THE RY A R B LI OF S G N I H T
WWW.PBTC.NET
2 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
OCTOBER 2018
contents
VOL 14 | NO 10
Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta.
Departments
4
Around Town Local news and events
8
Always an Adventure Some assembly required
9
Moore on Life Terror tale
13 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Mathew DeKinder
Simon Says You should care…about something
14
Publisher Emeritus/ General Manager Robert Huneke
Automobile Alley 2018 Volvo XC60 hits the road as one of the safest SUV’s ever built
16
Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann
Food Nutritious meals for busy school nights
19
Community Calendar: October
Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Cindy Moore, Russ Patton
features 10
Staff Writer Brett Auten
15
Nonprofit Profile A tradition of excellence: St. Louis Jewish Book Festival celebrates 40 years
18
Entertainment Cooper and Gaga shine in “A Star Is Born”
For advertising information, please contact us at:
Community News 2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63366 Ph: 636.379.1775 Fx: 636.379.1632
The Library of Things St. Charles City-County Library is much more than books as its non-traditional collection of items for loan includes everything from cake pans to telescopes
www.mycnews.com
Copyright 2018 Huneke Publications, Inc. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Crossroads is a trademark of Huneke Publications, Inc. Any published use of Crossroads implying affiliation is strictly prohibited.
On the Cover: Photo courtesy St. Charles City-County Library
OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 3
Around Town
Nearly $70,000 in college scholarships awarded The Cuivre River Electric Community Trust Board is funding a record amount of college scholarships in 2018. This year, 70 students from the cooperative’s four-county service area are receiving scholarships totaling $69,750. This is the largest amount of scholarship money awarded in a single year through the Operation Round Up program. More than 140 applications were submitted. Last year, $52,500 in scholarships was awarded to 70 students. The Trust Board has awarded 2,165 scholarships totaling $1.1 million since 1997, its founding year. The scholarships have been used for undergraduate students attending accredited universities or technical schools and students seeking to continue their education. This year’s scholarship recipients from St. Charles County were Colton Bamert, Taylor Banze, Amanda Barnhouse, Rachel Barnhouse, Olivia Diederich, Joseph Eck, Lindsey Feise, Bailey Fischer, Lilia Fuentes, Rhianon Greiwe, Marissa Guenther, Isabel Hall, Erin Higgins, Erin Hill, Logan Joehl, Cameran Jones, Kristin Kinsella, Miranda Kirchoff, Benjamin Kramer, Jacob Kramer, Emily Kurtz, Haley Lembeck, Alexis Lesch, Haley Lindenbusch, Taylor Lindenbusch, Alexander Long, Isabel McCarty, Lily Merz, Caroline Neal, Brianna Norman, Grace Patton, Rebecca Purcell, Emily Roberson, Madison
Schulz, Emily Scott, Luke Statler, Taylor Tucker, Nicholas Wilke, Christine Williams and Elizabeth Winter. To be eligible for consideration, students must live in the Cuivre River Electric Co¬operative service area and maintain a mini¬mum GPA of 2.5 while attending undergrad¬uate courses at an accredited university or technical school. Applicants are also asked to provide an official transcript and two let¬ters of recommendation, write a narrative to highlight their academic achievements and state their career goals and demonstrate a financial need. The scholarship may also be used for adult continuing education courses in their career fields. Scholarships are awarded each June. The next application deadline is April 24, 2019. Scholarship funds are donated by Cuivre River Electric members who participate in Operation Round Up by rounding up their electric bill payments each month to the next highest dollar. The funds, administered by a seven-member volunteer Cuivre River Electric Community Trust Board, are avail¬able to help individuals, families and orga¬nizations. For more information on Operation Round Up, call 636-695-4837 or email tschmidt@cuivre.com.
Two Cuivre River Electric Board Directors earn top certification from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Cuivre River Electric Cooperative’s (CREC) Board President Diane Saale and Board Director Dale Anderson recently earned NRECA’s Director Gold credential certification, the highest level of achievement in NRECA’s Board Director Certificate Programs, and were presented with certificates at CREC’s July board meeting. “The commitment of time spent to earn these credentials speaks volumes about our board directors’ dedication to serving CREC,” said Doug Tracy, CREC General Manager/ CEO. “As entrusted elected officials, as well as being coop members themselves, they understand the value of this kind of education and how it contributes to acting in the best interest of their fellow members. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievement and continuing service to our cooperative.” NRECA’s Board Director Certificate Programs are specifically designed to help electric cooperative directors, at every stage of their service, understand their roles and responsibilities, stay up-to-date on the key issues and trends Submitted photo in the industry and prepare them to meet the challenges (From left) Diane Saale, CREC board president stands with Doug Tracy, CREC general manager/CEO and Dale Anfacing electric cooperatives now and in the future. derson, CREC board director. In addition to Saale’s and Anderson’s credentials, other CREC board members have also earned certificates through NRE- and BLC, and Board Directors Mick Burkemper, Mark Schulte and CA’s programs: Board Director Troy Galloway holds both the CCD Walt Gregory hold the CCD certificate. 4 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
Around Town
Wentzville Girl Scout pirouettes her way through earning the Girl Scout Gold Award Hannah Saunders, a junior at Holt High School in Wentzville, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. By earning the award, Saunders exemplifies a leader who has transformed an idea for change into an actionable plan with a measurable and sustainable impact. Saunders was recognized with other Gold Award Girl Scouts during a ceremony at Lindenwood University in St. Charles this summer. For some, Prince Ivan’s journey through the magical forest and his battle against a formidable magician is just a century-old ballet. But for Saunders, “The Firebird” is an opportunity to teach students about the strength of nonverbal communication. Conveying a message through a body movement or gesture is a powerful tool and to do so effectively can mean success in a vast number of daily interactions with friends, family, teachers and community members. To earn her Gold Award, Saunders wrote, illustrated and published five different books
Submitted photi Hannah Saunders, a junior at Holt High School in Wentzville, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.
inspired by classical ballets. After publishing, Saunders visited 10 schools in the Wentz-
ville area, presented her stories to students and initiated discussions about nonverbal communication. Saunders covered the cost of printing the 30 books by organizing and hosting several dance workshops for her fellow Girl Scouts. During these workshops, she taught the young women dance moves from “The Nutcracker.” “I partly wrote these books to help people understand what ballets are trying to express,” Saunders said. “I also wanted to teach students that there is more to communication than just talking.” After going to the schools, she gave several copies of her books to the school librarians, ensuring her passion for dance and nonverbal communication will be explored by future generations of students. The Gold Award represents the culmination of more than 80 hours of work on a project. Approximately one million Girl Scouts in ninth through 12th grade have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award or its equivalent since 1916.
WWW.BYERLYRV.COM
OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 5
Around Town
Library launches free online tutoring The St. Charles City-County Library now provides Tutor.com, an online service now free for customers with a library card. Whether you’re a student struggling with a math problem on a homework assignment or you need someone to proofread your cover letter before applying for a job, Tutor can help. From 3 – 10 p.m. daily, get live oneon-one tutoring, help with assignments, practice tests, and job search services...all
with Tutor.com. Use your St. Charles City-County library card to access: • Support with over 40 subjects and test prep areas. • Individual, on-demand homework help including proofreading. • One-on-one tutoring by qualified, trained tutors.
• College entrance exam (SAT/ACT) test prep and study tools. • Fully vetted educational and job search resources. To use Tutor.com, find the eLibrary tab on the Library website, www.youranswerplace. org, then use the A to Z search to find Tutor. com. Register for a free account using your library card.
Wentzville event diverts more than 24,000 pounds of e-waste Photo courtesy city of Wentzville
www.dpc4u.org
More than 24,000 pounds (or 12.25 tons) of e-waste was diverted from the landfill last month. This is thanks to the more than 850 participants who dropped off electronics at Wentzville’s second Electronics Recycling Event. This event also included secure document shredding, to prevent identity theft and ensure personal and confidential information was disposed of properly. Approximately 15,000 pounds (or 7.5 tons) of shredded materials were processed on-site during the event. Patient attendees waited in line to drivethru and drop off their items. Electronic waste items collected primarily included computer-related equipment, such as monitors, printers and laptops. This successful 6 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
event was coordinated by the city of Wentzville with help from Midwest Recycling Center and Shred-it. “We are glad we can provide an opportunity to help the community dispose of electronic waste properly. We want to extend a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who participated and to our rock-star volunteers,” said Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione. All in all, during 2018, the city of Wentzville has helped to divert more than 50,000 pounds (or 25 tons) of e-waste from the landfill. In January of 2018, the city hosted its first electronics recycling event in which 31,000 pounds (or 15.5 tons) of e-waste was collected.
Around Town
Wentzville teachers named Missouri Physical Education Teachers of the Year Three Wentzville School District physical education teachers have earned the title of 2018 Missouri Physical Education Teacher of the Year, at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. Sally Schulte from Heritage Primary has been named the Missouri Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Marc Tiernan from Wentzville Middle School has been named the Missouri Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, and Melanie Zerr from Timberland High School has been named the Missouri High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year; all by the Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MOAHPERD). “It is unprecedented to have all three grade-level recipients from the same school district,” said Executive Director of MOAHPERD Dr. Thomas Loughrey. “It is also an indication of the quality seen in the teachers of the Wentzville School District.” Schulte has worked for the WSD since 2010 and currently serves as the lead PE teacher for the district. “Sally is an advocate for physical and health education in our district, and she works hard to ensure that all teachers have what they need (resources, access to professional learning, etc.) to do the very best they can for their students,” said WSD Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Keri Skeeters. Tiernan, who serves in the Air National Guard, has worked for the WSD since 2012, and was honored by MOAHPERD last year with the Young Professional Award for demonstrating outstanding potential for scholarship, teaching and professional leadership. “Marc had a vision to repurpose a storage room into a space where students could create fitness goals for themselves and track their work toward these goals. Students now think of this as a lifetime activity and not merely another class that they have to take,” said Wentzville Middle School Principal Dr. Kelly Mantz. “He takes the responsibility of his job seriously and is constantly finding ways to improve himself, our students, his colleagues and his teaching methods.” Zerr, who qualified this year to compete in the World Horseshoe Championship, has worked for the WSD since 2005. “Melanie goes above and beyond to create a classroom environment that promotes valuing physical activity and a healthy lifestyle,” said Timberland PE teacher and co-worker Ami Schulte. “She is an outstanding example of how teachers should strive to be in the classroom and represent our profession.” Schulte, Tiernan and Zerr will receive their awards at the MOAHPERD state convention at the Lodge of Four Seasons on Nov. 10. They are all now eligible for the Central District Teacher of the Year award in their respective categories, which covers nine states: Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado. Central District winners are eligible for the national PE Teacher of the Year award through Shape America. “We are extremely proud to have three state-level recipients of this distinguished honor,” said WSD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “This is a reflection of the professionalism and caliber of our educators, as well as the esteem with which they are regarded across the state. We
are very fortunate to have Mrs. Schulte, Mr. Tiernan and Mrs. Zerr as part of our team as they are all leaders in their field and tremendous resources for our students.”
WWW.TREESBYWOODY.NET
Wentzville Business Spotlight
Custom Tints, Inc. located at 15278 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway is your place for custom tinting and vinyl graphics. The business is owned by Nick and Andrea Moceri and opened in Wentzville in 2004. The business began in 2000. The company provides automobile, residential and commercial window tinting; paint protection for autos; vinyl lettering and vehicle wraps; and storefront logos and window coverings. We are recognized as a LLumar Formula One certified dealer. We offer a great service and are one of the very few window tinting companies in the area. We love being a part of the growing Wentzville community and encourage you to come by and check us out!
(636)327-8468 OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 7
Photo by Avalanche
Always An Adventure
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED THE ITEM IS A SINGLE PIECE OF MOLDED PLASTIC, three feet in diameter and six inches deep; as simple of a contraption as it can be. Lime green in color, the kiddie wading pool purchased by Staci the other day for the Newfy puppies, came festooned with an assortment of warning stickers and a plastic pouch containing “Assembly Instructions.” Curious as to how one could “assemble” a one-piece wading pool, I carefully perused the multi-page instructions in hope of enlightenment. There was a large assortment of sternly-worded warnings that admonished the owner of the new pool that this was an incredibly dangerous piece of equipment, and numerous risks were attached to the possession and/or use of said item. Severe injury, death, and everything from hangnails to halitosis were all possible consequences of simply having this thing in the yard, empty or full. If all the warnings, cautions and “DANGER!!!” hysteria weren’t enough, a full paragraph instructed the now-terrified purchaser of this liquid-filled Sword of Damocles to be sure to consult with their local building code enforcement officer before “installing” or using the device, as apparently, no one can do anything these days without the approval of Someone in Authority. Of course, all these warnings and 8 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
prohibitions were helpfully printed in multiple languages, to promote diversity and inclusion. Apparently, people are pretty stupid the world around. I ignored all of the foregoing, and simply set the pool on the ground, filled it with water, and my Newfy puppies frolicked in the pool. They expressed their gratitude by chewing on the edges, reflecting the happiness of amphibious dogs living dangerously. My inner curmudgeon was triggered by the multitude of intelligence-insulting warnings, and I remembered back when I was a kid (a long time ago) we had these pesky things called “parents” who somehow managed to keep us from drowning in pools much larger than the footbath now out in my front yard, all without pages of instructions. Heck, even my dogs, not known for their great intelligence (except when they want to manipulate Staci and I into feeding them extra treats) have been able to play in the pool without mishap. However, in our modern age, such “assembly instructions” are now the norm, and probably a requirement, aside from legal reasons. For example, one of the big-box home improvement stores is now teaching a class on how to use a tape measure, as the use of such seems to no longer be self-evident. Our local sheriff is now helping to teach
prospective backcountry hikers and climbers how to not get lost, or fall off mountains and become search-and-rescue clients, something that has happened with increasing regularity. One form of instruction that used to be common here in the mountains, and is more necessary now than ever, is how to perform toilet functions in the backcountry, where there is no toilet. (Hint…Bury It!!!) Local outdoor shops used to give away a small booklet called “How to S*** in the Woods,” and it did wonders in keeping the forest tidy. Alas, with many, if not most outdoor gear purchases made online, such basic knowledge seems to have been lost on newcomers. One has to wonder, at what point does this nanny-state micro-management finally plateau, and begin to subside? It’s hard to say, but when toilet paper and tape measures require instructions, we’re probably a long way from the peak.
BY AVALANCHE
Avalanche is a functional illiterate who left the St. Louis area three decades ago in search of adventure. He enjoys motorcycling and all things outdoors. He lives with his wife and dogs.
Moore On Life
Terror tale
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF TERROR
First is the blood curdling kind of scare; the kind of scare when you come face to face with a startling creature. I have experienced this type when facing myself for the first time in the fitting room mirror during spring swimsuit sales. Many a security guard has been sent into my dressing cubicle after hearing my gasps and screams expecting to find murder and mayhem only to be chased out wearing a coat hanger around his Adam’s apple. Then there’s the other kind of terror; the kind you get when something you least expect to happen…happens. Such as, when I want to impress my family with homemade rolls and remember I know nothing about homemade or rolls. I then rely on the pre-packaged kind, also known as: explosives-in-acan. I have lost consciousness, a few heartbeats as well as control of my bladder because a biscuit bomb went off in my face before I fully unwrapped the can. Recently I experienced yet another kind of least-expect-it terror. I had just made the rounds cleaning up a few things around the house and needed to put away some towels in the cat’s bathroom. Don’t judge. They have their food, water and litterbox in there so we’ve branded it, the cat’s bathroom. Only in the U.S.A. can a pair of overindulged, fat furry felines get their own bathroom. God bless America! But I digress. As I shut the linen door and prepared to leave, I spied a kibble on the floor that had somehow escaped the cat food dish.
“Dang fur babies can’t keep anything in order,” I muttered to myself. I reached down and snatched it up in a tight finger lock. That’s when the feelings in my digits transmitted immediately to my brain that all was not right. “Mayday! Mayday! Nerve endings sensing inaccuracy.” My mind sent down further flashes of information. “Kibble should remain firm and inflexible. Abort! Abort! Misidentified!” “Huh?” Said my slow-witted self. “Kibble should never…squish!” “Ooo-o-oh,” I said finally putting two and two together. The horror finally kicked in. I gasped, I gagged, I screamed, I tripped over the rug to the sink and flicked and soaped and scrubbed and plunged my fingers under scalding water. Moral: beware when your brain puts two and two together; it might actually be poo and poo. BY CINDY MOORE
Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.
OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 9
THE LIBRARY OF THINGS St. Charles City-County Library is much more than books as its non-traditional collection of items for loan includes everything from cake pans to telescopes
10 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
“ What we hear the most is, ‘I had no idea you had …’ fill in the blank. It is always fun to see customers discover our more unusual items.” - Carol Schrey Director of Collections Services
By Brett Auten
C
arol Schrey may have summed it up best. “What better institution is there to share things than the library?” Schrey offered. In this day and age, the St. Charles CityCounty Library is much more than books, music and movies. Schrey is the Director of Collections Services for the Library District, which in short means she is responsible for the items that are brought in to your neighborhood library and that list of items keeps growing and becoming more diverse each and every month. In the library world, these items even have their own name. The Library of Things describes non-traditional collections that are being loaned by libraries. These new types of collections
OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 11
vary widely, but go far beyond the books, journals, and media that have been the primary focus of library collections in the past. “What we hear the most is, ‘I had no idea you had …’ fill in the blank,” Schrey said. “It is always fun to see customers discover our more unusual items.” The Library of Things movement is a growing trend in the United States. These collections are all a part of the sharing economy, an economic system in which assets or services are shared between private individuals, either free or for a fee, typically by means of the internet. A Library of Things collections are often supported by educational programming and public events. Among the unconventional items for check out at the St. Charles City-County Library are cake pans. Over 180 in variety, including popular T.V. and movie characters (Big Bird, Superman, Disney princesses), sports themes (bowling, football), holiday themes (graduation, hearts, Santa) unusual shapes (tiered, hexagon, springform) and more.
12 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
Photos courtesy St. Charles City-County Library
For your inner astronomer, there are telescopes and sun spotters are provided thanks to the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri. If you are looking to shake up your fitness routine, there are 18 different fitness kits available. From the basic to the trendy options include yoga, balance board, kettlebell, resistance bands, hulla hoop, disc golf and more. Have you heard about the latest fad when it comes to making meals? The SCCLD has you covered with kitchen equipment including food dehydrator, air fryer, spiralizer (a kitchen device used to cut vegetables into long ribbons or strips resembling noodles or spaghetti) and instant pot. And of course, books is what they do best and there are book discussion kits with over 700 different titles. There are kits for adults, young adults, and children that include 10 copies of same book with discussion guide. Among the fun and games for children
include the Vox Talking Books. “The Vox Talking Books are brand new,” Schrey said. “They are similar to the books we used to have where you would play a cassette or CD and follow along. Except the audio is attached to the books.” There are also Launchpads and Lit Kits, which are backpacks full of themed books, games and activities. “The Launchpads are digital tablets preloaded with games and learning activities,” Schrey added. “With an emphasis on math, science and art.” As far as what to expect in the future at the library, that is up to the citizens of the city and county. “We want to hear from our customers and see if it’s something we can get,” Schrey said. “One of our goals is to meet them outside of the library. These tools extend into their leisure and recreation time, they extend into their homes and out in the park and the community.”
Simon Says Advertiser Profile
You should care…
I
don’t know about you, but I’ve recently seen a lot of people on social media posting about current events saying, “You SHOULD Care” about this. Whether it be immigration, sexual assault, climate change, who Nike has as their spokesperson…it never ends. The posts keep coming and the conversations run ramped, and I always have a huge issue with the words “SHOULD CARE.” Who are you to tell me what I should care about? Is immigration and separating families a big issue in this country? Absolutely. But if I were to tell some of these “should care” folks that I don’t care as much about this subject as they do, I’m automatically labeled a horrible person with a heart made of stone who lacks all empathy. Which is totally not the case with me, at all. You see, I do care. I care a LOT. I care about the organizations whom I have a relationship with and wholeheartedly believe and value their mission; I care about what’s happening in our foster care system and the children who enter it and try to advocate as best I can when I can; I care about the opioid epidemic that is taking the lives of far too many peo-
about something
ple in our community; I care about the rise in alcoholism and how early our youth are starting to partake. You see we don’t all have to agree on whom to support, who to financially contribute to and most importantly we don’t all have to agree. Yes. That is possible! Remember the days when everyone could have their own opinion without fear of backlash or criticism for our beliefs and stance on certain things? I miss those days. I care deeply about my family, my friends, my faith and my future. I could go on and on about things that are near and dear to my own heart, but instead I will give you a glimpse of some of the nonprofits that I believe make a difference in our community, so that maybe you can too. If not, I urge you to research an area organization whose mission is on par with your beliefs. • Luke’s Legacy • The Child Center • Jordan’s Place • The Divine Nest • Warren County Handicapped Services • The Sparrow’s Nest • Community Living
• • • •
The Center for Autism Unlimited Play Shoes and Hope Foster Adoption Support Team To wrap it up - you don’t have to care about what everyone else thinks you should care about, nor about what everyone else cares about. Just care about something. Find your own cause that you can support. Attend a trivia night, 5k or another fundraiser. If you have an extra few dollars laying around, send it in. Have some extra time? Join a board of directors. The smallest things can have a huge impact on not only the organization that you are choosing to support, but for you and your own overall happiness knowing you are helping make a change. BY LAURIE SIMON
Laurie Simon lives in St. Peters with her husband and toddler son. When not rehabbing her home she enjoys weekends at the lake and spending time with family, friends and her two fur babies. OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 13
Automobile Alley
2018
VOLVO XC60
HITS THE ROAD AS ONE OF THE SAFEST SUV’S EVER BUILT
V
olvo Motors is answering the needs of luxury SUV buyers seeking a comfortable five-passenger, mid-size, all-wheel-drive vehicle with the introduction of their 2018 XC60. Regardless of your viewing angle, this newest version has an outer body design that’s modern and attractive. The 2018 replaces Volvo’s highly-successful original/out-going version. Worth noting, in the nine years since XC60’s launch, it became the best-selling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe, with nearly a million units sold globally. The vehicle today represents some 30 percent of Volvo’s total global sales overall. “We have a strong heritage in designing stylish and dynamic SUVs that offer the latest in technology. The new XC60 will be no exception. It’s the perfect car for an active lifestyle, and it represents the next step in our transformation plan,” said Hakan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive, Volvo Car Group. Honestly, it’s fair to suggest that most car company ad campaigns tend to boast on how safe their vehicles are. To that point, the new XC60 is also one of the safest SUV’s ever built and thus needs to be included under this safety canopy. Without question, this worldclass vehicle is fully-loaded with a legendary list of welcomed standard features. The short list includes: large panoramic moonroof, front power seats with massage and ventilation, LED front and rear lighting, under floor rear hidden storage, 9-inch center dash touch screen, front and rear parking assist feature with back up camera plus a sophisticated chassis that helps convey a connected driving experience that’s sure footed and precise. To take this to yet a higher level, their op14 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
tional four corner air ride suspension system not only helps to comprise an ecstatic driving experience, it automatically can lower the vehicle some two inches in order to assist with cargo. Volvo’s unique Steer Assist feature for ‘18 has been added to their ground-breaking City Safety system. Additionally, a new safety breakthrough referred to as Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses steer assist to help alleviate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication System now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions. I will admit that the automatic steering assist does take some time to get accustom to. It’s almost as if an invisible co-pilot is taking over control of the car’s steering in order to help keep the vehicle between the driving lanes. The factory’s Pilot Assist enhancement is further defined as Volvo’s advanced semiautonomous driver abatement system. Besides addressing the vehicles steering, it’s also linked to the car’s overall acceleration and braking componentry. This option is designed to function on well-marked and defined roads up to 80 MPH. On the otherhand, when driving on pavement in which the center lane markers and/or right side shoulder paint striping was sun faded, Pilot Assist appeared to be somewhat “electronically puzzled” in making the correct driving assist maneuvers. Focused towards XC60’s interior, it’s a solid illustration of a masterful and well thought out architecture, with the use of beautiful materials such as real wood, chrome inserts and the very latest in technology. Pricing runs from $41,500-$45,300 however,
if you choose their 400-horsepower T8 plugin Hybrid, it has an MSRP of $56,700. The pricing excludes the factories $995 destination and shipping charges. At road-test, I drove the Inscription T6 with AWD. It had their 2.0-liter turbo/supercharged engine rated at 316-horsepower. The EPA numbers reflected 21-mpg city/27-mpg highway. It had a sticker price of $63,290 after option packages. The base warranty is for 48-months/50,000 miles and also included is regular scheduled maintenance for 3-years/36,000 miles. The new Volvo XC60 is produced at their Torslanda Plant, located in Sweden. BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN
David Finkelstein is a Master/ Skill Automotive Service Technician and a shop owner. He’s also invented garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National and local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. He pioneered “Car Talk Radio” starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio and hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and does some consulting with various auto manufacturers.
Nonprofit Profile
A tradition of excellence:
St. Louis Jewish Book Festival celebrates 40 years
T
he St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is an annual celebration of premier authors, books, and ideas during the first two weeks of November, with additional bookend events year-round. The range of author topics is vast: fiction, history, music, politics, cooking, family, religion, sports and more. Now in its 40th year, the festival is nationally recognized for both its excellence and its size – it is one of the largest in the country with more than 10,000 audience members annually. People from all backgrounds and religions come to Festival events to hear premier speakers, share their thoughts, and ask questions. Peter Sagal from NPR’s “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” will kick off the 2018 season with a Keynote Presentation on Nov. 4. More than 30 additional authors will present their latest titles through Nov.16. Festival favorites such as Martin Fletcher (“Promised Land,” Nov. 5), Sarge (Nov. 10), Rebecca Rosen (“What the Dead Have Taught Me About Living Well,” Nov. 12) and Marilyn Rothstein (“Husbands and Other Sharp Objects,” Nov. 13) will be returning to St. Louis this year. Additionally, the Festival is excited to introduce the community to some new authors, such as Izzy Ezagui (“Disarmed,” Nov. 7), Stephen Flatow (“A Father’s Story,” Nov. 9), Beck Dorey-Stein (“From the Corner of the Oval,” Nov. 14) and Nell Scovell (“Just The Funny Parts,” Nov. 15). The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is honored to not only have such talent during November, which is Jewish Book Month, but that so many exceptional writers will appear throughout the year. In January, a community-wide program will feature author Sam Graham-Felsen whose first novel, “Green,” has received critical acclaim. The story of two middle school boys in 1992, “Green” explores a cross-racial friendship embracing one of our essential American stories. Graham-Felsen will moderate a discussion with leaders from local schools about education, class, and modern day civil rights. Festival-goers can take advantage of the Premier Pass, which allows entry to all Jewish Book Festival Events (through June 2018) for only $110. Passes can be ordered by calling 314-4423299. Student tickets are free for any author event with a valid student ID at the door. Nearly all Jewish Book Festival Events take place at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex at 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. The core festival, which runs Nov. 4-16, is a program of the Jewish Community Center. More information can be found at stljewishbookfestival.org. Submitted photos
OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 15
For the Love of Food
NUTRITIOUS MEALS for busy school nights
W
hen school is back in session, the real test for parents is not in the classroom, but in the kitchen. Between breakfast, lunch and dinner – not to mention snacks – meal planning seems endless and daunting. With convenient options like canned ingredients on-hand, parents can have the makings of a wholesome homemade meal right at their fingertips. Canned foods not only help cut down on prep time in the kitchen, but also deliver nutritional benefits. In fact, kids and adults who use six or more canned foods per week are more likely to have diets higher in 17 essential nutrients, according to a study published in “Nutrients.” Plus, cans provide year-round access to seasonal fruits and vegetables, and keep food fresh and flavorful without the need for preservatives and additives. From on-the-go breakfasts like Vegetable Frittata Minis to hearty dinners like this Beef and Vegetable Soup and everything in-between, a well-stocked pantry – or your “cantry” – full of canned proteins, fruits, vegetables and soups can help busy parents get through the week with creative meals they can feel good about serving their families. For more information about the nutritional benefits of cooking with canned foods and to find flavorful recipes for the back-to-school season, visit CansGetYouCooking.com.
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Gluten-Free Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 20 (2 loaves)
Ingredients:
4 cups oat flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg pinch of salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin 2 cups chopped walnuts 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips 1/2 c up confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon milk
Directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Grease two 8-by-4-inch loaf pans. In large bowl, combine oat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
olate chips. Spoon mixture into prepared pans. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely.
In large bowl using mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla, oat flour mixture and pumpkin; beat until just blended. Stir in walnuts and choc-
In small bowl, stir confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle mixture over pumpkin bread.
For the Love of Food
Tuna Sliders with Green Chilies Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 12 Ingredients: 1 can (5-ounce) tuna, packed in water, drained and flaked 1 can (4.25-ounce) chopped green chilies 1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup diced red onion 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley 6 slider rolls, split lettuce leaves
Directions: In large bowl, combine tuna, green chilies, celery, red onion, mayonnaise and chopped cilantro; toss to mix well.
Top bottom half of each roll with lettuce leaves; top with some tuna mixture and top half of roll.
Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 6 Ingredients: 1 cup cooked egg noodles 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound lean ground beef 1 medium onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) low-sodium beef broth Directions: In 4-quart saucepan over mediumhigh heat, in hot oil, cook ground beef until well browned on all sides, stirring frequently. With slotted spoon, remove beef to bowl.
Vegetable Frittata Minis
In drippings remaining in saucepan over medium heat, cook onion and
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) sliced carrots, drained 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) cut green beans 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes 1 teaspoon dried basil garlic until tender-crisp. Add beef broth, carrots, green beans, stewed tomatoes, basil and ground beef; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10-15 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Stir in cooked egg noodles.
Recipe courtesy of Cans Get You Cooking | Servings: 36 Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray 8 large eggs 1/2 c up milk 1/4 t easpoon salt 1/4 t easpoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1 can (8 ounces) mixed vegetables, drained 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions: Heat oven to 375 F. Spray mini muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.
Fill prepared pans with egg mixture. Bake until egg mixture puffs and is just set in center, about 8-10 minutes.
In large bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, pepper and basil to blend well. Stir in mixed vegetables and Parmesan cheese.
With rubber spatula, loosen frittatas from muffin cups and slide onto platter.
OCTOBER 2018 | CROSSROADS | 17
Entertainment
COOPER AND GAGA SHINE IN
“A STAR IS BORN”
“A Star is Born” photo Warner Bros.
“A STAR IS BORN” IS AN OLD STORY. So old, in fact, it was first told in 1937 and then again three more times. The reason this story stays evergreen is because the glories and horrors of fame and fortune continue to play out in places like Hollywood, Nashville and New York City again and again and again. The 2018 version of “A Star Is Born” is notable because it contains some impressive “firsts” for two of our galaxy’s brightest performers. Pop star Lady Gaga is outstanding in her first turn onscreen as a leading lady, while her co-star Bradley Cooper shows off his chops behind the camera in his directorial debut. So if this saga of love, loss and fame has slipped past you in the last 80 years, allow me to get you up to speed. Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a gritty, soulful rocker whose career is on the backside of a high peak. Even though he is sweet and often unassuming, Jackson has his demons – most prominently his raging alcoholism. After one gig and in desperate need of a drink, Jackson drops into the first bar he can find. It is there where he meets Ally (Lady Gaga), a frustrated singer/songwriter who is ready to cash out on her dream, outside of an occasional performance as the only female singer in a drag show. Ally catches Jackson’s eye, but it’s her talent that captures his heart. The two begin a 18 | CROSSROADS | OCTOBER 2018
whirlwind courtship that includes Jackson bringing Ally on stage where she shines under the bright lights in front of huge crowds. It is at this point that Ally’s career as a solo artist begins to take off, just as Jackson’s drinking gets worse and worse to the point that it threatens to derail both of their careers and their relationship. While “A Star Is Born” has more than its share of rough and raw moments, it is at its heart a love story and the chemistry between Gaga and Cooper is undeniable. When stripped of the artifice of her pop persona, Gaga is able to bring a blue-collar edge to her performance as Ally. She certainly has the chops to command the screen and seeing her nab some award nominations for this role would be no surprise. As convincing as Gaga is as an actress, Cooper is almost equally convincing as a musician, singing respectably in a gravely, earthy voice that sounds like he is impersonating Sam Elliott. This turned out to be intentional as Cooper cast Elliot as Jackson’s older brother and road manager. Cooper brought in an excellent supporting cast for this movie, including notable turns by Andrew Dice Clay as Ally’s father and Dave Chappelle as one of Jackson’s childhood friends. “A Star Is Born” is at its best when Cooper
and Gaga share the screen, particularly when they are onstage. Cooper does an excellent job of putting the audience onstage with the performers and gives us all a tiny taste of what a thrill it must be to be a rock star. And the songs aren’t half bad either. Cooper is very intimate with his camera work, featuring a lot of close ups and lingering on Gaga’s face in the moments where Jackson is the most enamored with her. “A Star Is Born” can’t be accused of breaking new ground, but it does show the value of taking a familiar story and doing it very, very well. Don’t be surprised if this movie lingers into awards season and maybe even walks away with a trophy or two. “A Star Is Born” is rated R for language throughout, some sexuality/nudity and substance abuse. For up to the minute reviews, columns and all things entertainment go to www. matsentertainment.com BY MATHEW DEKINDER
Mathew DeKinder is a film critic and member of the St. Louis Film Critics Association, and also serves as the publisher of the Community News.
Community Calendar
October 1 – Child Health Day
9 – Leif Erikson Day
6 – Grandparenting conference
13 – Navy Birthday
Biblical Grandparenting Conference takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church Wentzville at 653 Luetkenhaus Blvd. in Wentzville. This grandparenting conference is to gain encouragement, training and tools to help you be a disciple-maker who passes on a heritage of faith in Christ to future generations. Conference speaker is Josh Mulvihill, Ph.D., author of numerous books including “Biblical Grandparenting.” Tickets are $10 and lunch is included with ticket price. Tickets are available at www.fbcwentzville.com. For more information email FBCWentzville.com or call 636-327-8696.
8 – Columbus Day
15 – White Cane Safety Day 16 – Boss’s Day 20 – Hayride Hoedown
Hayride Hoedown takes place at Broemmelsiek Park near Defiance. During the event, participants experience a 45-minute scenic wagon ride through the park, along with a light dinner, s’mores and the foot-stomping, knee-slapping performance of Babaloo, a one-man musical comedy act suitable for all ages. Cost of the event is $10.50 per person. Pre-registration is required by calling the parks department. Choose from a 6, 6:45, or 7:30 p.m. hay wagon departure.
27 – Cemetery tour
The Wentzville Community Historical Society is conducting a cemetery tour at Linn and South Linn Cemetery from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10. Children under 10 are free. Linn and South Linn Cemetery have both been a part of Wentzville since the 1800s. Located off Church Street south of I-70, it is the final resting place for many Wentzville Citizens, including William M. Allen, the founder of Wentzville. Advance tickets will be available at the next Wentzville Community Historical Society General Membership Meeting on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Green Lantern. Or at the Caboose on Main Street during the Fall Festival. Tickets will also be available the day of the event at the cemetery.
31 – Halloween
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