Cards at Coop

Just in time for Father’s Day comes a new book, “The Cardinals of Cooperstown,” by local authors Greg Marecek and Myron Holtzman. As you would expect given the title, the book tells the story of every St. Louis Cardinal enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame as well as soon-to-be inducted former manager Whitey Herzog and media personalities such as the late Bob Broeg and Jack Buck as well as my friend and former colleague “The Commish,” Post-Dispatch sportswriter Rick Hummel. The photography in the book is great and the profiles are peppered with interesting anecdotes and side notes about the players. For example, did you know that outfielder Jesse Burkett, who played with the Cardinals from 1899 to 1901, earned the nickname “The Crab” because of his surly attitude? (I found this enlightening given that my stepson and favorite human being, whose name Jesse Burkett was inspired by the ballplayer, is anything but crabby except when I grill him on who he is dating.) Stats fanatics will like that a section is dedicated to just that and there is a “Greatest Hall of Fame Moments” chapter as well. The hardcover book is available at the usual bookstore outlets as well as online at www.reedypress.com or by calling 314-644-3400. It costs $35.

Help for Haiti

Dr. Jennifer Smith needs our help. The St. Louis area ob-gyn is heading to Haiti on a medical mission from June 12 to 21. Before she leaves, Dr. Smith needs supplies: used eyeglasses and over the counter meds – infant’s, children’s and adult Tylenol; Tylenol PM, Tums, saline nose and eye drops; Zantac, children’s and adult vitamins (not gummy because they melt) and hydrocortisone creams. If you would like to donate any or all of these items, you can drop them off at the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. “Or, e-mail me at [email protected] and I’ll make a house or synagogue call,” Smith says.

“I always wanted to be involved in something I could sink my teeth into rather than just writing a check,” explains Smith, whose father, an orthopedist living in San Diego, will join her on this mission. “Going to Haiti is a tangible way to help. I have a patient who does missions in the Dominicans and often thought it would be nice if I could go with her and do what she does. I also have a friend who’s a physician in the Navy. When she was stationed in Spain, she went to Africa on a mission. When she described the needs, the lack of services and how all these women were lined up waiting for her to get there, it resonated. I thought, I should – and could – do that.”  

In terms of carrying all the supplies she hopes to collect, Smith says she’s investing in a very big suitcase. “I don’t mind paying American Airlines extra for the weight,” she says. “It’s not the worst thing that can happen to a girl.”

Kosher, kosher not, kosher

Vegadeli in Chesterfield has agreed to keep its kosher-certification through the month of June. Last Monday, the restaurant announced it was going to drop its certification because of a lack of support from kosher diners. A day later, after the owners received a number of emails of support, they issued a statement that said, “After further consideration, we’ve decided to maintain our kosher certification for another month. If there is no increase in Orthodox support, we will discontinue our certification.”

Last October, Vegadeli became kosher-certified after many in the Orthodox and kosher communities convinced the owners that another kosher-certified restaurant was needed in St. Louis. The deli then added an on-site mashgiach, or rabbinical supervisor, to make sure, among other things, all ingredients are kosher, no insects are in the leaves of any fruits or vegetables and certain preparation techniques are followed.

At the time, owner A.J. Mense said adding the mashgiach essentially cost what it would to add another employee. He was hopeful that the additional cost would pay for itself in kosher diners.

Channeling Lois Caplan

For the past two years, my good friend Bill Goodfriend has invited me to the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer luncheon, of which he is a member. One of the luncheon highlights comes at the end when the men’s cancer group awards checks to the many organizations it supports. Among them is the Camp Rainbow, a tremendous program started in 1988 by Allen and Ronnie Brockman that provides a week-long overnight camp to seriously ill children ages 4 to 13. One of the coolest things is that the camp is free to all campers, and the staff, counselors and medical personnel volunteer their time.

Currently, 84 children from St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Cardinals Kids Cancer Center at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center are enjoying activities like swimming, fishing, arts and crafts, archery, song sessions and sports this week (June 7-12) at Babler State Park in Wildwood. And 60 St. Louis area teens from local congregations – all members of North American Federation of Temple Youth or NFTY – are serving as volunteer counselors.

Go NFTY!

For more information about St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer and Camp Rainbow, go to stlmgac.com and www.camprainbow.com, respectively.