February 1, 2019

Helping Existing Energy Infrastructure Generate More Energy with Less Fuel & Less Pollution

https://hecmedia.org/posts/helping-existing-energy-infrastructure-generate-more-energy-with-less-fuel-less-pollution/

St. Louis-based ThermoAI is using artificial intelligence and internet of things to optimize combustion for power plants and industry. The company claims the technology can save millions in fuel and reduce emissions. The ThermoAI team includes a machine-learning Ph.D. from Oxford, a chemical engineer and a published applied AI expert. The company says it’s increasing combustion efficiency by three to five percent with its existing proof-of-concepts. ThermoAI is a 2018 Arch Grants Global Startup Competition award winner.

January 31, 2019

Helping Existing Energy Infrastructure Generate More Energy with Less Fuel & Less Pollution

https://hecmedia.org/posts/helping-existing-energy-infrastructure-generate-more-energy-with-less-fuel-less-pollution/

St. Louis-based ThermoAI is using artificial intelligence and internet of things to optimize combustion for power plants and industry. The company claims the technology can save millions in fuel and reduce emissions. The ThermoAI team includes a machine-learning Ph.D. from Oxford, a chemical engineer and a published applied AI expert. The company says it’s increasing combustion efficiency by three to five percent with its existing proof-of-concepts. ThermoAI is a 2018 Arch Grants Global Startup Competition award winner.

January 31, 2019

This Day In Missouri History

The first Missouri train robbery by the James Gang took place on this date. It was at Gads Hill. After the robbery, Jesse gave the conductor a written press release so the information would be reported accurately.

https://www.missourilife.com/january-31-1874/

January 29, 2019

St. Louis Prepares To Launch 'Dollar House' Program

St. Louis homebuyers will soon be able to purchase some city-owned properties at a deep discount.

The going rate? One dollar.

Beginning this month, the Land Reutilization Authority will sell certain residential properties in the city’s land bank through the “Dollar House” pilot program. It’s part of an effort to reduce the number of vacant, city-owned properties and revitalize fading neighborhoods.

St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, D-21st Ward, sponsored a resolution to create the pilot program, which passed last September.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/st-louis-prepares-launch-dollar-house-program

January 29, 2019

St. Louis Police Officer Charged In Death Of Fellow Officer

Updated 5:45 p.m. Friday with charges filed — An officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has been charged with two felonies in the Thursday shooting death of another officer.

Nathaniel R. Hendren, 29, faces involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action charges in the killing of 24-year-old Katlyn Alix. The incident happened early Thursday morning at Hendren’s apartment in the 700 block of Dover Place in the Carondelet neighborhood.

Prosecutors say Hendren, who was on duty, and Alix, who was off duty, were playing a Russian roulette-like game with a revolver, pointing the gun at each other and pulling the trigger. Hendren shot Alix in the chest when the gun fired. She was pronounced dead at St. Louis University Hospital.

Hendren’s patrol partner, who has not been identified and was not charged, told police he had told Hendren and Alix to stop playing with guns, and had turned to leave the apartment when he heard the shot.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/st-louis-police-officer-charged-death-fellow-officer

January 29, 2019

Too cold for free chicken: Chick-fil-A cancels grand opening campouts at new St. Louis County restau

Two new Chick-fil-A restaurants will open as planned in north St. Louis County Thursday but the openings will be without the outdoor lines and giveaways that typically accompany the chain's grand opening events.

Chick-fil-A usually invites the first 100 customers at a new location to wait in line up to 24 hours before the doors open to be eligible to win free Chick-fil-A for a year.

But the cold weather and wind chills in the St. Louis area this week prompted the Atlanta-based chain to cancel the planned campouts and giveaways for restaurants opening in Bridgeton and Florissant.

The safety of our Team Members and customers is our utmost priority," Chick-fil-A said in a statement. "We have been monitoring the weather closely, and due to forecasts predicting below-zero wind chills, the First 100 Campout event at our new restaurants in Bridgeton and Florissant has been canceled."

https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/too-cold-for-free-chicken-chick-fil-a-cancels-grand/article_046f2f11-895f-583d-bf47-a69afa00b353.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest

January 29, 2019

Better together? A plan for a united St. Louis is revealed

The nonprofit group Better Together on Monday unveiled its much anticipated plan to ask voters to merge St. Louis city and county, a move that its organizers said was necessary to help the region compete nationally and internationally.

A combined St. Louis would be safer, more prosperous and more fair than the sum of its parts, the group said in a report issued on Monday. And it would save the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

The group said it will undertake a $25 million campaign to put a St. Louis city-county merger vote on a statewide ballot in November 2020.

For the first time, the public can read the group’s recommendations and blueprint for creating a new “metropolitan city” to be superimposed over existing local governments.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/better-together-a-plan-for-a-united-st-louis-is/article_cf8f6b80-9ac1-595e-8cff-3d5e35f5f60b.html

While the area is in serious need of reform and streamlined government, I find that this plan has two issues to which I object, the first being the statewide involvement in local affairs and the contribution of Rex Sinquefield who seems to believe he knows what is best for everyone and is willing to put lots of his money into making sure his views triumph.

January 29, 2019

Florissant intersection mirrors wave of brick-and-mortar box stores shutting their doors

FLORISSANT • Take a look around where Lindbergh Boulevard and New Halls Ferry Road meet, and you’ll see a snapshot of the glut of box-store closures here and nationwide.

At the Shoppes at Cross Keys, the Pier 1 is in its final days. Pieces of furniture and home decor are being sold for up to 50 percent off, as well as store fixtures and equipment.

The shopping center lost its Barnes & Noble in 2014, and the O’Charley’s restaurant closed recently.

Across the street, the Lowe’s shut down two weeks ago.

https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/florissant-intersection-mirrors-wave-of-brick-and-mortar-box-stores/article_94f32c2a-4fcc-5215-9ad5-e7aa6f388f17.html


For the many unfamiliar with the St. Louis area. Florissant is a suburb in the Northern part of St. Louis County, nearby communities include Ferguson, Hazelwood, Berkely and Bridgeton.

January 14, 2019

N.Y. Today: Can Anyone Solve the Vacant Storefront Problem?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/nyregion/newyorktoday/new-york-news-vacant-storefronts.html

As you walked to the train this morning, you probably passed an empty storefront. Perhaps even two or three.

These empty storefronts are representative of businesses that disappear as a result of rising rents and the popularity of online retailers.

It’s a troubling trend we looked at in September, and it seems to be getting worse.

Recently, Cornelia Street Café in the West Village closed after four decades, thanks to a rent increase, the owners said.

I don't see a tax on landlords as being the solution to this issue, but in concert with other ideas (including reducing sales taxes or at least not hiking them further) communities across the country may be able to assist local Retailers to hang on.

January 8, 2019

My Response to The "Border Crisis" Speech Tonight

and the networks who have elected to broadcast it...

1). I am not watching. If his lips are moving he is lying hence no real reason to watch.

2). Emails to those networks who have chosen to air the speech criticizing their decision.

3). A Donation to The ACLU https://www.aclu.org/donate-aclu?ms=web_horiz_nav_hp

That's the best I can come up with for now. Any other ideas are welcome.