behm’s startup might have the perfect offering to reflect how the COVID-19 pandemic has hit small businesses like hers.
“We came up with some fun names for our gift packages, just to give people a smile,” said Behm, owner of Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop, which opened in May 2018 in Webster Groves, near St. Louis. “We have a package of succulents, and it’s called ‘Everything Succs.’”
Things aren’t quite so lighthearted when planning for the next few months, though. MORE



2020 Women's Justice Awards: Ida S. Shafaie

Like many successful attorneys, Ida S. Shafaie said she knew from an early age she wanted to be involved in the law.
Not too many of those attorneys created artwork to show that, however.
“At some point in elementary school, in one of those projects where you tell people what you think you’ll be doing, I drew a picture of me sitting behind a judge’s bench — or what I thought was a judge’s bench — with a placard that says, ‘Judge Ida.’ I think it was in second grade,” said Shafaie, an associate at Armstrong Teasdale.
Fewer still are fueled by a passion for pizza — specifically Imo’s Pizza, which Shafaie called her favorite food in the whole world. MORE



ESPN's 'Baseball Tonight' crew has fun working hard

ESPN's Peter Gammons has the perfect solution for Major League Baseball's regular-season troubles in Florida: Build a domed stadium to house a major-league team near the intersection of interstates 4 and 75.
We'll come back to that issue because right now the white-haired Gammons is standing in a fake shower scene, wearing a towel across his waist, sandals and nothing else.
Not exactly something you see every day. MORE



Diversity & Inclusion Awards: J. Danielle Carr

Sometimes people find their life’s passion at an early age. And sometimes, that passion finds them in unusual ways.
J. Danielle Carr knew from the time she became a big fan of “Perry Mason” that she wanted to be a litigator, but her true professional passion started by throwing parties. MORE



Solar Eclipse: Fans upset about pro hockey leaving, perhaps for good

The Orlando Solar Bears and the Charlestown Chiefs from the movie Slap Shot have a lot in common.
Too much, in fact.
Think about it: The Solar Bears, like the Chiefs, continued winning amid a slumping economy and rumors about their future while galvanizing a small but fiercely loyal following. Unfortunately for the Solar Bears, their season and the 1977 movie ended the same way: The hometown team won the championship but ended up folding, leaving a city without hockey. MORE



Ranking the 2018 Cardinals fan giveaways: From grand slams to strikeouts

Like most big-league teams, the St. Louis Cardinals offer plenty of freebies for ticketholders who attend games. As if offering $5 beer wasn't enough. Of course, not all giveaways are created equal. So, in a sports world that loves a hot take, enjoy this guide to the team's 2018 offerings.
Remember: Freebies requiring a special theme ticket aren't included, and this list is to be taken as absolute truth, or at least until cowboy hats become a hot ballpark fashion trend (or we get a better look at some of these items). Oh, and even items ranked toward the bottom are still free, so don't even try to pretend you wouldn't take one if you're at the game. MORE



10 no-nos for fans at the Honda Classic

So, you want to watch some of the world’s best golfers up close and have some fun when they come to PGA National for the Honda Classic?
Cool. But here are some don’t-do items many fans may not have considered. For instance, at the Honda Classic:
* DON’T wear a Speedo. Like … ever, really. MORE



In-House Counsel Awards: Mary Ann Mackey

As Mary Ann Mackey tells it, ending up at Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. was “very random.”
The lifelong St. Louis resident was working in the real estate department at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale in 2007, and she was sitting at the desk of the law firm’s in-house counsel when Build-A-Bear called to say the company was looking for an attorney to do leases for a real estate network. MORE



Why'd you have to leave so soon? Damn dog

When we visited the shelter in 2006 to get a dog, I didn’t think you were quite the right dog for us.
You looked so scrawny, seemed really skittish, and your bark was kind of yippy. But, as we’d learn you could do with almost anyone, you won over my then-girlfriend (now my wife) and seemed playful enough, so we brought you home.
And then that first day while we were getting to know each other, you chomped me on the arm.
Damn dog. MORE



Baby Across America Tour: Behind the music

They tried to warn me. They really did.
After first sharing plans for our Baby Across America Tour, nearly everyone – friends, family, neighbors - responded with wide eyes and one word: Why?
They had a point. MORE



New competition for St. Louis in bid for MLS expansion team?

St. Louis appears to have another competitor in its quest to land Major League Soccer's final expansion team.
On Tuesday, Sacramento seems to have jumped into the pack of front-runners, when city mayor Darrell Steinberg announced billionaire Ron Burkle agreed to buy controlling interest in Sacramento Republic FC, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Burkle, whose net worth has been estimated at $2 billion by Forbes magazine, owns the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and twice has tried to buy the NBA's Sacramento Kings.
Republic FC currently plays in United Soccer League, though with a major influx in cash, this news appears to push Sacramento alongside St. Louis, Detroit and Phoenix in a group of front-runners for an expansion team. MORE



When TV blends with technology: What the future might hold

When you sit down to watch TV, do you ever wish you could make what's on screen come to life?
Well, within a matter of years, that'll be virtually possible. Better buckle up, it's time to go racing.
You're watching the Daytona 500 when the network breaks for a commercial. But instead of changing the channel, you push a special button on your remote and suddenly the race returns.
Only now you're on the track driving a Winston Cup car in real time. See, there's a reason we told you to buckle up. MORE



Video shows people twerking atop SUV driving down St. Louis interstate

Heavy snow affects people differently.
Some grumble and curse their bad luck as they bundle up and wish for warmer weather. Some head to Art Hill and spend the day sledding.
And some embrace the near-freezing weather by ditching coats and climbing atop on the roof of an SUV to dance their cares away — while the vehicle drives in rush-hour traffic. MORE



'Living while black' harassment takes spotlight in 2018, including in St. Louis

This year, incidents of African-Americans being harassed by whites, police or both for doing ordinary things made their way into the national consciousness.
The St. Louis area was no exception, with a handful of notable moments happening here. MORE



2015 NFL Draft: Winners and losers

Yes, it's generally smart to wait a couple of years before getting a true handle on judging an NFL Draft class. But who wants to wait that long?
The 2015 draft is over, this year's Mr. Irrelevant has been named, and we assume Mel Kiper Jr. finally put away his sunglasses.
Or, at least we hope he has. Time to judge the draft's winners and losers, on and off the draft board.
Let's do this. MORE



ESPN loses its focus

Dear ESPN -- oops, I mean, Dear Worldwide Leader:
We need to talk.
Normally I wouldn't do this in public, but you don't seem to listen any other way.
Look, a lot of other people have been saying things behind your back, and, well, they're right. We're starting to drift apart, and it's all because of your most prized possession, SportsCenter. MORE



Poll: Should the Super Bowl be on a Saturday?

As the Super Bowl kicks off Sunday night, we know what some fans are thinking: since many already consider game day as sacred as a national holiday, why not just play the game on a Saturday night?
Sounds smart, right?
Turns out, there are some facts to back that up. MORE



Best places to play golf in Palm Beach County

With scores of golf courses across Palm Beach County, finding a place to take out the clubs and unleash the driver isn’t a problem.
Finding a good, accessible course, especially during the busy winter and early spring months, can be, however.
Keeping in mind any list of top courses or best places to play is subjective, these rank among the list of worthy spots to spend a picture-perfect South Florida day in what could be called golf’s world capital. MORE



Take the BSAT: Baseball Statistical Aptitude Test

Think you know baseball stats? Then take your chances at pitching a perfect quiz.
And just like pitching a perfect game, mowing down opponents becomes increasingly difficult the deeper into the game you go.
You won't need a calculator, but you will need your best stuff to go the distance. MORE



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