Blinders Off

Why recreate Victorian era funeral practices? What do antique traditions have to teach us in the modern day? In our final episode of 2018, we also explore the myths and facts surrounding “dead ringers,” the decline of the Campbell Family, leeches, and post-mortem photography. Visit us at www.blindersoff.show Additional show notes and research available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gBgyntxGzIc8h4wUKgurRzdCpt_5ssMR7MWveQXqpoI/edit?usp=sharing Send us feedback, thoughts, and ideas for episodes: [email protected] Interview guests include: Katherine Kozemczak, http://www.mourningsociety.com/ John Avery, http://www.mourningsociety.com/ Hughes Funeral Alternatives, LLC: Our Homegrown guest offers Flameless Cremation, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation services. http://hughesfuneralalternatives.com/

The Victorian Mourning Society recreates an authentic St. Louis Funeral from the mid-1860’s. Follow us as we learn about the process of a traditional funeral during one of the most disastrous years in the City’s history. We also explore the life and demise of the 56th Colored Infantry of the Union Army. Visit us at www.blindersoff.show Additional show notes and research available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gBgyntxGzIc8h4wUKgurRzdCpt_5ssMR7MWveQXqpoI/edit?usp=sharing Send us feedback, thoughts, and ideas for episodes: [email protected] Special Thanks to the Mourning Society of St. Louis: The VMS authentically recreates Victorian Funerals and era-specific events meant to educate and entertain. http://www.mourningsociety.com/ Hughes Funeral Alternatives, LLC: Our Homegrown guest offers Flameless Cremation, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation services. http://hughesfuneralalternatives.com/

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Are we "overparked"? This might sound like an absurd question...until you research why and how the quality of St. Louis City Parks can vary so widely. In this episode, join Matt & Lucas as they explore the funding mechanisms that feed or starve parks, the history and operation of one of the city's crown jewels, and help us determine whether we have too much green space, or are lucky to have it! Parkscore A handy guide to measuring the size and quality of parks, great for your civics wonks and favorite researchers! https://parkscore.tpl.org/rankings_advanced.php#sm.00001obra6qb6udk8s03iat9qw0h7 Additional show notes and research available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V_Ev2ItzObk0pAsQuO5emqexUqTOg40hO_VqeDo5pD4/edit?usp=sharing Send us feedback, thoughts, and ideas for episodes: [email protected] Interview guests include: Bill Reininger Executive Director at Tower Grove Park https://www.towergrovepark.org/directory/ Kimberlee Haegele Parks Commissioner (2nd in command to the Director of Parks) https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/profiles/greg-hayes.cfm Park Picnic Project Local park enthusiasts who documented every park in St. Louis, and huge fans of picnic dining. https://www.instagram.com/parkpicnicproject/ http://parks.bestl.org/ Locality Studio Design firm, printmaking, art, and more! They feature city designs including St. Louis. Great gifts for any city lover, but especially cool watercolor designs featuring STL and it’s neighborhoods. https://localitystudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/localitystudio/

It's a one year anniversary for Blinders Off. We take a look back at Shotspotter, the gunfire detection technology St. Louis and major cities all over the US employ in the effort to reduce violent crime. We also talk to Jane Darst about NIBIN, a ballistics database for police and prosecutors. This is a mini-episode/update! Visit us at: http://www.blindersoff.show Our guests were: Jane Darst Police Prosecutor Partnership Initiative Grant Program Coordinator Lt. Colby Dolly Lieutenant at the St. Louis County Police Additional show notes and research are available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VkTgZWtSOMqVF2woWWLrBzj85wieA2dQADbfXsoPLOE/edit#heading=h.pfilhdqvsf1u Send us feedback, thoughts, and ideas for episodes: [email protected]

Our city is and has been a biking city. Don't believe us? We've got several stories that prove our point, including the 25th Bicycling Infantry, the Velodrome repairs, Bike sharing, Bworks, Ghost Bikes, and the upcoming Greenway Chouteau expansion. Join us as we explore the Twitter Troll horrors of Limebike fails, the City's permit for Bike sharing, the future of bicycling paths in St. Louis, and more. Visit us at: http://www.blindersoff.show Additional show notes and research are available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14cwU5Gp-M9jKrAHfuhXpFIhQ3_q0FYjNjRANGacjf_E/edit?usp=sharing Send us feedback, thoughts, and ideas for episodes: [email protected] Watch the "Velodrone" video here: https://youtu.be/ddOMB3ZdtUE Interview guests include: Patrick Van Der Tuin https://twitter.com/StlBicycleWorks Executive Director at Bworks, Creator of the first Ghost Bike http://www.bworks.org Scott Ogilvie https://twitter.com/ward24stl Alderman of the 24th Ward, Cyclist Deana Venker https://twitter.com/stlcityengineer St. Louis City Traffic Commissioner

In the 1870s, Grant's presidency was plagued by corruption. Among them, the Whiskey Ring Scandal stands out. St. Louis was the center of the illicit affair that resulted in millions stolen from the government from while simultaneously funding Grant's re-election. In some ways, however, the greed of the Gilded age hasn't gone way. Visit us at: Visit us at: http://wwww.blindersoff.show Show notes and research are available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J6Hggk0Mz0qk1765n2PzGYu7DNUbfP9M4kJTM9pkOyo/edit?usp=sharing

We explore the ways St. Louis loves and hates graffiti and other forms of public art. Visit us at: http://wwww.blindersoff.show Guests include: Wendell Phillips Berwick III Artist http://www.treetoons.com Jacquelyn Lewis-Harris Former UMSL Professor, now independent curator Carol Klein Author http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com Brightside STL http://www.brightsidestl.org DrRehab13 Chiropractor by day, rehabber by night https://www.instagram.com/drrehab13/ More info in the show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Stti1ZOp_yxgR91Cw0hEl3vNSndl9zZTjV0lYSigpzE/edit?usp=sharing

Lucas and Matthew investigate the St. Louis Stop, the notorious Compton Balls, and why STL streets are so weird. Visit us at our new website: blindersoff.show Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y0L9tV16E8boyUOPIOia9nxNQh7tTwRGLoFTLPr8qM4/edit?usp=sharing Guests include: Valerie Battle Kienzel, Author https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-Battle-Kienzle/e/B00DWNTOD6 http://www.valeriebattlekienzle.com/ Michael Allen, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Lecturer in American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis http://www.michael-allen.org/ Ellen Wottrich, Meet the City https://www.meetthecity.org/ Also, WITAF: https://www.evernote.com/l/AQKpNffU389ArrpyteViO4g7cOybF_YGz1I

Lucas and Matthew explore homeless recovery and aid in St. Louis. Visit us at: http://wwww.blindersoff.show Start Here, an excellent resource guide for homeless services: http://www.startherestl.org/ Guests: Bobbi “Cici” Holt with Hope For Tomorrow Ministries https://www.facebook.com/steveandcici.holt Eddie Roth, Lawyer, Former Director of Human Services https://twitter.com/eddieroth Zak MT Standridge, Author https://www.amazon.com/Zak-MT-Standridge/e/B076BYK99J Gene Schmitt, Senior Director of Coordinated Entry at Biddle Housing Opportunities Center Julie Straussman at Kingdom House http://www.kingdomhouse.org/ Emily Ludwig and Linda Alexander at Places for People https://www.placesforpeople.org/ Holly Schroeder with St. Louis Winter Outreach https://www.stlwinteroutreach.org/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/StLouisWinterOutreac/about/ Show notes with research and additional information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yOhTFDsLPbTbA2kOtYW_H3vhaF9R0fHyN1XSRelhkpo/edit