riots in ferguson, missouri

[Gary Cooper]

Are there any expected or present problems the rioting in Ferguson, MO presents to the ISGC this month?

[Steve Hitsman]

Not close enough to the Marriot for concern.

[Gary Cooper]

According to the news tonight the riots have now moved to the Arch in St. Louis.

[Sandra Scott-Wall]

Still not close enough for concern.

[Don Lanier]

No the riots have not moved to the Arch, thats a false report, they had a PEACE RALLY on the Arch Grounds and it was completely peaceful, The "Riots" which are located in a small suburb of St Louis arent anywhere near the show, and there isnt any issues in that area....while this certainly has been a Black eye for the city, it is nowhere near the new hotel and is not moving through the entire city, St Louis needs your prayers for healing over an unfortunate incident.

RIOTS is actually not a good term, never has there been more then a few hundred people down there...The News Media has blown this wayyy out of proportion...its sad what happened to a young man, but also sad for a police officer and a community, please pray for the legal system and justice to be served

The hotel is safe and secure.

[David Hubenak]

My wife and I have attended the St Louis show for now what will be the 21st year. My concern is that prior to our flight back to Houston Sunday evening we would like to take the Metro-Link to downtown, exit at Stadium Station, and stroll by the stadium in route to the Arch area. I am not sure where all this unrest is taking place, and should we just forget about the idea?

[Jim Cohen]

David, it's nowhere near the stadium and Arch. You'll be fine. By the way, you do realize that the convention has been moved to the Airport Marriott and is no longer at the Millennium Hotel by the Arch, right?

[David Hubenak]

Jim,

Thanks for the response, and yes we are looking forward to the new venue for the ISGC near the airport. I understand there will be no Sunday segment of the convention, and since we have a late flight back to Houston we just thought it would be fun to go back and hang around the stadium and/or Arch via the Metro Link. The Cardinals have a home stand with the Cubs that weekend. The Convention always seemed more fun when the Cardinals were in town, and I felt that the post game fireworks were both a tribute to the Cardinals and the great steel guitarist in town for that weekend.

See you in St. Louis, and look forward to your great playing. We will come up and say Hi.

[Bill Dobkins]

Ferguson is east of Lambert Airport. I would guess about 2 mile from the convention.

[Don Lanier]

I would call the St Louis CVB and ask about ARCH access, that entire area down there is under massive construction, they are enclosing the interstate putting a cover over it, and building a huge greenspace down there, many exits and walkways , sidewalks are under construction, down by the ballpark village is amazing, lots to see and do, but PRICEY...Im not sure if you cant catch metrolink down there, I would call the St Louis Convention and Visitors, CVB.....

(314) 241-5888
http://explorestlouis.com/

[David Hubenak]

Thanks to all for the input regarding downtown St Louis. Sad state of affairs in that city at present.

[Kevin Raymer]

To anyone who can answer..

This would be my first trip to this convention.

I had intended to bring my wife with me.

While she tollerates my playing as long as I stay in the baement and don't crank up too loud, I doubt she's gonna be up for 3 days of non stop pedal steel.

I was kinda counting on her maybe being able to go out shopping or something some on her own.

And while a few hundred people generating unrest may not be a "riot" to some, for a country boy from south central Kentucky, it sounds pretty darn close.

Can anyone say, are there "things" ( malls, shops, crafts, etc...) in the vacinity of the hotel or at least within short driving distance AND away from the disturbed areas.

Or should I just leave her at home, which might mean I get to leave me at home too...

Thought ???

Thanks in advance for any input...

[Steve Hitsman]

There's plenty to do in St. Louis. West on I70 a short distance then south on I270 she'll find all the shopping she wants at several malls, West County, Plaza Frontenac, etc. South on I170 to Clayton and The Galleria. The zoo, brewery tour, art museum, history museum, and the dog museum are all free or relatively inexpensive.

[Jack Stoner]

West on I70 around St Charles is another option for shopping.

There's casino's at St Charles, too.

[Kevin Raymer]

Thanks for the info.

I'll have to keep her away from the casino though or I'll be riding back to Kentucky in a $250,000 motor vehicle......

A Greyhound buss......

[Don Lanier]

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=108

http://www.taubmanprestigeoutlets.com/

http://www.saintlouisgalleria.com/

There is some great shopping in the area, and heres a few of the most popular,

http://www.chesterfield-mall.com/

I doubt if youll even see the protests, where this is accurring is into the city of Ferguson, its a small contained area near where the initial Issue occurred, there is Great Food, Shopping and I might call the St Louis CVB And see what they might offer coupons , deals Bus Trips etc...

[Don Lanier]

St Charles has great Antique, Shops, Restaurants and quaint Cobblestone streets etc, its a pretty cool place to visit,

http://www.historicstcharles.com/about-us/history/

[Don Lanier]

There are new Casinos in St Louis, of course

http://www.hollywoodcasinostlouis.com/

http://www.lumiereplace.com/casino/

If your up for a short drive my Hometown of Alton IL has a street of Antique shops....and a Casino .....and some really historic sites, The Lincoln Douglas Debate Site. the Elijah P Lovejoy Memorial, The Confederate prison site, One of Americas most scenic drives down the Great River road....theres lots to do ...

http://www.visitalton.com/

[Brad Sarno]

Absolutely no need to fear any unrest in St. Louis. It was very concentrated, and the national media made it look like extreme mayhem. It was really concentrated and the actual violence and "rioting" was quite small. The scene was overwhelming though with the highly militarized and kind of scared/freaked-out police misbehavior and novice response to crowd control. And of course the very few percent of people that were doing the looting and making it a real mess for everyone else. Ferguson is quite peaceful at the moment. My daughter delivered goods to a church there the other day and had no fear or concern. But my main point is that right now in St. Louis, it's a non-issue, not a concern at all.

For people wanting to get away from the convention and do some shopping, I agree, a quick trip west to Old St. Charles would be ideal. It's a nice long stretch of historical buildings and a variety of shopping and food and snacks, and a nice view of the Missouri Riverfront. Just minutes away. Beats the heck out of a soul-less, culture-sucking shopping mall.

Brad

[Fred Rushing]

My beloved CUBS are in town for the weekend too. Sunday afternoon game I believe. can't beat that with a hammer. Go CUBBIES.

Hey Brad> See you at the seminar.

Fred

[Steve Hitsman]

Would that be the last place Cubs, Fred?

[Fred Rushing]

Really doesn't matter as long as we beat the Deadbirds.