Family-owned businesses are becoming more and more rare, but not so with Slyman Brothers & Sons Appliances. The appliance store, which was a Crestwood landmark for years and originally owned by brothers Harry and Bob Slyman, was bought out by some of Bob's children.

Bob Slyman raised his family in Crestwood and now sons Bob and Jon and daughters Darlene and Diane--some of whom went to Lindbergh High School--are running the family business that has moved to locations at 4900 Hampton and Manchester in Ballwin. Slyman Brothers was famous for their "Try us you'll like us" slogan, ads with Bob and Harry sitting atop the riverfront Arch and "Take it away Mom!" where she drove off in the company semi-truck. The scenario of sitting on the Arch was recently re-done with Darlene and her brothers . . .

Becky Kelley, the Crestwood singer who shot to YouTube fame during the holidays with the video "Where's The Line To See Jesus" written by her father Steve Haupt, has been in Nashville talking with recording execs. Stay tuned . . .

As predicted right here last week, actor John Goodman showed up in Sunset Hills over the holidays, but it was just when the tornado hit O'Leary's Restaurant--which he owns in part. Goodman was spotted among the people waiting to get parked cars from behind police tapes around O'Leary's lot after the twister blew out windows, overturned vehicles and demolished nearby houses.

St. Elizabeth's of Hungary Church in Crestwood was the scene Sunday of the Lindbergh High School Basketball Team serving a Pancake Breakfast. Head coach Jason Wolfard flipped pancakes and cooked eggs, sausage and bacon with members of the team. Wolfard later went table-to-table greeting the diners.

Home Depot in Sunset Hills was busier than usual this New Year's as residents who lost electricity in the tornado flocked to the store for flash lights, batteries, lanterns, candles and whatever else they lacked. The store still has a good supply at last check . . .

Former St. Louis Cardinals trainer Gene Gieselmann and his wife, Roseanna, still live in Sunset Hills. Roseanna reports that since they now have a grandchild, Carter, they are enjoying time with him and commuting to their lake house in Cuba, Missouri. Gieselmann, who was known to the players as "Geno" and was part of three National League pennants and a World Series Championship, currently serves on the Taylor Hooton Foundation which seeks to educate about the dangers of anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs . . .

The Kevin Mitchell Four band entertained residents at Crestview Senior Living Sunday. The audience liked it so much (www.KevinMMitchell.com) they wanted to book the band for next New Year's Eve. They bill themselves as "Martini music with a twist." Band members Kevin Mitchell, Steve Kauffmann and Barb Jochens have been friends since their days in the Lindbergh High School band. Retired Lindbergh Math teacher Ed Boehmer was spotted in the audience . . .

Many families have been displaced due to the tornado Friday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.