Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
A city magazine, by definition, spans a lot of territory—even in a single issue.
Want to learn more about substantive local matters? Read DJ Wilson’s in-depth report on the Turner case and public education in St. Louis (p. 212). Wilson spoke at length with Gina Breitenfeld, the sole remaining plaintiff in the Turner case, the high-profile legal battle that’s continuing after five years, more than $1 million in legal fees, and multiple court rulings. The resulting story zooms in tight on the regional issues surrounding public education. Ray Hartmann also examines the Saint Louis Zoo and a critical article in The New York Times, exploring the costs of saving endangered species (p. 92). Or consider our annual doctors features (p. 97): Beyond the peer-selected Best Doctors list (p. 128), we have articles about a history-making infertility specialist, a globe-trotting doctor who’s preserving public health, and a nurse/pharmacist who kept a diary during her stem-cell transplant.
Seeking escape from everyday life? Read about the exploits of private investigator Joe Adams and kayaker Mike Bezemek. You might recognize Adams’ name from the headline-making divorce case between Ray Vinson and Deanna Daughhetee, but there’s far more to his story, as staff writer Jeannette Cooperman reveals (p. 206). And Bezemek shares a first-person account of a harrowing nighttime trip down the Mississippi River (p. 218), one adventure among many for the outdoorsman.
Hoping to explore the city’s classical traditions? Savor our 12-page feature on Italian food in St. Louis (p. 184)—a multicourse, coverworthy story in itself. The restaurants range from traditional places like Giovanni’s on the Hill and Paul Manno’s Café to modern establishments like Acero and Cielo, and respected entrepreneurs Dominic Galati, Charlie Gitto Sr., and others share the secrets of their restaurants’ longevity. In this month’s Q&A (p. 234), Vince Bommarito Sr. gives an unprecedented account of his years as our five-star restaurateur. And photographer Whitney Curtis poignantly captures life on The Hill (p. 198), that most beloved neighborhood at the heart of the city.
That’s not to mention all of our other stories—on chess queen Susan Polgar (p. 226), a club of fervent breweriana collectors (p. 69), the region’s jumble of dialects (p. 75), an up-and-coming tennis star (p. 85), and one dining critic’s observations of another Midwest metro area’s quirks (p. 89).
Spend time perusing this issue’s 432 pages, and you’ll find a magazine as richly diverse as the city it covers.
