CrossRoads: January 2016

Coffee

with a conscience

jANUARY 2016

contents

VOL 13 | NO 1

Departments

Published monthly with newsstand circulation to Wentzville and Lake Saint Louis plus newsstands in O’Fallon, Troy, Lake Sherwood and Augusta.

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Around Town Local news and events

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Simon Says It’s a new year for a new you

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Always an Adventure This old truck Moore on Life Winter blues and blahs

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Publisher Robert Huneke

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Editor Mathew DeKinder

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Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann

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Entertainment The outstanding women of 2015

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Food Swap salt for herbs and spices in 2016

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Photo Op Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk

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Community Calendar: January

Contributors Avalanche, Robin Daniels, David Finkelstein, Tony Mathews, Cindy Moore, Russ Patton, Laurie Simon Photographer Ray Rockwell Staff Writer Brett Auten 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

www.mycnews.com

Copyright 2015 Huneke Publications, Inc.

features

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Automobile Alley Toyota brings hybrid versatility to both the Prius and RAV4 Business Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

Nonprofit Profile There’s always Room at the Inn in St. Louis Coffee with a conscience Man from St. Charles County develops nonprofit coffee company that supports clean-water initiatives

By Brett Auten

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Advertiser Profiles Keeping your wallet warm through the winter

By Robin Daniels

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 Joe and Jennifer Koenig

JANUARY 2016 | CROSSROADS

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Around Town

WSD purchases land for new elementary school District, and the tenth school built in the WSD since 2000. The land has an appraised value of $1,760,000 according to Real Estate Analysts, Limited. “We are very pleased with the purchase price, given the appraisal and the prime location of the property,” said WSD CFO Pam Frazier.

Closing on this land is an integral part of the Board of Education’s K-6 Plan for Growth which calls for two elementary schools being built simultaneously beginning next spring with a targeted completion date in time for the start of the 2017-18 school year. The two new schools, along with re-districting, will provide enough space to move sixth grade students out of the three middle schools into the district’s elementary schools. The plan is designed to free up much needed space at the middle school level for the next three-to-five Map graphic courtesy Wentzville School District years, depending Bottom photo courtesy Wentzville School District on growth.

This artistic rendering is of a new elementary school being built by the Wentzville School Once the plans District on 31.1 acres on Highway Z near Perry for the second Cate Boulevard. new elementary school are finalized, the district will form a Boundary Committee made up of parents, staff, and community members to help determine the new attendance areas for WSD schools.

The Wentzville School District has announced the purchase of 31.1 acres on Highway Z near Perry Cate Boulevard, where the district will soon start construction on a new elementary school.

“This is a great location for our next building,” said Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain.

“We have seen unprecedented growth in the southeast area of our district and this school will provide much needed space for our students.” The WSD continues to be the fastest growing district in the state, adding on average between 500 and 600 new students each year since 2000.

The purchase price of the property was $1,400,445 and was funded with revenue from Proposition E which was approved by voters in April. This will be the tenth elementary school in the Wentzville School

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CROSSROADS | JANUARY 2016

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www.myprovidencebank.com

Around Town

Report lists O’Fallon as one of Missouri’s safest cities O’Fallon’s reputation as a safe city was recently bolstered by the Nov. 30 release of the “25 Safest Cities in Missouri Report for 2015.”

Compiled by analysts with SafeWise, a home security industry broker, the report ranked O’Fallon among Missouri’s safest cities. With a population of 84,000, O’Fallon also is the only city with a population of over 50,000 to be included in the listing. To read the report, visit www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-missouri-2015.

To determine its ranking of safest cities, SafeWise reviewed FBI

Crime Report data from 2013, the most recent statistics that are available. Considering only cities with a minimum population of 3,000, SafeWise took into account the number of reported violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder rape and robbery) along with property crimes (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft), and then calculated the probability of these crimes occurring per 1,000 people.

St. Charles County renews WIC services contract The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment has renewed its contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to continue operating the popular Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) through 2016.

St. Charles County’s WIC program provides specific supplemental foods and nutrition education at no cost to qualifying pregnant or breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants and children up to age five.

Studies confirm that women who participate in WIC have fewer low birth-weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier. The primary services provided include health screening, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and referrals to additional health care.

By participating, eligible families will receive checks or packages of nutritious foods designed to maintain overall health and aid in development. WIC supplemental food packages are specially chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium and vitamins A and C. Participants are eligible to receive milk and cheese; eggs; wholegrain bread products and hot or cold cereals; 100 percent fruit juices, whole fruits, and vegetables. Because it’s determined to be the ideal food source for babies, the WIC program encourages breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding support, baby foods and infant cereal.

For women who cannot, or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental, iron-fortified formula.

Funded and administered at the federal level through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and managed at the state level by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (Bureau

of Nutrition Services and WIC), St. Charles County’s WIC program operates through the Division of Public Health (located at 1650 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles). Services are provided, by scheduled appointment, from 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Persons interested in applying for WIC services in St. Charles County should make an appointment by phone at 636-949-7402.

St. Charles County WIC participants must meet income guidelines, be a Missouri resident and be individually determined to be at “nutritional risk” by a health professional. The current income guideline schedule is available online at http://health.mo.gov/living/families/ wic/eligibility_income.php. For these guidelines, pregnant women are counted as two family members when eligibility is determined.

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JANUARY 2016 | CROSSROADS

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Simon Says

It’s a

new year

Happy New Year to you and yours! I feel that every January come New Year’s resolutions. Quit smoking, eat healthy, lose weight; the list goes on and on. I myself seem to always make a resolution every Jan. 1, but rarely ever do I stick to it. Is there a time I’ve ever stuck to a promise I made myself? The answer to that is yes - it just wasn’t a New Year’s resolution but rather a mid-year, midlife resolution to lose weight, get healthy and find the new me. If you happen to be in that current boat of wanting to make a change, I hope that the rest of this story will give you the boost you need to start your journey!

Back in March of 2012 I knew I needed to make a change. I had gained weight and a lot more of it than I ever thought I would gain. I was not watching what I was eating or the amount. I was drinking soda and sweet drinks with very little water, and I found myself and my life out of control. I woke up one day and said, “THIS IS IT. I’m tired of getting winded walking up the stairs. I’m tired of feeling guilty, and feeling like garbage, after consuming 1,300 calories at 10 at night while binge eating and watching recorded TV. I’m tired of feeling down about myself.”

And it was at that moment when I vowed to change my life for the better.

I started simply by walking. Walking around the neighborhood, walking on a treadmill, walking up and down the staircase; anything I could do to get me moving, I did it and I slowly worked myself up to walking four miles a day.

Now, simply walking every day had its huge

CROSSROADS | JANUARY 2016

new you

benefits and was the kick-starter to me losing weight and getting healthy, but what also helped that process become smoother was that I changed my eating habits. I began saying no to fast food, even when it was the most convenient option. I started buying more fruits and vegetables to snack on as I began to notice that a bag of chips was a lot more expensive than a bundle of bananas. I began making salads for lunch incorporating some sort of protein on top, using only a splash of olive oil and red wine vinegar as my dressing. I am a firm believer that you cannot delete every food item you enjoy while trying to lose weight. Deleting every yummy parcel of food I enjoy would have turned me into an unhappy, crabby monster if I couldn’t eat a cookie or something juicy and delicious just every once in awhile.

My biggest rule that I stuck to – no carbs after 7 p.m. and this was a lifesaver!

All said and done I am proud to say I lost a total of 60 pounds. I started to have faith in myself for the first time ever by sticking to my exercise plan, I said no to the foods I once never thought twice about, and I showed myself I had it in me to be the very best version of myself I could be. After I lost the weight and became healthy for the first time in 10 years, I would tell people that I really love the new me, the happy, energetic, brand new me. I really believed that until my best friend Erin looked me dead in the eyes one day and said “Laurie, there is nothing new about you. The old Laurie is back, the one we have all been waiting for, for a very long time. I’m so proud of you and happy

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for a

you’re back.” I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty proud of myself, too.

I will tell you that the process is a journey and one that cannot be rushed. Remember that losing weight and getting healthy is not a sprint to the finish line but rather a marathon. The weight for me did not fall off all at once and I did find myself frustrated with the plateaus I would hit but I stayed on my diet and exercise plan and before I knew it the scale was going down yet again.

It took a little over two years to lose those 60 pounds, and it was worth every second.

Pick a plan that is right for you. Join a gym if you have the funds. Just because one aspect worked for me doesn’t mean it will work for you but I hope that through all of this you may have found the inspiration you need to get healthy or lose weight, if that is your resolution for 2016. But whatever goals you may set for the new year, I hope you find success and happiness.

Happy New Year!

The top photo is Laurie Simon in 2008. The bottom photo is her now.

by LAURIE Simon

Laurie Simon was just married and is settling into blissful newlywed life. She enjoys laying by the pool with friends, getting away to her family lake house on weekends, walking her four-legged baby Maggie and spending every second possible with her new husband.

Nonprofit Profile

There’s always Room at the Inn in St. Louis Tierra and her daughter did not ask for much for the holidays. The No. 1 item on their list to Santa was a place to call home during the holidays.

Their wish became a reality.

Tierra and her daughter are one of the hundreds of homeless families who have sought emergency shelter at Room at the Inn in the past year.

Tierra, 30, is a single mother who became homeless after losing her job and having her car stolen earlier this year. After months of hard work, Tierra now has two jobs, which have placed her on a path to housing.

“Resilience is key,” Tierra said. “Room at the Inn offered me the tools, but I had to go out there and work hard. I am ecstatic that me and my baby will have housing for the holidays.”

Thanks to the support of hundreds of donors and thousands of volunteers, Room can continue offering the homeless women and families of St. Louis County the necessary tools to move them out of their homeless episode.

The story of Room at the Inn, however, has had many years in the making.

In 1982, a woman by the name of Karen Olson had a vision to make change happen.

Upon learning that there were hundreds of homeless families in her neighborhood of Union County, New Jersey, she turned to the religious community for help. Con-

vinced that there were many who shared her concern, she knew together they could do more to make a difference.

She engaged churches to help and, in 1986, named the effort “The Interfaith Hospitality

Network.” It was designed to provide families without homes temporary shelter in unused church space. By 1988, the hospitality model spread nationwide. In December of that year, a similar program began here through the County shelter, Community in Partnership, who began housing overflow from the Salvation Army’s shelter on weekends and in the winter months.

Glen Greenville, minister at McKnight Road Church of Christ, introduced “Room at the Inn,” borrowing the idea from a program in Tennessee, whereby unused church space is used to temporarily house the homeless. That is when more churches in St. Louis County also began providing overflow

housing to The Salvation Army on weekends and during the winter.

In 1992, under the direction of Barbara Bixler Vogel, Room at the Inn received a grant from the St. Louis County Department of Human Services and Housing Resource Commission. With this grant, the Salvation Army was able to recruit more congregations as overnight sites and expand Room at the Inn to a year-round shelter. The Sisters of Divine Providence were approached to house the expanded day site. They donated the use of the fourth floor of their provincial house, Mount Providence. In 1993, the Sisters made a corporate commitment to families without homes and became the formal sponsors of Room at the Inn. The Divine Providence Community provides the facilities, utilities and many professional services.

In 1999, the Sisters moved their administrative offices to the present site inBridgeton, where one-third of their building was designed to accommodate Room at the Inn. What makes Room at the Inn innovative is its partnership between the Sisters and nearly 60 interfaith congregations, as well as its collaboration with nonprofit and governmental agencies, foundations, businesses and individuals. The program serves families in need only through the generous sharing of time, hospitality, food and facilities of our faithful partners.

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JANUARY 2016 | CROSSROADS

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Always An Adventure My neighbor told me a delivery driver pointed out my old truck one day and said, “Is that Ken’s old truck? He’s had that thing for thirty years.” I had to think about it, and yes, I’ve had the old beast for three decades. I had worked with the driver when I bought the truck in the mid-eighties. That meant that I had owned the rig since before the neighbor, in his late-twenties, was born.

And I bought it used, very used. A cowboy had purchased it brand new in 1978. By the time I got it, there were 159,000 miles on the odometer, and it was on its second motor. The suspension was tired from hauling horse trailers for many miles.

Working as a mechanic at the time, I installed a new motor, a new rear-end gear set and beefed up the suspension with new components and a lift kit.

Built when vehicles (and regulations) were much simpler, it is constructed primarily of steel; big, solid chunks of it. Being a heavy-duty half-ton, it is mercifully devoid of the poorly-engineered and even less-effective pollution controls of the day. Lots of room in the engine compartment allows one to access any part needing repair quite easily. Replacement parts were readily available at any auto parts store when I bought it, somewhat less-so now. With a basic assortment of hand tools, once can accomplish nearly any necessary repairs just about anywhere. Electrical circuits are simple, and the only things resembling modern electronics are the ignition module and the radio.

Air conditioning consists of opening a combination of windows and the sunroof. No cruise control, power windows, locks or seats, heated seats/mirrors, or other creature comforts, all deemed standard equipment these days, are there to fail and require expensive repairs.

This old truck has collided with deer, trees and a few ditches.

I can blame some of those unexpected stops on the conspiracy between gravity and steep, icy roads. It has hauled lots of motor-

cycles, elk carcasses, groceries, commuters and computers, rocks, gravel, dirt and firewood. It’s been to hunting camps, ice climbing festivals and rodeos. A daily driver for years, it has hauled us to many states and Canada; all at 10 mpg.

Some south-of-the-border gangsters stole it in the early 90’s, but they blew up the clutch before being able to drive it to noman’s-land and trade it for narcotics. They abandoned it on a rancher’s property, where it was recovered a couple of months later.

It had its last paint job shortly after being recovered. Rust never sleeps, and even in the dry climate of the Central Rockies, it has insidiously attacked the floorboards. I can now see daylight coming in around the edges of the floor next to the doors. A sheet of plywood keeps the passenger’s feet from punching through what’s left of the floor. I’ll need to deal with it soon, before I have Fred Flintstone-style brakes, dragging my feet to bring the truck to a stop. These days, I generally leave a protective layer of dirt over what remains of the paint, as going to the car wash leaves too many paint flakes on the ground.

Here in the Rockies, an old beater truck is a great thing to have.

Bouncing around in the mountains on old logging roads is more fun when you don’t have a mortgage-sized monthly payment to think about as you squeeze between trees, worried about the paint and the delicate running gear. This old truck is finally too old to interest the drug cartels; they buy brand new vehicles now, or even entire dealerships. Stealing an old warhorse like this is simply too labor intensive for a modern drug runner.

Such old trucks have a great deal of intrinsic value in rural areas, but not so much in the monetary realm. Retail value on this rig is about what a good set of new all-terrain tires cost. Insurance and tags are cheap. And I could trade in a half-dozen of these, and it would not yield enough for a decent down payment on a new truck that gets just a few mpg more than this one.

As the odometer closes in on 300k, this old truck only gets driven about 1,000 miles per year. Those miles are mostly to fetch firewood, elk and gravel, tasks that would scuff up the pretty paint on a newer rig. It’s still reliable enough and comfortable enough to do the job – but I always bring tools, just in case.

tHIS OLD TRUCK

Photo by Avalanche

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.

www.themeadowsatlsl.com

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CROSSROADS | JANUARY 2016

Moore On Life

Winter blues and blahs It must suck to be January. After all, think about it, the big yippee, yahoo exclamation point at the end of the calendar year has just passed. If the month of December is that big exclamation point then that must mean January is what, the big colon? Yes, that sad little mark which is never fully understood or appreciated and often misused and abused. Kind of like the ugly, red-headed stepchild of punctuation marks.

Poor, cold January – so dark and miserable.

The calendar-makers had to do something to make it feel important so they invented after-Christmas sales, grabbing at any excuse to celebrate. Whose bright bulb idea was that? Even I, the extreme shopper, need a little reprieve from credit card collapse.

That’s all we need – a reason to go deeper in debt after last month’s madcap holiday spending frenzy!

There’s nothing much going on in January.

It’s such a bleak, uneventful time. Even the big New Year’s Eve party got squeezed into December’s last day of the month. You have to hand it to December for being genius at business and marketing and grabbing all the action it can. After the big party, all January gets stuck with on the first day of its onset, is cranky people suffering from hangovers and broken resolutions. Even more pitiful, the calendar-makers seemed to be grasping at straws and stuck an event – any event, into the month hoping to boost its morale.

They came up with, of all things, National Soup Month.

a little ride. I’ll lure him into the car by tossing in a warm French fry along with his Christmas gift card he received to the Big Manly-Man’s Lumber Store. Next, I’ll drop him off. He should be able to stay lost in there for at least a few weeks without knowing any time has passed. He weighs about 200 lbs. I’ve just lost weight. Check that off the list.

Do something creative. I’ll use chocolate and ice cream as my medium. I intend to create an igloo built entirely out of Eskimo Pies. That checks off creativity. Oh, did I mention? I will be inside the structure and it will have no exit. Double snaps on the creativeness. Next, I will eat my way out, thus providing myself an abundance of exercise.

Hey, do you realize how many calories it will burn off to eat an entire igloo?! I’ll be skin and bones by the time I’m out.

So to celebrate, I’m going to have a bowl of something delicious to re-energize. Kale, perhaps? Not on your sweet momma’s naggy life! Tell her those superfood vegetables can all go to kale. I’m thinking, bacon cheeseburger soup!

Sad. Who can even compete after the preceding month of holly jolly revelry and continuous eating, shopping, frolicsome parties, merry music, holiday movies, giving presents, receiving presents, gumdrops and lollipops, candy canes and cookies, joy and bliss…and then boom; it’s over.

Then the New Year plunks in like a sack of wet laundry with nothing but pestering resolutions and demands: Get organized, lose some weight, put down that chocolate and ice cream, do something new and creative, exercise more, and for goodness sake, eat healthier! More kale! A bale of kale a day! Put down that bacon cheeseburger and stuff some kale in between that bun!

Man, January is bossy; even more than a naggy mother. Lighten up January; you’re such a Negative Nancy! But I guess you would be too coming off the preceding non-stop weeks of merriment, and all you have to offer as a replacement is thirty-one

by Cindy Moore days dedicated to clam chowder.

Cindy Moore is the mother of Well I’m not going to just sit around and three superlative kids, servant wait for spring to revitalize me. I’m going of two self-indulgent felines and to take matters into my own hands to liven wife to one nifty husband. Her things up. ficticious occupation? ArcheoI’ll begin by working on that resolution list. logical Humorist: someone who First, I’ll get organized. unearths absurdity and hilarity Done. Here’s my neat little list in system- in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she atic order: Lose weight. First, I’ll take my husband on excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder.

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Coffee

with a conscience Man from St. Charles County develops nonprofit coffee company that supports clean-water initiatives

By Brett Auten

With a goal to create something bigger than himself and something that can have a lasting impact on the poor and the less fortunate, the answer became obvious to Joe Koenig.

It was during a Christian mission trip to Uguanda in January 2010, when Koenig took in and got up front and personal with the starvation, the diseased and the unclean water in regions of that country.

He not only wanted to help out but wanted to create something that would lead to creating jobs and improving the local economy. With the aim to provide coffee lovers

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CROSSROADS | JANUARY 2016

with a product that enables them to make a 100-percent socially responsible choice when purchasing coffee, Three Avacados was born.

“I worked up the ideas on the plane. I then took two days off work and got it founded and had our first coffee sale in April,” Koenig said.

Three Avocados is a nonprofit that sells coffee beans grown on the extinct volcano Mount Elgon, near the Uganda-Kenya border. They sell from their website and also work with e-tailers like Amazon and small shops. The name “Three Avocados” was inspired by a widow in a Ugandan village that literally gave all she had to ensure others could eat. Anywhere between $0.50 and $3 per bag provides clean water. This amount is dependent upon the retail channel the coffee is purchased through.

Purchases made online through its website provide the most support for clean water.

Born and raised in St. Charles with stops in Lake St. Louis and Wentzville before moving to Highland, Illinois, Koenig owns part

of a software development company that provides software to school districts. It’s a gig that allows flexibility to manage Three Avocados’ logistics, monitor social media for Three Avocados, as well as respond to emails from customers.

Koenig’s wheels have always been turning.

By the time he was a junior at Lutheran High School he was working 30 hours a week building websites for businesses. After a quick stop at Truman State, he got his Marketing degree at Maryville. At 25 he was the IT director of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City before starting his own web development company in Creve Coeur seven years ago.

Three Avocado’s has been drawing the eye of the national media with NPR and mainstream websites like Huffington Post, AOL, and Mashable shining a quick, bright light on the company. But it has not come all of the sudden.

“It has been much more difficult than I thought,” Koenig said. “I had this grandiose vision that I thought would pick up and run with it and others would be as passionate about it as I was.”

Team Avocado is just three deep with Koenig, his wife, Jennifer, and Greg Wilhelm.

“Greg is a life saver,” Koenig said. “He is retired from MODOT and

handles all the shipping It would not be possible without him and we have a great relationship with Kaldi’s (a much-lauded St. Louis coffee company) to help with the roasting and packaging.”

Koenig is looking forward to 2016 and introducing a decaffeinated and a medium-tolight blend.

For more information, visit threeavocados.org.

Photos courtesy Joe and Jennifer Koenig Above: (Top) Children get water from a clean water well in a village in Uganda, (right) then carry the water back to their homes.

(Center) Joe Koenig samples coffee in Nicaragua.

Opposite (Top) The coffee for Three Avocados goes through many steps before it is shipped. Avocados (left) grow alongside the coffee farms in Nicaragua and became the symbol for the company.

(Center) Joe Koenig with a child in Uganda.

JANUARY 2016 | CROSSROADS

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Toyota brings hybrid versatility to both the Prius and RAV4 So what’s all this scuttlebutt regarding perplexing-automotivehybrid-doohickey and gizmo-technology anyway?

Let me try to break it down in the simplest terms! Of course, we need to start with a conventional gasoline engine as most of us might be accustomed to powering our daily commute vehicle, but with a mystifying hybrid powertrain, the engine is also mechanically linked with an electric motor (or motors) powered by a battery source for helping propel the vehicle down the road.

And often (depending on the power and acceleration required) the gasoline engine will magically cycle “on” and “off” thus allowing the car to accelerate with just electric power, or at times, in concert with the gas engine working as one power source. The end game is improved fuel mileage numbers and lower tail pipe emissions.

Having said that, Toyota Motors just recently introduced two of their latest 2016 hybrid-powered vehicles. The first being their popular Prius, as this automobile was completely redone for the ‘16 model year. This newest model has a distinctively striking and headturning modern outer design. Improvements in its ride and handling characteristics, plus an elevated level of comfort and safety, further helps define the new Prius. With more than 3.5-million Prius owners, I’m certain that they would be pleasantly surprised in the latest version’s exceptional fuel mileage and a higher level of refinement and notable creature comforts.

The outer aerodynamic design will be familiar; however, this model is longer, lower and wider than the outgoing version. It also has more interior room coupled with a more planted stance for handling agility. A selectable switch allows the driver to choose from “Normal” and “Power” driving modes. “Normal” balances both fuel

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economy and acceleration while “Power” improves overall pick-up. Pricing starts out at $24,200 and it comes with complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Oh but wait, Toyota is now making available for 2016 their heavily refreshed RAV4 SUV Hybrid as well! Competing in the popular compact sport utility arena, RAV4’s proven hybrid powertrain apparatus (besides offered with a traditional gas engine), makes for an extraordinarily welcome choice if fuel mileage is paramount on your new vehicle shopping list. The five-passenger 2016 RAV4 Hybrid offers up car-like handling, ride comfort and phenomenal fuel economy. Its target buyers are generally active/young couples wanting to make a statement in regard to their no compromise “vehicle of choice” and the environment in general.

The MSRP for the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid is $28,370 for the AWD XLE and $33,610 for the AWD Limited. This vehicle brings the number of Toyota hybrid models to eight for the ‘16 model year.

By DAVID FINKELSTEIN

David Finkelstein is a Master/Skill Automotive Service Technician, maintaining that role for over 45 years, coupled with being a shop owner in that time frame as well. He’s also invented a number of garage service tools for mechanics and has served on both National as well as local Automotive Trade Industry Boards. Additionally, he pioneered “Car Talk Radio” over 40 years ago, starting out with KMOX/CBS Radio as well as hosted “Auto Talk” on KFTK/FOX News Radio for some 15-years. David tests and evaluates new vehicles weekly and also does some consulting with various auto manufactures, both import as well as with domestic nameplates.

Advertiser Profiles

Keeping your wallet warm through the winter

mug adds up to over $120 per month for your weekday indulgence. Save all kinds of money by making your own cup of joe at home, customizing with mix-ins and creamers.

5. Shop for quality: Some winter clothes like sweaters, hats, and socks may only last a season or two, but they can be replaced for cheap at end-of-winter sales. Outerwear like coats and boots might be pricier, but they should last you a decade or more with proper care. Invest in durable, quality outerwear to save yourself from making a big purchase again next year.

By Robin Daniels

Colder temperatures usher in a season of sick and sludge that sends us reaching for any means to escape it. As we buckle in for the winter, Peoples Bank & Trust encourages you to pay attention to these five areas to save money that’ll keep you warm ‘til spring: 1. Pump up your tires: Low tire pressure kills gas mileage, and as temperatures drop, so will the pressure in your tires. Buy a tire gauge for $1 at an auto store, and fill up at a gas station offering free air. Make sure to double-check your auto manual to make sure you’re not over-filling.

2. Slash your pizza budget: We get it. When it’s cold and slushy and bitterly windy, the last thing you want to do for dinner is hop in the car to grocery shop. It’s the reason why sales of dinner orders spike by 25 percent in colder

months. However, when the cost of most entrees shake out to $11 with tax and delivery fees, you’re better off making food from scratch and splurging on delivery only once a month.

3. Trust generic remedies: When your throat is raging, you want the best cure available. Before you shell out big bucks at your upscale health food store, consider that overwhelming evidence suggests health supplements and herbs don’t work. What does?

Store-brand aspirin, salt and warm water solutions, and honey to fix a variety of ailments, all of which you already have stashed in your cupboard for cheap.

4. Brew it yourself: Nothing warms you up quite like a hot cup of coffee in the morning.

Frequenting coffee shops and kiosks at $5 per

Robin Daniels is Asst VP/ Secondary Market Manager for Peoples Bank & Trust Co. NMLS #408454 (636) 290-7272 | www.pbtc.net

www.pbtc.net

JANUARY 2016 | CROSSROADS

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Business

Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce Chamber hosts eight ribbon cutting ceremonies The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce hosted eight ribbon cutting ceremonies for Missouri Retirement Specialists, Core Insights, Yo Salsa!, Pilates & Yoga Center of Lake St. Louis, Assist Client Needs – Michael Bunch, Accents Salon, Gypsy Moon, and Wentzville Fire Protection District.

1. Missouri Retirement Specialist is located at 215 Creekside Office Drive in Wentzville. You can reach them at 636-887-2600 or visit them online at www.gpswp.com.

2. You can reach Core Insights at 636-699-8450 or visit them online at www.coreinsightsleadership.com.

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Business Serving Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Dardenne Prairie 3. Yo Salsa! is located at 2 West Pearce Blvd. in Wentzville. You can reach them at (636) 856-8444 or online at www.yolosmex.com.

4. Pilates & Yoga Center of Lake St. Louis is located at 1000 Lake St. Louis Blvd., Suite 20 in Lake St. Louis. You can reach them at 636-272-8663 or online at www.lslpilatesandyoga.com.

5. You can reach Assist Client Needs – Michael Bunch at 636-542-4254.

6. Accents Salon is located at 1605 Bryan Rd. in Dardenne Prairie. You can reach them at 636-294-5400 or online at www.accentssalon.com.

7. Gypsy Moon is located at 6 West Main Street in Wentzville. You can reach them at 636-497-0409 or online at http://gypsymoonwentzville.com.

8. Wentzville Fire Protection District celebrated the Ground Breaking of Station #5, which will be located at 99 Whisper Creek Drive in Wentzville.

The Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce serves Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, and Wentzville. The chamber is comprised of over 685 members. If you are interested in having a ribbon cutting at your place of business please contact the chamber. To view pictures and video of these recent ribbon cuttings please visit our Chamber Facebook Page.

Submitted photos

By tony mathews

Tony Mathews is the President and CEO of the Western St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce

For more on any of this information or the chamber in general, please call the chamber office at 636.327.6914 or visit the website http://westernstcharlescountychamber.com.

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Entertainment

The outstanding women of 2015 This year has been one of the best years for women in the industry – and it’s only going to get better. Looking back at what we’ve seen this year, I felt it necessary to mention these women and the projects that put them on the screens – both in movies and television – instead of your typical year’s best.

Viola Davis “How to Get Away With Murder” In this series, Davis is Annalise Keating, a defense lawyer and college professor using a handful of her most gifted law students to help her win difficult cases. If Davis is gifted enough to receive an Oscar nomination for appearing – only – in a five-minute scene, like she did in “Doubt,” just imagine what she can do as the lead in a series that lives up to its own title.

Viola Davis is an ultimate force and this show is worthy of it – and that’s definitely saying something.

Taryn Manning and cast of “Orange Is The New Black: Season 3” Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren (Uzo Aduba) is a fan favorite among numerous other female characters on this series.

However, the moments that will be burned permanently in your mind rests in the scenes with Tiffany “Pennsatucky”

Doggett, played by the fearless - and hilarious -Taryn Manning. She was Season One’s most hated character – the worst of the ‘whitetrash’ type that steadily evolved into one of the most interesting characters (not that she wasn’t before). The brilliance of Manning is she has us wanting to know more about Doggett despite our differences with her.

We see what her mother was like – thanks to an impeccably precise performance by Helen Abell – and how her conceptions of men, among other views, helped shape the way Doggett is today. Watch how Manning handles the scene between her and Big Boo (Lea DeLaria) when Doggett finally understands - and reluctantly accepts - the fact that she’s been physically violated… more than once before. Everyone should see this important scene, let alone Taryn Manning’s performance on this series.

Melissa McCarthy “Spy” Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) gets her first chance to rise from desk analyst to a field agent for the CIA. What happens next, all I can say is to sit back and hold your sides because this movie, let alone McCarthy’s performance, will make you laugh hard. Paul Feig has been a dream filmmaker for McCarthy (see “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat”) and here he gives her a role that reaches to all her strengths as an actress. This may be the greatest performance by the unstoppably funny Melissa McCarthy.

Amy Schumer “Trainwreck” and “Inside Amy Schumer” The year’s most unapologetically funny woman had reached new comic heights in terms of the ridiculous views towards women, sex and political issues.

For instance, “Inside

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CROSSROADS | JANUARY 2016

Amy Schumer” produced some winning controversial skits like the satirical birth control commercial and another when she’s Bill Cosby’s defense lawyer in a courtroom (she even did ‘the dance’). In “Trainwreck,” Amy proved to be a fine actress - and not just as a funny leading lady, but also proving she’s got the chops for drama. Whatever Amy is up do next, be sure to stay tuned because she’s what I call an idol to women everywhere. I’m not afraid to say that Amy’s my hero, never mind that I’m male.

Krysten Ritter and cast of “Jessica Jones” Former superhero and private investigator Jessica Jones is an intelligent, wisecracking, hard-drinking mess of woman with a good-but guarded-heart who’s still recovering from a traumatizing past involving the mind-controlling villain named Kilgrave (David Tennant - brilliant). Krysten Ritter is a wise choice for this dream role and really delivers - given her history for playing sarcastic, blunt, cool women that we tend to lack in the female character department. We’re also rewarded with a strong supporting cast of women, including Rachael Tayler (as Trish Walker), and CarrieAnne Moss (who’s perfect as attorney Jeri Hogarth). This neo-noir thriller from Netflix is a sure pleaser for all and something that “Daredevil” fans should look into as well.

Here are other strong female performances also worth noting: Charlize Theron as Imperator Infuriosa – “Mad Max: Fury Road” and Daisy Ridley as Rey – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

By Brian GuerRero

Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.

For the Love of Food

Swap salt for herbs and spices in 2016 Making a New Year’s resolution?

Don’t forget salt. Most Americans consume about a 1,000 milligrams of sodium over the amount recommended by nutrition and health experts. New research shows cooking with spices and herbs could help you ditch the salt shaker and meet sodium recommendations.

Keeping a resolution to cut salt from your diet is easy. Use simple spice swaps to create tasty, lowsodium meals. From seasoning eggs with basil instead of salt to adding spices and herbs to no-salt tomato sauce, the McCormick Kitchens offer these easy tips and recipes to make low-sodium meals full of flavor: • Beat 1/8 teaspoon herb instead of salt into 2 eggs before scrambling.

• Add oregano, garlic powder and red pepper to no-salt added tomato sauce for a tasty, low-sodium pasta dinner.

• Try making Citrus Herbed Chicken with Asparagus, Fiesta Citrus Salmon or Tuscan Pasta.

These dishes don’t call for any salt.

Instead, they swap in basil, garlic powder and oregano.

For more low-sodium tips and recipes – such as shaved vegetable salad with Italian herb vinaigrette – visit McCormick.com/ recipes/low-sodium to keep your New Year’s resolutions on track.

To see the full Anderson study, which examined the effects of a behavioral intervention that emphasized spice and herbs, and how it impacts sodium intake, visit McCormickScienceInstitute.com.

Fiesta Citrus Salmon Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1/4 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons McCormick Perfect Pinch Salt-Free Fiesta Citrus Seasoning, divided 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided 1 pound salmon fillets Directions: In small bowl, mix juice, oil and 1 tablespoon each seasoning and sugar. Place salmon in large re-sealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add marinade; turn to coat well. Refrigerate 30 minutes, or longer for extra flavor.

In another small bowl, mix remaining seasoning and sugar.

Remove salmon from marinade. Discard any remaining mari-

nade. Rub salmon evenly with seasoning mixture.

Tuscan Pasta Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Serves: 6

Ingredients: 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained 1 can (8 ounces) no-salt added tomato sauce 1 tablespoon sugar (optional) 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided 2 teaspoons McCormick Garlic Powder 2 teaspoons McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Black Pepper, ground 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound zucchini, sliced 1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms 1 small onion, chopped 6 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine Directions: In medium saucepan, mix tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar and seasonings. Bring to boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes.

mushrooms and onion; cook and stir 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Stir tomato sauce into vegetables.

Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package. Drain well.

Place pasta in serving bowl. Add vegetable mixture; toss well.

In large skillet, heat oil on medium-high heat. Add zucchini,

Citrus Herbed Chicken with Asparagus Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1/4 cup flour 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Garlic Powder 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Black Pepper, coarse ground 1 pound thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 tablespoon oil 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1 teaspoon McCormick Basil Leaves 1 teaspoon McCormick Oregano Leaves 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons lemon juice Directions: In shallow dish, mix flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons. Moisten chicken lightly with water. Coat evenly with remaining flour mixture.

In large nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium heat. Add 1/2 of the chicken pieces; cook 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding additional oil, if necessary. Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.

In medium bowl, mix stock, basil, oregano and reserved flour mixture until well blended. Add to skillet along with asparagus. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3-5 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring frequently. Stir in lemon juice. Return chicken to skillet; cook 2 minutes, or until heated through.

JANUARY 2016 | CROSSROADS

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Photo Op

Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk

Photographer Ray Rockwell was in the holiday spirit when he went for a stroll at the Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk on Dec. 9. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the light displays and visit the many shops and galleries in downtown Augusta.

Photos By Ray Rockwell

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Community Calendar

January: 1 – New Year’s Day 9 – Winter hike Get out and hike winter trails at Broemmelsiek Park, located at 1795 Highway DD in Defiance at 1 p.m. for a chance to win one of five one-night stays in a camping cabin in a St. Charles County Park. Depending on the weather, wear your hiking boots, cross country skis or snowshoes for a stroll through the park. The winter trails event is hosted by the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by Renewal by Andersen. This family-friendly, fun winter trails event is intended to introduce citizens of all ages to outdoor winter activities. Park staff will lead a short hike through the park and finish out the afternoon with some hot chocolate near a warm fire in the fire pit at shelter #7 in the park. The winners of all five camping giveaways will be announced that day. Participants must be present to win. Pre-registration is encouraged.

To register for the winter trails event at Broemmelsiek Park, visit St. Charles County Parks at www.stccparks. org or call 636-949-7535. The one-night stays are in camping cabins located at Klondike Park near Augusta and sleep eight guests comfortably. The sturdy cabins come equipped with a ceiling fan, light, electrical service, and an indoor table.

13 – Stephen Foster Memorial Day 18 – Martin Luther King Day 18 – O’Fallon’s King Day of Service Each year, Americans come together on this national day of service to help their neighbors and communities. In O’Fallon, volunteers of all ages are invited to register in advance for a morning of fun community service projects from 10 a.m. – noon at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall) at 100 North Main St. in O’Fallon. Contact Volunteer Services at 636-379-5417 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.

22 – Blood drive O’Fallon’s National Volunteer Blood Donor Month Blood Drive takes place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall) at 100 North Main St. in O’Fallon. If you are a healthy adult, please take a few minutes to donate blood. Winter weather can mean fewer donors, with blood shortages becoming critical. Your donation can help as many as three people survive a life-threatening trauma or health condition. To make an appointment, contact Volunteer Services at 636-3795417 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.. Walk-ins also are welcome and photo ID is required.

30-31 – Cabin Fever Daze 2016 Have a blast of winter fun playing games at O’Fallon’s frozen festival, Cabin Fever Daze from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days at O’Fallon Sports Park at 3589 Highway K in O’Fallon. Enjoy mini-golf, human foosball and more with an all-you-can-play wristband for $5. Free activities also are available. Vendors will offer delicious food and beverages and a heat retreat tent will be available for warding off chills. Parking is free. Contact jhoisington@ofallon.mo.us, call 636-379-5614 or visit www.ofallon. mo.us/cabin-fever-daze.

JANUARY 2016 | CROSSROADS

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