'It's About Pucking Time': Lockout Ends But Will Fans Support Hockey?

The St. Louis Blues open the NHL season Saturday at home against the Detroit Red Wings. Is a third lockout in 20 years the last straw for hockey fans?

As fans entered Scottrade Center Sunday for the first St. Louis Blues hockey club's practice following a four month lockout, they were invited to pick up placards with the familiar "Let's Go Blues" cheer. Jack Gillette and his daughter Joanie, of St. Peters, didn't need the freebie. They came prepared with their own sign, designed by Jack's wife Michelle with a slogan that pretty much summed up fan sentiment: "It's About Pucking Time." The team estimates about 5500 fans came out to the free practice Sunday, followed by a Q&A session with players. The fans in the stands talked about the team's new Russian sensation Vladimir Tarasenko, but also how Tom Stillman, the new owner with ties to the Ladue-Frontenac area, was among the first in the …

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Restaurant Roundup

Restaurant Roundup: Fortel's Coming to U City

News and updates from our favorite places to eat in University City and the Delmar Loop.

Lots of food news to report in the University City area. Fortel's Coming to U City Fortel's Pizza Den is opening in University City at 7359 Forsyth. The sixth St. Louis area location will be near Washington University.  According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the new location will open in mid-December. The 2,600-square-foot restaurant will seat 75 indoors with another 16 seats outdoors. Fortel's has locations in Affton, Ballwin Creve Coeur, Kirkwood and Fairview Heights. New Thai Restaurant Fork & Stix is now open in the East Loop. The Thai restaurant opened in the former Selam Ethopian Restaurant. According to the Riverfront Times, Fork & Stix features northern Thai food and specialities from the Bangkok area. Classic Blues Games at …

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Ernie Hays, Cardinals Organist, Dies

Ernie Hays played the organ for the St. Louis Cardinals for nearly 40 years. On Wednesday, Hays, who lived in U City as a child, passed away.

Ernie Hays, the longtime organist for the St. Louis Cardinals, has died, the franchise announced Thursday. Hays was a resident of Maryland Heights and lived in University City as a child. He was 77 years old. From the St. Louis Cardinals' Facebook page: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ernie Hays. Ernie's music shaped the soundtrack of Cardinals baseball for nearly four decades. He was one of the premier sports organists in the country, and a valued member of the Cardinals family. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Loreta and his entire family. According to KSDK, Hays collapsed at a Halloween gathering at his daughter's house, also in Maryland Heights, and died at a nearby hospital. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports …

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Business Beat

Drop By Blueberry Hill, Win Free Blues Tickets

The St. Louis Blues hockey team is joining forces with Blueberry Hill to celebrate the Delmar Loop mainstay's 40th anniversary.

Blueberry Hill continues to count down to its 40th anniversary with events and prizes for patrons. Come to Blueberry Hill today between 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and drop your name and phone number in their spinning brass prize cylinder for your chance to win free tickets to a pre-season St. Louis Blues game as part of the 40 day countdown to Blueberry Hill’s 40th Anniversary bash Sept. 8 The winner will be notified on Blueberry Hill’s Facebook page and via telephone Friday, Aug. 17.

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Former Blues Star Pavol Demitra Killed in Plane Crash

Former Blues Player Pavol Demitra was killed in a plane crash that was carrying his Russian hockey team.