STL Free For All

This early in the baseball season, there’s still hope for everyone. Even the Cardinals fans who’ve spent all winter nay-saying have toned down their bluster. The honeymoon period is on, and I’m happy to spread the love of baseball a little further by publicizing two former players on book tours in St. Louis this week.

Ozzie Smith, of course, needs no introduction for St. Louisans. Well, maybe for kids he does, being as he’s been retired long enough to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002 … kids are probably more familiar with his son Nikko, of American Idol fame. And that’s where the book ties in, because the two collaborated on a story for Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul about a lucky coin Ozzie gave Nikko to see him through the audition process. They’ll be signing their book and Nikko’s CDs (but not sports memorabilia, apparently) at 2 p.m. at the Creve Coeur Borders store, 11745 Olive Blvd, on Saturday (Apr. 19).

The other author, Cal Ripken Jr., is a Hall of Famer too; he was inducted last year after playing 20 years for the Baltimore Orioles. His book is titled Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference. And considering his amazing ability to play no matter what — over the course of 16 years the “Iron Man” played in a record 2,632 consecutive games — I for one would definitely like to read his wisdom on sticking with it. He’ll be at the St. Louis Public Library’s Central branch, 1301 Olive St., on Tuesday (Apr. 23) at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but the first-come, first-seated limit is 300 people. It’s part of the new Great Rivers Authors Series, of which Left Bank Books is a sponsor (which means customers who’ve purchased his book there will get to go to the front of the line when book-signing time comes; Ripken will not autograph memorabilia). For details, visit the Left Bank Books events page or call 314.367.6731.

On Friday night there’s a clinic at The Alpine Shop in Kirkwood about how to care for skis and snowboards in between professional tune-ups. I’d have dismissed it out of hand … except that last winter our local sledding hill had its share of wannabe snowboarders using it as a bunny slope to learn the sport. And if parents have already shelled out on the gear, the kids should learn how to take care of it, right? Snow is snow, whether it’s in a city park or on an actual mountain. The free clinic is from 7 to 8:30, but you have to register at 314.962.7715.

We’re definitely not snowboarders, but we’ve bought our share of camping gear at The Alpine Shop (see the web site for a calendar of events and clinics). I always peruse the boards for info about trips and classes, imagining that I don’t have two little kids, and that I’m actually in shape enough to spend an active day adventure racing in the wilderness. The store is a nice resource for getting people in touch with groups of like-minded athletes (i.e. women who bike). And maybe 2008 will be the year I finally sign up for one of the free backpacking theory classes and actually take one of the adeventurous trips I daydream about — maybe even do it with a toddler in the backpack.

Mea culpa for getting the info wrong yesterday and sending folks to the City Museum a day early!  The food drive is Thursday.  Today’s info, I promise, has been extra-thoroughly vetted.

It’s another suggestion for burning off energy (and don’t we need that all the more now that the days are shorter and the yards are soggier????).   The wonderful outdoor skating rink in Forest Park opened last weekend, and it’s celebrating the new season on Saturday the 17th with free admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Skate rental is $2.50).  There will be some demos and contests tying up the ice for part of the day, but you can call ahead to 314.361.0613 (more info at the Steinberg Rink site) and find out when they’ll be.

If you see us there, M. will be the one examining the cracks in the ice, and the cool way the leaves have frozen into it, and the Zamboni shed, and anything else that captures his fleeting interest … but perhaps this is the year he finally masters the art of moving himself along under his own power.  That’ll free me up to resume my years-long quest to master the art of skating backward.

Yesterday at lunch, M. and another little hockey-loving classmate were talking about the Blues, with lots of POWs and BAMs and flailing arms that barely missed the milk.  Although they’re blessedly still too young to know whether their favorite team is good or bad, the Blues are in fact having a decent start to the season.  That makes it all the more fun for parents to get behind a trip waaay out to St. Louis Mills, where Blues practice sessions are open to the public.  Starting Saturday, there’s a six-day run (for times, visit the Ice Zone site).

In case you’re note familiar with the team, here’s a quick primer:  The leading goal-scorer is Brad Boyes, with nine.  When you add up goals and assists (both count as “points” in hockey), the leader is Paul Kariya.  Right up there too is fan favorite Keith Tckachuk.  In our household, the favorites are Doug Weight (my hockey-playing spouse’s pick for overall attitude) and Jamal Mayers (my pick for overall cuteness).