A reverence and respect for water is a universal theme, found in cultures from ancient Greece to the remote Pacific Island of Vanuatu. The ritual significance of water spans across the globe to include the Native American rain dance, Christian baptismal font, the gleeful splashing of the Songkran water festival of the Dai New Year and the solemn funeral pyre on the Ganges. Learning to manage water, whether it is a lot or a little, is an important part of our shared community. Well-handled water can be cleansing, refreshing, energizing. Out-of-control water has the power to drown and destroy, to wash away with time even the greatest of mountains.

Story: Katha has a high-powered job in the city that keeps her in high-stress mode. Her husband Ryu is a plastic surgeon who seems always to be on the run. One day, when Katha by chance meets a dapper fellow named Dean on the street and inquires about his ‘retro’ look, he hands her a brochure about the Society of Dynamic Obsolescence.

Communication is one of the very first skills we learn in order to navigate the world. As infants, we are quick to begin communicating our needs and respond to those around us. However, babies who are born with hearing disorders and children who lose their sense of hearing face a very different communication landscape—one that now involves technology and strategies to help them to communicate with the wider world.

Story: May ekes out an existence as a cook at a nameless place in a tiny town on the Mojave Desert. Her home is a drab motel room with a bed, a table, a couple of chairs and drinking glasses stored in the bathroom. Her life is dreary but made drastic as well by the unwelcome arrival of her former lover, Eddie.

Homeowners have long focused on their property’s ‘curb appeal,’ trying to create beautiful gardens in the front yard that will welcome visitors; and one day, entice potential buyers. But more and more people are seeing the value of sprucing up their backyards, as well, since that’s where families spend a lot of time in the warmer months, notes Jim Graeler, president of Chesterfield Valley Nursery.

Story: Two men converse on a nearly barren landscape. They appear to be in dire straits, although their now shabby clothes indicate they once held loftier places in society. They talk about a man named Godot, who has promised to visit them today, much like he has indicated numerous times in the 50 years they have waited. As of yet, though, they have never actually met this individual.

Colonial Marketplace, LN’s longtime digs, is continuing to see new tenants sign on amid the homestretch of renovation on the dining, retail  and office plaza.

Weather conditions and human activities affect the population of monarchs. And according to Dr. Chip Taylor, a continued decline could mean the migration of these butterflies could be lost.

ART & ANTIQUES

Versatile, comfortable and flattering, denim is not just for cowboys or weekend wear anymore. denim has undoubtedly become a staple in everyone's closet. And for spring, denim (and its sister, chambray) is more popular than ever, showing up in every shape and style. Pair your denim with white accessories for a fresh way to wear this much-loved fabric this season.

Feeling a little green-eyed towards someone else’s green thumb? MoBot horticulturists explain how can homeowners achieve formal gardens in St. Louis backyards.

It’s a common sentiment: You want to be healthy and you want your children to be healthy. Exercising with your children provides benefits outside the realm of fitness.

A 3-bedroom, 3-bath home in the Parkway School District is listed for $734,000.

Tee time approaching? You had better hope you’re heading to one of these spectacular Missouri golf courses. Never sub-par, these local courses offer some of the best views and amenities to golfers—and have the rankings and professional events to prove it.

You voted, we listened! Ladue News readers know what they like; and with this year's Platinum List, you've made your voices heard. This list compiles the best of St. Louis. 

New Planting Opportunities

Local landscapers unlock the gates to some of the area’s most fabulous gardens, from serene green escapes and sweet retreats to backyards bursting with colorful flora.

Marvelous Malachite

Today’s homebuyers are looking for move-in ready houses, real estate experts say. Here, local agents take us inside a Ladue residence to demonstrate how a few affordable upgrades can go a long way in boosting a home's curb appeal.