 Recently Ray Preston of KMOV, channel 4, did a story, which can still be viewed on line; “St Louis Proud: The Story Behind Merferd.” Ray spent an entire morning with my art and Arborculture Apprentices, Christopher Smith, Nehemiah Stone, and myself. THIS story begins with the DRIVE NICE sign on highway 70. One night a man in a tinted widow car road raged one of my daughters on the lawless strip of 70 between the Arch and our city of Ferguson. So I painted Merferd saying “DRIVE NICE!” This sign lasted for three years …  … until Merferd’s old enemies the LOW DOWNS, a graffiti gang, found a way up and tagged over him.  Two homeless friends got up on the roof and painted it white again. St Louis’ homeless love Merferd, and Merferd loves them.  My apprentices, 15 years old Nehemiah (from the south side), and 14 year old Christopher of Berkley, hung around with me for several days …  WHAT was Merferd going to say? He initially was going to say “Welcome to Missouri.”  After discussion with Alderman Bandon Frazier-Bosely, (who is sick at heart with all the crime and murder in north St. Louis), and consulting with a couple other friends … … He is presently saying “FATHER” along with “Malachi 4:6”.  The West side of the Billboard plugs a St Louis band of a friend of mine. 
One evening, in the University City Loop Phil and Merferd were fortunate enough to meet a gifted Kurdish musician. He was playing near Ranoush, a Middle Eastern/Syrian restaurant. The restaurant had been damaged during the recent protests. And the Merferd and Ranoush trolley peace train picture was still covering the broken glass front doors. As you watch him playing, the camera moves to the restaurant. Merferds are covering part of the restaurant. That part of the restaurant was damaged when protesters took to University City, Missouri a few weeks earlier.
We are honored that he'll be performing before the documentary "The Man Behind the Merferds," November 10th and 11th as the doors open at 6:00, at a place of many peoples and nations "New City South."
Merferd and Phil had to stop at Aldi on their way out of town.
 The Bucket truck didn't work today so Phil and Merferd didn't either. They had more and more fun not working. They were in down town Ferguson, driving along -- Carson's mom was JUST telling him about Merferd when Carson spotted us!  Phil did one box and three more Fergusonians made four new friends. We all knew of Merferd! Second day the tree truck is broken down, but Phil and Merferd don't care! Outside of the Aldis of course.
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