Most Dangerous U.S. Cities

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s a news story I’d like to first dedicate to my father who seems to lose his wits any time I mention travel overseas. Sure the places I go aren’t always high traffic areas or flooded by tourists, but that doesn’t necessarily classify them as dangerous. What I’m really trying to say is you can be smiley and friendly anywhere you go, but just watch your back as well. And to my father who I’m sure will read this blurb at one point or another – perhaps it’s time to consider relocating. According to this CNN piece St. Louis has been officially named most dangerous U.S. City.

It was only a matter of time before St. Louis, Missouri took the number one spot. The city had been lurking in the top 10 for quite several years and with a surge in violent crimes this year it took the lead over other dangerous locals such as Detroit, MI in second, Flint, MI coming in third place and good old Compton, Cali right up there in fourth. As for St. Louie vthe murder rate jumped 16 percent from 2004 to 2005. That’s quite a hike in the wrong direction. At the moment I happen to be sitting in the confines of my hotel room in the second most dangerous city (Detroit) and yet all feels safe at this late hour, however I’m glad to know my present hometown of Tampa, FL didn’t make the top 10 dangerous city list. On the flipside it also didn’t make the top 10 safest either which include Brick, NJ in first; Amherst, NY in second; and Mission Viejo, CA in third.

So are there any Gadling readers out there residing in the top 10 of either list? Please share your thoughts and let us know if it really is all bang-bang, shoot em’ and kill or butterflies and roses.

To see the full story head to CNN.

One Hundred Very Angry U.S. Cities

by Adrienne Wilson on

Why this list of angry U.S. cities makes me laugh – I don’t know? Could it be that Orlando, the very home of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Mickey Mouse ranks number one for some bizarre reason? Maybe it’s because my city (Tampa, FL) ranks 12 and the near by St. Petersburg, FL comes in second? So my first question is this – what’s up with all the anger Florida?

World Hum points readers to a fine piece from Men’s Health focusing on 100 very angry U.S. cities. The ranking was based off factors like percentage of men with high blood pressure, FBI rates of aggravated assaults, Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers on workplace deaths from assaults and other violence in addition to road rage. Whew! With all those ugly factors and Orlando placing tops on the anger totem, some of you may be a little afraid to see where your place of residence ranks. Others may not be so surprised.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard a St. Louie Treat

by Adrienne Wilson on

From the moment I exited my flight into the city I was caught off guard by the blistering afternoon heat. That’s how I knew that ole’ Mid-West heat wave they were talking about in the news was no joke, but I wasn’t expecting it to be nearly this bad. I wanted ice cream. When I met my family down at baggage claim I immediately made my desire for a cool delicious sugary snack known and like a robot programmed to say one line and one line only I spurted it out once more. “I want ice cream.”

My father, who’d be anticipating my trip long ago, had a better idea. Ted Drewes, a well-known St. Louis frozen custard joint serving up the yummies since lord knows when, but this special treat didn’t come until a few days later. Talk about built up excitement! I don’t know how I waited or even survived. My pops figured a mini-concrete frozen custard would be the perfect accompaniment to a family portrait shoot, so once we made through the grueling staged poses we took off and headed towards the custard.

If you’ll excuse me for a moment I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you what the custard was like. You can call me a duff when I say this, but it was guuuud! I mean it wasn’t just good – it was guuuud! Man, I hadn’t had a brain freeze like the one I encountered gobbling down the fine frozen fare in ages.

Anytime I step off a hot plane in St. Louis, I’ll be beyond happy to head to Ted Drewes. Even if it’s two days after the fact.

Ted Drewes is located at 6726 Chippewa, St, Louis, MO 63109.