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June 2025
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5 Must-Visit Animal Experiences in Missouri WHY JUNE IS THE PERFECT TIME TO VISIT MISSOURI’S ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City KansasCityZoo.org
My weekdays are packed with paperwork, court dates, and client meetings. But when the weekend rolls around — especially in a sun-filled month like June — I’m always on the lookout for places where my family and I can unwind, explore, and maybe even learn something new. With June being National Zoo and Aquarium Month, I couldn’t resist sharing a few of my favorite wildlife-themed attractions across Missouri. Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield WondersOfWildlife.org Located in Springfield next to Bass Pro Shops’ national headquarters, Wonders of Wildlife is not your typical aquarium. Spanning over 350,000 square feet with more than 1.5 miles of immersive trails, this conservation-themed experience brings the natural world to life in extraordinary detail. With over 35,000 animals and an emphasis on the legacy of American conservationists, it’s visually stunning and deeply informative. It’s easy to see why it’s been voted America’s Best Aquarium by USA TODAY readers. Referrals Welcome Thank you for referring clients to us over the years. You will never be embarrassed by a referral to our office. We’re always available to lend a helping hand to anyone with any legal need. Just give us a call at (314) 961-5678 or visit us at: www.becklawmo.com .
capital. From jellyfish infinity rooms to coral reefs and submarine voyages, each of the aquarium’s 10 themed zones offers a colorful, interactive experience. It’s a relatively new attraction with a bold design (you’ll spot the giant octopus out front) and plenty of family-friendly exhibits. Already recognized as one of the country’s top 10 most beautiful aquariums, this aquarium provides a perfect escape into the ocean’s depths — without ever leaving land. World Bird Sanctuary 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Rd., Valley Park WorldBirdSanctuary.org If you’re looking for something a little more grounded — literally — check out the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park. Spread over 300 acres, this hidden gem is home to over 200 birds and has one of the nation’s top raptor rehab hospitals. From educational shows to up-close bird encounters, this peaceful woodland retreat offers something special for bird lovers and nature seekers of all ages. Missouri is rich with places that inspire wonder and spark connection with the animal world. Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a date, or just want a break from the ordinary, these zoos and aquariums offer unforgettable experiences. I highly recommend taking the time this month to explore one — or all — of them. You might just fall in love with Missouri all over again.
Established in 1909 and nestled in 202 acres of Swope Park, the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is a must-visit for anyone interested in wildlife from around the globe. Highlights include an African Plains boat ride, sea lion shows, and one of the top chimpanzee exhibits in the country. It’s an engaging way to experience the diversity of life while supporting conservation efforts and public education. They’ve even got an elephant painting demo — because, apparently, pachyderms are multitalented.
St. Louis Zoo 1 Government Dr., St. Louis StLZoo.org
Renowned for its high-quality exhibits and its commitment to accessibility, the Saint Louis Zoo remains free to the public and continues to set the standard in animal care, research, and education. The zoo is situated in Forest Park and offers everything from stingray touch pools to 4D theaters and a conservation carousel. Seasonal events, such as “Beer with the Birds” on June 12, let you experience the zoo in a whole new way (and maybe with a beer in hand). Aquarium at the Boardwalk 2700 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson AquariumAtTheBoardwalk.com Branson’s Aquarium at the Boardwalk brings a whimsical, under-the-sea atmosphere to Missouri’s entertainment
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A MILESTONE RULING
Supreme Court Upholds Gun Ban for Domestic Abuser
Protecting citizens’ Second Amendment right to own a gun is vitally important to many Americans. However, domestic violence and gun ownership can be a lethal combination. Assault on a spouse or partner can easily escalate to murder when one partner has access to a gun. In an 8–1 decision in U.S. v. Rahimi, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a person can be disarmed if they pose a credible threat to another person’s physical safety. The 18-page decision overturned a lower court ruling that banning gun ownership and possession for persons under a domestic violence restraining order violates the Constitution. Advocates for domestic violence victims welcomed the decision. Battered spouses are at greatest risk after leaving a relationship, filing a police report, or petitioning for a restraining order against their partner. In a 2023 study of 25 years of data, 56% of female homicide victims were murdered by men who were former or current
judiciary by setting a strict “history and tradition” test for the constitutionality of gun laws, according to The Trace, an independent, nonprofit news organization. In the Bruen ruling, the Supreme Court upheld individuals’ right to carry a firearm in public for self-defense, reasoning that a gun regulation must have an analog in early American history in order to be constitutional. That decision called into question a large number of earlier court rulings holding that gun regulations could be evaluated in the broader context of modern research, circumstances, and technology, sparking numerous challenges to gun laws and a flood of conflicting judgments. Based on the Rahimi ruling, proponents of gun control hope the courts will also uphold other laws restricting gun ownership under exceptional circumstances, including prohibitions for felons, people with severe mental illness, and individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others. Justice Clarence Thomas authored the lone dissenting opinion in the Rahimi case based on his absolutist interpretation that, at the time the Second Amendment was written, it did not regulate firearms possession by people who threaten physical harm to others. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts disagreed, reasoning that, since the nation’s founding, firearms laws have restricted citizens bent on hurting others from legal access to a gun. Those laws should not be explicitly limited to rules that existed at the nation’s
intimate partners. Other research links a domestic abuser’s access to a gun to a five-fold increase in homicide. The ruling is encouraging to proponents of gun control. It creates breathing room in the wake of the court’s February 2023 ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. The Bruen decision sent ripples throughout the
founding. Instead, he wrote, “When an individual poses a clear threat of physical violence to another, the threatening individual may be disarmed.”
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TAKE A BREAK
The Hidden Health Risks of Burnout Canary in the Coal Mine?
ADVENTURE BAREFOOT FATHER GEMINI HIKING JUNETEENTH PARK PICNIC PRIDE SANDALS SUNBURN VOLUNTEER
Do your job or housework leave you feeling burnt out? If so, you aren’t alone. Burnout is a common affliction in our technological age. An estimated 48% of employees and 53% of managers claim they’re burned out, according to a 2022 Microsoft survey of 20,000 workers, and stress levels have worsened since then. Career-driven people, overworked employees, and working people from all walks of life can experience alienation, extreme exhaustion, loss of meaning, and reduced performance, all hallmarks of burnout. The term was coined in the 1970s to denote the exhaustion often experienced by people in the helping professions. Burnout is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, the professionals’ guide to diagnostic standards. However, the World Health Organization recognizes it as a factor in people’s health. Some doctors use the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a scale measuring a person’s level of exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy, to diagnose burnout. Items include, “I feel emotionally drained by my work.” The symptoms of burnout can serve as the canary in the coal mine — an early warning that overload, overwork, or stress may be on the verge of harming your health. Consider an extended break from work to ease the strain. If your ennui deepens into low self-esteem, guilt, hopelessness, or thoughts of suicide, a vacation or long weekend isn’t likely to help. Clinical depression or anxiety requires different treatment by a therapist or mental health professional. The bottom line: If you’re feeling burned out, it’s time to put on the brakes, check out for a while, and tune in more closely to your overall well-being!
SIMPLE SUMMER GARDEN PASTA Inspired by TheKitchn.com
• 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste) • 1 tsp kosher salt Ingredients Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined. 7. Serving suggestion: Add cooked, chopped chicken to add protein! • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 lb angel hair pasta • 1 cup fresh basil • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese • Cooked, chopped chicken for serving (optional)
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Zoos, Aquariums, and Bird Sanctuaries — Oh My!
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Pivotal High Court Ruling Opens Door to Limited Gun Restrictions
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Simple Summer Garden Pasta
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How Burnout Can Signal Depression
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The House That Spite Built
TRAFFIC STOPPER A HISTORIC TINY HOME BUILT ON SPITE
Tiny homes may be all the rage for budget- conscious house hunters these days. But none has as engaging a history as the diminutive Alexandria Spite House in Virginia. Brickmaker John Hollensbury built this 7-foot-wide rowhouse nearly 200 years ago — not to live in, but to fill up the alley next to his splendid two-story brick home in what is now the Old Town district of Alexandria. Hollensbury was bothered by horse-drawn carriages trying to squeeze through the alley, scraping against the brick walls of his and his neighbor’s houses, and loiterers gathering in the area. Hollensbury decided to close the alley forever by building a house in it — not to create living space, but to block the alley — thus its name, the Spite House. The little
dwelling is squeezed in so tightly that its neighbors’ exterior walls serve as its interior. Its 25-by-7-foot area is spread over two floors, producing a total floor space of 325 square feet. The little home is comfy enough that one couple lived there for 25 years. Its most recent owner bought it in 1990 for $130,000 and used it occasionally. The Spite House at 523 Queen St. is Alexandria’s best-known tiny home, but it isn’t the only one. Three other tiny houses, all 1–3 feet wider, were also built in alleys during the 19th century. This may seem like a cheap way to build since all that is needed is a roof and rear and front walls. Nevertheless, based on the latest available sales data from 2014, one of these alley houses sold for a cool $424,000!
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