July 5 - 18, 2013

West End Word | Page 7

MAILBAG
Pity David Linzee, the poor Gutter Bunny! (West End Word column, June 21) One hopes that Mr. Linzee never will be ticketed for blowing a red light, doored by the occupant of a parked car, sideswiped by the driver of an SUV, or right hooked by a motorist at an intersection. And one further hopes that the twowheeled Gutter Bunny never, ever will hop up along the right side of a truck. CyclingSavvy teaches how to avoid these dangers and many more as part of an overall philosophy that bicyclists should be a normal and respected part of the traffic flow, with the attendant rights and responsibilities of all other road users. While there may be true believers among some CyclingSavvy instructors, as Mr. Linzee asserts, there are few, if any, dogmatic and doctrinaire true beliefs. When the traffic lane is too narrow to share, bicyclists should control the lane. But when the lane is wide enough to share safely, share the lane if the rider so chooses. And on a narrow, two-lane street, courteously control and release motorists as the situation and the bicyclists safety warrant. Traffic is dynamic, but paint and rules are static. Prior to writing his column, Mr. Linzee took only the classroom session of the three-part CyclingSavvy class. But the classroom portion acquires its greatest credibility only within the context of the other two parts a bikeskills training session and the piece de

Send letters to: 122 W. Lockwood, 2nd Floor, St. Louis, Mo. 63119 or email: editor@westendword.com

On Judging Cycling Savvy

resistance of the entire trilogy, the onroad tour of St. Louis. Imagine Mr. Linzee using his critical literary and intellectual skills to write a review of T.S. Eliots oeuvre based solely upon a reading of Old Possums Book of Practical Cats! The result might be good for a few laughs, and the occasional happy turn of the phrase, but it would leave one asking, Wheres the (rabbit) meat? Hopefully not in the gutter. Harold Karabell St. Louis

Ackermanns Swim Program: Teaching children 4 to 11 the life skill of swimming and water safety in Kirkwood for over 60 years. Visit ASPKirkwood.com and download application.

Ackermanns Swim Program

Teaching children to swim in Kirkwood for over 60 years. 4-11 year olds.
See Website for dates

Arts in Motion offers an uplifting, noncompetitive and excellent dance education for ages 2 and up. Free trial class and studio tour. Call 314-968-4583 or visit artsinmotion-stl.com for more information. Brentwood Congregational Church Early Childhood Center (314-9620537) serves children 8 months to 5 years. Since 1985 BCCEEC has provided a positive attitude towards learning and a foundation for school success. Faith Academy of Montessori (314961-1411, faithacademyofmontessori. com) is in a 100-year-old train station. The director and assistant director have guided this Montessori program since 1982, believing in childrens creative potential, drive to learn and right to be treated as individuals. Children thrive and learn, develop concentration, motivation, self-discipline, independence and a love for learning. St. Louis Gym Centre (314-968-9494, www.stlouisgymcentre.com) offers gymnastic instructions for ages one to adult. Summer 5-day and half-day camps available. Birthday parties, field trips and adult open workout.

Food For Thought

David, I enjoyed sitting in the CyclingSavvy class with you, as mentioned in the June 21 West End Word column. I have been riding since I was a kid, raced bikes in high school and college, and have been commuting by bike daily in St. Louis for a decade. I know a thing or two about riding. And I have to tell you, Im not all with the CyclingSavvy philosophy. Yes, it is very important to learn how to handle a bike and be smart about riding in traffic. As a rider, there are times when you have to take a lane, and Im glad I have the right to do so. But I much prefer to ride in a bike lane, and just about every rider I talk to does as well. Like you, this class gave me food for thought and I wrote a few words down myself here: http://safetga.org/?p=133 Matt Wyczalkowski St. Louis

1044 Curran Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 Call: 314-821-1070

ASPKirkwood.com
e-mail: aspkirkwood@icloud.com

Download applications at:

Nominated for best summer sports camp in 2011 by St. Louis Magazine

ENROLLING NOW
E w g No lliN o Nr

2 5/16 x 3 3/4 Brentwood Congregational ChurCh

Early Childhood CEntEr

since 1985

Come Grow With Us!

8 months - 5 years mon/tues/wed/Thurs 9:15 a.m.2:15 p.m. 2400 S. Brentwood Blvd. Brentwood 314-962-0537
315 W. Pacific Webster Groves 314-968-9494

Duffs: A Run Of A Lifetime

Our family is truly heartbroken about the closing Duffs (West End World, June 21). I started working there in the 1970s, made hundreds of friends, ahhh Bill Oberbeck, the Balabans, Jon Prel and Frank Mormino, all classics! And then I married my boss, Tim, and raised five beautiful children, Brendan, Colleen, Maggie, Beth and Caitlin! But that legend lives on, especially for the CWE residents who graced our doors and became friends that we will always remember and cherish. So, if I may speak for Tim and Karen: It was a run of a lifetime and were glad we were born in the CWE! Peace. Joni Kirby Saint Louis

www.stlouisgymcentre.com

movement,

innovation,

dance.
Creative, inspiring, developmentally appropriate dance and movement classes for ages 2 and up Parent observation at all times Degreed, professional instructors

Join us for Gymnastics!

We offer classes ages 1 - adult! New School Year Sessions... online information available Aug. 1!!

I can still recall starting River Styx at Duffs and how naturally we all felt at home. The tapes from those years are now in Special Collections at Washington University. Heres to all of the decades of memories youve engendered! Jan Castro New York

Duffs Memories Live On

Join us weekly for Adult Open Workout!

Your child can finish summer by attending any of our 1/2 day camps offered every Monday & Thursday now through We are offering August 1! one more full day, full week camp August 5-9. We offer... Birthday Parties & Field Trips

FALL open house

Saturday, Aug. 17 11 a.m. 4 p.m.

Fall Classes Begin August 28

3205 S. Brentwood, 2nd Floor Webster Groves 314.968.4583

Register Online: artsinmotion-stl.com

FREE trial class and studio tour.

Help End Breast Cancer

The St. Louis community has again shown its support for breast cancer research through its annual participation in the Komen Race for the Cure. In addition to these fundraising efforts, we need to advocate for the type of research that will lead us to the end of breast cancer. In 1991, 119 U.S. women died every day from breast cancer. In 2012, it was 108 daily deaths. Weve made some progress in terms of treatment, side effects and less invasive and drastic surgeries. But in terms of the real goal saving lives the results are at best mediocre. Bold, new ideas are needed. The National Breast Cancer Coalition is trying to change the conversation by bringing a sense of urgency with its Breast Cancer Deadline 2020. At the center of this work is the Artemis Project, a collection of catalytic collaborations on developing a preventative breast cancer vaccine and addressing the causes and prevention of metastasis. We, as advocates, are leading this change as we set the agenda and bring scientists and policy makers together to implement this plan of action to know how to end breast cancer. For details, go to www.BreastCancerDeadline2020. org. Mary Grassi, Glendale Bev Riola, University City Co-Presidents St. Louis Breast Cancer Coalition

Faith academy oF montessori

Where your child can GroW

Faith Academy provides a peaceful, nurturing Montessori environment, where children are respected as individuals and can learn at their own pace. Under the loving direction of our experienced educators, children develop a positive self image and a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime.

Educating Children ages 2 1/2 6 since 1982

44 N. Gore iN Webster Groves 314-961-1411 faithacademyofmontessori.com