Fall Flavors
Welcome to the season of cozy sweaters, crisp leaves and heartwarming flavors. October's Foodie edition is here to tantalize your taste buds.
From the moment you take that first sip of pumpkin spice latte or savor the aroma of simmering chili, fall's culinary delights transport us to a place of comfort and nostalgia. Join us as we explore hidden gems that will satisfy your cravings.
We had the pleasure of chatting with the owner of Katie's Pizza & Pasta, a beloved local favorite. Get ready to learn about her passion that goes into every dish.
Whether you're a seasoned home cook or prefer to dine out, this edition offers something for everyone. From family-friendly recipes to gourmet creations, there's a dish to suit every palate.
So, grab your favorite cookbook, gather your loved ones, and embark on a culinary adventure this fall. Let the flavors of the season warm your soul and create lasting memories.
As always, thank you for reading, and we look forward to seeing you around town!
October 2024
PUBLISHERS
Gordon Montgomery
gordon.montgomery@citylifestyle.com
Kelley Lamm kelley.lamm@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Casey Pierce | casey.pierce@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sarah Guldalian, Robin Seaton Jefferson, Julie Brown Patton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michael Henry, Ed Bagley, Melissa Zimmermann Kelley, Rob Shirley, Alex Fish, Greg Goldman Photography
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray Learn
Left: Medical Director Dr. Lenise Cummings-Vaughn, Administrator Kathy Kelley, and Medical Advisor Dr. David Carr meet with a resident.
Original, yet timeless. Edgy, yet sophisticated. Modern, yet classic.
St. Louis' #1 Real Estate Company
city scene
1: Phoenix Suns NBA Star Bradley Beal, namesake for new Chesterfield Sports Complex. 2: New Chesterfield Sports Complex is being operated by Chesterfield Sports Association 3: International Institute STL Festival of Nations featured 200 food/beverage, retail, experiential vendors from 75 countries. 4: School Resource Officer Chris Kaatmann for Parkway Central High School. 5: Chesterfield Police Department welcomes Officer Cody Owens. 6: Backstoppalooza Black Magic: A Tribute to Santana with Chesterfield Police Department’s Tyler Lewis. 7: End of summer extra fun at The Hulapoppers concert in Chesterfield’s Faust Park.
ALEX FISH
business monthly
A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
In-Depth Look At Empathy Presented In Book By Chesterfield Author
Joel Bretscher, a Chesterfield resident and program director at local nonprofit Stephen Ministries, won three awards at the 34th annual Midwest Book Awards for his book, The Gift of Empathy: Helping Others Feel Valued, Cared for, and Understood Along with co-author Kenneth Haugk, Joel attended the awards gala hosted by the Midwest Independent Publishers Association, where the book received a silver medal in three nonfiction categories: business, education and inspiration. Visit TheGiftOfEmpathy.org or call 314.428.2600.
International Rett Syndrome Foundation To Host Annual St. Louis Strollathon
International Rett Syndrome Foundation representatives will host the group's 17th annual St. Louis Strollathon on Oct. 19 with registration starting at 1 p.m.; walk beginning at 2 p.m. The 1-mile family-friendly stroll, which will be held at the JCC St. Louis at 2 Millstone Campus Dr., includes a visit from Fredbird, entertainment and food. This Strollathon raised more than $900,000 since its first event in 2008. All proceeds will benefit the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.
Sugarfire Smokehouse Announces NIL Partnership with Mizzou Quarterback Brady Cook
Sugarfire Smokehouse representatives entered into a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partnership with University of Missouri quarterback Brady Cook. The partnership is rooted deeply in family, as Brady's father and uncle are already part of the Sugarfire Smokehouse family, owning three of the 14 franchise locations across Missouri. “Teaming up with Brady is exciting,” says Sugarfire Smokehouse franchise owner Matt Martin. "We're extremely proud of his accomplishments on and off the field.”
Photography by Stephen Ministries
Photography by International Rett Syndrome Foundation
Photography by Sugarfire Smokehouse
Tribute To St. Louis Custard Icon
Cones, cups, upside down custard! Thank you, Ted Drewes Jr., for appeasing decades-long demands for your special version of delectable, frozen desserts. Ted passed on at age 96, after making his family’s frozen custard business a forever St. Louis institution. Ted Drewes Sr. opened his first frozen custard store in Florida in 1929, then St. Louis stores during 1931. In 1941, the family opened the store on Chippewa Street, now Ted Drewes’ flagship location.
Photography by Ted Drewes Inc.
Make It To The Top And Enjoy Splendid Views, Hospitality, Even Prost For Oktoberfest
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM PAULE PHOTOGRAPHY
Atop the Gold Tower at Westport Plaza, accessed from a scenic all-glass elevator, is 360 Westport as a sister location of 360 Downtown. Opened on Jan. 31, 2024, the Westport perch provides a space designed to bring friends and strangers together in its luxurious, indoor-outdoor lounge or during private events up to 350 guests.
Blaise Pastoret, director of restaurants at Lodging Hospitality Management, says, "The ambiance caters to those who want to relax and gather socially; there's so much great space, even larger groups of 8 or 10 won't feel cramped. Two-thirds of the 360 lounge is inside and one-third outside. It's open air on all three sides. for cooler months, it has heaters so guests can be protected from the elements while still being able to sit outside."
He says the Lodging Hospitality Management staff is redeveloping, redesigning and modernizing the Westport Plaza, including both of the Sheraton hotels. LHM bought the 42-acre Westport Plaza property in 2012. LHM previously opened Westport Social during 2017, followed by Soda Fountain Express followed during 2023.
Oktoberfest Westport-style: A perfect time to check out and engage with Westport's new, on-site green space will be Oct. 19 from 1-9 p.m. Blaise says they're transforming the area into a quaint German village, complete with flags, tents, food sponsors, including bratwursts and pretzels, plus authentic biers. "We're going all out! There will be a polka band, keg rolling, a stein competition, games and costumed hosts. We hope everyone dusts off their lederhosen," he adds.
During typical operations, 360 Westport's elevated cocktail menu celebrates old favorites and specialty cocktails, while an extensive wine list enables guests to personally inspect with a visit to the temperature-controlled westside wine wall.
“We have a huge wine list, a cocktail program and a rotating list of experimental concoctions that excites guests,
“Twelve stories above Westport Plaza, take the scenic, outdoor all-glass elevator with
especially our created 360 signature cocktails,” Blaise says. "The center bar is also impressive, topped with black stone and lined with glimmering golden-black tiles."
The new lounge also offers local craft beer and lower-ABV cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beers, wines and cocktails.
360 Westport's chefs craft sophisticated fusion menus that blend Asian, Italian, Mediterranean and French cuisine. Share Bar 360 classics include New Orleans-style fries and smoked salmon chips. Ask about 'trash spice' cauliflower, 'grilled romaine' or brussel sprouts with 'Nashville hot spice.' Nosh on small plates of potstickers, lettuce wraps, shrimp tempura and whipped ricotta. Or, devour large plates spanning strozzapreti, adobo chicken or Filet Auv Poivre.
One of the biggest menu differences between 360's Westport and downtown locations is the new spot’s oyster program.
360 Westport offers a daily selection of both East Coast and West Coast raw oysters, as well as either fried or Rockefeller versions.
The lounge consists of six main areas, each exuding different vibes, with the room’s open space separated by floor-to-ceiling curtains that can be drawn or left open.
"Guests love the stunning interior and the excellent vibes created out on the open air patio," assures Darcie Hawkins, director of sales for Westport Restaurants.
360 WESTPORT HOURS OF OPERATION:
• Sundays and Mondays 4-11 p.m.
• Tuesdays through Sundays 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
314.683.2337
360-STL.com/Westport
St. Louis Cardinal Mike Matheny shares his experience with Kaiser Law Firm who helped him put a plan together to ensure things
my family
Mike Matheny, St. Louis Cardinals
HALLOWEEN Snack Ideas
How To Stay Festive And Healthy? Sure Thing
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
Halloween is typically filled to the brim with salt, sugar and carbs. It can be hard to stay on the nutrition wagon during spooky season, but there are plenty of fun ways to add a festive spin to favorite healthy dishes.
Stuffed Peppers
This fall staple easily can be incorporated into a fall gathering or Halloween night by carving jack-o-lantern faces in orange peppers, and resuming a favorite recipe from there. Serving bread on the side? Use a skull or pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to re-shape it.
Spooky Charcuterie
These fan favorite boards can easily be kept healthy with some additions. Make any treat spooky with edible eyeballs. Adding them to a small snack such as mini bell peppers or grapes and strawberries is a fun way to stay on theme without sacrificing a healthy streak. Eyeball salami rolls also can be added, starting first with a green olive in the center, surrounded by a roll of mozzarella cheese and then surrounded by salami or even prosciutto.
Ghostly Dip
Hummus and pitas can be made scary in no time. Use a ghost shaped cookie cutter to shape pita bread, lightly toast and serve with red pepper hummus, which is usually orange in color.
Pumpkin Fruit Bowl
With luck finding a melon or watermelon at the store, simply carve it like a jack-o-lantern and make the mouth large enough to have other sliced fruit emerging, such as cut pineapple, sliced grapes and apple chunks. Along the side, peel mini oranges and add a green stem to mimic pumpkins.
Jack-O-Lantern Veggie Tray
The easiest bet for a quick and healthy Halloween treat? You can’t go wrong with a veggie tray shaped like a jack-o-lantern. Use baby carrots as the base, and cucumber or celery to shape the mouth and stem. The eyes? Two round bowls of veggie dip.
Spooky Charcuterie
KATIE’S PIZZA & PASTA
Local Businesswoman Parlays Restaurant Into National Frozen Food Company, Helps Her Community In The Process
ARTICLE BY ROBIN SEATON JEFFERSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG GOLDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Philosopher Henry David Thoreau stated: “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” That would be true of Katie Lee, who not only grew her single restaurant to three, including a 10,000-square-foot restaurant and event space at Ballpark Village in St. Louis,
To date, through “Give Back Tuesday,” Katie’s given away thousands of frozen pizzas and more than $450,000 to local charities.
but parlayed her handmade artisan Italian fare into frozen foods featured in more than 1,000 grocery stores nationwide.
“Instead of laying people off during COVID, I pivoted in 72 hours,” says Katie, founder of Katie’s Pizza & Pasta, now in three locations including Ballpark Village, Rock Hill and Town and Country. “I prototyped my frozen pizza, put up a website and sold them online and door-to-door. I turned my servers and bartenders into delivery drivers and my dining room into an assembly line with my cooks. I sold 50,000 pizzas in the first six weeks.”
She also built a frozen foods manufacturing headquarters in Creve Coeur in 2021 with space for research and development of new products.
“We’ve learned some powerful lessons, mostly perseverance and the incredibly positive effect a strong team and community can have on our business,” Katie says.
Katie’s late father, Tom Lee, who opened the business with her in 2008, liked quotes and lessons. In fact, several of his are listed on the company’s menu. “You’ll go farther with street smarts than book smarts,” “Say you’re sorry,” and “Keep it simple, stupid” were just a few.
Katie hasn’t just devised a way to keep her employees working, she’s helped people throughout her community. She’s now in her 10th year of hosting “Giveback Tuesday,” wherein she donates an entire day’s profits on the second Tuesday of every month to
Katie Lee
nonprofit organizations. Additionally, for every frozen pizza order, Katie donates a frozen pizza to local food banks. To date, she’s given away thousands of frozen pizzas and $450,000 to local charities.
Some of the 100-plus charities Katie’s has given to include Colton’s Cause, which provides financial support to families of special needs children and young adults; the Ten8 Project that supports men and women in service in police and fire departments; and GiFT, dedicated to supporting families with critically ill newborns.
Katie debuted her line of frozen Italian foods locally in Dierbergs Markets. But today, they’re offered in grocery stores across the country. And now, she even delivers her frozen pizzas all over America, too, including Hawaii and Alaska.
Just a few of Katie’s specialties include appetizers like Cannellini Bean Dip, Famous Fried Artichokes and Charred Cauliflower; burratas like Huckleberry Burrata, and Burrata Black Garlic Cheese Bread; salads like Calabrian Kale Caesar, and Watermelon; pastas like Herb-Stamped Ravioli and Bucatini Cacio E Pepe; and pizzas like Ezzo Pepperoni and Margherita Extra Di Bufala.
Katie offers same-day delivery within a 35-mile radius of St. Louis and two-day shipping for the rest of America. All frozen pizzas are hand-stretched and wood-fired in Katie’s white oak ovens and topped with specialty Italian meats, cheeses and local vegetables, then sealed and blast-frozen. “So, they taste like they were just made fresh in the restaurant,” she says. "All products are made in-house from scratch, every pasta house-extruded with fresh semolina and local farm eggs."
Katie says she worked in restaurants since living in Florence, Italy, in her late teens with her mother, Belinda Lee, who was an art teacher for a study abroad program with Washington University.
“I turned my servers and bartenders into delivery drivers and my dining room into an assembly line with my cooks. I sold 50,000 pizzas in the first six weeks.” ~Katie Lee
In 2008, at 25 years old, and with less than $50,000, Katie opened Katie’s Pizza & Pasta with her dad, Tom, and the late Rolando Colon, in an old junk store they owned in St. Louis. Her mom painted a mural map of Firenze on the wall. The first pie they sold was a Margherita Pizza.
Katie says Rolando was a Cuban refugee dishwasher she met as a young girl working in restaurants. “He became like a second father to me and worked with me my whole life,” she says of him. “He believed that happiness was through the stomach, and if you were full, you were happy.”
It’s still a family business. Today, Katie works with her mother and her brother Johnny Lee.
But COVID wasn’t her first trial. The recession of 2008 took that spot. Then when Highway 40 was shut down and Clayton Road turned into a highway, everything changed. “My dad always said, ‘Pain is the only teacher,’” Katie wrote on the menu. “In the end, we learned a lot, humbled ourselves, and everyone got sober. Time is crazy. It all seems like a dream. Maybe it was. We lost my dad and Rolando during the pandemic. More pain, more teaching, but very grateful to have started this thing with them, learning their sage lessons, and having their spirits guide me and us today. They’re everywhere in everything we do.”
Photo by HARVest Bloom Photography
INNOVATIVE GIFTAMEAL INITIATIVE CONNECTS SOCIALLY AWARE CONSUMERS AND RESTAURANTS
Fight Hunger, Food Insecurity With Photos
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Andrew Glantz, founder and CEO GiftAMeal
“During Hunger Action Month, our goal was to provide 50,000 meals in those 30 days.”
Consumers increasingly seek to spend their hard-earned dollars with businesses associated with worthy public, grassroots causes. That's excellent food for thought, right? One local entrepreneur thought so, figuratively and literally.
St. Louis resident Andrew Glantz says mission-driven marketing for restaurants is available through his online GiftAMeal program, which helps businesses and communities thrive together via the common goal of getting nourishment to those in food insecure situations. He launched the effort in the metropolitan region during 2015. The concept brought together restaurants and diners like two peas in a pod.
GiftAMeal works simply by participating customers taking and submitting photos of meals or beverages they order so extra meals can be given to neighbors in need. Restaurants pay a monthly fee to participate in the program.
Those wishing to assist just need to download the free GiftAMeal app. For each photo, GiftAMeal donates an average of 25 cents to a nearby food bank to cover the cost of distributing 1.2 pounds of healthy groceries to a neighborhood pantry. Andrew says some food banks provide three meals per dollar, or 33 cents a meal, while some food banks are five meals per dollar, or 20 cents per meal. The money is drawn from monthly restaurant fees, which start at $79 for single-unit operators.
Food customers can "earn" more meals for food pantries by sharing their participation on social media.
To see the helpful developments inspires Andrew, who in high school, helped raise more than $350,000 for an organization called Jr. Variety, a sub-organization of Variety STL and Kid Helping Kids. As a Washington University student, he says he co-owned a campus nonprofit that redistributed donated goods.
During 2022, CEO Andrew took GiftAMeal national, signing agreements with franchisees of Andy’s Frozen Custard, Red Robin, TGI Fridays and others across 27 states. Since that time, there are restaurants in 38 states participating in the program, including restaurant chains, independent eateries, wineries and franchisees.
"We now work with almost 1,000 restaurants, and recently reached a total of 2 million meals provided to families in need," shares Andrew.
St. Louis-based Operation Food Search is one of the program's largest monthly beneficiaries as a recipient food bank. Andrew adds that the group receives nearly $2,000 per month from GiftAMeal. "To date, there've been about $150,000 in all-time donations to OFS from GiftAMeal."
Examples of eateries or beverage establishments participating in GiftAMeal include: Crushed Red, Pastaria, Herbi's, Kingside Diner, Colleen's, Sugarfire Olivette, Wente's, French Creperie, Billy G's Finer Diner, Lee's Chicken and Lion's Choice.
"Giving back was always something that's been important to me, as I volunteered as a kid. And it's continued to this day. I wanted to find a way to make it really easy for people to engage with local businesses that care about their community," says Andrew. "So I pulled from the buy one, get one model, and the trend of people posting food photos. And combined them into one."
He says there's been a great response to this socially beneficial program. "I really like looking through the related posts to see all these happy moments. I think restaurants want to be involved in their communities, and restaurants at their core are at the center of their communities."
314.656.6244
GiftAMeal.com
Giving back was always something that’s been important to me, as I volunteered as a kid. And it’s continued to this day. I wanted to find a way to make it really easy for people to engage with local businesses that care about their community.
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
For Scare Seekers Spooky Sensations
HAUNTED PLACES, GHOSTHUNTING IN WILDWOOD, STRANGE PHENOMENA, GOOSEBUMPS, LEGENDS AND LORE
Zombie Road/Provided by City of Wildwood Parks & Recreation
ZOMBIE ROAD
Referenced as one of the most haunted roads in America, the original Zombie Road in Wildwood reportedly sits atop the site of one of the largest Native American burial mounds in the country. It’s rumored to be occupied by spirits of indigenous people, confederate soldiers, packs of children ghosts, supernatural creatures, railroad accident victims, rock quarry industrial workers, monsters and the infamous, escaped serial-killer zombie from a nearby mental institution; plus the list goes on regarding mysterious disappearances that allegedly happened there.
Wildwood and St. Louis County Parks representatives urge people not to search for anything on or around Zombie's related trails during the wee hours. Now called Rock Hollow Trail since 2010, they state "wandering around in the cursed woods could be dangerous." Off Rock Hollow, visitors can spot two different signs designating Zombie Road East and Zombie Road West.
Originally carved out of wilderness in the 1860s and formally known as Lawler Ford Road or sometimes more recently the Al Foster Trail, anecdotes detail paranormal sightings and strange lights along the path. Located near Highway 109 and Old State Road, the trail began to be known as Zombie Road as early as the 1950s. The trail in the 1860s provided access to the Meramec River and the railroad tracks nearby. It was an abandoned gravel road that became a paved bike and pedestrian path.
A Syfy documentary chronicling the haunted trail and narratives from locals titled Children of the Grave was released in 2007, with director Christopher Booth showcasing still images of shadows captured while on the trail.
Photo by Michael Henry, Ph.D.
The Lemp Mansion/Photo by Melissa Zimmermann Kelley
To personally experience Zombie Road in an approved manner, Wildwood city officials are hosting the 5th Annual Shivering Shadows 7K Run/Walk on Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Participants venture into the dark woods of Zombie Road for an evening of fun and challenges. Registration fee: $40 prior to Race Day; $50 on Race Day. Register online at Register.Chronotrack.com/r/81043.
Note that Zombie Road is officially off-limits at night, and local law enforcers can write trespassing tickets, with fines of $1,000 for a single incident and/or up to 90 days in jail. A sign at the trailhead states no trespassing from a half-hour after dusk to dawn. City officials state they consider 'allowable/open hours' from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Trespassing fines there may increase near Halloween each year.
ST. CHARLES GHOST TOURS
On Main Street St. Charles, have you visited The Lost Graveyard and been grabbed from behind by a spirit? Seen The Lady in White? Tracked blood stains from a deceased sheriff? Barked with the spirits of ghost dogs?
Those who take a St. Charles Ghost Tour can visit some of the places reporting ghostly activity, glows, unexplained noises, flitting shadows and even ghostly smells. Just ask the tour manager, 30-year student of paranormal topics and world renowned historical researcher Michael Henry, who also authored the book Ghosts of St. Charles Michael says the tour shares ghostly tales, otherworldly bygone facts and local legends. Call 314.374.6102 to check availability; reservations required. Go to StCharlesGhosts.com to inquire about special or group tours.
Michael Henry, St. Charles Ghost Tours
The Lemp Mansion/Photo by Ed Bagley
“On Missouri River banks in St. Charles, it doesn’t take much imagination to see, feel and smell ghosts lingering there.”
LEMP MANSION
The Lemp Mansion is known as the most haunted place locally. Owners offer "The Lemp Experience" ghost hunting activities with a paranormalist year-round. This experience can be booked at $43 per person this month on Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. Call 314.664.8024 to ask questions.
HEAD-SPINNING EXPERIENCES
No self-respecting feature about scary places to check out in The Lou region should publish without reminding that The Exorcist 1973 movie and 1971 best-selling horror novel were based on a documented story of possession that occurred in St. Louis in 1949. The incident was said to have taken place at Saint Louis University in several locations on campus, including DuBourg, Verhaegen and Jesuit Halls, plus the St. Francis Xavier College Church basement.
Photo by Michael Henry, Ph.D.
Empowering Female Leaders
ARTICLE BY SARAH GULDALIAN
BRITNEY RUBY MILLER, PRESIDENT/ CEO OF AWARDWINNING STEAKHOUSES, KEYNOTES
CHRISTIAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S BREAKFAST
Britney Ruby Miller /
Photo by Jeff Ruby
““Christian women leading in business can create a ripple effect of positive influence not just at work, but also in our homes and communities.”
On Oct. 30, 800 female leaders from across the region will gather at The Chase Park Plaza for the 2024 Christian Business Women’s Breakfast. In its seventh year, this renowned event is sponsored by Technology Partners, produced by The Rooted Sisters, and MCed by Fox2 anchor Mandy Murphey.
As a national, faith-based nonprofit in St. Louis, The Rooted Sisters is a safe space where female leaders study the Bible, grow in their faith in Jesus, and learn to lead others to do the same. They gather for Bible studies, prayer meetings, retreats and the annual Christian Business Women’s Breakfast. This year, they'll be inspired through networking, music, and an empowering message from Britney Ruby Miller.
CONTINUED >
by
Photo
Rob Shirley
Photo by Rob Shirley
Britney is president and CEO of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment. Under her leadership, this luxury line of steakhouses has received national acclaim on the Food Network and USA Today. She is also a wife and mother.
“There is enormous pressure on women,” says Britney. “We carry the weight of tending to every need before our own. This especially holds true in business.”
She is marked for her unique style of leadership, balancing vulnerability and grit, as showcased in her book, 5-Star Life: The Faithful Fight to Overcome Obstacles and Pursue Excellence.
“I look forward to sharing how leading with transparency, vulnerability and faith is not just good for people, but good for business,” says Britney.
Register for the 2024 Christian Business Women’s Breakfast at TheRootedSisters.com
Britney Ruby Miller
Britney Ruby Miller, president and CEO of fine-dining brand Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, is speaker for the 2024 Christian Business Women’s Breakfast. Having established a culture centered around care, and known for her servant-leadership style, this year’s theme, “Take Heart, Daughter,” suits Britney well. She will encourage attendees to keep fighting for their dream by sharing her personal story of overcoming anxiety, depression and self-doubt.
Britney Ruby Miller / Photo by Jeff Ruby
Britney Ruby Miller
Photo by Jeff Ruby
‘Desire’ From Chesterfield Author
“A Little Romance, A Little Picture Inside Mafia Business”
Dennis Bolazina is an architect, attorney and Chesterfield resident who published the new book titled Desire.
"Writing the book was a two-year journey that drew on experiences in New Orleans while consulting on the design and construction of three hotels at the French Quarter. The characters met, the places enjoyed, and the food consumed proved to be indelible and served 20 years later as the rich background for a mystery story," says Dennis.
Dennis attended Washington University in St. Louis for architecture and St. Louis University for law. He continues working in the design/construction industry, is a mediator and arbitrator for design and construction disputes, and provides expert witness services.
Chesterfield resident Jerome Spector, says this book tells a story rich in mystery and intrigue.
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
Available at Main Street Books, Webster Groves Bookshop, Spine Indie Bookstore, on Amazon Bookstore.
Dennis Bolazina, book author, "Desire"
OCTOBER 2024
A SELECTION O UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
OCTOBER 11TH - 13TH
Oktoberfest St. Louis Grove Bierhall and Midtown Brewery & Biergarten | 5:00 PM
Join three days of live traditional/polka style music, traditional German fare, delicious bier; family-friendly, indoor/outdoor Bavarian festival combines old traditions and new events, featuring stein-holding competitions, silent disco, axe throwing, Oktoberfest-theme craft vendors. Oct. 11: Grove street festival on Manchester, 5-11:30 p.m.; Oct. 12: Grove street 12-11:30 p.m;. Oct. 13: Midtown Biergarten Brunch/ Family Day, 11 a.m to 5 p.m.
OCTOBER 12TH
16th Annual Ride For Wishes
St. Charles Harley Davidson, 3808 West Clay | 10:00 AM
Ride For Wishes is a 501(c)(3) whose supporters raise money for Make-AWish. Shamrocks Pub N Grill at 7337 Mexico Road in St. Peters will donate and cook the food so 100% of food sales go to Make-A-Wish. St. Charles city police officers and St. Charles city firefighters are assisting. There will be a tent/booth area for St. Charles area vendors.
OCTOBER 18TH
Happy Hour
EdgeWild In Chesterfield | 4:00 PM
Kick off the weekend with great drinks, delicious food and good company. HH menu prices good from 2-6 p.m. on weekdays in the bar/patio area. As a monthly member of the Edgewild Club, one perk includes being able to make this reservation for up to 20 guests. All RSVPs will be due on Wednesday, Oct. 16, by 5 p.m. CST.
OCTOBER 18TH - 19TH
Voodoo Festival
Broadway Oyster Bar | 12:00 PM
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind specialty menu during Voodoo Fest at Broadway Oyster Bar through 11 p.m. Partake in New Orleans funk and soul, along with Voodoo sauce, Voodoo food, Voodoo drink specials and Voodoo music.
OCTOBER 20TH
St. Charles Comic & Toy Show
Steel Shop Athletics & Events | 10:00 AM
To celebrate the 35th Anniversary of 1989 Batman, Carl Newman, the Movement Double for Michael Keaton in the film, will be available for oncein-a-lifetime professional photo opportunities in the iconic suit. Attendees can enjoy comics, toys, cosplay, games and art. Shop Funko pop vinyls, vintage video games, action figures, cards, original art, and comic books. It concludes at 4 p.m.
OCTOBER 25TH - 26TH
Jack O’Lantern Trail Event
Faust Park/Chesterfield | 6:30 PM
Don Halloween costumes and experience Faust Historic Village by the light of the Jack O’Lantern glow. Bring children trick-or-treating at the park’s historic buildings, which will be decked out for Halloween. After collecting candy from the buildings of St. Louis County’s past, enjoy games, activities, a ride on the St. Louis Carousel and explore the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.
ARTICLE BY CHELSEA HAYNES
Chelsea’s Favorite Tasty Tapas
TASTY TAPAS ARE A STAPLE IN SPANISH CULTURE, CUISINE
Patatas Bravas
Patatas bravas translates to ‘spicy potatoes’ in English and is a Spanish staple in which the Spaniards fry cubed potatoes and drizzle them with bravas sauce, also known as salsa brava. Three simple ingredients: EVOO, paprika and tomato paste.
Cheese And Olives
Manchego, idiazabal, roncal and majoero, Spanish queso, always pairs well with pickled olives.
As Spain’s national dish, paella is served with seafood, squid ink, meat or veggies. This quintessential Spanish dish is known for its rich history, cultural relevance and rich flavor.
Pa amb tomàquet is the Catalan way of expressing bread with tomato, or pan tumaca in Spanish. Catalonia is the most north-eastern region in Spain, home to the coastal city of Barcelona, where bread with tomato, olive oil, garlic and salt is the perfect little plate ahead of a main course.
Prepared with Serrano ham for the additional umami flavor. Leftover chicken shreds are mixed with small pieces of ham and chilled before making them into balls. Coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried.
Pan Tumaca
Paella
I D I N G Y O U H O M E
G u i d i n g y o u t o a h o m e t o a c c o m m o d a t e y o u r
g r o w i n g n e e d s a n d p r o v i d e a m p l e s p a c e f o r d a i l y l i f e i s o u r s p e c i a l t y !
D O W N S I Z I N G
W h e t h e r y o u ' r e a n e m p t y n e s t e r , r e t i r e e , o r
s i m p l y s e e k i n g a s m a l l e r s p a c e , w e c a n h e l p !
W e w i l l s u p p o r t y o u e v e r y s t e p o f t h e w a y
w i t h e x p e r t a d v i c e , a n d v e t t e d c o n t a c t s f o r
o r g a n i z a t i o n , j u n k r e m o v a l , s t o r a g e & m o r e !
R E L O C A T I N G
R e a d y f o r a f r e s h s t a r t i n a n e w c i t y o r w a n t
t o s e c u r e a h o m e i n y o u r f a v o r i t e v a c a t i o n
s p o t ? L o o k n o f u r t h e r ! O u r e x t e n s i v e n e t w o r k
o f t r u s t e d R e a l t o r s ® w i l l g u i d e y o u t o y o u r
d r e a m h o m e !
