Every Friday night at sundown thousands of Jews in St. Louis and millions throughout the world begin celebrating the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a time of communal prayer, rest, study, and relaxation with family and friends.

One of the Sabbath laws derived from the Bible is a prohibition, as observed by traditional Jews, against performing work on the Sabbath. This prohibition includes the carrying of objects. The recognized exception to the prohibition against carrying is carrying within a private area‑‑defined as an area with set borders surrounded by a wall. In the ancient past, cities and neighborhoods were enclosed by walls, and the entire city or neighborhood was considered as one large private area. Accordingly, carrying was allowed on the Sabbath within these cities or neighborhoods. In the absence of a walled city or neighborhood, many communities throughout the world have established, pursuant to Jewish law, a symbolic wall called an “eruv” to surround the community for the sole purpose of permitting, within the eruv, carrying on the Sabbath.

An eruv is a symbolic enclosure that surrounds the Jewish community. Under Jewish law, carrying on the Sabbath is allowed within the eruv because the entire area within the eruv is considered as if a single property. An eruv may consist of natural boundaries such as a river bank or of walls, fences, buildings, or hedges. It can also consist of designated utility poles and wires (electric, telephone and/or cable) or strings, as long as the perimeter of the community eruv is uninterrupted.

Description above obtained by Chabad on Campus’ website.

St. Louis Eruvs:

The St. Louis region has two eruv’s to serve the Orthodox Jewish community. One of them includes the majority of University City. It also includes portions of Clayton, Olivette, Richmond Heights and Ladue. While the size of the eruv allows Orthodox Jews to live comfortably in many different neighborhoods, most families will want to be in walking distance of their synagogue or shul since they can’t drive during the Sabbath and many other holidays.

Click on the picture to see full size version

The 2nd St. Louis eruv is located in Chesterfield.

Click on the picture to see full size version

While there is no public website that allows you to save a run a home search to find just the properties located in the eruvs, I can set up a search and have you emailed home listings that are in the eruv. Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a property in either eruv.

University City Eruv Serves Orthodox Jewish Community is a post from: UCity Homes

No related posts.

Find the assigned elementary school for any University City address

The changes include:

• new attendance boundaries
• students currently on permissive transfer in grades K-5 will be allowed to complete elementary school at their current school
• future siblings who would be concurrently enrolled in elementary school with an existing permissive transfer student will be allowed to attend school with their sibling
• the permissive transfer program allowing students to attend a school outside of their assigned address will be discontinued

Pershing Elementary students will attend classes in the Nathaniel Hawthorne facility during 2011-2012, and will move to the new Pershing facility for the 2012-2013 school year.

U City Schools ~ New Elementary School Boundaries is a post from: UCity Homes

No related posts.

Adam sent out an email today to the restaurant’s fans announcing that he is looking for a buyer.

I certainly understand why he has made the decision to sell, but I hope that the new owners won’t change things around too much. Adam has put together a formula that works really well… wonderful atmosphere, attentive service, amazing food, live music and sidewalk seating.

Here’s the information that Adam sent out announcing that he is selling:

Brandt’s Café For Sale By Owner:

• Seller financing available
• Will sell 100%  or will partner by selling 60% or more

Owner is pursuing interests outside of St. Louis and can no longer commit the time and efforts needed to keep Brandt’s Cafe a prosperous St. Louis landmark.

Located in The Loop since 1985

• consistent Million $$ revenue year after year
• LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
• dynamite high traffic corner location in the heart of U City’s Delmar Loop

EXCELLENT TRANSFERABLE LEASE (rent appx $16.50 / ft this year) – significantly under-valued compared to market prices

• approx 2,850 sq ft – dining room, bar, kitchen, bathrooms
• approx 2,850 sq ft – basement storage
• Indoor “fire code” capacity of 92 guests
• Outdoor patio seating capacity approx 80 guests
• Total seating capacity approximately 172
• Full restaurant, kitchen and bar
• 2007 Digital Dining POS system installed (4 monitors) and Video Surveillance
• Kitchen remodeled in 2007
• Bathrooms remodeled 2010
• Leased space – no real estate included in the sale

BRANDT’S CAFÉ ACCOLADES:

1. Best Chicken Wings in St. Louis
2. Best Crab Cake Burger in St. Louis
3. Best Spinach Artichoke Dip in St. Louis
4. Best Bloody Mary in St. Louis
5. Best Place to Be Seen
6. Best Outdoor Dining
7. Fordor’s Travel:  Top 6 Places to Eat in St. Louis
8. Recommended by Travel and Leisure Magazine and American Airlines Magazine
9. Best Jazz Club (twice), AOL
10. Top-3 Best Jazz Clubs, River Front Times

For more information, contact Adam Brandt at 314-954-2326.

Buy a Restauant ~ Brandt’s Cafe is For Sale is a post from: UCity Homes

Possibly related posts:

1. Video Interview ~ Pi Pizzeria
2. University City Loop ~ Teenager Curfew Revised
3. UCity, MO Free WiFi ~ More than Just Coffee Shops

I was 2 years old when my parents decided to sell their University City home and move to Creve Coeur.

While I have no memories of those early years, I fell in love with the community after college. I ended up in a 2 family flat on Delmar for 5 years, then moved to a 4 family apartment building on Balson.

Though I moved away from University City when I bought my first house,  I never forgot how much I loved living here. I found my way back to this wonderful city when I bought my current house 6 years ago.

This video is my way of expressing just a few of the things that make me love this city.

University City ~ A Tree Lined Life is a post from: UCity Homes

Possibly related posts:

1. University City, MO Year-End Housing Market Report (2010)
2. Video Driving Tour of University City

There have been 143 home and condo sales in University City so far this year.

The cheapest deal was only $5,000, and the most expensive sold for $707,350.

There are clearly deals to be found for investors. Over 1 in 3 of the sales were priced below $50,000.

But there were also 65 homes sales in the more moderate to upscale parts of University City (priced at $150,000 or above). Each one of these sales has been listed by address on our Sold! page.

Number of Sales by Price Range:

$1 -  $49,999  – 50
$50,000 – $99,999 – 16
$100,000 – $199,999 – 26
$200,000 – $299,999 – 17
$300,000 – $399,999 – 22
$400,000 – $499,999 – 2
$500,000 – $599,999 – 6
$600,000 – $699,999 – 3
$700,000 – $749,999 – 1

Do you see a pattern?

I sure do. There are plenty of opportunities to sell or purchase a home as long as you are priced below $400,000. Above that, the buyers are few and far between.

Sales are also down compared to the same time period last year. The drop in homes sales is expected since there was a federal tax credit for the majority of buyers last year when they obtained an accepted contract for a home purchase by the end of April. During the same time period last year, there were 193 sales in University City…100 of them priced at $150,000 or above.

Since sales last year dropped off dramatically in the 2nd half of the year, my prediction is that sales this year in the next 6 months will surpass last year’s sales for the same time period and will result in full year totals about the same for 2010 and 2011.

NOTE: Sales statistics reflect University City home and condo sales listed by an agent through the MLS. It does not include MLS exempt sales or FSBO sales.

University City Homes Sales Update is a post from: UCity Homes

Possibly related posts:

1. University City Housing Market Report ~ 2010 Home Sales
2. University City Housing Market Report ~ 2010 Condo Sales
3. University City Housing Market Report – 2009 Home Sales
4. University City Housing Market Report – 2009 Condo Sales

To sign up, all we need is your email address and the area(s) and price range you want to monitor. Once you are registered, you can then go in and change your search criteria at any time. You can search for just homes, condos or by the number of bedrooms/bathrooms. You can even search for homes by the number of garage spaces!

As soon as a new property that meets your criteria comes on the market, you will be notified in your daily Morning Report.

As an added bonus, you will also be notified of open houses, price changes and homes that were under contract which become available again!

Hire Us:

If you do find a home you are interested in, you should make sure you have a buyer’s agent representing your interests rather than letting the listing agent try to talk you into dual agency.

I am a longtime resident of University City and my team has assisted many clients buy or sell in University City. We will watch out for your interests, making sure you don’t overpay or buy a home with hidden problems.

If you don’t already have a buyer’s agent, give me a call to discuss how we can make sure someone is looking out for you when you are ready to buy your next home.

Get Early Notification of EVERY St. Louis New MLS Listing is a post from: UCity Homes

No related posts.

This year marks the 37th anniversary of the Memorial Day Run held in University City.

One of the oldest of all area runs, the Memorial Day Run is a wonderful family tradition that features something for everyone.

The Basics:

• Date: Monday May 30, 2011
• 5kK & 10K Run: University City Public Library (6701 Delmar) – 8 AM
• Fun Run: Trinity Avenue behind City Hall – 9:30 AM (8-12 yrs old) and 9:45 AM (7 yrs old & younger)

The 10K and 5K events will be officially timed and scored with DAG chip timing for accurate results. Times and photos will be posted on the library’s website after the race. Fresh fruit will be provided by Market in the Loop.

Awards are given to overall finishers and winners in each age group categories for the 10K and 5K events.

Fun Runs are held in the closed private neighborhood just west of the library. All participants in the Fun Runs receive ribbons.

Registration:

Regular Registration (thru May 27):

• Adult – $20
• Child 12 yrs & under – $10
• Family – $55 (limit of 4 T-shirts)

Register by completing this entry form and mailing it to Ghisallo Running (606 North & South Road, University City MO 63130) or use the convenient online registration. Registration forms must be RECEIVED by May 27 to qualify for regular registration rates.

Late Registration (beginning May 28):

• Adult – $25
• Child 12 yrs & under – $10
• Family – $65  (limit of 4 T-shirts)
• Saturday, May 28, from 2 – 5 PM & Sunday, May 29, from 1 – 5 PM at the University City Public Library

Race day registration is available but there is no special family rate and T-shirts are not guaranteed.

Packet pickup is available for regular registration participants during the late registration times and on race day from 6-8 AM.  Race logo T-shirts will be given to the first 1,200 entrants. For the best choice of size, entrants should pick up their packets on Saturday.

Tech shirts with 3M Moisture Management may be ordered for an additional fee of $10 per shirt. Tech shirts (adult sizes only) are guaranteed only if registration is received before May 1.

For further information about the event, visit event website or call 314-727-3150 for information.

The Run benefits the Green Center, the University City Children’s Center, U City in Bloom, and the University City Public Library.

University City Memorial Day Run is a post from: UCity Homes

Possibly related posts:

1. St. Louis Winter Race ~ Frozen Buns 5K & 10K
2. Spend the Day in the UCity Loop

Not too many years ago, people who needed internet access outside of their home or work would head to an internet cafe where they could use one of the cafe’s computers.

Nowadays, people bring their own computers with them when they head out looking for an internet connection. While most people head to a nearby coffee shop or bookstore, more and more businesses are joining the free WiFi movement.

Free WiFi options often include:

• Hotel lobbies
• Automobile service department waiting rooms
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Fast food chains
• Bookstores
• Movie theaters

University City has its share of businesses offering free WiFi to the public.

Free WiFi Spots in University City:

• Meshuggah Cafe
• Market Pub House
• McDonald’s
• Pasta House
• St. Louis Bread Company (aka Panera Bread)
• Sadl Speed Queen Pick-Up Services (laundromat)
• Smoothie King
• Starbucks
• University City Public Library

Do you know of a business offering free WiFi in University City?

Let me know about any businesses I missed so I can add them to the list. For a list of free WiFi options throughout St. Louis, visit our comprehensive WiFi guide on Arch City Homes.

UCity, MO Free WiFi ~ More than Just Coffee Shops is a post from: UCity Homes

Possibly related posts:

1. Free WiFi in University City
2. Free Summer Concerts in University City, MO
3. UCity Tradition ~ Frank & Helen’s Pizzeria
4. University City, MO ~ Free Mulch for Residents

With spring weather approaching, many residents will be heading to nurseries to pick out flowers and stock up on garden supplies.

University City residents can save some money by taking advantage of a program offered by the Forestry Department of UCity.

Residents can pick up free mulch and wood chips. They can load up as much as they want for personal use simply by stopping by Heman Park.

While they are there, they can also stock up on free firewood.

Click on the picture for full size map.

Directions: Take Midland (between Olive Blvd & Delmar Blvd) to west on Pennsylvania.

University City, MO ~ Free Mulch for Residents is a post from: UCity Homes

Possibly related posts:

1. Free Summer Concerts in University City, MO
2. Free WiFi in University City
3. UCity, MO Free WiFi ~ More than Just Coffee Shops
4. Recycle Your Garden Plastic Pots at University Gardens

University City’s tree lined streets look spectacular all year long, but there is something amazing about them when they are covered in snow.

Today’s late spring snow inspired me to shoot a few pictures from my front porch.

But I also love the way they look in the spring and fall.

Which is your favorite tree season?

U City Trees Captured in Pictures is a post from: UCity Homes

Possibly related posts:

1. Winter Photo Shoot in Heman Park
2. When is the Best Time to Sell Your Home?
3. University City ~ A Tree Lined Life