CrossRoads: March 2017

Building the workforce of

tomorrow

WWW.MASTERGCR.COM

WWW.DUCHESNE-HS.ORG/DREAMHOME

www.byerlyrv.com 2 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

MARCH 2017

contents

VOL 13 | NO 3

Departments

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

Publisher Robert Huneke Editor Mathew DeKinder Production Manager Rebecca Brockmann Contributors Avalanche, David Finkelstein, Tony Mathews, Cindy Moore, Russ Patton 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

features

4

Around Town Local news and events

8

Always an Adventure Waiting for the end of an epic winter

9

Moore on Life Baby it’s cold inside

13

Medical Memo Don’t miss out this cold and flu season

15

Automobile Alley 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited mixes modern updates with classic Jeep style

16

Entertainment The biggest R-rated hits (and is “Logan” next?)

17

Food Add some pop to your party

18

Photo Op St. Louis Golf Expo

19

Community Calendar: March

6

10

Building a field of dreams New all-inclusive playground will honor memory of an inspirational sports fan

14

Advertiser Profiles America, the great

Copyright 2015 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.

Nonprofit Profile Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service work to address homelessness and hunger

On the Cover: Photo courtesy Fort Zumwalt School District

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 3

Around Town

St. Charles County selects contractor to build new emergency operations facility On Jan. 30 the St. Charles County Council approved Brinkmann Contractors of St. Louis as the builder for the county’s new 30,000 square foot emergency operations center (EOC) facility. The EOC will be located on 10 acres of land off TR Hughes Boulevard, behind the existing St. Charles County Police Department building in O’Fallon.

After issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in May 2016, the county hired Landmark Contract Management of St. Louis to serve as owner’s consultant. Landmark worked with numerous county department directors and administrators during a sixmonth process from RFQ to builder selection.

Brinkmann was chosen from a field of nine companies that responded to the RFQ posted in August 2016. The county narrowed the field to three and then conducted an eight-

4 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

This artist’s rendering shows what the completed St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) facility will look like. The EOC will be located on 10 acres of land off TR Hughes Boulevard, behind the existing St. Charles County Police Department building in O’Fallon.

Submitted image.

week process of interviews and proposal reviews. Numerous internal work sessions to discuss each team’s proposal were held with several county department directors and stakeholders; an evaluation team of five key county personnel scored the companies and their proposals.

“Brinkmann had the highest technical score and the lowest cost proposal,” says St. Charles County Construction Manager Cory Bextermueller. “They presented their proposal and design process with a tremendous amount of energy and thought and we look forward to getting started on the project with them.”

The new facility will house the day-to-day operations of the Department of Emergency Communications, St. Charles County Police Department’s Division of Emergency Management, and a data center for county information technology operations and the county-wide emergency radio communications system. Currently, the county’s data center and some offices of the Department of Emergency Communications are located in the city of St. Charles. The Department of Emergency Communications also operates dispatching services and 911 operations from an office building in Wentzville. The Police Department Division of Emergency Management is located in the basement of the county’s jail in St. Charles. The project also includes an addition to the adjacent St. Charles County Police Department for an expansion of evidence storage.

“We are pleased to be working with Brinkmann Constructors,” says St. Charles County

Executive Steve Ehlmann. “Our team worked diligently to find the right fit for this project.

The facility must be secure and resilient for public safety, emergency preparedness and critical response. I am confident our county team and Brinkmann Contractors will produce a 21st century building that provides the technology and space needed to better serve the 370,000 residents of St. Charles County.

“As our population continues to grow, demand for these services is rising,” Ehlmann continues. “Now is the time to consolidate these operations into one, mission-critical facility that will sustain 365/24/7 operations during in any type of emergency event or extreme condition.”

This is the first time the county has engaged in the design-build process. The St. Charles County Council passed an ordinance in 2015, establishing the design-build procedure and, in March 2016, authorized utilization of the process for the facility. All other county buildings have been constructed with the design-bid-build process.

“Since the county had never used the design-build process before, we developed the evaluation procedures and the actual scoring sheets for them,” said Brad Hornburg, CEO of Landmark. “They were responsive to the process, and they worked hard to achieve an appropriate selection.”

Work to complete schematic designs will begin immediately with site demolition and grading to start in April. It is anticipated the facility will be operational in late 2018.

Around Town

2017 St. Charles County Golden Games

celebrates 30 years The St. Charles County Golden Games will be held from May 6 through Saturday May 13 promoting healthy lifestyles in adults aged 50 years and older.

The Golden Games include individual, doubles and team competition and is open to anyone who will be 50 years old prior to April 30, 2017. Events are held at facilities throughout St. Charles County.

Competitions are designed for all age groups and abilities, from walking, running, cycling, swimming and dancing to golf, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, bowling, shooting, bocce ball, horse shoes, pool, card games, miniature golf, Wii competitions and many

more. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to top finishers in each age group.

Registration fee is $25 for as many events as can be scheduled without conflict (golfers pay greens fees). Registrants receive a Golden Games T-shirt and invitation to the Kick-Off Banquet at Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters on May 8. Registrants can bring a spouse or friend to the banquet for a $5 additional charge.

Registration forms and a complete schedule of events and locations for the St. Charles County Golden Games will be available online beginning March 1 at sccgoldengames. org. Registration deadline is April 7.

www.myprovidencebank.com

Community News announces readership survey winners Two names were chosen from the recent Community News Readership Survey as winners of a $100 gift certificate from their favorite restaurant.

Katy Fry of Wentzville chose Panera and Jerry Montgomery of Florissant chose Stefaninas for their certificates.

Congratulations to both of our winners, and thank you readers for completing the Readership Survey. We welcome and appreciate your loyalty. – Bob Huneke, Publisher, and Staff of Community News

Top: Jerry Montgomery (left) of Florissant receives a $100 gift certificate to Stefaninas from Community News Publisher Bob Huneke, for being chosen as a winner of the Community News Readership Survey.

Bottom: Katy Fry (left) of Wentzville receives a $100 gift certificate to Panera from Community News Publisher Bob Huneke, for being chosen as a winner of the Community News Readership Survey.

Photos by Ray Rockwell

www.wentzville-mo.minutemanpress.com MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 5

Around Town

MISSION: CLEAN STREAM and GM EARTH DAY are two great events on one great day

www.dpc4u.org

www.mycnews.com www.facebook.com/mycnews www.pinterest.com/mycnews https://twitter.com/mycnews

6 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

Everyone can make a difference when it comes to improving our environment. GM Earth Day is the place to learn how. Mission: Clean Stream is an easy way to do it. April 1 is when it all happens.

For GM Earth Day come early to the festival at Rotary Park in Wentzville if you want to see the Mission: Clean Stream workers off. Explore work by local artisans and learn how to get connected to, and preserve nature with activities like making upcycled crafts, exploring a model stream and seeing how pollution moves into our rivers and streams. Also on hand will be vendors and organizations that can help you or your family make a real difference in the world. There will also be plenty of hands-on activities with a particular emphasis on keeping very young children occupied while their older siblings are out on the creek.

Kids can earn a very special award by learning about the environment at the festival.

Watch artists use recycled materials and salvaged metal pulled from the streams to create new works of eco-art.

For Mission: Clean Stream volunteers from St. Charles County and the communities of Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, O’Fallon, St. Charles, St Peters and Wentzville join with Greenway Network and Missouri River Relief to remove trash from local streams and lakes. Mission: Clean Stream started as a joint effort to pick up litter from publicly accessible creek areas. Today, Mission: Clean Stream has evolved into a challenge, or charge, for thousands to do some serious damage to the amount of trash in waterways across the county in just two hours.

Families, organizations and individuals can participate by calling the nearest community to register:

Dardenne Prairie 636-755-5308, meet at City Hall.

Cottleville 636-498-6565 x203, meet at City Hall.

Wentzville 636-332-9236, meet at Rotary Park.

• Lake St Louis 636-695-4221, meet at Jefferson Point.

• O’Fallon 636-379-5408, meet at Westhoff Park.

• St. Peters www.stpetersmo.net, meet at Rec-Plex south lot.

• St. Charles 636-949-3237, meet at Lewis & Clark Boathouse.

• Cora Island 636-498-0772, http://greenwaynetwork.org, meet at Cora Island parking area.

• Riverlands 636-498-0772, http://greenwaynetwork.org, meet at Riverlands.

• Storm Drain Marking 636-498-0772, http://greenwaynetwork.org, meet at Rotary Park The day will start at 8:30 a.m. with registration at one of the eight rendezvous locations listed above. Everyone is asked to dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring gloves. Transportation is not provided.

Breakfast or lunch will be served depending upon location. Register early, space is limited. Participants registering by March 15 will receive a free t-shirt. In case of dangerous weather or high water, the event will be rescheduled on a site-by-site basis. Check with your registration site. All participants are encouraged to go to the Earth Day Festivities at GM for lunch.

This community-wide event is sponsored by the cities above, General Motors Foundation, Pat Jones, Greenway Network, Inc., Missouri Stream Team, Great Rivers Greenway and Walmart.

Financial donations to this worthwhile project are also appreciated for supplies and to defray the cost of tire disposal. Contributions can be made through Greenway Network at http://greenwaynetwork.org, greenwaynetwork@gmail.com or by calling 636-498-0772.

For vendor information contact greenwaynetwork@gmail.com.

Nonprofit Profile

Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service work to address homelessness and hunger

By Karen R. Grant, CFRE, Director of Development, Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service

S

ts. Joachim and Ann Care Service recently celebrated its 35-year anniversary of furthering a mission “to serve those in crisis, and to prevent homelessness and hunger.” Fondly dubbed “The Miracle on McClay,” the Care Service has embraced the most vulnerable in St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren counties by providing assistance and building connections with the community to overcome the cycle of poverty.

Locally unique in its ability to address both short-term and long-term homelessness and hunger issues, the Care Service has seen countless families and individuals succeed at stabilizing their crisis situation and work their way to self-reliance. Comprehensive, integrated services including financial housing and utility assistance, home repairs, emergency housing, transitional housing, weekly food pantry, individualized employment assistance and indepth case management are key. In addition, the Care Service provides street outreach to those who are living unsheltered in our community and acts as a first-responder in times of disaster.

Thanks to the generous support of area businesses and individuals as well as funding from local, state and federal government, the Care Service assists approximately 1,800 of the poorest households in our area each year, representing 5,600 individuals. This is a testament to the caring community in which we are so fortunate to live.

In an area of the state that is considered among the most affluent, there is a grave misperception that homelessness and hunger do not exist here. Sadly, there are close to 60,000 individuals going hungry in our tri-county area, one-third of whom are children (FeedingAmerica.com) and the Care Service is a charity of last resort. Those who work, volunteer and support the Care Service can

attest to the pain that poverty causes for so many of our residents.

Nothing is more heart-breaking than to have to turn away a human being in need, let alone a child, because of the lack of funding or the capacity to serve them. Yet, that is the reality they must face.

One example of the efforts the Care Service is currently tackling to fight homelessSubmitted photos ness and hunger is the expansion of its food pantry operation. Currently, the food pantry can accommodate 125 to 150 households on a weekly basis. By adding 4,000 square feet of warehouse space to its existing building, the Care Service could increase the number of households served by as many as 100 families per week. Perhaps a small feat by some measures, for an agency that runs on 28 employees, 120 weekly volunteers and over half of its budget provided by way of food and other material donations, it seems like a moving a mountain to raise the nearly $480,000 in cash funding it will require to build.

Regardless, the Miracle on McClay, has moved mountains before. Asking the recently retired founder, Miriam Mahan, and the newly appointed Executive Director, Jack Lipin, their response in unison is, “we are not likely to stop moving mountains now.”

Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service is a nationally accredited, 501(c)3 faith-based charitable organization. Its purpose is to protect families, especially children, the elderly and disabled, regardless of race, age, gender or religion from the despair, hopelessness and social injustice caused by poverty.

To support the Care Service or receive additional information, call 636-441-1302, ext. 263, email to info@jacares.org, or visit the website at www.jacares.org.

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 7

Always An Adventure

WAITING FOR THE END OF AN EPIC WINTER WORKING MY WAY UP THE NARROW, winding, snow-covered mountain road, I marveled at the accumulation of snow this season. Having previously lived at the lower end of this road for several years, I was familiar with normal winter conditions in the area. Things were different this year.

There was about four inches of snow on the road surface, which had already been plowed earlier in the day. It was snowing steadily. The piles of snow on the roadside increased in depth as I went up in elevation.

Areas that were normally flat parking pullouts had snow piled higher than the roof of my pickup. A normal-sized two-lane road, the road width was now marginal for two-way traffic; when oncoming traffic approached, both travelers had to slow to a crawl to safely pass each other, given the poor visibility, snow-packed surface and encroaching piles of snow on what used to be the shoulder.

The equipment operator who clears this county road is an old friend. A perfectionist by nature, his work is impeccable and he told me that keeping the road clear this winter was “tricky.” That the road was open at all was a testament to his skills and humble understatement.

I was on my way up to help a friend working 8 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

at a ranch near the end of the pavement.

He had called earlier, desperately seeking a welder. My days of collecting a paycheck for such work had ended more than a couple decades ago; currently my skills were commensurate with that prolonged sabbatical. Couldn’t they find someone else? No, their mechanic was out of town.

Some snow removal equipment was broken and they needed someone – anyone – who could fuse some broken metal together until a new part arrived in a couple weeks. No one else wanted to go up there. Promising only antiquated skills, I loaded up some tools, the dog, a full tank of gas and headed out for a long drive.

After ninety minutes of driving, mostly uphill, I arrived at the ranch. There was over four feet of snow on the ground, and a few more feet on top of that where wind gusts had deposited more. A crew of workers was clearing snow off of rooftops. The snow was above their waists. Once the snow had been shoveled and pushed off the roof, the resulting piles reached from the ground up to the eaves of the roof – unreal. It had been snowing lightly, sometimes moderately, almost nonstop at my house for two weeks.

It had been snowing heavily here for a similar duration.

The snowpack here in the mountains this winter is 190 percent of average. Ski areas have had to shut down temporarily, due to so much snow falling so quickly, because it was impossible for snowmobiles and ski patrollers to get around the mountains.

Once reopened, the ski areas provided dream-like conditions for skiers.

Many highways, including busy interstates, have been closed repeatedly, sometimes for days at a time. Grocery stores have surprisingly kept their inventories up, with only occasional empty shelves.

Right now it is sunny outside, with temperatures forecast to rise above freezing soon. These conditions should give us time to repair and maintain equipment, split more firewood, stock up on groceries and enjoy a little sunshine. The next storm is expected to arrive next weekend.

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

Baby it’s cold inside CAN IT BE? Is spring really on the verge of springing? Please say it’s so. It has been such a long miserable winter for most states with four seasons. And that cruel, cold-hearted maker of mayhem, Old Man Winter, has been especially hard to deal with. Yup, my husband once again refused to budge a nano-degree with the temperature controls even though the Frostbite Express rolled into our living room and parked its big fat iceberg butt on our couch.

You know it’s a cold winter when there’s a need to continually remove the thick frosty buildup on the windows…of the shower stall.

And even worse, when a sudden sneeze produces two-inch long icicles from both nostrils…while showering. At one point, I had to substitute my hot steamy cup of morning cocoa for a scalding mug of antifreeze. That was the breaking point. The thermostat was going up, but I had to wait for a moment of distraction, some sort of commotion – the perfect storm. My husband can hear the click of the controls a football field away.

Suddenly, I heard a disturbance coming from the depths of his man cave. He was preoccupied with watching yet another sports program of the utmost, mostest, critical importance – the Logger Bowl. This time, in a major upset, the Norwegian log throwers were about to lose their title to the Swedes. Their lead logger, Gunnar Svennjerkkjenstein, in a freak accident wedged his thumb in an unseen knothole in one of the stumps and couldn’t release it. While the referees were arguing it out, a polar bear suddenly made its way onto the grounds and began chasing Gunnar across the field and past the goal post for a remarkable win. But the angry Swedes were not having any of it and begun to revolt by throwing blocks of ice at the competition.

The mayhem could last until daylight savings time returned.

Now was my chance.

I belly-crawled over to where the thermostat hung, then slithered up the wall and jimmied open the padlock on its metal casing and turned it up ten degrees. Ahhh, 55 would feel like a heatwave. I then heard a Neanderthal-like yell from below. “Rematch!”

Sweet mother of Christmas miracles! The referees had determined the logging teams would play again. This gave me another two hours at minimum. I cranked the dial to 80 and found a nice beach read.

Forget spring, summertime was here at last!

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.

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 9

Building the workforce of

tomorrow

Photo courtesy Francis Howell School District Central Elementary kindergartners play with COJI the Coding Robot as a part of the schools STEM curriculum.

Local school districts’ focus on science, technology, engineering and math courses make students better prepared for future careers

T

By Brett Auten

he future is now and the area’s school districts are paving the way.

Now more so than ever, STEM courses (science, technology, engineering and math) are equipping students to with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence and make sense of information.

The quality public school educations available to students have always been a drawing point to this region and the Wentzville, Francis Howell, and Ft. Zumwalt school districts are perennially some of the tops in the state. A dedicated focus on STEM courses 10 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

is one of the many reasons this is so.

THE MANY FACES OF STEM Wentzville is currently in its sixth year of its 1:1 Technology Initiative, where every high school student (currently 4,500 in three high schools) receives a Chromebook to use during the course of their high school career.

The Wentzville School District has offered Project Lead the Way courses since 2007 and currently offers all three strands (engineering, biomedical science and computer science) in its middle and high schools.

Middle school girls in the district are participating

in a Girls4Tech program sponsored by Mastercard to drive interest and encourage young girls to consider STEM courses. Girls4Tech is a hands-on, inquiry-based program that connects the foundations of Mastercard’s business to STEM principles and shows students that it takes all kinds of interests and skills to pursue a STEM career.

Students across the district joined millions of other K-12 students learning computer code as part of Computer Science Education Week Dec. 5-11. “Hour of Code” is a global campaign designed to get students interested in computer science.

Four Timberland students competed in a GlobalHack competition at Chaifetz Arena in November. Jacob Nickel, Jacob Douglas, Justin Stewart and Jared Scheer joined 2,500 software developers, designers and entrepreneurs who were tasked with building software solutions to curb homelessness as well as competing for $1 million in cash prizes.

The Timberland team was sponsored by Ranken and joined other high school and collegiate teams in a challenge to create software to help agencies in St. Louis answer the ques-

Photo courtesy Francis Howell School District Middle school students in the Francis Howell School District participate in Summer App Camp.

tion, “How can we do more with less for the St. Louis homeless population?”

Many of the Wentzville schools host STEM nights this time of year and its third annual district-wide STEM Olympics is scheduled for

Photo courtesy Fort Zumwalt School District Students work on a project in the Fort Zumwalt School District Project Lead the Way Engineering Program..

March.

Beginning in the fall, the Wentzville School District is launching a new hands-on learning experience for high school students called Ignite! The program will provide students with valuable off-campus opportunities to work with mentors, engage in real-world problem solving and make professional connections in the workplace. Ignite! Will launch initially with two strands: Health Care Academy (in partnership with BJC Healthcare) and Start Up/Business Solutions where students will work with mentors to create a start-up venture or work to solve a problem for a local business.

AN EYE TOWARDS THE FUTURE “A lot of jobs 10 years from now do not exist today,” Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum of the Wentzville School District, said. “We want to prepare our students to think in an engineermode meaning, ask, imagine, plan, create and improve. That is the big picture.”

In the fall of 2012, the Fort Zumwalt Board of Education established as one of its priorities the need to investigate and review strategies for emphasizing STEM courses.

Zumwalt’s mission is to increase the number and diversity of students who are STEM

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 11

Photo courtesy Wentzville School District Middle school students participate in a robotics program in the Wentzville Scholl District.

proficient and ready to explore STEM careers by advancing STEM teaching and learning across all grade levels.

Fort Zumwalt’s STEM focus includes its elementary science and math curriculum as well as work in its technology classes where a portion of the lessons are dedicated to writing code. In Fort Zumwalt middle schools it could include high school level offerings in math and science as well as Engineering and Industrial Technology classes that provide hands-on experience with skills ranging from graphic design to woodworking.

“At our high schools we offer a wide array of science classes and students have multiple opportunities for Advanced Placement work in science and math,” Laura Wagner, Public Relations with the district, said. “Project Lead the Way coursework in bio-medical sciences, engineering and computer programming, as well as engineering and industrial technology classes from film editing, to metals, to drafting are also available and can also provide college credit opportunities.”

At Francis Howell, the Project Lead the Way Engineering Program has developed a close-knit learning environment with the teachers and the students. This program exposes the students to a university-like at-

12 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

mosphere in which research is a key component to problem solving and how to get from point A to point B to solve a problem, even if the road map is somewhat congested.

Circuit design and 3-D modeling are among the many facets of the Project Lead the Way program. PLTW offers students four years of STEM coursework focused on a specific pathway: engineering, biomedical sciences, or computer sciences. Several of these courses provide college-level, hands-on lab experience in which students are provided the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.

PREPARING FOR JOBS, TODAY AND TOMORROW For the second straight year, FHSD students gained a better understanding of coding by participating in We Love to Code week.

During this week, students participated in coding activities and worked with industry professionals to learn about how technolog y impacts our daily lives. Several of the district’s schools hosted community nights to engage families in hands-on activities. The purpose of this week is to introduce students to

coding and computer science, while giving them tools to continue to learn more about this field.

Francis Howell continues opportunities for students to participate in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning throughout the summer by offering STEM Camp, STEAM camp and App Camps for students K to eighth grade. These camps offer a week long learning experience for students to participate in hands-on STEM projects such as LEGO creation, rocket and drone challenges, creating with 3D pens, coding experiences and Android app design.

Secondary students have several opportunities to prepare for STEM careers through course-work, as well as extra-curricular activities. FHSD middle school electives options include technology and engineering courses.

The district’s secondary schools offer robotics club and HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) clubs that have competed in national and international competitions.

All young people should be prepared to think deeply and to think well so that they have the chance to become the innovators, educators, researchers and leaders who can solve the most pressing challenges facing our nation and our world, both today and tomorrow. And as the area’s school districts have proven, time and time again, its students are being groomed for such a challenge.

Medical Memo

DON’T MISS OUT THIS COLD AND FLU SEASON

B

eing sick isn’t fun, but missing out on family vacations or parties for the big game because you are sick is even worse. It has been called FluFOMO, the fear of missing out because you are sick.

Getting a flu shot, washing your hands frequently and disinfecting hard surfaces are just a few things you can do to avoid getting sick. Additionally, Clorox partnered with epidemiologist Dr. Stephen Morse, a professor at Columbia University, to share some basics about the flu virus.

What is the Flu Virus? Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses.

Symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Most people who get the flu virus tend to recover within a few days to two weeks, barring any complications. Anyone can get the flu virus, but young children, pregnant women, adults 65 years and older and people with lung disease or weakened immune systems tend to be more susceptible to more severe or longer-lasting symptoms.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Flu v. Cold: Like the flu virus, the common cold is a viral respiratory illness. Many different viruses can cause the “common cold.” Cold symptoms can mimic flu symptoms, but a cold is generally less severe than the flu virus. Cold symptoms may begin with a sore throat and usually include a runny nose and congestion or a cough. Colds tend to resolve in about a week.

Cold and Flu Prevention Tips: 1. Vaccinate: The first and most important step in flu virus prevention is vaccination.

You can’t get the flu virus from the vaccine, but the vaccine takes about two weeks to work, so don’t delay. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a yearly flu virus vaccine for almost everyone 6 months and older – even when the viruses the vaccine protects against are the same as the previous season.

2. Keep your hands to yourself and away from your face: Germs are often spread when someone touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth after coming in contact with a contaminated surface. Wash your hands often, including after using the bathroom and before preparing or serving food.

3. Disinfect hard surfaces: To prevent the spread of germs in your home and beyond, the CDC recommends disinfecting frequently touched, hard surfaces, such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches and faucets, with an EPA-registered disinfectant like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. They help kill 99.9 percent of germs that can live for up to 48 hours on hard, non-porous surfaces.

4. Avoid close contact with sick people: So that you don’t miss out on anything this flu season, try to avoid people who are, or were recently, infected with the flu virus. Also remember to cover your coughs and sneezes.

5. Stay home when you’re sick: Take a few days off from work or school if you come down with the flu virus to help avoid spreading it to others. On average, someone with the flu virus spreads it to two people, so staying home can make a difference. Most adults and children can infect others with the flu virus a day or so before symptoms develop and up to a week after becoming sick.

Missing out is never fun, so help stop the spread of germs and protect yourself this flu season. Learn more about disinfecting hard surfaces at Clorox.com.

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 13

Advertiser Profile

America, the great

By Russ Patton, owner of Byerly RV

E

WWW.BAUE.COM/EVENTS

14 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

nough of “make America great again.” America is great, has been great, and will always be great. In the real America, tourism trumps terrorism. Have any doubts? Hit the road in an RV and find out. Or ask any immigrant. They come here to work and be free, just like our ancestors. We enjoy the benefits of our predecessors’ hard work. We are the “deplorables,” the ones who work hard, fix things, pay taxes, support our local communities and still contribute more to the needy than any country in the world.

Americans across the country open their arms to welcome visitors and show off their communities and natural resources. They say the millennials tend to invest more in experiences than spend money for things. What better adventure than exploring America in an RV. See why the great middle should be referred to as the “stopover” zone rather than the “flyover” zone. RV sales and rentals are breaking all records. 2017 is the 100th anniversary of our National Parks; unfortunately, this means plan early!

Little did Walter Byerly, a cabinet maker in the 1940s, know that he was a pioneer in the RV industry. He would be amazed to visit the web and see how Byerly RV has grown. Check out our motorhome and trailer rental packages.

Few dealers offer such a selection of RVs for sale: over 15 brands ranging from $15,000 to $500,000! And we always have a good supply of traded in preowned RVs. Explore the greatest, safest, most beautiful country in the world, in the most enjoyable, family fun way – the RV way. Byerly RV, The Center of the RV World.

Byerlyrv.com. Visit us on Facebook.

Automobile Alley

2017 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED

MIXES MODERN UPDATES WITH CLASSIC JEEP STYLE Manufactured here “stateside” (that’s a big deal now, more than ever) the 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-door “go anywhere” vehicle is produced in Toledo, Ohio.

Of course, the Wrangler two door serves as a spring board for the larger Unlimited version. It tends to deliver unmatched off-road aptitude, regardless of the various terrain that you might be negotiating.

Frankly speaking, Jeeps tend to have that cunning knack and aptitude for creating their own pathways. This is achieved with its legendary four-wheel drive chassis set-up, joined with more than seven decades of 4x4 engineering experience. Wrangler continues to offer a latter-type steel body-on-frame underside platform, front and rear five-link suspension system, unique live/beam drive axles, electronic wheel lockers and is one of the few mid-size SUVs that offers a sixspeed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic transmission is optional.

You can easily operate this SUV in two or four wheel drive high mode or four wheel drive low range, when conditions dictate. It also comes with either 16, 17 or 18-inch tires and wheels, depending on the trim choices.

With fuel economy on the minds of most, Wrangler is available with several axle gear ratios as well, thus allowing customers to optimize fuel usage and vehicle capability.

Select axle gear ratio options also help to make your Jeep more personalized for your precise driving needs. And depending on

how it’s ordered from the factory, it has the capability to tow up to 3,500-pounds.

Terms such as limited slip rear differential, two-speed transfer cases and Dana axle housings may sound irregular to most car buyers, but for Jeep owners this is routine everyday conversation that they thrive on!

Jeep purchasers tend look at things such as approach, breakover and departure angles when cross-shopping for an all-terrain vehicle. They’ll be delighted to know that Wrangler tends to be out in front within this category. All of this added up further helps to make Jeeps sought after by consumers of varying ages and social backgrounds. This includes “Jeepers” (Jeep owners) that might consider a night out on the town or taking in the theater.

Wrangler Unlimited’s interior combines welcomed styling, versatility, comfort and intuitive features. The large rear windows are engineered for good visibility; however, the rear door exterior mounted spare tire and rear windshield wiper motor housing does impact your view slightly. The Unlimited model seats five and retains the crown as the only four-door 4x4 open-air vehicle on the market.

Powering this Jeep is their 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. Its received a number of awards including the prestigious Ward’s 10 Best Engines achievement. It produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. As an average, the EPA numbers reflect 16-mpg

city/21-mpg highway. Safety systems were developed to improve handling and accident avoidance while providing occupant protection, yet remaining totally seamless to the driver and passengers. The drive experience overall is somewhat “truck-like”; however, it’s to be expected with a sport utility produce such as this.

To further help make those Jeep experiences more interesting, customers can stay connected with their Uconnect safety, security and convenience system. Subtle, newfangled changes over the years still helps to make this brand instantly recognizable, but with somewhat contemporary and vogue updates which reflect the classic heritage of its roots. The base entry level pricing for the 2017 Jeep Unlimited starts out at $27,895.

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.

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 15

Entertainment

This month Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart will be in their final appearances as Logan/Wolverine and Professor X and they’re about to go out with an R-rated bang. This is something the studio, 20th Century Fox, had been planning for quite some time even before their success with last year’s adult favorite “Deadpool.”

“Logan” is the first X-Men movie to receive the “restricted” rating from the MPAA. Since the turn of the 21st century, the studios seem to invest less on big-budget films for mature audiences in fear of not receiving as much revenue in return (restricting ticket sales from younger viewers respectively). Thankfully, there are a good number of ‘R’ films that have been a huge success regardless of their rating. Here are some “restricted” films that have broken records in ticket sales in the past.

“Beverly Hills Cop” (1984) $234 million

The Passion of the Christ (2004) $370 million

THE

BIGGEST

R-RATED HITS

“Deadpool” (2016) $783 million (worldwide)

There’s something about the “naughty list” of R-rated films that tend to open in February. Last year’s big gamble by big studio 20th Century Fox (also responsible for what “rhymes with Polverine”), ended up coming slightly short of beating the domestic record still held by “The Passion.” However, it did rake in $783 million - the new worldwide record. Ryan Reynolds may have found the perfect starvehicle that showcases all his comic (and physical) strengths as an actor. At this point in his career, if there is one thing to put on his tombstone, “Deadpool” would be it (pun aside). Last year, the super (hero) - hit opened on Feb. 12 (Valentine’s Day weekend) and cleverly promotes itself as ‘”a love story.” Technically, this is true - and true enough that it is the driving force of this comically rude, crude action flick brought to you by the Marvel universe. The laughs are tailormade and shamelessly presented to you by Mr. Reynolds himself. It also helped that he’s one of the producers who fought years to get this movie made right - just the way he likes it. Good Deadpool.

(AND IS ‘LOGAN’ NEXT?)

The hilarious trick about the film’s title is the fact that it really refers to Detective Axel Foley, a cop from Detroit traveling to Beverly Hills. One of the main reasons this film is brilliantly funny is how we see through his eyes how foreign (and overly-fancy) this city is to him compared to crime-ridden Detroit. The film’s main draw for comedy is that Eddie Murphy plays the fast-talking Detective Foley. This is the movie that showcased Murphy in all his comic glory with an Oscar nominated script that also gave him room to improvise and be quickon-his-feet during his scenes. The film made a domestic gross of $234 million during its run and became the highest grossing R-rated film for nearly nineteen years.

“The Matrix Reloaded” (2003) $281 million At $281 million, it was “The Matrix Reloaded” that became the next R-rated king. Following the groundbreaking success of 1999’s “The Matrix,” the release of the this sequel was a long, four-year wait for eager fans – and the overall ticket sales was proof of that. 2003 was a year studios began to have more faith than usual in big budget “R” films thanks to a group of highly-anticipated sequels of R-rated predecessors. There was also “Bad Boys II” and “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” that summer and all were blockbuster hits. However, it was “Reloaded” that was the money-raking winner.

16 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

It took not even a year for the film, directed by Mel Gibson, to break the domestic box-office record. In fact, it took only nine months for the film to shatter the record previously held by “The Matrix” sequel. At $370 million, not only did it become the highest grossing R-rated film of all time, but also the most for a religious film and a film spoken in a foreign language. This is one of the most controversial films ever made, mostly due to the lengthy scourging scene that many found difficult to stomach. However, that still didn’t turn away many in our world from viewing it... at least once in their lives.

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

Add some

P O P

to your party

N

o matter the occasion, every celebration is better with snacks.

Whether you’re hosting game day with the guys, catching up with girlfriends, gathering for family movie night or inviting your kids’ friends over for a grade school sleepover, you can’t go wrong with popcorn treats.

Popcorn is the perfect partner for a broad span of flavors, especially when they’re sweet or salty – or both. You can make

each mouthwatering bite pop even more by adding texture with crunchy nuts or silky melted chocolate.

Even if you simply serve plain popcorn to your guests, you can feel good about serving healthy, whole grain, freshly popped popcorn, which is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO and gluten free.

Find more ways to pop up more fun for your next party at popcorn.org.

Caramel-Nut Popcorn Crunch Yield: 20 pieces

Poppy Chow Yield: 2 quarts Ingredients: 2 quarts popped popcorn 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup confectioners’ sugar Directions: Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.

In microwave safe bowl, combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Microwave 2 minutes; stir until smooth.

Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn and stir until well coated.

Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over popcorn and stir until coated.

Cool to room temperature before serving. Store in airtight container, refrigerated, up to 24 hours.

Ingredients: 10 cups freshly popped popcorn 2 cups whole almonds 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1/4 cup light corn syrup 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Directions: Heat oven to 225 F. Spray 15-by10-inch baking sheet with nonstick spray.

In large bowl, mix popcorn and

almonds.

In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Over low heat, stir mixture until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, almond extract and baking soda.

Pour over popcorn and almonds, immediately stirring gently to coat.

Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet, spreading evenly.

Bake 1 hour. Cool completely. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 17

Photo Op

St. Louis Go f Expo

With warm weather in mind, photographer Ray Rockwell ventured out to the St. Louis Golf Expo at the St. Charles Convention Center on Feb. 12 to rub elbows with vendors and attendees alike.

PHOTOS BY RAY ROCKWELL

18 | CROSSROADS | MARCH 2017

Community Calendar

March 1 – Ash Wednesday 2 – Read Across America Day 3 – Employee Appreciation Day 3 – Fish fry

St Paul’s UCC church in Defiance will be having a fish fry from 5 - 7:30 p.m. On the menu are fish, chips, mac and cheese, slaw, bread and desserts. Cost is $10 for adults, children ages five-to-12 are $5.

8 – Parent Night for Straight Talk on Teen Issues of Suicide, Anxiety and Depression

All parents are invited to attend Parent Night for Straight Talk on Teen Issues of Suicide, Anxiety and Depression. This panel discussion will take place at 7 p.m. at St. Dominic High School’s Amy Dickherber Performing Arts Center at 31 St. Dominic Drive in O’Fallon. Panelists include professionals from a variety of fields, including a pediatrician, counselor, law enforcement officer and representative from the American Federation of Suicide Prevention.

12 – Daylight Savings Time Begins 17 – St. Patrick’s Day 17 – Scholarship deadline

West Community Credit Union is accepting applications for their annual scholarship program. There are five $1,500 scholarships available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are available at www.westcommunitycu.org and are due March 17. For more information, visit online or stop by a local branch.

20 – First Day of Spring

MARCH 2017 | CROSSROADS | 19

WWW.TREESBYWOODY.NET

WWW.FORRESTKEELING.COM

WWW.PBTC.NET www.CenterPointeHospital.com

FREE Online Subscription at www. MYCNEWS